Impressive Leinster retain European Cup

Leinster overpowered Irish provincial rivals Ulster 42-14 to defend their European Cup title at Twickenham yesterday, becoming the first team to win the trophy three times in four seasons. Leinster, with a gameplan based on slick handling and a...

Leinster overpowered Irish provincial rivals Ulster 42-14 to defend their European Cup title at Twickenham yesterday, becoming the first team to win the trophy three times in four seasons. Leinster, with a gameplan based on slick handling and a swarming defence, scored five tries. Flanker Sean O’Brien (picture) and prop Cian Healy barged over in the first half, with referee Nigel Owens awarding a penalty try early in the second half and replacement forwards Heinke Van der Merwe and Sean Cronin crossing late on. Jonathan Sexton hit three conversions and two penalties, and Fergus McFadden nailed a conversion.

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