Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the Guinness Pro12 final between Connacht and Leinster from Murrayfield.
A long season for these two provinces culminates in Edinburgh with silverware on the line as west meets east.
Kick-off is at 5.30pm and we’ll bring you every kick off the ball right here.
The scene is set at Murrayfield, where Connacht and Leinster fans have taken over.
Ryan Bailey here guiding you through the action while Murray Kinsella is in position at Murrayfield.
Leinster:
15. Rob Kearney
14. Dave Kearney
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Ben Te’o
11. Luke Fitzgerald
10. Jonathan Sexton
9. Eoin Reddan
1. Jack McGrath
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Mike Ross
4. Ross Molony
5. Mick Kearney
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Jamie Heaslip (captain)
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin
17. Peter Dooley
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Hayden Triggs
20. Jack Conan
21. Luke McGrath
22. Ian Madigan
23. Zane Kirchner
Connacht:
15. Tiernan O’Halloran
14. Niyi Adeolokun
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Matt Healy
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Ronan Loughney
2. Tom McCartney
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Aly Muldowney
6. Eoin McKeon
7. Jake Heenan
8. John Muldoon (captain)
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan
17. JP Cooney
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Andrew Browne
20. Sean O’Brien
21. John Cooney
22. Shane O’Leary
23. Peter Robb
Nigel Owens is the man in the middle today, in what will be his fourth Pro12 final.
It will be an all-Welsh team with Ian Davies and Ben Whitehouse running the lines and Jon Mason in the TMO booth.
A little under 30 minutes until kick-off, so why not whet your appetite by taking a look at some of our pre-match offerings:
- Leinster look to remind Connacht that they remain the Irish benchmark
-
Bealham has come long way from Canberra and freezing-cold Renmore
-
There’s a third Irish team playing at Murrayfield today
-
Leinster back Ross Molony to muscle up after loss of Toner and Nacewa
-
‘The other Irish provinces have been so successful, of course I’ve been jealous’
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Analysis: Two impressive scrums will make for an intriguing Pro12 final
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‘You walk through town now and you see kids in Connacht jerseys all over the place’
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Analysis: Sexton’s mastery and brilliant basics provide Leinster’s edge
-
‘It’s the ultimate final for us’ – Connacht take on the Leinster benchmark
A reminder that today’s game is live on Sky Sports 3 and TG4. If you aren’t near a TV, stick with us and you won’t miss any of the action.
As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail ryan@the42.ie, tweet @the42_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.
After a day of rain yesterday, conditions couldn’t be any more ideal in the Scottish capital this afternoon.
It has all the ingredients to be an absolute classic.
Connacht have finished their warm-up and have gone back into the dressing room. Leinster still going through their paces on the pitch with the atmosphere inside the ground building.
Not long until kick-off now. Which way do you see this one going?
Teams are in the tunnel and Jamie Heaslip looks absolutely pumped. The wait is almost over as the players emerge, side-by-side, to a big welcome.
Before we get underway, we’ll have a minute’s silence in honour of Devin Toner’s father, who passed away on Thursday night. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Toner family at this incredibly sad time.
Kick-off! Sexton gets us underway.
Early attacking platform for Leinster, who are wearing their changed white kit this afternoon.
Connacht force the turnover and work their way out of their own 22. A knock-on sees the move break down and we have the first scrum of the day in halfway.
The size of the task facing Connacht today.
First test for O’Halloran and he spills Sexton’s up-and-under, with Dave Kearney collecting the loose ball. Marmion is forced to drag him down before McGrath is bundled into touch.
AJ MacGinty takes a chance and dummies onto his left-foot under pressure from Reddan. The out-half finds touch but Leinster are enjoying all the early territory.
Marmion very nearly fumbles at the base of the ruck but he just about holds on to clear his lines. It has been a nervy start from Pat Lam’s side.
Connacht burst into life. They spread it wide from their own 22 after Leinster lose the line-out. After absorbing the pressure, Healy demonstrates all his pace down this left side and kicks into space.
Fitzgerald is forced to come over and run it into touch. That has the Connacht crowd on their feet.
First attacking platform for Connacht and they go through the phases before Muldowney loses the ball in contact.
Already an incredible, frenetic pace to the game. All out attack from both sides in these early exchanges.
Sexton really testing the aerial ability of O’Halloran as he sends another Garryowen deep into Connacht territory. Looking into the sun, the winger comes off his line and is unable to gather cleanly but it’s knocked-on by a white shirt and Nigel Owens awards Connacht a scrum.
It has been a wonderful start to the game.
TRY! Connacht 7-0 Leinster (O’Halloran)
Matt Healy scythes through the Leinster defence in midfield and it eventually comes through Aki to O’Halloran on this near touchline. The full-baclk shows his pace and power to apply the finish and give Connacht the lead.
Leinster were punished for a loose kick there as Healy was given far too much time and space in midfield to cut through the line of white shirts.
Connacht have all the momentum now as O’Halloran’s kick through is fumbled by Rob Kearney under pressure from the chasers.
Brief pause in play here as Mick Kearney goes down after a clash of heads. Nigel Owens says he has to go off for a HIA. Hayden Triggs is coming on in his place.
Bundee Aki stops Jamie Heaslip in his tracks.
Superb hands from Connacht as they begin to apply the pressure. The westerners have enjoyed 79% of the possession in the last 10 minutes.
Pat Lam’s side look to get it wide at every opportunity with Niyi Adeolokun posing a huge threat on the right. On this occasion, Henshaw looks left but his kick is overhit.
Aki powers through before finding Adeolokun with the offload. The flying winger bursts through the initial tackles but he’s just about hauled back by Jack McGrath.
Kurt McQuilkin, Leinster’s defence coach, admits Connacht have his side ‘under the pump’ at the minute.
TRY! Connacht 12-0 Leinster (Adeolokun)
Oh my word! Connacht keep it alive in midfield as they pass before contact and Leinster are stretched. Marmion scoops the loose ball up and finds Adeolokun, who kicks over the top and shows his pace to get ahead of Reddan before kicking it on again to touch down.
Connacht have been sensational in the opening 25 minutes of this final. They are all over Leinster and are playing dream rugby. Absolutely breathtaking.
Pat Lam’s side are in complete control. They’re smashing through the Leinster tackles and putting on an absolute masterclass here. A joy to watch.
PENALTY! Connacht 15-0 Leinster (MacGinty)
First penalty of the game and MacGinty makes no mistake, extending Connacht’s lead.
O’Halloran goes over for the opening try.
Leinster looking for a way back into the game but Molony knocks it on in the tackle and the move breaks down. Meanwhile, Luke Fitzgerald looks in real trouble on the far side with three medics attending to him.
The first rendition of ‘The Fields of Athenry’ sweeps around Murrayfield as Fitzgerald receives attention.
We restart with a Connacht scrum. Fitzgerald is back on his feet and continuing for now.
Niyi Adeolokun’s moment of brilliance.
Sexton receives some running repairs and on the restart receives a HUGE hit from Bundee Aki. You could feel that and the out-half slowly gets back up to his feet.
Connacht’s defence stands firm again and they win a penalty. MacGinty finds touch but from the line-out, Aki uncharacteristically knocks-on.
Chance for Leinster to ask some questions of their own. Sexton’s penalty sets-up the platform but, once again, the move breaks down as Reddan fumbles.
A closer look at Connacht’s second try.
Story of Leinster’s half. Just when they find a yard of space, it all breaks down because of a handling error.
Half-time! Connacht 15-0 Leinster
Scintillating stuff from Connacht during a hugely enjoyable 40 minutes of rugby. They are in complete control of this final, running the show from the early stages and not letting Leinster have anything their way.
What can Leo Cullen do or say at half-time to turn this one around?
According to Sky Sports, Connacht have made 383 metres compared to Leinster’s 166.
Pat Lam’s side have also made 78 tackles, missing just three. In comparison Leinster have made 65 and missed a staggering 18.
Back underway! AJ MacGinty restarts the game at Murrayfield.
Connacht are 40 minutes away from a fitting ending to their fairytale season. Meanwhile, Sean O’Brien is on for Eoin McKeon.
Double change straight after half-time for Leinster. Mike Ross and Richardt Strauss make way with Tadhg Furlong and Sean Cronin on in their place. Interesting move from Cullen.
And they have an immediate impact as a strong Leinster scrum earns the eastern province a penalty, as Sexton calls for the tee.
PENALTY! Connacht 15-3 Leinster (Sexton)
Leinster are on the board as Sexton dissects the posts from the tee.
Connacht are so comfortable in possession and they go through the phases seamlessly. Brilliant hands and offloading and they eventually win a penalty. MacGinty lining this one up from just inside the Leinster half.
Connacht fans are enjoying their evening in the sun at Murrayfield.
Ringrose looks to engineer something but Connacht have numbers in defence. Leinster attacking with more purpose but there’s a wall of green shirts there and Triggs can’t keep hold of it.
Marmion comes away with it and Connacht have numbers here. Leinster are stretched but the scrum-half opts to go into contact rather than kick into space.
Nevertheless, the western province retain possession and they throw it wide. Breathtaking stuff.
So close! Tom McCartney comes within inches of Connacht’s third try as he weaves his way in and out and Leinster just get back to hold him up on the line. Sexton makes the crucial tackle and the question is will that be a match-saving tackle?
They go right, to Aki, and he charges into contact. Leinster’s defence does enough to stop the initial threat and they force the turnover.
34,550 is the attendance at Murrayfield. They’re being treated to a sensational game of rugby.
TRY! Connacht 20-3 Leinster (Healy)
Connacht are almost there. They keep hold of the ball and patience pays off as AJ MacGinty’s grubber through bounces up perfectly for Healy to collect and dive over.
Game, set and match?
Cullen makes another change with Luke McGrath replacing Reddan. Is there any way back for Leinster now?
Couple of changes. John Cooney replaces Marmion while Kirchner is on for Rob Kearney.
Zirchner’s first involvement sees him dot down in the corner but Nigel Owens pulls it back for a forward pass. It appears to be a harsh call.
Andrew Browne on for Ultan Dillane and Conan on for Ross Molony on the Leinster side.
John Cooney is being forced off, clutching his shoulder. Peter Robb is on and it looks as if Matt Healy is filling in at scrum-half.
TRY! Connacht 20-10 Leinster (Cronin)
The replacement hooker, the former Connacht man, darts in and touches down in the far corner.
Leinster on the front foot now. 82% possession in the last 10 minutes but time is against them.
Leinster penalty, Sexton finds touch. Connacht make a change with Dave Heffernan on for McCartney. Tiarnan O’Halloran, who was superb, has also gone off.
But it’s knocked on! Connacht fans urging their side on as John Muldoon and his team-mates rally themselves for the final 9 minutes.
O’Halloran returns to the field after passing the HIA and Connacht have the ball. MacGinty then finds a brilliant touch as he brings play up to the halfway line.
Brilliant kick to relieve the pressure from MacGinty there. Leinster throwing everything at Connacht now. Six minutes on the clock.
They are just about there now.
History beckons for this Connacht side. Incredible performance, incredible season, incredible team.
John Muldoon named man of the match. What a servant for Connacht Rugby and it’s fitting that he will lift the Pro12 trophy at the end of this fairytale season.
Just about sums it up. Sexton tries to run it from his own line but knocks it on.
Full-time! Connacht 20-10 Leinster
The Connacht players and management flood onto the field as Nigel Owens blows the full-time whistle. Incredible scenes at Murrayfield.
Connacht are the Guinness Pro12 champions!
There are tears of joy on the pitch and stands. An emotional John Muldoon says:
“We had a bet earlier in the year that if we won I would not cry – but that is the best €20 I have ever spent. Phenomenal and I would like to thank all the support who have come over. we are going to have one hell of a party.”
Here’s Murray Kinsella’s match report from Murrayfield.
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How the hell is Kearney still Ireland’s number one choice for 15. As it stand’s he’s the fourth best fullback in Ireland. And that’s being generous. Great try for O’Halloran.
He needs to stay back after the match for some passing coaching from Finlay Bealham
This is some story developing
That’s only after Felix Jones retired…so 5th.
Standing in the fans zone in Edinburgh, sun is shining and the DJ playing saw doctors, that’s what happens when Connaught get to finals! Boom
In Vitoria Gastez in Northern Spain can’t find a Pub showing the match.
Shirley there’s an Irish pub, one in every Spanish town.
If anyone is stuck for a quality stream , I have a slingbox that is free at the moment ,
Just install Slingplayer APP and I can send login details via PM – Genuinely just looking to help anyone who is stuck
Have been in 6 Irish pubs listening to Galway Bay FM.
Don’t call him Shirley.
12 _0 to Connaught
Heart bleeds!
Hard to recall the last time an international back three got so comprehensively outclassed.
Especially by a back three that are apparently not international standard
how the hell are none of the Connachts wingers on the irish team, their defence attributes are solid and their attacking is frightening, cmon now Mr Schmidt
Rob turn stile Kearney
Nightmare start for RK – two knock ons and a missed tackle for the try
Healy’s on fire, Dave Kearney is terrified.
Good god, what a try. Adeolokun for Ireland, please.
Jonny acting like a petulant child after getting cut in two by Aki is my high point so far. Probably Aki’s as well.
Wow that 2nd connacht try was amazing. That touch!
Commentator just said it. This is dream rugby from Connaught. Fantastic to watch. Keep it up!
Connacht’s defensive linespeed is frightening
Very much on the offside line!!
30 mins gone and Leinster with 12 missed tackles…..Kearney not up to this level
To be fair he’s just back from injury, but yea, a liability so far.
Connacht, Hull and Real Madrid to win – 15/1 a days drinking at Bruce tomorrow if it comes in.
Probably not the smart money, but sure best of luck.
What were the odds for Leicester for the EPL and Connacht for the Pro12
I can’t imagine that bet was even considered. 25,000 to 1?
Come on Connacht!!
I’m following this on a beach in southern California. Delighted to see that Matt Healy is on form today.. C’mon Connacht
Henshaw leaving the champions to join a useless leinster team !!!!
Leinster are not useless we are having a bad day
Leinster have performed twice all season if you think that’s ok that’s your poracativ. Today they were torn apart whatever plan they had they didn’t stick to it . Cullen is out of his depth and there are players in the team by name only not performance. I might a leinster supporter by the Way
Maybe it’s not Joe Schmidt’s call, but naming the Ireland squad before this game was played is an insult to the players competing for spaces, and doesn’t even pretend that form matters.
Given the lack of risk taken in selections (if you consider picking form players a risk), I’m beginning to get the impression that Joe cares more about his CV than he does about Irish rugby.
You would imagine if SA players are watching this then they will be thinking the bloody obvious, sure these boys are leaving some of their best players at home!
Henshaw is on fire. Bouncing off lads. That offload too , magic stuff
What a first half from Connacht thoroughly deserved but surprised at how poor Leinster have been after the first few minutes they have offered nothing. This game epitomizes just how poor and wrong Schmidts Ireland squad is. Healy and O’Halloran must be wondering what more do they have to do.
COYBIG massive day cmon connacht please bring it home the session awaits.
Given the resources at his disposal,to achieve what pat lam has done is absolutely incredible.
Big contrast between the 2 back 3s today
Ah that’s fricking excellent. Delighted for the westies. Would have been a travesty if they had lost.
The Aki/Henshaw combo in midfield is something else! Men of steel
Absolutely crackin rugby from Connacht.
Best of luck to both teams. My prediction is that Leinster will be bringing it home but I would absolutely love if connacht won.
Strauss first try Sean Cronin anytime try.COYBIB.
Unlucky mate!
Connacht are unreal!
Connacht playing great rugby. Getting a bit of assistance from Leinster in fairness who are awful.
Reading this comments section at 20.17 and not one comment about refereeing or the referee- well done Mr. Nigel Owens another outstanding performance from the man in the middle.
Come on Connaught at least we got to score
Someone tell the tg4 commentator that ‘A.J.’ isn’t pronounced ‘adge’, he’s been at it all year and this is his day job.
Actually, MacGinty has made a point of telling as many people as possible that he pronounces it that way. Strange, but it’s supposedly what he’s always been called by friends and family.
Yea it’s Adge.
Great stuff from Connacht. Its their game to lose now!
I’m a Leinster supporter but delighted Connacht won. They deserved it
Man of the match AJ McGinity ??? can anyone guess salary difference both sides certainly not a reflection on the result
Aki, we know you’re a beast of a man but can you please mind sexton and take it easy when tackling him, we need him for the S.A tour.
Feck South Africa split him’n'half hon Connacht!!!
Cracking coverage from sky so far on the final just watched the Stormers v Cheetahs game, that game was dreadful, I have never seen so many slices in one game in my life.
That Petersen guy for cheetahs not only scored one try for his team but also scored another three for the Stormers he’s a serious revolving door lol. Connacht and Leinster would of smash them two team’s today.
Alot of people put the pro12 league down but when you think about it. This league is only second to super rugby for producing quality player’s in the world
How many Pro12 players produced have won a world cup again?
Zzzzzzzzzz
Jake Heenan to score the first try…no rationale for that prediction, just a whim!
Send this Connacht team to South Africa !!
Connacht were brilliant today – Schmidt needs to rethink his decisions for SA!! Leinster blinkers on!!!!
That is the only title they will be winning for a long time. Leinster are brilliant
Galway girl
Allez Les Vent
Could not be happier for them .wow.!!
Mad Dogs on suicide watch
That’s a pretty shit thing to say on so many level. Have some self respect.
You’re correct
Fair response.
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