Leinster hold off Stormers to reach URC finalImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jamison Gibson-Park scored a late try as Leinster came out on top in a physical semi-finalByMatt GaultBBC Sport NI senior journalistPublished1 hour agoURC play-off semi-finalLeinster (13) 20Tries: Ioane, Gibson-Park Cons: Prendergast, Byrne Pens: Prendergast 2Stormers (8) 11Tries: Smith Cons: Pens: Matthee 2Leinster will face the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship final for the second straight year after the Irish province overcame the Stormers in a bruising semi-final at Aviva Stadium.Desperate to end the season with silverware after suffering Champions Cup final heartache at the hands of Bordeaux-Begles last month, Leinster toppled a ferocious Stormers side to take a significant step towards retaining the URC title.The fast-starting home side raced into a 13-0 lead through Rieko Ioane’s try and two Sam Prendergast penalties.But the Stormers shook off a sluggish start and reduced the deficit to five points with an Adre Smith try and Jurie Matthee penalty before the sides clashed in the tunnel at half-time.While a second Matthee penalty brought the South African side to within two points, their ill-discipline ultimately proved costly, with Leolin Zas yellow-carded early in the second half before Ruan Ackermann’s yellow for a dangerous clean-out on Ronan Kelleher was upgraded to a 20-minute red.Salmaan Moerat was also sent to the sin-bin for kicking the ball out of Jamison Gibson-Park’s hands in the build-up to the Leinster scrum-half’s try which sealed the holders’ place in the Croke Park final on 19 June.The Bulls booked their spot in the decider earlier on Saturday with a 22-21 comeback win over Glasgow Warriors at Murrayfield.
