Sexton and Nacewa sign off in style with more silverware

Isa Nacewa and Jonny Sexton signed off their Leinster careers in style when they edged past Ulster at a packed RDS today.

By Declan Whooley

After so many near misses in recent seasons in this particular competition, Leinster had too much for their Northern rivals much to the delight of the raucous crowd.

It really was the end of an era tonight with Sexton heading for pastures new in France and the Kiwi calling time on his rugby career, not to mention the fact that Joe Schmidt is leaving for the Irish post while Andrew Conway is heading south to Munster.

It was fitting that they should bow out with another trophy in front of their own fans with a 24-18 win over a gallant Ulster outfit, with Mark Anscombe’s side testing the Amlin winners defence in the second half.

Tommy Bowe halts Ian Madigan in dramatic style

Shane Jennings and Jamie Heaslip crossed for the two tries while the boot of Ruan Pienaar kept the scoreboard ticking over, but they could not prevent Leinster from adding yet another trophy to the bulging trophy cabinet.

An end of a most successful era with this particular group of players and another ringing endorsement of the club game in Ireland.