Leinster brush past Ulster while Munster hold their nerve at Connacht

Ulster 13-30 Leinster

Leinster made light work of Ulster at Ravenhill today, leapfrogging their opposition in the Magners League standings, with full-back Isa Nacewa delivering 15 points for the victors.

Ex-Ulster scrum-half Isaac Boss starred for a classy Leinster side that was without nine regular starters. Leinster's Sean O'Brien was man of the match thanks to two first-half tries while Shane Horgan's (and assist from Nacewa) second-half score helped finish off a beleaguered Ulster.

A late conversion from Nacewa put the tie beyond all doubt with a 30-6 lead, before a late consolation try from Craig Gilroy spared some of Ulster's blushes.

Connacht 12-16 Munster

Late, late 'messing about', according to the referee tonight, prolonged a Connacht defeat in a combative tie in which the final whistle was not blown until the 86th minute.

Connacht’s Ian Keatley began the night with a penalty after just fourminutes, while Ronan O’Gara levelled the game five minutes later and Keatley slotted his second of the night with a quarter of an hour gone. The second half was just as balanced, with Munster holding a slim one point lead before a Ronan O'Gara drop kick led to a nervy final few minutes at The Sportsground.