Guinness PRO12
Leinster claim bragging rights over Ulster in bruising derby
PA Sport
November 27, 2015
Leo Cullen looks on
Leo Cullen looks on© David Rogers/Getty Images

Sean Cronin scored the only try of a bruising and defence-dominated Guinness PRO12 derby as Leinster overcame Ulster 8-3 at the RDS.

Leo Cullen's men claimed a deserved victory to get back on track after two disappointing weeks in Europe, with man of the match Luke Fitzgerald, Josh van der Flier and Martin Moore standing out.

In a cagey first half with few moments of real quality, Ulster's stubborn defence eventually gave way as Cronin drove over from a 36th-minute lineout maul to give Leinster an 8-3 lead. Jonathan Sexton and Paddy Jackson had kicked early penalties. 

The Ulstermen, with just one interpro win in Dublin since 1999, stayed in the hunt through some strength-sapping phases. Leinster managed to hold them at arm's length despite some incisive running from Stuart McCloskey and Craig Gilroy.

Adam Ashe's late try helped Glasgow Warriors to a hard-fought 13-6 victory over Treviso on a bleak night at Scotstoun Stadium.

This ended up as a show of front-eight strength for Glasgow after being outmuscled in their Champions Cup 26-15 defeat to Northampton last week.

It was a win chiselled out from as much of Treviso's anaemic attack, which showed flickers of life, but the visitors were ultimately handed their 17th consecutive Guinness Pro12 loss.

Leading 6-3 at the half-time interval, Treviso mounted a brief period of superiority, Jason Hayward missing a third kickable penalty which could have left Glasgow with an enormous mountain to climb, until the home side sparked into life in the final 10 minutes.

Ashe rescued his side seven minutes from time, darting under the posts after a rare period of sustained pick-and-go pressure.

Duncan Weir, a second-half replacement for an out-of-sorts Finn Russell, added the conversion and rubber-stamped the points with a penalty two minutes later to seal the victory.

Edinburgh extended their winning run in all competitions to three matches with a victory over Newport Gwent Dragons that was as convincing as the 32-13 scoreline suggests.

Edinburgh's points came from tries by Willem Nel, Alasdair Dickinson, Tom Brown and Matt Scott as they brought to an end a three-match losing streak in the Guinness PRO12. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne booted 10 points and Blair Kinghorn added two. 

The Dragons could have few complaints over the outcome, having contributed to their own downfall with a loss of discipline that led to four players being sent to the sin bin.

The visitors had only a pair of Dorian Jones penalties to show for their efforts until Nic Cudd scored and converted a late try.

© PA Sport

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.