Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has hit out at Leinster’s breakdown and scrum following his side’s 41-17 defeat to the runaway United Rugby Championship (URC) leaders.
The win for the Dublin-based outfit sees them move nine points clear at the top of the URC ladder heading into the final few rounds, but Murphy’s side are left in 10th. They are still within a shout of the play-offs, though, thanks to results elsewhere.
Murphy hits out at Leinster after loss
Speaking to the media after the loss, Murphy cut a frustrated figure as he identified some key areas he felt Leinster got away with.
“There are definitely things in our game that we can improve, and some things that just frustrate us in or around breakdown,” said the Ulster boss.
“When you’re playing against a Leinster side who are tough to play at the breakdown, especially if they’re allowed to dirty the breakdown as much as they do, it’s then very hard to get quick ball to play off.
“We probably weren’t accurate enough ourselves, but there were a couple of times when lads would line up at the back of a tackle, and guys are on the side of a ruck, it’s very difficult to play against.
“Leinster’s line speed is incredible, but is it always coming from an onside position? I’d question that.”
He added: “The scrum dominance that they had in the first half, we didn’t feel that was right. We felt they were stepping around the corner and the breakdown, go and have a look yourself.”
But, despite the sour taste left following the loss, the head coach felt there were some positives he could take from the result.
“We scored 17 points against them – no one has scored for the last couple of weeks against them. That gives us something,” Murphy said.
Ulster now prepare for a tough clash against the Sharks next weekend before back-to-back away trips to Munster and Edinburgh to close out their season.
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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/id-question-that-ulster-boss-hits-out-at-dirty-leinster-following-urc-defeat
