Leinster hammered the Bulls 36-7 at Croke Park to retain the United Rugby Championship, becoming the competition’s first back-to-back champions since the 2021 rebrand. The Irish province’s dominant display erased the sting of last month’s Champions Cup loss to Bordeaux‑Begles and underscored their league supremacy.

Leinster surged ahead in the opening half, leading 22‑0 at the break. Tommy O’Brien pounced on a loose ball for the first try, while Rieko Ioane and Jack Conan added scores before the Bulls were twice reduced to 14 men for deliberate knock‑ons. Sam Prendergast’s early penalty extended the margin.

The second half saw Leinster maintain pressure. Prendergast darted over from a ruck for his second try, and Harry Byrne capped the scoring with a late effort, converting his own try. Bulls centre Canan Moodie finally crossed, but a TMO review nullified a potential Harold Vorster try, sealing Leinster’s control.

Leinster’s 36‑7 triumph lifted them to ten URC titles, the most in the competition’s history, and marked the first successful title defence. The Bulls suffered their fourth loss in five finals, highlighting a pattern of near‑misses that threatens their reputation despite regular season strength overall.