Derby

Dragons: O’Brien (co-capt); D Richards, Inisi, Owen, E Rosser; de Beer, Hope; Martinez, Burrows, Hunt, Woodman, Carter (co-capt), Keddie, Beddall, Wainwright.

Replacements: G Roberts, W Jones, Dlamini, Douglas, Young, R Williams, Westwood, Anderson.

Scarlets: Nicholas; Rogers, Roberts, James, Mee; Hawkins, G Davies; Mathias, van der Merwe, H Thomas, Douglas, Cuckson, Plumtree, Macleod (capt), Anderson.

Replacements: Elias, J Morse, H O’Connor, J Price, D Davis, A Hughes, Leggatt-Jones, Page.

Yellow cards: Cuckson 24′.

20-minute red card: Douglas 43′

Referee: Ben Connor (WRU)

Assistant referees: Carwyn Sion & Gareth Newman (WRU)

TMO: Aled Griffiths (WRU)

Attendance: 8,369

In an opening half that featured just one solitary try, the dominant theme was Leinster’s superiority in the scrum.

With former Leinster player Michael Ala’alatoa appearing to struggle on their tight-head side, Munster could not get to grips with their opposing front row, who were able to use the set-piece to relieve pressure time and time again.

Despite those difficulties, Munster still enjoyed plenty of territory but were lacking in accuracy when it came to the crunch.

Jack Crowley missed touch in what was a generally poor kicking display from those in red, while a Mike Haley knock-on after a poor Tom Farrell pass ended another attack.

Leinster struggled to convert their own opportunities but did take a 7-0 lead into the break thanks to Van der Flier’s early score.

After one of those initial scrum penalties, the visitors kicked to the corner with Ronan Kelleher finding Caelan Doris from the subsequent line-out.

While the maul made only marginal headway, there was to be no stopping Van der Flier when the back row peeled off the back and ran through the tackle of Craig Casey to score.

In what continued to be a low-scoring and disjointed game after the break, Harry Byrne and Crowley traded penalties a quarter of an hour after the restart.

Approaching the final quarter, Byrne added another three points with the boot but, as both sides turned to their benches, it felt a game already lacking in flow was becoming even more disjointed.

Replacement centre Dan Kelly’s try in the 70th minute set up an absorbing finish but, try as they might and despite plenty of late possession, Munster could not find a way through the Leinster defence for the telling score.

In truth, while the game did not lack intensity or ferocity, given the paucity of attacking quality on show, it was a fitting end to such a contest.

Both sides face another interprovincial derby in the URC next week with Munster travelling to Ulster on Friday and Leinster hosting Connacht the following day.

Cardiff and Llanelli played host to derbies on 26 December and the action will be in Newport and Bridgend on New Year’s Day.

The Arms Park was packed before Christmas to see Scarlets edge out the hosts, and this time a packed house saw the Blue and Blacks sneak victory.

A sold-out figure of 12,125 tickets issued was announced by Cardiff, with Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia lauding the atmosphere.

“The crowd was amazing, for Cardiff and the Dragons,” said Tiatia, an Ospreys legend from his playing days. “It became a singing contest at the end.

“It was pleasing to see where the game is at with local derbies and fans coming out to support their teams.

“That’s what we want for derbies – that they are competitive, grounds are sold out and the game is growing. It’s all around the tribalism of the regions.”

There were more than 12,000 at Parc y Scarlets as well, with victorious Ospreys head coach Jones hoping there are more occasions like this as the WRU looks to cut a men’s professional side.

“You could tell it was a west Wales derby and long may they continue,” said Jones.

“These occasions are massive. Just at the end of the game, to see your players and coaches going over to meet their families over in the terrace over the far side.

“With so many of them and fans turning up when they could be doing all sorts at this time of the year, but they choose to come down and support their team.

“It is amazing. We talked about the emotional side of the game in the derby and how you have to use the emotion.

“I thought the boys used the emotion incredibly well and the Scarlets did the same. I thought their care for their shirt was equally good.”

Motherwell have arguably been the best team to watch in the Premiership this season and are unquestionably the team punching most above their weight in Scotland’s top flight.

Manager Jens Berthel Askou has implemented an eye-catching possession-based style since joining in the summer, a feat several coaches have failed to do with far bigger budgets.

Elliot Watt has been a revelation in midfield, Elijah Just has slotted in seamlessly having worked under Askou previously at Danish club Horsens, while only Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland has scored more goals in the Premiership than Tawanda Maswanhise this season.

It is at the back though that perhaps the most impressive aspect of Askou’s set-up has been.

Motherwell are unbeaten in their past 10 league outings and haven’t conceded in over a month with six straight clean sheets.

They have shipped just 15 goals in the league all season, a record bettered only by Celtic and Hearts (both 14).

Research from my learned colleague Nick McPheat shows Motherwell are averaging their best defensive record in a top-flight campaign – 0.83 goals conceded per match – since the 1931–32 season, when they won the title.

Attacks win matches, but defences win titles. A festive omen of cheer for the Steelmen and Askou before they face Rangers at Ibrox.

Given Rangers’ struggles in attacking areas this term, don’t be surprised if Motherwell’s superb run continues into 2026.