URC Round Two Team of the Week: Leinster dominate but room for Connacht's Ben Murphy following being unlucky last week
Garryowen captain Bryan Fitzgerald, at Munster on a short-term contract, can hold his head up high, scoring a try and setting up a second.
Leinster's win may not have stylish but was comprehensive as Dragons didn't have a second-half attack of note at the Aviva.
Connacht's first-half was shocking, Munster second-half was one of their worst since the game turned professional while Ulster also produced a mixed bag.
If there had a be a player of the week, Connacht's Cathal Forde deserves the accolade. It would be interesting to know where the 23 year-old is in Andy Farrell's reckoning and just why he is not on the Emerging Ireland Tour.
URC TEAM OF THE WEEK, ROUND TWO
15. Jamie Osbourne (Leinster) - Looked comfortable at all times against Dragons and there was a reminder of just how far he can kick the ball with a booming second-half kick.
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14. Mack Hansen (Connacht) - Even by his standard he moved about a lot, standing in as out-half at one point, his time at centre producing a great try for Cathal Forde.
13. Bryan Fitzgerald (Munster) - On a four months 'trial' contract and must have been discomforted by losing Burns (before the game), Daly (6 mins) and McCarthy (25 mins) but still scored a try and set up a second.
12. Cathal Forde (Connacht) - Started at first-centre and took over at no10 from the injured Josh Ioane for the second-half and from where he launched an aucious comeback win
11. Jimmy O'Brien (Leinster) - Had his fill of injury last season but looks to be fully recovered and starting to stake a claim for a return to international action.
10. Aidan Morgan (Ulster) - Second week in succession he has been a standout for the northern province. The Auckland-born 23 year-old is Ireland qualified via Belfast grandfather
9. Ben Murphy (Connacht) - Was unlucky to get touched off here last week by Leinster's Man of the Match Jamison Gibson-Park but a second lively Connacht performance gets him in this week
1. Denis Buckley (Conacht) - Solid outing from the loosehead on his 250th provincial appearance, playing the first 55 minutes and adding significantly to the early second-half revival.
2. Gus McCarthy (Leinster) - The Blues are operating without Dan Sheehan, Ronan Kelleher and John McKee and McCarthy simply stepped into the no2 like he was manor born, putting in a storming display.
3. Oli Jager (Munster) - There might not have been a lot going right at Munster but Jager gets something of a pass as he scrummaged very well against a big Zebre pack until called ashore early in the second-half.
4. Jean Kleyn (Munster) - Again, had left the field before the real rot started and was instrumental in establishing the lead held - and subsequently squandered - at half-time.
5. Niall Murray (Connacht) - Dominant in the line-out, his province have come to rely on him at the set-piece. The frame is beginning to fill out too - could be in with a November Series shout.
6. Max Deegan (Leinster) - There seems to be something extra special, snappy, about Deegan this term. Possibly his decision to focus on openside will help him get more game time.
7. Will Connors (Leinster) - The Blues back-row strangled Dragons at source, controversial choice maybe but Munster's back-row was off the pace, although Ulster's Sean Reffell deserves consideration.
8. Jack Conan (Leinster) - Almost certainly pushed Deegan close for Man of the Match against Dragons. Whole-hearted in approach, he dominated the hard yards, scored the opening try too.
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