Leinster 18-3 Ulster
Leinster comfortably secured their place in the Magners League final after an 18-3 win at home to Ulster. The home sides injury list continues to grow as a number of key players were forced off due to injury which gives Head Coach Joe Schmidt a selection headache with the Heineken Cup Final next week as well as the Magners League Final against either Munster or Ospreys.
Ulster made one solitary change to their starting 15 from last week with the injured Dan Tuohy being replaced by Tim Barker and Neil McComb taking Barker's place on the bench. Leinster restored Leo Cullen, Sean O'Brien and Brian O'Driscoll to their ranks after they were rested in the victory against Glasgow last week. Leinster have won the last three counters between the sides as they looked to continue their season's dominance in the Magners League.
1st Half
The home side raced into an early lead as Jonathan Sexton successfully kicked a penalty to put Leinster 3-0 up inside four minutes. Leinster 3- 0 Ulster. They continued their early dominance as well placed kicking from Brian O'Driscoll and Sexton was penning Ulster into their own half. The home side then showed people why they are so good with ball in hand as Fergus McFadden showed good strength to play in Richardt Strauss, who was able to side step a couple of tackles to work Leinster into an attacking position but he then knocked the ball on which relieved the pressure on the resilient Ulster back line. Sexton then had the chance to add to Leinster's advantage but failed with his second penalty attempt as the home side were starting to get into their stride.
Finally, the Dublin sides pressure told as McFadden grounded in the corner after good work in the scrum which drove to the Ulster line. Leinster then played the ball back out and a smart offload by Isa Nacewa put McFadden in to score the games first try. Sexton missed the conversion. Leinster 8- 0 Ulster. Ulster couldn't make the necessary inroads towards the home sides try line as numerous unforced errors prevented them from reducing the gap. Isaac Boss then sustained an injury forcing him off for Eoin Reddan 10 minutes before half time. The visitors were still in the game despite being 8-0 down as their physicality was keeping them in the tie. A mistake by Ulster almost cost them as Jamie Heaslip powered into the visitors 22 but a good last ditch challenge denied him. This lead to a penalty deep in the visitors half which Sexton successfully kicked to put the home side 11-0 up at the half time whistle.
2nd Half
At the end of the first half, O'Driscoll was looking to be struggling with an injury of some form and this forced him off at the start of the second half to be replaced by David Kearney. Ulster came out guns blazing and were gifted an opportunity of a way back into the game however Ian Humphreys kick just went wide which kept the scores as they were. In the first 15 minutes, Ulster were on top of the game and really pushing the home side into a mistake but the home side were holding firm. Strauss then added to Leinster's injury list as he pulled up and was substituted for Jason Harris-Wright. Ulster were then awarded another penalty this time from their own 10 metre line. Normally Ruan Pienaar, who had taken over kicking duties from Humphreys, would kick for territory and push on for the try as the visitors needed the points. But in an ambitious effort he decided against that and went for the kick at goal which miraculously made the distance to put Ulster on the board. Leinster 11- 3 Ulster. Leinster started to turn up the wick and pushed the visitors back into their own half. The strain told on the Ulster defence as Luke Fitzgerald waltzed his way through three tackles to put the ball down under the posts to score the games second try in the 71st minute, effectively killing any chances Ulster had of a comeback. McFadden added to the try with the conversion. Leinster 18- 3 Ulster. The home side managed to see out the rest of the game and book their place in the Magners League Final.
Full Time
Overall, Leinster were too strong for their opponents as the experience of their internationals showed massively. Ulster gave it a good go in the second half putting the home side under tremendous pressure but numerous unforced errors repeatedly prevented the visitors from contributing more to the score board.
Man of the Match
Jamie Heaslip: Made decisive tackles and interceptions in the defence as well as impressive runs in attack.
Leinster
Tries: Fitzgerald, McFadden
Penalties: Sexton (2)
Conversions: McFadden
Ulster
Penalties: Pienaar
Thoughts
At the moment, Leinster easily showcased that they are one of the best sides in Europe as they managed to withstand the mounting pressure Ulster put on them throughout the second half. The injuries to O'Driscoll, Strauss, Boss and Ross could prove costly in their efforts to win the double as O'Driscoll is a key player at the back for Leinster. On the other hand, Ulster should take credit for pushing Leinster all the way despite only scoring three points. Obviously they will be disappointed with their semi final exit but their young and inexperienced players can use this as big learning experience as they were no match for the vast talent and array of internationals that Leinster had at their disposal.
