Leinster claim interpro crown with Connacht third

Leinster retained their title in the Women's Interprovincial Championship with a 27-7 victory over Munster at Kingspan Stadium.

In what was a repeat of last year's final, Tania Rosser's side ran in three tries and could have had plenty more if not for some dogged Munster defence behind their own try line.

The southern province had opened the scoring with a spectacular solo try from Alana McInerney, the winger picking up the ball in her own half and slaloming through Leinster's defence on her way to the line.

But Leah Tarpey levelled matters with a breakaway score 15 minutes before the turn, and from that point on, Leinster dominated thanks to a strong showing from their powerful pack.

With Irish international Aoife Wafer increasingly prominent as a replacement, the back-row drove over from close range to put her side in the driving seat as half-time approached.

Munster's attempts to respond quickly after the restart were undone when Dorothy Wall was held up over the line and Leah Tarpey's second of the evening left the result in no doubt.

Attention for many involved now switches to Ireland's game against Australia back in Belfast on 14 September.

Connacht 33-19 Ulster

Earlier in the day, Connacht secured third place in the championship with a five-try win over Ulster.

The northern province would play for more than half the game with 14 players after captain Brittany Hogan was sent off in the 32nd minute for what was deemed a dangerous tackle when her side were leading 7-0.

Despite the red card, Murray Houston's side were level going into the game's last ten minutes only for late scores from the impressive Faith Oviawe and Beibhinn Gleeson to ensure victory for the westerners.

New Ireland call-up Sophie Barrett had crashed over from close range to put her side ahead but Connacht should have levelled matters soon after only for Meabh Deely to lose the ball when grounding.

Hogan's red card played a huge part in the game, however. Ulster were temporarily reduced to 14 when Lucinda Kingan was sin-binned for cynical play near her own line and Edel McMahon took advantage of the extra space to go over.

Ulster sought to reach half-time still level but a turned over line-out saw Connacht flip the field in the final minute before the turn and player of the match Oviawe scored her first of the day.

A pair of tries for Ulster number ten Abby Moyles, either side of Hannah Clarke's fine chip and chase effort for Connacht, had the scores level heading in the final quarter but Connacht's numerical advantage eventually told.

First Oviawe was the beneficiary when Connacht had extra players out wide before, in the last play of the game, Gleeson crossed from close range.