Leinster take bragging rights from Munster derby

Leinster have beaten Munster 23-17 in their Pro14 clash at the Aviva Stadium on a day when Jonathan Sexton became their record points scorer.

Rory O'Loughlin and the impressive Keith Earls grabbed a pair of tries each for the hosts and the visitors respectively and although Munster outscored their provincial rivals in terms of tries by three to two - Ian Keatley claiming the other - the boot of Sexton ensured Leinster emerged triumphant.

Although Sean O'Brien and captain Isa Nacewa missed out for Leo Cullen's side through injury, they were able to welcome back four other Lions in the shape of Sexton, Jack McGrath, Tadhg Furlong and Robbie Henshaw.

Munster were also able to select their three Lions with Earls, Conor Murray and CJ Stander making the starting XV for Johan Erasmus' team.

Munster thought they had gone ahead early on against the run of play when Earls touched down but the big screen replay of Chris Farrell making a forward pass earlier in the move resulted in referee Ben Whitehouse disallowing the try.

The three-time European champions took full advantage of their reprieve when O'Loughlin did well to spin out of the tackle and reach over the line for the opening try with Sexton adding the extras but Keatley levelled the scores soon after with an intercept try which the out-half converted himself.

A fine move involving a Sexton kick and a Joey Carberry pass saw O'Loughlin cross the whitewash five minutes before the break with Sexton's conversion giving Leinster a 14-7 lead at half-time.

A Sexton penalty four minutes after the restart saw him become the province's all-time record point scorer but Munster hit back when a great run and pass from Tommy O'Donnell saw Earls dive for the corner and claim his side's second try of the afternoon.

A change of front row by Cullen was rewarded in quick time as Sean Cronin and Michael Bent won a penalty which Sexton knocked over to make it 20-12 and he extended the lead to nine points with a third penalty.

Earls touched down in the corner in injury time to ensure Munster earned a bonus point for their troubles, bringing this entertaining but error-strewn derby to a close.

Image: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

eir Sport channels are available across the eir Vision, Sky and Vodafone TV platforms as well as on the eir Sport app. All 7 channels in the eir Sport pack are available for free if you are a residential eir broadband customer.