Thanks to his young team-mate in the centre, Felix Jones was almost overlooked as he completed his return from injury.
Understandably, he was not at his absolute sharpest.
But had you not watched Jones light up Limerick in 2011, you’d have never guess he had been away. An assured display from the Leinster product and did incredibly well to step back against the defensive flow to find a route under the posts.
14. Dave Kearney
The Dundalk winger was making his first start of the season after a hip injury but showed no signs of rustiness. Finished off a fantastic team move by diving over for a try in the right-hand corner.
13. Darren Cave
A rock solid display in Ulster’s midfield; tackling, jackling and passing with authority to facilitate his back three. Showed a good burst of strength to take his try after 60 minutes. A score which sealed another bonus-point for the league leaders.
12. JJ Hanrahan
Two tries on his full debut and both of them absolutely critical to Munster’s bonus-point win. The first came shortly after half time was the spark his team needed after another fairly lacklustre opening 40. Looking at a 20-year-old Hanrahan brimming with confidence, power and skill; there’s plenty for Munster fans to be cheerful about.
11. Fergus McFadden
The 26-year-old is on the record with his preference for playing at inside centre but performances like this, on the wing, won’t help his cause. No tries for McFadden but his out-the-back flick set Madigan up superbly for his five-pointer and he looked dangerous all evening.
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10. Ruan Pienaar
The X-Factor who makes the northern province tick. Pienaar forced the off-load after 15 minutes which allowed Tom Court help himself to a score and, when the visitors at Rodney Parade fell behind again, he came up with a charge down try for himself. He’s an inspiration and he seems to be capable of anything, but on Friday 21 points was enough.
9. Paul Marshall
While Eoin Reddan kept a fluid service to his riot-running back-line, Paul Marshall was just as influential in slightly more testing conditions as Ulster ran up another cricket score in Wales. He played under 70 minutes, before being replaced by Paddy Jackson, but both men received richly-deserved international call-ups last night.
8. Jamie Heaslip
The Kildare man made a name for himself as a try scoring back-row in 2007 and 2008 but the scores have dried up since his Heineken Cup semi-final touch down against Toulouse in 2011. He accounted for 10 points to shatter Cardiff’s hopes and was the given space to run by a dominant tight-five.
7. Jordi Murphy
Murphy managed to outshine his Irish international colleagues in the back row and was awarded the sponsor’s man-of-the-match award. Showed great strength for his try and was a constant source of go-forward ball for a team very much on the up.
In defeat, Muldoon was his ever-defiant self. His tireless efforts at the breakdown and with ball-in-hand carried the fight to Ospreys even when it was clear the reigning champions would find an extra gear and streak clear.
5. Dan Tuohy
Johann Muller will be off the scene for lengthy spell so Mark Anscombe needs another man in the tight five to step up. Tuohy made promising strides to this end on Friday, imposing his power to the ruck while seeming happy to let the game loosen so his back could flourish. Played a big part in the drive on the right flank for the visitors' opening score.
4. Donncha O'Callaghan
He (like each of our three winning provinces this weekend) has and will face tougher tests, but you can only beat what's in front of you. O'Callaghan was a driving force for the red army, he stuck to his wing and Munster to their guns, and it bore fruit O'Callaghan plundered a route up the left touchline in the build-up to Hanrahan's opening score.
3. Mike Ross
Forced multiple penalties off the Cardiff scrum but, with Ireland in bonus point country after just 25 minutes, Leinster settled for territory over three-pointers. Put in a solid 55 minute shift.
2. Richardt Strauss
Called up for Ireland midweek and scorer of another Leinster try on Saturday. O'Springbok threw well into the lineout and carried for gains almost every time he got possession.
1. Cian Healy
He frightened a lot of people with a horrendous Beyoncé Halloween outfit this week and the Leinster prop gave Cardiff plenty of nightmares. Looked to be enjoying himself at the RDS and one of his many rampaging breaks delivered a first-half try.
Let us know your own Team of the Week in the comment section below.
Pro12: Team of the Week
15. Felix Jones
Thanks to his young team-mate in the centre, Felix Jones was almost overlooked as he completed his return from injury.
Understandably, he was not at his absolute sharpest.
But had you not watched Jones light up Limerick in 2011, you’d have never guess he had been away. An assured display from the Leinster product and did incredibly well to step back against the defensive flow to find a route under the posts.
14. Dave Kearney
The Dundalk winger was making his first start of the season after a hip injury but showed no signs of rustiness. Finished off a fantastic team move by diving over for a try in the right-hand corner.
13. Darren Cave
A rock solid display in Ulster’s midfield; tackling, jackling and passing with authority to facilitate his back three. Showed a good burst of strength to take his try after 60 minutes. A score which sealed another bonus-point for the league leaders.
11. Fergus McFadden
The 26-year-old is on the record with his preference for playing at inside centre but performances like this, on the wing, won’t help his cause. No tries for McFadden but his out-the-back flick set Madigan up superbly for his five-pointer and he looked dangerous all evening.
10. Ruan Pienaar
The X-Factor who makes the northern province tick. Pienaar forced the off-load after 15 minutes which allowed Tom Court help himself to a score and, when the visitors at Rodney Parade fell behind again, he came up with a charge down try for himself. He’s an inspiration and he seems to be capable of anything, but on Friday 21 points was enough.
9. Paul Marshall
While Eoin Reddan kept a fluid service to his riot-running back-line, Paul Marshall was just as influential in slightly more testing conditions as Ulster ran up another cricket score in Wales. He played under 70 minutes, before being replaced by Paddy Jackson, but both men received richly-deserved international call-ups last night.
8. Jamie Heaslip
The Kildare man made a name for himself as a try scoring back-row in 2007 and 2008 but the scores have dried up since his Heineken Cup semi-final touch down against Toulouse in 2011. He accounted for 10 points to shatter Cardiff’s hopes and was the given space to run by a dominant tight-five.
7. Jordi Murphy
Murphy managed to outshine his Irish international colleagues in the back row and was awarded the sponsor’s man-of-the-match award. Showed great strength for his try and was a constant source of go-forward ball for a team very much on the up.
6. John Muldoon
In defeat, Muldoon was his ever-defiant self. His tireless efforts at the breakdown and with ball-in-hand carried the fight to Ospreys even when it was clear the reigning champions would find an extra gear and streak clear.
5. Dan Tuohy
Johann Muller will be off the scene for lengthy spell so Mark Anscombe needs another man in the tight five to step up. Tuohy made promising strides to this end on Friday, imposing his power to the ruck while seeming happy to let the game loosen so his back could flourish. Played a big part in the drive on the right flank for the visitors' opening score.
4. Donncha O'Callaghan
He (like each of our three winning provinces this weekend) has and will face tougher tests, but you can only beat what's in front of you. O'Callaghan was a driving force for the red army, he stuck to his wing and Munster to their guns, and it bore fruit O'Callaghan plundered a route up the left touchline in the build-up to Hanrahan's opening score.
3. Mike Ross
Forced multiple penalties off the Cardiff scrum but, with Ireland in bonus point country after just 25 minutes, Leinster settled for territory over three-pointers. Put in a solid 55 minute shift.
2. Richardt Strauss
Called up for Ireland midweek and scorer of another Leinster try on Saturday. O'Springbok threw well into the lineout and carried for gains almost every time he got possession.
1. Cian Healy
He frightened a lot of people with a horrendous Beyoncé Halloween outfit this week and the Leinster prop gave Cardiff plenty of nightmares. Looked to be enjoying himself at the RDS and one of his many rampaging breaks delivered a first-half try.
Let us know your own Team of the Week in the comment section below.
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