{"id":21397,"date":"2021-05-14T18:00:28","date_gmt":"2021-05-14T22:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=21397"},"modified":"2021-05-15T11:01:37","modified_gmt":"2021-05-15T15:01:37","slug":"leinster-back-in-rainbow-cup-hunt-after-seeing-off-ulster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=21397","title":{"rendered":"Leinster Back In Rainbow Cup Hunt After Seeing Off Ulster"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup, RDS, Dublin 14\/5\/2021
Leinster vs Ulster
Leinster’s Jack Conan is tackled by Iain Henderson of Ulster
(INPHO\/Bryan Keane)<\/figcaption><\/figure>Tries from British & Irish Lions duo Jack Conan and Robbie Henshaw did the damage for Leinster in a hard-earned 21-17 win over Ulster at the RDS.<\/p>\n

Following Munster’s defeat to Connacht, Leinster are now right back in the hunt for a place in next month’s North-versus-South Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup final.<\/p>\n

An intense first half finished at seven points apiece, Cian Healy cancelling out Robert Baloucoune’s lead try with both defenses thoroughly tested throughout.<\/p>\n

Following a Billy Burns penalty, the hosts kicked it up a gear with replacement Conan (53 minutes) and player-of-the-match Henshaw (61) both crossing before Craig Gilroy’s late score.<\/p>\n

Ulster misfired in threatening positions early on, twice having lineouts stolen by James Ryan and scrum half David Shanahan was also stopped short of the line.<\/p>\n

When the visitors pressed again in the 18th minute, they made it count. Jacob Stockdale expertly evaded a tackle from Dave Kearney and released winger Baloucoune for the right corner.<\/p>\n

Burns, who added a fine conversion, was soon charged down by his opposite number Ross Byrne, allowing Leinster to go close through the onrushing Sean Cronin.<\/p>\n

A quick bout of pressure in the Ulstermen’s 22 ended with Healy driving in under the posts for Garry Ringrose to convert.<\/p>\n

Another missed chance for Ulster – this time from a maul – was preceded by an unsuccessful captain’s challenge from Iain Henderson, with referee Mike Adamson deeming there was no contact to the head in Henshaw’s big tackle on Baloucoune.<\/p>\n

Ulster were unable to profit from a James Hume break, and while the returning Caelan Doris replied with a turnover penalty, Ulster held out just before the interval thanks to a key rip by Stockdale.<\/p>\n

Burns followed up a missed penalty with a successful 51st-minute strike, rewarding another strong run by number 8 Timoney.<\/p>\n

However, Leinster then began to put together some relentless passages of attacking play. Conan hit the line at pace, exploiting a defensive gap to charge over from outside the Ulster 22. Ringrose converted again.<\/p>\n

With their strong bench wielding influence, the reigning Guinness PRO14 champions enjoyed further gain-line success past the hour mark, leading to Henshaw muscling over from close range.<\/p>\n

Showing his place-kicking prowess, Ringrose rifled over a classy conversion from wide out, yet the bonus point try eluded Leinster.<\/p>\n

A gallant Ulster closed out the scoring courtesy of replacement Ian Madigan’s long cut-out pass for Gilroy in the last minute. It sparked some late drama but there were no further chances.<\/p>\n

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