Welcome to our liveblog of Leinster v Ulster from a chilly RDS. Both sides have the chance to go second in the league this evening, so while we may not be seeing full-strength teams in Dublin, there is lots to play for.

Let us know how you see this game going. Lots of people appear to be backing Ulster to pull off an away victory. What do you think?

Both squads are out on the pitch going through their warm-ups at the moment, so now is as good a time as any to give you the starting teams and replacements. There is one late change to the Leinster selection, after Michael Bent was forced to drop out. Jack O’Connell starts at loosehead prop in his stead, with Jack McGrath coming onto the bench.

Leinster: Zane Kirchner; Dave Kearney, Brendan Macken, Noel Reid, Luke Fitzgerald; Jimmy Gopperth, Isaac Boss; Jack O’Connell, Aaron Dundon, Martin Moore; Leo Cullen (Captain), Mike McCarthy; Rhys Ruddock, Sean O’Brien, Jordi Murphy.

Replacements: James Tracy, Mike Ross, Jack McGrath, Tom Denton, Dominic Ryan, Luke McGrath, Ian Madigan, Darragh Fanning.

Ulster: Ricky Andrew; Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy; Paddy Jackson, Paul Marshall; Callum Black, Rob Herring, Declan Fitzpatrick; Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy; Robbie Diack (Captain), Sean Doyle, Roger Wilson.

Replacements: Niall Annett, Tom Court, Ricky Lutton, Neil McComb, Mike McComish, Ruan Pienaar, Jared Payne, Mike Allen.

Ulster will be expecting to get the better of the midfield battle this evening, given the experience advantage Luke Marshall and Darren Cave have over Noel Reid and Brendan Macken. Should be an interesting sub-plot to a game that has important head-to-heads all over the pitch.

Luke Marshall will be looking to stamp his international credentials all over the RDS here, so why not have a read of our interview with the Ulster centre as you await kick-off.

David Humphreys would probably prefer to be out on the pitch playing, instead of watching from the stands in this freezing weather. Still, if Ulster can come away with a win he’ll be a happy man.

©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

As you’d imagine, both team’s warm-ups have been very high tempo. Getting the body temperature right up there is the key on cold evenings such as this one. Matt O’Connor decided on simple general play touch rugby to get things going, while Ulster were a little more focused in going through some of their patterns.

Leinster have split between backs and forwards now, with Ulster smashing some tackle bags at the other end of the pitch.

Paddy Jackson is likely to have a strong influence on proceedings tonight. The Ulster out-half has really developed this season, looking far more mature than ever before on the pitch and taking the right options with regularity. Our man Sean Farrell chatted to the Ireland international recently; here are the results.

Are there any other concerned Leinster supporters out there? How’s this one going to go? Leinster focused on ending their mini-losing streak [two games].

Both teams are now on the pitch and Paddy Jackson is getting ready to kick-off. Former Munster fullback John Lacey is the man in the middle at the RDS this evening.

1 minute – Really poor start for Leinster as they knock-on the first kick of the game. Ulster play out two phases and then Leinster concede a penalty. Long-range chance for Jackson…

PENALTY! Leinster 0-3 Ulster (Jackson ’1)

3 minutes – That’s more like it from Leinster. Jordi Murphy and Mike McCarthy makes strong carries as Isaac Boss dictates play well inside the Connacht half. Ulster infringe at the breakdown and Gopperth has a chance to level the game from about 30 metres out, to the right of the sticks…

PENALTY! Leinster 3-3 Ulster (Gopperth ’3)

6 minutes – Excellent attacking play from Leinster leads to another penalty, just metres short of the Ulster try-line. Ulster made a mistake to cough up possession on the half-way line, allowing Brendan Macken to release the pacy Fitzgerald down the left wing. The Ireland international kicked ahead and then re-gathered the grubber, popping inside to Macken.

Ulster cut their losses as Leinster pummeled the line, and Gopperth will have his second attempt…

7 minutes – No, that’s wide of the posts. Better play from Leinster then though, showing their counter-attacking threat. Ulster need to tighten up and get control of the ball. As I type that, they knock-on again and Leinster will re-start play with a midfield scrum about five metres inside the visitor’s half.

11 minutes – Leinster really dominating possession at the moment, asking questions of the Ulster defence with direct, powerful carries. Sean O’Brien looks fresh out there after his recent spell on the sidelines. The dry weather is allowing the home team to put width on the ball, although they are mixing up play nicely. That passage ends with a knock-on by O’Brien in heavy traffic.

13 minutes - Leo Cullen and Dan Tuohy have already been getting to grips. Physically demanding stuff so far.

©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

15 minutes – A ping-pong passage of aerial kicking has just unfolded, but finally Leinster keep ball in hand as Gopperth attacks from deep and at pace…

16 minutes – Zane Kirchner with a decisive attacking contribution down the left-hand side there. Leinster once again looked for the wide channel and the South African played two dummy switches to get all the way to the touchline. When play came back inside, Ulster went off their feet and Gopperth lines up the penalty…

17 minutes – But the out-half has missed again, this time skidding his effort off to the right. He was missing kicks during the warm-up and that form has continued in the game. Still level here as Ulster kick back out to Leinster…

19 minutes – Leinster attack tight around the fringes of the rucks this time, but Ulster are well able to repel them there. Another passage of ball in hand for O’Connor’s side ends with a turnover penalty. Leinster enjoying much of the possession so far, but Mark Anscombe will be happy with how his side are dealing with it.

21 minutes – Yet another wave of Leinster attack now, with Noel Reid making a searing break in midfield after Ulster lose their own line-out. Just six metres short of the Ulster try-line…

22 minutes – But the siege is lifted by more superb breakdown work by the away team! They scrambled superbly after Reid’s linebreak and forced O’Connor’s men to attack narrowly. That led right into the turnover trap yet again. Promising stuff for Leinster overall, but they need to turn these visits into the attacking 22 into points.

Ulster absolutely need to hang onto the ball when they get it, they’re being overrun at the moment, with only the heroic last-ditch defence keeping them level.

24 minutes – John Lacey has given Ulster captain Robbie Diack a team warning after they concede a penalty near the half-way line, off their feet again. Gopperth kicks this one to touch, on the right and around 23 metres out from the defensive try-line.

25 minutes – A couple of early misses from the tee for this man; Leinster need to score on this visit to the 22 you feel.

©INPHO/Billy Stickland

26 minutes – There’s another turnover for Ulster though, with Doyle causing trouble at the breakdown. Fitzgerald manages to block down Marshall’s attempted clearing box kick on the right, but it’s straight into touch.

Mike Ross is on the pitch as a blood replacement for Marty Moore.

30 minutes – The scrum battle has well and truly commenced on the half-way line. Ulster win a free-kick from Mike Ross, and opt to scrummage again. Leinster’s shove the second time is impressive and from that scrappy possession, Ulster get turned over in midfield and concede a penalty. Once again, Gopperth finds touch on the right.

32 minutes – Diack is the latest to win a wonderful turnover penalty with Leinster battering the Ulster try-line. The crowd are unhappy with Lacey, but it’s excellent defensive work from the visitors again. Leinster getting beaten to the ball on the ground. Rhys Ruddock and Jordi Murphy are standing out as primary ball carriers for the home side.

Ulster finally get their hands on the ball inside the Leinster half and, would you believe it, they’ve been awarded a penalty 45 metres out, straight in front. Jackson addresses the kick…

PENALTY! Leinster 3-6 Ulster (Jackson ’33)

34 minutes – Remarkable stuff. Ulster hold the lead despite barely having had the ball in this game. Leinster have been ruinously inefficient with their possession so far, and credit must go to the away team for their defensive effort. Linebreaks and half-breaks are being recovered from and turned into defensive penalties.

Matt O’Connor is likely to be displeased with his men inside the Ulster 22.

YELLOW CARD! Sean Doyle of Ulster is in the bin (’36)

One penalty too many conceded by the openside flanker, and he’ll get a ten-minute breather.

37 minutes - We’re going to the TMO here! The line-out move looked to have broken down for Leinster following that penalty, but Jordi Murphy recovered possession and burst down the left-hand touchline. It looks like he may have scored…

TRY! Leinster 8-6 Ulster (Murphy ’37)

CONVERSION! Leinster 10-6 Ulster (Gopperth ’37)

38 minutes – Finally Leinster make the pressure tell, with Murphy getting a deserved try. The No 8 has carried brilliantly so far this evening. He surged down the left there, running all of 20 metres before boshing his way over the covering defenders. A magnificent offload from Like Fitzgerald in there as well, the wing flicked the ball out the back of the hand in contact. Magic.

40 minutes – Leinster will have the chance to close out the half on the attack here, with a scrum on the left-hand side, 40 metres from Ulster’s line. Boss feeds…

HALF TIME: Leinster 10-6 Ulster

Sean O’Brien nearly made a wonder offload with that final attack, superman-diving through the tackle and attempting to find Luke Fitzgerald on his left. Ricky Andrew managed to block the pass though, and Ulster head into the break still in the game despite having been totally dominated in terms of territory and possession.

We have seen very, very little of this from Ulster; attacking with ball in hand. We can’t even remember them troubling the Leinster 22 once. They’ve barely made it over the home team’s 10 metre line, but they’re still in this game.

©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Which players have impressed you so far? From where we’re sitting, Luke Fitzgerald, Zane Kirchner, Jordi Murphy and Rhys Ruddock have stood out for the home team. Judging Ulster on an individual basis is difficult, but collectively they’ve won the breakdown battle so far.

How is the rest of this game going to play out? Let us know your thoughts.

This sums up the problem for Leinster’s attack so far, the try aside.

A snapshot of the moment Jordi Murphy touched down for Leinster. He did really well to stay in the field of play here. He’s had a superb opening 40 minutes, powerful in contact and crucially carrying the ball in two hands when he attacks. His footwork may not be lightning fast, but he’s well able to shift defenders onto their heels, creating a collision that is on his terms. Hugely promising.

©INPHO/Billy Stickland

The teams are back on the pitch and Gopperth is set to get us back underway…

A quick comment from TheScore.ie reader David Bridgeman as we get back in action:

Leinster out playing Ulster but Ulster worryingly very much in it.

43 minutes – Edgy start to the second half, with both sides kicking possession away. Ulster win their own line-out just inside their half of the pitch, Leinster come in the side of the ruck and Jackson sweeps the penalty into touch for another line-out, but this time on the Leinster 10 metre line.

Sean Doyle returns to the pitch after his 10 minutes in the sin bin.

45 minutes – Ulster finally enjoying maintained possession of the ball, making slow progress forward. It ends with another error though, as Diack’s poor pass goes out in front of Doyle and straight into touch. Leinster with the chance to go back on the attack as they win the line-out.

47 minutes – Lewis Stevenson might have been lucky to escape with just conceding a penalty there. Drops on elbow on Leo Cullen, himself a master of the dark arts at the breakdown. Lacey awards Leinster the pen, which Gopperth puts into touch on the Ulster 22…

49 minutes – And Ulster cough up a breakdown penalty on that 22-metre line, straight in front of the uprights. Gopperth surely won’t make any mistake from this one…

PENALTY! Leinster 13-6 Ulster (Gopperth ’50)

51 minutes – A couple of big changes for Ulster with Jared Payne and Ruan Pienaar onto the pitch. The fullback makes an immediate impact with a gliding counter-attack down the left-hand side. Majestic running from the Kiwi. Leinster concede a penalty in desperation and Ulster are finally into the Leinster 22 after winning the line-out from that penalty.

53 minutes – Agh, Luke Marshall knocks-on a shot popped pass from Pienaar to end Ulster’s best attacking spell of the game. That double substitution has truly sparked the northern province into life. Payne made another powerful surge through contact in there, while Pienaar’ passing is out in front of his forward runners, asking them to burst onto the ball.

Sean O’Brien has been helped off in discomfort, with Dominic Ryan on for him.

56 minutes – Vital defensive contribution from Jack O’Connell there, as the loosehead prop wins a technically excellent turnover penalty. Ulster had gone back on the front foot, but the front row showed clear non-involvement with the tackle before getting his hands on the ball. Leinster now back on the attack after yet another Jordi Murphy surge up the middle.

Ulster are all offside in the centre, and Lacey signals for the penalty. Gopperth will have an effort at the posts with this. He’s 37 metres out, but very central.

PENALTY! Leinster 16-6 Ulster (Gopperth ’57)

He slipped while kicking, but it’s over.

57 minutes – Sean O’Brien was solid on his return to the Leinster team. Let’s hope that injury isn’t too serious.

©INPHO/Billy Stickland

60 minutes – That’s a big mistake from Ulster! Under no pressure whatsoever, Payne drops a routine pass inside from Trimble and hands Leinster a scrum inside the 22. Great chance for Matt O’Connor’s men to build a score now. Payne’s only error since entering the action.

61 minutes – And Ulster have given up another penalty from the resulting scrum. Gopperth with another straightforward chance in front of the sticks…

PENALTY! Leinster 19-6 Ulster (Gopperth ’62)

64 minutes – A second choke tackle in five minutes from Leinster to turn possession over. Excellent, hungry effort from the pack, who have really stepped the physicality up a notch in this second half. Ulster simply haven’t been able to build any momentum, through Leinster’s harrying and their own inaccuracy.

Lacey upgrades the scrum to a penalty again and Gopperth kicks Leinster into the Ulster half…

65 minutes – There are real concerns over that Sean O’Brien injury. The flanker is in some discomfort apparently. Seemed to be his wrist, or possibly ribs; somewhere on the upper body anyway. Whatever it is, Joe Schmidt will be awaiting news as anxiously as the rest of us. Fingers crossed for SOB.

Also, Paul Marshall had to hobble off when Pienaar replaced him. Appeared to be his right leg causing the pain.

66 minutes – Bad, bad news as RTÉ confirm that O’Brien has dislocated his shoulder.

68 minutes – Ugh, that’s ruined our evening anyway. Back at the RDS, Ulster are looking to build a meaningful [points scoring] attack. They have scrum inside the Leinster 22, wide on the right after Ryan knocked-on an attempted intercept. Pienaar gets set to feed…

70 minutes – Trimble, replacement Mike Allen and Jackson all carry strongly, but Leinster hold firm. The Ulstermen look for holes in closer to the ruck, but the brick wall that is Dominic Ryan greets them and wins a penalty. There have been so many steals at the breakdown this evening, both sides guilty of lacking precision in their rucking.

71 minutes – Zane Kirchner has impressed us tonight. The fullback hasn’t been integrally involved, but his movement off the ball has been good. He covers well in defence and is more often than not in the right place to field kicks comfortably. In attack, he’s been really lively, looking to switch play and add an injection of pace into the Leinster backline.

74 minutes – Ulster continue to attempt to manufacture a try for themselves. However, they are beginning to force play somewhat, and a loose inside pass by Pienaar leads to a knock-on on this occasion. Leinster get the scrum as ‘Molly Malone’ rings out briefly in the RDS.

The most worrying image of this evening’s action. How long for a dislocated shoulder? All depends on the severity really…

©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

77 minutes – A typically fleet-footed counter-attack form Craig Gilroy – who has been starved of possession so far – get Ulster to within a few metres of the Leinster try-line, but their composure fails them once they get in behind the defence. A wild pass means Paddy Jackson knocks-on and Leinster have the scrum.

79 minutes – Isaac Boss knocks-on under severe pressure though, and Ulster will get another attacking chance….

79 minutes – We’re having a look with the TMO here. Paddy Jackson dribbled a kick through, but unfortunately for the away team, Jared Payne just spilled his attempted touchdown.

Jordi Murphy has deservedly been named man of the match. Wonderful performance and bodes well for the future.

80 minutes – Some last-gasp drama here as Ulster win a penalty and go on the attack five metres out from Leinster’s try-line… But yet another turnover penalty at the breakdown ends the brief passage and this kick into touch will signal the end of the game.

FULL TIME: Leinster 19-6 Ulster

Leinster move into second in the Pro12 table with this win, a deserved one. Mark Anscombe’s Ulster were nowhere near their best this evening, failing to build any sustained pressure or momentum in attack. Matt O’Connor might be slightly concerned that his side failed to turn mountains of possession into scores in the first half, but overall he’ll be content with the four points.

Jordi Murphy and Luke Fitzgerald were both fantastic for the home team.

Thanks for joining our liveblog of this evening’s match. As always, your comments are greatly appreciated, so keep them coming this evening. We’re off to find out what we can about Sean O’Brien’s concerning injury. Cheers!