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00:00:00Again, just running back towards the right.
00:00:02Number four clearly from the side, number four clearly from the side.
00:00:04Running back against the grain, you lose your support.
00:00:07Keep your eyes on cuts back against this clear-out.
00:00:11We're on Wehrmacht, a man who's pinged.
00:00:15That's it, that's it.
00:00:16They look clueless, the Bulls, they look clueless, ball and hand now.
00:00:21You know, all out of sorts, all out of shape,
00:00:23unable to find any sort of rhythm with the ball at the moment.
00:00:28And you look at the different component parts and the way that Leinster have kicked,
00:00:31and the way the Bulls have kicked, you know, line-out collisions,
00:00:35there's not an area on this pitch where the Bulls have even come close to matching Leinster.
00:00:41Big roar from the Leinster, faithful for that man.
00:00:44Last time in blue for now as he heads off to the green of Connacht.
00:00:49And what a season, what a fairytale season.
00:00:53Yeah, what a performance from that man there, Jerry Kerr.
00:00:57If the Bulls had any chance, they needed dominance in the scrum, he held his own.
00:01:00But it was his work around the pitch all that really impressed me today.
00:01:03Chop tackling, his ball carrying, such an honest player, he really puts himself about.
00:01:09That's a knock-forward, a rare error from Leinster, a set-piece.
00:01:14Up to the line-out.
00:01:16Up to the line-out.
00:01:17Up to the line-out.
00:01:19Everywhere you look, there have been impressive contributions,
00:01:21but Max Tegan, who is just in shot there, has been so impressive on both sides of the ball.
00:01:31Yeah, he's taken away the strength of the Bulls.
00:01:34They want them all, they want to win their line-out.
00:01:36They want to get their big ball carries into the game, but...
00:01:39His involvement across the park, but in particular, that set-piece has caused a lot of headaches.
00:01:43And frustrated the Bulls, made the ball they've had very scrappy to deal with.
00:01:50Crouch!
00:01:53Boing!
00:01:55The Bulls have this scrum, and they have, by my count, five replacements readying themselves to come in.
00:02:06Hanukov expected him to have a huge influence on the game.
00:02:09Hasn't been able, so many of the Bulls, to just get any sort of purchase.
00:02:16No need to do that, no need to do that.
00:02:17Any sort of rhythm.
00:02:23No, back on the Leinster side, van der Fleer, the ball sticking to his hands on a greasy evening.
00:02:31Use it.
00:02:38Gibson Park, Prendergast, and after this one will go Rico Ioanni.
00:02:44Not dealt with by Jacobs.
00:02:49Canaan Moody, he's the one who cleans it up, but again, the Bulls find themselves right back
00:02:56in their own territory.
00:03:00Use it!
00:03:04Step, step, step, step, step.
00:03:10Hugo Canaan underneath this one, and that one bounces off the Irish fullback.
00:03:16Lo, the one to profit advantage being played for the knock forward.
00:03:20Here's Pollard.
00:03:21LaRue, they've just got to string something of substance together.
00:03:25Here's Arantza.
00:03:28Big tackle from Dan Sheehan.
00:03:32No shot.
00:03:33Top down from Nokia.
00:03:38Makes the tackle on Paul Ardiers.
00:03:40Hanukkah, and now Papier, and now Coetzee.
00:03:43And the Bulls for once have numbers out wide, and can they finish?
00:03:47Jacobs, van der Fleer gets back, Leinster do enough for now.
00:03:53Moody wrapped up by Ioanni.
00:03:56And the ball is knocked free, and the Bulls have a penalty.
00:04:02I'm out of sight.
00:04:04Yeah, a bit unlucky, the ball clicks up onto him as he's retiring.
00:04:07Aye, aye.
00:04:09I enjoy telling him it was you, you were offside.
00:04:14I can be cynical if he doesn't know if he touches the ball.
00:04:19William LaRue just being encouraged to calm down, I think.
00:04:22Very unlucky, but you are on the wrong side.
00:04:25Offside.
00:04:26Affecting the ball.
00:04:28Andre Pollard nudges it in, and the Bulls will have a scrum five metres out.
00:04:33Finally, we see what the Bulls are capable of.
00:04:35Excellent offload from Hanukkah.
00:04:38Good awareness of his face from...
00:04:40Oh, sorry.
00:04:41Could see it.
00:04:42It's looking pretty ominous for Leinster here.
00:04:45Good initial chop tackle, just as Rico's getting up,
00:04:47just hits him on the back.
00:04:49It's a penalty, big opportunity for the Bulls.
00:04:52Down from Nakia.
00:04:54I agree.
00:04:54Dan Sheehan tried to get in there, he knocked it forward and attempted to do so.
00:04:58Yeah, yeah, I agree.
00:04:58So the Bulls will...
00:05:02get this opportunity, and another phase or two before that...
00:05:06is ruled out, and it's not ruled out, so back will go.
00:05:10We go back, um, knock on my blue.
00:05:17Oh, that's better way.
00:05:1916, 17.
00:05:20It was a knock on my blue.
00:05:21No advantage.
00:05:2318, 19, 20.
00:05:25Into the game.
00:05:27That would be Van Staden, Vessels, Wilco Lowe, Copas Vista, and Rudolf.
00:05:43I've got to say I'm a bit surprised it's taking this long to bring them on.
00:05:47They needed a change, they needed a change of momentum, of energy.
00:05:50Just wait a second.
00:05:51A change of accuracy, and these are world-class players they're bringing off,
00:05:54but they're also bringing on world-class players who know how to get a job done.
00:06:00Even that last decision there, 29-0 down, to go for a front peel, which is a...
00:06:06a real pet hate of mine, the amount of hours I wasted of my life practicing front peels
00:06:10for very few to come off.
00:06:12I think when you've got a pack like the Bulls, take that ball down, clean ball,
00:06:16and you take it into a mall, we're gonna check something again.
00:06:19Hold on, hold on.
00:06:20So, Matteo, we need to check a possible delivery knock-on by the Blue player.
00:06:24It's Dan Sheehan, I think.
00:06:26When we gave the knock-on.
00:06:27Please put that on the screen.
00:06:29Sheehan tried to pick the ball off at the front of that line-out when it was coming down, so...
00:06:35It was a knock-on.
00:06:38But maybe we have something more to consider.
00:06:52Just one hand for me, Matteo. It's a penalty. No more, because we don't have any line-break,
00:06:57but it's clearly only without one hand-out. Never tried to catch it.
00:07:02Oh, great.
00:07:03Took a bang to the face as well.
00:07:05Yeah.
00:07:06From the head of Francois Klopper.
00:07:10Marcel.
00:07:11Surprised he knocked it forward.
00:07:13We have the delivery knock-on by Blue.
00:07:15Yes, it's not a yellow card because we don't have any line-break, different from what you have
00:07:19in the previous half.
00:07:20Okay.
00:07:21Okay, but it's a penalty against them for the delivery knock-on, so penalty for you.
00:07:25Then you can decide what you want.
00:07:26I'm surprised that the referee and the TMO haven't picked up on that head contact as well.
00:07:30Delivery knock-on.
00:07:31No, I think it's just, unfortunately, a bit of maybe a rugby incident.
00:07:34It's Klopper coming across and just catches him.
00:07:37I've got to say, just a nerve to stay on the pitch there.
00:07:44End of the game, we're below.
00:07:46Marco van Stadden has come on wearing 16, the grovel are still out there,
00:07:51when Stadden goes into the back row.
00:08:01Damp old evening in Dublin, but they are in full voice.
00:08:05And encouraging their side to hold on, will not concede.
00:08:10Coach!
00:08:10Yeah, and Alex Usinov has a huge job here.
00:08:13Against one of the best in the business.
00:08:15Mokolo, you see them there.
00:08:17Mokolo's won the hit.
00:08:19I think they're probably going to take a scrum again.
00:08:23Could this be their access to the game?
00:08:25Try and milk penalty after penalty.
00:08:27Forced a yellow card.
00:08:30They need something.
00:08:38You show the same respect to him and to me.
00:08:41It's the same.
00:08:42Look at me, same respect.
00:08:46It's Thomas Clarkson against Vessels that's taken the interest of the referee,
00:08:53and now he's come across to this side to Usinov and Fokolo.
00:09:03Bind!
00:09:04One, two, three, set!
00:09:06Get it, two, three!
00:09:08There's a real touch of the master and the apprentice about this one,
00:09:11for Usinov, and he's dealt with it well, but Kotsia comes away.
00:09:15Powerful run from Marcel Kotsia,
00:09:17and it drags the Bulls up to as close as they've been all game and Leinster defend it
00:09:28somehow Leinster got a body in there Worcester says you need to go to the TMO
00:09:35do you believe you scored it okay time off and the referee asked the player for an honest
00:09:41assessment quick check please number 12 believe he scored a try and I want to
00:09:46double-check referees first reaction was no try okay Andrea so your opinion is
00:09:53no try please check if you have any grinding yeah he holds on to that not
00:09:57quite crucial 12 come come with me I decided to check it because you you were
00:10:07convinced you score it okay we watch together on the line together in other
00:10:12words if you've lied about your homework son no no no no no I want him
00:10:17I think he has a good cause I think the ball gets down there John and I'm trained
00:10:29because you believe in sport does that yeah ball down you know I think the
00:10:41referees not sure the ball was down before the line but just there there is it
00:10:45tried for me well we know he wasn't lying good honesty good honesty absolutely yes I
00:10:52have no evidence to others on your fetish isn't so you can stay with the
00:10:56duck oh I don't have any evidence to over to my own field decision but by
00:11:01touch to you and that's why I check it okay no evidence add up
00:11:04well not the harsh decision on the evidence of what we've just seen as a
00:11:11shocker I think the issue there is there's only a fraction of the ball I'm not
00:11:14sure if the TMO has been able to see that but on that anger all I believe that
00:11:17that was a try well when it's not your day it's not your day
00:11:29not fun by white India not John by white so advantage we play to Lancers that
00:11:36some makes a watery reappearance
00:11:43I'm really staggered by that decision yeah I really I really am unless you can
00:11:47only assume they've not seen that replay but we could see here I see on the big
00:11:51screen and PR they can see on the big screen okay no call my white that's mark
00:11:57I can only imagine what the reaction of the supporters and after first that would have been
00:12:08I suggest they officiating party stay off social media for a period of time
00:12:14keep your feet under you
00:12:18that's what I said
00:12:28coach pretty as a picture is
00:12:30that's what I'm going to do is Lancers going to work in the scrum
00:12:35set stability now
00:12:43no you two
00:12:45elbow up keep your feet don't push don't inch
00:12:50clear message from you let's go
00:12:56yes
00:13:01what an experience this is for Alex Usunov
00:13:03John he's still in the Manchester academy obviously with
00:13:07Coyle, McCarthy, Porter all injured and coming on
00:13:10for Gerry Cair
00:13:13get 30 minutes in the URC finally wouldn't have thought that was possible at the start of the year
00:13:17no one can learn a lot from this
00:13:18keep your eyes on the speed of Wilco Lowe across this gap
00:13:21mine the pressure and weight that's going to come across
00:13:27as well
00:13:28here's Osborne
00:13:30Pendergast, Ioannis
00:13:35in behind it goes
00:13:38really low mood
00:13:40sends it to Moody
00:13:44nice offload
00:13:48Moody tries to grab a hold of it but
00:13:50Visa was there
00:13:51oh James Lowe
00:13:54see another yellow here
00:13:55yeah could be
00:13:56he's saying I had two hands for it
00:14:00check him in
00:14:02if he does he might need to check if it's deliberate
00:14:04yeah
00:14:05I haven't got a clue if he does touch it
00:14:07but if he does we do need to check if it's deliberate because I do have an overlap there
00:14:09ok we check it because we check it in the first half
00:14:12against the Bulls and we check it again because it's against Leinster
00:14:15and the assistant saying he didn't see us
00:14:17quick one please Matteo
00:14:18so
00:14:20yes Andrea
00:14:20just make sure we have deliberate knock on first
00:14:22and then what's the outcome
00:14:26ok Andrea
00:14:27so we are checking the potential deliberate knock on by number 13
00:14:31ok
00:14:31ok
00:14:35well the evidence of what we've seen so far he's going to the CYMV
00:14:38yeah I think this is where we really need to see a consistency
00:14:41yes number 11 yellow card
00:14:43yeah that is
00:14:4411
00:14:47James Lowe
00:14:49Clive don't like it but there's no argument with the decision John Barclay
00:14:53no consistency
00:14:54we've seen how many games you see three of the same
00:14:57three yellow cards for three deliberate knock downs
00:14:59deliberate knock on
00:15:01three times you see an isolated defender having to make a decision because of what's happening inside
00:15:13yeah
00:15:14yeah yeah Lester Lester Lester
00:15:16fair to say that Henry Pollard looks out of sorts and he didn't look in sorts either in Edinburgh a
00:15:22couple of weeks ago
00:15:22guys
00:15:23no certainly off the tee in Edinburgh he was poor
00:15:26but the rest of his team were sublime in that second half and really rallied
00:15:32unfortunately there's not been many to rally around today
00:15:35short and line outs
00:15:37yeah
00:15:40here
00:15:40and
00:15:44chance for the scrum have to come back but there's just a lack of accuracy and Aaron says scrambling backwards
00:15:50he's good at scrambling though and he's got pace in his step but
00:15:54the bulls working off scraps
00:15:57Oh
00:15:58here again
00:16:01quickly Lester's defense comes Vander Flair
00:16:04as always putting in his shape
00:16:06then what cars he ticked it off again
00:16:08Oh
00:16:10use it
00:16:11brilliant work from
00:16:12but
00:16:13van der flair and mccarthy at the breakdown and leinster have the ball once more okay rock form now rock
00:16:20form
00:16:23tender guys back in the pockets
00:16:27and dispatched with a bit of umph to that far side great clearance it's a really good clearance
00:16:35under a bit of pressure gets himself his team just about up to halfway here's mccarthy though
00:16:41just manages to make sure he's not part of the tackle so he can jack illegally
00:16:47it's a part of his game it's really added so attrition in his carrying and his tackling
00:16:53for a tall man he gets his hips really low gets on that ball quickly
00:16:57it's going to be really important for arm as you go into these summer tests down from visa
00:17:05and moody here and could see a good tackle for musanoff
00:17:14penalty leinster offside defensive i think there's on the seven offside yeah just as he was getting up
00:17:20just got on the passing lane to papir there and influenced the pass yeah it just affects the timing
00:17:25of the bulls attack let's go let's go now into the final quarter of the grand final of 2026
00:17:36at crow park leinster dominant blues still not to get away from that duck they might with leinster down
00:17:4714 have an opportunity here to at least get on the board they should have been on the board already
00:17:55they'll be uh i'll tell you what if they come close in this game which i i don't think they're
00:18:00going to
00:18:00jack i'll give you the time stay off uh seven social media for a while
00:18:10finally quality touch finder from
00:18:19and then seven and then six yeah i understand but they need to adjust
00:18:23all right what's the right number six a little bit of spice between
00:18:29messrs mccarthy and visa
00:18:31john cronin was a diplomat there just
00:18:34realized it was a counting error it looked like
00:18:40bulls try to go to work in the mall
00:18:42has it at the back leinster have the measure of their first effort
00:18:49and the bulls finally 62 minutes on the clock have a try on the board
00:18:59the mall didn't go anywhere but moody did
00:19:03yeah pretty simple in the end ryle mall didn't go anywhere but a one-off carry
00:19:09good to miss the tackle
00:19:12looks like it doesn't like prendergas steps out
00:19:16and leaves gibson park on his own
00:19:19got a jam in there there's a few options coming at him but you got to defend the ball first
00:19:24a little bit soft from leinster but something of a lifeline
00:19:30pollard finds the target remarkably his first
00:19:34kick it go into the final quarter before he gets that opportunity the man who's got what 127 points
00:19:41coming into this final in the urc this season
00:19:47as i say world cup winner spells in the top 14 with montpellier and in the
00:19:53gallery of premiership with leicester before back to the bulls but he's just not fired today
00:20:06oh sorry okay let's go
00:20:14sam prendergas gets us underway again let's just still remember with 14 james low in the bin as rudolph
00:20:24gathers the restarts
00:20:27that's going to defend with gibson park on that left wing it looks like he's got the speed
00:20:32just the tactical knowledge of when to drop and how to reset your plate
00:20:40they're having to think about it hollard will try to exploit james low missing but gibson park
00:20:48got a hand up there just enough to deflect it into touch
00:21:10a lot of these really shortened lineouts from the bulls interesting to get the thinking behind they got a lot
00:21:16of their loose forwards in the line
00:21:17obviously you're going to drop them off the line i assume and try and strike back against the green
00:21:21good timing
00:21:23pollard fires one across the three quarter line
00:21:27worster and now
00:21:30stedman gans into the game but
00:21:34blico joani just held his line held his nerve and picked off gans loose pass
00:21:42no way
00:21:43i don't know what good this one was never in a position to compete was off his feet
00:21:51and they control the ball again gibson park decides to the aerial go
00:21:59movie knocks it forward each enough with power and a bit of purpose
00:22:04osborne then to remember just down that man wide out so he had to hold on van der vleer straight
00:22:10and
00:22:10through vessels goes after it this time can't get his hands on it mccarthy play on turn over
00:22:16like it's over then staten and trender gas little dinking behind just to keep stop stop stop stop stop
00:22:27gives the power probably has more time than he realized
00:22:32stop blue stop keep coming keep coming keep coming
00:22:36up here
00:22:42where's this off to ring rose picks it off
00:22:46no it's no it's no boost no he's on the wrong side well listen
00:22:53it's going to go to dan sheehan
00:22:56needs a little bit of help as grubelard gets there to try and turn it over and does so
00:23:04it's a rare bad decision from leinster it's a little bit isolated but grubelard's been busy
00:23:08around the breakdown all day you hear in the breakdown before
00:23:12via piardi commended him for listening but he gets to the next one and gets his return
00:23:16step on dan's knocked down by gary ring rose seven specialists just had a little bit of space there for
00:23:22a moment
00:23:22but couldn't create anything clarkson totally leave it alone and he does
00:23:29he's been busy hasn't he since he came in here's papier all of a sudden the bulls have got a
00:23:34bit of purpose a bit of spring in their step but
00:23:37in behind goes willie larue prendergast watching moody approaching that's a really good kick over the shoulder
00:23:46larue's going to get on with it quickly though
00:23:55and stabby
00:23:59sheehan a little bit slow to get back to his feet that was a big collision
00:24:04nice hands still there it might be a second try it is
00:24:10over go through and no key and the bulls have broken into a little bit of life
00:24:19yeah you're gonna say they're throwing everything out of they're starting to win a few collisions
00:24:23but it's the offload it's the soft touch we saw them he was bludgeoned in the first half but the
00:24:28softer
00:24:28touches the offloads starting to make it hard for leds to recover the soft passing look at this offload from
00:24:34moody in the hands from vessels the vision
00:24:39five on five james ryan against norkia the race that nobody knew they wanted to see but
00:24:45he gets over it do we do we maybe just have a game ryle nice hands there as you say
00:24:53from
00:24:53vessels the top forward to lay the pass as well hang on hang on
00:24:57six by his place
00:25:02he's gonna have a look at the kane and moody offload
00:25:15is the offload in the middle of the field yes somewhere
00:25:25that one's fine i think that was funny
00:25:31that one
00:25:34so come out of the hand going backwards
00:25:38again they're the best cameras coming now
00:25:41from that first evidence it would feel very harsh to well no that's that's more isn't it
00:25:47he is right it comes out the hand backwards
00:25:54yeah i think this would be a very harsh thing would be harsh again
00:26:00play on let the boys play
00:26:06you gotta think where does moody end up on the floor here as well he's still in front of the
00:26:09ball at that
00:26:09point
00:26:10yes guys from this camera angle it's pretty clear to me the ball leaves the hand forward
00:26:15mattel this is the camera that we need to use yes i'm real okay so camera back to me
00:26:23from this angle it's pretty clear that ball leaves the hand forward so we cancel the try we come back
00:26:38so did the ball go forward i need them and the answer you feel is yes but you both feel
00:26:44that that left the hand
00:26:45backwards and the referees clearly saying it left forwards yeah
00:26:51i'll tell you what if you're a bull supporter that's two in this second half you feel
00:26:57should have gone the other way
00:27:00we could be sitting here at 29 21.
00:27:04i think with that ryan like for me the ball does come out of his hand going backwards but he's
00:27:08moving
00:27:09forward the ball goes up into the air momentum's always going to make the ball drift slightly forward
00:27:13and to your point but the referee's decision is that the hat that the ball has come out of the
00:27:17hand
00:27:17forward he and the tmo that's what they're there to do that's the decision that's made
00:27:25well harry bernie for the game for leinster sam prendergast to a cheer
00:27:30he's gone and a well-deserved cheer
00:27:38ring rose
00:27:41to the roof berger in for the air as the rain really tours down now
00:27:49showing all the skills
00:27:50hurry burn sweeps up
00:27:54don't listen
00:27:59One more, one more, one more, Tiger, Tiger.
00:28:06Lock it down, Raven.
00:28:09Raven, Chief.
00:28:14Use it.
00:28:16No self-bounds, no self-bounds, no self-bounds.
00:28:26Moody, picked off by Deegan, Max Deegan, terrific effort, Gibson Park tries to continue that
00:28:33momentum down the far sides, I think it was McCarthy over there trying to chase it down,
00:28:41but the kick just continues to push the balls backwards, and at this point, that's as good
00:28:48as a try, as James Lowe is reintroduced, and Mangan comes in for McCarthy.
00:28:55Yeah, it's a great speed of thought by Gibson Park though, often when you win back a contestable,
00:29:00it means you're back through your forward to the kick-kick option, you're going to hit turf,
00:29:04and Gibson Park, no hesitation, as soon as that ball's out, he knows where the space is.
00:29:09OK, here we go.
00:29:22Well managed by Vista and the Bulls.
00:29:27Look how low pushes forward to Berger will send it to the air.
00:29:35Ioannis underneath this, Keenan Moody as well.
00:29:38Backwards by Whiteland, James Ryan is the one to profit.
00:29:48Gibson Park, Harry Byrne.
00:29:52Low goes after it, Keenan goes after it.
00:29:56Yeah, that's really well dealt with by Willy LaRue.
00:29:59In traffic, in horrible weather.
00:30:03Full-back will claim the airspace.
00:30:08Oh, no. There you go.
00:30:12Harry, how are we going?
00:30:15Say again, sorry.
00:30:18Boost number two.
00:30:21Nizam Carr is coming into the game as well.
00:30:26Wearing 23.
00:30:32Nizam Carr will make weight.
00:30:34Means Van Staden goes to a hooker, there's Carr.
00:30:38Time off. Time off.
00:30:40He's putting his shoes on.
00:30:45Time to go.
00:31:00one in one out
00:31:02fair contest
00:31:03well taken by Ryan
00:31:06Sheehan at the back
00:31:07looking to get a bit more
00:31:10control of this game
00:31:11as we're deep inside
00:31:12the final ten minutes
00:31:14Bulls have found a way
00:31:16into this game
00:31:17in the last ten
00:31:18fifteen minutes
00:31:22Ryan
00:31:28use it
00:31:31gives him Park
00:31:32under a bit of pressure
00:31:33to use it
00:31:34does so
00:31:34Low goes after it
00:31:36underneath it
00:31:38back on the Leinster side
00:31:40so often
00:31:41those contestables
00:31:42have
00:31:43turned blue
00:31:47advantage being played
00:31:48to Leinster
00:31:48Gibson Park
00:31:50fires it out
00:31:51oh wonderful
00:31:52hands from Max Deegan
00:31:54absolutely
00:31:55terrific
00:31:56from the Leinster flanker
00:31:58how he held on to that
00:31:59I do not know
00:32:01James Ryan
00:32:02secures possession
00:32:04Osborne
00:32:05caught in possession
00:32:08and we'll go back
00:32:09for the advantage
00:32:12terrific skill
00:32:13from Deegan
00:32:15and it's underground
00:32:16here
00:32:16slippy ball as well
00:32:17just
00:32:18catches that ball
00:32:21unbelievable
00:32:21again
00:32:22Gibson Park
00:32:22sniffing in the blindside
00:32:23don't see it
00:32:25from that angle
00:32:25but
00:32:26does well
00:32:26as well
00:32:27just to stay in field
00:32:41Luke McGrath
00:32:42okay
00:32:43gets the roar
00:32:44Gibson Park
00:32:46as well
00:32:47McGrath
00:32:47in his final game
00:32:49for Leinster
00:32:49his 257th
00:32:52appearance
00:32:53for Leinster
00:32:54he will make his way
00:32:56to Perpignan
00:32:57at the end of the season
00:32:59what a servant
00:33:00he's been to
00:33:01Leinster
00:33:02and indeed
00:33:02Irish rugby
00:33:05Gibson Park
00:33:08with Slimani
00:33:09and Ed Byrne
00:33:13what a servant
00:33:14Luke McGrath
00:33:15has been
00:33:15his presence
00:33:16on the field
00:33:17need to execute
00:33:19bring the forwards
00:33:19into the game
00:33:20release the backs
00:33:21but his biggest loss
00:33:23will be in that
00:33:23Leinster dressing room
00:33:249-day character
00:33:26real leader
00:33:27Mo
00:33:32at the back
00:33:33is Thomas Clarkson
00:33:35alongside Dan Sheehan
00:33:37and McGrath
00:33:38there as well
00:33:38okay
00:33:38stay there
00:33:40James Lowe
00:33:41fighting for a yard
00:33:43and the ball
00:33:44should be there
00:33:45for Leinster
00:33:45it is
00:33:46scrappy
00:33:47messy
00:33:48stay behind
00:33:49McGrath
00:33:50will get his hands
00:33:51on it
00:33:51narrow sides
00:33:52Conan
00:34:06McGrath
00:34:07and Clarkson
00:34:08Sheehan
00:34:10latches on
00:34:11Nokia
00:34:12holds on
00:34:13round the corner
00:34:15Osborne
00:34:15comes
00:34:16Lowe
00:34:18makes the tackle
00:34:18but Osborne
00:34:19somehow
00:34:20holds on
00:34:20to that ball
00:34:21big tackle
00:34:23on Clarkson
00:34:23this time
00:34:24from Visak
00:34:30despite the weather
00:34:31and getting wet
00:34:32the crowd
00:34:33enjoying
00:34:33every minute
00:34:34there
00:34:36Crow Park
00:34:36in what has been
00:34:38pretty perfect
00:34:40performance
00:34:40in a grand final
00:34:41from the home
00:34:42side
00:34:46Bulls
00:34:46Bulls off
00:34:47colour
00:34:47Leinster
00:34:48have made
00:34:48it so
00:34:50backwards
00:34:52they'd like to
00:34:52finish with a flourish
00:34:53with another try
00:34:54as we head into the
00:34:56final five minutes
00:35:00use it
00:35:07four tries
00:35:08on the board
00:35:09for Leinster
00:35:11Mangan
00:35:12who's had a good
00:35:13second half
00:35:14of the season
00:35:15he's not
00:35:16he's not
00:35:17Mangan
00:35:17has done his best
00:35:18to fill
00:35:18very big boots
00:35:23after it goes
00:35:24on Stadden
00:35:28what is there
00:35:30what is there
00:35:30Leinster
00:35:30every phase
00:35:35every breakdown
00:35:36sucking another
00:35:37couple of seconds
00:35:37off the clock
00:35:40bringing Leinster
00:35:41ever closer
00:35:42to back-to-back
00:35:44URC titles
00:35:46Vander Flair
00:35:49turns
00:35:49and heads
00:35:50towards that
00:35:51Bulls line
00:35:52once more
00:35:53Luke McGrath
00:35:54looking for the
00:35:55fairytale finish
00:35:56Conan
00:35:58introduced
00:35:59after about
00:35:59seven or eight
00:36:00minutes
00:36:00he's been immense
00:36:01McGrath
00:36:03turns again
00:36:04sets the ball
00:36:06up
00:36:09they just
00:36:09suck the life
00:36:10squeeze the life
00:36:11out of this
00:36:12Bulls side
00:36:13who've had to do
00:36:14far far too much
00:36:16of this
00:36:16absorbing
00:36:18effort
00:36:19after effort
00:36:21tackle
00:36:22after tackle
00:36:23and Leinster
00:36:24just keep coming
00:36:25and Harry Byrne
00:36:26reaches out
00:36:27and Harry Byrne
00:36:29gets the fifth
00:36:29try
00:36:31and in the end
00:36:32they just
00:36:32bludgeoned the
00:36:33Bulls down
00:36:38Byrne
00:36:39does it down
00:36:40but that was
00:36:41one
00:36:41but that was one
00:36:42for the team
00:36:43yeah one for the pack
00:36:44finished by the backs
00:36:45but an endless carry
00:36:47Josh Vander Flair
00:36:48has carried the ball
00:36:49incredibly well
00:36:49throughout this game
00:36:50smart play from Osborne
00:36:52I think he's mixed up
00:36:53his carry game
00:36:53and his passing game
00:36:55really well today
00:36:56square hips
00:36:57just slips the ball
00:36:58on his inside
00:36:59back to Byrne
00:37:00who can get square
00:37:03plenty to work to do
00:37:04on that finish
00:37:14how pleased
00:37:15will Leo Cullen
00:37:15and his coaching staff
00:37:17be
00:37:17it's been a
00:37:19really tough
00:37:20and different
00:37:21type of season
00:37:22for
00:37:23Cullen
00:37:24he's spoken
00:37:25on numerous occasions
00:37:27about Leinster
00:37:27having to dig in
00:37:28at tough times
00:37:30and just get the job
00:37:31done
00:37:31it hasn't been pretty
00:37:32on many an occasion
00:37:33but to come away
00:37:35with two finals
00:37:36and one trophy
00:37:36he's got to be pleased
00:37:38John Barkley
00:37:39and the Leinster supporters
00:37:40will finish the season
00:37:41with silverware
00:37:42yeah I think so
00:37:43the disappointment
00:37:44of Phil Bauer
00:37:46in that Champions Cup final
00:37:47you know
00:37:48that doesn't
00:37:49necessarily go away
00:37:50but
00:37:51they've come here
00:37:52they've won
00:37:53consecutive
00:37:54URC
00:37:54finals
00:37:56and that's all
00:37:57they can do
00:37:57they'll rebuild
00:37:58next year
00:37:59and they'll be around
00:37:59for a long time
00:38:00in the URC
00:38:01and the Champions Cup
00:38:20I think you can see
00:38:30the relief
00:38:30in that coaching box
00:38:34announcing the
00:38:35DKT
00:38:36URC
00:38:37man of the match
00:38:39Sam Prendergast
00:38:40thought he controlled
00:38:41the game really well
00:38:42in the first half
00:38:43kept the ball
00:38:44in front of his pack
00:38:45and he was the man
00:38:46who really unlocked
00:38:47that Bulls
00:38:48defence
00:38:49sweeping in
00:38:50around the breakdown
00:38:52isn't sport
00:38:53a funny old thing
00:38:54six months ago
00:38:55that young man
00:38:56well
00:38:56there were questions
00:38:58being asked
00:38:59in truth
00:38:59he looked
00:39:00a little broken
00:39:01today
00:39:01he's king of the hill
00:39:03he is
00:39:04and that's why we love it
00:39:05a week is a long time
00:39:06in sport
00:39:07but
00:39:08we know his
00:39:08attacking capabilities
00:39:09but he impressed me today
00:39:10defensively
00:39:11I thought he got his body
00:39:12in front
00:39:12the best I've seen
00:39:14so far this season
00:39:15it's always going to be
00:39:16a workout for him
00:39:17over six foot
00:39:19but today
00:39:20he got his shoulders
00:39:21in front of those
00:39:22Bulls
00:39:22defenders
00:39:23or attackers
00:39:23enough
00:39:28no questioning
00:39:29his mental fortitude
00:39:31none
00:39:34Joani beaten
00:39:35on the outside
00:39:36by Moody
00:39:37but
00:39:38the ring rose
00:39:40is there
00:39:40to ensure
00:39:42nothing more
00:39:43comes from it
00:39:44yeah
00:39:45you can see
00:39:45what that means
00:39:46there are the
00:39:47kind of moments
00:39:48in a game
00:39:48that's almost as good
00:39:50as a try
00:39:50at the other end
00:39:51and you see how much
00:39:52that means to teammates
00:39:53the game's dead
00:39:54and buried
00:39:54but the appetite
00:39:55and the willing
00:39:56to keep defending
00:39:57in those wide channels
00:39:59great technical tackle
00:40:01there you go
00:40:01round the bootleys
00:40:02is into touch
00:40:04superb
00:40:12haven't had an official
00:40:13attendance
00:40:13but somewhere
00:40:14between 35 and 40 thousand
00:40:15in Croke Park
00:40:18and they're on their feet
00:40:19and they're waving
00:40:20their flags
00:40:20and they're enjoying
00:40:22that moment
00:40:22because Leinster
00:40:23are they back-to-back
00:40:25URC champions
00:40:28the Bulls look to the heavens
00:40:31Leinster
00:40:32will celebrate
00:40:33long into the evening
00:40:38in a season
00:40:40that's had many twists
00:40:41and turns
00:40:44where questions
00:40:45where questions have been asked
00:40:47and difficulties
00:40:49have been overcome
00:40:50well
00:40:50Leinster
00:40:52make it to two finals
00:40:54win the second
00:40:56and finish on a high
00:40:58last year
00:40:59they won the grand final
00:41:01by 32 points to seven
00:41:03this year
00:41:05in
00:41:072026
00:41:08they've won it
00:41:08by 36 points to seven
00:41:10and Ian Madigan
00:41:11there is no argument
00:41:13the best team won
00:41:14on the day
00:41:15and they won it
00:41:16by a streak
00:41:17they did
00:41:18emphatic winners
00:41:19I think what will have
00:41:20frustrated them
00:41:21from the Champions Cup final
00:41:22as Andrew Porter said
00:41:23it wasn't us
00:41:24they didn't feel
00:41:25it was a true representation
00:41:26of this team
00:41:27but they picked themselves
00:41:29back up off the canvas
00:41:31dominant in the quarter final
00:41:33semi-final
00:41:33and now final
00:41:35and as John said
00:41:36no doubt
00:41:36they'll be back fighting again
00:41:38in the Champions Cup next year
00:41:39to have made two finals
00:41:41and have won
00:41:43it's been a good season
00:41:44for them John
00:41:45yeah you have to say
00:41:46it is
00:41:46you can only deal with
00:41:48the disappointment
00:41:48that comes your way
00:41:49and show resilience
00:41:52robustness
00:41:53to bounce back
00:41:54and there was a lot
00:41:55thrown at that Leinster team
00:41:56after a Champions Cup final
00:41:57but
00:41:58they beat Stormers
00:41:59and emphatically
00:42:01they've knocked over the Bulls again
00:42:02in the final of the UFC
00:42:04so big smiles
00:42:05deserved it
00:42:06smiles
00:42:06it's been a tough season
00:42:07a tough start to the UFC
00:42:08with three losses
00:42:09but
00:42:10this goes to show us
00:42:11now how you start
00:42:12it's how you finish the season
00:42:14they are the UFC Champions
00:42:16and they'll say goodbye
00:42:18to some stalwarts
00:42:19they'll say goodbye
00:42:20to McGrath
00:42:21and Lowe
00:42:22and Ioane of course
00:42:24and Kerr
00:42:25and Connors
00:42:25and Frawley
00:42:26make way as well
00:42:27but they leave
00:42:28with a trophy
00:42:29silverware again
00:42:30for Leinster
00:42:31full-time score
00:42:32Leinster 36
00:42:33the Vodafone Bulls 7
00:42:42well well gentlemen
00:42:43that was
00:42:44as one-sided
00:42:45as URC finals come
00:42:48last year
00:42:48Fez
00:42:49was the
00:42:50biggest
00:42:51URC victory
00:42:52in a final
00:42:53and this year
00:42:54has eclipsed it
00:42:55what can you say
00:42:55other than Leinster
00:42:56totally deserved that
00:42:58yeah they did
00:42:59they were magnificent
00:42:59their attack
00:43:01was in full flow
00:43:02they took every opportunity
00:43:03it was presented to them
00:43:06and I thought
00:43:07their big game player
00:43:08stood up
00:43:08you know
00:43:09Shanks mentioned
00:43:09before the match
00:43:10about the 10s
00:43:11Sam Prennrogas
00:43:12huge amount of pressure
00:43:13selected on the summer tour
00:43:16with Ireland
00:43:17and he stood up
00:43:18and he was counted
00:43:20and his opposite man
00:43:21Pollard
00:43:22World Cup winner
00:43:22he wasn't
00:43:24the pack didn't deliver
00:43:25for bulls
00:43:26and Leinster
00:43:26credit to them
00:43:27they had a game plan
00:43:28they went after them
00:43:29they kept the ball alive
00:43:30as much as they could
00:43:32they looked much fitter
00:43:33they looked stronger
00:43:35and you've got to say
00:43:36huge amount of credit
00:43:37to Leinster
00:43:37and the coaching ticket
00:43:38because they had a game plan
00:43:41and they battered
00:43:43absolutely battered
00:43:44the Bills
00:43:45and Zeeves
00:43:46that sudden surge
00:43:47in volume
00:43:48in Croke Park
00:43:49came when the camera
00:43:50focused on James Lowe
00:43:52that was his last game
00:43:53in a Leinster shirt
00:43:54he's a popular guy
00:43:55and you can see why
00:43:57yeah even when he got sent off
00:43:58it was one of the biggest
00:44:00roars of the game
00:44:02but yeah
00:44:02he's been a stalwart
00:44:03for the club
00:44:04scored plenty of tries
00:44:05he's their top try scorer
00:44:06and I'm sure he's delighted
00:44:08to finish on a happy note
00:44:10and beating the Bulls
00:44:11which was
00:44:12you know before the game
00:44:12we thought the Bulls
00:44:13were going to pitch up
00:44:14and you know
00:44:15having gone away
00:44:16to Murrayfield
00:44:17and putting away Glasgow
00:44:18against the odds
00:44:19and you thought they had
00:44:20another one in them
00:44:21but it was probably
00:44:21ultimately too much
00:44:22and Leinster
00:44:23in that opening 40
00:44:24super clinical
00:44:25he didn't get a try
00:44:26to add to his tally
00:44:28but he could be happy
00:44:29with how he performed
00:44:30and the team collectively
00:44:31they were super sharp
00:44:32tonight in clinical
00:44:33when they needed to be
00:44:34I think we can cross now
00:44:36and speak to the player
00:44:38of the match
00:44:38it's Sam Prendergast
00:44:40Sam Prendergast
00:44:42congratulations
00:44:42you are today's BKT
00:44:44UFC
00:44:45player of the match
00:44:47Leinster's
00:44:4810th league title
00:44:49and what a way
00:44:50to claim it
00:44:51how satisfying
00:44:52to deliver a performance
00:44:53of that quality
00:44:54in a grand final
00:44:57yeah I think
00:44:57it's pretty special
00:44:58like we've got
00:44:59a lot of
00:45:00unbelievable characters
00:45:01leaving the group
00:45:02this year
00:45:03and I think
00:45:03it's just pretty special
00:45:04to give them a send off
00:45:05and I think
00:45:05a happy memory
00:45:06for them to end on
00:45:07and have a few nice days
00:45:09now celebrating
00:45:10did it feel
00:45:10for you like deja vu
00:45:12of last year
00:45:13I mean you started
00:45:14both finals
00:45:1532-7 last year
00:45:16and even bigger
00:45:17winning margin
00:45:18today
00:45:19it clicked
00:45:19from very early on
00:45:22yeah I don't know
00:45:22about the games
00:45:23but the feeling
00:45:24within the group
00:45:24felt very similar
00:45:26yeah it was
00:45:27pretty similar
00:45:28two very good
00:45:29performances
00:45:30so yeah
00:45:30and how special
00:45:32for you to
00:45:32personally have
00:45:34a run of stats
00:45:34in these knockout games
00:45:36it must be extra special
00:45:37going into a big summer
00:45:38to finish the domestic season
00:45:40with a performance
00:45:41of that quality
00:45:42yeah exactly
00:45:43I suppose
00:45:44since maybe
00:45:45since Europe
00:45:46all like our group
00:45:47have been focused on
00:45:48is just winning
00:45:49this trophy
00:45:49like no one's won
00:45:50it back to back
00:45:51now we have
00:45:51and that's pretty special
00:45:53I don't think
00:45:53anyone's really taught
00:45:54much into the future
00:45:55so we've just thought of that
00:45:56they're certainly enjoying it
00:45:58Sam thanks for your time
00:45:59and I'll bring in
00:46:00your captain
00:46:01Caelan Doris
00:46:01who I don't think
00:46:04lasted more than
00:46:05five minutes
00:46:06on the pitch
00:46:07firstly how are you
00:46:09are we expecting
00:46:10any serious injury news
00:46:12well we were chatting before
00:46:13and I was saying
00:46:13I was optimistic
00:46:14about my knee
00:46:15my knee was actually fine
00:46:16it was something else
00:46:16so we'll get a check later
00:46:17but enjoy a few beers
00:46:19with the boys after that
00:46:20thought they were unbelievable
00:46:21I was obviously off
00:46:21from five minutes or so
00:46:23watching on eagerly
00:46:24and to see them
00:46:25front up physically
00:46:26which again
00:46:27we spoke before
00:46:28the game
00:46:29that you need to do that
00:46:30to go
00:46:30it goes a long way
00:46:32against beating the Bulls
00:46:33so obviously
00:46:34from a big disappointment
00:46:36a few weeks ago
00:46:36very proud of
00:46:38the whole organisation
00:46:39really and the way
00:46:40that we've been able
00:46:41to turn the page
00:46:41and yeah
00:46:43have a special day
00:46:43here today
00:46:44such a different dynamic
00:46:46at half time
00:46:47wasn't it
00:46:47in your two finals
00:46:48this year
00:46:4928 points down
00:46:50Vibardor
00:46:5122 points up today
00:46:53what do you feel
00:46:54clicked so well
00:46:55for the squad
00:46:56in the first half
00:46:57and were you
00:46:57to some extent
00:46:58able to sit back
00:47:00and enjoy the second
00:47:02well I mean
00:47:03you saw what they did
00:47:03last week
00:47:04and they were
00:47:05what 21-3 behind
00:47:06I think at half time
00:47:07or two weeks ago
00:47:07against Glasgow
00:47:08and came back
00:47:08so there was
00:47:09still a little bit
00:47:10of nerves
00:47:10and that was mentioned
00:47:11at half time
00:47:11but yeah
00:47:13unbelievable feeling
00:47:14from the start of the game
00:47:15you could see the boys
00:47:15were on it physically
00:47:16and that went a long way
00:47:18and we spoke pre-match
00:47:19about some of the players
00:47:20you're saying farewell to
00:47:21it not a bad day
00:47:22for James Lowe
00:47:23apart from his yellow card
00:47:24and McGrath
00:47:25another one you referenced
00:47:26how much does it mean
00:47:27to this squad
00:47:28to be able to send them off
00:47:30with that kind of performance
00:47:31yeah it's huge
00:47:31it was a full squad effort
00:47:32and it has been through the season
00:47:34we've used so many players
00:47:36like we mentioned
00:47:37before the game as well
00:47:38there's a lot of big characters
00:47:40leaving this squad
00:47:40and it's been
00:47:41a massive motivation
00:47:42for us to get it right
00:47:43and thankfully
00:47:44we've been able to do that
00:47:45so yeah
00:47:46some of the boys
00:47:46stood up massively today
00:47:47and it was great to watch
00:47:49back to back
00:47:50USA winners
00:47:50congratulations
00:47:55enjoy it
00:47:56in some ways
00:47:57poor old Caelan Doris
00:47:59missed last year
00:48:00lasted five minutes
00:48:01this year
00:48:01but he is still
00:48:02the victorious captain
00:48:03before we heard
00:48:05from Caelan Doris
00:48:05we heard from
00:48:06Sam Prendergaston
00:48:07Shanks
00:48:08it's been a difficult season
00:48:09for him in many respects
00:48:10but he showed his class tonight
00:48:12yeah it's been a rollercoaster
00:48:13ride for him
00:48:14you know
00:48:14he's been involved
00:48:14in the squad
00:48:15he's been out the squad
00:48:16he's been on the bench
00:48:18but he was outstanding today
00:48:19he massively outplayed
00:48:21a double World Cup winner
00:48:22in front of him
00:48:23in Andre Pollard
00:48:25and just immense
00:48:26all the way through that game
00:48:27and it wasn't just the attack
00:48:28it was the willingness
00:48:29to get back
00:48:30and I think one of the loudest cheers
00:48:31of the day
00:48:32wasn't just his try
00:48:32it was when he was covering back here
00:48:34I'm going to interrupt you Shanks
00:48:36because Marcel could see it
00:48:37he's standing by to speak to Laura
00:48:41Marcel
00:48:42commiserations
00:48:43when we spoke pre-match
00:48:44you did say the one thing
00:48:45you wanted to avoid
00:48:46was giving Leinster
00:48:47a fast start
00:48:49it was almost a carbon copy
00:48:51of last year
00:48:52what do you put
00:48:52that down to today?
00:48:55yeah
00:48:55like what we said
00:48:56you can't give them
00:48:57a fast start
00:48:58the yellow in the beginning
00:49:00you know
00:49:00you need all 15 men
00:49:02on the field
00:49:02against these boys
00:49:03and they managed to make use
00:49:05and they capitalised on that
00:49:06you know
00:49:06so
00:49:06but yeah
00:49:08first of all
00:49:09congratulations to Leinster
00:49:10quality performance
00:49:11they were clinical
00:49:11when they needed to be
00:49:12the kicking game was superb
00:49:14so yeah
00:49:14no
00:49:15we'll take it on the chin
00:49:15was there much you
00:49:17or Johan could say
00:49:18half time
00:49:19anything you could change
00:49:20tactically
00:49:21I mean did you reference
00:49:22the almighty comeback
00:49:23we saw a fortnight ago?
00:49:25yeah
00:49:25you know
00:49:25like
00:49:26one thing about this group
00:49:27we'll never stop fighting
00:49:28yeah
00:49:28never stop believing
00:49:29and we showed that in the
00:49:30previous game
00:49:31and we needed to bring it to this
00:49:32but yeah
00:49:33when you
00:49:33when you're so under pressure
00:49:34and stuff like that
00:49:35you need a few 50-50s
00:49:36to go your way
00:49:37and they won all the scrap battles
00:49:38tonight
00:49:39we know for the first time
00:49:40in this league
00:49:41we saw a two week break
00:49:42between the semi-final win
00:49:44and this final for you today
00:49:46there were a lot of questions
00:49:47as to how you were going to manage it
00:49:49whether you were going to stay
00:49:50fly back
00:49:51I'm not looking for you to give excuses
00:49:53just looking for insight
00:49:55into the real challenges
00:49:56you've faced over the last fortnight
00:49:58no
00:49:58no I think
00:49:59we won't really change anything different
00:50:01it's just simple discipline
00:50:03and an aerial game
00:50:04that let us down
00:50:05you know
00:50:05I think the whole preparation
00:50:06was superb
00:50:07it's just that we need to be accurate
00:50:08at times
00:50:09where Leinster were superb tonight
00:50:10you know
00:50:11so all congratulations to them
00:50:12yeah
00:50:12and I guess finally
00:50:13how much do you put today down
00:50:15to you know
00:50:16that just being a statement
00:50:17win from Leinster
00:50:18showing Leinster's strength
00:50:20compared to
00:50:22did it ultimately not reflect
00:50:24what this bull side
00:50:25can produce
00:50:26yeah
00:50:27I think that will hurt the most
00:50:28after this game
00:50:29you know
00:50:29we have a certain DNA
00:50:31that we want to print tonight
00:50:32and you know
00:50:33Leinster just shut us down
00:50:34in those departments
00:50:35you know
00:50:35we pride ourselves
00:50:36on our set-piece battle
00:50:37we pride ourselves
00:50:37on our kicking game
00:50:38and our defence and stuff
00:50:39and at times it was good
00:50:40you know
00:50:41but we have to be more clinical
00:50:43at the important times
00:50:44so
00:50:44Marcel thanks for joining
00:50:46thank you so much
00:50:49he spoke very well
00:50:50very gracious
00:50:51Marcel could see it
00:50:52as he always is
00:50:53but you could see the
00:50:54disappointment
00:50:55etched across his face
00:50:56the bulls simply
00:50:57did not turn up tonight
00:50:58as they didn't turn up
00:51:0012 months ago
00:51:01that is another defeat
00:51:03in a URC final
00:51:04four defeats
00:51:05in four final appearances
00:51:07it is an ugly record
00:51:09and the bulls will be
00:51:10desperate to put that right
00:51:11next season
00:51:12but that is a long way off
00:51:14Shanks
00:51:14I rudely interrupted you
00:51:15you were telling me
00:51:16about Sam Prendergast
00:51:17yeah just
00:51:18you know
00:51:18both sides of the ball
00:51:19today as well
00:51:20and often we're
00:51:21we're on his case
00:51:22defensively
00:51:22but his willingness
00:51:23to get back
00:51:24his willingness
00:51:24to make cover tackles
00:51:25the cheer he got
00:51:26sliding back here
00:51:27when the kick was put through
00:51:27I certainly believe
00:51:29it really helps
00:51:30when he's got another
00:51:31ball player outside him
00:51:32and we've seen that
00:51:32through the season
00:51:33I think
00:51:33he had Jamie Osborne
00:51:34today at 12
00:51:35and that took a lot
00:51:36of pressure off him
00:51:37a lot of attack
00:51:38now comes through 12
00:51:40Jamie Osborne
00:51:40I thought was class
00:51:41at 12
00:51:42and it just
00:51:42it just allowed
00:51:43Sam Prendergast
00:51:44a little bit more space
00:51:45and a little bit more time
00:51:46and he saw the best of him
00:51:48Fez you said earlier
00:51:49you were sick of talking
00:51:50about the Leinster 10
00:51:52situation
00:51:52it's been a bit
00:51:54of a revolving door
00:51:54scenario all season
00:51:56Harry Byrne came on
00:51:57played his part
00:51:58scored a try
00:51:58he's still very much
00:52:00got a part to play
00:52:01in the Ireland
00:52:02summer nation series
00:52:03but on today's
00:52:05showing
00:52:05is Sam Prendergast
00:52:07now the number one
00:52:07test flyer for Ireland
00:52:09this week
00:52:12I'm not sure
00:52:13I think he's
00:52:14he was put under
00:52:15so much pressure
00:52:15when he burst
00:52:16under the scenic
00:52:17remember
00:52:17it was Ireland
00:52:18against Scotland
00:52:19over in Twickenham
00:52:21or over in
00:52:21Murrayfield
00:52:22and he got man
00:52:23of the match
00:52:24that day
00:52:24and everybody
00:52:25was like
00:52:25okay here we go
00:52:27Sam Prendergast
00:52:28he's our man
00:52:29then all the pressure
00:52:30came on top of it
00:52:31he had a couple of
00:52:32off days
00:52:32then they switched
00:52:33to somebody else
00:52:34and now we're back
00:52:35to Sam Prendergast
00:52:36again
00:52:36he's a man of the
00:52:37match performance
00:52:37Leinster absolutely
00:52:38demolished his bull side
00:52:40is he our man
00:52:41getting into the next game
00:52:41well
00:52:42I think he is
00:52:43because
00:52:44there's nobody else
00:52:45going to take it off
00:52:46him at the minute
00:52:46considering the form
00:52:47he's in
00:52:48Zeebs
00:52:49yeah probably
00:52:50with Jack Rowley
00:52:50being out injured
00:52:51and finally not getting
00:52:53any love here
00:52:54in the knockout games
00:52:54after being super impressive
00:52:56in Bilbao
00:52:57Harry came on
00:52:58did well
00:52:59but you know
00:52:59it was limited time
00:53:00for him
00:53:01so I think
00:53:02Sam's in the hot seat
00:53:03at the moment
00:53:03and he has the bit
00:53:04of momentum now
00:53:05after a man of the match
00:53:06performance here
00:53:07and all credit to him
00:53:08he's come back
00:53:09when a lot of people
00:53:10were criticising him
00:53:10and that criticism
00:53:12is not going away
00:53:12after one game
00:53:13by no means
00:53:14but that's a good bedrock
00:53:16or that's a good base
00:53:17for sure
00:53:18well it is time
00:53:19to return to our
00:53:20commentary box
00:53:21because the trophy
00:53:22is about to be presented
00:53:23back to you Ryle
00:53:25Ross thank you
00:53:26the officiating party
00:53:28getting the recognition
00:53:30of their achievement
00:53:32of officiating
00:53:32at the grand final
00:53:34for 2026
00:53:36no doubt
00:53:37if the game
00:53:38was a little closer
00:53:39maybe one or two
00:53:40of the Bulls fans
00:53:41would have questioned
00:53:42in particular
00:53:44try
00:53:45looked like
00:53:46it was scored
00:53:47but
00:53:48that was then
00:53:50this is now
00:53:51and the
00:53:53Bulls
00:53:53up to receive
00:53:54their
00:53:56runners up
00:53:57medals
00:54:00topsy turvy
00:54:01kind of season
00:54:01for them as well
00:54:02but ultimately
00:54:03what they will
00:54:04take away
00:54:05John Barkley
00:54:05you feel
00:54:06is just
00:54:07an underperformance
00:54:08in many ways
00:54:09what Leinster
00:54:10took away
00:54:10from the Champions Cup
00:54:11final
00:54:12it's a different
00:54:13kind of pain
00:54:13to get to a final
00:54:15and put your best
00:54:16foot forward
00:54:16and lose
00:54:17and that hurts
00:54:18as well
00:54:18but in a stranger
00:54:20way this hurts
00:54:21a lot more
00:54:21when you get to a final
00:54:23and you just don't
00:54:24impose your game
00:54:25and Marcille
00:54:26you can see it
00:54:27particularly
00:54:27very well
00:54:28I thought
00:54:28they've got a DNA
00:54:30the Bulls have got a very specific DNA
00:54:31of how they play rugby
00:54:32and it's pretty unique
00:54:34in world rugby
00:54:35and certainly
00:54:36in the URC
00:54:37and they couldn't get their game going today
00:54:39they didn't fire a shot
00:54:40they were well beaten
00:54:41they were humbled by
00:54:42a much better side
00:54:44but
00:54:44you look at the players
00:54:46and the names
00:54:46going up onto that podium
00:54:48to collect the runners up
00:54:49now
00:54:49these are
00:54:49world cup winners
00:54:51established
00:54:51springbok internationals
00:54:53and
00:54:54the collective failure
00:54:55of their performance today
00:54:56is probably the one thing
00:54:58that will hurt the most
00:55:00and Ian Madigan
00:55:03from Leinster's
00:55:04point of view
00:55:05it won't make up
00:55:06for the Champions Cup
00:55:07but we keep coming back
00:55:08to this
00:55:08fact
00:55:09that's another two finals
00:55:11and there is silverware
00:55:12at the end
00:55:14of the season
00:55:15and in Leo Cullen's tenure
00:55:17that's
00:55:1813 finals
00:55:19in 11 years
00:55:20that in itself
00:55:21is a significant achievement
00:55:23with all the players
00:55:24that have been through his hands
00:55:25yeah
00:55:2613 finals
00:55:27in 11 years
00:55:28this is Leinster's
00:55:2912th
00:55:29home knockout game
00:55:30in the last two seasons
00:55:33it's just the elusive one
00:55:34is the Champions Cup
00:55:35they lost the last
00:55:36five finals
00:55:38but this one will certainly
00:55:39help ease the pain
00:55:41huge pressure coming
00:55:42in on Leinster
00:55:44in the lead up to this game
00:55:45they came out fighting
00:55:46after that Champions Cup loss
00:55:48both on the pitch
00:55:49but also in the media
00:55:50they control the narrative
00:55:52both Leo Cullen
00:55:53Jackson Ian Albert
00:55:55coming out
00:55:56defending
00:55:57their processes
00:55:59and I was delighted
00:56:00to see it have come good
00:56:01for them
00:56:01and also for Tyler Vlaendal
00:56:03I thought the attack
00:56:03was really fluid today
00:56:04the balance between
00:56:05their running game
00:56:07and their kicking game
00:56:08consistently made good decisions
00:56:10preparation in the
00:56:11two week lead up
00:56:13really paid off
00:56:16that extra week
00:56:17you could see it
00:56:18in the approach
00:56:20of the Leinster attack
00:56:22oh they created
00:56:24in that first half
00:56:25James Lowe
00:56:25announced to the crowd
00:56:27and roared home
00:56:29for the last time
00:56:35Rikola Ioane
00:56:36makes his final contribution
00:56:38to Leinster as well
00:56:39of course
00:56:40try score
00:56:42in this winning performance
00:56:52good to see Tommy O'Brien
00:56:53at least able
00:56:54to walk unaided
00:56:56because
00:56:57his injury
00:56:58in that first half
00:56:59looks significant
00:57:00we'll only really know
00:57:03midweek next week
00:57:04whether Caelan Doris
00:57:05and Tommy O'Brien
00:57:06are okay to travel
00:57:07with Ireland
00:57:08to the Southern Hemisphere
00:57:28all the players
00:57:29being announced
00:57:31to the crowd
00:57:32Isenov
00:57:33and Clarkson
00:57:35the latest
00:57:36to receive their medals
00:57:44Jack Caelan
00:57:44can't have been far away
00:57:45from the man of the match
00:57:46conversation
00:57:47he's superb
00:57:49he's superb
00:57:50and he always is
00:57:52six British and Irish
00:57:53on his tests
00:57:54in a row
00:57:55and
00:57:57slightly undervalued
00:57:58the work he gets through
00:57:59the sheer volume
00:58:00of work he gets through
00:58:01he was brilliant
00:58:03this evening
00:58:11all the way back
00:58:13to round one
00:58:14in
00:58:16September last
00:58:18to this final
00:58:19in Crow Park
00:58:21in June
00:58:22after all is said
00:58:24and done
00:58:25back to back
00:58:26champions
00:58:26of the URC
00:58:29it's Leinster
00:58:37what a special moment
00:58:39for Luke McGrath
00:58:41and James Lowe
00:58:42it's a really nice
00:58:43trade that Leinster do
00:58:44it's often not
00:58:45the captain lifting
00:58:46the trophy
00:58:46but the departing players
00:58:48Luke McGrath there
00:58:50with his son Bobby
00:58:50he'll have enjoyed
00:58:52that moment
00:59:00significant numbers
00:59:01stage 2
00:59:03watch Leinster
00:59:04lift that trophy
00:59:05that will be
00:59:07a long party
00:59:08into the evening
00:59:09for players
00:59:09and supporters
00:59:10alike
00:59:11as the Bulls
00:59:11below us
00:59:12make their way
00:59:13to the changing room
00:59:15for the long trip home
00:59:20we look at Leinster's
00:59:21culture captain here
00:59:22that's Joe
00:59:24Joe McCarty's brother
00:59:26Andrew McCarty
00:59:28really enjoying that one
00:59:29getting a good taste
00:59:31of champagne
00:59:36that's a special moment
00:59:50Andrew McCarty
00:59:52he's soaking it up
00:59:53he's soaking it up
00:59:53the brother of Joe
00:59:54and of course Paddy
00:59:59good to see
01:00:00tight furlong
01:00:00back and operating
01:00:02his best this evening
01:00:05tricky old season
01:00:06for him
01:00:13great scenes
01:00:15great evening
01:00:16for those in blue
01:00:43you can see almost relief
01:00:46on the faces of those players
01:00:49the pressure they've been under
01:00:50particularly since the Champions Cup final
01:00:53to deliver that
01:00:55well it's a real relief
01:00:57yeah it's relief
01:00:58and then followed by elation
01:01:00and it's great to see this Leinster team
01:01:02properly celebrating this win
01:01:03great achievement winning this URC competition
01:01:06it's really been elevated
01:01:07with the South African teams
01:01:08coming into it
01:01:12as the McCarty boys celebrate
01:01:15all three of them
01:01:17let's go down
01:01:18to Ryan Wilson
01:01:20here we are
01:01:21we're down there
01:01:22Rico
01:01:22you came across here
01:01:24you wanted to win a title
01:01:25how sweet does that taste
01:01:26oh man
01:01:27it's so good
01:01:28honestly
01:01:29the team saved our best performance of the year
01:01:31for tonight
01:01:33just super proud of the boys
01:01:34and the season we've had
01:01:35you know
01:01:35it's been a rollercoaster
01:01:36but so happy with the job tonight
01:01:38and you enjoyed your time over it
01:01:39I know you're heading back to the Blues
01:01:40but you enjoyed your time
01:01:41they're wanting the celebration
01:01:43yeah
01:01:43no look
01:01:44I've honestly loved my time here in Ireland
01:01:46to the Leinster
01:01:49the full organisation
01:01:50the fans
01:01:50and the people of Ireland
01:01:52it's been such a ride
01:01:53and just privileged
01:01:53that I've been able to experience this
01:01:55you'll enjoy a good night out in Dublin tonight then
01:01:57oh yeah man
01:01:58that's good
01:01:58I'll leave you to it
01:01:59we're going to try and grab a couple more in a second
01:02:00I don't want to get too caught up in their celebrations
01:02:03but we'll try and grab one of them out of here
01:02:05because
01:02:07there's a few players leaving
01:02:09as they mentioned
01:02:09there's some big names
01:02:10leaving this club
01:02:11one of them
01:02:12I want to definitely try and phone
01:02:14there's a man with a few caps
01:02:16there we go
01:02:16get Jame over it
01:02:17I don't want to get stuck in there
01:02:23no we're alright
01:02:23Maxi
01:02:26how sweet does that taste
01:02:27that champagne
01:02:28back to back URC trophies
01:02:30no one's ever done it
01:02:31you have now
01:02:32yeah
01:02:32it's pretty
01:02:33it's pretty fucking incredible
01:02:34I'm sorry for swearing
01:02:35apologies for the language
01:02:36pretty incredible
01:02:37yeah
01:02:37yeah
01:02:38unreal
01:02:38yeah
01:02:38back to back
01:02:39first to do is
01:02:40yeah
01:02:41after the
01:02:42disappointment in Bilbao
01:02:43three or four weeks ago
01:02:45that must have spurred you on a little bit more
01:02:47did you mention it
01:02:47did you talk about it in the week
01:02:49building up to this
01:02:50there was a lot of learning to take from that final
01:02:51you know what I mean
01:02:52it was unbelievably painful for us
01:02:54but
01:02:55yeah
01:02:58to bounce back to bounce back like that and you know put in a physical performance like that that's what
01:03:03we talked about so it's great yeah
01:03:04well mate you go and enjoy with the boys we're going to try and grab a couple more
01:03:07there is one who I know is heading off so let's try and grab him
01:03:12where is he where's where's where's Lukey McGrath let's I'll tell you what I'll grab Jameau
01:03:17pulling the strings as always
01:03:19hey it's a rerun of last year
01:03:21and I'll tell you what
01:03:22in the fashion you did it
01:03:23you did exactly the same
01:03:24you went what 22 points up or something in the first half last time
01:03:27and you've done it again in that first half
01:03:29all the control
01:03:30all in your hands
01:03:31yeah I suppose a bit of experience helps hey
01:03:35we've obviously
01:03:36we were there last year
01:03:38lost another big game this year and I think we took a lot of experience from that and
01:03:42put it into play today so
01:03:44but yeah like you say it felt pretty good that first half
01:03:46felt like we were in control and
01:03:49yeah delighted to get the result
01:03:50I don't want you to miss that so we'll keep walking let's keep moving but
01:03:53there's a few few big names there even a few big men from the club as well
01:03:56someone like Luke McGrath how important is each of this group and
01:03:58you know seeing him go with a title
01:04:00and another medal around his neck he's pretty special
01:04:04yeah man it's
01:04:05he's the he's a
01:04:07he's the ultimate Linster man I think he's been around
01:04:09you know he's part of the furniture in the place and
01:04:13we actually spoke a lot about him this week
01:04:15he was part of our game sheet
01:04:18he has an unbelievable mentality towards the game and
01:04:20he's an unbelievable leader so
01:04:22it was a great way to see him off
01:04:24there we go we found his kids
01:04:25come on let's keep going
01:04:26yeah someone's handed
01:04:28cheers big fella handing the kids back
01:04:30the babysitter
01:04:31ah hey Snyman
01:04:32and and just on this group at the moment like
01:04:34because there were a lot of doubters you know that the way that you had ups and downs during the
01:04:39season but
01:04:40inside it was always a belief there wasn't it
01:04:42yeah 100%
01:04:44and we're back in front of our home fans in Croke Park it's a like you know it's a huge
01:04:48honour every time we play here and
01:04:50they backed us up massively today and
01:04:52I suppose just a hugely proud day for the club like I say we've been through a bit of shite
01:04:56over the last few years and
01:04:57um
01:04:58yeah it's nice to get another trophy
01:04:59right I'll leave you a little little one
01:05:01make sure you look up don't lose him again don't lose him again
01:05:04right here he is James Lowe
01:05:07let's grab him
01:05:08we don't want you to lose your little one either
01:05:10mate nine years
01:05:11what's that is that nine years at the club now
01:05:13and then and then heading off but
01:05:15what is this club what does this country mean to you Ireland
01:05:18uh oh shit it's been awesome
01:05:20um
01:05:21it's not until
01:05:23probably today was the most emotional I'd been
01:05:26I did see some tears
01:05:27no you didn't
01:05:28yes I did
01:05:29uh
01:05:30yeah
01:05:31it was um
01:05:32look it's
01:05:33it's meant the world
01:05:34um
01:05:35and more
01:05:36it's fucking
01:05:3810 years of my life we've spent here and
01:05:40grown a family
01:05:41got better as a rugby player
01:05:43won a few trophies along the way
01:05:44it's been amazing so
01:05:45uh
01:05:46sucks that
01:05:47you know it ended the way it did but
01:05:50sure look a cat always lands on his feet
01:05:51and we're off to Japan for a couple of years
01:05:53so I'm really really excited I'm not gonna lie but
01:05:56this club and country
01:05:58I wanted my fairy tale to end here but
01:06:01doesn't always happen does it
01:06:02oh Lowe I can tell these lot love you as well
01:06:04you know the Leinster fans look at them
01:06:06absolutely love you
01:06:07you're one of the big names I mean
01:06:09travel from Hong Kong to see James Lowe
01:06:12there you are
01:06:12yeah well he could have gone to Japan next year
01:06:14and he could have seen me
01:06:15uh save a bit of money
01:06:16what do we got
01:06:17Lowe can I have a headband
01:06:19Jesus Christ
01:06:20uh look I love this place
01:06:22I love this club
01:06:23uh it's always gonna have a special part in my heart
01:06:25and uh look we'll be back
01:06:26we'll be back in a couple of years
01:06:27you go and celebrate
01:06:28make sure you have a couple of beers
01:06:29and uh well darling good luck for
01:06:31for whatever's next buddy
01:06:32thanks Emil
01:06:33cheers my mate
01:06:33right we're gonna throw this back to you boys
01:06:35and try to find a couple of other mil
01:06:36here we go
01:06:41thank you Ryan
01:06:42well done getting amongst it
01:06:44as always
01:06:44um
01:06:45Shanks
01:06:46you could see the emotion
01:06:47on James Lowe's face
01:06:48and he actually said himself
01:06:50he wanted
01:06:51his fairytale ending
01:06:52to be here
01:06:53in Leinster
01:06:54he wanted to stay
01:06:55it's sad for him
01:06:56it's sad for all these fans
01:06:57all these
01:06:58people holding banners
01:06:59that he is leaving
01:07:01prematurely
01:07:02but over the course of nine
01:07:03ten seasons
01:07:04as Steve said earlier
01:07:05he is the club's top try scorer
01:07:07he's had one heck of an influence
01:07:09on this Leinster side
01:07:10yeah he has
01:07:11look I'm not sure
01:07:12it's prematurely
01:07:13I think he's 33 years old
01:07:14he's had a really good innings
01:07:15he's off to Japan now
01:07:17um
01:07:18still a little bit of life left in him
01:07:20but
01:07:20you know
01:07:21Ireland are looking for the future
01:07:22looking for the next generation
01:07:23and the next James Lowe's
01:07:24to come through
01:07:25and there's plenty of talent out there
01:07:26there's plenty of wingers out there
01:07:27he has been phenomenal
01:07:28there's no doubt about that
01:07:30he's well liked
01:07:31you can see
01:07:31he's got a lot of fans out there
01:07:33the way he plays the game
01:07:34he's physical
01:07:35he's engaging
01:07:37he's full of emotion
01:07:38you can see that
01:07:39you know
01:07:39you can see him welling up there
01:07:40you can see what the club means to him
01:07:41so
01:07:42he's been great for Leinster
01:07:43and
01:07:44and deserves
01:07:45the applause he's getting now
01:07:48let's return
01:07:49to Ryan
01:07:50who's collared
01:07:51someone else
01:07:51from the victorious
01:07:52Leinster side
01:07:54yeah sorry
01:07:55we're just trying to work out
01:07:56how to take the lid off
01:07:57because
01:07:57you're going to be filling that
01:07:58with plenty of beers
01:07:59aren't you
01:07:59yeah exactly
01:08:00closest you've got to the trophy Ryan
01:08:01is it
01:08:03hold on a minute
01:08:03let's start digging on me
01:08:05big fella
01:08:06another monumental performance
01:08:07from you
01:08:08how special is this group
01:08:09and how special is it
01:08:10to have that in your hands
01:08:11I shouldn't be touching it really
01:08:13it's no
01:08:14it's so special
01:08:14like
01:08:15we're a bloody good team
01:08:16and
01:08:17no loss can say about us
01:08:18we lost the final
01:08:19but
01:08:20proper trophy
01:08:20beat three South African teams
01:08:21to win this UFC
01:08:22so
01:08:22definitely what the group deserves
01:08:24it's good
01:08:25and
01:08:27they're wanting to get it passed around
01:08:29look at that
01:08:30watch out
01:08:30it's pretty heavy that one
01:08:31how many pints
01:08:32do you know how many pints do fit in it
01:08:33well it's
01:08:34I think it's so heavy man
01:08:35so
01:08:35like a good few anyway
01:08:37so
01:08:3928 kilos
01:08:40I'm hearing
01:08:40in my ears
01:08:41so I think it fits
01:08:42about 40 pints of beer
01:08:43but
01:08:43we mentioned
01:08:44you know
01:08:45some of the players that are leaving
01:08:46and how special this season's been
01:08:47I know that you would want to
01:08:48get over the line in Europe as well
01:08:50but add this one to the list as well
01:08:53savage
01:08:53like no team has done back to back in the UFC
01:08:55so
01:08:56next year we'll be hunting down the treble
01:08:57so
01:08:58it's been awesome
01:08:59it's been a great season
01:09:00and
01:09:01definitely
01:09:01great to get a bit of silverware
01:09:02we'll properly enjoy this next few days
01:09:0410 league titles isn't bad
01:09:0510 league titles isn't bad
01:09:06congratulations
01:09:07cheers boys
01:09:10he could not resist
01:09:11that little dig
01:09:12could he
01:09:12Joe McCarthy
01:09:13to Ryan Wilson
01:09:14is this the closest you've ever come to a trophy
01:09:17he took it in good humour
01:09:18didn't he Ryan
01:09:19we're going to take a little break now
01:09:21we will come back
01:09:22and have plenty more analysis
01:09:24plenty more time
01:09:24to soak up this historic victory
01:09:27for Leinster
01:09:27the biggest ever victory
01:09:28in a URC Grand Final
01:09:30take a short break
01:09:32and we will see you
01:09:33in just a few moments time
01:09:47come on
01:09:49let's
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