Leinster are champions once again.
In front of a packed Croke Park crowd, the Irish giants powered past the Bulls 32–7 to end a four-year URC title drought and capture their ninth league crown.
From Jack Conan’s early score to Jordie Barrett’s farewell try and Fintan Gunne’s late dagger, Leinster were dominant from start to finish.
Here’s the full recap, result, and scoring summary from the 2025 United Rugby Championship Final:
LEINSTER DOMINATE BULLS TO END URC TITLE DROUGHT
Leinster 32 – 7 Vodacom Bulls (HT: 19–0)
Leinster delivered a commanding performance at Croke Park to claim their first United Rugby Championship title since 2021, dismantling the Bulls 32–7 and ending a string of near misses in recent finals. In front of a buzzing Dublin crowd, Leo Cullen’s men surged to a 19–0 halftime lead behind relentless physicality, clinical execution, and suffocating defense. Jack Conan opened the scoring from a driving maul before Jordie Barrett – playing his final match for the province – chased down a clever kick to score a brilliant solo try. Josh van der Flier powered over soon after to cap off a dominant opening quarter. The Bulls had multiple spells in Leinster’s 22 before the break but failed to capitalize, with poor kicks and a forward pass costing them crucial chances. Sam Prendergast extended the lead with a penalty early in the second half, but the Bulls finally got on the board through Akker van der Merwe off a rolling maul. It proved fleeting, as Leinster calmly regained control. Prendergast added another three before late call-up Fintan Gunne split the defense for a slick fourth try, converted by Ross Byrne on his farewell appearance. It was a fitting end to a four-year wait for Leinster, who lifted their ninth league title while condemning the Bulls to back-to-back URC final defeats.
LEINSTER
- Tries: Conan (5’), Barrett (13’), Van der Flier (22’), Gunne (72’)
- Conversions: Prendergast (6’, 13’), Byrne (73’)
- Penalties: Prendergast (44’, 67’)
VODACOM BULLS
- Tries: Van der Merwe (50’)
- Conversions: Goosen (51')
This emphatic win not only snaps Leinster’s recent run of final heartbreaks but reasserts their place at the top of northern hemisphere club rugby. For the Bulls, it’s another painful defeat on the URC’s biggest stage, while for Leinster, it’s a statement of intent, a championship reclaimed, and a sendoff to remember for key veterans like Barrett and Byrne.
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