PRO12 round-up: Leinster sweep Ulster aside; Munster overcome poor Connacht

Rory O'Loughlin grabbed a pair of tries as Leinster swept a poor Ulster aside by 22-7 in their Guinness Pro12 derby at the RDS.

Despite having a wind advantage for the first period, the visitors failed to capitalise, defensive errors and basic mistakes seeing them fail to build real pressure or benefit from their scarce attacking opportunities.

A cracking sixth-minute try from O'Loughlin - the youngster now has four in his last four games - put the three-time European champions ahead on six minutes before Luke McGrath finished off a lovely move later in the half.

Isa Nacewa split the tries - each of which he converted - with a penalty to ensure Leo Cullen's men went into the break with a 17-0 margin.

O'Loughlin crossed the line again not long after the restart and although Nacewa failed to add the extras, the contest was as good as over.

However, the hosts failed to make full use of the wind in the second period and their play began to be disjointed, resulting in them not getting the bonus point which a fourth try would have brought them.

Indeed, it was Ulster who got the only other try in the remainder of the match, the impressive Charles Piutau grabbing a merited consolation with three minutes left on the clock.

Munster overcame defending champions Connacht 16-9 to extend their lead to five points in the Guinness PRO12 at the Galway Sportsgrounds.

The hosts struggled with the miserable conditions and were undone by a second-half try from hooker Rhys Marshall, with the impressive Ian Keatley kicking over 11 points for the Red Army.

Despite working their way into promising situations, Connacht failed to cross the line, with Jack Carthy scoring three penalties, in what was a disappointing performance from Pat Lam’s side.

Connacht will look to get back to winning ways when they host Zebre Rugby on the 14^th of January in the Champion’s Cup, while Munster travel to Glasgow Warriors on the same date.

Photo: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

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