Jonathan Sexton pulled off a rescue act for Leinster on Saturday night as the 2013 British & Irish Lion kept his cool from the tee against Cardiff Blues.
An in-form Blues had stormed ahead thanks to Wales utility back Gareth Anscombe, who also showed his prowess when faced with the posts by kicking his side into a 13-3 half-time lead, scoring their try as well.
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But though the Leinster revival started with Rhys Ruddock’s try, Sexton landed the conversion and another two penalties to sneak a slender 16-13 win.
Ireland back-row Ruddock also put in a huge shift quite apart from his try as he recorded a joint-best 15 tackles to help send Leinster home happy.
Typical Tipuric
He may have been on the wrong end of the final scoreline but Wales and Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric was a big reason why his side nearly stopped in-form Ulster.
Tipuric, a veteran of the 2013 Lions Tour won the man-of-the-match award for an all-action display – watch his thoughts on his performance below.
Incredible workrate from @ospreys Justin Tipuric tonight! 18 tackles, 5 carries & 4 gainline successes #TopPerformer https://t.co/Oq7RJIlie4
— Sky Sports Rugby ? (@SkySportsRugby) October 1, 2016
Munster magic
Munster could rely on a vintage performance from their Ireland internationals in their 49-5 defeat of Zebre at Thomond Park.
On a day of tight finishes in the Guinness PRO12, Munster found their way over the whitewash seven times.
Prolific No.8 CJ Stander – who has fast become an important piece for Ireland since his debut at the 2016 RBS 6 Nations – weighed in with two tries.
Try Fest In Thomond – catch up on tonight's 49-5 win in @thomondstadium | https://t.co/DMyxelV5YX#MUNvZEB pic.twitter.com/Q4gKUnmhvP
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) October 1, 2016
And 2013 Lions duo Conor Murray and Simon Zebo were also in fine fettle, too, as they joined Stander on the scoresheet.
The two combined for possibly the best try of the match when, on the half-hour mark, Murray chipped through for Zebo to round off a superb break.
The result is another important marker on the road back to glory for Munster – they missed out on the Guinness PRO12 play-offs last year – as new director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has led them to four wins from five.
