Cardiff Blues v Ulster Ulster Rugby Live

A once the controversy about the coach's departure Ulster could get

down to business. And there was some last-minute drama. Bonus point

try, what a finish. Tonight Chris Henry returned with some of the big

guns from Irish international duty to try to guide their team coasted

to the play-offs. To do that they must beat Cardiff Blues, the team

they have already defeated this season. Good evening. It is Cardiff

against Ulster. Kick-off less than five minutes away. Another two

hours of live rugby for you to enjoy tonight. At half-time look

out for our special feature as Ulster rugby joins the GABA in

Randall's town for a very special coaching session. -- GAA. We want

to hear from you, the addresses are on the screen. Here to give me

their thoughts are our guests, look forward to hearing from you in a

moment. Here is Brian McLaughlin. We know Cardiff well. We played him

earlier in the season and had a great win over them so I am sure

they are smart and a little bit. I am sure they are back to their home

ground at the Arms Park, that will add a bit of fire and they will be

playing in front of a packed stadium. It will be a very

difficult task but we know if we want to keep our play-off chances

Cardiff are just below. The outcome feels as if it will have a

significant impact on he will make It is a make-or-break time for both

clubs. Ulster need to get a win because they are a game in hand. If

Cardiff there again in and there is a lot of ground to make up. We have

picked out a couple of key men who could be crucial for Ulster tonight.

He has the chance to make the pace, Robbie Diack. Also Craig Gilroy, he

will have good memories of Cardiff. He scored two tries. Ulster fans

would love to see him tonight. Cardiff are a team that peppered

with experience. Some fantastic experience. Gavin Henderson, Dan

Parks coming back into the fray. Gaden Hansen is such a confident

player. With confidence, my goodness, he can be world class.

Parks coming back into the fray. He had a dodgy finish to his

international career with that charge down kick but he whooped --

he is a quality player. He can be quite devastating. Ulster must not

give away penalties tonight. There is there better kicker than Dan

Parks, then Blair. Ulster have not win in Wales yet this year. Going

back to Cardiff Arms Park, it is a home defence for Cardiff rugby. It

is a big thing for them plane back home, they want to do something

special for the crowd. Sold out last week, a big, intimidating

atmosphere. Away from home Ulster's one hasn't been that impressive.

The Ulster guys will love having the opportunities, especially the

younger guys, to play at such a historic ground. You would much

rather have that than having to play at the football ground and

feeling like it is an empty stadium. A possible plus point for Ulster.

fairly good balanced side there tonight. Nice to get Chris Henry,

Tom Court back into the mix, they are key players for the team. They

are in with a good shout. A lot of people saying to me the Ulster team

looks to have a good balance, and experience, even though we have got

some of those key Irish players still out. They are high starting

to hit their straps, the crux of the season, running into some form

as to the play-off positions are starting to basically work

themselves out and they have a big chance of getting into that top

four. Realistically they need that again to follow on from last season,

the fact they have got to the quarter-finals of Europe, the

Celtic League is your bread and butter. A bonus point win last week,

Ulster have had six bonus points wins out of their last eight but

realistically tonight it is a simple when they are keen to get.

Absolutely, first and foremost let's go here, get the wind. If the

bonus point raises its head, let's take that as well have come home

happy men. A big job. They know what's at stake. If Cardiff managed

to get a leapfrog on them now they have got a lot of ground to cover.

They know what is at stake tonight. Thank you very much. The teams are

on their way. Ulster have not won in Wales this season but they have

beaten Cardiff on their last three vocations. Time to join hour

commentary team, first of all, to bit foggy, but it is cold and windy.

All-star have got Tom Court and Chris Henry, back from

international duty. Henry takes over the captaincy from John Afoa.

Paddy Wallace diverted to Paris last week, Spence and Witton move

Ian Whitten starting on the wing. Cardiff making everybody wait.

Crucial game for their bulldog they won last week in Connacht. Ulster

just ahead of them in the table. Gaden Hansen there. The familiar

walk for the Cardiff players -- Gavin Henson. Some wonderful games

of rugby, memories come flooding back. Our colleagues from BBC Wales

will show you a montage of Cardiff players down the years doing

wonderful things. Even Jonah Lomu who had a bit of a spell here. The

red haired former captain of their New Zealand team brings the home

side on to the park for the must- win game for both sides. Sparky

doesn't travel. He is not Kitty Knight. Williams stars his second

game since breaking his arm at Ravenhill. Scott and his back from

Welsh Judy. -- Scott Andrews back from Welsh duty. Dan Parks is back

playing his 30th game for Cardiff protest vote. Williams, son of the

former scrum-half. There is the man from Limerick, World Cup referee,

George Clancy, his 44th league game. A glance in the direction of the

officials, see if everybody is happy. Ian Humphreys starts what is

a crucial game for both sides. Michael Paterson takes it in. Rush

set it up, Williams has to take it back inside. Ticket for rugby to

touch would be illegal. Covered by the man who scored a bonus point

try last week. Well taken by a Rush. Cardiff at sixes and sevens. Nicely

set up, back inside again. Then Blair thought about the past. --

Ben. Interesting start. A bit of a able to get his hands on it --

Spence contesting that. A bit of an Oxford, the first scrum of the

evening. It will go to the Cardiff New Zealand. A couple of pounds

heavier. Free-kick against the blaze. Diack takes it, not sure if

Cardiff were back to 10 metres. Quick ball for Ulster. Ripped out

of his grasp. Brady with the tackle. Tenses of getting that elusive 100

per cap are probably beyond him. -- the chances of getting. Two Ulster

errors have cost them possession. Not such a good pass, Martyn

That shock of black hair leaning in. Lee Williams charge on by Pienaar.

Advantage to the Blues. What a let- off for them. It be easily have

been an Ulster try. Dan Parks. George Clancy, good advantage,

Ulster have the line-out. bullies signalling their return --

intent. -- the Cardiff Blues signalling their intent. Had the

bounce favoured him a bit more Ulster could have been under the

sticks. Had his juggling skills been as good as a Robbie Diack's

last week it would have been an El the Ulster try. Good, concentrated

to driving by the Ulster pack. Martyn Williams is always getting

in the way. Pienaar, Humphreys. Well picked up by Humphreys. Paddy

Wallace, good support from Willie Faloon. Humphreys, again. Spence.

Good, solid Cardiff midfield defence. Tom Court. The pressure

coming from Ulster. Chris Henry back skippering the Ulster side.

The referee is happy with that. Back inside, the dancing Gilroy.

Somebody has killed it. A penalty to concede possession. A couple of

turnovers bring it undone. Gilroy prominent again, Martyn Williams

proving a nuisance. All stay infringing as a result of the

breakdown. Spence, typical committed performance, a total

disregard for his body as he hurls positioning. Irish qualified.

Pienaar, Humphreys. John Afoa. Again, Humphreys. That pushes

Cardiff back into the 22. Ulster have managed to gain very well in

ensuring it has been played down in Cardiff territory. Pressure coming.

An opportunity for also to put pressure on us Cardiff line-out. --

For Ulster to put pressure. Cardiff have decided to shorten the line-

out, only five men. Two little pots, one at the front and one at the

got any run his -- runners here, still inside the 22. Scott Andrews,

22 years of age come up already capped a couple of times by Wales

Diack, but isn't bolster line-out. You can see by the assistant's flag

on the near side that the breeze is favouring Ulster at the moment and

they have to make use of that. is always a good indication of the

mind set of teams when they do those extra little 1%, could line

speed defence, chasing those potential charge down opportunities

infringing on the ground, going off the feet. Two good positions given

away by Ulster. George Clancy being shop about that, he hasn't spoken

to Chris Henry about the possibility of a card for

persistent say. I will try to see who went off his feet. Was it to

he? -- TUPE. You are in the right place on the pitch, it creates

those pressure for the opposition. This is the closest Cardiff has

been to the halfway line since the stand on the line. In line with the

touch judge. Three little infringements. Asking Ulster to

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observed the one-metre gap. Who into that rhythm. They like to play

in those wide channels, just unable to break down what has been an

excellent Ulster defence this season. At the top of the game we

thought Ulster may have the edge in the forward pack and they tried to

assert that dominance initially through the set piece. Gavin Henson,

30 years of age and only 33 caps to his credit. He should have been

hanging on in the tackle. No, it was a man falling on the ground

according to George Clancy. And a bit of obstruction as well. Great

following up by a Willie Faloon. James was dumped on the ground, he

was not held at that stage so he was allowed to go forward but one

or two Cardiff men taking out some would-be Ulster tacklers.

Cardiff Blues may be agreed by that decision but it is an opportunity

for all Stow. They have applied pressure in the first ten minutes

and they will welcome the opportunity to be first on the

his league appearances but Ulster. Having misfired a couple of times

from good field positions Ulster have their reward, leading by

three-nil and we have played about 12 minutes. Ulster will be

conscious with the wind at their backs that they need to make the

most of the opportunities. They will be offensive -- they will be

concerned with the offensive penalties they have given away

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be something on on the outside. Again it has been spilled. The

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referee was playing advantage to give away the penalty. What is that,

four penalty is so far? Yes, having some issues with ball in hand at

the breakdown. There is not enough support players getting to Gilroy

on that occasion. Just losing the footing in the outside channel and

support players unable to get there could enough. Gilroy was isolated.

The first bit, Rush taking that ball into contact. The Cardiff

Blues have looked a little indecisive in attack, forced into a

few errors by the Ulster defence. Rush showing them the direct route.

Now 34, one of his net -- he won his first All Black captain 1998,

did not get another one until 2004, when he played all seven games a

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look. It is going to be an Ulster line-out. 16 and a half minutes

gone, just three points between them. Ulster would settle for that.

There is a lot left in this game, both teams kicking a huge amount of

ball. You can understand Ulster doing yet come a with the wind at

their back, trying to establish field position. The Cardiff Blues

trying to kick more out of uncertainty but at this stage

three-nil down, with the big wind, getting penalised at the breakdown.

Chris Henry is going to be spoken to about this. What is George

Clancy going to say? REFEREE: You want have a think about that.

George Clancy is quite right, four or five penalties, it has been a

Ulster's own possession. That was not the incident. Here is Afoa.

Have a look at that. He is adjudicating, the Ulster players

are coming in from the side. It is a huge amount of penalties to be

giving away in an attacking context. Usually there is a bit of leeway

given to the attacking team. I am sure Ulster will be quite surprised

at the volume of decisions that have gone against them whilst they

minded, you could give us your quarter, Ulster have dominated but

by Diack, he has done it again. George Clancy made go upstairs to

Paul Adams but I have a feeling Diack has got another try for

Ulster. First impressions would indicate. They will check the

grounding. The Blues have used to roll well in the line-out, very

quick on the ground, they're going to check this grounding and it

looks like Diack is in control of that as he gets across the line.

he is well in control, Robbie Diack. He hasn't started too many seasons

-- too many games this season. may awarded the try. Paul Adams

saying you may award the tried and down a marker, has put down to the

market. It shows the incredible depth Ulster have in that position.

Excellent soccer skills to promote the ball down the pitch and the

pace to get there first. He is as seriously big, athletic archetypal

South African back row forward, Bobby Diack. So for the second week

in a row he has got Ulster's Ulster as a special project player,

uncapped by South Africa. There was the overthrow. That was the rather

untidy scoop back under way when Cardiff determined to respond

immediately, George Clancy having a look. Somebody would go to the bin,

Dan Parks. Andrews the trying to quickly. Andrews, Tom James outside

the Blues press forward. Ulster has pressed defence up very quickly, it

changed of tactic and angle by Williams. The referee is giving a

penalty to the Blues. Pienaar tackling his opposite number

without the ball, this leads regulation for Dan Parks. A very

good passage of play from the Blues. Rarely do you see more than two or

three players going into the ruck situation. That allows them plenty

of support players and they try to play that high-tempo game getting

the ball away. The reason for that penalty playing the half-back is

the adjudication on that. Dan Parks in his second season with the Blues

playing his dirty game. He has played more than 300 points -- his

30th game. A good kick by Dan Parks. Three points on the board for

Cardiff Blues. Five points between them. Important psychologically

they got some points on the board. They haven't spent much time down

in the Ulster half. Ulster have dominated. If they hadn't turned

over possession at crucial times and had such a high penalty count

you would have expected them to be further ahead given possession and

territory statistics. Well taken by Michael Paterson. Parks having a go

himself. Thunderous tackle by Ulster. Martyn Williams on the

wrong side, there's a surprise. Hence an outside his 22. -- Gavin

With this wind at the back will they get more points? They will

feel they deserve it but they will realise there is a lot more to go

in this game, they will have to adjust their tactics in the second

half. Ulster line-out, Brady. Back to Brady who took the pass from

Pienaar. Ulster stay on their feet. John Afoa. Again, look forward by

Ulster. Not only Ulster conceding penalties, they have lost the ball

at least four times in contact. That is not acceptable. I am sure

the outside backs are getting frustrated. Good field position.

The ball just going slightly behind. Swarmed defence. Just those basic

week and over the ensuing weeks. Live in Belfast next Friday for the

Six penalties conceded by Ulster. Parks. Cardiff still inside their

own half but they have possession. That was very interesting, was Tom

Court penalised? Ulster would have targeted Gazprom area as something

comes stealing up. The tackle by off the ground to get the scrum of

they can. Cardiff have managed to Not a bad clearance kick by Ian

Whitten. It is a Cardiff ball. What an interesting decision. Dan Parks,

a controversial selection for Scotland's opening game in the Six

Nations Championships and when things didn't go his way he decided

enough with all that. Tyrrell for Cardiff. Look at Williams trying to

get across Willie Faloon. Paddy Wallace has to kick. Outside his 22.

Ben Blair covers well. He had to really go for that, he was on his

way, with three Blues players, added that that was deliberate. One

of those marginal calls. Did the right thing. A huge overlap

developing outside. Had he kept that off defensively the police

would have been away. Correct shoulders are above the hips in the

scrummage. The pitch is a wee bit on the soft side. Good squeeze by

all stuff. Good support by Tom Jones and Martyn Williams. Gavin

Haynes and lent his weight to things. Great stuff by Chris Henry

on the ground -- Gavin Henson. Ulster skipper very nearly stole

the valuable piece of possession. The halfway line. The tackle was by

Ulster. Wallace and Gilroy with the pincer tackle. Still there for the

Blues. Jonnie Bell will be pleased with Ulster's defence so far.

Cardiff Blues still in possession. Ulster might have tended over, here

is Pienaar. Paddy Wallace got slightly in the way. -- turned it

over. A really good piece of work at the breakdown by Ulster. Their

line speed has been superb, they have got an appetite for it. Some

great work on the ground initially by Chris Henley. The sheer strength

of Tom Court was able to get down and up again and that forced the

turnover. Tom James very good at close quarters. Great supporters,

the vastly experienced Martyn Williams. Look at Henry that. --

Williams and Xavier Rush out of the line-out. Michael Paterson at the

front. Passed back inside. Well taken by Terblanche. Gets across

the halfway line. He has made the right distance and probably the

right decision. The wind at their backs, Ulster are playing

conservative, not playing any rugby in the rain defensive to third --

third's, wanting to apply pressure through that system they have

implemented. John Yapp having a word with Ryan Terrill. 11th game

for the blaze. -- 11th game for inside so Lloyd-Williams looking

for a runner. Good protection of the ball by the home pack. Cardiff

will be happy to turn round this five points adrift. Well taken by

Whitten. That is awful. I thought it came of a Cardiff player. A bit

of extra hesitation by Stefan Terblanche. There were options.

Plenty of time. Just as he was thinking of the little floating

pass he was hit from behind by Gavin Henson. Perhaps you might

have got a ball away a little quicker. One of those Blues

defences, he may have been getting in the way. Terblanche try to

manoeuvre, hit from behind in a well-timed tackle by Hanson.

the season. Ulster put the foot on the gas. Lloyd-Williams, Paterson.

The referee having a glance to see outside, that was quite nice.

Ulster get away from the tackle. Gavin Henderson, nicely done. Then

Blair came through at a sweet little angle. Better stuff from

Cardiff until that moment. Paterson set it up again, a busy night.

Ulster a man down. Robbie Diack. Better stuff now from the Blues.

Stopped by Nevin Spence. Diack seems to be fine again. George

Clancy did say release the ball on the ground. The Cardiff man had

possession didn't release it. passage of play by the Blues. Also

defensively up to the mark once again. Just very well organised,

form the basics of line speed and when they get into position to

affect tackle be doing very well. Looking to try to hold the play

Europe where possible. The Blues just not able to get off the hands

of that ball and hanging on, the penalty resulting. Lloyd-Williams

could have set something of, not the greatest pass in the world.

Good skills by Gavin Haynes and able to skip that ball up. Robbie

Diack was down and then got up again, it seems to have got a bit

of a bump. Sitting up again. I line-out of the half so far they

incandescent with annoyance if not rage with the ease with which

Ulster have been stripped of the ball at the breakdown, the way they

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worried about done to re, who is getting his left, right leg looked

at -- two re. There is a vociferous Ulster support here. Once again it

was Dan Parks who could not get the clearing kick away. An excellent

catch by Brady and then Henson taking a highly speculative option

in his own 22 and clearly his team would have preferred that was off

the park and deep down the pitch. Barker walking -- warming up on the

side of the pitch as there is further concern for TUPE. -- TUPE.

He is getting treatment. Ruan Pienaar is the focus of attention,

he scored the opening penalty. Mr Rhys but tricky conversion attempt

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gets the penalties. Seven penalties conceded by it Ulster in this half.

Will Cardiff go for the point? I think they will have to. Running

out of time, you would think they would go for the three point option.

The TMO has told George Clancy that there are 40 seconds remaining. And

also a man on the ground, very difficult for Whitten to get out of

the way but I'm not sure he was making much of an attempt and they

have opted to goes for the penalty through Dan Parks. It is not

difficult to think what the topic of half-time conversation will be

with Ulster, those turnovers in crucial positions and the penalty

count. Coaches tend to use double digits as a rule-of-thumb. You

don't want to hit the ten mark and Ulster are well on the way to it in

the first half. They need to figure out what they're doing incorrectly

according to the referee and correct it in but the second half.

It may not be illegal but as far as the referee is concerned it is

illegal and that is what they have really should not have conceded

those three points and that may well be crucial. It comes right

down to it, Diack with as the only try of the first half and at half-

time at the Arms Park, Ulster crucial game for both sides. It

does not look too bad. What a good kick by Pienaar was depressing he

has got it, a great try, he has done it again. The second week in a

road. That is a good kick by Dan Parks. Up go the flags. Ulster now

are eight points. That is a fair indication of the strings of the

wind. There is a vociferous Ulster support here. Once again, Dan Parks

could not get the clearing kick So at half-time Ulster lead Cardiff

by 11-six. With the wind at their tails come a will that be enough

for the second half? We shall see. Don't forget to let us know what do

you think of Ulster's performance so far, details of how you can

contact us should be on your screen in a second. You can contact us by

text, Facebook and Twitter. We look forward to hearing from you. Tony,

Andy, the one thing that dozens and dozens of people have been

contacting the programme what answered is what is going on at the

breakdown for Ulster tonight? I think it is a combination of two

things. The referee's interpretation of it, they are

going off their feet, but for me I think the referee has a role to

play in this. George Clancy, I don't particularly think he fancies

Costa too much. Heat is on the edge. If you look at the Cardiff rucking,

it is no different for what Ulster has been penalised for. He seems to

be blowing the whistle one way. They need to get the side sorted at

the breakdown but I think it is a two-way street and he's has to

start blowing it fairly. It has been scrappy from Ulster but they

have dominated possession and deserve to be in front of stock

very much so. 11-three is a fair reflection more than 11-six. Dan

Parks kicked, they will be happy, they played a simple game, the

scrum and line-out have gone well. They have relied on what has been a

very impressive defensive line and have turned over the ball well and

take and two or three penalties from Cardiff not releasing an does

Andy says, a lot of this is down to either the ball carrier becoming

isolated with the support play then being slowed to get to him and then

obviously the referee's interpretation of what is going on

as well but Ulster will be happy and I'd like to think they will

have a few more points' gap between the two teams. Another impressive

performance from Diack. Why haven't we see more of him in a white shirt

for Ulster? It is getting a chance. He is a fantastic athlete. Scrum-

half is not slow and he outstripped him for pace. A point to prove

tonight? He has, he has been waiting in the shadows for a long

time. This is his opportunity, this is what he has been capable of. He

is a tasty player, he has the skills as he proved last week as

well. He has the ability to finish into contact, not quite as physical,

but his all-round game is good. he is possibly a bit more of -- on

top of the ground sort of player, he likes to have all hand, working

wider channels them what Ulster have looked for. They can play a

tightly with Chris Henry for opening up the space. The breakdown

we have discussed briefly already and that we are going to look at

some examples. Ulster penalised heavily in this area, rightly or

wrongly in your opinion? It is there, he is trying to take the

players out. He hardly got to ground. That one there in fairness

is a little bit, he is trying to clean the guys out on so it a

little bit. George Clancy is loving it, that was unfortunate, he did

not mean to slip there, he got on it. He got isolated. He did get

isolated, he had no option there. These are so quick, clean and out.

He almost blew that we should -- whistle before it happened. We need

to look at the other side as well. We did get the chance to see some

of the Cardiff Blue clean-out but we see an illustration in the

second half, will he be happy to blow them out as quick as in the

first half, probably not. A lot of people on Twitter say that the back

row has good balance with Robbie Diack and a natural open-side with

Willie Faloon, so why was a natural, openside is the breakdown proving

such a problem? Surely it should be showing improvement. You have two

classic open sides playing, they They make a mess of things, turn

the ball over and create chaos and mayhem. The referee is having

difficulty picking this up but again, you say people are

contacting and saying it is a good balance but the balance for meat is

given because Henry, who does the hard stuff, the darker arts that

you don't see, and they have an effective team this evening. Is it

a necessity of a luxury to have an absolute out-and-out open-side do

you think? I think it is a necessity. When the All Blacks

function as well as they did without Richard McCaw, probably not.

He is everywhere. Willie Faloon is not far off it, Henry, fairly

similar, both on the ball at the bottom. The balance tonight is

probably not where we would like it to be, there is not that power,

that strings that Ferris adds to this team, you know, so the balance

is probably not quite right but it is not far off. From watching the

game tonight you would kind of think that part of Costa's team

talk before the match was put Dan Parks under a bit of pressure,

remember that signing in the Calcutta Cup. That is his last game

outcome he has to have that at the thinking here, that was a big kick,

almost in the middle of the pitch. You can see the pressure, he is

hurrying those kicks, there is no doubt. He is a good striker. You

can see, oh my goodness, that could have been. He likes to sit in the

pocket as well, you don't have to do a lot defensively against him.

He sits so depend likes to kick. But when Ulster did win possession

back, here is another typical example of giving the ball away too

easily again. That ruck, if we went back to that, Cardiff flop straight

on the ball, dived on the ball, they are not supporting themselves

off the ground. Pienaar was complaining, thought it should have

been a penalty. I think so, he hasn't got the balance right from

We will pause for a couple of seconds. This week we caught up

with some of our Ulster players who made a special visit to St

Benedict's School in Randalstown A lot of the young lads up Gaelic

players, so it is Ulster rugby as a club coming down, trying to spread

rugby about and get the guys Getting close, they get the nearest

foot enclose, shoulder in, lock the arms around. Tackle like that.

These young guys have good hands. They have good ball skills which

can always transferring to rugby. I'm sure there is a lot of young

lads here that if they carry on what they are doing, they can make

it in rugby. In a school like ours young boys would traditionally be

playing Gaelic football, highland basketball, gymnastics, athletics,

but introduced rugby is another addition to the curriculum, we are

absolutely delighted. The young people are exposed to another sport,

a sport that might interest them, a sport they haven't experienced

before and schools are about providing experience for young

people that they don't necessarily pick-up in their own community.

Some of their skills are very good. To encourage them to pass the ball

a bit more, I'm very impressed. A lot of skills are transferable, I

was impressed with what the young You have to be a lot so long and

tough. A different type of ball but you get used to it after a while.

Tortoise a lot about how to play rugby. You are not going to take up

rugby? I will wait and see. If we keep casting the net further and

wider, especially into other areas of sport in Northern Ireland,

especially Again with Gaelic football being such a big sport, we

can pick up, you are looking for a small number from a lot to can come

through and add to the Ulster Academy and look to push on their

into the senior team. Good try. Very good project. You have been

developing a relationship with the antrum rugby team. A great bunch of

lads to work with. Am involved in the learning the game, asking

plenty of questions. Very enjoyable. They have a good work ethic,

something I enjoy. Looking ahead to the second half, have Ulster got a

big enough advantage? One of the big plus point is their defence has

been particularly good. It has been really strong. I would like to see

in the second half the pack can continue to generate the ball, sort

out the breakdown, dead giveaway as many penalties which has kept

Cardiff in this game by us giving them a ball back -- don't give away.

Scope for us to win this comfortably if we can get that

sorted out. A crucial 40 minutes for Ulster coming up. A win would

be key to making the top four. they sought out a few small issues

at the break down, get themselves onside, Cardiff have created

nothing in his half so Ulster need to go out, keep the ball, play

percentage rugby. They will be in with a good job. Parks is a danger

man. Ulster have probably given away more of the penalties for and

they have had the ball themselves. They have been the author of their

own downfall. They have been very sound defensively. Just make sure

maybe the ball-carrier fights to stay on his feet for half a second

longer and the support players get to him quicker. Simple things, the

half-backs are controlling the game quite nicely. It would be nice to

see the ball getting a bit whiter for the likes of Terblanche, they

haven't really had very much to do. After Gilroy is dazzling

introduction to the league last year teams have kind of work to

that little bit more. He has got to work harder to find those gaps.

Absolutely. They didn't know what to expect. He has just been

constantly getting better and better, tended to a cracking player,

superb finisher. Always knows where the try-line is a monster have a go.

That is brilliant. That has created his own defence.

Getting off to a quick start in the second half, put in some early. On

the board, could be crucial. nice to get a cushion, maybe a

score ahead so if we do give away a try or a penalty we know we are

still ahead. I think Brian will send the guys out with simple, they

have been happy to play the game, start, stop, in a way. Happy to put

the ball out and target their line- out, the scrum whenever we have had

a chance. Cardiff have tried but haven't shown too much. Have to try

and not push it too much. You can't afford to force this game, don't

try and win the first 10 minutes but lay a foundation. Try and build

some momentum going. Keep the ball, get your confidence up, start to

get a bit twitchy, they studied the silly things. Just press a mistakes.

Keep forcing the issue, but in the pressure on. Thanks a lot, let's go

back and join Ryan and gym. -- Jim go. Robbie Diack, scored the only

try of the game. In the was a bit at the end of the first half but

seems to be fine again. -- he was in the walls. Ulster inside their

22. The direct kick to touch can be employed. Pienaar up and down like

a meerkat has a glance. You will see the strength of that wind. Not

what Ulster wanted from the restart. Parks. This is not good defence by

Ulster. This brought here for Cardiff would set the cat amongst

the pigeons. Hill has made it available. Lloyd-Williams. Martyn

Williams. Rain Terrill. Busy start by Cardiff. Ulster has 75% of the

territory in the first half. Goods are bought by the front row.

Ulster's defence which has been good from set-pieces will have to

be better from broken play. Us that there have slowed it down, they

can't afford to give away a penalty. Lloyd-Williams, Parks. Cleverly

done, Ben Blair against a Terblanche. Blair squeezes was

alive. Ago that he has made it. It is very close. Parks in the corner.

The time they have made it. Just what Ulster didn't need. Just what

the Cardiff doctor ordered. No more international rugby for this fellow,

but he still knows his way to the try-line given half a sniff.

Excellent cohesive play by the Cardiff police. They went through

multiple phases and that tactic of getting quick ruck ball, committing

a few players but keeping numbers out there, that came to bear for

them. They just ran out of defenders, Parks skidded over in

the corner. You could always take these things back cafes or two. The

fact also didn't do that well from the restart, that allowed Cardiff

the chance. Blair was stopped tantalisingly short, Parks in the

corner. Does it matter how many faces you go through, if you're a

defensive line maintained its line speed and integrity. That is what

Ulster did in the first half. The police have managed to find a way

to break this first tackles, and it is difficult when Cardiff get back

quick quality ball to get your defensive lines. Parks, he scuffed

that one, but it is even. Look at all those blue players, lovely wide

pass. Terblanche did well to slow- burn Blair down. The former Scots

international as a couple of weeks ago got over.

Midway through the first half, but now the balance of favour has swung

in favour of the Cardiff Blues. Michael Paterson. Cardiff getting

behind their players. Williams, Parks will put a bid to it, I am

sure. Terblanche was very direct. A very good kick, what a cracking

kick by Parks. He looked up and sort Stefan Terblanche was

underneath his own post and no sign of anybody at right in the wing.

What a cake. That is the real threat to Ulster. Dan Parks With

the wind at his back getting good quality ball. He will look ticketed

as corners. A lot of experience. -- he will look to kick at corners.

Look for Cardiff to employ their take another six. Good work by the

Ulster pack. They are now playing into a stiffish breeze. If they are

going to kick, they have ticket sensibly. -- they have to kick.

Heroes Blair again, dangerous. Gavin Henson. Back inside. Still

going. Support from Williams. It is all Cardiff. This next five or six

minutes will be a real test of Ulster's metal. Cardiff have been

coming out and playing some inspired rugby, coming into the

ball from pace, that offensive line with a lot more vigour. When it

works for them, they get over the advantage line, creating minimal

numbers at that break down, quick quality ball, they are a dangerous

team. Start missing tackles, they get into the rhythm, difficult to

stop. John Afoa down injured for Ulster. Paddy McAllister is warming

up behind the post. But I'm not sure if he is coming on. There is

the Cardiff coach. Must be pretty happy with the start of the second

half by his side. They have bounced come up to the mark. Free-kick

against Ulster. Early engagement, there goes Xavier Rush. TTA wants

to take it quickly. Cardiff might gone -- Paul Tito wanted to do

quickly. Advantage to Ulster. Willie Faloon get it away. Well

set-up. Humphreys, wit and outsider. Good work. Great tackle by a rash.

international. Martyn Williams, in the middle of all that. Wallis gets

away, need a bit of help. He is going to go back inside, good stuff.

Still there for Ulster. Craig Gilroy, back to Pienaar. Need a bit

of support. Beattie through by Cardiff. The try was there for the

taking -- it was booted through. He guns were done. He is just going to

run straight. And does so effectively. Nicely set up by the

have taken them back into the lead and they gave away the penalty.

Excellent break by Paddy Wallace showing his international class.

Ulster are disappointed they finished -- didn't finish of that

clean break. From the resultant turnovers in possession of stab

once again been pained at the breakdown, the trend continuing.

Punished even more now they are playing into the wind. Dan Parks

with a luxury of the ball -- wind at his back. Look at that, lovely

little dummy. Step back inside. Plenty of gas thereby Paddy Wallace.

He did have men there with him. Pienaar was there, that should have

again. That has gone least, play on, Cardiff side. Parks, task master at

the practical kick. He does produce some of the little things that

remind you what a good player he was. You don't play 67 times for

your adopted country for nothing. You can't underestimate the

psychological boost that gives this forward pack who have been under

pressure from the Ulster eight. When they see that all sailing down

deep into Ulster's 22 you can just see their body language running for

which is the accepted norm throughout the game. We have played

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 53 seconds

unknown reason. There will be a line-out to the blues. Excellent

work by Chris Henry at the breakdown, managing to turn that

pall over and eased the pressure for Ulster. -- turn the ball over.

Richie Rees coming on at scrum-half, probably at the behest of the Welsh

management. Lloyd Williams, although he was a replacement for

the opening Six Nations games and did get some game time last time

out, will be needed next weekend, so he has done his 50 minutes and

Richie Rees, another Welsh international was nine caps, has

forward and it was gathered by a Cardiff player. The penalty to

Ulster. If they are into a strong wind, I'm not sure if Ulster will

go for the posts. There was the knock forward, grabbed another

reflex action, you can't blame a reflex action -- you can't blame a

player for doing that. I have always said it is a silly law. Ian

Humphreys has found his touch and there is an Ulster injury. It is

Diack. I think it is his hand this time. Given Ulster's performance

with the driving maul from a line- out that we saw in the first half,

they may well be tempted to do the same at try and work there over

from close quarters. Paddy McAllister coming on for Auster --

Ulster, to win his 35th cap. Off goes Tom Court. He has served his

period of time and you do have the feeling you don't know what is

going on between Ulster and national management. It is Nigel

Brady for Ulster, a crucial line- ball that the Ulster back division

oh dear. The error count is high. Cardiff are going to bring on the

instantly recognisable Molitika. From Tonga. Yes, looking to get

through that tackle, pops the ball out, it is a marginal decision that

has gone against Ulster, trying to change the quality of that

possession of from that's a load driving around the corner and

Cardiff Blues try and keep the momentum they have enjoyed in the

second half by the introduction of some its fresh legs. Molitika will

come on and going to the back row at number six and I'm pretty sure

that Michael Paterson, as he has done so many times this season and

last season, will go into the second row with Tito. -- Tighthead.

Hill has played well and is a prospect. There is a stoppage by an

Ulster player. The clock has stopped was nearly 14 minutes

played in the second half. It was 11-16 Ulster at the interval, a try

by Diack, penalties by Pienaar, penalties from Parks, who scored

did try immediately after the restart. Diack has passed his hand

bandaged, I hope -- Diack has had his hand bandaged, I hope it is not

is the address for the Twitter feet. with it yet again. Dan Parks does

like to take his time and Ulster squeeze on Cardiff, anything would

suit them to try to restore the lead of says. -- their lead. Ulster

give away a penalty number 11. Well, it has been desperately unfortunate

for Ulster. A wonderful piece of play yet again by this time Paddy

Wallace, but the ball was very kind in terms of the bounds for Parks.

George Clancy certainly would be accused of any bias towards an

Irish team, the penalty count escalating for Ulster and huge

pressure reliever for Cardiff Blues. bundle of points when he played his

first game for the All Blacks at forward by Carbeth. Did what and

knock it forward or backward? Yes, the scrum is going to Ulster.

Whitten was right there, he leaned into it a bit too much. Typical

swirling in the breeze, having to run from a long distance to get to

it. Ulster will be released. Midfield, plenty of attacking

options presenting themselves and Ulster need to find a way into this

game in the second half. The opening 60 minutes has been

dominated by the Blues. -- 16 minutes. 11 apiece, Brian

McLaughlin might settle for that but really, they were really

realistic expectations of an Ulster win on the road and if they lose

this one it means they will have gone through the entire season not

winning on Welsh soil. Djabe seems to have been around for ever. --

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 53 seconds

a blog by Ulster, the referee has Gavin Henson event called up. A

lovely break, a try for Cardiff. It is Tom James. Cardiff take the lead

for the first time in this game as we reached the one our market

Cardiff get their second try and their tails now will be up. Cardiff

have found a way to one lock the Ulster defence in the second half.

They could not do it in the first half but they have got those

mismatches, they're taking it to the advantage line with more venom

and a wonderful angled run there, Tom James, put it -- prolific try-

scorer, he goes in for another one. 16-11. Tom James romps home. This

is his 36th try for Cardiff and his in from another Ulster error. Chris

Henry's Ulster side have a lot to do now to pull something out of

this game. It is crucial for Ulster gets in time and possession in

opposition territory. They haven't been able to dictate the pace of

this game. They have been on the back foot defensively. The ball

carriers of the Blues, the likes of Rush, are starting to penetrate the

defence, get over the advantage line at once they start doing that

and the tempo of the game lifts, they are a very difficult team to

stop. Tyrrell has left the field, Rhys Thomas, capped 27 times for

Wales, Claire was going off, Czekaj, another man who has caused problems

in the past, is coming on. -- Blair the knock forward. You could see

what Ian Humphreys was trying to do, get through the tackle and offload

around the corner, but just hit there, dislodging the ball and once

again it is the Blues who have possession. They have dominated

this second half from the whistle. They have been on the front foot

half, 11-six at half-time. Since the interval the Blues have 12

unanswered points, two tries, one made his international debut in 97

back ahead of Ulster he would drop to at least 6th place. Ulster will

start to look to their bench, you feel, with momentum going against

them. Probably time for the introduction of Paul Marshall, we

can see the impact he can get on the game and they need to do

something to change the way this is going. It is drawing towards an

inevitable conclusion of a Blue's victory unless something is done to

change the momentum. Squeeze by McAllister, said the rush. --

Xavier Rush. Penalty against Ulster. Good offload. Play on, says the

referee, advantage is over. Ulster have to get this into touch. Poor

tackle by Humphreys. A little hand went out there by Humphreys.

Penalty against them, that will be a yellow card. Off he goes. Ulster,

seven points adrift, down to 14 men. Marshall is coming on, and Kyriacou.

They made us hold fire on that for the time being. They can't change

Humphreys because he is off the field. Are just going for that

intercept on the inside, knocking the ball down. A straight yellow

card for those offences. Marshals introduction, you think, will be

held back for a further 10 minutes. Kyriacou substitution will go ahead.

A little bit rash from Richie Rees. They have got a second opportunity

to get that through. Parks nails this and there will be 10 points

between them. What a serious dent this would be in terms of their

semi-final expectations. Would you believe it, Dan Parks has missed

going to be a double substitution - - the referee can wait. Andy

Kyriacou has come on. His 52nd Ulster cap. Pienaar gets it away.

The normal when the opposition is down to 14 men is somewhere between

six and 10 points. Cardiff will want to try to get his home. Here

come the Blues. A real spring in their step. Good solid hit by Chris

Henry, their skipper. Ferocious hand-off into the face of Nevin

Spence. Willy Faloon just a diving. The initial knock forward might

have been by Cardiff. It will be an Ulster feet to this scrum. Trying

to find a way to get possession. Trying to hold back this tidal wave

of blue which keeps charging about defensive line led by Xavier Rush.

He is a bit of a handful, isn't he? Drives forward, took Paddy

McAllister and Lewis Stevenson all their time together to bring him

down. Baguettes and the front foot ball, over the advantage line. --

that gets them up. The half-backs can dictate how the game is played.

Most importantly, where the game is played. They have done that very

well in the second half, Cardiff Blues. Pienaar is having a little

bland. Xavier Rush was due to start with Ulster at this season but they

signed Vandenburg, a moot point as to which they would be signing.

Second game in a road missed because of injury. Having only

missed two games in the entire two seasons to date. Straightforward

run-in for the second try for the Afoa's knee was on the ground. I

think the assistant on the far side had the flat out for that. A

nonsense decision. Afoa has pretty much dominated every opponent he

has been up against. There has been some quality ones through that

Heineken Cup campaign. He must be bamboozled how the referee

adjudicated three penalties against Irish bias in this game. Parks

missed a fairly straightforward, this is much more suited to a

right-footed kicker, is that any better? It is a belter. Good strike

by Parks. Getting more and more difficult for Ulster now. 10 points

adrift. Paul Marshall has come on the field. Interesting to see what

is happening. They are making another unusual substitution.

Feeling they need to get Marshall into this game, brought off Robbie

Diack and they will take their chances were the last few minutes

until they make a reintroduction which will probably be Michael

McComish or somebody else in the forward pack. They might bring on

Tim Parker. -- Tim Barker. Paul Marshall coming on. Amazingly, his

51st consecutive match-day squad which am sure must be some kind of

record. I'm sure somebody will correct me. Marshall to feed the

scrum. Still time for Ulster but they need something pretty quickly.

Marshall gets it away, now Pienaar. Chris Henry in there quickly.

Ulster, Marshall again. Penalty to Ulster. They must take the three

points. At least I am assuming they will. Still enough time on the

clock. They have got to be conscious there is a point on offer

for losing by less than seven, not that there is their ambition but if

you had your bet at this point in the game they need to halt the

scoring sequence of the Blues and get some point on the board for

themselves. 4th in 10 minutes remaining. -- 10 minutes remaining.

Pienaar and Ulster within bonus point range. Michael McComish seems

to be warming up. Pienaar, three more points. Three more points for

Ulster. Nine-and-a-half minutes remaining. Canberra McLaughlin's

men do it? -- can. -- Canon Brian McLaughlin. Ulster need some

possession. They have been without it for almost half an hour. That is

nicely done. Better staff. D'Arcy on the outside. The tackle was by

hence an initially. -- Gavin thought it was a penalty he was

giving for knocking forward. Michael McComish not yet on. Just

waiting for that 10 minutes to elapse. Midfield scrum. Ulster will

have to play a bit more speculatively. Perfect opportunity

to do so with a midfield scrum. Just need to ensure they get a

quality of possession from this week. -- feed. Seven points between

them. Ulster are too close to their M20 to for comfort. Ian Whitten has

Ghanian on the flank of the scrum. -- Ian Whitten has gone in. Good

Penalty to Ulster taken quickly by Marshall. McAllister. Well taken by

McAllister. Ulster spill the ball. It just hasn't been Ulster's

evening in terms of the ability to retain possession. The penalty Catt

has been pretty high, although that has been cut back quite a while --

for quite some time. A staff turnover around 17 balls and

attacked the Blues 14 themselves, not the highest quality game. Some

excitement in the second half once the police got into their stride.

Ulster will be been there -- bemoaning the fact they tend ever

so much possession coupled with a high penalty count hasn't allowed

them any fluidity in their game, probably didn't get enough points

in the first half with the wind at their back and that has been

brought home to roost with the scoreline in the second half.

Wales and Lions centre having a look at his colleagues, must be

pretty happy. Six-and-a-half minutes remaining. In the lead by

seven points. Ulster's bonus point when last week against the Dragons

saw them leapfrog the Blues. Defeat tonight would see them sink back

down the table. A lot of tricky start for the police. As has fellow

prop, John Yapp. Thomas in the Bullies getting an early squeeze on,

Richie Rees, Dan Parks. -- the Blues. Very good kick. Mike

McComish is coming on. The Blues will be a where they don't have to

do anything fancy, they have got a seven-point lead, the wind at their

back, their will kick for possession, muscle up defensively

and look for any per know their defence to add points or a penalty

to knock three moreover -- look for employee the defence. Afoa Gibernau

room whatsoever. -- Gibernau no go except the ground, outside his

22 -- There is no where really. Less than five minutes to go.

Ulster losing bonus point at this stage, that could change. Well

taken by Paddy Wallace. Here is Gilroy. Cardiff really squeeze in

Ulster. Ulster don't want to kick because they give away possession

but they may be forced to kick to get away from here. McAllister

nearly dropped it. Four minutes remaining now, a wee bit less than

back. James thought he was in for his second. He will have to come

back. The infringement was spotted by the assistant on the near side,

hunts all round for Tom James but the try it is not going to stand --

hugs all round. It would have buried Ulster completely. It looked

like the right decision from certs -- first thoughts on it. Just the

offload on it as Parks came at a deceptive angle, maybe, hard to see

from that angle, it may have been an acceptable pass. Difficult to

tell. The Blues, it probably won't cost them the game at this stage,

may have taken Ulster out of the bonus point range. Ulster hanging

on to that losing bonus point. I think it was just nudged forward by

Kevin Evans, who came straight down, but the assistant judge it was

Henry. If Ulster get this, they will have to put width on it.

difficult when you are playing that deep in your own territory. Ulster

tried. You probably have to kick with a view to getting that ball

back. Ulster will probably go down the road. Again, George Clancy

penalising Afoa on the front row and the All Black looks at him

incredulously. Parks, I am pretty sure, will go for the post. Rees

walks back, I don't think he will be asked to kick. This would kill

the game in terms of an Costa fight back and killed the game in terms

of Ulster getting a losing bonus point and Parks almost thought he

was going to go for the kick to touch but indicated he is going for

the posts. This thing about this kick is when it -- whether it goes

over or not they will not be any more time soak Ulster may get the

losing bonus point of Parks is not hasn't made it. Less than 40

seconds or so for all Stow, they have to get the restart kicks right,

they have to retain -- regain possession and do something special.

A converted try would win them the game but I don't reckon there is

going to be much chance of that. The man of the Match award has gone

to Rush. Ulster have given away Rush for the man of the match award.

He blows his whistle to herald the end of what has been a very

disappointing trip to Cardiff and indeed a very disappointing season

of -- on Welsh soil for this Ulster side, who have serious aspirations

of a semi-final spot. Those aspirations may be realised but it

is going to get harder from here on in. You think they may have to

reset their sights, a top two finished now starts to look very

difficult. They will look for the top four but turnovers of penalties

was the story of this game for he has done it again. The second

week in a raid. Cleverly done, against Terblanche. The article by

Terblanche. I don't think he has made it. Parks in the corner, they

have made it. No need for the TMO. Just when it -- just what Ulster

didn't need. Parks recovers. Gavin Henson, a lovely break. But try for

Cardiff and to guess who it is, Tom Well, it's very frustrating second

half but Ulster. Cardiff's move above Ulster by two points with a

game in hand, Ulster dropped to 6th place. Watching that with me, Tony

Ward and Andy Met what a. Even Andy Ward and Tony McWhirter. It has

been one of those nights. A dreadful second half but Ulster.

Yes, the start of the end of the second half, Cardiff had not come

out and fired a shot, they played all the rugby in the last part and

thoroughly deserved it. Yes, everything we said at half-time

went well in the second half just did not work and defensively it was

a catalogue of missed tackles, they did not offer anything apart from

one break. We said Costa needed to come out of the blocks quickly but

it was opposite, it was Cardiff who came out all cylinders firing --

Ulster needed to come out of the box quickly. This was the restart,

a poor start from the Costa perspective. Nothing down the short

side. They don't get easier than we're guilty of not putting anybody

down the blindside and anybody can score from that range. Even though

the score board did not reflect it it really did feel like an uphill

struggle for Ulster? Absolutely, the refereeing standard continued

into the second half. I did not think it was a great show. Why not?

Yet again it was complete inconsistency at the breakdown. A

forward pass was made for tries, it turned the game on its head, 11-11

or one point, clearly a forward pass but bad tackling. Ian

Humphreys had to make this tackle here on the player. He was caught

ball-watching. That was a forward pass. Right in front of the referee,

appalling. Tony, do you agree? there is probably a slightly better

Wrangle here but Ian has to make that tackle. It is no good jumping

up, clinic it is a forward pass, you have to play to the whistle.

was ball-watching, he knew he had made a mistake, you have to tackle

and he did not make it. This gives you a better angle. The space that

is shadowed, it is a nice straight angle but the tackle is there to be

made, the fullback has no chance at this stage after they bust the

initial line. After such a good defensive performance in the first

half by a Ulster, where did it go wrong in the second half? It is

hard to put a finger on it. I don't think they fired a shot. In

fairness to Cardiff they came out of the blocks in the second half

come far more so than other side did in the first half. They upped

You saw the big players come to the fore, Rush got stepped up to the

plate, he allowed that to happen. The current five started getting in

amongst it, Afoa was the only guy who stood out. How was a Afoa, a

World Cup winner, penalised four times by the referee? It is crazy,

I can't. You have no answer for that. For a touch judge who is 20

or 30 metres away to call it for Afoa straight away, it baffles me.

Ulster did have the chances, a great break by Paddy Wallace?

the second half, a dummy in goal here. Good speed and acceleration.

We would love to have seen Miss finished off, too many beds at the

cherry and the wrong option. The ball got spilled, Cardiff hacked

down the field and were clear and we were back where we started. We

could have buried that chance. As it was it did not happened. Paddy

put his hand up and tried, one of those occasions where a bit more

communication from the support player's would have given them an

option. This ruck he had to be a ruck now. He forced the last pass

because they were back-pedalling. We got a nice ruck going, they are

back-pedalling, at sixes and sevens defensively, that is when you

wanted to pass. Dan Parks charged down again but what happened after

that? Do you sit that highlights the inconsistencies and the referee

in? We talked about the state in which the Ulster players were so-

called diving on the rucks. If we look at the Cardiff guys here, they

jumped straight on top. That is absolutely no different to what

happened in the first half as Forest Ulster was concerned. Here

comes T Tote Crom Estate on, that is a penalty right there. -- here

comes Tito. Cardiff get the penalty. Yes, Williams is calling the

referee, come on, come by, those guys could not get out, the

momentum took them there. What do you think of Martyn Williams

tonight and the amount of talking he did to the referee? It was

constant. I can't understand the guys who talk to referees. I spent

It is not a part of rugby, you don't see people doing it as much

as that. Probably not, Martyn Williams is a world class player,

probably slowed down and lost a couple of yards of pace but he is

in the right place at the right time and making crucial decisions

and he is completely is fluent -- influencing the referee. He got

away with it tonight. Humphreys' performers tonight, what

did you make of it? The second half, he let himself down a little bit.

We will see from the clubs coming to make. That is a poor attempt

right there. This is not much braver. You have to make those

tackles. These guys, this is a professional game, not only does

someone else have to do his tackling for him, he makes a silly

mistake at puts the team under more pressure, down to 14 men, team

coming forward, crazy. The yellow- card is given, they made a

substitution. He will be disappointed but that is a facet of

his game he can work on. Ulster struggling to make the top four now

but after watching that away performance tonight, how would you

assess their chances in their biggest away game this season,

which is going to be a European Cup There is the difference between the

full-strength Ulster team, Rory Best, back into the set of four.

There is not much difference with the team last week. We said at the

top of the programme, Ulster haven't won in Wales this season

and tonight has compounded that. Ulster at home are different. We

have seen them at full strength travelling away in Europe at away

to Leicester, at Clermont Auvergne, they can back-up performances and

pull out the big game when they have to. It will take a massive

effort. Ulster needed to test team about, we had no real out and out

solid ball carriers going forward. We said at the start they seemed to

have more strength and depth but sadly tonight it did not manifest

itself in their performance. We did not get much football, you are

quite right. A lot of credit has to go to Cardiff, the second half,

they stepped up to the mark, they got it going forward and cancelled

out stuff that Ulster were looking to try to do and they did not do it.

We needed to keep the ball in hand. The last ten minutes Ulster were

conceding ground with the ball in hand and it can only go one way.

Does it feel like Ulster will have to win every game remaining to make

it into the top four? I would imagine so, they will have to start

with the big one against the Ospreys next week. They have had a

decent win in Italy tonight and they will have confident. It is one

game at a time. Ulster have to make sure if they qualify for the top

four, or win next Friday is imperative and let's hope it can be

five points as well. It could come down to bonus points at the end of

it. Willing that will be easy, will it? No problem! Thanks, I'll try to

get your names right next week. More live rugby next Friday night,

join us live at Ravenhill for Ulster against the Ospreys. The

programme starts at the usual time of 7:00pm on BBC Two. I will be

joined in the studio by the former Ireland coach, Eddie O'Sullivan.