Matt D'Arcy heated up a bitterly cold Belfield Bowl with a terrific hat-trick of tries as Clontarf claimed a 38-17 bonus point win over UCD in Ulster Bank League Division 1A.

Garryowen remain just a point behind Division 1B leaders Galwegians, but they had a major scare before squeezing past Belfast Harlequins 17-16 at Dooradoyle this afternoon.

Division 1A leaders Lansdowne improved their league tally to 50 points with a bonus point win over Ballynahinch, while Old Wesley made it ten games unbeaten in Division 2A and Dundalk won the Ulster Bank All-Ireland Junior Cup for the first time with a stunning 55-5 final victory over Bangor.

Lansdowne director of rugby Steve Rooney expects a 'very tough battle up front' when the Division 1A leaders host dark horses Ballynahinch in the Ulster Bank League this afternoon.