Glasgow Warriors 32
Ulster 10
ULSTER WILL TRAVEL to Scotstoun to face Glasgow Warriors in the Guinness Pro12 semi-final next Friday after the province’s hopes of securing a home tie were extinguished with a 32-10 defeat in Scotland this afternoon.
Neil Doak’s side began the day a point behind Glasgow in fourth place and led 10-6 at the break but the hosts rallied after the interval to score 26 points in the final half an hour to secure top spot.
The two teams will meet again next Friday with the other semi-final between Munster and Ospreys at Thomond Park.
Two tries from Finn Russell, a fine solo effort from Stuart Hogg and one from Richie Vernon clinched the win and the bonus point which was enough for Glasgow to leapfrog Ospreys.
The visitors made 12 changes to the side which drew with Munster last week and you’d expect Ulster to have many of their heavy hitters back for the knock-out clash in six days time.
That said, Doak’s charges started brightly and responded to Russell’s early penalty with a try from Chris Henry to head into the break with their noses in front.
But Gregor Townsend made five substitutions in the 52nd minute and the complexion of the game changed as Ulster were unable to contain the rampant hosts as they ran in four tries.
GLASGOW: S Hogg; T Seymour, R Vernon, P Horne, S Lamont; F Russell, N Matawalu; R Grant, D Hall, R de Klerk; J Gray, Al Kellock (c); J Strauss, C Fusaro, A Ashe
ULSTER: L Ludik; R Scholes, S Arnold, S McCloskey, M Allen, I Humphreys, P Marshall; A Warwick, R Herring, R Lutton, L Stevenson, F van der Merwe, C Ross, C Henry (c), R Diack
I think Ulster always considered this strategy was their best chance of winning the Pro12, their team next week will be at full strength and will give Glasgow a much sterner challenge than today.
The coaching staff have had a practice run as to what strategies to employ and the players now have the motivation.