Six-try Leinster beat Ulster to reach semi-final

Ulster struggled to find a way through Leinster's defence in Dublin

United Rugby Championship quarter-final

Leinster: (17) 43

Tries: Henshaw, Lowe 2, Larmour, Van der Flier, Molony Cons: Byrne 4, Prendergast Pen: Byrne

Ulster: (0) 20

Tries: McCann, Moore, Lowry Pen: Cooney Con: Cooney

Leinster put in a clincal display to beat Irish rivals Ulster 43-20 victory in the United Rugby Championship play-offs quarter-final in Dublin.

Tries from Robbie Henshaw and James Lowe helped the Aviva Stadium hosts to a 17-0 lead at half-time.

Lowe completed his double before Dave McCann notched up Ulster's first try.

Jordan Larmour added Leinster's fourth try but a battling Ulster side came back again with Stewart Moore going over.

Josh van der Flier and Ross Molony went over as Leinster stretched clear before Mike Lowry's consolation try for the visitors.

Ulster were chasing a third URC victory over Leinster this season and they made a strong start on Saturday.

Cormac Izuchukwu bursts through and offloaded to Matty Rea before James Ryan made a try-saving tackle and then Nick Timoney charged over but the TMO adjudged that he was held up by Joe McCarthy.

Ulster failed to capitalise on their pressure, unlike a Leinster side who snapped up every opportunity.

Jamie Osborne sent Robbie Henshaw clear for the 21st-minute opener with the conversion coming from Ross Byrne, who then added a penalty.

Byrne set up Lowe to motor down the right and touch down with the fly-half again adding the extras.

Leinster wing James Lowe touches down for his first try against Ulster

Leinster went in at the break with a commanding advantage before Ulster finally got on the scoreboard courtesy of a John Cooney penalty.

Lowe showed off his soccer skills to chalk up his second try, kicking down the line from Byrne's cross-field kick and going over although Byrne hit the upright with the conversion attempt.

Ulster were trailing 22-3 but they kept charging forward and were rewarded with McCann trotting over the line from a superb Cooney reverse pass.

Cooney missed the conversion and Leinster were soon scoring again with Larmour going in for a converted try.

Moore gathered from Ethan McIlroy's smart chip to sprint over for Ulster's second try with Cooney this time adding the two points.

Leinster were in no mood to ease off and van der Flier strode in to score try number five before Ross Molony put the icing on the cake by driving over with four minutes left.

Both tries were converted and there was still time for Ulster to grab the last score of the game as Lowry outpaced Ciaran Frawley before touching down, although John Cooney missed with the conversion.

Leinster: Jimmy O’Brien; Jordan Larmour, Robbie Henshaw, Jamie Osborne, James Lowe; Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan (capt); Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Michael Ala’alatoa, Ross Molony, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Sam Prendergast, Ciaran Frawley.

Ulster: Stewart Moore; Mike Lowry, Will Addison, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Billy Burns, John Cooney; Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring (capt), Tom O’Toole; Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu; Matty Rea, David McCann, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Andy Warwick, Scott Wilson, Greg Jones, Dave Ewers, Nathan Doak, Ethan McIlroy, Jude Postlethwaite.

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)