Leinster v Bulls

Up until last weekend’s United Rugby Championship action it had been 14 years since the Bulls had travelled to the Aviva Stadium to play Leinster. Many players, coaches and fans have changed in that time, but the one thing that hasn’t is the physicality of the encounters between the northern and southern hemisphere sides.
On a cold and blustery day, the two sides served up a fiercely contested match that was eventually won by Leinster 31-3. It was a victory that moved them up to fourth in the table and ended the Bulls’ 100 per cent record this season.
It was a match that was very much won in the battle up front, with Leinster’s pack more than matching their South African rivals. The likes of Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan and Josh van der Flier were in excellent form, with Furlong in particular putting in a man of the match performance.
Two Of The World’s Best
It was no surprise to see Leinster and the Bulls produce such a high quality match, with both teams featuring some of the best players in the world. The Bulls have the likes of Marcell Coetzee, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Elrigh Louw in their ranks, while Leinster can call upon Johnny Sexton, Josh van der Flier and James Lowe.
The match was also a good opportunity for some of the younger players to show what they can do. Leinster’s Ciarán Frawley and the Bulls’ Canan Moodie both impressed, and they will be hoping to play a bigger role for their teams in the future.
Although Leinster won, the Bulls can take some solace from the fact that they were competitive for the majority of the match. They will also be boosted by the return of some of their injured players, including Handre Pollard and Duane Vermeulen.
A Match To Remember
The match between Leinster and the Bulls was a reminder of why the United Rugby Championship is one of the most competitive leagues in the world. It was a match that had everything, from big hits to brilliant tries, and it was a match that will live long in the memory of those who were lucky enough to witness it.
The highlights of the match included:

A brilliant try from Leinster’s James Lowe, who ran the length of the pitch to score.
A powerful performance from Leinster’s Tadhg Furlong, who was named man of the match.
A brave defensive effort from the Bulls, who kept Leinster out for long periods of the game.
A great atmosphere from the crowd, who created a great atmosphere for the occasion.

If you are a fan of rugby, then you will not want to miss the next time Leinster and the Bulls meet. It is sure to be another classic encounter.