:00:28. > :00:35.Good evening, welcome. After beating Munster in the European Cup,
:00:35. > :00:39.it is back to Pro 12 action, and another by rich -- another Irish
:00:39. > :00:44.Derby, Connaught against Ulster. Before that, it is time to bring
:00:44. > :00:51.you up to date with the football full-time schools. The big game was
:00:51. > :01:01.in the Irish Cup semi-final. The last time they met in a cup
:01:01. > :01:21.
:01:21. > :01:31.competition, Newbury were Thompson! Just six minutes to make
:01:31. > :01:31.
:01:31. > :03:00.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:03:00. > :03:10.the breakthrough. It is still an seal your place in the Irish Cup
:03:10. > :03:23.
:03:23. > :03:33.final. That could be a penalty. It is. No mistake from Thompson.
:03:33. > :03:35.
:03:35. > :03:45.Peter Thompson has never lost an Linfield have the league title
:03:45. > :03:48.
:03:48. > :03:58.wrapped up, but plenty to play for James Costello with a hat-trick for
:03:58. > :04:06.
:04:06. > :04:16.Ballymena. A last-minute equaliser for Crusaders. Lisburn Distillery
:04:16. > :04:16.
:04:16. > :04:25.were winning 2-0. The winner for 10 cannon swifts in the 92nd minute. -
:04:25. > :04:35.- for Dungannon Swifts. Glenavon will avoid automatic relegation.
:04:35. > :04:35.
:04:35. > :05:23.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:05:23. > :05:32.They could be involved in a play- a dangerous position for Glenavon.
:05:32. > :05:42.A yellow card for Paul Bradley, and that means a red card. Another
:05:42. > :06:20.
:06:21. > :06:25.Gary Hamilton cannot do it in the Now, the North Belfast Barbie. --
:06:25. > :06:35.Derby. No goals in the first half, thanks
:06:35. > :06:37.
:06:37. > :06:44.to some goalkeeping -- some good goalkeeping. Fenn, Ryan Brown with
:06:44. > :06:54.the safe at the event. O'Neill was outstanding. He stopped this free-
:06:54. > :06:55.
:06:55. > :06:58.kick from the edge of the box. He punched away this effort. David
:06:58. > :07:05.Gibson fancied his chances just before the whistle, but it went
:07:05. > :07:09.over the bar. The match remained goalless until Cliftonville were
:07:09. > :07:18.awarded a penalty seven minutes from the end. Joe Gormley was
:07:18. > :07:26.brought down in the area. George McMullan converted the penalty. 1-0.
:07:26. > :07:36.But Jordan avens equalised in injury time. It was won all. -- it
:07:36. > :07:55.
:07:55. > :08:05.Now, the rugby, the kick-off is a few minutes away. We have got the
:08:05. > :08:05.
:08:05. > :08:10.whole game coming up live. This is a much -- must-win match for Ulster.
:08:10. > :08:15.Reflect on last week's fantastic performance in the Heineken Cup,
:08:15. > :08:20.how far have Ulster come, after beating Munster? They have come his
:08:20. > :08:25.huge way. Psychologically, it was a massive game. Everybody said, if
:08:26. > :08:31.they did not win, would they ever beat Munster in a big game? They
:08:31. > :08:38.have done it. The players will be fairly tired and sought after that,
:08:38. > :08:44.the physicality was immense. The start was important, they got off
:08:44. > :08:49.to a good start, 19-0. It was a defensive effort overall, it was
:08:49. > :08:59.fantastic, Stephen Ferris was colossal. They have made 12 changes
:08:59. > :09:02.
:09:02. > :09:08.today. What did you make of the decision, the suspension? It is an
:09:08. > :09:15.understatement to say it was harsh. There was no malice intended. He
:09:15. > :09:22.was tackling somebody through all four stone lighter than him.'s
:09:22. > :09:27.three or four stone. There was no malice intended. He has never had a
:09:27. > :09:35.yellow card or a red card in professional rugby before. How much
:09:35. > :09:40.of a loss Willy be -- but will he be? Potentially massive. The main
:09:40. > :09:47.thing he has given Ulster is a stable platform in the scrum. But
:09:47. > :09:54.his overall play, as well. You have the consummate footballer. He will
:09:54. > :09:58.be hard to replace against Edinburgh. Regarding the tackle,
:09:58. > :10:02.they need to have a look at the law, because it is what it incorrectly.
:10:02. > :10:07.They talk about the upper body. If they get the wording right, we will
:10:07. > :10:12.not have these things cropping up again and again. The commissioners
:10:12. > :10:22.have always got to come down hard, and they have got to change it,
:10:22. > :10:28.
:10:28. > :10:34.because the game is physical. Some their emphatic victory last night.
:10:34. > :10:44.A victory for Ulster could lift them into second, depending on
:10:44. > :10:54.
:10:54. > :10:58.other results. Ospreys play Cardiff Not playing because he fractured
:10:59. > :11:04.his skull six weeks ago, I am glad to say that he is fit and well, how
:11:04. > :11:11.are you? Very well, thanks. I took a few weeks off after the initial
:11:12. > :11:16.injury. The scam came up well, I am back training on Monday. Comment 2
:11:16. > :11:22.Galway today, one of the bookmakers has installed Connaught as the
:11:22. > :11:28.favourites. Do you believe that, what will win? Of course. Like any
:11:28. > :11:33.home game, you expect to win. Throughout the season, we have
:11:33. > :11:42.talked about them, that is how you are judged throughout Ireland. This
:11:42. > :11:47.is a game we will target. The teams are on their way, Ulster
:11:47. > :11:57.aiming for a fifth victory against Connaught in a row. Sit back and
:11:57. > :12:02.
:12:02. > :12:12.Galway. Tom Court is the only forward retained after the Heineken
:12:12. > :12:14.
:12:14. > :12:20.Cup relics. There is experience in the side. On the wind is Adam
:12:20. > :12:30.D'Arcy. Here, the Connaught side, very difficult to beat on their own
:12:30. > :12:31.
:12:31. > :12:34.patch. They will be hoping that one of the two Irish sides wins the
:12:34. > :12:44.Heineken Cup, because that will mean they will play Heineken Cup
:12:44. > :12:44.
:12:44. > :13:28.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:13:28. > :13:33.only three of the Heineken Cup squad, do anything like Leinster
:13:33. > :13:38.did last night against a number? -- can the Ulster side. They only
:13:38. > :13:48.started with three of the Heineken Cup starting 15. The wind in favour
:13:48. > :13:54.
:13:54. > :14:00.sun was shining about an hour ago but right on cue, the wind came in
:14:00. > :14:05.from Galway Bay. Some grey clouds overhead but it looks like it is
:14:05. > :14:10.going to be a reasonably good afternoon. Conditions will play a
:14:10. > :14:20.huge part in determining the tactics. Connacht play the position
:14:20. > :14:51.
:14:51. > :15:01.with their wins in their backs have got to tackle. Good work by
:15:01. > :15:01.
:15:01. > :15:45.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:15:45. > :15:53.taken on by Muldoon. -- it is all looks like a straight forward 0.4
:15:53. > :16:03.Connacht. Excellent continuity. They are going through multiple
:16:03. > :16:03.
:16:04. > :16:13.phases and eventually, Ulster under defensive venture -- pressure,
:16:14. > :16:34.
:16:34. > :16:39.breaking under the pressure. Great the western province. Very
:16:39. > :16:45.straightforward for three points. Three minutes gone and 3-0 to
:16:45. > :16:55.Connacht. They have the wind at their back and they want to make
:16:55. > :17:20.
:17:20. > :17:23.to try and barely Ulster if they the referee from Gavin Duffy's
:17:23. > :17:33.knocked forward at the restart and they have got to come back to the
:17:33. > :18:10.
:18:10. > :18:20.Humphreys and Paddy Jackson for the Connacht are trying to disrupt the
:18:20. > :18:36.
:18:36. > :18:39.Ulster. They see this as a huge opportunity, Ulster resting 12
:18:39. > :18:49.players. They are probably desperate to finish the season with
:18:49. > :18:57.
:18:57. > :19:03.some momentum and is showing the have 73 points and the best anyone
:19:03. > :19:13.else can get, may be be Ospreys, but Leinster have aged huge for and
:19:13. > :19:30.
:19:30. > :19:40.a penalty. The referee saying number 5, offside. There is a
:19:40. > :19:40.
:19:40. > :20:37.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:20:37. > :20:42.cannot afford to waste those points. Very difficult kicking into the
:20:42. > :20:47.wind. Anything slightly off would just get accentuated with the wind
:20:47. > :20:50.and the opportunity is gone. Powers Humphreys has not done a lot of
:20:50. > :21:00.kicking with Ruan Pienaar and he would need to get into that role
:21:00. > :21:00.
:21:00. > :21:56.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:21:56. > :22:02.corner. Marshall in two minds. It his best start in seven games.
:22:02. > :22:12.Connacht have forced him into touch and then I have the line-out. --
:22:12. > :22:20.
:22:20. > :22:28.McCarthy. There is a stoppage, it looks like Michael Swift. Excellent
:22:29. > :22:38.defensive organisation alarming Ulster to win the ball. -- allowing
:22:39. > :22:49.
:22:49. > :22:59.Tonetti and Fa'afili. Some attention for Michael Swift,
:22:59. > :22:59.
:22:59. > :23:57.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:23:57. > :24:03.Nikora is going to get in! Ulster's midfield, absolutely bamboozled.
:24:03. > :24:11.There is an ominous feeling about this threat for this Ulster side.
:24:11. > :24:20.The excellent start continues. Nikora just pits the outside step
:24:20. > :24:30.one, magical. He brings that around close for the kick, excellent stuff.
:24:30. > :24:32.
:24:32. > :24:42.Outside, Diack, inside, D'Arcy. What a good try. Connacht have lost
:24:42. > :25:06.
:25:06. > :25:11.the services of Wilkinson which Nikora has not managed to convert
:25:11. > :25:21.his own try. The first bit of good fortune for Ulster this afternoon.
:25:21. > :25:26.
:25:26. > :25:36.It all came from that well placed kick from George no prude. --
:25:36. > :25:57.
:25:57. > :26:05.referee says play on. Ulster will be hoping to attack the Connacht
:26:05. > :26:08.scrum. One of the key attributes Nevin Spence brings to the game, an
:26:08. > :26:18.ability to contest the ball in the air with Ian Humphreys kicking into
:26:18. > :26:54.
:26:54. > :27:00.the wind, so it invites him on to Connacht. They will have to stop
:27:00. > :27:04.for some attention to Ray Ofisa. They have lost Wilkinson and let's
:27:04. > :27:11.hope they do not lose a Ray Ofisa. They are going to try and keep him
:27:11. > :27:17.still. The referee very quick to blow the whistle and rightly so.
:27:17. > :27:27.Tom Court looked a bit unsteady on his feet. The doctor coming to
:27:27. > :27:29.
:27:30. > :27:39.check his progress as well. Expect a lengthy delay. Ray Ofisa had a
:27:40. > :27:48.
:27:48. > :27:52.spell in New Zealand. He. One cap Nevin Spence's head. He has
:27:52. > :28:02.obviously jarred his neck and they are bringing a stretch Iran, which
:28:02. > :28:06.
:28:06. > :28:15.is always sad to see. -- they are precautionary. Connaught will have
:28:15. > :28:22.to make another replacement. This time, in the back row. They will
:28:22. > :28:29.bring on Johnny O'Connor. Have you seen anybody come on yet?
:28:29. > :28:33.substitutes are going through their warm-up routine. Johnny O'Connor
:28:33. > :28:37.will know he is about to be introduced. He is a useful man to
:28:37. > :28:43.have on the replacements bench, although his season has been
:28:43. > :28:48.disrupted because of injury. Eric Elwood will be pleased about the
:28:48. > :28:54.school board, which tells him his side are leading, but he has lost
:28:54. > :28:58.his number-one loose head prop, and his No. 1 open-side flank forward.
:28:58. > :29:04.I am delighted to see he is sitting up. They were worried about his
:29:04. > :29:12.movement. There is Johnny O'Connor. He got Irish caps when he was
:29:12. > :29:17.planed in London for Wasps, 12 caps. Nevin Spence driving forward, he
:29:17. > :29:27.was checked by Miah Nikora, and his face collided with that of Nevin
:29:27. > :29:29.
:29:29. > :29:34.Spence. Nevin Spence will give direct ness to Ulster's play. We
:29:34. > :29:43.have already seen the switch move sending him up the middle, to get
:29:43. > :29:46.the continuity game moving. Humphreys looking at the posts.
:29:46. > :29:55.This penalty is in the same position from where he missed after
:29:55. > :30:03.seven minutes. The early penalty from Miah Nikora from Connaught,
:30:03. > :30:10.and the try, for Connaught. He is upon his feet, and he looks very
:30:10. > :30:16.grubby indeed. We wish him well. He is about to leave Connaught at the
:30:16. > :30:26.end of the season. Johnny O'Connor, it is hard to believe he is now 32.
:30:26. > :30:42.
:30:42. > :30:52.He comes on for his injured That is a lot better. He has missed
:30:52. > :30:57.
:30:57. > :31:04.Ulster perspective, in terms of their play. They are having a lot
:31:04. > :31:14.of possession, but Connaught have dictated the pace of the game. They
:31:14. > :31:38.
:31:38. > :31:42.are taking points when they get half by a well-marshalled Connaught.
:31:42. > :31:49.They are forcing the turnover and getting the party into the
:31:49. > :31:56.scrummage. Connaught will want to play the majority of the half in
:31:56. > :32:01.the red zone, with the wind behind them. Michael Swift saw the
:32:01. > :32:07.opportunity, and forced the opportunity. Connaught looking to
:32:07. > :32:12.get straight back down into the Ulster 22. Mike McCarthy, a tight
:32:12. > :32:22.loose forward. He can play in the second-row and the back row. He has
:32:22. > :32:32.
:32:32. > :32:42.several seasons with the Leicester Tigers. He played inside Ian
:32:42. > :32:46.
:32:46. > :32:52.Humphreys. Denis Buckley against Tom Court. They could, solid
:32:52. > :33:02.scrummage. Ulster in trouble, and the referee says, let's put it in
:33:02. > :33:10.
:33:10. > :33:20.referee claiming that he told Connell's twice -- Connaught twice
:33:20. > :33:25.
:33:25. > :33:32.to use it. It is a feat to Ulster. Not as many Ulster supporters have
:33:32. > :33:42.made their way here as they did for the Heineken Cup game. Denis
:33:42. > :33:42.
:33:42. > :33:52.Buckley getting a path on the head. -- a pat. Connaught's front row
:33:52. > :33:52.
:33:52. > :34:45.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:34:45. > :34:55.must take the hit or take the slowed down, they have got to play
:34:55. > :35:19.
:35:19. > :35:24.at tempo. Ian Humphreys still for a penalty against Connaught.
:35:24. > :35:29.You can tell a lot about the appetite for the game in their
:35:29. > :35:33.defensive line speed, and Connaught were getting off the mark quickly.
:35:33. > :35:42.But they do not have the discipline at the breakdown. They were rolled
:35:42. > :35:50.against on this occasion. Humphreys still getting treatment.
:35:50. > :36:00.Marshall was thinking about one of his trademark moves. Somebody is
:36:00. > :36:10.
:36:10. > :36:14.going to get sin-binned, and I He might have been the man that
:36:14. > :36:21.took out Ian Humphreys. The second penalty was closer to the Connaught
:36:21. > :36:28.post. That was dreadful. He did not even have the ball. That was very
:36:28. > :36:32.late. He was right fully shown the yellow card. It will be
:36:32. > :36:38.disappointing for Connaught, they got off to a very good start. They
:36:38. > :36:43.have been clinical in attack and solid in defence, but now they are
:36:43. > :36:49.down to 14 men, and Ulster can get their first points on the border.
:36:49. > :36:59.Ian Humphreys still recovering from that from pink by Ronan Loughney. -
:36:59. > :37:19.
:37:19. > :37:23.- that thumping. The kicking it is a great kick. That will give Ulster
:37:23. > :37:32.more encouragement, as we come to the end of the first quarter in
:37:32. > :37:37.this game. He kept his head down, and the follow-through was perfect.
:37:37. > :37:40.Connaught down to 14 men, you would think they would revert to a
:37:40. > :37:50.territorial based game plan, but it is precious minutes, while they
:37:50. > :37:50.
:37:50. > :39:03.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:39:03. > :39:09.This is great work again by the Whitten. The referee says that was
:39:09. > :39:13.all right. The Connaught player went off his feet, and Ulster get
:39:13. > :39:17.the penalty. Connaught look good around the fringes, they are
:39:17. > :39:24.picking up the drive through the multiple phases, and they are
:39:24. > :39:34.making good inroads into the Ulster defence. Some excellent chasing
:39:34. > :39:38.
:39:38. > :39:43.from Robbie Diack. Ian Humphreys, from a narrow angle, finds touch.
:39:43. > :39:53.The wind has dropped a little bet. It is not quite as strong on the
:39:53. > :39:59.
:40:00. > :40:09.Ulster line-out. It was a good take from Lewis Stephenson, he is having
:40:10. > :40:36.
:40:36. > :40:41.Again, Connaught piling over the top, according to the referee. You
:40:41. > :40:45.can see how much this game means to Ulster -- to Connaught, some of
:40:46. > :40:50.this tackling is ferocious. cannot fault the commitment in
:40:50. > :40:56.defence shown by Connaught, but they need more precision at the
:40:57. > :41:03.breakdown. That is what is providing Ulster with possession.
:41:03. > :41:13.Age huge hit. They are good friends are. That always adds more to the
:41:13. > :41:14.
:41:14. > :41:24.contest. Pricking rights for who buys the first point! -- bragging
:41:24. > :41:40.
:41:40. > :41:50.rights! Paddy Jackson will continue throughout the Six Nations campaign,
:41:50. > :42:01.
:42:01. > :42:07.another cracking cake. -- cracking kick. The youngest in the Ulster
:42:07. > :42:15.starting 15 has done it again. Unerring accuracy, right between
:42:15. > :42:19.the posts. Ulster will look at the scoreboard, they are playing into
:42:19. > :42:29.the wind, they have not had much possession, and they will be very
:42:29. > :42:52.
:42:52. > :43:02.this wind was a sensational kick. There he was 26, Ulster would break
:43:02. > :43:27.
:43:27. > :43:34.the bank to keep him. -- if he was. and runs into a blind bit of green.
:43:34. > :43:44.-- into a massive Beddoe of Green. McComish sensibly leaves it for
:43:44. > :44:16.
:44:16. > :44:18.Ulster game. That should find touch the ball in hand. They need to
:44:19. > :44:28.capitalised on the defensive disorganisation a quick ball
:44:29. > :44:41.
:44:41. > :44:47.air, which they are not allowed to do. This will give Nikora the
:44:47. > :44:57.chance to put the ball deep into Ulster territory. He has done just
:44:57. > :45:31.
:45:31. > :45:41.that. That is a very good kick. It and that is the penalty coming in
:45:41. > :45:41.
:45:41. > :45:48.from the side with the offence. The referee told them that it was a
:45:48. > :45:52.silly penalty. We saw that excellent hit by Diack and once
:45:52. > :45:56.again, it leads to a penalty at the breakdown. You might see the yellow
:45:56. > :46:03.card if you see any more offences just to try and give the game a bit
:46:03. > :46:13.more flow. Their conditions have been difficult. The strong wind has
:46:13. > :46:13.
:46:13. > :47:10.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:47:10. > :47:20.back on the Connacht side. Brady were looking for something more or
:47:20. > :47:25.
:47:25. > :47:35.before from side. -- before half- time. Johnny O'Connor, once known
:47:35. > :47:46.
:47:46. > :47:55.as Johnny concrete. Obvious It might even be Duffy. It was
:47:55. > :47:59.Duffy looking out in a wing. We, skipper gets the captain's try. --
:47:59. > :48:09.the Connacht skipper. Ulster had nobody at home and the defence
:48:09. > :48:19.
:48:19. > :48:23.are running at that speed, to reach behind you and collect the ball and
:48:23. > :48:28.then he gets over, despite the attention of three Ulster defenders.
:48:28. > :48:38.Connacht will have been very happy to have halted the scoring sequence
:48:38. > :49:01.
:49:01. > :49:11.of Ulster. They probably need this try between them. -- just over did
:49:11. > :49:12.
:49:12. > :49:16.that. Connacht are used to playing in these conditions. They will be
:49:16. > :49:26.aware that they need to put more points on the board to give them a
:49:26. > :49:54.
:49:54. > :50:04.toConnacht. Well-covered by opportunity for a scrum. Mona
:50:04. > :50:04.
:50:04. > :50:48.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:50:48. > :50:58.Lasley is back on the field. -- run covering by Ulster.Connacht
:50:58. > :51:24.
:51:24. > :51:28.Offering -- opting to run the ball again! He sat back and weighed up
:51:28. > :51:34.his options and thought, there is a pretty decent one, and the judge
:51:34. > :51:44.did to perfection. A masterclass in kicking into the wind. Inch-perfect,
:51:44. > :51:45.
:51:46. > :51:53.rolls nicely into touch from an Ulster perspective. As a result,
:51:53. > :51:57.Connacht find themselves on their own try-line. This could be an
:51:57. > :52:01.interesting outcome if Ulster can squeeze is over... Marshall must
:52:01. > :52:07.have scored. The referee is having a good light. He might have to go
:52:07. > :52:17.upstairs. Marshall reckons he has got Ulster's first try of the
:52:17. > :52:17.
:52:17. > :52:27.afternoon. Unless there was something wrong, looked as though
:52:27. > :52:30.
:52:30. > :52:36.Ian Humphreys was warning brined. - - running blind. I cannot think why
:52:36. > :52:46.they would want to go upstairs, other than that the referee was not
:52:46. > :52:48.
:52:48. > :52:58.able to see it. Marshall looks like he has had his arm. That surely
:52:58. > :53:08.
:53:08. > :53:13.back. Not quite in Ulster's favourite, but certainly, in
:53:13. > :53:23.Ulster's direction. Brady does take his time and strong enough to
:53:23. > :53:29.release that ball. He was well tackled by Reynecke. That perhaps
:53:29. > :53:33.caused Connacht to think about defending against the prop.
:53:33. > :53:36.Marshall was experienced enough to check his options and Sneyd Dean in
:53:36. > :53:46.for the try. He was injured in the process. We will wait to see if he
:53:46. > :53:53.
:53:53. > :53:57.continues. -- and sneaked in for is a great exhibition of kicking by
:53:57. > :54:02.Jackson. Two penalties and a conversion, three out of three in
:54:02. > :54:12.terms of his stats. With five minutes of the first have to go,
:54:12. > :54:16.
:54:16. > :54:26.also have got themselves are level pegging. If you can stay in contact
:54:26. > :54:36.
:54:36. > :54:46.in the first have it makes it given it some height. Great take by
:54:46. > :55:06.
:55:06. > :55:16.Gavin Duffy. Connacht are in Duffy in the air, we managing --
:55:16. > :55:38.
:55:38. > :55:48.is not a bad replacement. Ulster will be delighted with the
:55:48. > :55:49.
:55:49. > :55:52.scoreboard. They have achieved parity with four minutes to go.
:55:52. > :56:02.Connacht will not relish the prospect of rain Pienaar,
:56:02. > :56:05.
:56:05. > :56:15.especially with the wind at Ulster's back in the second half.
:56:15. > :56:34.
:56:34. > :56:44.Jackson will probably continue on stayed away has been asked to go
:56:44. > :56:46.
:56:46. > :56:56.for the Connacht post to give Ulster a half-time lead. -- Jackson
:56:56. > :57:04.
:57:04. > :57:10.tough games against fellow Irish provinces. Next Friday, against
:57:10. > :57:15.Leinster at Ravenhill. They live coverage on BBC Radio Ulster of the
:57:15. > :57:23.Heineken Cup semi-final. The week after that, back in Limerick for
:57:23. > :57:33.the final Pro12 game against Munster. It is an exciting into the
:57:33. > :57:42.
:57:42. > :57:48.Ulster in the lead for the very first time, thanks in no small
:57:48. > :57:58.measure to the accuracy of Paddy Jackson. Less than two minutes
:57:58. > :58:04.
:58:04. > :58:11.the scoreboard reads. A lot more to come and this game. Connacht I used
:58:11. > :58:21.to these conditions. Mike McComish was walloped by his namesake,
:58:21. > :58:53.
:58:53. > :58:58.They were handed a different ball, which is illegal. They huge
:58:58. > :59:01.opportunity for Connacht, with seconds remaining on the clock.
:59:01. > :59:05.They are looking for something to give the momentum, going into the
:59:05. > :59:15.half-time break. They will have to roll their sleeves up to get a
:59:15. > :59:26.
:59:26. > :59:36.something. Ulster must not transgress. It was well set up by
:59:36. > :59:36.
:59:36. > :00:22.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:00:22. > :00:27.should be the end of the first half. Ulster hanging on by a thread. They
:00:27. > :00:35.have held out. At one stage, Connacht that very much in control,
:00:35. > :00:39.and Ulster will be very pleased to turn around in the lead. Connacht
:00:39. > :00:45.were playing with a level of ferocity in the contact area. They
:00:45. > :00:54.were clinical in the opposition 22, but Ulster showed patience and
:00:54. > :00:58.composure. The game is still very finely poised, but Ulster will be
:00:58. > :01:08.the happier of the two, even though they did not dominate possession or
:01:08. > :01:27.
:01:27. > :01:31.The second score, Gavin Duffy squeezing in at the corner. Ulster
:01:31. > :01:38.responded, Paul Marshall with their first touchdown of the game. Paddy
:01:38. > :01:48.Jackson with an excellent display of kicking. Four and to four.
:01:48. > :01:53.
:01:53. > :01:59.Ulster will be the happier team, sticking in a different, just
:01:59. > :02:04.before half-time. Connacht started stronger. Physically, they are up
:02:04. > :02:09.for this game. We were dreaming if we thought Ulster could have
:02:09. > :02:13.precipitated the intensity of last weekend. Connacht have been
:02:13. > :02:19.impressive, but Ulster will be happy. Connacht were physical, but
:02:19. > :02:25.their discipline has let them down a pit. Yes, throughout the whole
:02:25. > :02:31.game. They could have had a second yellow card. Multiple infringements,
:02:31. > :02:39.free-kicks at scrum time. Ulster have played really well. Paddy
:02:39. > :02:46.Jackson is kicking like a dream. That helps massively. Ulster will
:02:46. > :02:50.have the Sean Quinn behind them. Before the game, you would not have
:02:50. > :03:00.expected Ulster to come out of the box as quickly as last weekend, and
:03:00. > :03:09.that was indeed the case. Absolutely. The line-out., Connacht
:03:10. > :03:19.did well to turn the ball over. What happened, they were short on
:03:20. > :03:21.
:03:22. > :03:28.numbers. A slight missed tackle. He uses good feet and he puts Adam
:03:28. > :03:32.D'Arcy it into a difficult position. It was great skill. It was
:03:32. > :03:41.excellent footwork. He spotted Robbie Diack in front of him, and
:03:41. > :03:44.he saw the opportunity. With the injured player, Tom Court has been
:03:44. > :03:51.put in at tight-head. That is a forerunner to what they think will
:03:51. > :03:59.happen. How has he got on? He has done pretty well. Ulster have a
:03:59. > :04:04.major dilemma at tight head. He has scrummaged well. The viewers have
:04:04. > :04:10.to understand, it is not about a one-on-one battle, it is the sum of
:04:10. > :04:15.all the parts. You need a referee that sets it up properly in terms
:04:15. > :04:25.of making sure that the front rows are square. And that the loose head
:04:25. > :04:26.
:04:26. > :04:30.is pushing straight. Connacht have been penalised a few times. Is it a
:04:30. > :04:38.confidence builder for Tom Court? The last time he played at tight
:04:38. > :04:42.head was for Ireland, a horror show against England. I think he
:04:42. > :04:47.undoubtedly believes in his own talent. We know how strong and
:04:47. > :04:51.destructive he can be. Having the ability for an international prop
:04:51. > :04:57.to plague on both sides is important. Ireland have to develop
:04:57. > :05:04.that. We have touched on Connacht's ill-discipline. A yellow card, fair
:05:04. > :05:10.enough? He did not use his arms at all. There was a second one, the
:05:10. > :05:16.same. Ian Humphreys, you can count the seconds before he is hit. This
:05:17. > :05:23.is another one. Great physicality, but again, no arms used. The
:05:23. > :05:28.referee gives a penalty for something different. No arms. But
:05:28. > :05:34.that is Connacht's issue. They are doing the hard yards around the
:05:34. > :05:39.fringes, they have been impressive. They get themselves into good
:05:39. > :05:45.positions, they transgress, give away a penalty, and the pressure
:05:45. > :05:52.has been taken off Ulster. They scored a great second try.
:05:52. > :05:57.excellent try. The rock prior to that was slow, they did not get
:05:57. > :06:02.numbers, so they were short. Gavin Duffy finished well. He is playing
:06:02. > :06:06.the best rugby of his life. There was a missed tackle. Stefan
:06:06. > :06:11.Terblanche will be disappointed with that. But the trouble came
:06:11. > :06:18.from the ruck area. They did not get the numbers. They had plenty of
:06:18. > :06:24.time to do that. I am sure the defensive coach will say, start
:06:24. > :06:29.looking in front of you and shout the numbers. They have not played
:06:29. > :06:34.together, this team, these individuals, for a number of weeks.
:06:34. > :06:39.The work-rate ethic to put yourself out there, rather than run into the
:06:39. > :06:44.ruck, having the confidence to run wide and to mark out and to start
:06:44. > :06:48.to mark him. A lot of the players must think, this is an opportunity
:06:48. > :06:52.for me to impress, to make the squad that will be in the Heineken
:06:52. > :06:58.Cup semi-final. We were talking about it last week at half-time,
:06:58. > :07:02.there are eight men who did not get on, champing at the bit to have an
:07:02. > :07:08.opportunity against Leinster and Edinburgh. This is a big
:07:08. > :07:13.opportunity. Paul Marshall will be disappointed in going off. A few
:07:13. > :07:22.men want to put their hands up and say, bring me in. Paul Marshall
:07:22. > :07:29.with a brave score before half-time, he paid the price. Tries, off the
:07:29. > :07:36.back from Ulster at the line-out. They have competed well, they have
:07:36. > :07:42.made the rest of the possession scrappy. He has jarred something as
:07:42. > :07:47.he has gone in. I feel disappointed for him, tonight was an opportunity
:07:47. > :07:53.for him to further put forward his case for more gain time with the
:07:53. > :08:00.main site. He will be disappointed. Connacht will see Ruan Pienaar
:08:01. > :08:05.coming on, no bad thing for Ulster! Paul Marshall, he is the one person
:08:05. > :08:11.you do not give metres to. He will dot over. It is sad for him,
:08:11. > :08:20.hopefully it is not a serious injury. Had fully Ruan Pienaar were
:08:20. > :08:24.steadied the ship. -- hopefully. We saw Stefan Terblanche putting two
:08:24. > :08:34.sublime kicks, he has been wonderful all season. They would
:08:34. > :08:38.
:08:38. > :08:42.use the kicking game more, to put Three points between the sides at
:08:42. > :08:48.half-time, but there is a gentleman to my right who does not believe
:08:48. > :08:52.that accurately reflects the first half. I am not sure. For the first
:08:52. > :08:56.30 minutes, we dominated territory and possession. We got a couple of
:08:56. > :09:02.good schools and had a comfortable lead. What is killing us, we have
:09:02. > :09:06.been giving away too many kickable penalties. Ulster missed the first
:09:06. > :09:12.couple, but Paddy Jackson is kicking well. Paul Marshall scored
:09:12. > :09:17.well. Plenty of possession and position, but it does not reflect
:09:17. > :09:22.on the scoreboard. Does that reflect your season? Possibly, we
:09:22. > :09:27.have had a good few performances, but we have not converted them into
:09:27. > :09:32.wins. In the second half, we need to cut down the penalty count. Stop
:09:32. > :09:35.giving them so many kickable chances. But keep doing what we are
:09:35. > :09:40.doing, we are putting the ball through phases, putting them under
:09:40. > :09:46.pressure, creating chances. Hopefully, we should get a win.
:09:46. > :09:52.Paddy Jackson, have special a talent is he? He is very talented.
:09:52. > :09:57.Last year, when I was at Ulster, he did well with the under 20s. He has
:09:57. > :10:04.stepped up and shown up well. fancied Connacht to win the game,
:10:04. > :10:09.did you still stand by that? think so. Hopefully we will keep
:10:09. > :10:19.the penalties down and play a bit of rugby, put Ulster under pressure.
:10:19. > :10:24.Paddy Jackson has given a fantastic exhibition of goal-kicking. He is
:10:24. > :10:29.playing at No. 12, but he could be a future Number Ten. It is
:10:29. > :10:33.difficult, the debate has started to rear its head. It is akin to
:10:33. > :10:40.Paddy Wallace the number of years ago, people could not decide. For
:10:40. > :10:44.him, it was number 12. For Paddy Jackson, he is a number 10, but he
:10:44. > :10:51.has the ability to defend well at number 12 as well. He is very
:10:51. > :10:56.physical. He has got his kicking boots on. Ian Humphreys had the
:10:56. > :11:01.opportunity. Ian Humphreys was rattled by the tackle. Paddy
:11:01. > :11:06.Jackson has stepped up brilliantly. He has hit the kicks Mick Davis at
:11:06. > :11:12.play. He has been kicking all season for the Irish under 20s. The
:11:12. > :11:16.wind was into his face on a number of the kicks, and he had no problem.
:11:16. > :11:22.He is a serious talent. Where they did you play him, he will perform.
:11:22. > :11:28.I saw him give an exhibition like that on the first day at the Aviva
:11:28. > :11:33.Stadium, he was outstanding, and he has bought up. Yes, that seems to
:11:33. > :11:41.be the culture, the first thing that happens, they are put into the
:11:41. > :11:48.gym, and they are conditioned hard. But yes, to have the goal-kicking
:11:48. > :11:55.string to your bow, it is a massive weapon. He could potentially play
:11:55. > :12:05.his way into the match day 22 for the semi-final against Edinburgh.
:12:05. > :12:14.
:12:14. > :12:20.factor. Has it changed direction? It is hard to say. It seems to be
:12:20. > :12:25.swelling. Looking across to the new edifice, from the Ulster half down,
:12:25. > :12:35.it seems to be blowing in their faces, and the other half seems to
:12:35. > :12:53.
:12:53. > :13:03.be blowing into the Connacht faces. half under way. The referee says
:13:03. > :13:13.
:13:13. > :13:19.play on. McComish Elmers End. -- Should Ulster be going for
:13:20. > :13:24.pragmatism rather than inventiveness? At 16-13, they are
:13:24. > :13:29.in command on the scoreboard. Connacht have to try and match the
:13:29. > :13:34.ferocity they have shown defensively and also in the rock
:13:34. > :13:37.with the discipline aspect. If they can do that they will have a
:13:38. > :13:43.platform to try and overtake Ulster, who will be looking to move the
:13:44. > :13:47.ball around. Terblanche has shown he can do that. With the kicking
:13:47. > :13:57.options with Humphreys and Jackson they would try and move the ball
:13:57. > :13:59.
:13:59. > :14:09.around. Ferocious Connacht scrummage and Ulster under pressure.
:14:09. > :14:17.
:14:17. > :14:27.done a good job. The wind is not favouring Ulster the way it
:14:27. > :14:27.
:14:27. > :15:38.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:15:39. > :15:44.and taken away from Connacht. -- and Pienaar can get him. Very bad
:15:44. > :15:48.Ulster Defence and, have struck in the opening couple of minutes. --
:15:48. > :15:53.Connacht have struck. They are back in the lead and this time it is
:15:53. > :15:59.Tiernan O'Halloran. No chance of clinical finishing and another
:15:59. > :16:07.example of it, Muldoon finding a way to stay on his feet and
:16:07. > :16:17.O'Halloran, a genuine finisher. Excellent offload and tackle. Not
:16:17. > :16:21.
:16:21. > :16:31.many people get past Ruan Pienaar. Pienaar just could not make the
:16:31. > :16:54.
:16:54. > :17:04.Connacht back in a leader, not even five minutes into the second half.
:17:04. > :17:06.
:17:06. > :17:11.-- back in the lead. Ulster were right for be praised for their
:17:11. > :17:15.disciplines of the fate -- defensive display eight last week.
:17:15. > :17:24.They will have to tighten up if they want a result of the
:17:24. > :17:34.Sportsground. Ulster back in their own half. The referee says play on
:17:34. > :17:39.
:17:39. > :17:49.and Connacht have really got the -- hurt. He may have just caught a
:17:49. > :17:54.
:17:54. > :18:01.stray boot. Gareth Robinson on straightaway. He ran into Lewis
:18:01. > :18:07.Stevenson, I think that was the problem. He was trying to hold on
:18:08. > :18:17.to possession, just getting some attention now. David Irwin and
:18:17. > :18:27.Gareth Robinson around the field. - - are on the field. I remember when
:18:27. > :18:27.
:18:27. > :18:32.David Irwin was captain of Ulster in the mid- 1980s. He trotted off
:18:32. > :18:36.this field having ruptured his cruciate ligament. He did not play
:18:36. > :18:46.again for a year but came back and added to his total of Irish caps.
:18:46. > :18:47.
:18:47. > :18:57.Ian Humphreys, a little bit wobbly, but looks to be OK. There is going
:18:57. > :19:00.
:19:01. > :19:04.to be an Ulster scrum. The referee just asking the medical staff if
:19:04. > :19:10.they are happy that Humphrys is fit to continue because he did not
:19:10. > :19:14.think he was. Humphries says he is and David Irwin and Gareth Robinson
:19:14. > :19:18.said he is OK. Good work from the referee, putting player welfare at
:19:18. > :19:23.the top of the agenda. Too many times, players are concussed that
:19:23. > :19:26.should be taken off the field and they are playing on. Ulster and Ian
:19:26. > :19:31.Humphreys is happy and an opportunity with this midfield
:19:31. > :19:41.scrum. The last time they were here, the Ulster scrum got put to the
:19:41. > :19:45.
:19:45. > :19:54.sword. Only Tom Court surviving from the Ulster forwards that did
:19:54. > :19:59.so splendidly a week ago in Limerick. This match is very
:19:59. > :20:03.important in Ulster's chances for semi-final rugby. Judging by
:20:03. > :20:07.Leinster's selection last night and Ulster's selection today, they will
:20:07. > :20:12.play full-strength teams the week before the Heineken game and then
:20:13. > :20:22.away to lead -- limit. A lot riding on this were also. Berkeley
:20:23. > :20:24.
:20:24. > :20:34.penalised for not binding. Penalty to Ulster. Denis Buckley is just a
:20:34. > :20:37.
:20:37. > :20:41.youngster, only 21. This is the infringement, Denis Buckley not
:20:41. > :20:47.binding but I am not sure that Tom Court gave him a chance. Ruan
:20:47. > :20:57.Pienaar has opted to go for the posts. They have brought in the
:20:57. > :21:04.
:21:04. > :21:14.what the strength of the Windies. Pienaar was in excellent form last
:21:14. > :21:21.
:21:21. > :21:30.weekend. This is his first kick in make much contact. -- bit of a
:21:30. > :21:38.scruffy Evatt. He will not be happy with that. He just did not quite
:21:38. > :21:48.get the elegance, it has deserted him for once. Jackson will be given
:21:48. > :21:48.
:21:48. > :22:42.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:22:42. > :22:46.need to respond because they are this, not even 10 minutes played
:22:46. > :22:52.into the second half an Ulster needing to respond. They are doing
:22:52. > :23:02.their best. Great work by Nevin Spence initially. Excellent work to
:23:02. > :23:07.remain in the field of play. The handling errors led to their
:23:07. > :23:10.undoing on this occasion. They are on the right part of the pitch.
:23:11. > :23:20.They will have to run as a certain way to get out of trouble. Easy
:23:21. > :23:53.
:23:53. > :24:03.taking is not there with the wind Denis Buckley. Denis Buckley in his
:24:03. > :24:34.
:24:34. > :24:41.6th league game for,. -- for that. Excellent play from Connacht.
:24:41. > :24:51.Excellent kicking from Duffy. He made the most out of the distance
:24:51. > :24:51.
:24:51. > :25:48.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:25:48. > :25:53.at just over the touchline. to go to scrum-half. All of the
:25:53. > :25:59.pressure coming from Ulster. Court looking to pick it up and drive.
:25:59. > :26:06.Can he go? He is trying. He has not quite made it. Still there for
:26:06. > :26:12.Ulster. Half a metre from theConnacht Line. Slow ball coming
:26:12. > :26:16.back. Here come Ulster again and still, Connacht are holding out.
:26:16. > :26:24.The great defensive by the men in green. Johnny O'Connor is in the
:26:24. > :26:33.middle of all that. Have Connacht stolen the ball? Willie Faloon
:26:33. > :26:40.standing in scrum-half. Nicely done by Humphreys. Desperate defence by
:26:40. > :26:47.Connacht, Ulster underneath a post. He was Humphreys. Good sidestep the
:26:47. > :26:57.McComish. -- from McComish. Good tackle by Fa'afili and you come
:26:57. > :27:19.
:27:19. > :27:26.looks like a try! The referee has given it. Spencer may claim the
:27:26. > :27:35.Jackson has got the try. No referee awarding yet, not looking to go
:27:35. > :27:40.upstairs. -- the referee awards it. Good decisions and excellent all
:27:40. > :27:46.security at the breakdown. Once Ulster got Connacht on the back
:27:46. > :27:55.foot defensively, Jackson takes my contact and Nevin Spence drives it
:27:55. > :28:00.over. It was all about patience. The Connacht defence was pretty
:28:00. > :28:04.good. Jackson did the right thing and Nevin Spence came in behind and
:28:04. > :28:08.just shoved him over the line. It was all about Ulster being patient
:28:08. > :28:18.and not wasting it and keeping the ball in possession and eventually
:28:18. > :28:36.
:28:36. > :28:46.their efforts paid off and they The wind is starting to pick up, it
:28:46. > :28:55.
:28:55. > :29:00.Paddy Jackson misses for the first time in five attempts. But he has
:29:00. > :29:10.got the majority of the points at the sports ground in Galway. Ulster
:29:10. > :29:21.
:29:21. > :29:29.That will be what they will want to do. Ulster making a replacement.
:29:29. > :29:39.Robbie Diack is going off, and Ali Birch is coming on. Ali Birch got
:29:39. > :30:19.
:30:19. > :30:24.his first start against Leinster. what a good drive. The referee says
:30:24. > :30:30.Connacht help them up, and it is going to be a Connacht scrum. It
:30:30. > :30:35.was a good reply by Ulster. They are straight back down into
:30:35. > :30:43.Connacht territory. Connacht have the luxury of the wind at their
:30:43. > :30:50.back. Cobbled will have to play from deep to get the points. --
:30:50. > :30:56.Connacht. It is interesting that they have taken off Tom Court. Adam
:30:56. > :31:02.Macklin has come on, wearing number 18. This is his first scrum, his
:31:02. > :31:07.15th league game. Craig Gilroy coming into the wind, Paddy Jackson
:31:07. > :31:17.moved into Number Ten. Ian Humphreys leaves the pitch. Still
:31:17. > :31:46.
:31:46. > :31:50.more than a quarter of the game to Duffy. A cracking the cake. It was
:31:50. > :31:54.well rehearsed, and not for the first time. They moved to a
:31:54. > :32:04.midfield position to allow him the luxury of the cake. He uses the
:32:04. > :32:04.
:32:04. > :32:55.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:32:56. > :33:05.was well set up by the replacement the referee is playing advantage
:33:06. > :33:06.
:33:06. > :33:56.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:33:56. > :34:01.a chance to regain the lead. Outstanding rugby by Connacht. It
:34:01. > :34:05.started in midfield, the break by George Naoupu. They went through a
:34:05. > :34:10.number of phases. It has led to the penalty. The upper body strength
:34:10. > :34:15.and the pace, and wonderful sidestep, it took a lot of Ulster
:34:15. > :34:23.cover to bring him down. They were stretched it defensively. They will
:34:23. > :34:33.probably concede three points. really is a game that, in terms of
:34:33. > :35:03.
:35:03. > :35:12.a semi-final place, -- top four judges. Miah Nikora scores another
:35:12. > :35:22.three points for his side. From Ulster, they need to play territory,
:35:22. > :35:27.they need to muscle up defensively. Connacht need to make cakes or
:35:27. > :35:37.bricks, or otherwise, they have to work so hard. It is important that
:35:37. > :35:37.
:35:37. > :35:45.Ulster close the game out from a defensive perspective. It was taken
:35:45. > :35:55.well by Stefan Terblanche. The referee telling Connacht to get
:35:55. > :36:11.
:36:11. > :36:21.Duffy, he does the right thing and he calls for the mark. Even though
:36:21. > :36:49.
:36:49. > :36:55.he will put it into touch, Connacht penalty. He looked as if he was
:36:55. > :37:05.going to. He ran forward with serious intent. The touch judge has
:37:05. > :37:10.
:37:10. > :37:20.got his flat out. -- his flag. An offence has been committed.
:37:20. > :37:20.
:37:20. > :38:16.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:38:16. > :38:22.penalty goes against Ulster, because of Lewis Stephenson's
:38:22. > :38:26.retaliation. There was the elbow, and there was the retaliation. I do
:38:26. > :38:33.not think there was a decent punch landed, but that is scarcely the
:38:34. > :38:39.point. Connacht have advanced than the field. Michael Swift with their
:38:39. > :38:45.elbow and punch, and there was a bit of retaliation. Both sides down
:38:45. > :38:53.to 14 men, minus their respective second-row forwards. Kidd has been
:38:53. > :39:03.a hugely physical game, but it has not overstepped the mark, until now.
:39:03. > :39:07.There will be more space to be found. This will speed up the game.
:39:08. > :39:16.The pendulum has swung in the favour of the home side, and the
:39:16. > :39:22.home crowd are getting behind them. Ali Birch is penalised, and a
:39:22. > :39:32.chance for Connacht to squeeze them out a bit more. Nigel Brady being
:39:32. > :39:41.
:39:41. > :39:46.of penalties. Miah Nikora has gone for the corner, Connacht going for
:39:46. > :39:55.the victory. They have to work hard to get to this area of the pitch,
:39:55. > :40:05.they are looking for maximum returns. It is always a tough place
:40:05. > :40:13.
:40:13. > :40:23.other end of the park. They are looking for a top-four place in the
:40:23. > :40:47.
:40:47. > :40:57.Loughney. The referee has given the scrum to Ulster. Ulster have used
:40:57. > :40:57.
:40:57. > :41:45.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:41:45. > :41:49.part of the field. Ulster will still feel confident, given the
:41:49. > :41:53.wind at their backs, and the closeness of the score. They need
:41:53. > :41:57.to keep going through the phases, looking for the drop kick penalty
:41:58. > :42:06.opportunity. Connacht will be disappointed to leave without any
:42:06. > :42:10.points. That was nearly one against the head. Paddy McAllister looking
:42:10. > :42:18.at the touch judge to say that there is something going on, but
:42:18. > :42:24.the referee has asked Ulster to put it in again. That should have
:42:24. > :42:34.brought a penalty against Connacht. Making no attempt to bind on padded
:42:34. > :42:50.
:42:50. > :42:56.McAllister's journey. -- Paddy will Ulster do, will they take it
:42:56. > :43:03.into touch? Pinau gives it an almighty wallop and he finds it the
:43:03. > :43:07.inside the Connacht have but it is going to be a throw for Connacht.
:43:07. > :43:13.That is the luxury that Ulster have, with the wind at their backs. They
:43:13. > :43:23.can establish a good position very quickly., will have to go through a
:43:23. > :43:55.
:43:56. > :44:00.lot of phases. -- Connacht will Ulster scrum. Surprise that
:44:00. > :44:05.Connacht kicking away possession so easily, particularly not been able
:44:05. > :44:14.to contest for that, just handing possession back to Ulster. Once
:44:14. > :44:20.again, Craig Gilroy with ball in hand, a very difficult man to stop.
:44:20. > :44:30.Ulster may elect to his magic to regain the lead in this game.
:44:30. > :44:52.
:44:52. > :45:02.Ulster brought on Andy Tiryaki and rows were too low,
:45:02. > :45:02.
:45:02. > :46:08.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:46:08. > :46:11.scrambled offensively and not allow Ulster any DD -- he's the Laak --
:46:11. > :46:19.yards. I am surprised they are playing as much Moby as they are in
:46:19. > :46:21.the middle third. Jackson has got the ability to kick for a field
:46:21. > :46:27.position and Connacht, just watching the clock ticked away,
:46:27. > :46:35.knowing they have a margin. Not much, but enough to give them the
:46:35. > :46:45.lead into the last 10 minutes. O'Donoghue has come on as
:46:45. > :47:10.
:47:10. > :47:15.Michael Swift and Lewis Stevenson are allowed back on. Connacht
:47:15. > :47:19.scrummage time is back on again, just over 10 minutes remaining. The
:47:19. > :47:24.most important 10 minutes of Foster's season. They had to make
:47:24. > :47:28.big changes to their starting team. It was a risk to send a team with
:47:28. > :47:32.so many changes and untried combinations. They have still got
:47:32. > :47:42.the opportunity to win. It is crucial given the context of the
:47:42. > :47:58.
:47:58. > :48:02.Connacht exactly where they want to be. It is all about possession for
:48:02. > :48:07.Connacht. They are in the right place. They just need to go through
:48:07. > :48:10.phases and show that intensity at the breakdown. They need to show
:48:10. > :48:20.the pick and dried game that has served them so well at the
:48:20. > :48:20.
:48:20. > :49:00.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:49:00. > :49:05.that all is not going back onto the Connacht side and asked to get to
:49:05. > :49:08.put it into the scrum. They want to keep the ball in hand because they
:49:08. > :49:15.have got to score something. They they just take it down the field
:49:15. > :49:25.and hope for the best? -- do they just take it? They have got a good
:49:25. > :49:39.
:49:39. > :49:49.chasing mind and they need to force 13. Ulster need to secure the wrong
:49:49. > :49:55.
:49:55. > :50:05.ball from must put-in. -- their own O'Donoghue, Connacht looking to
:50:05. > :50:43.
:50:43. > :50:53.close it out and they are going ball. He was on his feet. The
:50:53. > :50:58.
:50:58. > :51:08.referee has adjudicated otherwise. That is a very important penalty.
:51:08. > :51:10.
:51:10. > :51:20.Ali Birch has been sent to the sin- bin. Lewis Stevenson and Michael
:51:20. > :51:22.
:51:22. > :51:26.Swift coming back on. This could wrap the game up for Connacht.
:51:26. > :51:36.will certainly put them in a commanding position, five points in
:51:36. > :51:50.
:51:51. > :51:55.the lead with six minutes left on their hopes of emulating last
:51:55. > :52:05.season, when they got to the semi- finals of the league, are to be
:52:05. > :52:20.
:52:20. > :52:30.emulated. Nikora puts it between They are going to hang onto it as
:52:30. > :52:55.
:52:55. > :53:02.Connacht coming to the fore, demonstrating why it is so hard to
:53:02. > :53:06.get a result against them at the Sportsground. Congratulations on
:53:06. > :53:16.the first senior Ulster Cup for Henderson, who has come on wearing
:53:16. > :53:54.
:53:54. > :54:02.19. He has taken over from a comb. they will be looking to secure
:54:02. > :54:05.possession. They do not want any penalties to be given away. They
:54:05. > :54:13.will set a midfield target and go through the phases. They should be
:54:13. > :54:21.able to wind down in the majority of that with the bomb in hand. --
:54:21. > :54:31.with the ball in hand. They will be very happy here at the Sportsground
:54:31. > :54:43.
:54:43. > :54:48.if the score line remains Faloon, just slipping the binding
:54:48. > :54:52.and not staying on the back of the scrum. I do not know if they will
:54:52. > :54:59.go for the posts but they will go into the corner if they can. That
:54:59. > :55:03.is what Nikora is going to do. Almost a case of looking for a
:55:03. > :55:11.quick tap he could have done just to make sure they have ball in hand.
:55:11. > :55:15.They have gone for the line-out but it has worked well for them today.
:55:15. > :55:21.They are looking to retain this and then wind it down and take a good
:55:21. > :55:26.victory. One thing that will emerge is that while Ulster have a good
:55:26. > :55:31.first 15, the second 15 is may be just not so good. Taken quickly by
:55:31. > :55:34.Connacht but that was a mess. difficult for these players being
:55:34. > :55:39.brought together in combinations that have not been played all
:55:39. > :55:43.season. Not a lot of game time for them either. They have been forced
:55:43. > :55:53.into playing a very spirited Connacht side but it was a risk
:55:53. > :55:55.
:55:55. > :56:02.for Ulster, a minute and they have to go. They have to when this
:56:02. > :56:10.scrummage and run it. They have to run its and try and regather. They
:56:10. > :56:20.are going to have to run from deep. It is up to Connacht to make sure
:56:20. > :56:42.
:56:42. > :56:52.Ulster do not get the vital try to Connacht not far away from a famous
:56:52. > :57:15.
:57:15. > :57:25.Connacht at the scrummage. Still some time to grow. Ruan Pienaar
:57:25. > :57:36.
:57:36. > :57:46.asking the referee, it is not that great defensive play by Connacht.
:57:46. > :57:46.
:57:46. > :59:00.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 88 seconds
:59:00. > :59:06.Ulster might have just got it, yes gone into touch. The referee says
:59:06. > :59:12.it is all over, and Ulster's RaboDirect Pro12 semi-final hopes
:59:12. > :59:17.are handing by a thread. There are still two games to come, but this
:59:17. > :59:23.was the game they really needed to win. Connacht have emerged
:59:23. > :59:28.victorious, 26-21, and they probably deserved it. A spirited
:59:28. > :59:32.performance, they had greater intensity, they controlled things
:59:32. > :59:36.at the start of the game, and ultimately, they just had too much
:59:36. > :59:46.for a much changed Ulster team. They battled valiantly, but they
:59:46. > :59:49.
:59:49. > :59:54.did not have enough. The set pieces are important. Tom Court playing at
:59:54. > :00:02.tight head, and seven changes, but the scrum looked at vulnerable.
:00:02. > :00:09.is not what cost them, there was parity, it was just the desire. You
:00:09. > :00:13.saw the line speed defence from Connacht, they could not match that.
:00:13. > :00:22.They know how to win games at the Sportsground, they would not be
:00:22. > :00:32.denied. Ulster lead at the break, but a stronger second half from
:00:32. > :00:37.
:00:37. > :00:44.Connacht. Ulster did not use the And entertaining RaboDirect Pro12
:00:44. > :00:49.Derby. Connacht scored two first half tries. But the home side
:00:49. > :00:53.trailed, courtesy of the bit of Paddy Jackson. There was no
:00:54. > :00:59.stopping Connacht at the start of the second half. They were brought
:00:59. > :01:09.back in front with their third try. Ulster responded with a Paddy
:01:09. > :01:09.
:01:09. > :01:19.Jackson touchdown. But mire Micawber scored two more penalties.
:01:19. > :01:20.
:01:20. > :01:26.He deserved victory. -- it was a deserved victory. Yes, they were
:01:26. > :01:30.more physical, a bit more clinical. I cannot help but think that Ulster
:01:30. > :01:36.went down with the attitude of wanting to win, but they were not
:01:36. > :01:41.desperate to win. They put all of their eggs into one basket, they
:01:41. > :01:45.are concentrating on the Heineken Cup. They made so many wholesale
:01:45. > :01:50.changes, with some time left on the clock, in a game that was so tight.
:01:50. > :01:55.You compare that with the game last week, they did not make any changes.
:01:55. > :01:59.We ended up with a very experienced side on the pitch, they did not
:01:59. > :02:04.have the nous to get into the right position to get the victory. What
:02:04. > :02:10.does that say about their strength in depth? It compounds what we
:02:10. > :02:18.already knew. It was similar last week. Limerick against Munster, the
:02:18. > :02:23.bench was not used. Perhaps they do not feel that they have the calibre
:02:23. > :02:28.of player that can make the difference. They will have to
:02:28. > :02:32.address that in the future. With the ferocity and intensity of the
:02:33. > :02:38.game, you must be able to use the bench. Connacht did that well
:02:38. > :02:43.tonight. Connacht showed some genuine improvement recently, that
:02:43. > :02:49.is a big scalp tonight, even if it is Ulster's second string,
:02:49. > :02:53.essentially. They have come very close, they have outscored Leinster.
:02:53. > :02:58.They are moving on very well. You look at their under-aged sides,
:02:58. > :03:02.they are very strong, physically, they are well developed. They have
:03:02. > :03:07.young players, a lot of people might not know them, but they are
:03:07. > :03:12.quality players. They have shown they can match it. Connacht are
:03:12. > :03:17.going places. They have got a much stronger squad. Next year, they
:03:17. > :03:22.will have an uphill battle again, but it is a big game for them, and
:03:22. > :03:28.an important win. Connacht's problem, they can get close, but
:03:28. > :03:33.they cannot quite finish games. This season again, they have missed
:03:33. > :03:38.out on a few victories because they have not had a good first-choice
:03:38. > :03:48.goalkicker. As we all know, that wins matches. Bait or in a worse
:03:48. > :03:52.
:03:52. > :03:57.position than they should be. -- Tom Court, a disappointing result.
:03:57. > :04:02.Yes, Connacht are a good team, they are always going to bring it out
:04:02. > :04:07.against you. You cannot fault the boys for the effort, but we made
:04:07. > :04:15.too many mistakes, and they were hungrier. How did you feel you
:04:15. > :04:21.performed? It is a work-in-progress. We are far from dead yet. We just
:04:21. > :04:25.need time. We keep chipping away. Would it be too harsh to say these
:04:25. > :04:33.ends your ambitions to finish in the top four? It will make it more
:04:33. > :04:38.difficult. Paddy Jackson, you took over the kicking duties, and you
:04:38. > :04:45.scored a try. It cook like you would win, how disappointed I do?
:04:45. > :04:52.We are disappointed. They came in with high hopes to do well. We
:04:52. > :04:55.wanted to get into the top four. It did not go away. We did not hold on
:04:55. > :05:01.to the ball well enough. Full credit to Connacht, they were very
:05:01. > :05:06.physical. What was the difference between the sides? They've retained
:05:06. > :05:12.the ball better, a bit more territory. We had a few players out
:05:12. > :05:18.of position. We did not hold the ball very well. It is not how we
:05:18. > :05:22.have been training. It makes it more difficult to finish in the top
:05:22. > :05:30.four. Is it still achievable? is great belief, you have seen what
:05:30. > :05:38.we can do, the season has been going well. Two disappointed Ulster
:05:38. > :05:43.players, but still hopeful of a To make the top four, it will be an
:05:43. > :05:48.uphill struggle. It will be very difficult. You look at Leinster,
:05:48. > :05:52.the next game, you should win your home games, but we look at what
:05:52. > :05:57.Leinster did against Edinburgh, they demolished them with a second-
:05:57. > :06:02.string side. Leinster are exceptions to the role in this
:06:03. > :06:06.bleak, and in Europe. They are the best side in Europe, they have the
:06:06. > :06:11.strongest squad, and they can change as many players as they want
:06:11. > :06:17.and still putting a top of -- like a top performance. The last one
:06:17. > :06:23.against Munster, will Munster want to let them win again? There will
:06:23. > :06:27.be a bit of pay back, possibly. could hear what it meant to the
:06:27. > :06:31.Connacht crowd, they are still celebrating. The best possible
:06:32. > :06:41.start in the second half, the way they started the first half. Ulster
:06:41. > :06:48.were caught flat. They missed tackle from Willie Faloon. He takes
:06:48. > :06:56.it well, good pace, and he stretched to finish. If you do not
:06:56. > :07:00.have your full concentration,... It was the same as the first half.
:07:00. > :07:06.Plenty of Ulster defenders, but they were staggered, they were not
:07:06. > :07:13.in a straight line. They just needed to push up together, and
:07:13. > :07:19.they would have quashed it. Nevin Spence, one of the positives? He
:07:19. > :07:25.played an important role in the padded action -- in the Paddy
:07:25. > :07:30.Jackson try. He is a strong runner, but he showed a strong hand off. A
:07:30. > :07:37.lot of lesser mortals would have been pushed into touch. He is very
:07:37. > :07:47.abrasive, and he retains the ball well. We recycled it two or three
:07:47. > :07:47.
:07:47. > :07:53.times. Nevin Spence has driven Paddy Jackson over the line. He did
:07:53. > :07:56.she 100% commitment. But he also gives the forwards a focal point.
:07:56. > :08:02.Ulster could not generate the ball quick enough to release the likes
:08:02. > :08:06.of Paddy Jackson, Stefan Terblanche and Craig Gilroy. When Ulster got
:08:06. > :08:13.themselves into the position, even more disappointedly, they could not
:08:13. > :08:19.close the game out. Perhaps it comes down to a lack of experience
:08:19. > :08:25.on the pitch. Whenever you look at the sight left on the pitch, they
:08:25. > :08:30.would not have been too many that have played in that environment. It
:08:30. > :08:37.is difficult, you need a fulcrum of players, bringing everybody through,
:08:37. > :08:47.making the right decisions at the right time. Just the fine margins,
:08:47. > :08:49.
:08:49. > :08:54.Joining me now, prior McLaughlan. Does this end ambitions of a top-
:08:54. > :08:59.four finish? We have to seek the other results. We have got a bonus
:08:59. > :09:03.point, but that will not be enough. We will have to wait and see. They
:09:04. > :09:09.tried very hard, Connacht are a very difficult side to beat. It is
:09:09. > :09:13.a great victory for them. We have no complaints, we fought really
:09:13. > :09:19.hard, but on the night, it was not enough. Any complaints about the
:09:19. > :09:24.referee? There are decisions given here and there, it is the same for
:09:24. > :09:32.both sides. You cannot take anything from the referee. Why did
:09:32. > :09:37.you lose the game? We were a bit soft, we gave up too many easy
:09:37. > :09:47.tries. We did not do that last week. We did not get on the front foot
:09:47. > :09:55.
:09:55. > :10:00.enough and put them under enough Ulster up to third place at the
:10:00. > :10:10.moment, but there are two games under way, Cardiff against the off
:10:10. > :10:12.
:10:13. > :10:17.sprays, it is 3-3, and Munster played Glasgow at 7:15pm. When you
:10:17. > :10:27.look at the remaining fixtures, Ulster have the hardest two games.
:10:27. > :10:36.
:10:36. > :10:40.You have to take into account the scallops. -- the Scarlets. Yes. It
:10:40. > :10:46.makes for an exciting at Leek, because it will go down to the last
:10:46. > :10:55.weekend to see the third and fourth places. Ulster have a chance, but
:10:55. > :11:01.it is a long shot. There are one or two sides that have easier run-ins.
:11:01. > :11:06.Next Friday night, it is set up for a Blockbuster. Two full-strength
:11:06. > :11:10.teams, Ulster against Leinster, live on BBC Two. It is mouth-
:11:10. > :11:17.watering, potentially a European Cup final dress rehearsal. It would
:11:17. > :11:24.be lovely to see them going at each other, hammer and tongs. The packed
:11:24. > :11:30.house at Ravenhill. Ulster have nothing to fear. A positive booster
:11:30. > :11:34.before the semi-final. That is what they need. What is exciting, we
:11:35. > :11:40.have not seen a full-strength Leinster side at Ravenhill. It will
:11:40. > :11:46.be nice for the supporters to see a lot of good names. We might see