Cheika praise as ‘awesome’ Leinster pack weather storm

LEINSTER can count themselves unlucky not to have doubled their pickings at a gale-lashed Ravenhill on Saturday after holding Magners League leaders Ulster to a draw following a game of real old-fashioned rugby.

It was the Leinster pack who have apparently a new dimension to their play which had coach Michael Cheika drooling afterwards. Leading by a solitary Gordon D’Arcy dropped goal at half-time as Ulster defended with gallantry into driving rain whipped up by near hurricane winds, everyone imagined that it was not going to be enough.

Not so. Although David Humphreys whipped over two penalties near the hour mark to squeeze Ulster ahead, the Leinster pack played magnificent keep-ball for the rest of the half with some superb picking and driving that almost snatched victory at the death.