:00:25. > :00:30.Ulster kicked off this season with a victory against tonight's
:00:30. > :00:40.opposition and it with us the new coach's first competitive game in
:00:40. > :00:44.charge. That's how close they are.'S the osprey's line.
:00:44. > :00:51.Since then, Ulster have kept on winning.
:00:51. > :00:53.It's right through. It will be a try for Trimble. There's a long
:00:53. > :01:03.absentee list through injury. That's handed opportunities to some
:01:03. > :01:06.
:01:06. > :01:13.of the young guns, including Scott Baldwin. The captain returns. It is
:01:13. > :01:18.Mark Anscombe's Ulster against the Welsh Ospreys. It is another sell-
:01:18. > :01:23.out at Ravenhill. Good evening. After a five-week
:01:23. > :01:26.break, it is good to be back with Ulster rugby Live. This is the
:01:26. > :01:30.first of four Friday night matches in a row for Ulster. You will be
:01:30. > :01:36.able to see them all live here on BBC Two Northern Ireland. As always,
:01:36. > :01:45.we would like to hear from you. Our contact details are on the screen.
:01:45. > :01:54.At half-time look out for our big interview. We will hear about a
:01:54. > :02:04.injury update. Here are my two guests tonight, Maurice Field... It
:02:04. > :02:07.
:02:07. > :02:12.would be nice for Ulster to follow it up tonight. It would be nice for
:02:12. > :02:15.the Ulster guys to put forward the performance and get them back on
:02:15. > :02:20.the winning streak again. To be fair to Ulster, the big names have
:02:20. > :02:29.been missing for a lot of the pro games this season, which have taken
:02:29. > :02:35.them 11 points clear of the top of the table. As you can see from the
:02:36. > :02:41.the table. As you can see from the tables, they are a good, clear
:02:41. > :02:48.position. They will look for points out of this, this evening. At this
:02:48. > :02:53.time of year, during the six nations, it is a test of depth.
:02:54. > :02:58.Ulster have purchased very well through the off season. They have
:02:58. > :03:04.shown a lot of their academy boys are coming through. The fact Ulster
:03:04. > :03:09.have been winning week in, week out, has thrown great competition for
:03:09. > :03:14.this squad. The Ulster team are peppered with experience w a real
:03:14. > :03:24.youthful feel to it as well. have seen Anscombe happy to go for
:03:24. > :03:26.
:03:26. > :03:36.academy players. We will check out the Ospreys' team
:03:36. > :03:38.
:03:38. > :03:41.first. 16 or 17 players missing. We have the key man for the Ospreys.
:03:42. > :03:51.Going to Northampton this year. Clash Of The Titans with him.
:03:51. > :04:01.Then they have three youngsters, Spratt, Isaacs and hab hab.
:04:01. > :04:10.
:04:10. > :04:15.I think Stuart is a very calm individual. He loves getting into
:04:15. > :04:24.it. He's been brought up through rugby. As a youngster watching us
:04:24. > :04:31.play. He's a very talented player. Very strong. It provides a lot of
:04:31. > :04:38.competition for Jackson. It gives it that advantage. He's starting to
:04:38. > :04:41.gain. He kicks well off the ground. Also is very good.
:04:41. > :04:46.Perfect timing! Just three games he's played for Ulster, as a
:04:46. > :04:51.replacement. It will be a big night for him tonight. We are not sure
:04:51. > :04:58.whether he will take the kicking duties tonight. Another big South
:04:58. > :05:08.Africa name, Milosevic, back after two months -- Miller, it is a
:05:08. > :05:08.
:05:08. > :05:16.welcome sight for Ulster fans. As we see him here in the scrum.
:05:16. > :05:26.See him scoring a try here. His ability cannot be underestimated.
:05:26. > :05:29.He leads from the front. He is passing on wisdom to the youngsters.
:05:29. > :05:33.Seasoned players are looking for guidance, that is what he brings to
:05:33. > :05:39.the team. As the new stands are erected here
:05:39. > :05:45.at Ravenhill, isn't it great to see it is another sell-out here tonight.
:05:45. > :05:48.Time after time. Commercial magnificent for Ulster, who
:05:48. > :05:52.captivated the crowd here and the general public. There's a huge air
:05:52. > :05:57.of expectation with that as well. suppose that European qualityation
:05:57. > :06:01.is now secure, it is time to concentrate very much on the next
:06:01. > :06:05.month on the pro 12. Ulster don't want to undo all the good work they
:06:05. > :06:09.have done. They had a two week break there. This is what the
:06:09. > :06:15.season depends on. Ulster have to get within the top four. Hopefully
:06:15. > :06:21.they will win the competition outright and go into the play-offs.
:06:21. > :06:31.Ulster have only lost one game out of 13 in the Pro-12s so far. Let's
:06:31. > :06:32.
:06:32. > :06:36.Record. Spring is a long way away. The rain that plagued the province
:06:36. > :06:46.this afternoon has disappeared and the pitch is in very, very good
:06:46. > :07:09.
:07:09. > :07:18.condition. As Stephen mentioned, it Ravenhill, as Ulster hope to extend
:07:19. > :07:22.their lead at the top of this competitive league.
:07:23. > :07:28.It's not just bread and butter but the meat and two veg. This is the
:07:29. > :07:34.competition that allows the RFU to justify having four fully
:07:34. > :07:43.competitive sides. Ulster have been the form side. A South African flag
:07:43. > :07:53.in honour of this man. It is great to see such an inspirational player
:07:53. > :08:28.
:08:28. > :08:35.former wing, born in Romania. Refereeing his 159 competitive game
:08:35. > :08:42.this evening. Pienaar gets game number 14. A blow
:08:42. > :08:52.to the Ospreys. Ian Gough just pulled a calf muscle
:08:52. > :08:52.
:08:52. > :10:21.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:10:21. > :10:26.badly in the warm-up and has had to but I don't think it did. It is
:10:26. > :10:30.difficult for both teams when you have a number of changes - not a
:10:30. > :10:35.settled team. It's that pattern of play and getting into that grove
:10:35. > :10:41.quickly which will play difficult. Players in different positions.
:10:41. > :10:51.Lots of nerves. You feel a team that can get into that pattern of
:10:51. > :11:06.
:11:06. > :11:10.play early on will set themselves releasing the man on the ground.
:11:10. > :11:20.This is probably just within Pienaar's kicking range.
:11:20. > :11:54.
:11:54. > :12:01.Good, lively start. It will not be too long before the
:12:01. > :12:11.stand opposite us is flattened and a brand new one will be erected.
:12:11. > :12:46.
:12:46. > :12:51.18,000 will be accommodated at the one. Ruan Pienaar has landed his
:12:51. > :12:55.first penalty. Four minutes gone, Ulster leading.
:12:55. > :13:05.A fortunate position for Ulster to bring in someone like Olding - a
:13:05. > :13:32.
:13:32. > :13:42.can kick from the box from Pienaar, kick from possession from Pienaar
:13:42. > :13:42.
:13:42. > :15:24.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:15:24. > :15:34.and then Olding and Wallace have tackle. As they go through the
:15:34. > :15:44.
:15:44. > :15:54.problem was with the boss braise throat. Ulster have the option of
:15:54. > :16:29.
:16:29. > :16:36.the throw again. This could be will be a close call. Lewis
:16:36. > :16:46.Stevenson, who played against the England Saxons. Good pressure by
:16:46. > :16:54.
:16:54. > :17:01.asked her, taken on by Scott I'll still have got themselves
:17:01. > :17:06.offside. This is a very kickable. And Ospreys are really taking this
:17:06. > :17:12.game to Ulster. They at had the benefit of position and not doing
:17:12. > :17:17.anything too complicated. Good ball security at the breakdown, and
:17:17. > :17:27.relying on trying to outflank cost of. Asked a's defence certainly up
:17:27. > :17:29.
:17:29. > :17:39.to it. Trimble might just have strayed offside. Andrew Trimble
:17:39. > :17:40.
:17:40. > :17:50.protesting his innocence. Matthew Morgan. Just out of his teens, the
:17:50. > :18:10.
:18:10. > :18:17.it was going well wide. It squeezed back in between the posts. The most
:18:17. > :18:27.extraordinary strike. There are unorthodox picking staff. It would
:18:27. > :18:47.
:18:47. > :18:54.will drift into touch. It was kicked from inside the 22. The
:18:54. > :19:04.Fotuali'i, World Cup player for Samoa, 30 years of age. Rob Herring,
:19:04. > :19:04.
:19:04. > :20:00.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:20:00. > :20:09.let that go. The Ospreys have been at playing in it there all the
:20:09. > :20:16.action. Taking quickly by Fotuali'i. Referee says that is OK. Ospreys
:20:16. > :20:26.had a chance with the three points and they spurned that. All the
:20:26. > :20:27.
:20:27. > :20:35.pressure coming from this Ospreys side. Did not come in that time. He
:20:35. > :20:41.will not go back for a penalty. Excellent leader up work, but again,
:20:41. > :20:48.option taking at the end of that phase of play. They have elected to
:20:48. > :20:54.kick. It very good hands. Them we need his composure on the ball.
:20:54. > :21:04.Trying to draw the defence in. Larking that composure to finish
:21:04. > :21:15.
:21:15. > :21:19.to the attempted drop goal, and well wide by Matthew Morgan. He has
:21:19. > :21:29.put on a pound or two since he appeared on the Ospreys senior side
:21:29. > :21:59.
:21:59. > :22:08.lot of space and that is due to and the Ospreys get a second
:22:08. > :22:12.penalty. They have dominated possession and done it very well.
:22:12. > :22:18.Particularly in a place like Ravenhill, you need to dominate
:22:18. > :22:22.possession. It takes a big hit like we saw just there from Andrew
:22:22. > :22:32.Trimble. You are in the ascendancy at the breakdown. The penalty stop
:22:32. > :22:44.
:22:44. > :22:54.Ospreys, and Ospreys have attempted for the kick. With the angle, it is
:22:54. > :23:26.
:23:26. > :23:34.player yet again. Even better than the first. Asked him now 6-3 up
:23:34. > :23:44.with less than a quarter over now gone. We are witnessing the number
:23:44. > :23:55.
:23:55. > :24:05.mine's going head to head. They Fotuali'i had a little glance there
:24:05. > :24:13.to see what was available. That has gone wide was stopped --. Nudge
:24:13. > :24:20.forward. That is unfortunate. Paddy Wallace up very quickly, bought a
:24:20. > :24:26.big hit there. A noticing what the Ospreys had tried to do - create
:24:26. > :24:32.that space out wide, and asked to recognising what was required.
:24:32. > :24:37.Asked I will be keen to get some possession. They had been at long-
:24:37. > :24:47.range penalties. There will look to spend time it would then at the
:24:47. > :25:11.
:25:11. > :25:21.number one Joseph a stop particularly in the Heineken Cup
:25:21. > :25:39.
:25:39. > :25:46.control by Morgan. Using it, says the referee. Very close to getting
:25:46. > :25:53.through. And that is a knock-on. That is the sort of rugby they
:25:54. > :25:59.tried to play. Very close to an excellent will line break. That is
:25:59. > :26:06.more than's strength. He has got very good feed and lightning
:26:06. > :26:11.acceleration. The Ospreys just a little bit more adventurous on that
:26:11. > :26:21.occasion. Not as measured as their approach early on, but Ulster,
:26:21. > :26:32.
:26:32. > :26:42.always made a late surge. Good scrum by the Ospreys. A very good
:26:42. > :27:18.
:27:18. > :27:23.scrummage there. They are missing the scrum. Penalty was a for
:27:23. > :27:30.binding, and it looks as if it was against Callum Black. And Morgan
:27:30. > :27:38.deciding this was to find out for him, so you is going for position.
:27:38. > :27:47.He has struck that just about perfectly. Why so again, it is he
:27:47. > :27:57.was praised the third are in. See the replay of the scrum. It is our
:27:57. > :28:23.
:28:23. > :28:28.stabbing to go through that of direction, taken on by the
:28:28. > :28:34.experienced Bearman. Here come the as Brit -- Ospreys, looking for the
:28:34. > :28:41.first try of the game. Fotuali'i, holding on to the tackle by the
:28:41. > :28:49.Ospreys. These same tactics employed by the Ospreys. They work
:28:49. > :28:54.in pods of three or four. Going the same way until they reach the end
:28:54. > :29:00.and coming back. Once again, it is at the end of that phase when they
:29:00. > :29:10.run out of options that they are not executing. Asked to have had to
:29:10. > :29:11.
:29:11. > :29:21.defend pretty solidly. Sam Lewis was hanging on. After taking a
:29:21. > :29:49.
:29:49. > :29:57.couple of players out of the line- forward. A unlike the Ospreys,
:29:57. > :30:01.Ulster do not have a pod of three players. Isolated there. The
:30:01. > :30:11.arriving players have not been able to dislodge the man over the ball.
:30:11. > :30:45.
:30:45. > :30:55.post. This to tie the scores at six post last time out with an amazing
:30:55. > :31:04.
:31:04. > :31:14.is. Nicely done. Pienaar, two from two. Morgan, two
:31:14. > :31:30.
:31:30. > :31:37.on the bench. Both sides below strength. Good, solid work from
:31:37. > :31:41.Morgan, who has been apress sieve. Griffiths, the 29-year-old, only
:31:42. > :31:51.his fourth game of this season. Kahn Fotuali'i nearly caught Ulster
:31:52. > :32:11.
:32:11. > :32:18.want to be. Ulster getting outplayed at the moment, Ryan.
:32:18. > :32:26.are managing it well. Whether through the boot or going through
:32:26. > :32:36.ul multiple phases. They have shown they are capable of
:32:36. > :32:36.
:32:36. > :33:29.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:33:29. > :33:39.The pressure come from the champions. Baldwin tackled by his
:33:39. > :33:40.
:33:40. > :34:57.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:34:57. > :35:00.Plenty of lurking white. That line It is brutal, it is direct, but
:35:00. > :35:05.very efficient. Plrly in establishing field position. They -
:35:05. > :35:08.- particularly in establishing field position. We see panic and a
:35:08. > :35:12.nothing kick that gives away possession. The lead-up work is
:35:12. > :35:18.immense. They get two or three players in over quickly, recycle
:35:18. > :35:22.the ball the same way and it's just been very efficient stuff in
:35:22. > :35:32.establishing that field position. They are not committing too many to
:35:32. > :36:12.
:36:12. > :36:15.the breakdown, which leaves them he been involved so far this
:36:15. > :36:25.evening? A good change of direction and
:36:25. > :36:47.
:36:47. > :36:57.penalty. The Ospreys are making it hard for themselves. They just
:36:57. > :37:02.
:37:02. > :37:11.are starting to feel you have to admire the Ospreys' work ethic.
:37:11. > :37:21.They have come here, knowing what they have to do.
:37:21. > :37:40.
:37:40. > :37:50.A spren did kick from Pienaar. Lewis.
:37:50. > :37:53.Lewis seems to be fine. Johann Muller has pulled his
:37:53. > :38:00.forwards in. He's getting a good talking to. They need to sharpen up
:38:00. > :38:04.their act a little bit. We have not seen much in the
:38:04. > :38:14.forwards either. It has just been defence. If that is what is
:38:14. > :38:14.
:38:14. > :39:33.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:39:34. > :39:43.required, Ulster are equipped to takes that marked opportunity out
:39:44. > :39:48.
:39:48. > :39:58.of the equation for the opposition don't have a specialist back row
:39:58. > :39:58.
:39:58. > :41:17.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:41:17. > :41:27.forward on the bench. The two far.
:41:27. > :41:34.
:41:34. > :41:40.-- Ospreys' defence is very good so the penalty for the home side. The
:41:40. > :41:46.first little bit of class in the shape of Wallace. Ulster have the
:41:46. > :41:53.ability in that back lion to break defences down. They have struggled
:41:53. > :41:58.with possession and quality of it. They get that across the three-
:41:58. > :42:01.quarter line - they'll settle for an additional three points.
:42:01. > :42:07.felt there was something going to happen. What a show and came off
:42:08. > :42:17.the left leg. Off to Allen. The Ospreys had to
:42:18. > :42:53.
:42:53. > :42:57.Nine points for Ulster. Ulster three points up. Ulster
:42:57. > :43:02.ahead of the Ospreys. Certainly behind in possession, territory.
:43:02. > :43:12.They will be looking to address that for the remainder of the game.
:43:12. > :43:34.
:43:34. > :43:44.Morgan restarts. Trimble with the given away the penalty and Ulster
:43:44. > :44:10.
:44:10. > :44:14.have a chance to have some points in this first half they will
:44:14. > :44:24.be pretty satisfied with the score board, if not the performance today.
:44:24. > :44:24.
:44:24. > :45:20.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:45:21. > :45:26.Ulster just taking their time look. Nothing much to the right of
:45:26. > :45:36.the post, and the Ospreys have stolen that one. That was a bad
:45:36. > :45:37.
:45:37. > :45:47.miss tackle by Ulster. A significant turnover. Bounces back
:45:47. > :46:23.
:46:23. > :46:33.into the Ospreys hands. There is a narrows side. Four minutes
:46:33. > :46:51.
:46:51. > :47:01.I'll still have moved back. A clash of heads there. Hard to see what
:47:01. > :47:09.
:47:09. > :47:19.Michael Allen, that would have been considered fair game, I thought
:47:19. > :47:31.
:47:31. > :47:36.feet. I don't even think he deserved a penalty. If you can help
:47:36. > :47:46.us by adjudicating that way, otherwise, we will take into our
:47:46. > :47:58.
:47:58. > :48:08.own hands. All three, as the case heeling there. Close to their head
:48:08. > :48:14.
:48:14. > :48:24.area, which is obviously pretty Heineken Cup games. And the 12th
:48:24. > :48:24.
:48:24. > :49:08.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:49:08. > :49:15.so the momentum was gone. Back is a sensible option by Michael
:49:15. > :49:21.Allen. Very good kick by Michael Allen. Absolutely the right thing.
:49:21. > :49:29.Saw a bit of a gap, and put in a perfect kick. A set at the
:49:29. > :49:39.situation very well. Assesses the options and then, a very well
:49:39. > :49:48.
:49:49. > :49:58.educated kick. Keeps the pressure dubbed Morgan Allen, who is pretty
:49:59. > :50:09.
:50:09. > :50:17.chunky and pretty effective from a Set up by Ryan Bevington. Two
:50:17. > :50:23.minutes to go. Fotuali'i has made some recent -- decent run its. Time
:50:23. > :50:28.before one more asked a line-out. Only in the last 10 minutes have
:50:28. > :50:38.asked her started to get some territorial advantage. They have
:50:38. > :50:58.
:50:58. > :51:08.shown they have the ability to This is interesting - there is we
:51:08. > :51:13.
:51:13. > :51:19.The referee had a good looker his touch judge there, and he said a
:51:19. > :51:29.little bit slowing communicate in. But I'll still get the scrum. Shows
:51:29. > :51:49.
:51:49. > :51:59.her a dangers turnover ball is. of his first target. Had no tries.
:51:59. > :52:28.
:52:28. > :52:35.an awful lot of pressure by the Ospreys. But they have come back
:52:35. > :52:41.into it. They might just go on and win this game. But it is by no
:52:41. > :52:51.means in the bag. Excellent defence by are still against an Ospreys
:52:51. > :52:55.
:52:55. > :53:05.team that employed a very direct game-plan. The they you are.
:53:05. > :53:17.
:53:17. > :53:20.Idris Ulster's first game in five weeks, and there's Tidenham a
:53:20. > :53:30.little while to get going bust up the home team looking a little
:53:30. > :53:33.
:53:33. > :53:43.rusty. The Ospreys have rarely dominated possession. Matthew
:53:43. > :53:45.
:53:45. > :53:50.Morgan has picked up to matter to Asked a have made the most of their
:53:50. > :54:00.opportunities, some dog-eared defence has kept the visitors out.
:54:00. > :54:05.
:54:05. > :54:15.defence has kept the visitors out. In first question - how are still
:54:15. > :54:16.
:54:16. > :54:22.in front? Air lot of very dogged defence. Al though the Ospreys have
:54:22. > :54:27.led quite an accurate and fast game, their final decision have gone to
:54:27. > :54:31.ground and they have not on. They should have maybe three or four
:54:31. > :54:40.scores up, but they messed it up. The Ospreys not taking those
:54:40. > :54:50.opportunities? They might do. they had more composure to hold
:54:50. > :54:59.onto, great ball, it continued to, good rucking. Us to have been on
:54:59. > :55:04.the back foot. Good covering and one-off individual steals. Did you
:55:04. > :55:11.or is feel that it would take asked for a while to find that momentum
:55:11. > :55:18.and flow again? The Ospreys have benefited from the El the
:55:18. > :55:22.competition. They are playing week- in, week-out in this competition.
:55:22. > :55:31.The asked the players have to go back to the club and playing the
:55:31. > :55:36.lead, which is not the best competition. It has taken them
:55:36. > :55:45.close to 30 minutes to get into the groove. The Ospreys come at a time,
:55:45. > :55:53.looked good. Yes, really classy, carried the ball well. This first
:55:53. > :55:57.clip from a line-out. We have seen the ball move from side to side at.
:55:57. > :56:04.There have been a habit to use the full width of the pitch. There have
:56:04. > :56:12.been able to create a quick ball. It there is one criticism, it is
:56:12. > :56:22.their passing from the defence will stub they have been very slow.
:56:22. > :56:23.
:56:23. > :56:31.Again, a lack of composure there from Morgan. But the Ospreys are
:56:31. > :56:36.just playing very accurately. They are put in good a wet on it.
:56:36. > :56:40.say passive in defence, but let us not be too critical, because the
:56:40. > :56:45.Ospreys have not crossed the try- line yet. It is not good God, but
:56:45. > :56:51.they do not have the same urgency. It will take them 25 minutes to get
:56:51. > :57:01.to know each other's game. When you are sprays got going, they looked
:57:01. > :57:04.
:57:04. > :57:14.better. The yes, they did. We have seen it creativity midfields.
:57:14. > :57:21.
:57:21. > :57:27.times, giving soft penalties away. Unfortunately, he got isolated. The
:57:27. > :57:37.referee is a very quick at the moment. Hostile will be
:57:37. > :57:44.disappointed to give a way a penalty like that. You ask, they
:57:44. > :57:48.well. It makes it more difficult. Some think that the Ospreys had
:57:48. > :57:53.done very well because whenever they have carried the ball, they
:57:53. > :58:03.have been able to target the ball. But why has been able to move it as
:58:03. > :58:10.
:58:10. > :58:17.well. Young teenager playing his first game. He wants to get into
:58:17. > :58:26.the game. He does not put the attacker down, but he stops the
:58:26. > :58:35.momentum. It is a different job. has been playing quite a lot on the
:58:35. > :58:42.back foot as well. Nice to see what he can do. A week saw 5-10 per cent
:58:42. > :58:46.of ball. He is going for the miracle ball. He will go into this
:58:46. > :58:53.game in the second half of stub nice to see him get some ball on
:58:53. > :58:58.the fund third. Last 10 minutes of the first half, we started to see
:58:58. > :59:07.much better place from asked a. Yes, always started to get into the case
:59:07. > :59:12.of the game. They started making half breaks. Again, our lack of
:59:12. > :59:21.composure possibly cost us the first score of the game. We have
:59:21. > :59:31.not played great, but we are now six points up. Great bit of support
:59:31. > :59:35.
:59:35. > :59:39.there From Michael Allen. When the more of that in the second half.
:59:39. > :59:45.Michael Allen and Luke Marshall both relevant experience, but we
:59:45. > :59:49.need some ball. That is something that our store have to target.
:59:49. > :59:56.There has been quite a lot since all of these players played
:59:56. > :00:02.together for a start a lot of these guys have not regained time.
:00:02. > :00:06.Ospreys are a good opposition. They have come up to play rugby. The
:00:06. > :00:13.easy option would have been kicked to touch, but they are looking to
:00:13. > :00:23.play rugby. Good performance by the Ospreys was stopped the Ospreys
:00:23. > :00:29.
:00:30. > :00:39.will be very disappointed to see It is probably up to Ulster to put
:00:40. > :00:40.
:00:40. > :00:48.this game to bed. Thank you very much. One Ulster player side-lined
:00:48. > :00:51.is Tommy Bo W. When we caught up women this week, he had encourage -
:00:51. > :01:01.- when we caught up with him this week, he had some encouraging
:01:01. > :01:12.
:01:12. > :01:17.What a try! At the time I felt two pops go in
:01:17. > :01:23.my knee. I thought that could be curtains for the rest of the career
:01:23. > :01:28.- not career, for the rest of the season. To be told to be only out
:01:28. > :01:34.for four months is a huge bonus to me. At the time, I certainly feared
:01:34. > :01:40.the worst. Six-and-a-half weeks post op now. The first three to
:01:40. > :01:43.four weeks were spent lieing in bed. I was in a fair bit of pain after
:01:43. > :01:47.the operation. I spent Christmas pretty much in bed. It was a tough
:01:47. > :01:53.time. Since then, I have literally just got off the crutches last week.
:01:53. > :02:00.I am back in the gym doing two or three upper body sessions every day
:02:00. > :02:07.and knee rehab. It is the early stages. I've had two screws put
:02:07. > :02:11.into my knee and the ligaments and stuff tied up to it. It will take a
:02:11. > :02:18.while for them to fuse together. It is giving it time to heal properly.
:02:18. > :02:25.It is very frustrating. To have such a strange injury - having an
:02:25. > :02:28.operation on my kidney last April, to do all the rehab, get fit again.
:02:28. > :02:37.I think after Christmas, or in around the Christmas period I felt
:02:37. > :02:45.I was starting to get back into He's away. Back for his old
:02:45. > :02:49.province. Unfortunately, to sustain another
:02:49. > :02:54.injury is very frustrating. That's the sport - that's rugby. It's
:02:54. > :02:59.about keeping positive during the injury process, to keep yourself
:02:59. > :03:03.coming into the gym. At the moment we have a heavy injury list. It is
:03:04. > :03:09.good for me because there is plenty of company in here and stay
:03:09. > :03:14.positive and we work hard in here too. I would love to think I would
:03:14. > :03:19.be back in April at some stage. I'm missing out on the Six Nations. I
:03:19. > :03:23.went to miss the match in Wales, actually. It was a super game. It
:03:23. > :03:27.was tough and in the build-up to see I'm not going to be involved.
:03:27. > :03:32.Seeing the players go on the pitch, it does hit home. I'm injured at
:03:32. > :03:35.the moment. There's nothing I can do about it. I need to concentrate
:03:35. > :03:40.now. Work on my rehab, work on my strength and hopefully when I get
:03:40. > :03:50.an opportunity to come back, I will be able to burst back out on to the
:03:50. > :03:55.
:03:55. > :04:00.One Ulster player who will be back quicker is Stephen Ferris. We have
:04:00. > :04:10.another special rugby interview, if you log on to the BBC Sports
:04:10. > :04:19.
:04:19. > :04:22.We are disappointed with that half. I think probably the 40 minutes
:04:22. > :04:27.we've had the ball for ten minutes of that. We need to be more
:04:27. > :04:31.clinical and play in the right areas of the field. Defensively we
:04:31. > :04:36.are stand-offish. They are a young, motivated side. They have
:04:36. > :04:41.everything to play for. We know in this half we have to start with
:04:41. > :04:45.real attitude and get ourselves into this game. Thank you for your
:04:45. > :04:49.time. Second half, what do Ulster need to do to try and close out
:04:49. > :04:54.this game? Get their hands on the ball. The last ten minutes of that
:04:54. > :04:59.first half, didn't go forward for the first 30 minutes there. We were
:04:59. > :05:05.defending passively. We realise we have to take the game to the
:05:05. > :05:14.Ospreys. And perhaps try and find more territory as well and play the
:05:14. > :05:20.game down. We may see more kicking. Ulster are more precise, and let's
:05:20. > :05:30.try and get Wallace and Marshall more involved. Now back to our
:05:30. > :05:42.
:05:42. > :05:46.It was a very, very close first half. For the Ulster fans here at
:05:46. > :05:52.Ravenhill, probably too close for comfort. They have been trying to
:05:52. > :05:57.lift them to make sure they win yet again at home.
:05:57. > :06:04.They have only lost twice this season. One to the Saints and once
:06:04. > :06:10.to Munster in this competition. It's going to be the Ospreyss
:06:10. > :06:15.attending the war memorial end, which is always the favourite for
:06:15. > :06:25.Ulster. Johann Muller knows that nothing less than a supreme effort
:06:25. > :06:25.
:06:25. > :08:13.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:08:13. > :08:18.completely thinking about a kick. everyone knowing their role - it's
:08:18. > :08:22.fine to do it on the training pitch, but it's not a team selection which
:08:22. > :08:29.has played in the heat of battle. They will need to quickly adjust
:08:29. > :08:39.into that routine if they're going to continue the lead they have over
:08:39. > :08:40.
:08:40. > :09:21.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:09:21. > :09:26.Ospreys' forwards. Penalty to Ulster.
:09:26. > :09:32.The urgency they are showing and the appetite por the physical
:09:32. > :09:42.aspect of it has upped a -- appetite for the fiscal aspect of
:09:42. > :09:42.
:09:42. > :11:03.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:11:03. > :11:13.it has upped a -- physical aspect Ospreys still have possession
:11:13. > :11:13.
:11:13. > :12:06.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:12:06. > :12:11.alarmingly high. Fotuali'i having a little word with the referee.
:12:11. > :12:16.Once again, it is after a very accomplished build-up that that
:12:16. > :12:26.little mistake comes from the Ospreys. It was kicking away at
:12:26. > :12:26.
:12:26. > :14:21.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:14:21. > :14:27.crucial times. On this occasion, it Taken by Morgan.
:14:27. > :14:33.He's threaded that through the Ulster defence very nicely indeed.
:14:33. > :14:37.Still Ospreys are waiting to bring on a replacement. The Ospreys again
:14:37. > :14:43.dictating the tempo of this match and ultimately establishing
:14:43. > :14:47.territory through a very clever kick.
:14:48. > :14:54.Fotuali'i - not the greatest pass on the world. Wonderfully picked up
:14:54. > :15:04.by Morgan. He was left with only one option and he took it well.
:15:04. > :15:25.
:15:25. > :15:35.symptomatic of a Ulster's playful stop not all the individuals
:15:35. > :15:36.
:15:36. > :15:41.knowing their roles. All the mechanics and basics that go into a
:15:41. > :15:48.functioning line-out have not been present for us to tonight. Bettis
:15:48. > :15:56.for all five that have not asked a's way and should have.
:15:56. > :16:06.Reminiscent of the first half in the Heineken Cup. Him good squeeze
:16:06. > :16:43.
:16:43. > :16:50.by the Ospreys. And off the wing is boxer. It is always die enamoured.
:16:50. > :16:56.Very quick on his feet. Explosive power. Giving out a masterclass in
:16:56. > :17:06.control of the board. Dictating to his forwards. We see that steal
:17:06. > :17:43.
:17:43. > :17:51.league champions. A good tackle. Still, at the Ospreys habit. And
:17:51. > :17:57.Fotuali'i has put that wide. Again, dominating possession and territory.
:17:57. > :18:04.They get a midfield position and they take a speculative three point
:18:04. > :18:14.option which does not work out for them. The Ospreys have certainly
:18:14. > :18:52.
:18:52. > :18:56.dominated this game. Ulster are now very good. With the number of the
:18:56. > :19:01.defensive rocks they have been involved in, that penalty count may
:19:01. > :19:09.have been more. In fact, the Ospreys had been penalised a lot
:19:09. > :19:13.offensively, which is unusual. Matthew Morgan has the first chance
:19:13. > :19:21.of a point for the visitors at the start of the second half. Looking
:19:21. > :19:31.to the other side of the fields, I can see Dan Tuohy looking to come
:19:31. > :19:31.
:19:32. > :19:41.on. More grim, like so many outside backs, does not take his headgear
:19:41. > :19:48.off when he kicked the goal. Decent distance, well within his range,
:19:48. > :19:55.nice swing of the Leader, and we are back to an even game. 13
:19:55. > :20:03.minutes gone and the second half. First point of the second half
:20:03. > :20:07.thanks to Matthew Morgan. The crowd are probably are expected asked it
:20:07. > :20:10.to come out of the Gate's in the second half. But they are not being
:20:10. > :20:20.allowed into the game because of the way it is being controlled by
:20:20. > :20:20.
:20:20. > :21:30.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:21:30. > :21:35.across. But the Ospreys are right ball-carrier made an extra movement.
:21:35. > :21:44.Must be a bit of a breeze because that is a kicky would normally have
:21:44. > :21:53.taken on. A fantastic kick to the post. We will see what develops
:21:53. > :22:03.from this. If he gets this one wrong, he will be sent home to bed,
:22:03. > :22:36.
:22:36. > :22:46.no supper! Pastor must get have really come through. Still end
:22:46. > :22:46.
:22:46. > :24:14.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:24:14. > :24:17.Rob Herring sealing off. Not his night. I'll stay with their limited
:24:17. > :24:27.possession finally have this opportunity to capitalise on that
:24:27. > :24:42.
:24:42. > :24:48.certainly do not want to lose, he then he seemed to have collided
:24:48. > :24:58.with somebody. Helped off the field was stopped looks like he is
:24:58. > :25:03.
:25:03. > :25:12.holding his arm. And Paul Marsh was Temple of the game, Marshall has
:25:12. > :25:18.certainly your man for that. Gets the ball away very quickly. Fresh
:25:18. > :25:28.legs on the field for Ulster. Fresh impetus. Dan Tuohy is on us were
:25:28. > :25:28.
:25:28. > :25:34.off. It would not be and asked again without Tom Court having an
:25:34. > :25:41.adjustment to the old contact lenses! Have you thought about a
:25:41. > :25:51.laser surgery, Tom? And not that you can't afford it! Looks as if it
:25:51. > :25:52.
:25:52. > :26:02.is the left shoulder. It is nine apiece, coming up to the end of the
:26:02. > :26:11.
:26:11. > :26:18.third quarter. That did not look At the moment, the Ospreys
:26:18. > :26:24.Plainmoor the Rugby. Certainly feel very come to double, given the fact
:26:24. > :26:32.they are approaching the 60 minute mark was stopped we see Andrew
:26:32. > :26:42.Trimble jumping high. The referee ruling that ball was not coming out.
:26:42. > :26:42.
:26:42. > :27:42.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:27:42. > :27:49.advantage. Very dangerous. Referee This looks to be reasonably capable.
:27:49. > :27:59.Paul Marshall thinking about what should one, as ever. Well within
:27:59. > :28:10.
:28:10. > :28:20.range, albeit a difficult enough being starved of so much possession
:28:20. > :28:20.
:28:20. > :29:12.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:29:12. > :29:22.Bevington has surely come round the big man has done well and made good
:29:22. > :29:22.
:29:22. > :31:23.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:31:23. > :31:33.minutes remaining. Paul Marshall pressure had to pay off and it has
:31:33. > :31:34.
:31:34. > :31:42.done. Multiple carries. Excellent ball
:31:42. > :31:51.security. They have the opportunity for three points and enjoy the
:31:51. > :32:01.number merryal -- numerical advantage. The Ospreys will have
:32:01. > :32:01.
:32:01. > :33:31.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:33:31. > :33:41.over 15 minutes remaining. Ulster got away with it in Glasgow a few
:33:41. > :33:44.
:33:44. > :33:54.seasons ago and he's made some 80 metres. Live is never dull with
:33:54. > :34:20.
:34:20. > :34:24.themselves in both feet. Some magnificent play by the
:34:24. > :34:32.Ospreys down the left-hand side. The way they preserved the space
:34:32. > :34:42.and had support players running into where that space was. You can
:34:42. > :34:52.
:34:52. > :34:59.they took it the whole length of the field and in this case he did
:34:59. > :35:08.just about do that. An amazing try by the speedy Bevington. The
:35:08. > :35:13.Ospreys ahead in this game for the very first time. The game is coming
:35:13. > :35:19.to life. Just the way they were manipulated
:35:19. > :35:22.into the areas they wanted them to preserve that space for the outside
:35:23. > :35:32.support players and the awareness of the ball carrier to put the ball
:35:33. > :35:41.
:35:41. > :35:51.There was a huge amount of space. There was nobody at home for Ulster.
:35:51. > :35:51.
:35:51. > :36:44.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:36:44. > :36:51.Bevington took the ball and legged points between them. Ulster need a
:36:51. > :37:01.try to get the lead back again. Ulster not protecting the ball
:37:01. > :37:31.
:37:31. > :37:35.all laboured from the home side. Holding in on the tackle. A silly
:37:35. > :37:39.penalty to give away by Ulster. Some tired legs starting to tell
:37:39. > :37:49.now. That defensive workload they were forced to undertake in that
:37:49. > :37:54.
:37:54. > :38:00.first half. Coming back now, you would expect them to bring on
:38:00. > :38:10.McComb. Just over ten minutes remaining.
:38:10. > :38:10.
:38:10. > :39:07.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:39:07. > :39:17.Habberfield. This could be This Ospreys side have shown they
:39:17. > :39:52.
:39:52. > :40:02.referee telling the players to release the ball. Ulster turned
:40:02. > :40:02.
:40:02. > :41:28.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:41:28. > :41:36.they manufacture it? They're throwing everything at this.
:41:36. > :41:46.Great Ulster defence. Play on, says the referee.
:41:46. > :41:55.
:41:56. > :41:59.concede the penalty. Ulster really should have scored there.
:41:59. > :42:06.Heroic defence from the Ospreys. Ulster are throwing everything they
:42:06. > :42:16.had, going through multiple phases, creating overlaps, but unable to
:42:16. > :42:36.
:42:36. > :42:39.get that crucial two on one to pull He's 34 years of age. Nearly 60
:42:39. > :42:49.Welsh caps coming on. This is all the pressure from Ulster. It was
:42:49. > :42:49.
:42:49. > :44:12.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:44:12. > :44:18.need their hands on the ball. Once again, it is the Ospreys
:44:18. > :44:23.controlling this match, playing where they want, at the pace they
:44:23. > :44:28.want. It is the Ospreys players working hard to get on their feet.
:44:28. > :44:34.Present a ball-carrying option, get in support for that breakdown. They
:44:34. > :44:44.have to be confident with four minutes on the clock that they can
:44:44. > :44:44.
:44:44. > :45:38.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:45:38. > :45:47.players there. Ulster need something here. Squeezed away from
:45:47. > :45:57.the first at tackle. Stevenson changes direction. Need to move
:45:57. > :45:57.
:45:57. > :47:32.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:47:32. > :47:42.a's home league record about to go floor there. The clock ticking away
:47:42. > :47:56.
:47:56. > :48:00.for Ulster false start very a couple of cup games. Since the
:48:00. > :48:05.end of their Heineken Cup campaign, which did not bode too well. The
:48:05. > :48:10.same can be said for all the Welsh regions, but the Ospreys were never
:48:10. > :48:19.give up because that is all available to them. The clock has
:48:19. > :48:28.stopped here, though, at Ravenhill. The Ospreys it will be trying to
:48:28. > :48:32.secured possession and then just go through multiple phases. Asking
:48:32. > :48:42.when the time is up and that all will go into touch. They are
:48:42. > :48:53.
:48:53. > :49:03.looking for mistake three Rugby and giving it their best shot. A third
:49:03. > :49:18.
:49:18. > :49:22.Bevington. The Ospreys management will not be happy with the way this
:49:22. > :49:31.transpires. It should have been a matter of trying to stay in the
:49:31. > :49:39.field of play to a psychobabble. Back come the Ospreys. Duncan Jones
:49:39. > :49:47.takes on. Fotuali'i, the captain, will be delighted by this. Good
:49:47. > :49:55.work by the Ospreys. Asked are going down. Matthew Morgan changes
:49:55. > :50:05.his mind. This is interesting! Welcome and should do? Get some
:50:05. > :50:05.
:50:05. > :50:46.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 89 seconds
:50:46. > :50:52.Ulster team! And they thoroughly deserved it to do that. I'll still
:50:52. > :51:00.looked like a very rusty side. It is by no means a critical's blow in
:51:00. > :51:10.terms of their aspirations for a home semi-final in this league.
:51:10. > :51:25.
:51:25. > :51:29.could not as -- inspires asked his side a victory tonight. Gave asked
:51:29. > :51:36.their a lead, but Matthew Morgan it certainly kept at the Welsh side in
:51:37. > :51:41.touch. It was a bruising encounter at times tonight. Whatever the home
:51:41. > :51:47.side could do, the Ospreys could do even better, Ryan Bevington powered
:51:47. > :51:54.his way over for a decisive try. Asked to lose their undefeated home
:51:54. > :52:01.record by 12 points to his 16. record by 12 points to his 16.
:52:01. > :52:10.Disappointing night at the office? Yes, and given that that the team
:52:10. > :52:15.they had out there would be disappointed indeed a performance.
:52:15. > :52:21.90% of it... But the Ospreys were sharper in thought, and more
:52:21. > :52:31.aggressive defensively. What sprays looked a little hungrier tonight?
:52:31. > :52:34.
:52:34. > :52:44.Very much so. Asked a started Rastelli. I thought it the Ospreys
:52:44. > :52:45.
:52:46. > :52:55.were better. Their back-row one much more aggressive as well. Man
:52:56. > :53:00.
:53:00. > :53:08.of the match? Beat Welsh captain - a Fotuali'i. He kicked well.
:53:08. > :53:14.knew how to master the game. He was able to get the turnover of.
:53:14. > :53:19.Playing you do your finger on what went wrong? Lack of ball. We did
:53:19. > :53:25.not have any ball and bat first half. The Ospreys had the ball and
:53:25. > :53:30.maintained it well. Gave away very few turnovers. A bit of a slip for
:53:30. > :53:35.the try which Bevington scored in the second half, but the Ospreys
:53:35. > :53:45.had more time with the ball and more composure. And be Ospreys took
:53:45. > :53:46.
:53:46. > :53:53.their opportunities when they came and took them better. He does
:53:53. > :53:59.something like that. Next thing, he is 50 metres down the touchline.
:53:59. > :54:07.That is when he should have kicked over. This is a great bit of skill
:54:07. > :54:15.here. Again, at that stage, the pressure is off, no threat, but
:54:15. > :54:25.then all of a sudden, brilliant hands and it is gone. To grow a
:54:25. > :54:31.
:54:31. > :54:38.The rot from up 45 metres out. Asked I will be disappointed with
:54:38. > :54:48.the defence are there. They have got away from their own goal line.
:54:48. > :54:48.
:54:48. > :54:56.They did not expect the Ospreys to play so well. Great execution. He
:54:56. > :55:06.stepped in, the defence was coming across. Great skill by the Ospreys.
:55:06. > :55:09.
:55:09. > :55:14.Asked a's set piece at line-out did A couple of weeks since a Rob
:55:14. > :55:24.Herring has played, but really, you should be looking to win all your
:55:24. > :55:29.
:55:29. > :55:36.balls. You can train or you want, but that adds a different dynamic.
:55:36. > :55:43.We say rustiness, but to many fans will say, come on, lads! These are
:55:43. > :55:49.professional rugby players! And then maybe. You do not get this
:55:49. > :55:54.level of intensity when you are playing a non Ireland League. The
:55:54. > :56:04.Ospreys were playing in a higher competition. Pressure creates
:56:04. > :56:08.
:56:08. > :56:10.mistakes were stop let us be to the What was Keedy a win tonight? We
:56:10. > :56:15.What was Keedy a win tonight? We talk about being in direct. We knew
:56:15. > :56:25.how tough it would be. We need to be direct and looking after our
:56:25. > :56:32.ball. What can it mean for the Ospreys to come to the league
:56:32. > :56:41.leaders and do this? They are top of the league by a mile. Cumin
:56:41. > :56:50.appeared to play a quality side is a difficult task. It was an
:56:50. > :56:54.electric last 20, wasn't it? Exactly! He he decided to give
:56:54. > :57:04.another chance. Credit to our boys. They reacted and stayed on their
:57:04. > :57:07.feet. The Ospreys it deserved a win has tonight. This next passage of
:57:07. > :57:16.play some sub asked a's night - play some sub asked a's night -
:57:16. > :57:22.slow, static play all evening. ball is very static. That gives the
:57:22. > :57:32.defence time to man up. Good communication. There talking to
:57:32. > :57:35.
:57:35. > :57:45.each other. Asked a have failed consistently or my to break the
:57:45. > :57:46.
:57:46. > :57:55.Subsequently, the ball is slow and message. Paul Marshall as having to
:57:55. > :58:04.dig. Alun Wyn Jones was immense. Just and generally making a mess of
:58:04. > :58:14.the situation. Asked our tied from the defence. No support for the
:58:14. > :58:21.ball. Agar denied that tackling. Next up after his another home game,
:58:21. > :58:27.next Friday night. We will be back at the same time, same place. It is
:58:27. > :58:33.the Italians. Join us live on BBC Two. Next Friday night. There is a
:58:33. > :58:37.television marathon this weekend. It all starts tomorrow with
:58:37. > :58:44.Scotland against Italy followed by France against a Wales. The big
:58:44. > :58:53.game is a Ireland against England on Sunday. Quick prediction before
:58:53. > :59:03.we go? Ireland have got much better backs was dubbed England will be
:59:03. > :59:07.