Irish sides could meet again in the play-offs
ULSTER ....... 20 LEINSTER .... 22
RABODIRECT leaders Leinster were made to fight tooth and nail for this result which puts them on the verge of securing a home semi-final while Ulster’s losing bonus point brought them a guaranteed place in the play-offs which could mean the sides facing up again.
It was a huge effort from Ulster who were forced to play most of the game with 14 men after losing Tom Court to a red card – their second sending off in three home games after Jared Payne’s dismissal against Saracens last month – early in the first half.
Leinster, though, were down to 13 men at one point in that first half after Rob Kearney and Rhys Ruddock were shown yellow by english referee Luke Pearce.
Shane Jennings scored Leinster’s only try of the night in the second half while Ian Madigan kicked four penalties and a conversion – though he missed three kicks at goal – while replacement Jimmy Gopperth nailed a penalty.
Paddy Jackson, the man-of-the- match, scored all Ulster’s points, on the night the new Ravenhill was officially opened, with five penalties and a try on an emotional occasion as captain Johann Muller and Court played their last games at the ground. n Bath and Northampton played out a dramatic 19-19 draw under the Recreation Ground floodlights, a result which still leaves the Aviva Premiership play-off places in doubt.
Second-placed Saints are not absolutely sure of a home semi-final and Bath, in third, can still be denied a play-off place by harlequins, who they meet next Saturday in the final round of games.
highlight of an incident-packed game was a stunning individual try by Bath fly-half George Ford who scored all his side’s points. Saints’ try was scored by left wing Jamie elliott with Stephen Myler’s boot responsible for the rest of their points.
The game ended in controversy when Courtney Lawes was flagged by touch judge Ashley Rowden for a late hit on Ford, within kicking range. But referee Matthew Carley overruled him after checking the TV replay.