Ulster v Edinburgh Ulster Rugby Live

At all, Ulster have been almost unbeatable. They have been beaten

on me once in 18 games at Ravenhill. They kept up our record against the

Ospreys, but almost blew it. They were hanging on by the proverbial

for red exclamation mark Ulster beat tonight's opposition back in

January, but Edinburgh are always dangerous, with the RaboDirect

PRO12 top try-scorer in their ranks. The kick-off is in five minutes.

The fans have become very accustomed to seeing their team

when here and with just six games left this season, they cannot

afford any slip-ups in the opposite of the top four at semi-final. Good

evening. Welcome to Ravenhill. This is a perfect way for you to kick

off the weekend with your regular fix of Ulster rugby. With half-time,

do not look out for our special feature. He may not have played for

Ulster in five months, but we have not talked about power favourite

New Zealander. He will talk about his season ending injury. If you

would like to share your views with You can also get in touch with my

studio guests. Here is a look at the table. Ulster around 5th place,

two points a week out of the play- offs. Really, it means that Ulster

have Northern to read all. These home games are very vital. And if

they could squeak a bonus point, every little point would help.

is, three other games on tonight, which will all have an impact on

how the table will look at the end of the evening. No, the coach has

stuck with the role of Ruan Pienaar and Paul Marshall. The teams

stutters slightly last week and defensively they came crashing down

at the end. But I think if they get a run of games going, the well

developed a relationship and we will get the best out of both of

them. Now it, Paul Marshall has played every game for Ulster this

season, the top Appearance player in the entire at Leek. Do think

they can take that form through to the quarter-final of the Heineken

Cup against Munster? Here is, I think so. He did not have a great

game by his own admission, he would be the first to admit that. He is a

quality enough player to bounce back from last week. It is these

diaries Province against the Scottish region, but it is to Irish

coaches going head-to-head? Yes, I think Michael Bradley has done very

well at Edinburgh in his first season. He has taken a Scottish

club into the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup for the first time.

think it will be the biggest game for a Scottish club since

professionalism came in. Yes, but they have lost their last five

games and just before the big European quarter-final, they will

want to stamp their authority on the game. And still live. They want

to get the momentum back again. Losing five games on the trot is

not good. But they are also missing their international players, so it

is a great chance for all staff. One in the met in January, Ulster

got that Borders. When. Let us see The red and black shirt and men of

Edinburgh are just waiting for it all start to come out. The pitch is

in perfect condition and as was said, there is no margin of error

much in their own hands. You can hear the vociferous support. With a

cup of the players and Paris for the Ireland squad, Ulster have been

forced into a couple of changes. But it is generally the same pack

that started against the gorse sprays last week. Dash mac Robey or

his communication, but that seems to be all keen now. Ulster have won

the toss and elected to receive the ball. It means they will be playing

towards their favourite end it in the second half. For Edinburgh, it

will be Phil Godman to kick them fixtures, they always produce the

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because of international requirements. There is only seven

players from each side to played in the corresponding fixture back in

January. In terms of personnel, Gamboa. Not a lot of binding gone

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will please Michael Bradley. danger men are Netani Talei and Sep

Visser. We saw both of them involved. Very clever like

preserving the space for me outside five minutes played and Edinburgh

more routine, you expect that it will be the away team that has to

try and live with you, but in their final World Cup game last

year. At the time, they were on the end of a bit of that thanking from

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a very good will side, who scored off. Again, not the start that

Ulster would have wanted. Missing a kick that was not all that

desperately close. It was very close, so it least he has got his

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to his more familiar position of score by the little scrum-half. His

fourth try in the leak and his sixth for Ulster. That was one of

the best you will see at Ravenhill. Outstanding play by D'Arcy. He

manages decent weather support players are coming from and it is a

great amount of confidence. He probably knows that he had an

indifferent game last week. And peanut slots it over and nice and

easily so Ulster fans will breathe both teams in the lead-up to that

try but it was Ulster who sense they had the opportunity to develop

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Braque, and it seems to be stuck in They have the penalty for holding

on in the tackle. It is entertaining stuff, both teams

playing with attacking intent. But Ulster delivering the goods on the

ground there. Excellent awareness from the outside backs and an

opportunity presented itself from the breakdown and forced the

Pedrie Wannenburg is leaving the field. Mike McComish will be coming

on. I think he just got the tackle wrong. On comes Mike McComish for

his sixth Ulster cap. He will slot into the blind side of the

Ulster have the put into the scrum and it is a very good position.

There was the tackle and he just seemed to bank into something. I'm

not sure there was even a lot of contact. Something just seem to go.

He has left the field pretty quickly. He has been an absolute

rock for Ulster in the last couple of seasons but that is the second

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well this evening and this provides off in the corner by the veteran

Springbok. The referee is going to go to the television official.

Stefan Terblanche looks in no doubt that he scored the try. The corner

flag was taken out but no doubt about the try. It is only it a foot

crosses the line before the ball is touchdown, and that did not seem to

Ulster try. Stefan Terblanche has been such an asset since he came on

a short-term contract. From that distance, he is big, he is strong,

and he is vastly experienced. Edinburgh was forced into a passive

drift, and you cannot afford to that the Ravenhill crowd know and

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love. Not a bad little spell for field, so there is something

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affecting the number six is in this African wine, Terblanche, he is

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try was there for the taking. They are playing some exuberant rugby.

The offload and the tackle came up for Kyriacou and then he was

swamped. They ended up with the six-man overlap. The outside

players overran it slightly. It was the covering tackled that did it.

D'Arcy was dispossessed in the tackle before he had a chance to

players are on international duty. Coming up to the end of the first

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they can get a third try before half-time. It was an excellent

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do the same thing, going round the fringes in twos and threes, but the

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ball got isolated. A bit of relief for work, but the referee is

playing advantage to Edinburgh. It was charged down, but they will

come back for the scrum. Ulster playing some very enterprising

rugby. He yes, it is very good to watch. We are seen the full scale

set. Look at a little flick, which good top players away on Six

Nations duty, it does give the younger players a chance to short

what they can do. Contrast that with the Premiership, where every

game is crucial with the threat of relegation always learning. At

least the RaboDirect PRO12 allows for the development of younger

Ulster's second try. He has just signed an extension to stay at

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worthwhile rugby, apart from that opening try at the beginning of the

Adam D'Arcy. Good play by an. But he has run into a little bit of

trouble. In the rubble try and keep them off the ground, so the get the

put-in to the scrum and that is exactly what they have done. An

Edinburgh try, and this game could take on a totally different

Adam D'Arcy was struggling to get to ground. You can see that defence.

Paddy Wallace, the captain. When you get beaten on the inside Stet,

the other players have to work very hard to cover that. This has a

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crucial scrum. There is a bit of a stock pretty close. Craig Gilroy

was under pressure from Tim Visser, but I think the ball was may be

pushed forward. The ball may be just did not have enough height on

young. Apart from Tom Brown, who is 28. The rest of them are in their

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margin will be very keen to make continuity. They persevered, and

finally the gap appealed. Adam D'Arcy took a wonderful insight

line. He would not think you could have fitted a player through the

air, but there is that wonderful step inside. We saw this last

season, that Adam D'Arcy Runcie's with three converted tries, now

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leading by 16 points. It is Adam He will bring them back for the

penalty. I do not think Edinburgh will be kicking for the posts.

is on the wider angle as well, I expect they will try to promote

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this app field as far as possible. was formed. It was unplayable.

is a turnover ball and the scrum to Edinburgh. Will Brian McLaughlin be

reasonably happy? He will. They are looking for the offloading option

to keep the ball alive. One wonders where Paddy Wallace is in terms of

his international career. If he plays the remainder of his career

with Ulster the way he has been playing recently, then Ravenhill

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Ulster come away with that. The McComish. No messing about and not

about kick. I can remember him playing quite some years ago in the

final of eight schools competition and he played at outside half.

the good seven should be able to slot into the centre position it

required. He was certainly an accomplished player as a 7 in his

Kelly will not be happy with that. It is his 130 of game. He is one of

those great players that every squad should have. REFEREE: I am

quite capable of seeing that they are not straight, let me cornered,

OK? The referee having a word there They needed more men committed to

the breakaway. Somebody has said something and they have been marked

back 10 metres. Ulster do not want to get the back-up of the referee,

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REFEREE: You're not going to get away with that, off your feet and

back. What do Edinburgh do here, because we are into the red zone,

in terms of time, so they will have to go for the kick, when they?

Edinburgh are struggling a little bit without their internationals,

their attack becomes a little inbetween Ulster have scored three

converted tries. Three tries in the first half. Ulster responded well

and once they got the front foot forward and played with tempo in

the wider channels, Adam D'Arcy starring in that half. Three tries

If you wanted some entertainment on a Friday night, you certainly got

it at Ravenhill. A lively contest, with Edinburgh taking the lead

through Visser. Then it was all Ulster. Marshall wriggled over for

a try. Terblanche squeezed over in the corner. And then Adam D'Arcy

dive over for the third. A penalty before half-time for Guscott but it

is a handsome Ulster lead. Andy Ward and Tony McWhirter have been

watching the first half. An excellent first half for the home

side. They started very shaken lead with a soft defensive error to let

end Brett in. But they have very much bounced back. Not a great

start for Ulster but they did settle in and showed great

composure. They did. I have been impressed that they have held on to

the ball. They have been happy to go through more to pull faces and

picked up two of three good tries on the back of that of the blocks

only. It was the numbers game at Edinburgh put the ball through the

hands nicely. Ulster had to keep the integrity of the defensive line

intact. There is nobody pressing or coming forward to take the tackle.

They were happy to take the tackle on the terms of Edinburgh, and when

you do that, you let the opposition kick the ball. Visser is a very

nice player. He is a very big guy and he handles himself

exceptionally well. But as the game has progressed, the Ulster defence

against him has been very good. is an important night for Paul

Marshall, who is really trying to put a marker down. Getting the try

tonight will have done him no harm. And nice break from Adam D'Arcy

here. Whitten, textbook play, carry the ball into hands and Marshall

sidesteps inside and scores. That is the one thing Ulster have done

well, they have straightened up well inside. Did you think you

should have cut back inside when you could watch it? Listen, on all

of those breaks that were made there, there is something for every

youngster watching at home, every successful break that Ulster have

started, the ball player has carried the ball in two hands,

offering that question every time. On the counter attack, Ulster a

really showing ambition tonight that they were going to throw the

ball around. They have, but I think they have done it smartly as well.

They have looked for the mismatch against her slow afford against a

faster it back. -- a slower forward. We have kept the ball in hand and

not made the schoolboy errors but we made in previous weeks. We'll

come to be clear and look very good for it. I know you played again

Stefan Terblanche when he made his international debut many moons ago.

He has still got it. He is testament to someone who looks

after himself physically and so forth. I have seen him doing that

for India upon year. He is technically very good. Had he

stayed high at that point, he would have got bundled into touch. That

was a further example of how to kick the ball. He is a class act.

His positioning as well is very good. When he is under pressure he

does deliver a good kick. That is always ability he has as a fullback.

He is able to drift back into the second fullback position and he is

extremely good under that high ball and it gives him the opportunity to

link with D'Arcy and take the play back upfield. A quality player

shows patients and he looks like he has so much time on the ball. He

looks composed and he does the We know what Afoa can do in the

tight, but he often even more in the loose. He is so mobile. An

outstanding physical specimen for a prop. He is probably one of the

best players in the northern hemisphere this year. And important

defensively as well. He has the experience and he leads by example.

That is something that is very important. Again this is quite an

in experienced Ulster team in many ways. It is important to have

someone of his exhibits and capability. Was the third try by

Ulster the best? I could not believe it was such a short side

but once again Paul Marshall is exposed and he is so quick off the

base. He just goes and he does the right thing with a beautifully

timed pass inside. Classic finishing. Edinburgh have defended

for most of the first half and they were tired at that stage and it is

a lack of bodies getting into I think a defensive work that

airports have had to do it, is going to lead to the game been

I thing that will take its toll on them. As Paul Marshall showed more

patients tonight? Yes, he has done well. He did not have his best game

last week. Tactically and technically, he is very good. It is

when he tries too over complicate the game that he runs into problems.

One of the big-name signings for All Star was the New Zealander.

Unfortunately, he suffered the season in the same ending Achilles

injury. We thought we would catch You feel like you have let the club

down and the fans down. You want to come over and make an impression.

He is down injured and this does not look good. As I drove into it a

tackle, it felt as if someone kicked the back of my leg. I

reached down and I could feel the gap. He'll looks distraught. I was

You have these days where you think, what their airline doing. But you

have got to just put it aside a look at the positive to. You have

just got to get on with it and look at the bigger picture. It is quite

eye it shock when you have not put any weight on it for three months.

Just jumping down on it. I am just trying to strengthen everything up

again. I will build it up slowly. It it is all about getting the

parts of the body down there used to everything again. I will be

happy once the name comes the that training. The fizzy or reckon three

weeks and I thought a month, so we will see who is right. He is a

fantastic player and when he comes back next season, it will be like a

new signing from Ulster. Yes, the funny thing is that probably has

prolonged his career. He is such a talented player and to see him back

on the Ulster team sheet will be tremendous. The next 10 to 15

minutes crucial for Ulster to keep the momentum going towards getting

a bonus point? He yes, they do not want to get to lateral to LA. That

would play into Edinburgh's hands. By thank you. Here are some later

scores from the other games. Lines Three tries to one end Ulster's

That is a difficult thing to say when you have not got your teeth

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dead and the first half, at the kickable. Edinburgh have come out

after the half-time break to throw everything at Ulster. There have

just been a little bit predictable. But on this occasion, Ulster

infringing. Edinburgh certainly need to be first on the scoreboard

of the are to have any chance in fils not so, Edinburgh get

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and was will gather done by Robbie Ulster player. Line-out to

Edinburgh. Look at the way he is out. He has extended his contract

with Ulster until the end of April. If the club remain in either the

play-off stages of this competition or in the Heineken Cup, he will be

line-out to Ulster. Yes, Nice move there from Ulster, nice tactical

injury to an Edinburgh player. It flattened. I do not know what this

was something of the ball or a ground will be on Monday 19th March

for the final of the Ulster schools' competition. Also to not

have a lot of options in substitute. Neil McCaul and could probably come

also played at number 8 this year. I paid do not see and the warming

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McColm entering the three pretty tries. Perhaps the pick of them was

this one. Nor, in fact we were getting a second look at the one by

still. You are always pleased to see the arms and legs moving in

this sort of situation where it looks like an injury in the head

and neck area. Ulster seemed to be pressing home Faure fourth try, but

all of that pales into insignificance because player

safety is all that matters. The ball went to the back of the line

and was well taken by Ulster. Some body head's went into that side of

the jaw of 20 tour -- McComb. I'm sure he will recover from that.

looked accidental and caught unawares. He will certainly be in

good hands with the Ulster video and medical team. All precautions

have to be taken and there is never any area for doubt. Plenty of

paramedics on there and I think McComb is sitting up a little bit.

He has almost caught a classic there came. You cannot rely on

other people to do the job for you. As they stand, none of those

scorelines really doing Ulster any favours. A win for Glasgow would

keep them above Ulster. There brought last week meant they got

the extra two.. Ulster still have the capabilities of pressing on and

maybe getting another bonus point. Anxious looks on the faces of the

Ulster faithful, who come weekend and we cared. Huge development

plans here at break and help and one hopes that the number of season

tickets will increase because that gives a big financial plus. More

people saying they want to come and watch rugby like this, and putting

their hands in their pocket, I'm not trying to do eight sales pitch

for Ulster, but the season ticket prices are very reasonable. They

have got Mike McComish strapped on two there structure. I think it was

something quite innocuous but when a guy goes down like that you

cannot take any chances. He is in very good hands. You have to take

players safety and welfare very seriously, particularly Brent

injuries are around that area. The Ulster crowd will be very happy

with the spectacle they have seen this evening. It perhaps does not

have the intensity of some games but it just made up for it in the

manner that it has been played. Both teams with plenty of endeavour.

Ulster will be conscious of putting this game away. Visser put

Edinburgh up and then there was excessive tries for Ulster, all of

which were converted. Either side of the interval, Godman kicked a

couple of penalties for Edinburgh. So, 10 points between them but a

long way to go. Ulster other two round of applause for the

unfortunate Mike McComish. His father, Graham, was an outstanding

player for the North of Ireland and for Ulster. Do not get into a

conversation with him about sporting facts and figures, because

he was a mine of information. So, McComb is on for Ulster and it is

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prospect of some came time here at Craven Hill. He is another product

referee has given the penalty but not a penalty try. I'm sure Ulster

will take the scrum again. When you are under that sort of pressure,

the next thing that you do is package down and ask for another

scrum until you receive the penalty the back line, depending which way

There has been very rain in the last -- very little brain in the

last two or three days here in bowl give the penalty try! Claiming

that Edinburgh were collapsing. Nigel Owen and St that the drive

was coming on, you took the step and then you brought it down. No

option, he feels, than to give the penalty try. Outstanding

scrummaging. Afoa making mincemeat of the opposition. We thought that

was what Ulster would try for and they have the reward for the set-

piece dominance. This will be their heard in that and has gone off the

restart, so nothing going right for the visitors. I think, given the

injuries and the continuation of the Six Nations, Ulster will be

pretty club that they do not have games in the next two weeks. There

is an opportunity to give more came time to do likes of Macklin and

Cochrane. And also quench Afoa is likely to get 20 minutes in this

position established. It is always difficult for her team when you

have got a bonus point, and a good lead, how do you keep the

intensity? Edinburgh are changing their hooker and Ulster are

changing their scrum-half. Ian Humphreys is coming on. Alun Walker,

the man who scored a try for Edinburgh in the corresponding

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fixture at Murrayfield, is on for be a Ulster scrummage. Edinburgh

still trying to play that high- tempo game but an ill-conceived

kick there. I am delighted to be able to bring you to news that Mike

McComish is sitting up in the dressing room and is talking. How

might sense he is making is a matter for debate! But most

importantly, Mike McComish is sitting up in the dressing room and

chatting away. And Andi Kyriacou has made way for the experienced

Nigel Brady, who has come on as Nigel Brady. He has been an

outstanding player for Ulster down the years. A great irrespective

member within the squad. At the core of the culture that is driving

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impressive as he was in the referee was having a good look, but

there has been a rush forwards. But also a loving far too dangerously,

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Edinburgh just unable to get that the game and that was a confident

kept. You hear that thump of having a left-footed player on the

pitch. It opens up tactical kicking come to the end of the third

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side to try and stymie the efforts Traynor are think. They are taking

it around the fringes and going through multiple phases, but

ultimately that handling let them down. We are seeing a number of

substitutes now. Kyle Traynor coming off, to be replaced by Robin

Hislop. It can get a bit confusing with all these changes happening at

once. Chris Scott and coming on for 20 minutes on the pitch.

finally, Harry Leonard has come on from Humphreys. What a fabulous

Keck! Look at the ground on the face of Ian Humphreys. It is good

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field position comfortably in after Edinburgh carry it over the

goal line. Excellent attacking round the fringes. Good pressure

posts. The referee is just giving everyone a bit of a time-out. Sean

Cox, 27, was born in Lancaster or. He started the season at Sale

Sharks. With the Temple of this game, particularly in the first

half, it is not surprising that the four words are starting to feel the

second replacement prop is set to come on. But they will probably

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month out of their boots, to make sure they can get as much grip as

are pushing it through and there is the penalty. Edinburgh guilty of

whipping around. Ulster are going quickly fills up. It is another try

for Ulster. He is only on the pitch a couple of minutes and Chris Cogan

has got try No. 5 for Ulster. That should just about wrap it up.

again, it is about this dominance in the scrum. I am sure that Ruan

Pienaar was been shouted at to take has played most of his rugby out

and the wing for his previous club, but not so much in his professional

truly one and also got that all important bonus point. Ruan Pienaar,

from the far touchline, could not quite bring backache right back in,

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Humphreys. It has Pook Edinburgh coming up in 16 months' time, if

this fellow was playing like this for Scotland, were due count

against him getting into that That was exuberant rugby. Paddy

Wallace's distribution skills up for all to see there. But once

again, I'll start are back in Edinburgh territory, when they have

played the majority of the second half. Just to over 12 minutes

remaining. There may be some added time, of course, because of that

completely accidental, thump to the side of their head. This is good

opportunity to effect that grass tackle. Because of their height

they can get under the ball and hold the player up. The other

players come in and around and the ball becomes unplayable because it

is off the ground and results in further himself. Good play by

Ulster yet again. Excellent work. They used it well with Ian

Humphreys. Look how hard Visser for a try against Tim Visser.

Edinburgh making another replacement and coming on is Chris

Paterson. Luke Marshall has come on for Ian Whitten. And there is the

most capped player in the history of Scottish International Rugby

Union football, the great Chris senior Ulster shirt for quite some

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very quick. Into the last 10 minutes of this game and Edinburgh

are still throwing everything at 18th appearance for Ulster and his

15th as replacement. He is a former options are available, that is how

The referee is having a look, he may well go upstairs. The sheer

size of Tim Visser may have been enough to give him that touch down.

He does not look convinced himself. That looks alright to me. He

touched the corner flag with his foot, but that does not count

anymore. I think it is the foot placement be on the try-line that

would be of most concern. It is weather this for a plant is down

before the ball. Was his Inside foot in touch? I think it looks

alright. It may be a case of attacking advantage. You may award

the try. And the try is good and Edinburgh have pulled back. Not a

bad kick but it did not drift in. So, at seven minutes remaining,

Ulster with the bonus point and the fifth try to pick. The game really

breaking up, but look at the strength of Visser. Displaying that

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lethal finishing ability that he nothing wrong with that, according

to Nigel Owens. There was a great jazz there for try number six for

am sure, will be into the corner. He into the corner up or a scrum,

but I would say the corner will be the option. Not much point going

for the three. Seven tries scored already and the crowd is certainly

would not mind a last one to set them on their way with a smile on

their face. Paddy Wallace has to make the decision and I think they

are going for the scrummage. Good appreciation from Ulster, if they

have made the decision, because you would not put it against them to

match this Edinburgh scrum all the way to the line. Mike McComish has

an nasty-looking gash on his left cheekbone and it is badly swollen

but I do not think he is going to be too worried about that. This was

how he got injured. It was the head of one of his colleagues. No wonder

he went down like a ton of bricks! Paul Marshall will be running

around telling everyone how he fought one of Ulster's strongest

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referee is playing advantage to Adam ruck. -- to Edinburgh. They

are still going to run it, so full forward in the world but he is

Nigel Owens, entering into the spirit of things, it says on you

does! What a finish by Ulster. And the crowd, as if they were not

going home happy, will now be going home ecstatic! The feel-good factor

is certainly at Ravenhill this evening. They could pick up and a

wonderful angle run by Humphreys. He had the pace to go over in the

corner. 21-8 at half-time, it is now 38-16. And Ian Humphreys gets

over in the corner. This will be the last kick of what really has

been a warming game in every sense. 8 chilly evening at Ravenhill but

it has been raining tries. It has been hectic stuff from the start. A

huge amount of endeavour and the tempo has been high throughout. Two

teams that came here wanting to play rugby and we have witnessed a