McKinney edges Ulster home

Ulster 21 Leinster 19

It was one concerted bout of pressure at the tail-end of the second half that enabled busy scrum-half replacement Ian Porter to dive over at the posts, leaving his half-back partner James McKinney to win the game with his conversion. Not a bad way to christen the impressive new lay-out at the Belfast venue.

Leinster were most productive in the opening 10 minutes, particularly with some forward momentum in mauls. But it took a penalty from in front of the posts by new acquisition Gopperth to opening the evening’s proceedings. He looks a useful buy and will be a big asset for Leinster. The Kiwi slotted another penalty from an acute angle to give Leinster a deserved lead.