Photograph: Tom O’Hanlon/InphoURC: Connacht 23 Leinster 34Not quite the cherry on top. Luke McGrath upped the tempo and Leinster sniffed blood to register their 13th win in succession against their western rivals. A Gilbert penalty made it a four-point game but James Lowe’s kick earned a five-metre scrum. The latter maintained his unerring record off the tee and Leinster kept a deflated Connacht at bay for a 10th successive win. SCORING SEQUENCE – 8 mins: Gunne try, Byrne con, 0-7; 12: Tierney-Martin try, Gilbert con, 7-7; 23: Gilbert pen, 10-7; 27: Byrne pen, 10-10; 31: Byrne pen, 10-13; 33: Gilbert pen, 13-13; (half-time 13-13); 48: West try, Gilbert con, 20-13; 57: Snyman try, Byrne con, 20-20; 60: Tector try, Byrne con, 20-27; 67: Gilbert pen 23-27; 71: Frawley try, Byrne con, 23-34.

Source: The Irish Times January 25, 2026 11:51 UTC