Overview
- Leinster beat Connacht 50-5 at Dexcom Stadium on Friday, October 30, 2026, scoring seven tries to take a bonus point and dominate from the first half.
- Joey Carbery was central to the victory with 20 points from six conversions, one penalty and a try, while try-scorers included Gus McCarthy, Jordan Larmour, Todd Lawlor, Max Deegan, Ciarán Mangan and Fintan Gunne.
- Both provinces rotated heavily for the match, but Leinster’s 14 changes — including debutants Connor Fahy and Alex Mullan and the return of Jordan Larmour — underscored the club’s strength in depth and the quality of its young players such as Todd Lawlor.
- Connacht, who made 12 alterations to their side with only Finlay Bealham, Cathal Forde and captain Paul Boyle retained, laboured throughout and saw Niall Murray reach his 100th appearance from the bench in a difficult night for Stuart Lancaster’s team.
- The result moves Leinster up the United Rugby Championship table to second and continues a long run of dominance over Connacht, a trend that raises questions about Connacht’s consistency and selection strategy ahead of the Test break.