Leinster

52 - 17

Full Time

Connacht

Connacht vs Leinster

Events

Commentary

Live Updates

It's all over! The referee Andrew Brace has blown their whistle to end the game.

80'

This is dangerous for the defence as Cathal Forde bursts through to advance the Connacht Rugby attack.

77'

This is dangerous for the defence as Andrew Osborne bursts through to advance the Leinster Rugby attack.

76'

Leinster Rugby go for goal with Sam Prendergast taking the conversion but their aim is not up to scratch as the ball slides to the left of the post.

75'

Try

A series of passes by Leinster Rugby results in a try for Joshua Kenny

74'

A gap opened in the defence and Joshua Kenny took full advantage.

74'

Josh van der Flier played a key part in that try.

74'

A gap opened in the defence and Sam Gilbert took full advantage.

69'

Leinster Rugby make a substitution with Conor O'Tighearnaigh coming on.

67'

Leinster Rugby make a substitution with Joe McCarthy coming off.

67'

Conversion

The Leinster Rugby supporters go wild as Sam Prendergast successfully kicks the conversion.

66'

Try

Great hands by Leinster Rugby leads to a try for Tommy O'Brien

66'

Charlie Tector sets up the try.

65'

The defensive line has been broken as Charlie Tector goes through the gap.

65'

The defensive line has been broken as Harry West goes through the gap.

65'

Leinster Rugby make a substitution with Andrew Osborne coming on.

65'

Leinster Rugby make a substitution with Ciaran Frawley coming off.

65'

Leinster Rugby sub Jerry Cahir comes onto the field.

63'

Thomas Clarkson departs for Leinster Rugby.

63'

Leinster Rugby sub Luke McGrath comes onto the field.

63'

Jamison Gibson-Park departs for Leinster Rugby.

63'

Leinster Rugby sub Gus McCarthy comes onto the field.

63'

Dan Sheehan departs for Leinster Rugby.

63'

Connacht Rugby sub Cathal Forde comes onto the field.

62'

David Hawkshaw departs for Connacht Rugby.

62'

Conversion

The Leinster Rugby supporters go wild as Sam Prendergast successfully kicks the conversion.

62'

Try

Great hands by Leinster Rugby leads to a try for Charlie Tector

61'

The defensive line has been broken as Charlie Tector goes through the gap.

61'

Spellbinding play by Sam Prendergast is finished off with a try.

61'

Darragh Murray comes on for Connacht Rugby.

59'

Joe Joyce leaves the field.

59'

What a run here by Paul Boyle as they get over the gainline!

55'

Fiachna Barrett comes on.

52'

Finlay Bealham comes off.

52'

Harry West comes on.

52'

Chay Mullins comes off.

52'

Eoin de Buitlear comes on.

51'

Dylan Tierney-Martin comes off.

51'

Billy Bohan comes on.

51'

Denis Buckley comes off.

51'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Sam Prendergast kicks the conversion.

51'

Try

A penetrating move by Leinster Rugby results in a try for Tommy O'Brien.

51'

What a run here by Tommy O'Brien as they get over the gainline!

51'

Sam Prendergast sets up the try.

51'

Paul Boyle comes on.

50'

Cian Prendergast comes off.

50'

Leinster Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Max Deegan getting some game time.

49'

Leinster Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Diarmuid Mangan being replaced.

49'

Josh Ioane makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

45'

Leinster Rugby make a substitution with Josh van der Flier coming on.

44'

Leinster Rugby make a substitution with Will Connors coming off.

44'

Conversion

Sam Prendergast adds the two points for Leinster Rugby.

44'

Try

The defence are desperately trying to hold out here but it was to no avail as Brian Deeny dots the ball down from close range.

43'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

40'

Leinster Rugby go for goal with Sam Prendergast taking the conversion but their aim is not up to scratch as the ball slides to the left of the post.

39'

Try

The pick and go results in a try for Leinster Rugby as Sam Prendergast goes over.

38'

Fabulous play by Leinster Rugby has led to Sam Prendergast being able to wriggle through a gap.

38'

That's a great try assist by Jamison Gibson-Park.

38'

Fabulous play by Leinster Rugby has led to Tommy O'Brien being able to wriggle through a gap.

37'

Conversion

Sam Gilbert does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

36'

Try

The pick and go results in a try for Connacht Rugby as Finlay Bealham goes over.

35'

Leinster Rugby sub Andrew Porter comes onto the field.

35'

Jack Boyle departs for Leinster Rugby.

35'

Fabulous play by Connacht Rugby has led to David Hawkshaw being able to wriggle through a gap.

34'

Penalty Goal

The touch judges raise their flags as Sam Gilbert kicks the penalty goal.

26'

Yellow Card

Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby) is shown a yellow card

25'

Conversion

Sam Gilbert converts the try.

19'

Try

Connacht Rugby are stopped just a few metres from the try line but Dylan Tierney-Martin picks up from the base of the ruck to score the try.

18'

Connacht Rugby sub Sean Jansen comes onto the field.

14'

Paul Boyle departs for Connacht Rugby.

14'

Connacht Rugby sub Ben Murphy comes onto the field.

10'

Matthew Devine departs for Connacht Rugby.

10'

Conversion

Sam Prendergast has kicked a conversion.

Try

Leinster Rugby are only a few metres out, surely they must score! And they do with Charlie Tector touching down.

The defensive line has been broken as Charlie Tector goes through the gap.

Paul Boyle comes on for Connacht Rugby.

Sean Jansen leaves the field.

Conversion

Sam Prendergast has kicked a conversion.

Try

Great hands by Leinster Rugby leads to a try for Dan Sheehan

Tommy O'Brien sets up the try.

The defensive line has been broken as Will Connors goes through the gap.

We are underway as the referee Andrew Brace blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Leinster v Connacht 
  
 Round 9 
  
 Sat 3rd January 2026, 09:30am PST 
  
 Aviva Stadium 
  
 Flo Rugby 
  
 Andrew Brace

Points Flow Chart

Leinster win +35

Time in lead

Mins in lead

95%

% Of Game In Lead

70%

Possession Last 10 min

30%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Kenny

52 - 17

74'

Prendergast

47 - 17

66'

O'Brien

45 - 17

66'

Prendergast

40 - 17

62'

Tector

38 - 17

61'

Prendergast

33 - 17

51'

O'Brien

31 - 17

51'

Prendergast

26 - 17

44'

Deeny

24 - 17

43'

Half Time

Prendergast

19 - 17

38'

Gilbert

36'

14 - 17

Bealham

35'

14 - 15

Gilbert

26'

14 - 10

McCarthy

14 - 7

25'

Gilbert

19'

14 - 7

Tierney-Martin

18'

14 - 5

Prendergast

14 - 0

Tector

12 - 0

Prendergast

7 - 0

Sheehan

5 - 0

Start

Win Probability

Leinster

87%

Draw

Connacht

12%

Ruck-Won by Harry West

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

2.8

Entries

Attack Profile

Leinster

Connacht

More Less

Defence Profile

Leinster

Connacht

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

65%

55%

3-6 secs

23%

31%

6+ secs

12%

14%

Rucks Won

Last 5 Penalties

56'

57'

60'

61'

64'

Leinster

Connacht

Leinster vs Connacht Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Leinster face off against Connacht in United Rugby Championship Round 9 on Sat 3rd January 2026 at Aviva Stadium. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 17:30 and is broadcast on Premier Sports. In South Africa it’s at 19:30 SAST on SuperSport, 06:30 NZST on URC TV in New Zealand, 04:30 AEST on URC TV in Australia and 09:30 EST on Flo Rugby in the US.

Leinster won the last encounter but Leinster are in the best form of their last 5 games.

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by 7 places in the league table with Connacht in 5th and Leinster in 12th as such Connacht are favourites on paper.

Leinster vs Connacht Squads

The official squads for Leinster vs Connacht will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.