The Daily Star Ireland
Leinster ended a four-year wait for a major trophy with a commanding 32–7 victory over the Bulls in the BKT United Rugby Championship final, held in front of nearly 47,000 spectators at Croke Park. This triumph marks the Irish province’s ninth title in the history of the competition and their first since the inclusion of South Africa’s four elite franchises in 2021.
The result closed a chapter of near misses for Leinster, whose recent seasons had seen repeated Champions Cup heartbreak. Their latest loss in Europe to Northampton Saints added further pressure, but this domestic success could represent a turning point as the squad shifts focus toward a more complete campaign in the coming year.
Early Tries Set the Tone as Leinster Overwhelm Bulls
Despite wet and testing conditions in Dublin, Leinster asserted control from the opening whistle. Their forward pack dictated proceedings, neutralising the Bulls’ traditionally strong scrum and dominating the breakdown. Three tries inside the first 21 minutes—scored by Jack Conan, Jordie Barrett, and Josh van der Flier—put the hosts firmly in command.
The opening score came from close range after early penalties had pinned the Bulls deep in their own half. From a lineout, the home side launched a series of drives, and when the maul stalled, Conan picked from the base and exploited a gap to score. Sam Prendergast added the conversion for a 7–0 lead.
Moments later, Leinster doubled their advantage with an opportunistic play. Luke McGrath, appearing to shape for a box kick, instead delivered a chip behind the ruck. Barrett reacted fastest, winning the footrace to the ball and finishing the move with a clean pickup and touch down. Prendergast again converted to extend the lead to 14 points.
Leinster’s relentless approach continued as they added a third try. A collapsing maul near the Bulls’ line allowed van der Flier to break free and cross unopposed. Although Prendergast missed the conversion this time, Leinster had already built a 19–0 lead before the half-hour mark.
Defensive Strength and Set-Piece Superiority Cement Leinster’s Control
While Leinster’s attack caught the eye early, it was their defensive organisation that took centre stage in the remainder of the first half. The Bulls’ first meaningful attack came in the 34th minute, sparked by a powerful break from Marco van Staden. Although they earned a penalty and built up 15 phases, their momentum stalled, and a poor cross-field kick by Willie le Roux gifted possession back to Leinster.
Even a second chance for the South African side before halftime went unrewarded. After winning a penalty at the breakdown, they launched a lineout just five metres out but were forced back 15 metres before a forward pass ended the half. At the break, Leinster remained in total control.
That dominance extended into the second half. The first scrum after the restart saw Leinster win a penalty, which Prendergast converted to push the lead to 22–0. However, the Bulls finally responded. A scrum penalty of their own set up a maul near the Leinster line, and hooker Akker van der Merwe scored their only try of the evening. Johan Goosen added the conversion, narrowing the deficit to 15 points.
The middle portion of the second half featured a competitive battle at the scrum, with both sides exchanging penalties. As benches emptied and substitutions influenced the flow of the game, Leinster continued to manage territory effectively, although a knock-on from van der Flier ended one promising move.
Prendergast had another opportunity to add points around the hour mark but pushed a relatively simple kick wide. He redeemed himself in the 67th minute, landing a penalty that took Leinster’s lead to 25–7 before being replaced by Ross Byrne.
Late Score Seals the Result in Style
With the outcome no longer in doubt, Leinster finished the match with a final flourish. A slick move saw Byrne and Fintan Gunne link up off a switch play, slicing through the Bulls’ 22. Gunne, a late starter after Jamison Gibson-Park’s injury withdrawal, sprinted through to score Leinster’s fourth try. Byrne converted in what would be his final kick for the province, bringing the scoreline to 32–7 and capping off a dominant performance.
Ryan Baird was named player of the match for the second week in a row, underlining his growing influence in the number six jersey. His performance was emblematic of a Leinster pack that delivered a powerful and emotionally charged display, driven by recent disappointments in European competition.
The Bulls, meanwhile, suffered their third final defeat in four years. Despite strong efforts from key individuals like Marco van Staden and a brief resurgence in the second half, they struggled to match Leinster’s physicality or adapt to the hosts’ well-executed tactics.
Team Line-ups and Scorers
Leinster Scorers:
Tries: Jack Conan, Jordie Barrett, Josh van der Flier, Fintan Gunne
Conversions: Sam Prendergast (2), Ross Byrne (1)
Penalties: Sam Prendergast (2)
Bulls Scorers:
Try: Akker van der Merwe
Conversion: Johan Goosen
Leinster Starting XV:
Jimmy O’Brien; Tommy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Jordie Barrett, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Luke McGrath; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan (captain)
Leinster Replacements:
Rónan Kelleher, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Max Deegan, Fintan Gunne, Ross Byrne, Jamie Osborne
Bulls Starting XV:
Willie le Roux; Canan Moodie, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Sebastian de Klerk; Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier; Jan-hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar, Wilco Louw; Cobus Wiese, JF van Heerden; Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje (captain), Marcell Coetzee
Bulls Replacements:
Akker van der Merwe, Alulutho Tshakweni, Mornay Smith, Jannes Kirsten, Nizaam Carr, Zak Burger, Keagan Johannes, Devon Williams
With their domestic crown secured, Leinster will now turn attention to converting URC success into European silverware, aiming to end a longer drought in the Champions Cup next season. This performance at Croke Park, built on precision, intensity, and collective purpose, offers a strong foundation to build on.
