Leinster send ill-disciplined Stormers packing to book repeat URC final with Bulls

Leinster held on to book a return to the United Rugby Championship Grand Final with a hard-fought 20-11 win over Stormers at the Aviva Stadium.

The champions were pegged back after opening up an early 13-0 lead but the South Africans were undone by their own indiscipline.

The visitors had Ruan Ackermann sent off and Salmaan Moerat sinbinned in the second half before Jamison Gibson-Park settled an ill-tempered contest – during which a scuffle broke out in the tunnel at half-time – with a late try.

Leinster had made a strong start with Rieko Ioane crossing on eight minutes and Sam Prendergast converting and adding two penalties.

Stormers responded after Andrew Porter was forced off through injury and reduced the deficit to five points as Andre Smith crashed over from close range and Jurie Matthee landed a penalty.

Stormers survived Leolin Zas’ sinbinning, and a further Matthee penalty brought them back within two as they dominated after the break, but Ackermann was then shown a yellow card – later upgraded to red on review – for a dangerous challenge on Ronan Kelleher.

Gibson-Park regathered after the ball was kicked out his hands by Moerat to race under the posts and seal victory nine minutes from time.

Moerat was then sin-binned for his cynical play in the build-up and the hosts saw out the closing stages.

Leinster Rugby: Hugo Keenan, Jimmy O’Brien, Rieko Ioane, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe, Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Max Deegan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (CAPT)

Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Alex Usanov, Rabah Slimani, Diarmuid Mangan, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Harry Byrne, Garry Ringrose

DHL Stormers: Damian Willemse, Wandisile Simelane, Ruhan Nel (CAPT), Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas, Jurie Matthee, Imad Khan, Ntuthuko Mchunu, André-Hugo Venter, Neethling Fouché, Adré Smith, Connor Evans, Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon, Evan Roos

Replacements: JJ Kotzé, Vernon Matongo, Zachary Porthen, Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Ackermann, Marcel Theunissen, Stefan Ungerer, Warrick Gelant