Leinster/Ulster Win Aviva Opener

Leinster/Ulster 68 Connacht/Munster 0: As the opening chapter to the new Aviva Stadium, formerly Lansdowne Road, the Leinster/Ulster combined side trounced their Munster/Connacht counterparts in the first rugby match to played in the pristine surrounds.

A crowd of 35,115 witnessed the young players in blue and white win easily. Six first half tries, all converted by outhalf Paddy Jackson, set Leinster/Ulster up for the easiest of victories.

The provincial splits saw players range from the under-18 to under-20 join forces, with Dungannon and Ulster flyer Craig Gilroy making history by becoming the first scorer at the Aviva Stadium.

With just five minutes on the clock, the 19-year-old wrote himself into the history books by latching onto a cross-field kick from Jackson before he touched down in the corner.

The Leinster/Ulster team continued to impress throughout the opening half with five more tries before the interval.

Sam Coghlan Murray, who played for the Ireland U18 Schools side earlier this year, got his name on the scoresheet with a well-taken score, while UCD's Andrew Boyle and impressive captain Luke Marshall registered two tries each.

Ireland U19 international Jackson showed great accuracy with his place kicks, converting all six tries.

In the second half, the Connacht/Munster outfit improved, but it was only a matter of time before they conceded again and it was Boyle who went over just before the hour mark to complete his hat-trick. The Leinster prospect played in the recent IRB Junior World Championship for the Ireland U20s, scoring in the play-off win over Samoa.

Leinster/Ulster's next try came five minutes later, with Gilroy getting on the end of a classy chip from his provincial colleague Marshall.

Further tries from Ulster duo Conor Spence and Michael McAuley put the icing on the cake for the victorious Leinster/Ulster side.