Connacht v Ulster Ulster Rugby Live

Good evening, welcome. After beating Munster in the European Cup,

it is back to Pro 12 action, and another by rich -- another Irish

Derby, Connaught against Ulster. Before that, it is time to bring

you up to date with the football full-time schools. The big game was

in the Irish Cup semi-final. The last time they met in a cup

competition, Newbury were Thompson! Just six minutes to make

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the breakthrough. It is still an seal your place in the Irish Cup

final. That could be a penalty. It is. No mistake from Thompson.

Peter Thompson has never lost an Linfield have the league title

wrapped up, but plenty to play for James Costello with a hat-trick for

Ballymena. A last-minute equaliser for Crusaders. Lisburn Distillery

were winning 2-0. The winner for 10 cannon swifts in the 92nd minute. -

- for Dungannon Swifts. Glenavon will avoid automatic relegation.

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They could be involved in a play- a dangerous position for Glenavon.

A yellow card for Paul Bradley, and that means a red card. Another

Gary Hamilton cannot do it in the Now, the North Belfast Barbie. --

Derby. No goals in the first half, thanks

to some goalkeeping -- some good goalkeeping. Fenn, Ryan Brown with

the safe at the event. O'Neill was outstanding. He stopped this free-

kick from the edge of the box. He punched away this effort. David

Gibson fancied his chances just before the whistle, but it went

over the bar. The match remained goalless until Cliftonville were

awarded a penalty seven minutes from the end. Joe Gormley was

brought down in the area. George McMullan converted the penalty. 1-0.

But Jordan avens equalised in injury time. It was won all. -- it

Now, the rugby, the kick-off is a few minutes away. We have got the

whole game coming up live. This is a much -- must-win match for Ulster.

Reflect on last week's fantastic performance in the Heineken Cup,

how far have Ulster come, after beating Munster? They have come his

huge way. Psychologically, it was a massive game. Everybody said, if

they did not win, would they ever beat Munster in a big game? They

have done it. The players will be fairly tired and sought after that,

the physicality was immense. The start was important, they got off

to a good start, 19-0. It was a defensive effort overall, it was

fantastic, Stephen Ferris was colossal. They have made 12 changes

today. What did you make of the decision, the suspension? It is an

understatement to say it was harsh. There was no malice intended. He

was tackling somebody through all four stone lighter than him.'s

three or four stone. There was no malice intended. He has never had a

yellow card or a red card in professional rugby before. How much

of a loss Willy be -- but will he be? Potentially massive. The main

thing he has given Ulster is a stable platform in the scrum. But

his overall play, as well. You have the consummate footballer. He will

be hard to replace against Edinburgh. Regarding the tackle,

they need to have a look at the law, because it is what it incorrectly.

They talk about the upper body. If they get the wording right, we will

not have these things cropping up again and again. The commissioners

have always got to come down hard, and they have got to change it,

because the game is physical. Some their emphatic victory last night.

A victory for Ulster could lift them into second, depending on

other results. Ospreys play Cardiff Not playing because he fractured

his skull six weeks ago, I am glad to say that he is fit and well, how

are you? Very well, thanks. I took a few weeks off after the initial

injury. The scam came up well, I am back training on Monday. Comment 2

Galway today, one of the bookmakers has installed Connaught as the

favourites. Do you believe that, what will win? Of course. Like any

home game, you expect to win. Throughout the season, we have

talked about them, that is how you are judged throughout Ireland. This

is a game we will target. The teams are on their way, Ulster

aiming for a fifth victory against Connaught in a row. Sit back and

Galway. Tom Court is the only forward retained after the Heineken

Cup relics. There is experience in the side. On the wind is Adam

D'Arcy. Here, the Connaught side, very difficult to beat on their own

patch. They will be hoping that one of the two Irish sides wins the

Heineken Cup, because that will mean they will play Heineken Cup

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only three of the Heineken Cup squad, do anything like Leinster

did last night against a number? -- can the Ulster side. They only

started with three of the Heineken Cup starting 15. The wind in favour

sun was shining about an hour ago but right on cue, the wind came in

from Galway Bay. Some grey clouds overhead but it looks like it is

going to be a reasonably good afternoon. Conditions will play a

huge part in determining the tactics. Connacht play the position

with their wins in their backs have got to tackle. Good work by

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taken on by Muldoon. -- it is all looks like a straight forward 0.4

Connacht. Excellent continuity. They are going through multiple

phases and eventually, Ulster under defensive venture -- pressure,

breaking under the pressure. Great the western province. Very

straightforward for three points. Three minutes gone and 3-0 to

Connacht. They have the wind at their back and they want to make

to try and barely Ulster if they the referee from Gavin Duffy's

knocked forward at the restart and they have got to come back to the

Humphreys and Paddy Jackson for the Connacht are trying to disrupt the

Ulster. They see this as a huge opportunity, Ulster resting 12

players. They are probably desperate to finish the season with

some momentum and is showing the have 73 points and the best anyone

else can get, may be be Ospreys, but Leinster have aged huge for and

a penalty. The referee saying number 5, offside. There is a

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cannot afford to waste those points. Very difficult kicking into the

wind. Anything slightly off would just get accentuated with the wind

and the opportunity is gone. Powers Humphreys has not done a lot of

kicking with Ruan Pienaar and he would need to get into that role

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corner. Marshall in two minds. It his best start in seven games.

Connacht have forced him into touch and then I have the line-out. --

McCarthy. There is a stoppage, it looks like Michael Swift. Excellent

defensive organisation alarming Ulster to win the ball. -- allowing

Tonetti and Fa'afili. Some attention for Michael Swift,

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Nikora is going to get in! Ulster's midfield, absolutely bamboozled.

There is an ominous feeling about this threat for this Ulster side.

The excellent start continues. Nikora just pits the outside step

one, magical. He brings that around close for the kick, excellent stuff.

Outside, Diack, inside, D'Arcy. What a good try. Connacht have lost

the services of Wilkinson which Nikora has not managed to convert

his own try. The first bit of good fortune for Ulster this afternoon.

It all came from that well placed kick from George no prude. --

referee says play on. Ulster will be hoping to attack the Connacht

scrum. One of the key attributes Nevin Spence brings to the game, an

ability to contest the ball in the air with Ian Humphreys kicking into

the wind, so it invites him on to Connacht. They will have to stop

for some attention to Ray Ofisa. They have lost Wilkinson and let's

hope they do not lose a Ray Ofisa. They are going to try and keep him

still. The referee very quick to blow the whistle and rightly so.

Tom Court looked a bit unsteady on his feet. The doctor coming to

check his progress as well. Expect a lengthy delay. Ray Ofisa had a

spell in New Zealand. He. One cap Nevin Spence's head. He has

obviously jarred his neck and they are bringing a stretch Iran, which

is always sad to see. -- they are precautionary. Connaught will have

to make another replacement. This time, in the back row. They will

bring on Johnny O'Connor. Have you seen anybody come on yet?

substitutes are going through their warm-up routine. Johnny O'Connor

will know he is about to be introduced. He is a useful man to

have on the replacements bench, although his season has been

disrupted because of injury. Eric Elwood will be pleased about the

school board, which tells him his side are leading, but he has lost

his number-one loose head prop, and his No. 1 open-side flank forward.

I am delighted to see he is sitting up. They were worried about his

movement. There is Johnny O'Connor. He got Irish caps when he was

planed in London for Wasps, 12 caps. Nevin Spence driving forward, he

was checked by Miah Nikora, and his face collided with that of Nevin

Spence. Nevin Spence will give direct ness to Ulster's play. We

have already seen the switch move sending him up the middle, to get

the continuity game moving. Humphreys looking at the posts.

This penalty is in the same position from where he missed after

seven minutes. The early penalty from Miah Nikora from Connaught,

and the try, for Connaught. He is upon his feet, and he looks very

grubby indeed. We wish him well. He is about to leave Connaught at the

end of the season. Johnny O'Connor, it is hard to believe he is now 32.

He comes on for his injured That is a lot better. He has missed

Ulster perspective, in terms of their play. They are having a lot

of possession, but Connaught have dictated the pace of the game. They

are taking points when they get half by a well-marshalled Connaught.

They are forcing the turnover and getting the party into the

scrummage. Connaught will want to play the majority of the half in

the red zone, with the wind behind them. Michael Swift saw the

opportunity, and forced the opportunity. Connaught looking to

get straight back down into the Ulster 22. Mike McCarthy, a tight

loose forward. He can play in the second-row and the back row. He has

several seasons with the Leicester Tigers. He played inside Ian

Humphreys. Denis Buckley against Tom Court. They could, solid

scrummage. Ulster in trouble, and the referee says, let's put it in

referee claiming that he told Connell's twice -- Connaught twice

to use it. It is a feat to Ulster. Not as many Ulster supporters have

made their way here as they did for the Heineken Cup game. Denis

Buckley getting a path on the head. -- a pat. Connaught's front row

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must take the hit or take the slowed down, they have got to play

at tempo. Ian Humphreys still for a penalty against Connaught.

You can tell a lot about the appetite for the game in their

defensive line speed, and Connaught were getting off the mark quickly.

But they do not have the discipline at the breakdown. They were rolled

against on this occasion. Humphreys still getting treatment.

Marshall was thinking about one of his trademark moves. Somebody is

going to get sin-binned, and I He might have been the man that

took out Ian Humphreys. The second penalty was closer to the Connaught

post. That was dreadful. He did not even have the ball. That was very

late. He was right fully shown the yellow card. It will be

disappointing for Connaught, they got off to a very good start. They

have been clinical in attack and solid in defence, but now they are

down to 14 men, and Ulster can get their first points on the border.

Ian Humphreys still recovering from that from pink by Ronan Loughney. -

- that thumping. The kicking it is a great kick. That will give Ulster

more encouragement, as we come to the end of the first quarter in

this game. He kept his head down, and the follow-through was perfect.

Connaught down to 14 men, you would think they would revert to a

territorial based game plan, but it is precious minutes, while they

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This is great work again by the Whitten. The referee says that was

all right. The Connaught player went off his feet, and Ulster get

the penalty. Connaught look good around the fringes, they are

picking up the drive through the multiple phases, and they are

making good inroads into the Ulster defence. Some excellent chasing

from Robbie Diack. Ian Humphreys, from a narrow angle, finds touch.

The wind has dropped a little bet. It is not quite as strong on the

Ulster line-out. It was a good take from Lewis Stephenson, he is having

Again, Connaught piling over the top, according to the referee. You

can see how much this game means to Ulster -- to Connaught, some of

this tackling is ferocious. cannot fault the commitment in

defence shown by Connaught, but they need more precision at the

breakdown. That is what is providing Ulster with possession.

Age huge hit. They are good friends are. That always adds more to the

contest. Pricking rights for who buys the first point! -- bragging

rights! Paddy Jackson will continue throughout the Six Nations campaign,

another cracking cake. -- cracking kick. The youngest in the Ulster

starting 15 has done it again. Unerring accuracy, right between

the posts. Ulster will look at the scoreboard, they are playing into

the wind, they have not had much possession, and they will be very

this wind was a sensational kick. There he was 26, Ulster would break

the bank to keep him. -- if he was. and runs into a blind bit of green.

-- into a massive Beddoe of Green. McComish sensibly leaves it for

Ulster game. That should find touch the ball in hand. They need to

capitalised on the defensive disorganisation a quick ball

air, which they are not allowed to do. This will give Nikora the

chance to put the ball deep into Ulster territory. He has done just

that. That is a very good kick. It and that is the penalty coming in

from the side with the offence. The referee told them that it was a

silly penalty. We saw that excellent hit by Diack and once

again, it leads to a penalty at the breakdown. You might see the yellow

card if you see any more offences just to try and give the game a bit

more flow. Their conditions have been difficult. The strong wind has

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back on the Connacht side. Brady were looking for something more or

before from side. -- before half- time. Johnny O'Connor, once known

as Johnny concrete. Obvious It might even be Duffy. It was

Duffy looking out in a wing. We, skipper gets the captain's try. --

the Connacht skipper. Ulster had nobody at home and the defence

are running at that speed, to reach behind you and collect the ball and

then he gets over, despite the attention of three Ulster defenders.

Connacht will have been very happy to have halted the scoring sequence

of Ulster. They probably need this try between them. -- just over did

that. Connacht are used to playing in these conditions. They will be

aware that they need to put more points on the board to give them a

toConnacht. Well-covered by opportunity for a scrum. Mona

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Lasley is back on the field. -- run covering by Ulster.Connacht

Offering -- opting to run the ball again! He sat back and weighed up

his options and thought, there is a pretty decent one, and the judge

did to perfection. A masterclass in kicking into the wind. Inch-perfect,

rolls nicely into touch from an Ulster perspective. As a result,

Connacht find themselves on their own try-line. This could be an

interesting outcome if Ulster can squeeze is over... Marshall must

have scored. The referee is having a good light. He might have to go

upstairs. Marshall reckons he has got Ulster's first try of the

afternoon. Unless there was something wrong, looked as though

Ian Humphreys was warning brined. - - running blind. I cannot think why

they would want to go upstairs, other than that the referee was not

able to see it. Marshall looks like he has had his arm. That surely

back. Not quite in Ulster's favourite, but certainly, in

Ulster's direction. Brady does take his time and strong enough to

release that ball. He was well tackled by Reynecke. That perhaps

caused Connacht to think about defending against the prop.

Marshall was experienced enough to check his options and Sneyd Dean in

for the try. He was injured in the process. We will wait to see if he

continues. -- and sneaked in for is a great exhibition of kicking by

Jackson. Two penalties and a conversion, three out of three in

terms of his stats. With five minutes of the first have to go,

also have got themselves are level pegging. If you can stay in contact

in the first have it makes it given it some height. Great take by

Gavin Duffy. Connacht are in Duffy in the air, we managing --

is not a bad replacement. Ulster will be delighted with the

scoreboard. They have achieved parity with four minutes to go.

Connacht will not relish the prospect of rain Pienaar,

especially with the wind at Ulster's back in the second half.

Jackson will probably continue on stayed away has been asked to go

for the Connacht post to give Ulster a half-time lead. -- Jackson

tough games against fellow Irish provinces. Next Friday, against

Leinster at Ravenhill. They live coverage on BBC Radio Ulster of the

Heineken Cup semi-final. The week after that, back in Limerick for

the final Pro12 game against Munster. It is an exciting into the

Ulster in the lead for the very first time, thanks in no small

measure to the accuracy of Paddy Jackson. Less than two minutes

the scoreboard reads. A lot more to come and this game. Connacht I used

to these conditions. Mike McComish was walloped by his namesake,

They were handed a different ball, which is illegal. They huge

opportunity for Connacht, with seconds remaining on the clock.

They are looking for something to give the momentum, going into the

half-time break. They will have to roll their sleeves up to get a

something. Ulster must not transgress. It was well set up by

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should be the end of the first half. Ulster hanging on by a thread. They

have held out. At one stage, Connacht that very much in control,

and Ulster will be very pleased to turn around in the lead. Connacht

were playing with a level of ferocity in the contact area. They

were clinical in the opposition 22, but Ulster showed patience and

composure. The game is still very finely poised, but Ulster will be

the happier of the two, even though they did not dominate possession or

The second score, Gavin Duffy squeezing in at the corner. Ulster

responded, Paul Marshall with their first touchdown of the game. Paddy

Jackson with an excellent display of kicking. Four and to four.

Ulster will be the happier team, sticking in a different, just

before half-time. Connacht started stronger. Physically, they are up

for this game. We were dreaming if we thought Ulster could have

precipitated the intensity of last weekend. Connacht have been

impressive, but Ulster will be happy. Connacht were physical, but

their discipline has let them down a pit. Yes, throughout the whole

game. They could have had a second yellow card. Multiple infringements,

free-kicks at scrum time. Ulster have played really well. Paddy

Jackson is kicking like a dream. That helps massively. Ulster will

have the Sean Quinn behind them. Before the game, you would not have

expected Ulster to come out of the box as quickly as last weekend, and

that was indeed the case. Absolutely. The line-out., Connacht

did well to turn the ball over. What happened, they were short on

numbers. A slight missed tackle. He uses good feet and he puts Adam

D'Arcy it into a difficult position. It was great skill. It was

excellent footwork. He spotted Robbie Diack in front of him, and

he saw the opportunity. With the injured player, Tom Court has been

put in at tight-head. That is a forerunner to what they think will

happen. How has he got on? He has done pretty well. Ulster have a

major dilemma at tight head. He has scrummaged well. The viewers have

to understand, it is not about a one-on-one battle, it is the sum of

all the parts. You need a referee that sets it up properly in terms

of making sure that the front rows are square. And that the loose head

is pushing straight. Connacht have been penalised a few times. Is it a

confidence builder for Tom Court? The last time he played at tight

head was for Ireland, a horror show against England. I think he

undoubtedly believes in his own talent. We know how strong and

destructive he can be. Having the ability for an international prop

to plague on both sides is important. Ireland have to develop

that. We have touched on Connacht's ill-discipline. A yellow card, fair

enough? He did not use his arms at all. There was a second one, the

same. Ian Humphreys, you can count the seconds before he is hit. This

is another one. Great physicality, but again, no arms used. The

referee gives a penalty for something different. No arms. But

that is Connacht's issue. They are doing the hard yards around the

fringes, they have been impressive. They get themselves into good

positions, they transgress, give away a penalty, and the pressure

has been taken off Ulster. They scored a great second try.

excellent try. The rock prior to that was slow, they did not get

numbers, so they were short. Gavin Duffy finished well. He is playing

the best rugby of his life. There was a missed tackle. Stefan

Terblanche will be disappointed with that. But the trouble came

from the ruck area. They did not get the numbers. They had plenty of

time to do that. I am sure the defensive coach will say, start

looking in front of you and shout the numbers. They have not played

together, this team, these individuals, for a number of weeks.

The work-rate ethic to put yourself out there, rather than run into the

ruck, having the confidence to run wide and to mark out and to start

to mark him. A lot of the players must think, this is an opportunity

for me to impress, to make the squad that will be in the Heineken

Cup semi-final. We were talking about it last week at half-time,

there are eight men who did not get on, champing at the bit to have an

opportunity against Leinster and Edinburgh. This is a big

opportunity. Paul Marshall will be disappointed in going off. A few

men want to put their hands up and say, bring me in. Paul Marshall

with a brave score before half-time, he paid the price. Tries, off the

back from Ulster at the line-out. They have competed well, they have

made the rest of the possession scrappy. He has jarred something as

he has gone in. I feel disappointed for him, tonight was an opportunity

for him to further put forward his case for more gain time with the

main site. He will be disappointed. Connacht will see Ruan Pienaar

coming on, no bad thing for Ulster! Paul Marshall, he is the one person

you do not give metres to. He will dot over. It is sad for him,

hopefully it is not a serious injury. Had fully Ruan Pienaar were

steadied the ship. -- hopefully. We saw Stefan Terblanche putting two

sublime kicks, he has been wonderful all season. They would

use the kicking game more, to put Three points between the sides at

half-time, but there is a gentleman to my right who does not believe

that accurately reflects the first half. I am not sure. For the first

30 minutes, we dominated territory and possession. We got a couple of

good schools and had a comfortable lead. What is killing us, we have

been giving away too many kickable penalties. Ulster missed the first

couple, but Paddy Jackson is kicking well. Paul Marshall scored

well. Plenty of possession and position, but it does not reflect

on the scoreboard. Does that reflect your season? Possibly, we

have had a good few performances, but we have not converted them into

wins. In the second half, we need to cut down the penalty count. Stop

giving them so many kickable chances. But keep doing what we are

doing, we are putting the ball through phases, putting them under

pressure, creating chances. Hopefully, we should get a win.

Paddy Jackson, have special a talent is he? He is very talented.

Last year, when I was at Ulster, he did well with the under 20s. He has

stepped up and shown up well. fancied Connacht to win the game,

did you still stand by that? think so. Hopefully we will keep

the penalties down and play a bit of rugby, put Ulster under pressure.

Paddy Jackson has given a fantastic exhibition of goal-kicking. He is

playing at No. 12, but he could be a future Number Ten. It is

difficult, the debate has started to rear its head. It is akin to

Paddy Wallace the number of years ago, people could not decide. For

him, it was number 12. For Paddy Jackson, he is a number 10, but he

has the ability to defend well at number 12 as well. He is very

physical. He has got his kicking boots on. Ian Humphreys had the

opportunity. Ian Humphreys was rattled by the tackle. Paddy

Jackson has stepped up brilliantly. He has hit the kicks Mick Davis at

play. He has been kicking all season for the Irish under 20s. The

wind was into his face on a number of the kicks, and he had no problem.

He is a serious talent. Where they did you play him, he will perform.

I saw him give an exhibition like that on the first day at the Aviva

Stadium, he was outstanding, and he has bought up. Yes, that seems to

be the culture, the first thing that happens, they are put into the

gym, and they are conditioned hard. But yes, to have the goal-kicking

string to your bow, it is a massive weapon. He could potentially play

his way into the match day 22 for the semi-final against Edinburgh.

factor. Has it changed direction? It is hard to say. It seems to be

swelling. Looking across to the new edifice, from the Ulster half down,

it seems to be blowing in their faces, and the other half seems to

be blowing into the Connacht faces. half under way. The referee says

play on. McComish Elmers End. -- Should Ulster be going for

pragmatism rather than inventiveness? At 16-13, they are

in command on the scoreboard. Connacht have to try and match the

ferocity they have shown defensively and also in the rock

with the discipline aspect. If they can do that they will have a

platform to try and overtake Ulster, who will be looking to move the

ball around. Terblanche has shown he can do that. With the kicking

options with Humphreys and Jackson they would try and move the ball

around. Ferocious Connacht scrummage and Ulster under pressure.

done a good job. The wind is not favouring Ulster the way it

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and taken away from Connacht. -- and Pienaar can get him. Very bad

Ulster Defence and, have struck in the opening couple of minutes. --

Connacht have struck. They are back in the lead and this time it is

Tiernan O'Halloran. No chance of clinical finishing and another

example of it, Muldoon finding a way to stay on his feet and

O'Halloran, a genuine finisher. Excellent offload and tackle. Not

many people get past Ruan Pienaar. Pienaar just could not make the

Connacht back in a leader, not even five minutes into the second half.

-- back in the lead. Ulster were right for be praised for their

disciplines of the fate -- defensive display eight last week.

They will have to tighten up if they want a result of the

Sportsground. Ulster back in their own half. The referee says play on

and Connacht have really got the -- hurt. He may have just caught a

stray boot. Gareth Robinson on straightaway. He ran into Lewis

Stevenson, I think that was the problem. He was trying to hold on

to possession, just getting some attention now. David Irwin and

Gareth Robinson around the field. - - are on the field. I remember when

David Irwin was captain of Ulster in the mid- 1980s. He trotted off

this field having ruptured his cruciate ligament. He did not play

again for a year but came back and added to his total of Irish caps.

Ian Humphreys, a little bit wobbly, but looks to be OK. There is going

to be an Ulster scrum. The referee just asking the medical staff if

they are happy that Humphrys is fit to continue because he did not

think he was. Humphries says he is and David Irwin and Gareth Robinson

said he is OK. Good work from the referee, putting player welfare at

the top of the agenda. Too many times, players are concussed that

should be taken off the field and they are playing on. Ulster and Ian

Humphreys is happy and an opportunity with this midfield

scrum. The last time they were here, the Ulster scrum got put to the

sword. Only Tom Court surviving from the Ulster forwards that did

so splendidly a week ago in Limerick. This match is very

important in Ulster's chances for semi-final rugby. Judging by

Leinster's selection last night and Ulster's selection today, they will

play full-strength teams the week before the Heineken game and then

away to lead -- limit. A lot riding on this were also. Berkeley

penalised for not binding. Penalty to Ulster. Denis Buckley is just a

youngster, only 21. This is the infringement, Denis Buckley not

binding but I am not sure that Tom Court gave him a chance. Ruan

Pienaar has opted to go for the posts. They have brought in the

what the strength of the Windies. Pienaar was in excellent form last

weekend. This is his first kick in make much contact. -- bit of a

scruffy Evatt. He will not be happy with that. He just did not quite

get the elegance, it has deserted him for once. Jackson will be given

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need to respond because they are this, not even 10 minutes played

into the second half an Ulster needing to respond. They are doing

their best. Great work by Nevin Spence initially. Excellent work to

remain in the field of play. The handling errors led to their

undoing on this occasion. They are on the right part of the pitch.

They will have to run as a certain way to get out of trouble. Easy

taking is not there with the wind Denis Buckley. Denis Buckley in his

6th league game for,. -- for that. Excellent play from Connacht.

Excellent kicking from Duffy. He made the most out of the distance

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at just over the touchline. to go to scrum-half. All of the

pressure coming from Ulster. Court looking to pick it up and drive.

Can he go? He is trying. He has not quite made it. Still there for

Ulster. Half a metre from theConnacht Line. Slow ball coming

back. Here come Ulster again and still, Connacht are holding out.

The great defensive by the men in green. Johnny O'Connor is in the

middle of all that. Have Connacht stolen the ball? Willie Faloon

standing in scrum-half. Nicely done by Humphreys. Desperate defence by

Connacht, Ulster underneath a post. He was Humphreys. Good sidestep the

McComish. -- from McComish. Good tackle by Fa'afili and you come

looks like a try! The referee has given it. Spencer may claim the

Jackson has got the try. No referee awarding yet, not looking to go

upstairs. -- the referee awards it. Good decisions and excellent all

security at the breakdown. Once Ulster got Connacht on the back

foot defensively, Jackson takes my contact and Nevin Spence drives it

over. It was all about patience. The Connacht defence was pretty

good. Jackson did the right thing and Nevin Spence came in behind and

just shoved him over the line. It was all about Ulster being patient

and not wasting it and keeping the ball in possession and eventually

their efforts paid off and they The wind is starting to pick up, it

Paddy Jackson misses for the first time in five attempts. But he has

got the majority of the points at the sports ground in Galway. Ulster

That will be what they will want to do. Ulster making a replacement.

Robbie Diack is going off, and Ali Birch is coming on. Ali Birch got

his first start against Leinster. what a good drive. The referee says

Connacht help them up, and it is going to be a Connacht scrum. It

was a good reply by Ulster. They are straight back down into

Connacht territory. Connacht have the luxury of the wind at their

back. Cobbled will have to play from deep to get the points. --

Connacht. It is interesting that they have taken off Tom Court. Adam

Macklin has come on, wearing number 18. This is his first scrum, his

15th league game. Craig Gilroy coming into the wind, Paddy Jackson

moved into Number Ten. Ian Humphreys leaves the pitch. Still

more than a quarter of the game to Duffy. A cracking the cake. It was

well rehearsed, and not for the first time. They moved to a

midfield position to allow him the luxury of the cake. He uses the

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was well set up by the replacement the referee is playing advantage

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a chance to regain the lead. Outstanding rugby by Connacht. It

started in midfield, the break by George Naoupu. They went through a

number of phases. It has led to the penalty. The upper body strength

and the pace, and wonderful sidestep, it took a lot of Ulster

cover to bring him down. They were stretched it defensively. They will

probably concede three points. really is a game that, in terms of

a semi-final place, -- top four judges. Miah Nikora scores another

three points for his side. From Ulster, they need to play territory,

they need to muscle up defensively. Connacht need to make cakes or

bricks, or otherwise, they have to work so hard. It is important that

Ulster close the game out from a defensive perspective. It was taken

well by Stefan Terblanche. The referee telling Connacht to get

Duffy, he does the right thing and he calls for the mark. Even though

he will put it into touch, Connacht penalty. He looked as if he was

going to. He ran forward with serious intent. The touch judge has

got his flat out. -- his flag. An offence has been committed.

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penalty goes against Ulster, because of Lewis Stephenson's

retaliation. There was the elbow, and there was the retaliation. I do

not think there was a decent punch landed, but that is scarcely the

point. Connacht have advanced than the field. Michael Swift with their

elbow and punch, and there was a bit of retaliation. Both sides down

to 14 men, minus their respective second-row forwards. Kidd has been

a hugely physical game, but it has not overstepped the mark, until now.

There will be more space to be found. This will speed up the game.

The pendulum has swung in the favour of the home side, and the

home crowd are getting behind them. Ali Birch is penalised, and a

chance for Connacht to squeeze them out a bit more. Nigel Brady being

of penalties. Miah Nikora has gone for the corner, Connacht going for

the victory. They have to work hard to get to this area of the pitch,

they are looking for maximum returns. It is always a tough place

other end of the park. They are looking for a top-four place in the

Loughney. The referee has given the scrum to Ulster. Ulster have used

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part of the field. Ulster will still feel confident, given the

wind at their backs, and the closeness of the score. They need

to keep going through the phases, looking for the drop kick penalty

opportunity. Connacht will be disappointed to leave without any

points. That was nearly one against the head. Paddy McAllister looking

at the touch judge to say that there is something going on, but

the referee has asked Ulster to put it in again. That should have

brought a penalty against Connacht. Making no attempt to bind on padded

McAllister's journey. -- Paddy will Ulster do, will they take it

into touch? Pinau gives it an almighty wallop and he finds it the

inside the Connacht have but it is going to be a throw for Connacht.

That is the luxury that Ulster have, with the wind at their backs. They

can establish a good position very quickly., will have to go through a

lot of phases. -- Connacht will Ulster scrum. Surprise that

Connacht kicking away possession so easily, particularly not been able

to contest for that, just handing possession back to Ulster. Once

again, Craig Gilroy with ball in hand, a very difficult man to stop.

Ulster may elect to his magic to regain the lead in this game.

Ulster brought on Andy Tiryaki and rows were too low,

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scrambled offensively and not allow Ulster any DD -- he's the Laak --

yards. I am surprised they are playing as much Moby as they are in

the middle third. Jackson has got the ability to kick for a field

position and Connacht, just watching the clock ticked away,

knowing they have a margin. Not much, but enough to give them the

lead into the last 10 minutes. O'Donoghue has come on as

Michael Swift and Lewis Stevenson are allowed back on. Connacht

scrummage time is back on again, just over 10 minutes remaining. The

most important 10 minutes of Foster's season. They had to make

big changes to their starting team. It was a risk to send a team with

so many changes and untried combinations. They have still got

the opportunity to win. It is crucial given the context of the

Connacht exactly where they want to be. It is all about possession for

Connacht. They are in the right place. They just need to go through

phases and show that intensity at the breakdown. They need to show

the pick and dried game that has served them so well at the

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that all is not going back onto the Connacht side and asked to get to

put it into the scrum. They want to keep the ball in hand because they

have got to score something. They they just take it down the field

and hope for the best? -- do they just take it? They have got a good

chasing mind and they need to force 13. Ulster need to secure the wrong

ball from must put-in. -- their own O'Donoghue, Connacht looking to

close it out and they are going ball. He was on his feet. The

referee has adjudicated otherwise. That is a very important penalty.

Ali Birch has been sent to the sin- bin. Lewis Stevenson and Michael

Swift coming back on. This could wrap the game up for Connacht.

will certainly put them in a commanding position, five points in

the lead with six minutes left on their hopes of emulating last

season, when they got to the semi- finals of the league, are to be

emulated. Nikora puts it between They are going to hang onto it as

Connacht coming to the fore, demonstrating why it is so hard to

get a result against them at the Sportsground. Congratulations on

the first senior Ulster Cup for Henderson, who has come on wearing

19. He has taken over from a comb. they will be looking to secure

possession. They do not want any penalties to be given away. They

will set a midfield target and go through the phases. They should be

able to wind down in the majority of that with the bomb in hand. --

with the ball in hand. They will be very happy here at the Sportsground

if the score line remains Faloon, just slipping the binding

and not staying on the back of the scrum. I do not know if they will

go for the posts but they will go into the corner if they can. That

is what Nikora is going to do. Almost a case of looking for a

quick tap he could have done just to make sure they have ball in hand.

They have gone for the line-out but it has worked well for them today.

They are looking to retain this and then wind it down and take a good

victory. One thing that will emerge is that while Ulster have a good

first 15, the second 15 is may be just not so good. Taken quickly by

Connacht but that was a mess. difficult for these players being

brought together in combinations that have not been played all

season. Not a lot of game time for them either. They have been forced

into playing a very spirited Connacht side but it was a risk

for Ulster, a minute and they have to go. They have to when this

scrummage and run it. They have to run its and try and regather. They

are going to have to run from deep. It is up to Connacht to make sure

Ulster do not get the vital try to Connacht not far away from a famous

Connacht at the scrummage. Still some time to grow. Ruan Pienaar

asking the referee, it is not that great defensive play by Connacht.

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Ulster might have just got it, yes gone into touch. The referee says

it is all over, and Ulster's RaboDirect Pro12 semi-final hopes

are handing by a thread. There are still two games to come, but this

was the game they really needed to win. Connacht have emerged

victorious, 26-21, and they probably deserved it. A spirited

performance, they had greater intensity, they controlled things

at the start of the game, and ultimately, they just had too much

for a much changed Ulster team. They battled valiantly, but they

did not have enough. The set pieces are important. Tom Court playing at

tight head, and seven changes, but the scrum looked at vulnerable.

is not what cost them, there was parity, it was just the desire. You

saw the line speed defence from Connacht, they could not match that.

They know how to win games at the Sportsground, they would not be

denied. Ulster lead at the break, but a stronger second half from

Connacht. Ulster did not use the And entertaining RaboDirect Pro12

Derby. Connacht scored two first half tries. But the home side

trailed, courtesy of the bit of Paddy Jackson. There was no

stopping Connacht at the start of the second half. They were brought

back in front with their third try. Ulster responded with a Paddy

Jackson touchdown. But mire Micawber scored two more penalties.

He deserved victory. -- it was a deserved victory. Yes, they were

more physical, a bit more clinical. I cannot help but think that Ulster

went down with the attitude of wanting to win, but they were not

desperate to win. They put all of their eggs into one basket, they

are concentrating on the Heineken Cup. They made so many wholesale

changes, with some time left on the clock, in a game that was so tight.

You compare that with the game last week, they did not make any changes.

We ended up with a very experienced side on the pitch, they did not

have the nous to get into the right position to get the victory. What

does that say about their strength in depth? It compounds what we

already knew. It was similar last week. Limerick against Munster, the

bench was not used. Perhaps they do not feel that they have the calibre

of player that can make the difference. They will have to

address that in the future. With the ferocity and intensity of the

game, you must be able to use the bench. Connacht did that well

tonight. Connacht showed some genuine improvement recently, that

is a big scalp tonight, even if it is Ulster's second string,

essentially. They have come very close, they have outscored Leinster.

They are moving on very well. You look at their under-aged sides,

they are very strong, physically, they are well developed. They have

young players, a lot of people might not know them, but they are

quality players. They have shown they can match it. Connacht are

going places. They have got a much stronger squad. Next year, they

will have an uphill battle again, but it is a big game for them, and

an important win. Connacht's problem, they can get close, but

they cannot quite finish games. This season again, they have missed

out on a few victories because they have not had a good first-choice

goalkicker. As we all know, that wins matches. Bait or in a worse

position than they should be. -- Tom Court, a disappointing result.

Yes, Connacht are a good team, they are always going to bring it out

against you. You cannot fault the boys for the effort, but we made

too many mistakes, and they were hungrier. How did you feel you

performed? It is a work-in-progress. We are far from dead yet. We just

need time. We keep chipping away. Would it be too harsh to say these

ends your ambitions to finish in the top four? It will make it more

difficult. Paddy Jackson, you took over the kicking duties, and you

scored a try. It cook like you would win, how disappointed I do?

We are disappointed. They came in with high hopes to do well. We

wanted to get into the top four. It did not go away. We did not hold on

to the ball well enough. Full credit to Connacht, they were very

physical. What was the difference between the sides? They've retained

the ball better, a bit more territory. We had a few players out

of position. We did not hold the ball very well. It is not how we

have been training. It makes it more difficult to finish in the top

four. Is it still achievable? is great belief, you have seen what

we can do, the season has been going well. Two disappointed Ulster

players, but still hopeful of a To make the top four, it will be an

uphill struggle. It will be very difficult. You look at Leinster,

the next game, you should win your home games, but we look at what

Leinster did against Edinburgh, they demolished them with a second-

string side. Leinster are exceptions to the role in this

bleak, and in Europe. They are the best side in Europe, they have the

strongest squad, and they can change as many players as they want

and still putting a top of -- like a top performance. The last one

against Munster, will Munster want to let them win again? There will

be a bit of pay back, possibly. could hear what it meant to the

Connacht crowd, they are still celebrating. The best possible

start in the second half, the way they started the first half. Ulster

were caught flat. They missed tackle from Willie Faloon. He takes

it well, good pace, and he stretched to finish. If you do not

have your full concentration,... It was the same as the first half.

Plenty of Ulster defenders, but they were staggered, they were not

in a straight line. They just needed to push up together, and

they would have quashed it. Nevin Spence, one of the positives? He

played an important role in the padded action -- in the Paddy

Jackson try. He is a strong runner, but he showed a strong hand off. A

lot of lesser mortals would have been pushed into touch. He is very

abrasive, and he retains the ball well. We recycled it two or three

times. Nevin Spence has driven Paddy Jackson over the line. He did

she 100% commitment. But he also gives the forwards a focal point.

Ulster could not generate the ball quick enough to release the likes

of Paddy Jackson, Stefan Terblanche and Craig Gilroy. When Ulster got

themselves into the position, even more disappointedly, they could not

close the game out. Perhaps it comes down to a lack of experience

on the pitch. Whenever you look at the sight left on the pitch, they

would not have been too many that have played in that environment. It

is difficult, you need a fulcrum of players, bringing everybody through,

making the right decisions at the right time. Just the fine margins,

Joining me now, prior McLaughlan. Does this end ambitions of a top-

four finish? We have to seek the other results. We have got a bonus

point, but that will not be enough. We will have to wait and see. They

tried very hard, Connacht are a very difficult side to beat. It is

a great victory for them. We have no complaints, we fought really

hard, but on the night, it was not enough. Any complaints about the

referee? There are decisions given here and there, it is the same for

both sides. You cannot take anything from the referee. Why did

you lose the game? We were a bit soft, we gave up too many easy

tries. We did not do that last week. We did not get on the front foot

enough and put them under enough Ulster up to third place at the

moment, but there are two games under way, Cardiff against the off

sprays, it is 3-3, and Munster played Glasgow at 7:15pm. When you

look at the remaining fixtures, Ulster have the hardest two games.

You have to take into account the scallops. -- the Scarlets. Yes. It

makes for an exciting at Leek, because it will go down to the last

weekend to see the third and fourth places. Ulster have a chance, but

it is a long shot. There are one or two sides that have easier run-ins.

Next Friday night, it is set up for a Blockbuster. Two full-strength

teams, Ulster against Leinster, live on BBC Two. It is mouth-

watering, potentially a European Cup final dress rehearsal. It would

be lovely to see them going at each other, hammer and tongs. The packed

house at Ravenhill. Ulster have nothing to fear. A positive booster

before the semi-final. That is what they need. What is exciting, we

have not seen a full-strength Leinster side at Ravenhill. It will

be nice for the supporters to see a lot of good names. We might see