Ulster double Ospreys' trouble

Replacement Paul Marshall was the last-gasp hero as Ulster inflicted a second-straight defeat on defending PRO12 champions Ospreys with a 16-13 win.

The Welsh outfit were desperate for a more encouraging result having seen their title defence get off to the worst possible start with a 12-6 defeat against Treviso.

But replacement scrumhalf Marshall gave Ulster the lead for the first time in the game with a 75th-minute try which, combined with eight points from another late arrival Paddy Jackson, saw them to victory.

The scorers:

For Ospreys:

Try: Dirksen

Con: Morgan

Pens: Morgan 2

For Ulster:

Try: Marshall

Con: Jackson

Pens: O'Connor, Jackson 2

Leinster 45-25 Newport Gwent Dragons

Newport Gwent Dragons felt the wrath of an angry Leinster as the European champions put their opening-round horror show behind them to record a 45-25 victory in the PRO12.

Leinster had suffered a humiliating seven-try thrashing at the hands of the Scarlets last week and even though they are still missing a host of internationals they responded in the best possible fashion.

Wing Andrew Conway and flank Ben Marshall crossed in the first half with the unerring boot of Ian Madigan contributing a further 16 points.

The Dragons, who had an enjoyed a morale-boosting 37-6 victory over Zebre last week, did respond through flyhalf Steffan Jones' try and eight points from the boot of Tom Prydie as they trailed 26-13 at the break.

Although tries Shane Jennings and Fionn Carr extended the hosts' advantage after the break, two tries from Prydie and Dan Evans nearly brought the Dragons back into it before centre Brendan Macken's injury-time try brought the breathless action to a close.

The scorers:

For Leinster:

Tries: Jennings, Carr, Conway, Macken, Marshall

Cons: Nacewa, Madigan 3

Pens: Madigan 4

For Newport Gwent Dragons:

Tries: Evans, Prydie, Jones

Cons: Prydie 2

Pens: Prydie 2