Ulster v Blues Scrum V

The path to glory is now open. There is only room for one winner at the

top. Now is the time for mines to shine. For the contenders, to raise

their game. Tonight, we are at the Kingspan

Stadium for Ulster against the Blues. Much at stake for both teams.

The Blues have long dropped out of the race for the Pro12 play-offs but

they are clinging on to their hopes of EU repeal play-off place. Ulster

are fourth in the league but they have the Scarlets breathing down

their necks and can't afford to slip up. This is how close it is. Ulster

have a 3-point cushion over the Scarlets in that play-off race, but

the Scarlets will fancy a play-off point tomorrow. -- a bonus point

tomorrow. Good evening and welcome to Scrum V. Jonathan Davies and Sean

holly alongside me. This is statistically the most competitive

Pro12 since the play-offs began. The threshold to get into the top four

higher than ever. Who do you think will make it? It's difficult.

Looking at the remaining fixtures, it's difficult to predict. The

crucial thing is getting in the top four, and there is an opportunity

for two Welsh sides to do it, but then it is the top two you've got to

try to get into for a home semifinal. I will be happy with two

in the semis for the Welsh teams? I hope so. The Blues, a frustrating

season. They nearly beat Leinster a full nights ago in Dublin and got

spanked last weekend. Largely thanks to their leaky defence. They are

eighth in the league for a reason. They have been coming alive in loose

play in attack but, when the ball is loose against Irish sides, they have

been found wanting. This is Leinster last week, look at the doglegs. Join

up is very important. You can't let teams like Leinster or Ulster on

their front foot. When they regrouped, they are very bunch. The

only back is wandering infield. They don't get round the corner and feel

the field in. Leinster and Ulster know this and they line up and they

take the space. Off the back of it, they get into the 22. They have got

some very dangerous runners in their backline, Piutau among them, and

Danny Wilson will have been working hard on the defence. He is with us

now. We are in mission control with Danny Wilson. A good first half

against Gloucester last week but it went a bit dodgy in the second half.

What do you have to do tonight to avoid that? We have got to repeat

some of the attacking rugby we played not only last week but the

week before against Leinster, but sharpen up some defensive errors. We

saw three basic one-on-one errors that cost us tries. We can't do that

against this lot. A couple of youngsters on the bench. Rhun

Williams, the full-back as well. No better place to show your wares. A

great experience for them. It ties in with giving a couple of boys and

experience. 19, 20, 21 years old, it will hopefully stand them in good

stead. And a strong back row, nice to see Alex Jenkins back. Yes, good

to see him back. -- Ellis Jenkins. I am sure he will bring what he has

done. From Danny Wilson, let's go to our commentators Ritchie Rees, the

former Wales and Blues scrum-half, and Gareth Giles. Thank you. The

Blues are out on the field, led by Gethin Jenkins. Four changes from

the side that lost disappointingly in Gloucester and saw their European

hopes come to an end last week and, in a hope to get to Europe next

year, the play-offs is the best that they can hope for, either in English

or a French second placed is what they are looking at. It's been a

disappointing season for the Blues, no doubt, but Ulster on the other

hand are timing their run perfectly. Six wins in a row for them,

including four bonus point wins, putting them in fourth place at the

moment. The last of the play-off positions, a place they have taken

from the Scarlets. The Scarlets will be hoping that Cardiff Blues can do

them a huge favour tonight. But, to the tune of Stand Up For The

Ulstermen, the usual Friday night atmosphere at the Kingspan Stadium

in the Ravenhill area of Belfast. Emphasises what is in front of the

Blues. The stadium has changed over the years but it is still a great

atmosphere and a great stadium. One of the best places to play as a

player and, as a fan, I'm sure is right that -- right up there. It's a

beautiful evening and we are hoping for some decent running rugby. Ian

Davies of Wales, the man in charge this evening. As Ulster look to

consolidate their play-off spot and the Blues look to keep alive their

hopes of a European play-off. Gareth Anscombe will get the game underway.

Treadwell doesn't take cleanly, but it wasn't knocked on either, so the

possession is there. The surface isn't the best really cut up some

heavy weather leading up to this game over the previous weeks. It is

very sandy and dusty. Rhun Williams getting his hands on the ball for

the first time. George Earle driving on. Lloyd Williams to Anscombe. A

cross kick for Blaine Scully. Taken by the American international as

well. But Craig Gilroy got in the way, not enough to keep the ball on

the playing surface. Interesting, first kicking opportunity for Ulster

and they went straight to the air. They looked to target Rhun Williams,

his first start. I am sure we will see a bit more of that this evening.

Untidy from Ulster of the kick-off. Treadwell dropped that, caused a bit

of an organised chaos. -- disorganised chaos. Warburton wins

the line for the Blues. Navidi in midfield.

Willis Halaholo and Rhun Williams in attack. As Ritchie Rees was playing,

his first start at full-back for the Blues. He's played a few games on

the wing, but full-back is his normal position. Playing for the

under 20s in our GC. -- in RGC. Good recycling from the Blues, Ellis

Jenkins taking them towards the 22. Three players capable of playing

six, seven or eight for the back row for the Blues. Halaholo had a stab

through, behind Piutau. Rory Best doing extra shielding for

Ruan Pienaar. Jared Payne up from full-back, as

they look to run out of their own danger zone.

The Blues have got plenty of numbers, have Ulster. They suddenly

have in this direction. Henderson amongst the backs. Presents to Alan

O'Connor. Jackson. A little slip pass from Rory Best, and Gethin

Jenkins had it quickly. In the end, Jackson forced to kick. Williams,

safe underneath it. Showing attacking threat as well. He moves

well, very well in the backfield. He is electric going forward. Matthew

Rees. Both teams keeping the ball alive in

these opening minutes. The weather conditions are perfect, not too much

wind, dry underfoot. They are not looking to do too much

in midfield breakdowns, Ulster. The one-man tackle, dropping to the

floor, and trying to fill the field with 14 players in that front line.

Solid defence from Ulster, and the Blues forced over the far punch

line. The Blues are going to find it difficult to get outside them this

evening. They will have to look to pick and go, maybe, to have a few

carries of the nine, to try and involve a few defenders. Hopefully

that will give the likes of Cuthbert a wider challenge, a bit of ball and

a bit of space to put some defenders in front of them. I saw Cuthbert in

midfield. He has found some form recently. In the last fortnight.

From my perspective, the best he has played in the last couple of years.

Looking to get his hands on the ball a lot more, a big positive from

Alex's point of view. Stripped out. A rare error from

Pienaar. Don't see many of those. Having a word with the referee about

Matthew Rees getting up in his way, impacting his kicking opportunity.

Matthew Rees getting up from the previous breakdown. Sort of checks

Pienaar on the cheque -- on the kick. May well have a point.

Well taken by Rhun Williams. Did very well to keep going from there.

I like the fact he is getting his hands on the ball early in the game.

Warburton, back in the seven shirt. Ellis Jenkins, wearing six.

A good transfer from Halaholo to Navidi. They have to be very

patient, the Blues. They are working hard, their seventh phase. They have

got to look to get the big ball-carriers, and Nick Williams is

on the bench, so they have to go to Lee-Lo and Halaholo to try and mix

things up a bit. They have to be sure of their tackles, Ulster,

because it is one line of defence they are deploying at the moment.

One missed tackle and Blues could get in behind them.

Now maybe a chance to go wide. They do, to Rhun Williams, out to Scully,

across comes Marshall, helped by -- held by Olding. Good build-up from

the Blues. Lloyd Williams, back to the blindside. A couple of big

forward carriers. You can see Filise lining up. Just need to carry that

ball first. Filise against his opposite number, Andrew Warwick.

Gethin Jenkins. Cardiff Blues skipper.

That Ulster defensive line are just standing of the left. The Blues play

out in front of them. First penalty fence at the breakdown comes, and

it's gone against Rory Best. But positive from the Blues. They have

gone through phases and I'm pretty sure that is the outcome they

wanted. They have been looking to pick up three points. I feel that

the first 20 minutes is key, to quieten the crowd down, to take the

energy and urgency out of the top Ulster -- out of the Ulster attack

and defence. They are doing well, going through the phases. A positive

opening eight minutes for the Blues. The defence has proved too sturdy,

to organised to break down so far, so they opt for a shot at goal

instead. No Steven Shingler tonight. He is on the bench. So Gareth

Anscombe taking over the kicking duties.

First points of the evening belong to Gareth Anscombe and the Cardiff

Blues. Good start from the Blues, going through their phases, biding

their time, doing what they need to do. They have come in with a plan,

especially the first 20 minutes, controlling territory and

possession. Carried three times as much as Ulster in the opening nine

minutes. As long as they do that in the right areas of the field, it's a

positive outcome. Roger Wilson, not sure if he could go for it or not.

Lloyd Williams arrives. Foul, Filise. Good from the Blues,. Good

height on it. The two chase. A collision in the air. It was a

challenge between the two wingers and they both stay down. They both

look in some pain. Lovely pass out the back door by Sean Reidy.

Cuthbert with a very important tackle. Slotted through four Paddy

Jackson. It's a beauty. What a great kick by Ruan Pienaar. Fabulous

vision and easy, well-controlled, and Paddy Jackson gets it. Everybody

was still baying for the high tackle. Great vision by Ruan

Pienaar, seeing the space behind, and the football skills led to Paddy

Jackson's try. Ridiculous skill set from Ruan Pienaar, but we see

Cuthbert coming in, just manages to get on the outside of him, and this

is exactly where Pienaar would get the plaudits. You can just see out

shot that it is Paddy Jackson appointed to put the ball into the

backfield. Rhun Williams made the tackle and committed himself to that

previous breakdown. Nobody in the backfield. Fantastic vision and

skill set by both Paddy Jackson and Ruan Pienaar. Brilliant pass in

midfield to set Pienaar going. That is the danger of Ruan Pienaar. Can't

believe he is leaving next year. Jackson converted his own try.

Ulster go a head 7-3. Gilroy still down on the far side.

It was a fair challenge. It looks like maybe a broken arm from Blaine

Scully. Matthew Morgan has come onto the field, which means that Rhun

Williams's time at full-back was less than a dozen minutes, but they

both went for the ball. Oh, dear. Don't think we need to see that

again. Nothing wrong with it. They are both at the same height and in

the air at the same time. Just very unfortunate from Blaine Scully. He's

been quite lively in the opening minutes. Very unfortunate for the

Cardiff Blues and Blaine. Matthew Morgan at full-back. Opens

up a different set of challenges now for the Blues defensively in that

backline. The Morgan, putting Rhun Williams onto the wing. It a shame

for him, a lively opening ten minutes, and he is back on the wing.

But that is what professional rugby is all about. You have to slot in

way you are needed. It's about adapting and making the most of your

opportunity. Straight through the middle, Lee-Lo, and he saw the

defence planning out. Jenkins rather expected it, but did well anyway. --

panning out. An arm in his way before he could take the ball. Roger

Wilson dislodged it, and Pienaar again spots the back. -- the gap.

Pushing the Blues back to their own line. Unforeseen error from the

Blues, something they can't afford to do for the remaining 68 minutes.

When they are unstructured defensively is when they have been

conceding tries of late. They can't afford to do that, especially in

that area of the field, with the back three that Ulster have got in

Payne, Gilroy and Piutau. Unbelievable strength and depth.

When the general is in control of things, it's going to make your life

twice as difficult if you are turning those sort of falls over.

Ruan Pienaar's seven year with Ulster. Scored over 650 points in

the league for them. He is taken up a place with the young Ulsterman, so

he's going next year. Unbelievable call from the Irish rugby union. And

they are not happy about it round these parts. They have a player

coming in from Connell, JP Duminy, but you probably have to get three

players in to replace the likes of Pienaar. -- coming in from Connacht.

There are enough that you want your youngsters to have a chance to play,

if they are good enough, but if not, come and learn from him. To be fair

to the Ulster management board, they tried everything they could. They

wanted to keep him. The men in the know, the power man, was digging his

heels in and he was rejecting their advances. Top call from Ulster. But

I am sure we will see him play in France. A former Australian hooker

now head honcho at the IRF you. Stuart Golding, Jackson. -- Stuart

Olding. Looking to get over the ball.

Pienaar looked to drag him off. That's great. To a turnover by Ellis

Jenkins. Cuthbert offering the inside, but he couldn't get his

hands-free in time. Jared Payne doing well to slow it down.

Advantage being played. A bit undecided there. Lee-Lo with a hack

through. That could be a advantage gone. No, they are going back for

it. Good work initially from Ellis

Jenkins. The Blues have gone from what effectively is three sevens in

the back row this evening. What we are hoping to see from the likes of

Warburton, Jenkins and Navidi this afternoon. The crowd are not too

happy. Jared Payne had his hand on the ball. It's gone against Andy

Warwick. His knees are on the floor. Yes, he was over the ball, but he

wasn't supporting his body weight. He wrote the original hit is the

second clean-up came Both teams are looking to play

rugby, but their heads are flying in. Right commitment. They are going

through the phases, trusting their systems, and looking to play a bit

of rugby. Navidi standing as scrum-half. A

slip pass from Gethin Jenkins to Navidi.

In from the Cuthbert blindside, but there was crossing, was there? Yeah.

-- Cuthbert in from the blindside. Unfortunate for the Blues, it's a

line that Alex Cuthbert likes to run quite often. You can see him hiding

in between this break. The blocker runner always looking to come short,

and coming out the back of a travelling scrum-half, Lloyd

Williams. Unfortunately gets a bit too shallow. Giving away the

penalty. Ian Davies checking with his

assistant whether it was high. Keith Allen of the Scottish rugby union on

the far side. Now a chance for the Blues to have a

go. Matthew Morgan, up from full-back.

Rhun Williams, quick on the outside. Even though it's been regathered, it

won't count, because it's gone forward. Blues had to work extremely

hard just to get ten, 15 metres. Matthew Morgan does well, getting

outside. Reidy stands Gilroy up. Unfortunately, just a knock-on. A

little break in play. A chance to go pitch side to fill steel. Some news

on my injury. You were talking about the fact that he looked in pain. I

have heard from the Blues medical staff that it's a dislocated elbow

which, if you have had one of those, you will know it is one of the most

painful arm injuries you can have. Not good news from -- for Blaine

Scully. Let's hope he recovers quickly. Yes, indeed, it looked

nasty. Yeah, we don't want to see that again.

Just coming up to the end of the first quarter. A very entertaining

first quarter it's been as well. The referee having a quiet word with

Gethin Jenkins regarding the high shot. There have been a couple of

them just off screen. Just reminding Gethin to tell his team to keep

their tackles a bit lower. Treadwell. The 21-year-old has come

to the fore this year. That was offside.

It came off Rhun Williams, and taken by Lloyd Williams.

REFEREE: As long as he is being treated and he is OK. First real

mistake from Rhun, but he is under a lot of pressure on that high ball.

He has looked lively. He has looked good. The more game involvement you

get, maybe if you touch the ball, you are affecting that every time. I

like the work he's doing in this opening quarter. Only 20 and still

eligible for the under 20s this year. Yeah, his second season.

Unchallenged, Iain Henderson. Another ball for the Blues to try

and use. Lee-Lo weaving his way over halfway.

He has won excellent ground, and Rhun Williams is there to support.

Navidi. Enter Straight through. All too

easy. Morgan, well tackled though. Good covering back by Ulster, by

Paddy Jackson. Here is Rey Lee-Lo. The referee wants to check if there

was a forward pass in all of that. Ellis Jenkins. Every time Ulster

make a mistake, Cardiff look so dangerous. Anscombe. Ulster shot

right up out of the line there. A chance for Cardiff. Here comes

Cuthbert. A little dummy by Matthew Rees. Brought down a meter or so

short. Dangerous times for Ulster. Drive for the line. The referee is

there to have a good luck. -- look. He has given the try. Might even be

Sam Warburton. He's got to go and check it. I reckon Sam Warburton has

got the first try for the visitors this evening. Again, Tony, it came

from an Ulster mistake in the middle of the park. Ulster mistake. Quick

turn over ball. It's the turn over ball with passes. That's the vast

majority of the tries come from in the modern game. I mentioned at the

top of the programme. You give them space they will cut you to shreds.

Cardiff at will kick and go round the side. For me, Warburton is in

there, quite clearly. Is he going to ask them to have a look at that. I

think he may well be. Taufa'ao Filise seems to be in a bit of

trouble. The try must have been given. He is going to have a pop at

it. He asked for the pass to be checked on the other corner. His

position for Sam Warburton's try was first-class. He couldn't be in a

better place. Anscombe with the opening point of this game, after

just eight minutes. 15 minutes later the conversion. Struck that nicely.

That's right between the posts. A good kick from Gareth Anscombe. What

a see saw game of Rugby Union football we are having here at the

Kingspan Stadium. 7-10. If Ulster thought Cardiff were turning up for

appearance money they had their question asked. Cardiff have been

good for their lead. Last week for 50 minutes they had the game against

Gloucester in control and Gloucester romped away it scoring four

unanswered tries. Cardiff played so well up until that point? They were

good value for that lead as well. You start to find as the weather

gets better these it two southern hemisphere centers potent with ball

in hand. If Ulster don't get their midfield defensive system sorted

out. There is a dogleg in there. With two quality steppers, if you

are not sync you will find a hole. The man in the middle there. He will

be pretty happy with that so far. His side leading by three points. 25

minutes gone. Let us see if Ulster can ex-cert any pressure. Rory Best

hasn't played for Ulster since before with the Six Nations. Good

squeeze by Ulster. Cardiff, great work by Warwick. Here comes

Anscombe. That has gone wide to Rey Lee-Lo. That was a forward pass.

Wilson gathers and moves it well. Piutau has Marshall outside him.

Away from the first tackle, and the second and the third. Good work by

Sean Reidy. Referee had been playing the advantage. That is just about

over. Warwick. The crowd don't like what they thought was a high tackle.

Here comes Treadwell. Ulster have to keep possession. No panic should be

setting in. Charles Piutau over the Cardiff 10 meter line. More settled

now, holding an outside half. Filise told to get out of it. Pienaar.

Delay on the pass. Here goes Wilson. Coming to the end of what has been

an outstanding career for Ulster and of course for those four seasons

with the Northampton. Good drive-by the second row forward. Jenkins

making a pest of himself' breakdown. Marshall has done well. He's broken

away. He's got it to Wiehahn Herbst. Big head of stem being built up by

Ulster. They have the penalty. Crowd baying for a Cardiff, me thinks.

Ulster may settle for the penalty. Do they go for the three to bring it

to level or the corner and go for more? At this stage, a win is the

important thing from the Ulster perspective. You take the points.

Somebody down is injured. It looks like George Earle, the Cardiff Blues

second row. Great work by Marshall. Terrific strength. Good support play

by Wiehahn Herbst. Cardiff were all over the ball. Herbst look as if

he's shed a pound or two. Looks to have trimmed down. We talked about

his impact with the tackle early on. A nice trail line off Marshall,

putting himself in a good position to pick up that pass. James Down

will come on from the unfortunate George Earle is living us. Carp

difficult have had to make two replacements because of injury.

Blaine Scully has gone off, now it's George Earle. The 30-year-old born

in Durban. Played for the Scarlets on no fewer than 91 conditions. A

handy man to have. 6 foot 7 James Down coming on for his.3rd Cardiff

league appearance. Unfortunate for George Earle. Looks as if he tweaked

his knee there. From the initial contact he is in a huge degree of

pain straightaway. Can't continue. James Down, as you say, played many

times for Cardiff. Well versed in what they are trying to do. This is

an area of the side over the summer he will have to refresh and bring in

fresh blood. The two props on the bench are Wales under-20 props, 19

and 20-year-olds. Perhaps that is why the future lies for Cardiff over

the next few years. Generous round of applause there for the

unfortunate George Earle who is leaving the field. I'm not sure

Ulster have made a decision just yet as to what to do with this very

kickable penalty, but into the corner and a catching drive and a

try might be what Rory Best is thinking about. That's exactly what

they're going for. Iain Henderson has been the primary receiver. Rory

Best positioned himself on the touchline. He will get there, get a

nice dry ball and look to pick out his man. One would imagine,

Henderson has been the man early doors. They may vary it slightly and

expect Cardiff to stay on the ground and try and stem the Ulster driving.

O'Connor, Cardiff wise to it. Ulster still have it. Rory Best. Here come

Ulster. Here goes the captain. A stumble there from Best. He is

hanging on to it. Best is not too far away. The referee has given a

penalty try. Taken down by Cardiff. Ulster were in the act of scoring a

try. You couldn't get a better operated line-out than that.

Beautiful, wasn't it? Rory throws, Connor takes. Braef of Ian Davies.

We see referees give a penalty it would be two or three line-outs

before he gives a penalty try. Connor gets up well. Ulster regroup.

It's been a large strength of theirs over the seasons. Best at the back.

He does well. He goes to one knee. He gets back up quickly. I think he

probably had the ball down as well. The referee has gone under the post.

It won't make up for the try he thought he had got during the Six

Nations. An intervention by a colleague, who shall remain

nameless. No, you can. The information I had it was number

three. That doesn't show... Both captains engaged in various bits of

conversations with Ian Davies so far. Revenant

REFEREE: Can you check. He is looking at the Cardiff number three,

Taufa'ao Filise. Yeah. If Ulster spin this off. Good effort at the

front. You see the men at the front working hard. Rory Best... Filise

came in from the side. It was a collective fault. Ulster

will get a penalty try. Ulster back in the lead. What a first half we've

had. Nearly half an hour gone. 14-10 to the home side. Rory Best will be

happier he kicked for the corner rather than taking the three, first

Timex cueings and Ulster get seven points. For the first time this

evening they take the lead. Rory Best's decision-making for Ulster

has been first-class? Absolutely. It's the way he goes about it. Under

stated. Has a good relationship with the referees and gets his point

across well. Piutau with the gather. Matthew Rees. Henderson. Again, a

lazy Cardiff player, in this case, Jenkins. Taken back in by Ulster.

Paddy Jackson with the high kick. Anscombe, caught by Wilson. Anscombe

wriggled away. Is the feet once again of Rey Lee-Lo. Lloyd Williams

let lose. Anscombe. Great tackle by Best. The Kieran

Treadwell is in there as well. The youngest member of the Ulster side.

Second row Kieran Treadwell. That is the tackle you hear people talk

about. He takes it in. Treadwell and Best. Tredwell takes him and hold

him high. Treadwell is able to lock himself on to the ball. Huge set of

biceps. No way that ball is coming out of there. Ian Davies gives it a

couple of seconds. Wilson adds his weight. Quite clearly held up.

Scrum-down into Ulster. Half an hour gone, 14-10 to Ulster. A very odd

season they've had. They settled the pace winning their first five games

in the league. Then they won only two out of the next seven. Now

they've won six in a row and aiming for seven in the row for the first

time for four seasons. Pienaar. Jackson. Nicely done. Jared Payne is

ghosting through. Piutau with him. Away goes Piutau. Cuthbert, again,

is quick enough to track him down. Pistorius natural in quickly. Rod

goer Wilson. Pienaar, again. Sean Reidy. Cardiff have the men back.

Try and stretch them here. Here goes Wiehahn Herbst. Pienaar, Jackson,

Stuart Olding. A little dink. Very nearly through. Ten meters from the

Cardiff line. Well taken by Payne. Managed to change direction as he

took a very difficult pass. Ulster have managed to lose it. Away goes

Matthew Morgan. He's found a pretty decent touch. Cardiff have relieved

the pressure. This is one of the most dangerous broken field runners

in the business, Matthew Morgan. Absolutely.

We saw that when he was with the ospreys? Very much so. What happens

is they catch the Cardiff scrum-half and blind-side the defender Ellis

Jenkins. Great scramble from Cardiff. Ball squirts out the side.

That's Williams going down on it. Morgan able to clear his lines. Big

hit. The ball squirts out. Williams goes down. They are able to clear.

Morgan for a second thought he had a shot at that. Boots it away. Great

scramble defence from Cardiff. You can see what Ulster can do when

they are able to identify individual runners such as the quality of their

back three. Their strike running ability and line running is as good

as you will see in this competition. On a night like tonight, when the

ball is try as well, you can put the ball on a plate for them.

Taken quickly by Ulster. Pienaar looking for a big forward to take it

on. The biggest is Iain Henderson. He's still going. Jenkins again.

Living suspiciously close to that offside line. Pienaar. Paddy

Jackson. That was a real thump on Gilroy. Turned that one over. This

could be dangerous. Lloyd Williams. Anscombe, gets away from the pack.

Chip and chase here. Goes Cuthbert. Knocked backwards. Play on says the

referee. Piutau happy to into touch. That could nearly have been

Cardiff's second try. Indicative of how dangerous these fellas are?

Absolutely. What Cardiff do is flood the situation. Get the turnover.

Anscombe breaks. Clever decision. No support around him. Jared Payne is

involved. Chip over, goes anywhere. Good cover from Piutau. One thing I

have to say, I didn't realise how much pace Cuthbert has. Not sure if

Piutau is carrying an injury, not going at top speed. Cuthbert covers

the ground very quickly. I have to say, it's been a difficult old few

months for Alex Cuthbert. He has come in for stick from people. He

play ared in one test for the Lions four years ago. -- played. That is

not straight. That is one of those silly things that everybody will

regret that you do. A chance to clear the lines. If Ulster can clear

this one and, well, 14-10 by the interval they will be happy enough.

Down there you have no excuse. Ulster will stay on the ground. They

will not throw somebody up. Matthew Rees has to throw it safe. It

doesn't matter, if it hits him in the forehead. If it's straight they

will win it. For a man of his experience, that's unforgiveable.

Six international caps for Wales. The most capped Welsh hooker of

all-time. In 2009 he played in all three tests. Marshall, taken by

Warburton. Ulster still moving forward. On the scruffy side. They

turned that over. That is really not acceptable from an Ulster

perspective. Anscombe gets it away. Halaholo indistinguishable from his

sidekick in the centre of the park. Five minutes to go until the

interval. Here come the Cardiff Blues again. Who is to say they will

not get a second try and regain the lead through another Ulster error.

Lloyd Williams. Filise. The All Black. Here they come,

again. Ulster defence getting stretched. Carp difficult have men

lined out at decent angles to attack. Coming back. Ulster dig in.

The referee spotted a knock forward, I think. Waiting for advantage to

Ulster. Rory Best picks it up. Well tackled by James Down. Pienaar.

Ulster get it away. Olding. Still going forward. He's done well. It

looks good, but how sensible is it? Here is Mr Sensible. A clever little

kick. He needs the bounce to be kind. Bounced nicely for Matthew

Morgan. Cuthbert. Lloyd Williams, Anscombe. Nice little step. Lloyd

Williams again, he showed the ball and he found the gap. Gethin Jenkins

at scrum-half. This is Halaholo. Ulster made a good tackle. Back in

the Cardiff side. Filise, still moving forward. Lloyd Williams.

That's gone loose. It might have been knocked forward by Ulster.

Referee playing advantage to Cardiff, none comes. Carp difficult

have another player injured, dear, oh, dear. Ulster are guilty of fall

off a few tackles. Going too high, in my opinion. The southern

hemisphere centers, we have seen it on a couple of occasions, you will

come off second best. Once that bounce comes you get that off-load

away. Sam Warburton is down. British Lions fans would like to see him

back on his feet. The ball is too easy, too quick. They are turning

their own ball over as well, which is possibly a bigger work worry.

That is not a very good sight for northern hemisphere rugby. I'm sure

it's only a minor thing because the 28-year-old Sam Warburton, who

captained the Lions four years ago, now 74 Welsh caps to his name, is

going off the field very much in the frame to repeat his Lion's

captaincy. I heard from Gareth Charles that Jones isn't in good

shape at the moment. No, he had that shoulder injury heel picked up

playing for Wales in Paris in the last match. Certainly, Warren Gatlin

will be looking for Wynn-Jones to be on the plane. Hopefully they can

make it. Who is packing down in the middle of the Cardiff back row. He

will add beef and bite to the whole thing is former Ulster favourite,

Nick Williams. Nick Williams on. Cardiff trailing by four points am

they have had made three changes, due to injury. Williams on the

pick-up. Not the greatest return. Here is Matthew Morgan. Watch out

for him. Luke Marshall gave him no room whatsoever. Here is Williams,

taken off at the ankles sensibly by O'Connor. Anscombe. That's gone

loose. Clever stuff by Ulster. Here comes Craig Gilroy. I think he's

just stepped back, Sean Reidy is coming. Cuthbert will have a go at

this. That's come infield. Play on be, says the referee. Knocked

forward by Iain Henderson. Had Ulster caught that it was a half

decent chance of a try. Cuthbert was lucky. He's so quick and reads the

game so well. Matthew Morgan up in the line, hammers it in behind.

Cuthbert quickly goes back. A deflection off Pienaar. Inn

Henderson struggling to pick it off his boot laces. Play nod fewer than

76 times for Ulster. Formeren junior All Black had a round the houses

career. Spell with Munster, was signed by Ulster. He thoroughly

enjoyed himself. He wasn't that keen to go. Understood. He is enjoying

himself equally well with his family in Cardiff. He had a fractured

season in Cardiff. A few injuries early on. Came back and picked up

that calf injury, again. He hasn't quite fulfilled the promise. A

pretty decent performance away from home by Pat, he may be in the frame

for a tough play-off place. That hasn't done them any harm at all.

Gethin Jenkins he scored a fine try, ran in from 40 meters. He's still

doing it as well, isn't he? Sam Warburton with a bang on the knee.

Looking a bit reflective, a little business of discomfort. A big ice

pack on that left knee of his. The clock will start again pretty soon.

Just over two minutes remaining until the interval. This first half

has flown in. We expected tries. We have tries. I don't think the Ulster

fans thought it would be this close. Good squeeze by Ulster. Away goes

Nick. Pienaar works so often in tandem. Anscombe. Have to make that

first tackle. They didn't make the first tackle. Intercepted by

Pienaar. Puts the boot to it. Not as clean as it should be. Going too

high. The easy pass was to Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

marring. Passed inside. I'm sure he had will have good things to say

about the Cardiff guys. For me it's been found wanting. -- Matthew

Morgan. Good challenge by Ulster. Ulster. Chucked in at the back there

by Cardiff. Ulster countering that drive well. Good work by Wiehahn

Herbst and Wilson is posed to attack somebody around the fringes. Into

the last-minute. Slipped to Lloyd Williams. Gilroy. Payne. Had a wee

glance. Back to Gilroy. Spills it forward. Dear, oh, dear. Kick and

chase. Advantage was over. Back goes Payne. Pienaar left it.

Can Reidy had a look outside. Tackled by the Cardiff skipper,

Jenkins. This time it an Ulster down injured. Rod goer Wilson, trying to

make a bit of ground. Payne has got a bit of a bang someone. That's the

end of the first half. It's been played at a fair old pace. A lot of

mistakes. The majority of which have been made by an Ulster side. They

will be pleased albeit with a very small margin. They will be pleased.

For me, Cardiff have played more of the rugby and can find themselves

and consider themselves unlucky to go into the shed four points down.

Lots to play for in the second-half. As the game breaks up there is more

tries out there from both sides? A nice friendly little hug from Nick

Williams to his own playing buddy as they leave the field. One or two

words about tightening up the fundamental errors. What a glorious

scene that is. I hope those children are enjoying themselves. We have

enjoyed this opening 40 minutesful half time here at the Kingspan

stadium. 14-10. A dramatic first 40 in Belfast. It's been breathless

stuff. Magic from Jackson. Physicality from Cardiff. They have

had their moments, but Ulster have edged it.

Only just. Decent first half. The punters have their money so far?

They have indeed. That is all we expected. Dry evening at the

Kingspan stayed Stadium. Both teams have played a part. Cardiff have

come here to play. We were talking during the first half, I think

Ulster would like it more structured and for the Cardiff want a loose

game. Because of those guys, Halaholo in midfield. Breaking up

tackles for fun. Ulster, half time, more structure. Play to the corners

more. Then get on top of these guys. Great to watch. The coaches are

probably stressed out? Mistackled. High-tempo games. Dubious offloads.

Threatening back threes which both teams are trying to get into this

game. It comes down to the emowe with which they want to play. Both

teams will have issues there. They will want to address them. Flowing

rugby and entertaining stuff to. With a. The real moment, the moment

of genius was the Pienaar-Jackson combination for that first try? What

was clever about that. You see the contest early on for the ball.

Scully is on the ground as a result of this challenge. Illegal

challenge. Both players in the air. It goes on a number of subsequent

phases there. The intelligence of those players. They hold the inside

defenders. When that man gets into open space, Piutau, you will make

ground. Doesn't throw the speculative off-load am they

recycle. Pienaar is away no-one is coming across and cover. Jackson

runs that perfect line. The communication between the two of

them. Intelligent play from them. Paddy could have caught that

earlier. A great are try. Came from a turnover from the Cardiff boys.

That was more of Ryan's stuff. The physical stuff was yours. Lots of

that in the first half? Lots of mistackles. The guys will have to go

lower. Wilson has gone for that wrap around tackle he is getting fended

off. He was fended off biance apples. You can't question the boys

endeavour. They are putting in the effort. Both teams are putting in

the effort. Great to watch. That is what all the punters are paying the

money for. Another man, Nick Williams, he came on with

FORCEDYELLOW if Ulster minutes to go. I'm sure the second-half will be

mrent more big hits. Rory Best with that grip strength that he has,

latching on. You can't get rid of him? Hey has that farmers strength,

doesn't he? Not in the gym throwing around massive weights. When he gets

you in a headlock, you know all about it.

They have to go up, number off and go in front of you. Still

defensively suspect, Sean, but when they get the ball in their own half

and launched counterattacks, they seem to score tries almost at will.

That Warburton try was closed at the end but the build-up made it. The

coach works a lot on this. They need live from turnover ball. That is

where these centres are dangerous. -- they need to come alive from

turnover ball. Look at Henderson going underneath, he's out of the

line, and now he's got a prop against him. Jonathan these days

would fancy his chances. A little friend and there they go. People

like Matthew Morgan, Halaholo. The Blues haven't been good at this

aspect all season, close to the line, very direct, powerful carries.

People like Sam Morgan are dangerous to stop close. Impressive stuff from

the ball in hand in their own half, and that is a strength of the Blues,

and the kind of runners they have got, Anscombe, Morgan, they can do

that. All you need is a one-on-one player and a forward in front of you

and, when there is no overlap, you've got to do a step, and that

will then create defensive questions for Ulster. They've got the centres,

Lee-Lo and Halaholo can do it, but again, it's being clinical and

deciding whether to give it or hold it and go to ground and recycle and

go again. As Lloyd Williams said, that's the problem, the last pass

has gone to ground, which is a missed opportunity, but also it

kills the momentum the Blues have on the attack. The second Ulster try

put them back in the lead, from that irresistible driving wall. Prior to

that, as we saw throughout the half, Ulster managing to break through

that first line of Blues defence almost at will. The story all

season. It's a well worked move, the first phase, but it's from this sort

of broken play they are dangerous. Two props, and a poor effort from

both. In behind go Ulster, and they compound their defensive errors by

giving a penalty away. Ulster are not going to take three points,

they'll go for the jugular, of course they know a penalty will

result in another line-out or a scrum. As Ritchie Rees mentioned on

commentary, they are on the wrong side, and excellent maul, a combined

effort to bring them down and a momentum issue. You could argue no

one person brought it down. Pressure will tell. Second half, Ulster

playing the way they liked playing. They will come out, looking for the

bonus point. So Cardiff Blues will have to up their game. There are of

injuries, and the players off the bench is weak, with some young

forwards. It's the one-on-one tackle and the narrowing, lazy defence. So

it's a big ask in the second half. They are in it now with

opportunities to go in front. But now it starts again 0-0 and it's all

to play for for the Blues. That second half is coming up shortly.

Next week, Round 20 of the Pro12. For the Welsh regions, it's more

significant of that. -- than that. Judgment Day is nearly here. Four

regions, one game. One of the most anticipated days in the calendar,

and Scrum V will be at the heart of it all. But, before the battle of

wills, a battle of skills. Who came out on top? All will be revealed

soon. Yes, coming up next week, if you

haven't got your tickets, snap them up, because they are heading for a

sell-out. Before the Scarlets can think about the Dragons, they have

another game. This week, Wayne Kovac, the Scarlets head coach, has

said they will not be taking the Italians lightly, particularly in

light of what happened when the Austrians took them on a fortnight

ago. The Scarlets certainly have the tools to do the job, and if they

want, they can get a bonus point. I think they can learn from the

Ospreys getting an upset at Treviso. From the last time against

Edinburgh, if they can generate enough quick ball, they should be

resounding winners. Against Edinburgh, they were fantastic and

getting across the gain line, making the ball available for Alan Davies,

getting on the front foot and getting it away quickly. When the

Scarlets backs got there, with Jonathan Davies and Coe, they can

get on the front foot and cause problems for the Italians. The key

to winning is getting the runners on the front foot, bringing the wingers

interplay and getting in close to the line, as Hadleigh Parkes did

against Edinburgh, and when you bring in Liam Williams and Steffan

Evans and the likes interplay, they can get through the Italians. And

then they have this point on the wide channels to create problems.

With enough quick ball, they should put the Italians away. The battle

for that fourth play-off spot could still come down to a west Wales

showdown between the Ospreys and the Scarlets on the final weekend of the

regular season. Tomorrow, the Ospreys have to focus on their

opponents at the Liberty Stadium, and it is the small matter of league

leaders Leinster coming to visit. Dan Biggar becomes the youngest

Osprey to reach 200 appearances. Dan Evans stays on the wing to

accommodate Sam Davies at full-back. Oliver Cracknell replaces Sam

Underhill on the blindside. A formidable challenge for the

Ospreys, if they are to exercise the Demons of those last two defeats.

What do they nude -- what do they need to do to be a Leinster side

that hasn't lost any side since last November? They've just got to be

clever. They played against Leinster every season. They know what they

have to do to beat them. Cracknell coming in is good, because it can go

forward. I'm not sure about Davies and Evans on the wing, the full-back

position. I'm getting my head around that. But they have to bounce back.

Treviso was a big defeat for them and giving up a Liberty Stadium

result against Stade Francais. It's a big game and hopefully there will

be a big house there. They should have done a bit of PR and marketing

to do this and get the players out, the big stars, to promote the game

and get a packed stadium, because we saw what it was like last week.

There was the atmosphere and they faltered. They are capable of

winning. At the stadium, they make it tough. The big players are back

and it's massive for them. If they need to finish in the top two, this

is the one they've got to target. I think they've got a nice running as

well. Bouncing back, confidence back, creating opportunities. A

creative midfield players not playing for them. But I do think, if

they win tomorrow, if they are back up there with a shout of a home

semifinal. You are talking about the culture, and you know all about it.

They have got it in them to put those two disappointing defeats

behind them and to regroup for this last set of fixtures. They do not

lose three in a row very often. At home at the Liberty, you need the

support. The fans need to get down there. With people like Webb and Dan

Baker, they are winners. But Leinster don't want to be dragged

back into the race. If they win, they will think, we can set back a

bit. -- sick bag. The running for most side is very tough. Ospreys

fans, it's a sunny day tomorrow, so get down there. This one is going on

tonight, the second half of Ulster against Cardiff Blues about get

underway. It is 14-10. The Blues are still in it. Let's return to our

commentary team, Ritchie Rees and Gareth Giles.

Thanks very much, Royce. We saw some blood treatment and

bandage around the head in the first half. There was a concussion, so

Kieron Assiratti comes on to make his league debut at the start of the

second half. There he is, supporting Matthew Morgan, the ball catcher, at

the beginning of the second. Fourth change for the Blues. In 40 minutes.

More pressure on that bench and among the players out on the field.

No ruck conformed. Driven off the ball, so it remains in Ulster's

possession. Kieran Treadwell Sean Reidy. Works

it away for Jared Payne. A determined start to the second half

from Ulster. The Blues in the first half getting all the possession and

attacking. And Ulster are the ones who have got ball in hand and

putting pressure on the visitors' defence at the beginning of the

second half. Four times in this half already, Ulster have turned back to

that blindside and had some success with regards to the yardage. It's

maybe something they talked about at half-time. Again, there they go.

Good pick-up by Jackson. A clever little pass back inside, but nobody

else was on the same wavelength. Started the last four games now,

Jared Payne. Featured against England in the Six Nations as well,

but he has gone off, to be replaced by Jacob Stockdale. Very dangerous,

and the Blues can't afford to kick loosely. Eight tries for him in the

league this year, Stockdale. Overthrown into the hands of Matthew

Rees. Anscombe. Lee-Lo. Rhun Williams. Find a bit of space behind

the defence. Piutau getting across from the file wing and putting

pressure on Gilroy. Great work defensively, Lloyd Williams. Just

need to be sensible, the Blues. Don't want to give any cine

penalties away. -- silly penalties. Clearance comes from Pienaar, but

only into the hands of Rhun Williams.

Treadwell, trying to get his hands free. What has led both sides down

in the opening 43 minutes is the accuracy. Go through an extra pace,

if you have to. Key areas of the field.

Ian Davies, the referee, complementing the two front rows. We

haven't had a scrum reset, have we? Very unusual.

Jackson, Marshall. That is straight out.

Neil Doak, part of the setup at Ulster, I'm sure he will not be too

happy. Looking a bit scrappy. Doesn't look the happiest anyway.

Halaholo spots the gap and those forehead. Piutau comes across.

Almost cost them. Nick Williams, driven on by Ellis Jenkins. Ripped

clear by Iain Henderson. A tackle had been called though. This must be

confusing for the crowd, because it looked like a trip by Henderson.

Tackle had been caused, so has to let it go. The Cardiff Blues went

for a six-man line-out and left the big man, Nick Williams in midfield.

He left a short line, and the effect that somebody that strong and

powerful coming in has full stop it narrows them up. In doing so, the

Blues went out the back, which is where they found the space. A prime

attacking opportunity for the Blues. Simple things done well.

Cleanly taken. Good position. Setting Matthew Rees up for a drive

on. Going nowhere though, the Blues. Lloyd Williams, Cuthbert. Awful lot

of traffic in front of him. Anscombe delays, to a tee. So simple

but effective, and Reynold Lee-lo puts the Blues back ahead at the

start of the second half. Don't underestimate the work that Alex

Cuthbert does off the ball. He runs all the time. You can see him

sitting at the back. The Irish defence see him, so he drifts of

them. Anscombe has picked his head up and looked at that second, third

defender, seeing Cuthbert out the back. The effect that that has on

the Ulster defensive line... Great try, Cardiff Blues. Great spot by

Cuthbert, fixing defenders. Still got to pick the right men and get

the right ball away, and that is exactly what they did. Lee-Lo's

third of the season. First time this afternoon that the Blues have been

in the Ulster 22 as well, coming away with points. Just what Danny

Wilson would have wanted. The extra is added, and a 3-point lead for the

Blues at the start of the second half. Good from the Blues. They got

form on the original line-out and they got their big players, their

big ball-carriers back in the game. As soon as they got five acts

together, that is when you can start to run some sort of run around play

create mismatches. But they have lost possession from the restart,

but so have Ulster. A let off for the Blues.

Living dangerously for a moment. Nick Williams, that trademark ball

in one hand, straight through the ruck. They have to get him back on

his feet. Navidi juggles but just manages to get a hold of it before

it hits the turf. Lloyd Williams looking to set off his left foot.

Just that extra metre from Nick Williams. It's too far for Nick

Williams to chase. Plenty of time for Gilroy.

Four defenders back deep for Ulster. So didn't go for the kick, which was

sensible. Jenkins through Hoeata. Rhun Williams. Lovely work, back to

Ellis Jenkins. The other Jenkins, Gethin. They are playing good rugby,

the Blues. Halaholo posted to find -- behind the defenders. Happy to

see it over the touchline. Some lovely touches along the way. I've

been impressed by Rhun Williams. Anscombe spots the turnover and

mismatched and manages to get the ball away and get the ball to Rhun

Williams in that wide-eyed shallow. He's gone through the contact, got

the float in. -- in that wider channel. A 70 metre game for Cardiff

Blues, putting the pressure straight back onto Ulster. The South African,

Wiehahn Herbst. Just getting patched up. Will he continue? Yes. Rhun

Williams has had an excellent evening.

Meanwhile, Herbst gets treatment. Let's go back to the touchline and

see what else is happening. A full programme in tier one of the

Premiership tomorrow, Aberavon against Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil

the leaders, and then RBC against Ebbw Vale. The top four to qualify

going to a penalty -- play-off. Lots of other things happening tomorrow,

but I am going to division three, west central see, the power on the

Gower, Torbay in south tower. Also, some sad news today. Alan Benjamin,

former legendary secretary of Neath rugby club during the 80s, he sadly

passed away. Condolences to his family. Absolutely. He was such a

fixture, Alan Benjamin. The Blues battling hard to put

pressure on the line-out. Always so important for them. That's going up,

says Ruan Pienaar. Cuthbert, straight to Matthew

Morgan. The kind of broken field he loves to run from. Tackle by Luke

Marshall, an important one. He is such a danger from that kind of

position, Matthew Morgan. That's why you can't afford to kick too long to

him. If you haven't got decent defensive chase, if you leave gaps

too big, even between your two centres, he will pick you. It's a

major strength of Matt. He has his deficiencies, but Danny Wilson

highly rates him as an attacking threat. It is just where his best

position is, that is something we are waiting to find out. Wood this

year, he saw quite a few Blues games and, against Bristol, he was

devastating. Against Gloucester last Friday, a couple of great runs. At

the top end of the game, just needs to get consistencies. It's something

he is looking to build on. Jacob Stockdale had the ball knocked out

of his hands by Lord Williams. Six foot five and over ex-Dean -- 15

stone of him. A scrappy opening 11 minutes of the second half from both

teams. Kieron Assiratti is down. If he has to go, we are looking at

passive scrums. There is a replacement prop, Corey Domachowski,

another 19-year-old, at loosehead. If Filise has concussion, he's not

coming on. Yes, Rees Gill is back next weekend for the Blues. They

have got some strength in depth. It's good to see the youngsters

getting a bit of game plan that would regain time. A good

environment. A cracking evening. -- the youngsters getting a bit of game

time. Back to the touchline. 15 years ago

yesterday, the manual see on your screen now made his last ever

international rugby commentary. -- the man you will see. The late Bill

McLaren. Wales against Scotland, 2002, Scotland 27, Wales 22. That

was 15 years ago yesterday, and I am proudly wearing my bill McLaren

Foundation in. There you go, the voice of rugby. -- mic Bill McLaren

Pin. Morgan up into the line-out to

Cuthbert. He is regaining his confidence all the time, Alex

Cuthbert. He is looking lively and energetic and wants to get his hands

on the ball. There he is again. Lee-Lo, again going for those first

up defenders. Morgan. Lloyd Williams down the blindside,

trying to create an opportunity for Rhun Williams, but running out of

space. I like the attacking shape from the Blues. They've gone wide

straight off that start and onto an edge. They are forcing Ulster to

commit their 15 to make that a final tackle, and looking to get back to

the other side of the field and, in turn, there will not be anybody in

that backfield. Going through the phases, a bit more patience, a bit

more accuracy. They are on the right side of the field.

The band, trying to drum up a bit of life from the crowd to get behind

the Ulster team, as they trail. Just going high. Sound defence again Rhun

Williams. Assiratti, as temporary scrum-half. Lee-Lo against spots

them, looking to the outside, defending, and finds Nick Williams

on his inside shoulder. Coming out the back an awful lot, a big forward

run are coming short, and always looking to get the ball in that 12,

15's hands. Yes, too obvious. Maybe to Ian

Davisback, but the touch judge picked it up. Just too obvious from

Assiratti. As long as the plane is on time, we

will be down in Italy tomorrow for the game between Scarlets and

Treviso. And a look back at the weekend's

action, looking forward to Judgment Day, 6:30pm on Sunday, Scrum V.

Touch finder has taken Ulster back up to the 22. Marshall comes onto

the short ball. Unfortunate from Ellis Jenkins. The

ruck just happened on top and, as he got to his feet, he thought he was

attacked, he thought he had the rights to stop but just telling him

the ruck and formed on top of him. A split-second thing. Ellis Jenkins

had his hand on the ball as the ruck was called. It was a split second

the -- decision that Ellis had to make. At that breakdown, his choices

have been spot-on, up until that one. Just checking with Ian Davies

exactly how he read it. Matthew Rees having a bit of

treatment. They don't want to lose another one out front.

Easy penalty for Jackson, and things all square again.

Looks like Matthew reads -- Matthew Rees is going to have some

treatment. Just to check him out. Matthew Rees didn't want to go, but

Ian Davies quite rightly saying, just get yourself checked and, if

you are OK, come back on. Kirby Myhill, former Scarlets

hooker. Craig Gilroy just making way for young Andrew Trimble.

Anscombe takes, under pressure from Trimble.

Rory Best flying at him, Jenkins. Again, beats that guy on the inside.

Matthew Morgan tries to get in between a couple of forwards.

Myhill. Again, dogleg defence. Halaholo. Gap almost opened up for

him. Williams. Straight into Wilson, Cuthbert. Jenkins. Trying to work

this Ulster defence. Kirby Myhill. Not committing to breakdown at the

moment, Ulster. Keeping bodies out wide. Blues just hoping that Ulster

give a penalty away or they can pick a mismatch. Morgan got the pass off

the floor. It came off one of the Blues players. Stockdale, not really

making as much ground as they would have wanted. The foot work on both

Reidy and Halaholo has caused havoc in the Ulster defence. They are

getting through contact. They are picking a defender and running at

gaps. They are running at shoulders than bodies. Allowing them to get

their hands through contact and looking for that off-load every

single time. If you are trying to defend against that you can't watch

the shoulders, the ball, you have to watch the hips. Get close enough to

him without him stepping (inaudible) High hill finds James Down and then

finds Nick Williams. Lee. Great by Lee. He will go all the way, is he?

Steps inside Charles Piutau. A second for Rey Lee-Lo. A great

individual score. We touched on it ten second ago. His

foot work, great vision from Anscombe. Fantastic try from the

Blues. Williams to Halaholo. Then, here he is, Kut Berthe shall he puts

that indecision in Luke Marshall's mind. He takes full advantage, Rey

Lee-Lo. Well-worked by the Blues. Brilliantly finished by Rey Lee-Lo.

Many people were expecting maybe a runaway win for Ulster. I was just

about to say that. Not many would have called this score, 60 minutes

into the game. The thoroughly deserved by the Blues. Only one

defeat at home since February of last year, Ulster. They are good for

it the Blues as well. They need to concentrate. 20 minutes left into

this game. They don't need to play any rugby within meters of their

try-line. He are trying to play Ulster that is when errors will

come. That is when the Blues will have time to strike. Gareth

Anscombe's conversion puts them a converted try ahead as they go into

the Down inside the thresh triat the

moment. Very much so. Good defensive line from the Blues. Stuart Olding.

Down in the tackle. Stockdale. That's a great run. Brave tackle

though by Williams. Pienaar. Takes out Jackson. Had a talking to by

Rory Best. Ulster trying to pick the pace up. Pick up the intensity. Rod

goer Wilson. Best back to Jackson. Stockdale is a handful. Lively since

he came on. . Pienaar to Treadwell. Again, it's Down who gets the tackle

in. Now the Blues know they have a game on their hand. Ulster are

chucking the kitchen sink at this. Inside ball meant for Trimble.

Knocked on by as Assiratti. -- Assiratti. It's the first time we've

heard the crowd in the last couple of minutes. They just need to build

and build. The Blues doing well defensively. The Forcing Paddy

Jackson to turn back inside. Bring the likes of Stockdale into the

game. Matthew Rees back on. The latest from Edinburgh, 22-7.

Making the changes. Wilson reporting. Robbie Diack coming on.

Nick Timoney making his Ulster debut. Right call. They need to add

a little bit of urgency, a little bit of expectation. A little bit of

wanting to this game for Ulster if they want to come away with the

draw, even a victory. Probably the quietest I've heard the

King span in years. I think they are shell-shocked. You are wondering

where this has been with the Blues for a lot of the season. They have

it in them? They have been the best side for the 62 minutes of this

game. Last week against Gloucester they fell off around this mark.

Let's hope they can stay strong and come away with the victory.

Stockdale hiding behind Jackson. Now they break in that direction. There

is Stockdale. Defended well by the Blues. Pushed off. Forced out of

play as well. Excellent defence by the Blues. Superb work. Not the

greatest of starts from Ulster. Very unlike them. The Blues will take

that. They look to kill a little bit of time. Get a little bit of field

position, get a little bit of territory. Anscombe stays down. His

father of course spent some time as coach at Ulster. Ulster. Didn't end

the greatest though by all accounts. No.

Good from the Blues though. Taking their time, regrouping. Where are we

going, what are we going to do for the remaining minutes of this game.

How are we going to get the victory. Let's kill the clock a bit.

Again, the crowd trying to play their part. Nicely worked to James

Down. Then Nick Williams, the big man, trying to get them on the

bigfoot. Lloyd Williams looking to get them down field. Trimble to

Stockdale. Good chase led by Lee. Forced him to turn back inside.

Jackson to Marshall. Pounding by with Gethin Jenkins. He must be

glowing with 15 to go. Second start since back from injury. Played well.

Set-piece gone well. As ever, his work around the field has been

top-notch. Up she goes from Paddy Jackson.

Anscombe take it is safely. Treadwell there to bring him down.

Plenty of Blue around to protect that ball. Assiratti on his own.

Don't want to go through too many phases here. President your foot on

it. Hoeata to Halaholo. Again, two steps back inside and straightening.

The triple goose step. Anscombe looking for position in the end.

That'll do the Blues at the moment. They will take that. Good play,

Gareth Anscombe. You can see Lloyd from the previous phase was looking

to set up to get a kick in. Space in the wider challenge.

He has beaten three men on the inside. Anscombe has seen space in

that back field and gone for field position. Gone for territory. Well

played Cardiff Blues. The Blues players are puffing and

blowing. They have given so much. They have

another 15 to go. That's evidence of how hard a battle it has been, a

ripped search of Willis Halaholo. They don't have too many subs to

use. Ulster are making the changes. Rob Herring and Ah You. Jackson,

again. Brilliantly taken by Rhun Williams. He hasn't put a foot wrong

tonight. Great game. The It's not working for them, they are

persisting for it. They have looked to go with it. Assiratti, not afraid

to get hand on ball. Wide open areas. Matthew Rees, Nick Williams.

If they can pick up a penalty, pick up three points, take them more than

a converted try away. Stockdale quickly up on Rhun Williams, cutting

out any space. Pressure on Lloyd Williams. It's turn over time. Or it

would of been if the Blues hadn't kept hold of it. They just need to

manage it the Blues. They are going touchline to touchline looking to

play width. At a point they have to look to tighten it up a bit. Brigg

the bigger ball carriers into play to try and tie in that Ulster

defensive line and hopefully force them to give a penalty away at the

breakdown. Anxious faces up there. They will be

delighted with it so far. They want to see it off as well. Full credit

to the coaching staff. Tactically they have been spot on so far.

Trimble. Jenkins saying there was blocking going on there. Sean Reidy

carries on into the Blues 22. Rodney Ah You arrives. Numbers out there.

Tread tread. Now the crowd have found their voice. Real pressure on

the Blues now. Jackson, back to Luke Marshall. Slips the tackle. Luke

Marshall gets through to the try that could bring Ulster back level.

The Blues were defending with too. Width, ironically. They were very

few Ulster players in the wider channels outside the 15's. They were

always going to go back inside. That is where the holes are. He slips off

the tackle. He has gone past Matthew Rees. Unfortunate for the Blues.

It's exactly what they didn't need. Too high in the contact. Looked to

hit him around the chest. He's a big strong guy, is Marshall. Too much

space to cover between Matthew Rees and James Downs. Ulster are right

back in. Crossing outside the 22 before Sean Reidy got his hand on

the ball. He has a point. A play Ulster use quite a bit. They bring

that winger back into that breakdown. A set play. They look to

get some blockers in play. The silence broken as Paddy Jackson's

kick brings Ulster back level. We are approaching the final 10 minutes

of the game. A see saw game. There is nothing to choose between them.

It's Ulster 24, the Blues 24. Just see a little bit of dogleg. As soon

as you are through that first defensive line, it's so difficult to

stop. Well-worked Ulster. First time they have kept a bit of tempo in

this game. They will have their tails up Ulster. They know they are

within sight of a bonus point. Three tries a piece.

They've got to go for distance on this exit for me, have Ulster. We

will soon find out. Same hanging kick towards the touchline. Trimble

puts pressure on Anscombe. He gets it away quickly to Matthew Morgan.

Looking to hold up the Blues fullback, and they have done.

Ulster's put in at the scrum. It's been the favoured tactic this

evening. Very much. Too big guys. They have got under the ball,

Matthew Morgan. Forced the turnover. The Blues have 10 minutes to win or

get some points out of this game. They have to stop momentum that the

Ulster team are building. Some anxious Scarring supporters watching

this one, let alone Blues supporters. Edinburgh a real

fightback. 19-22. Great pass out to Piutau. Over halfway. Puts in the

kick. Across comes Williams. Takes it over the far side. Defended for

now. The pressure is building from Ulster. Superb pass. Cuthbert

defending in that front-line. You have to give Williams credit. Picks

the ball up. He starts on the opposite wing, left hand wing.

Here's a test for the Cardiff Blues. Game all square. Ulster in the

ascendancy. They played so well for 72 minutes. Have they got another

eight in them? They have Charles Piutau wandering out 10 meters off

the back of this line-out. Stuart Olding goes through. Here come

Ulster on the charge. Paddy Jackson, Pienaar. Sean Reidy. It's all hands

to the pump now for the Blues. They are under the pump. Robbie Diack.

Pienaar, to Jackson. Sean Reidy the Blues have almost run themselves

into a standstill. Ulster are full of running, full of vigor. Everybody

flying in, bodies being taken off the ball. Ulster can sense this

could be it. Marshall with a pass. Piutau can't gather. Olding does.

Five meters from the Blues' try-line. They lost possession.

Matthew Morgan clears. The siege is lifted momentarily. Here comes Paddy

Jackson, again. Albeit from the 10 meter line now. Trimble. It's a

grand stand finish to a game that's given pretty much everything. Need

to get off that line, shut any sort of time down that the Ulster ball

carriers want. Six minutes for Ulster to find a bonus point try.

Six minutes for the Blues to hang on to a draw. Or can they magic up a

bonus point try? Not the way the game is going at the moment. .

Deserve something from their efforts. Jackson looks for the gap.

Stockdale leaves it this time to Rob Herring. Navidi hurt in the tackle.

They can't afford to be a man short defending the Blues. Sean Reidy gets

his hands on the ball, once again. Andrew Trimble appearing all over

the place. Pienaar, to Robbie Diack. Forward. They are allowed to carry

on. Pienaar arrives, again. Real pressure on them. The ball has been

split forward this time. Again, the Blues survive by the skin of their

teeth. Now there will be time for a breather and a scrum. You could see

the bodies scattered along the field. It's great tempo. It's great

energy. The Blues are, woing very hard defensively. At the moment,

it's coming out. He's forced the turnover. It allowed the Cardiff

Blues players to get a bit of a breather. To regroup. Corey

Domachowski has come on. Gethin Jenkins has given everything in the

75 minutes he has been on the field. Yeah, fair play to him. He has been

everywhere. He is their defensive leader. Very much an organiser in

midfield. Throughly deserved this five minute rest.

Callum Black on for Andy Warwick on the loosehead for Ulster as well.

Two completely new front be rows. Instead of two 36-year-olds and a 40

combreerld you have two 19-year-olds and a 25-year-old in the Blues front

row now. It's an experience they can't buy, whether it be positive or

negative. It's something they will learn from. Here's hoping this scrum

holds up. There hasn't been a draw in the Pro12 so far this season.

Pressure on that scrum. Navidi tries to relieve it. He's done well, has

Navidi. Lloyd Williams giving himself as wide a base as possible.

Anscombe's kick is infield to Stockdale. Good tackle, Nick

Williams. They have to be squeaky clean as well not to give a penalty

away, the Blues. They don't want to give cheap penalties away. Give a

meter at the breakdown. Get onside. Locked at 24-24. Three tries a

piece. What the game has been. What a finish it is as Iain Henderson

drives on relentlessly. Ulster come again. They don't want anybody going

in there. Let the tradesmen do it. Piutau. He tries to step his way

through. So many attacking threats u l possess. Rodney Ah You wants his

hands on the ball. Now, he does. Another half minute knocked off the

clock by the Blues. It must seem like hours for them out there. This

tackle count must be huge in the second-half. Penalty goes the Blues

way. Massive relief. Brilliant work on the floor. Superb work, Josh

Navidi. Not a happy bunny. Assiratti makes the initial tackle.

He's low. Three guys step over the top. As soon as he's so low, Josh is

a big, strong guy he will always be hard to move. Had to find the touch,

Anscombe, didn't matter where. Buy a few more seconds to walk to the

line. Get the call. Win the ball and stay away from that try-line.

They have gone with five man. Nick Williams is heading out to this

wider channel, just underknead us. Williams and Navidi in midfield. As

the Blues go into the final two minutes at the Kingspan all square.

Halaholo to Lee-Lo. To Matthew Morgan. Slots it through. First

attack the Blues have had in quite a while. Piutau can't gather. It's

gone forward. Double lock on here. They haven't given it, they are

trying to attack the Blues. Got to give them credit for that. Speaks

volumes on how they have approached this game this evening.

As long as this scrum holds up, for me, this is match drawn. Unless

Cardiff Blues go for double top and this strike left hand side start to

play. Good decision by Matthew Morgan. Piutau comes across, from

the opposite wing, forces the fumble. Williams is in there.

Impressed by him this evening. It's been a magnificent effort by the

Cardiff Blues tonight. Those fans, who travelled across, have had their

money's worth. They will have a good night tonight, as long as they can

hold out for the remaining minute and a quarter. They're narrow the

Cardiff Blues backline. Don't expect this play to go too wide. The Blues

last win in Belfast was a pass back as 2010. They couldn't possibly,

could they, in the final minute? Now, it's Ulster's turn to be

squeaky clean and not give penalties away. Set it up once more. Nick

Williams gains an extra couple of meters. They've lost the ball. After

all that work. Now, Ulster will have one more chance from inside their

own 22 though. Good tackle that. Ball is in space. Ulster on the

attack. From their own 22. Stockdale. Could they go all the

way? Piutau the kick through. Matthew Morgan is back there first.

The ball over the touchline. With just 130 seconds remaining the Blues

are that close to hanging on to a draw. Superb option from Jackson. He

has seen the Blues look to pressurise the exit. They are very

flat. Wasn't the wisest of decisions from Piutau to put his foot to ball.

They've got to go through this phase of play, the Cardiff Blues. Make

sure you get your calling system correct. Everyone knows their

individual role. Get this ball off the field. The clock has gone

red.ful the Kingspan stadium in Belfast are desperate for Ulster to

get their hands on the ball one more time. The Blues are desperate to

take the ball and get it off the Lloyd Williams waits for the ball to

emerge. Slowly though it does, puts the ball off the pack, and the Blues

celebrate a draw in Ulster, and that could be a dent in the Ulstermen's

chances of finishing in the top four. The Blues could have done

Scarlets a favour, but they need praise for their own efforts. What a

game, three tries each, and it ended all square.

Phil Steele is with the Blues captain, Gethin Jenkins.

Congratulations, Gethin, on a terrific performance. What was the

difference between this and last week? We played for 80 minutes. Last

week, we came up short. We played with great confidence. A really fast

game, and probably good to come away with a win. We came close but

couldn't convert it into points. You lasted 75 minutes? Yeah, not played

that long in a while. Really enjoyable game of play. Great

performance by you and the boys, well done. What a finish. We are

breathless in the studio but, as Gethin Jenkins said, they could have

won it, and maybe they should. Lee-Lo and Halaholo were brilliant,

causing problems, magnificent, but set up a drop goal, take the points,

walk away with a result. Why do they go one further, or nothing. Sean,

how pleased will Scarlets fans be? Delighted. The Blues didn't deserve

to lose though. Fantastic. That is all we've got time for. The dramatic

ending has cut short out and chat, but that is it for this week. Next

week, Judgment Day. Thanks for your company and good night.