Connacht 7
Ulster 17
A YOUNG ULSTER side dug deep to grind out a fully-deserved interpro win in Galway, a 10-point victory over Connacht ending a five-game losing streak for Richie Murphy’s side and marking their first win on the road of the season.
Connacht will be deeply disappointed to come away with nothing, with Pete Wilkins’ men paying the price for a slow start and inaccurate attacking performance.
The home team only scored seven points on the night through Mack Hansen’s first-half try, converted by Jack Carty, while Eric O’Sullivan and Nick Timoney crossed either side of half-time for Ulster.
The visitors looked hungrier throughout, with Timoney and James McNabney both outstanding in the Ulster back row.
Both sides went into the game with identical records, having won three, lost five, and collected 18 points across their opening eight URC fixtures. Ulster have now nudged into the top eight, with Connacht sitting in 13th as they head back into Challenge Cup action.
Connacht were forced into two late changes shortly before kick-off. Hooker Dave Heffernan and lock Darragh Murray both had to pull out, so Dylan Tierney-Martin came into the front row and Niall Murray slotted into the second row, with Eoin de Buitléar also coming onto the Connacht bench.
Ulster also made a change to their starting XV, with Rob Herring replaced by John Andrew at hooker and James McCormick added to the bench. Earlier, Alan O’Connor had been ruled out with illness, with Kieran Treadwell taking his place and Harry Sheridan joining the bench.
The disruption wasn’t ideal for either side but Ulster’s young guns started brilliantly. Across the opening 30 minutes the visitors were dominant as they built a 10-0 lead. Ulster’s work in defence was aggressive and accurate. Their ball-carrying was purposeful and they were getting the edge in the contact areas.
They made their first foray into the Connacht 22 in the opening five minutes, but saw a promising attack end with Connacht winning a penalty. Soon they were back in the red zone and pushing for an opening score, only to lose the ball on the Connacht line.
The breakthrough came 10 minutes in. Following another series of short carries in the 5-meter channel, Eric O’Sullivan found a gap just outside the posts and went over for the first try of the game. Nathan Doak added the conversion and Ulster looked in control.
Murphy will surely feel his team should have kicked on from there, but they would only add another three points before the half-time break.
That penalty arrived just minutes after O’Sullivan’s try. A brilliant linebreak from James McNabney carried Ulster deep into the Connacht half and as the home side scrambled back they were pinged for going off feet. Doak tapped over the three points from straight in front of the posts.
Connacht’s play was sloppy and they were struggling to get out of their own half, with a series of big defensive stands preventing Ulster from pulling further clear, including a pressure-relieving scrum penalty in their own 22 – one of three for Connacht across the opening 40.
The game was almost half an hour old before Connacht started to build any real momentum. A strong Paul Boyle carry got Connacht rolling in the Ulster half but the attack broke down with Bundee Aki pulled up for going in at the side on Werner Kok at the breakdown.
Minutes later Connacht were back in the Ulster half and winning another penalty at the scrum. Jack Carty kicked for the corner and while the lineout was clean the maul struggled to get moving. The ball was pushed wide with Aki swallowed up in the tackle in front of the Ulster posts. Boyle got hands on the ball and managed to grind out a few yards but Connacht were left frustrated as the next carry ended in a knock-on.
Ulster cleared their lines but Connacht came straight back at them. At a lineout on half-way, Murray got up to win possession. Boyle then carried his team forward with another purposeful carry before the ball was worked to Carty in a central position.
Playing with penalty advantage for an infringement at the lineout, Carty clipped a chip into the space behind the Ulster defensive line. Three Ulster players closed in on the dropping ball but none made a decisive play to claim it, and the ball bounced away off the shin of Mike Lowry into the arms of Mack Hansen, who ran home to put Connacht on the scoreboard.
Carty added the conversion and Connacht were finally in the game.
Having shrugged off their slow start Connacht finished the half strongly, although an important penalty at the breakdown from fullback Piers O’Conor helped keep it a three-point game at the break.
Connacht looked much sharper across the opening minutes of the second half, with Aki to the fore with a couple of powerful carries.
Carty was almost growing increasingly influential and a brilliant kick into space looked to have put Ulster under pressure near the tryline but referee Andrew Brace awarded Ulster a penalty before the lineout was taken, with Connacht deemed to have closed the gap having previously been warned.
With Connacht leaving empty-handed it was Ulster’s turn to have a go, sparked by Izuchukwu stealing a Connacht lineout. Winning a penalty in the Connacht 22 they opted for the corner, and McNabney rose highest to win the ball in the air. On the ground Ulster’s maul drove forward and Nick Timoney powered through to score Ulster’s second try, with Doak again nailing his conversion to put Ulster 10 points clear.
Connacht looked to hit back straight away but Izuchukwu did well to slow down their ball before Jude Postlethwaite got in to steal the ball back after Lowry grounded Caolin Blade.
Connacht’s attack was struggling to click. They lost possession on the edge of the 22 through a misplaced pass from Aki before another spill from Cian Prendergast around 10 metres out from the tryline.
The home side kept coming, with a smart grubber from Santiago Cordero knocked out of touch by Doak as he scrambled back. Connacht’s lineout was good and the maul gained some yards before Ulster held firm and turned the ball over after great work from McNabney and Timoney.
Another poor Connacht error arrived as the game entered the final 10 minutes as Cathal Forde kicked the ball dead after Jack Murphy had been pinged for offside.
It was a deflating moment but Pete Wilkins’ side continued to boss the territory, with Hansen going close as he chipped through and tried to bundle the bouncing ball over the tryline. It ended with a 5-metre Connacht scrum but Ulster’s replacement front row drove forward to win a massive penalty under the posts.
Another penalty win on the 40 metre line then allowed Ulster take the game into the Connacht half with five minutes left on the clock, but another Connacht penalty put the pressure straight back onto the visitors, only for Connacht to quickly turn the ball over again with Jack Murphy breaking to carry his team all the way up to tryline. It could have been the killer moment for Ulster but Connacht got back to win an important penalty.
In the dying seconds Connacht worked their way back into the 22 but Shane Jennings’ final pass was just behind Sean Jansen, and a knock-on ended Connacht’s hopes as Ulster held out for a brilliant win on the road.
Connacht scorers:
Try – Hansen
Conversion – Carty [1/1]
Ulster scorers:
Tries – O’Sullivan, Timoney
Conversions – Doak [2/2]
Penalty – Doak [1/1]
Connacht: Piers O’Conor; Mack Hansen, Cathal Forde, Bundee Aki, Santiago Cordero; Jack Carty (Shane Jennings, 58), Caolin Blade (Ben Murphy, 58); Denis Buckley (Peter Dooley, 63), Dylan Tierney-Martin (Eoin de Buitléar, 63), Finlay Bealham (Jack Aungier, 63); Josh Murphy (Oisín Dowling, 53), Niall Murray; Cian Prendergast (capt), Shamus Hurley-Langton (Conor Oliver, 68), Paul Boyle (Sean Jansen, 53).
Ulster: Michael Lowry, Werner Kok (Wilhelm De Klerk, 42), Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Rory Telfer; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Eric O’Sullivan (Andrew Warwick, 41), John Andrew (James McCormick, 12-28 HIA + blood, 63), Scott Wilson (Corrie Barrett, 63); Kieran Treadwell (Harry Sheridan, 69), Cormac Izuchukwu; Matty Rea (David McCann, 49), Nick Timoney (capt), James McNabney.
Referee: Andrew Brace [IRFU]
I’m saying this as a Connacht supporter – Wilkins is way out of his depth and should resign. Mark Sexton is leaving in May a year early because Wilkins pays no attention to his assistants and picks the team out of his arse. Forde is a 10/12 not a 13. That kick to the corner is simply unforgivable for a professional.
Did Carty go off injured or what happened?
@Patrick Kennedy: it’s hard to reconcile that performance tonight with the 2nd half last week against Leinster. Connacht still really inconsistent. Really good one match and then desperately poor the next. Agree about Forde, definitely not a 13.
Pete Wilkins hasn’t a clue, God love him. This is a very, very poor Ulster side but they were well worth it. Said last night it was the Munster team of the professional era and the same applies to this Connacht outfit. They are even worse than anything seen pre Pat Lam, and they hit some terrible lows some of those years. Mack Hansen laughing and joking on the pitch after getting beat at home was completely unprofessional but the king of banter can do what he wants without repercussion, it seems.
Ulster showed mettle, fair play to them.
Wilson outplayed Bealham tonight , we might want to start to bring him into the Irish fold . Good to see Treadwell have a good game too, not too long ago he was a regular fixture in the Irish 23
@Owen ODonoghue: Bealham won 3 scrum penalties and in the Irish Times and Independent match report was highlighted as probably Connacht’s best player.
@Owen ODonoghue: Wilson is a better dancer, but Bealham is a better scrummager.
@Owen ODonoghue: Agreed that Wilson should be brought in, but were you watching the same match? Wilson resorted to leaving his feet back an extra foot or two to simulate a collapse on Bealham’s side. He’s good, but Bealham was on top for sure.
All this talk about Ulster losing 5 in a row can’t see any other province other than Leinster taking on Toulouse and Bordeaux in successive weeks and coming away with points. Considering the injuries and the experience of the team Ulster putout tonight
I thought they were well deserving of the win and showed real character.
Just look at the URC league table and in spite of the TV Pundits tonight it is Leinster 1 Ulster2 Munster 3 Connacht 4
for now at least.
As for the criticism of Murphy perhaps they should consider the players released by the previous regime and how he has brought numerous player through from the academy and rejuvenated some others and has got a team out without resorting to Medical Jokers.
@Neill Thallon: I don’t know why some are saying pressure was on Murphy, don’t think any Ulster fans were thinking that. Losing to Cardiff wen 21 points ahead was poor, but surprise results like that with an inexperienced team are to be expected this season, Toulouse was written off, Bordeaux was close untill last 20 mins with injury hit side, Leinster can never expect to beat, esp when missing so many front liners, Munster was a loss, but injurybhit 14 man Ulster actually dominated 15 man Munster on everything but the scoreboard, was a loss that great heart could be taken from, not sure why Connacht were such heavy favourites going into this, though it would be close and put money on Ulster at those odds was great value.
If Ulster had taken those wins they should have won, V Cardiff and Munster they would be right up in then top end of the table, as it is 2nd half season has easier fixtures and expect them to climb, and secure HCup rugby for next season when this team will be much more developed and consistent with Juarno Augustus and another NIQ to be added, plus any IQ that Ulster can find.
Hansen having a good laugh with Treadwell after the match doesn’t suggest he was heart broken as he was against Leinster. Richie Murphy must be the best Irish coach at the moment and for me the next Irish coach when Farrell leaves.
@Tom Reilly: wouldent go that far with RM wasent he under pressure before the game tonight anyway fine win by ulster
@Tom Reilly: Hansen was probably along with Aki the only Connacht players to play well today. Badly let down by their teammates.
@Michael Corkery: ray ridge says paul boyle is the best number 8 on ireland ive never seen him play as good as dorris conan coombes etc zansen was good when he replaced him
@Shanie: not to mention the young ulster forwards
@Michael Corkery: You are right in what you say. However I have little respect or sympathy for Wilkins who sat with a smug smile as his star player covered up for his coaching deficiencies by blaming the referee. Richie Murphy is a brilliant coach, miles ahead of Wilkins.
@Tom Reilly: Fine head coach at u20 level and a fine kicking coach at national level for many years, but still a novice as a head coach and Ulster are only barely in the play off spots with nine rounds and in serious danger of not making European knockouts. Jury still very much out on him as a head coach.
@Conor Lynott: Can you name a better Irish coach?
@Tom Reilly: Cullen.
@Conor Lynott: I don’t think Cullen is really a coach in the stricter terms, more a director of rugby.
@Tom Reilly: That’s irrelevant. His talent in recruiting top class coaching talent and getting the best out of a coaching ticket. This is far more relevant to the role of Head Coach than hands on coaching. Declan Kidney was the same. That’s the reason why so many otherwise good coaches struggle with the Head Coach role. They are not good at picking quality assistants or the administrative parts of the role. Cullen is excellent at this and that makes him a stronger coach. Just because you’re good at hands on coaching doesn’t make you a good head coach. A current example of that is Stuart Lancaster. Excellent hands on coach with the right group, struggling badly as Head coach at Racing 92.
@Tom Reilly: Murphy could be very good and has started well, very early in head coach role to judge but currently better RoG, McCall, Davidson.
@Conor Lynott: Don’t think the jury is out at Ulster it is firmly behind Murphy who with injuries and a weak squad to start with, he has brought on many players from the academy.
He is a breath of fresh air compared to McFarlane who in his last two seasons was a real turn off for the fans.
In Dan view it was never his fault and when you apply for other posts while still under contract you can’t expect the fans to be behind you.
@Tom Reilly: Pro rugby players doing pro rugby player things.
@Conor Lynott: Hahaha …… Cullen …… hahaha!
@Tom Reilly: Jeremy Davidson
Well deserved ulster some fine young players coming through as well the boys from the west had chances but like munster didnt take them
@Shanie: very impressive. Their defence was completely transformed from their CC matches and Munster game where they were frankly easy to score against. Were brilliant in that area tonight as Connacht haven’t been screwed a decent attack (usually).
@Michael Corkery: I’m not understanding the last sentence?
@Brian Kernahan: thanks Autocorrect. That should be ‘ Connacht have a decent attack (usually).
@Shanie: Great game imo, Ulster had to back their defence, there’s a group of young forwards that are playing really well for each other, coming to the second half of the the season that will be very useful, Doak looks the most assured player on the pitch even if he needs to tidy a few areas, he seems really slow, to and from the base of a ruc, but that was a trait that suited their intensions last night, Murphy went well at 10 too, stick to the plan, etc. Also enjoyed Lowerys efforts, took some big hits, but took them well. No more, do teams believe in the momentum of the scoreboard, take 3, get the ball and go again, will we ever see it outside of test rugby again? Seems dumb to me but hey! I’m a long way from the pitch. Jensen was so good off the bench, broke the gainline every time, Connacht unable to capitalise, hard night for the west, they should be okay tho, don’t believe the ‘end of days’ nonsense like some fatalists here, just another glorious weekend of rugby.
@Thesaltyurchin: nice comment and yes i dont listen believe the ray ridges off this world 100 percent negitive every post he is
RM doing great work with the squad at his disposal, bringing through some excellent prospects, Ulster will be very competitive in aother 2 yrs
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