:00:11. > :00:15.Welcome to Ravenhill for live coverage of Ulster versus Connacht.
:00:15. > :00:20.This a Friday night feels very different than any other. It
:00:20. > :00:30.poignant atmosphere for the first home game since the death of 22-
:00:30. > :00:35.year-old player, Nevin Spence. This choir will be welcoming everyone
:00:35. > :00:45.here to Ravenhill this evening with their rendition of cat might raise
:00:45. > :00:46.
:00:46. > :00:50.Me Up. -- Raised Me Up. They will have at Nevin Spence's
:00:50. > :00:56.initials embroidered on their shirts for the rest of the season.
:00:56. > :01:01.They will try and take another step on a long journey for this team.
:01:01. > :01:06.The last time Ulster played at Ravenhill three weeks ago, this
:01:06. > :01:10.place was absolutely rocking when they had a dramatic victory. How
:01:10. > :01:20.the landscape changed within 24 hours, following the tragic death
:01:20. > :01:25.of Nevin Spence and his brother and father. Everyone arriving here
:01:25. > :01:30.tonight is still in a sense of shock very much? Absolutely. It is
:01:30. > :01:33.going to be a very emotional night for everybody concerned, probably
:01:33. > :01:38.no one more so than the players. They put-in an excellent
:01:38. > :01:43.performance last week and will do the same again on their home patch.
:01:43. > :01:46.It will be difficult coming into the changing room and seeing Nevin
:01:46. > :01:50.Spence's peg. That will be difficult for the players to come
:01:51. > :01:54.to terms with. The most fitting tribute to Nevin Spence is to do
:01:54. > :01:59.what Ulster did last week away to Cardiff and have a resounding
:01:59. > :02:04.victory in the style that that he would have appreciated? It is a sad
:02:04. > :02:07.night for all concerned. As you rightly say, that is the sort of
:02:07. > :02:17.style of rugby -- over beat Nevin Spence loved to play and it will
:02:17. > :02:18.
:02:18. > :02:25.only do him justice if they play like that. The world has been
:02:25. > :02:30.paying tribute to Nevin Spence throughout the week. Most of the
:02:30. > :02:39.focus has been here at Ravenhill for a bright young talents taken
:02:39. > :02:43.far too soon. He was born in Ulster, came through
:02:43. > :02:49.school in Ulster, played rugby for Ulster and all he wanted to do will
:02:49. > :02:59.stay here, went Rovers' and be successful with Ulster.
:02:59. > :02:59.
:02:59. > :04:25.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:04:25. > :04:30.Nat smile it will be missed by everyone here at Ravenhill. -- that
:04:30. > :04:36.smile it will be missed. You have been talking West the family?
:04:36. > :04:40.was talking with Emma. The family want to give a few Tyne-Tees.
:04:40. > :04:46.Firstly, they would like to thank their coaches and support staff
:04:46. > :04:52.that contributed into making Nevin Spence into such a wonderful player.
:04:52. > :04:55.It has been cut cruelly short. We would have seen him blossom into an
:04:55. > :04:58.international rugby player. They would like to thank Ulster Rugby
:04:58. > :05:03.and all of those involved in that the Sunday service held at
:05:03. > :05:09.Ravenhill. They found a touching and the fitting. They would like to
:05:10. > :05:13.thank all those well-wishers who had sent flowers and cards with
:05:13. > :05:17.messages of support and strength, that they find quite literally
:05:17. > :05:21.overwhelming. I just want to take the opportunity to thank all of
:05:21. > :05:25.those people individually. They are at home, they are watching their
:05:25. > :05:31.game, they are still supporting Ulster Rugby and are looking
:05:31. > :05:37.forward to a successful season. Let's hope we can do them proud.
:05:37. > :05:44.Wigan here from the Chief Executive. -- we can hear from.
:05:44. > :05:49.It is a special might? It is, we have been overwhelmed with the
:05:49. > :05:55.response from a public. We have had over 3,000 people signing a book of
:05:55. > :06:00.condolence. We have a record crowd for this fixture, well over 10,000.
:06:00. > :06:05.Exceptional, for an exceptional individual. And his initials will
:06:05. > :06:09.be on a shirt for the rest of the season? It is the way the players
:06:09. > :06:13.want to remember it. They want to contest every match and training
:06:14. > :06:18.session the way Nevin Spence would have done. Having it on the shirts
:06:18. > :06:22.is a fitting reminder. The best they can do is produce a
:06:22. > :06:29.performance against Connacht for him? They need to be the best they
:06:30. > :06:37.can be, just like Nevin Spence was. How much can may build on the last
:06:37. > :06:45.three weeks? -- can make -- can may build on the last few weeks? They
:06:45. > :06:54.want to honour his memory by being the best we can be. We are also at
:06:54. > :07:02.rugby family and we will do just that. -- an Ulster Rugby family.
:07:02. > :07:08.Reduce baby game going tonight? -- how do you see the game going?
:07:08. > :07:12.is going to be a very interesting match. Most of the crowd have an
:07:12. > :07:18.expectation. It is amazing what one good performance for Ulster can do
:07:18. > :07:24.and it gives us all and expectation. We want to see free-flowing rugby.
:07:24. > :07:30.Connacht have raised the bar and Eric Elwood has done a superb job.
:07:30. > :07:35.It is going to be a great clash. could be in for something special
:07:35. > :07:40.tonight? We have got two sides performing particularly well at the
:07:40. > :07:45.moment. Connacht will be out to get something over Ulster. It is an
:07:45. > :07:50.open game. Ulster have not been beaten by
:07:50. > :08:00.Connacht at home for more than 50 years. Let's see how things go
:08:00. > :08:04.
:08:04. > :08:14.for Willie Faloon, now paying in the west of Ireland and captaining
:08:14. > :08:49.
:08:49. > :08:57.of Johann Muller. -- waiting to take the hand off. It is a welcome
:08:57. > :09:03.back to Ravenhill for the men who performed so splendidly a week ago.
:09:03. > :09:13.It is an item expectation, poignancy and remembrance. It is
:09:13. > :09:46.
:09:46. > :09:56.the first start of the season for Nevin Spence, at Ravenhill will
:09:56. > :09:56.
:09:56. > :11:02.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:11:02. > :11:11.Nevin Spence remembered by those who knew him best. His initials
:11:11. > :11:19.will be embroidered on the Ulster Jersey's for this entire season.
:11:19. > :11:26.The challenge is to try and Channel matt emulsion onto a performance --
:11:26. > :11:32.channel bad demotion into the performance on the pitch.
:11:32. > :11:42.52 years is the gap. Connacht Cobbing to bridge the gap. The man
:11:42. > :12:16.
:12:16. > :12:22.in the middle its George Clancy, to be a young man growing into this
:12:22. > :12:25.role? He is developing maturity and composure, taking the right
:12:25. > :12:35.decisions and bringing a players around him into the game. A
:12:35. > :12:59.
:12:59. > :13:05.wonderful start to the season for last week, maybe after that Ulster
:13:05. > :13:15.will settle. You can see some disruption, but that is what Parks
:13:15. > :13:50.
:13:50. > :14:00.does. He mixes the game up for:. -- scrum down. That is a psychological
:14:00. > :14:08.
:14:08. > :14:18.department -- in the confidence of last week.
:14:18. > :14:18.
:14:18. > :15:02.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:15:02. > :15:09.start by Ulster, but they have settled down very quickly, even
:15:09. > :15:14.more quickly than they did against Cardiff., this signs when? Are that
:15:14. > :15:24.physically dominant. That is what was impressive last week - a way
:15:24. > :15:36.
:15:36. > :15:41.from home that they still dominated specimen, 38 years of age, the New
:15:41. > :15:51.Zealander, playing his 50th consecutive league game for
:15:51. > :16:10.
:16:10. > :16:15.intent. They are looking for that quick possession they thrive on a
:16:15. > :16:21.out wide, created at the overlap, but not enough depth in the outside
:16:21. > :16:26.channels. It was an almost man and ball situation. Not coming off in
:16:26. > :16:36.this situation. Brett Wilkinson having a word with
:16:36. > :16:36.
:16:36. > :17:44.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:17:44. > :17:50.that the men of Ulster are going to penalty. Essential now that the
:17:50. > :17:54.outside backs are capable at the breakdown. Getting into a good,
:17:54. > :18:04.strong position, a weight supported across both feet, unable to
:18:04. > :18:16.
:18:16. > :18:20.entombed -- Connacht territory. Make sure it hits the ground, guys.
:18:20. > :18:30.George Clancy, a member of the World Cup refereeing panel in the
:18:30. > :18:54.
:18:54. > :19:01.the scrimmage. Michael Swift, who is playing tonight his 151st league
:19:01. > :19:04.game. A wonderful tackle, you can see the two Big Ben getting in
:19:04. > :19:14.there, preventing the ball going to ground according to the referee,
:19:14. > :19:37.
:19:37. > :19:44.and Connacht will look for plenty Loughney getting in too quickly,
:19:44. > :19:48.according to the referee. Ulster have gone further scrum, again.
:19:48. > :19:58.They could not get the ball in their hands. Midfield scrum,
:19:58. > :20:05.
:20:05. > :20:15.Marshall to potentially exploit with his pace. First of all, they
:20:15. > :20:33.
:20:33. > :20:43.start of the season, in the league, man. It does not seem to get any
:20:43. > :21:06.
:21:06. > :21:10.excellent set piece. Ulster are picking up at Ravenhill where they
:21:10. > :21:13.left off a week ago against the Cardiff Blues, and it all comes
:21:13. > :21:17.down to the men up front, and Ulster really executed that set
:21:17. > :21:23.piece very well indeed. Good control at the back by Nick
:21:23. > :21:28.Williams, his socks down round his ankles. Ulster get the penalty.
:21:28. > :21:31.Connacht need to come up with an answer quickly. It provides Ulster
:21:31. > :21:34.the opportunity to get field position through the penalties, and
:21:34. > :21:40.once they are in running Paddy Jackson gets the first opportunity
:21:40. > :21:45.for points on the board. Nick Williams controlled that ball very
:21:45. > :21:50.nicely. The only member of the Ulster pack he did not start
:21:50. > :22:00.against Leinster at Twickenham last year. The No. 8 last year has moved
:22:00. > :22:20.
:22:20. > :22:25.another good at scrimmage for Ulster, ten minutes gone, and
:22:25. > :22:30.Ulster leading Connacht by 3-0 at Ravenhill. He the real feature of
:22:30. > :22:36.this opening stanza has been the dominance of the Ulster scrum. It
:22:36. > :22:46.has ultimately resulted in that three point lead. It a change of
:22:46. > :22:58.
:22:58. > :23:02.direction by Dan Parks into Tommy played it, so I can't play
:23:02. > :23:07.advantage. A good interpretation of the laws
:23:07. > :23:12.of the game. It was knocked forward by Connacht. Ulster then played it
:23:12. > :23:17.and it went forward. An Ulster man was in front of the Ulster man to
:23:17. > :23:21.touch the ball, so there was no advantage, so the initial decision
:23:21. > :23:31.was for the Connacht knock-on. It is going to be a Ulster scrum. I
:23:31. > :23:39.
:23:39. > :23:46.is great to see. Work will soon begin on the new stands at either
:23:46. > :23:50.end. Before you know it, Ravenhill will have a capacity of 18,000. If
:23:50. > :24:00.you want to stay involved with Ulster rugby, get your season
:24:00. > :24:16.
:24:16. > :24:23.ticket orders in as soon as Connacht front row.
:24:23. > :24:26.There is an option for a scrum again. Ulster taking the option of
:24:26. > :24:32.the scrum. George Clancy has told Adrian Flavin that if they do early
:24:32. > :24:39.engaging again there will be a penalty. Ulster have already turned
:24:39. > :24:42.a couple of short arms into a Falana penalty, and you can't
:24:42. > :24:47.underestimate the effect it has on the psychology of the team when
:24:47. > :24:57.they are scrum is hitting backwards at a rate of knots. This from a man
:24:57. > :25:01.
:25:01. > :25:11.who spent his career assiduously these scrums, such a important
:25:11. > :25:23.
:25:23. > :25:33.bit of a strainer, courtesy of Cardiff one week ago. -- a little
:25:33. > :25:51.
:25:51. > :25:55.touch judge's flag is up and there is a Ulster foot or hand in touch.
:25:55. > :25:58.Tommy thinking he had probably released the ball by the time he
:25:58. > :26:03.went into touch. The excellent work on the sideline, up to his feet
:26:03. > :26:07.very quickly, then released the ball at the back. The assistant
:26:07. > :26:11.referee adjudicating he was across the line. If it might have been his
:26:11. > :26:15.shoulder went in. He did so well to slip away from a couple of tackles.
:26:15. > :26:25.He looks very sharp and as if he is getting back to his very best form,
:26:25. > :26:25.
:26:25. > :27:09.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:27:09. > :27:15.forward. We were just saying it needed something to live in this
:27:15. > :27:18.game up, and right on cue... Nick Williams, a huge physical presence
:27:18. > :27:23.around the fringes, he is the one who instigated that brake.
:27:23. > :27:28.Unfortunately, from Ulster's perspective, not able to continue.
:27:29. > :27:32.Paul Marshall has the awareness that all is free, but the referee
:27:32. > :27:37.adjudicating he knocked it on in the process of trying to collected.
:27:38. > :27:42.It is not just around the fringes Nick Williams is saw effective. We
:27:42. > :27:52.need it into open space he can get up a fair old gallop. -- when he
:27:52. > :27:52.
:27:52. > :28:37.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:28:37. > :28:41.Ulster line-out, but this is a past master, the man who has scored more
:28:42. > :28:48.points than anyone in the league. Connacht recovering particularly
:28:48. > :28:54.well. The pass went in behind, they were under a lot of pressure. A big
:28:54. > :29:00.hit from John Afoa, excellent technique there. Connacht did well
:29:00. > :29:04.to hold position, then Dan Parks put them in exactly the right place.
:29:04. > :29:12.I an inch perfect tackle by John a flower. Ronan Loughney is feeling
:29:12. > :29:21.the effects of that, he is down around the Ulster 22. -- By John a
:29:21. > :29:31.flower. -- Afoa. The referee said he is not going to stop the game
:29:31. > :29:31.
:29:31. > :31:16.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:31:17. > :31:26.for the injury, Ronan Loughney The referee will come back because
:31:27. > :31:41.
:31:41. > :31:51.not let us to get into the stride of offloading. -- Ulster get into
:31:51. > :31:53.
:31:53. > :32:03.particularly well. There were bare wood knows exactly what to expect
:32:03. > :32:03.
:32:03. > :33:04.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:33:04. > :33:11.winning and it is even between the pitch is cutting up. It is in
:33:11. > :33:21.pretty good condition, despite their rain. The service is a little
:33:21. > :33:41.
:33:41. > :33:49.Ravenhill as well. -- Connacht the scrum. Ronan Loughney not
:33:49. > :33:59.binding properly. A chance for her jerks into but Ulster into a decent
:33:59. > :34:08.
:34:08. > :34:18.position. -- Court Jackson to put come through from an earlier age,
:34:18. > :34:56.
:34:56. > :35:05.crowd are not happy but you have got to abide by the rules. That was
:35:05. > :35:08.an interesting call, Trimble's arm was in touch. It might have been
:35:08. > :35:16.the player passing because it looked like Andrew Trimble had
:35:16. > :35:26.released the ball. Yes, it might have been someone who'd heard there
:35:26. > :35:27.
:35:27. > :36:59.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:36:59. > :37:02.try of the evening, 10 metres from coming in but an unfortunate
:37:02. > :37:12.handling error for Ulster as they looked to be building up to that
:37:12. > :37:12.
:37:12. > :37:54.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:37:54. > :38:03.away from our half-century for forward to welcoming back Ruan
:38:03. > :38:13.Pienaar. There is someone who probably does not even know who he
:38:13. > :38:13.
:38:13. > :39:00.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:39:00. > :39:06.supporters were expecting an early May have done. Can I get the tried
:39:06. > :39:11.die? George Clancy is right there. You can see the urgency and
:39:11. > :39:21.determination of the Ulster players but also the Connacht defenders.
:39:21. > :39:31.Has it resulted in a try? We have to wait and see. As soon as Andrew
:39:31. > :39:33.
:39:33. > :39:43.Trimble gets the ball he accelerates. Then, Court and Best
:39:43. > :39:47.
:39:47. > :39:54.drive him across the line. referee and assistant have said no.
:39:54. > :40:01.Great forward momentum by the Ulster support for words. -- for
:40:01. > :40:04.words. Very, very close to a try. This is a five-metre scrum for
:40:04. > :40:12.Ulster and it is an area they have completely dominated so far. They
:40:12. > :40:22.will not want to do anything silly in case they concede a penalty try.
:40:22. > :41:02.
:41:02. > :41:12.It has gone down but the referee should have perhaps made more of
:41:12. > :41:19.
:41:19. > :41:29.that. Great events from Connacht. Ulster have had to concede a couple
:41:29. > :41:38.
:41:38. > :41:46.of the majors. Marshall looking for Ulster. Paddy Walsh coming in their
:41:46. > :41:51.side. Another chance of at try just not taken. Ulster are getting
:41:51. > :41:59.frustrated, being so close and then errors that have not enable them to
:41:59. > :42:05.score the try. Paddy Wallace pretty eager to get involved. He set their
:42:05. > :42:15.whole thing up, and lovely flat pass and good driving run by Darren
:42:15. > :42:27.
:42:27. > :42:33.Cave and Ben Paddy Wallace was too have been under at scrum time and
:42:33. > :42:37.the penalties they have given away, they have had to defend heroically.
:42:37. > :42:47.They will hope to be raised the margin on the scoreboard before
:42:47. > :42:47.
:42:47. > :43:44.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:43:44. > :43:54.little bit of verve. WHISTLE BLOWS. game. He has been really enjoying
:43:54. > :43:54.
:43:54. > :44:48.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:44:48. > :44:53.Connacht line. This time it is a referee says no. Someone is going
:44:53. > :44:57.to court to the bin, I think it might be Dave Gannon. He has
:44:57. > :45:00.spotted an infringement. I am not sure why he did not play the
:45:00. > :45:05.advantage there. Dave Gannon is going to the bin. If he has
:45:05. > :45:11.committed a professional foul and Ulster were in the act of scoring a
:45:11. > :45:15.try, by is that not a penalty try? There was a subsequent obstruction
:45:15. > :45:18.after the penalty was given, but it looked fairly certain Ulster were
:45:18. > :45:22.heading in the right direction on that occasion, and once again
:45:22. > :45:27.denied. They will look to get something out of this next passage
:45:27. > :45:31.of play to reward them for their efforts. The penalty had been
:45:31. > :45:37.rewarded. I thinkMiller might have been in front of Chris Henley, so
:45:37. > :45:43.he was doing -- I think Johann Muller may have been in front of
:45:43. > :45:47.Chris Henley. I guess George Clancy probably felt that, either indoor
:45:47. > :45:57.he had to send him to the bin, it was not because he denied Ulster a
:45:57. > :46:21.
:46:21. > :46:31.Still no try and others come. -- a bit of a roasting in at the
:46:31. > :46:31.
:46:31. > :46:41.scrummage. Nick Williams, aching to get his big pause on that ball. --
:46:41. > :46:58.
:46:58. > :47:08.his big hands. Only three points relax, but we will get it right. It
:47:08. > :47:15.
:47:15. > :47:20.is nice that the referee is extra forward in, so they are
:47:20. > :47:26.scrummaging... Dave McSharry is the No. 8, I thought they were going to
:47:26. > :47:31.try and scrum against Ulster with only seven forwards. The referee
:47:31. > :47:41.has had enough, he is going further penalty try, at the referee has
:47:41. > :47:44.
:47:44. > :47:51.gone right between the Connacht Ulster's points come through the
:47:51. > :47:54.agency of their scrum that has dominated this period of play.
:47:54. > :47:58.Ulster get their first try, not perhaps the way they would have
:47:58. > :48:08.wished for, but all that pressure behind the scrum has yielded a
:48:08. > :48:09.
:48:09. > :48:13.penalty try. Connacht could not contain that rampant Ulster rate.
:48:13. > :48:21.George, C, no hesitation, and off he went underneath the visitors'
:48:21. > :48:26.posts. -- George Clancy. Paddy Jackson adds the two points, and
:48:26. > :48:31.Ulster are now into double figures with five minutes of the first half
:48:31. > :48:39.remaining. You felt that had to come in some shape or form, didn't
:48:39. > :48:44.you? It looked inevitable, Connacht desperately defending, but the 10
:48:44. > :48:54.points Ulster know have, if they can massage that they can play with
:48:54. > :48:56.
:48:56. > :49:00.even more freedom. -- Ulster now bringing on a replacement in the
:49:00. > :49:04.front row. Nathan White, who captained the side against Leinster
:49:04. > :49:08.last week, might be coming on. I don't know whether Ronan Loughney
:49:08. > :49:14.is injured or not, or maybe he is getting a tough time from Tom Court.
:49:14. > :49:19.This is Nathan White. New Zealand- born, had a couple of seasons with
:49:19. > :49:26.Leinster, and Ronan Loughney looked a little bit disconsolate. I am not
:49:27. > :49:36.sure whether he ever recovered from that hard tackle by John or form. -
:49:37. > :49:48.
:49:48. > :49:58.to get ten metres, but Connacht wisely let it bounce and it rolled
:49:58. > :50:17.
:50:17. > :50:25.over that ten-metre line. He has a tackling without the ball. I am
:50:25. > :50:29.sure Dan Parks will want to have a goal at the Ulster posts. Banned
:50:29. > :50:39.for week was the man who tackled the number rate, George Naoupu.
:50:39. > :50:52.
:50:52. > :50:57.Irish internationals having a word with each other. Here is a man
:50:57. > :51:07.capped 67 times by Scotland. He is playing in his second game for his
:51:07. > :51:13.
:51:13. > :51:20.new province. He got seven points is the first time they have been
:51:20. > :51:25.under Ulster for 20 minutes. He has pulled that one. The chance of
:51:25. > :51:35.Connacht points goes begging. Nothing for Connacht, nothing for
:51:35. > :52:12.
:52:12. > :52:18.Dan Parks. 10-02 Ulster. -- 10-04 three-quarter, whether to the left
:52:18. > :52:21.or right, not quite there. But Payne really had to take the ball
:52:21. > :52:26.and pass it in one movement. The ball was slightly behind and, as
:52:26. > :52:31.well. The real danger is to be too lateral, and you can see him trying
:52:31. > :52:35.to strike it on that occasion. Well read from the Connacht offence --
:52:35. > :52:45.defence. It is the danger, it can get a little too lateral if no one
:52:45. > :52:45.
:52:45. > :53:53.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:53:53. > :53:58.George Clancy, right on the spot. There was an incident on the far
:53:58. > :54:02.side, an altercation between an Ulster and a Connacht player. It
:54:02. > :54:07.looked like one of them used Danny from this angle, but we will hear
:54:07. > :54:12.from the report. -- used to the knee.
:54:12. > :54:17.REFEREE: two players holding each other, and he has hit him with his
:54:18. > :54:24.knee. He did not make any connect - - direction, but he hit out with
:54:24. > :54:27.his knee. That was number four. Before!
:54:27. > :54:33.Michael Swift, I think, tried to connect with an All-Star player
:54:33. > :54:38.with his knee. -- an Ulster player. The assistant said there was no
:54:38. > :54:45.contact, but the attempt was made, so it may be a straightforward
:54:45. > :54:49.penalty to Ulster. REFEREE: You didn't make contact, but you have
:54:49. > :54:53.to be very careful the next time. It is your response to that. There
:54:53. > :55:01.is a penalty against you. Why are not discussing this any more, that
:55:01. > :55:06.is the decision. -- I am not. Willie Faloon asking if he can have
:55:06. > :55:10.time to have a bit of a word with his players. Michael Swift has been
:55:10. > :55:13.a great worker for Connacht over the years, a fair player but a
:55:14. > :55:23.tough one. They have conceded the penalty, added know if there is
:55:24. > :55:24.
:55:24. > :56:26.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:56:26. > :56:33.going to be time for a line-out league try of the season, two
:56:33. > :56:37.against Cardiff, won here against Connacht, and right on half-time.
:56:37. > :56:42.That is a just reward for Ulster, they spent a lot of time in the
:56:42. > :56:47.Connacht 22, they may not have a lot of point play like to show for
:56:47. > :56:51.it. Nick Williams, the last person Connacht would have wanted to see
:56:51. > :57:01.picking that Pollok, unstoppable bull with help from Johann Muller a
:57:01. > :57:32.
:57:32. > :57:40.cross that line. -- picking that close range. The scoreboard looking
:57:40. > :57:45.pretty healthy from an Ulster perspective.
:57:45. > :57:50.The scrum was the feature of the first half with the dominance from
:57:50. > :57:55.the Ulster scrum. They had a number of phases where they came very
:57:55. > :58:03.close to scoring, and they will probably feel that 15-0 justifies
:58:03. > :58:13.that dominance. Two tries, Ulster very much in the
:58:13. > :58:17.
:58:17. > :58:21.Well, Johann Muller led two out for what has been a competitive Derby,
:58:21. > :58:25.although a little stop-start. Paddy Jackson kick-started things for
:58:25. > :58:35.Ulster. Tommy Ball looking threatening, his first home game
:58:35. > :58:36.
:58:36. > :58:40.since his return from the All-Stars. -- from the Ospreys. Chris Henry
:58:40. > :58:47.thought he would get over for the opening score, but eventually the
:58:47. > :58:52.pressure did so -- did pay off. A penalty try awarded, and a deserved
:58:52. > :59:02.lead for Ulster. And a second try before half-time, the barnstorming
:59:02. > :59:06.
:59:06. > :59:11.Ulster lead by 17 points. We have been watching that first half, and
:59:11. > :59:15.I think it is fair to say Ulster are very much deserving that lead.
:59:15. > :59:19.I think all, they have weathered the storm, a lot of credit to
:59:19. > :59:23.Connacht up to his point. It has not been a fantastic game to watch,
:59:23. > :59:27.but there has been a lot of confrontation, very physical up
:59:27. > :59:33.front, and they will be a few tired bodies tomorrow. Ulster are edging
:59:33. > :59:37.it at this point. Connacht have not had much creative
:59:37. > :59:41.opportunity, but they have defended very well. They have defended
:59:41. > :59:46.heroically, but I have been massively impressed with Ulster.
:59:46. > :59:50.They have dominated that first half, the scoreline does not reflect that.
:59:50. > :59:55.I think Ulster will be delighted with their opening 40 minutes.
:59:55. > :59:59.were ride of the blocks very quickly, creating very great
:59:59. > :00:02.chances. That is what it is all about, they are in a good position
:00:02. > :00:06.and it is great to see them continuing last week. The work rate
:00:06. > :00:10.of players of the ball is very good and they keep flicking the ball.
:00:10. > :00:15.This will take its toll in the last 20 minutes of today's game. A
:00:15. > :00:19.couple of handling errors and is costing them. It is good to see
:00:19. > :00:26.Ulster having the ambition to move the ball at every opportunity.
:00:26. > :00:30.Great pace from Marshall on the back line. Nick Williams, what more
:00:31. > :00:35.can you say about the man? He is just lethal. He is becoming a big
:00:36. > :00:39.crowd favourite. He is fulfilling his role, using his abilities to
:00:39. > :00:44.the best of his advantage, and thankfully he is wearing an Ulster
:00:44. > :00:48.should do. He is on form this season, great to see. The only
:00:48. > :00:52.thing not busy about Ulster was the scoreboard. They were doing
:00:52. > :00:58.anything right, just a few errors creeping in and not been able to
:00:58. > :01:02.finishing -- to finish things off. I think Ulster have defended really
:01:02. > :01:06.well, but Ulster have defended brilliantly. Occasionally they can
:01:06. > :01:10.get a little bit Lateral, they need to straighten it, but to be honest
:01:10. > :01:14.you have to give Connacht a lot of credit. If they lose the ball they
:01:14. > :01:20.are fanning out quickly and making it difficult for Ulster to brake
:01:20. > :01:26.them down. Penalty tries Ferrero of? Yes, it
:01:26. > :01:29.is fair enough. It was already shown, we gave a yellow card away.
:01:30. > :01:34.The try we scored was probably a right decision, coming back from
:01:34. > :01:38.the penalty, but just a lot of pressure. This pressure will take
:01:38. > :01:46.its toll in the last 20 minutes of this match. Johann Muller caught a
:01:46. > :01:49.little bit ahead of the other player there. Yes, but the pressure
:01:50. > :01:56.endured have been showing. At the front row is under pressure, the
:01:56. > :02:00.prop pops up. They just call were, there is no control from that.
:02:00. > :02:05.have to look at the Ulster pack in particular. They have so much power
:02:05. > :02:11.there. I think that is where Connacht cannot match them. Afoa is
:02:11. > :02:13.fantastic. Tom Court has been great. Whenever you have guys like Nick
:02:13. > :02:19.Williams and Stephen Ferris carrying the ball, it is very
:02:19. > :02:24.difficult and will take its toll. The Ulster scrum has been very big
:02:24. > :02:28.cuppa it is a big pack now. It is very mobile, athletic, and they are
:02:28. > :02:32.showing great individual schools, and that is down to the coaching. -
:02:32. > :02:36.- individual skills. They want to play rugby, that is what we have
:02:36. > :02:41.come to watch, and hopefully they can sustain it. On the stroke of
:02:41. > :02:47.half-time, they really sees that with both hands. At think it was
:02:47. > :02:50.always coming. The pressure was always going to tell on Connacht.
:02:50. > :02:55.Probably a just reward for the pressure Ulster put on. To be
:02:55. > :02:59.honest, I think whenever they get five yards out, Nick Williams is
:03:00. > :03:04.phenomenal. They cannot stop him. That is big men in front of him,
:03:04. > :03:14.but if he get that ball with a bit of momentum moving forward, you
:03:14. > :03:21.
:03:21. > :03:27.Is important for Auster that Nick Williams is making ground every
:03:27. > :03:32.time and making yardage? -- Ulster. It is important that whoever is
:03:32. > :03:38.there is making ground. He has been everything bad is good about Ulster
:03:38. > :03:43.Rugby so far. The other guys are starting to play and you can see
:03:43. > :03:48.them opening up. That is the basis of their game that Ulster are
:03:48. > :03:55.playing. Guys like Williams are consistently getting over the gain-
:03:55. > :04:01.line with her clean ball. Guys like Jackson can get it barred their and
:04:01. > :04:05.getting -- getting it out there and getting defenders running. More
:04:05. > :04:15.analysis in a couple of minutes. First, let's hear from the Ulster
:04:15. > :04:18.
:04:18. > :04:22.director of rugby. Happy with the score line? I think
:04:22. > :04:28.they are frustrated. I think the set piece has been very good. You
:04:28. > :04:33.can never complain about 17-0. Would you like to see the ball
:04:33. > :04:37.going out wide a bit more? We would like to see a little bit of width
:04:37. > :04:42.in the game. There have been a couple of mistakes with the ball
:04:42. > :04:45.going into touch. Tonight has been very good. Hopefully the second
:04:45. > :04:51.half will have more opportunities. Have you been impressed with
:04:51. > :04:56.Connacht? They are always difficult to play. We knew with the news of
:04:56. > :05:00.Eric leaving that they were going to play with passion. As always,
:05:00. > :05:03.they have. We were lucky that Dan Parks had a relatively
:05:04. > :05:08.straightforward. We have to concentrate and make sure that we
:05:08. > :05:14.keep doing the things we have done well in the first half. Is there a
:05:14. > :05:20.bonus point out there? We need to focus early on at the start of the
:05:20. > :05:25.second half. If we get some chances I think we will see some tries.
:05:25. > :05:30.Connacht's lack of ball has been their problem? It has. They have
:05:30. > :05:39.had it on a couple of occasions in our half and have ended up taking
:05:39. > :05:45.it away. -- kicking it. The defence from Ulster has been very organised.
:05:45. > :05:49.It has come together. I fear for Connacht in this game that the
:05:49. > :05:56.physicality of this game is going to take its toll in the last 20.
:05:56. > :06:01.Let's look at some examples. For a while, Connacht were frustrating
:06:01. > :06:05.Ulster. They were running some good lines. Their defence and structures
:06:05. > :06:11.are very good. They are not getting bogged down by runners, they are
:06:11. > :06:17.filtering out. That is why Ulster need to hold the inside defenders a
:06:17. > :06:25.bit more in the second half. That way, they can create at -- an extra
:06:25. > :06:29.man. Big guys like Swift, they are causing problems. If Ulster
:06:29. > :06:32.continue with that intensity, moving the ball from side to side,
:06:32. > :06:37.there is no doubt that Connacht will break down and we will see
:06:37. > :06:43.more tries. Ulster are looking to create things and it will take its
:06:43. > :06:46.toll. The most important part of my game is that Ulster take -- hit the
:06:47. > :06:53.ground running. Early scores will set the tone for the rest of the
:06:53. > :06:57.evening. Patience is key as well? They have been patient. They have
:06:57. > :07:05.been clinical around the ruck area. They have not turned over too much
:07:05. > :07:08.ball. The penalties have fragmented became slightly. While one or two
:07:08. > :07:12.occasions when Payne put the ball under pressure and we could not
:07:12. > :07:17.finish it off, I think in this half we will see more finishing because
:07:17. > :07:23.Connacht will not be as alert. Kilroy on the bench that puts more
:07:23. > :07:27.pressure on the winners, tremble in particular, but he has turned in a
:07:27. > :07:36.good performance so far? He has made their decisions tonight. For
:07:36. > :07:46.one moment I thought he was going to run away with the ball. He is
:07:46. > :07:49.
:07:49. > :07:54.strong. That is the bd of the Ulster scrod. We know their
:07:54. > :07:57.strengths has improved beyond recognition. That is why they are
:07:57. > :08:02.playing well and they perform at internationals, because they know
:08:02. > :08:06.their place is under threat if they do not. When you have guys like
:08:06. > :08:12.equality of Gilroy coming off the bench, it keeps the guys who are
:08:12. > :08:17.starting every week on their toes, knowing they have to perform.
:08:17. > :08:22.a far more exciting Ulster team, not just the first 15, it is the 22,
:08:22. > :08:25.the guys who are not here tonight. The environment must be very
:08:26. > :08:30.enthusiastic and it must make for an exciting training session. We
:08:30. > :08:36.are seeing the benefits. What have you made against Jackson against
:08:36. > :08:39.Parks? Paddy has had a lot more ball. It has been easy for him and
:08:40. > :08:44.he has controlled the game very well. What Paddy Jackson is doing
:08:44. > :08:49.is growing in confidence week after week. He is starting to play rugby
:08:49. > :08:51.really well, knowing the right time to move, the right time to keep it
:08:51. > :09:01.inside a pack on the right time to put it behind the opposition
:09:01. > :09:03.
:09:03. > :09:13.defence. -- and the right time. Parks has had to resort to taking -
:09:13. > :09:18.- taking. That is one of the best front rows in Europe. And they are
:09:18. > :09:27.all wearing Ulster shirts tonight. I can see Rory Best coming into the
:09:27. > :09:33.front line and he is renowned for its scrummaging. John Afoa can play
:09:33. > :09:38.any position. The energy that boat -- and those guys can absorb in a
:09:38. > :09:42.scrum situation is immense and that will take its toll.
:09:42. > :09:52.Connacht have only won once away from home before in the Pro12
:09:52. > :09:57.
:09:57. > :10:07.League. Let's see if they can studio discussion, the crowd of
:10:07. > :10:11.Ravenhill work in detained for -- were entertained with many rugby.
:10:11. > :10:21.Johann Muller leads the Ulster side out for the second half, leading
:10:21. > :10:34.
:10:34. > :10:39.17-0. It does not look like there are any
:10:40. > :10:47.changes on the Ulster side. Johann Muller enjoying his leadership yet
:10:47. > :10:57.again. Williams, the last man out. It is going to be Ulster to start
:10:57. > :11:08.
:11:08. > :11:15.the second half. Jackson is the man will get the scrum straight away.
:11:15. > :11:23.Helene has played no more than 63 times for Ulster and has won caps
:11:23. > :11:33.at Weedon Hill. -- Willie Faloon. They will be looking for him to
:11:33. > :11:48.
:11:48. > :11:58.have an immediate impact. Connacht Their rate him highly. He has got
:11:58. > :11:59.
:11:59. > :12:56.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:12:56. > :13:06.mess over. -- turning this over. That is the second time they have
:13:06. > :13:28.
:13:28. > :13:35.Parks kicking straight down the middle of the picture on that
:13:35. > :13:39.occasion. He has a great awareness for where the space is behind him.
:13:39. > :13:49.Connacht need to apply pressure to prevent Ulster from counter-
:13:49. > :14:15.
:14:15. > :14:25.attacking. They have got Connacht give away the penalty, and
:14:25. > :14:25.
:14:25. > :15:42.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:15:42. > :15:46.a way it Marshall goes. -- a way it everything but score. Once again,
:15:46. > :15:51.credit to that Connacht defence, scrambling to get numbers into the
:15:51. > :15:56.right place. A little inside pass from Paddy Wallace, unable to get
:15:56. > :15:59.across the line. Desperate defence again from Connacht, but you feel
:15:59. > :16:04.like they're putting their finger in the wall, at some stage it is
:16:04. > :16:12.going to brake. At this stage Ulster are difficult to contain.
:16:12. > :16:20.Unfairness, Connacht doing well just -- thus far. It has taken
:16:21. > :16:30.every sinew and muscle of Ulster to get themselves across the line. Two
:16:31. > :16:49.
:16:49. > :16:56.which will please the referee. Former member of the All Blacks
:16:57. > :17:06.World Cup winning note squad, 28 years old, 26 times capped for New
:17:07. > :17:16.
:17:16. > :17:24.Zealand. His work around the park the referee, Ulster are penalised
:17:24. > :17:34.in the scrum. Somebody put a hand on the ball in the scrum, and there
:17:34. > :17:34.
:17:34. > :17:40.is no need to do that in that what seemed to be a try scoring
:17:40. > :17:43.situation. Connacht will be relishing the opportunity to have a
:17:43. > :17:48.line-out and potentially have some position and maintain it for a
:17:48. > :17:58.period of time. They have not seen any attacking after the ten-minute
:17:58. > :18:00.
:18:00. > :18:07.Gannon is going off, and John Malden, another Irish international,
:18:07. > :18:13.is coming on. -- John Muldoon. Connacht will not lose anything up
:18:13. > :18:23.in terms of experience. John Muldoon, cat three times for
:18:23. > :18:23.
:18:23. > :19:05.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:19:05. > :19:15.have been a little jersey pulling their. Connacht complaining, the
:19:15. > :19:18.
:19:18. > :19:24.far side touch judge has kept his flag down. Mrs Henshaw, did he put
:19:24. > :19:32.the past a way? He did. Excellent play in congested space, finding a
:19:32. > :19:40.way through, a good hand-off from player for eight -- Henshaw.
:19:40. > :19:50.Connacht looking dangerous with possession.
:19:50. > :20:07.
:20:07. > :20:12.Vainikolo, the 27-year-old, was not smashing tick by Paddy Wallace.
:20:12. > :20:22.That is the kick of the evening so far. A what a luxury to have
:20:22. > :20:26.someone who has a book of that size, a huge pressure relief for Ulster.
:20:26. > :20:36.Paddy Wallace, somewhat surprised to find himself called off of
:20:36. > :20:36.
:20:36. > :21:28.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:21:28. > :21:33.holiday to go and play against the behind him and they knocked it
:21:33. > :21:38.forward, not his fault. Last week in Cardiff, everything was going to
:21:38. > :21:42.hand, of the try came off, they will be a little frustrated if they
:21:42. > :21:47.have not been able to get into that floor and replicate that tonight.
:21:47. > :21:51.Once they do, you feel there will be more tries in this game.
:21:51. > :21:57.Williams went for the wide pass, and just as he was passing he was
:21:57. > :22:03.tackled, but probably put him off slightly.
:22:03. > :22:13.The Ospreys are running away with it in Italy. Edinburgh are finding
:22:13. > :22:51.
:22:51. > :22:57.that Treviso at home are a pretty tackle. Those little niceties not
:22:57. > :23:03.quite come off for Ulster this evening. Attention paid to the ball
:23:03. > :23:08.there by Vainikolo, he looked like he managed to dislodge it from John
:23:08. > :23:12.Afoa. Dan Parks will need to put them further down the pitch, but
:23:12. > :23:18.some relief for them that their scrum is not heading backwards at a
:23:18. > :23:25.rate of knots. We look at Mark Anscombe, arms
:23:25. > :23:29.folded, and the director of fit -- director of rugby, David Humphreys.
:23:29. > :23:39.There is the man who got the man of the match award went Ulster won the
:23:39. > :24:08.
:24:08. > :24:13.out. The score is still the same as not going to wait for Nick Williams
:24:13. > :24:23.to get the eyedrops Britain, or whatever it is. Now he is back on
:24:23. > :24:23.
:24:23. > :25:36.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:25:36. > :25:41.the debate -- busy Dennis Buckley, try to launch them potentially
:25:41. > :25:45.towards a fourth. The crowd reaction here has told you, Paddy
:25:45. > :25:51.Jackson has found the corner quite brilliantly. His kicking to touch
:25:51. > :25:54.has been spot on this evening. is distribution, as well. He can
:25:54. > :25:58.pass with both hands, get into the wider channel, he looks very
:25:58. > :26:08.comfortable at this level of rugby, talking to players around him, and
:26:08. > :26:16.
:26:16. > :26:23.certainly looks to have a bright A slap on the wrist for Rory Best.
:26:23. > :26:27.A very rare mistake by Rory Best. In his first outing, probably
:26:27. > :26:35.expected after about 40 minutes, he may well have been substituted, but
:26:35. > :26:41.in the heat of the battle, good things to come in Ulster's season.
:26:41. > :26:46.John Afoa injured, Ulster's excellent physio on giving him a
:26:46. > :26:49.bit of a rub. Gareth Robins was mystified last week when I
:26:50. > :26:57.suggested Andrew Trimble should be seeing a chiropractor. He really
:26:57. > :27:01.does not want anyone other than him having a look at his boys! Ulster
:27:01. > :27:06.about to make a replacement, I can see someone warming up on the far
:27:06. > :27:10.side, it may be Rob Herring. Rory Best may not be on the field for
:27:10. > :27:14.much longer. But was certainly surprised... Yes, it is Rob Herring
:27:14. > :27:22.who is going to come on. I was surprised Rory Best started this,
:27:22. > :27:32.but he has a good arm under his belt. Is there enough of this
:27:32. > :27:47.
:27:47. > :27:52.Not releasing in the tackle. It will probably be a case of Rory
:27:52. > :27:58.Best going off and Rob Herring going on. A great Ulster at scrum,
:27:58. > :28:08.good work by Williams. Did Williams released the tackler? Made it was
:28:08. > :28:20.
:28:20. > :28:30.Stephen Ferris hanging on for grim Connacht, also gave Muir, Numbers
:28:30. > :28:40.20 and 21. Vastly experienced, Kieran Marmion going off and is
:28:40. > :28:40.
:28:40. > :29:28.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:29:28. > :29:31.side out, cause of the field. -- speculative, take more chances. You
:29:31. > :29:41.can sense their frustration at not finishing off some of these
:29:41. > :29:47.
:29:47. > :29:55.opportunities. Rory Best goes off. This is his first game since the
:29:55. > :30:05.All Blacks in June. Herring, saying -- Herring comes on for his death
:30:05. > :30:05.
:30:05. > :31:03.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:31:03. > :31:13.work in defence by Connacht. Naoupu referee is playing advantage to
:31:13. > :31:22.
:31:22. > :31:27.Ulster. -- wonderful work by Kate penalised. That has might have been
:31:27. > :31:35.meant for Andrew Trimble. Desperate defence from Connacht, but the
:31:35. > :31:45.penalties coming quickly. Johnny O'Connor stuck in our mind to try
:31:45. > :31:52.
:31:52. > :31:57.and stop Marshall from passing. -- for tremble. Paddy Wallace came in
:31:57. > :32:02.and has decided to take their three points. Just coming into the start
:32:03. > :32:12.of the last quarter. It took Ulster are a long time to get there in the
:32:13. > :32:13.
:32:13. > :33:04.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:33:04. > :33:14.proposition. Ulster have always still scoreless. Jason Harris-
:33:14. > :33:14.
:33:14. > :34:33.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:34:33. > :34:36.league so far this season and they are determined to keep it that way.
:34:37. > :34:41.Last week against Cardiff, when their goods such a big score line,
:34:41. > :34:48.you can get lapses in defence on the back of that but it looks as if
:34:48. > :34:51.Ulster are going to keep the intensity up. They are going to
:34:51. > :35:01.take pride in the fact that Connacht have yet to register a
:35:01. > :35:01.
:35:01. > :36:00.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:36:00. > :36:03.It is the Connacht scrum. Stephen Ferris looks slightly bemused.
:36:03. > :36:10.Connacht have been created with their opportunities, but they have
:36:10. > :36:19.been few and far between. The ball was knocked forward by Herring,
:36:19. > :36:27.according to the referee. It looked like a straightforward tackle but
:36:27. > :36:37.it went backwards from a Connacht perspective, so they get the scrum.
:36:37. > :37:12.
:37:12. > :37:18.Herring, 22, Irish qualified from replacements. Craig Gilroy and Mike
:37:18. > :37:25.McComish, I think. Craig Gilroy champing at the bit to get on again.
:37:25. > :37:35.Lewis Stevenson warming-up not too far away as well. Much better
:37:35. > :37:36.
:37:36. > :38:28.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:38:28. > :38:38.goes off. Here come Lewis Stevenson, Mike McComish and Craig Gilroy.
:38:38. > :38:58.
:38:58. > :39:02.Stephen Ferris, Johann Muller and straight away it buys Stevenson.
:39:02. > :39:12.a number of occasions Ulster have been able to disrupt the Connacht
:39:12. > :39:12.
:39:12. > :39:22.line-out. John Muldoon getting agitated. There is going to be an
:39:22. > :40:02.
:40:02. > :40:10.any Heineken Cup against Castro. I have a feeling the scrums will be a
:40:10. > :40:16.lot more difficult for them. French team take their scrummaging
:40:16. > :40:26.seriously and are expected to be more of a contest next week. Are a
:40:26. > :40:27.
:40:27. > :40:37.terrific kick to touch by Jackson. Connacht have made a change, Dave
:40:37. > :40:37.
:40:37. > :41:19.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:41:19. > :41:24.McSharry has come off and Mata got it. It is going to be a scrum
:41:24. > :41:29.to Connacht. More Ulster replacements. Callum Black coming
:41:29. > :41:36.on for Tom Court. Luke Marshall coming on for Paddy Jackson. Luke
:41:36. > :41:43.Marshall may well slot straight in. There have options. That is one
:41:43. > :41:53.thing about this Ulster's rot in this season in particular. -- this
:41:53. > :42:03.Ulster squad. It is hard to tell who is going to play the outside-
:42:03. > :42:11.
:42:11. > :42:18.half. Free kick against Connacht, a scrum. It is a midfield attacking
:42:18. > :42:28.opportunity. Some desperate defence from Connacht. A lack of continuity
:42:28. > :42:28.
:42:28. > :43:39.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:43:39. > :43:43.from Ulster are contributing to Connacht. Like Cardiff a week ago,
:43:43. > :43:48.it is just not going for all stood tonight. They are winning, they are
:43:48. > :43:55.not in any danger of losing, unless Connacht can find three quick tries
:43:55. > :44:02.from somewhere, but it is not the same intensity. They have dominated
:44:02. > :44:07.but have not got the score to show it. They have had a huge amount of
:44:07. > :44:17.opportunities but some handling errors and the scoreline could have
:44:17. > :44:31.
:44:31. > :44:36.Marshall has come off, Michael Heaney has come on. Michael Heaney,
:44:36. > :44:46.who has just agreed an extension of his three-month contract, he will
:44:46. > :44:50.
:44:50. > :44:55.be with Ulster until the end of going to the ground, Callum Black,
:44:55. > :45:05.I think, the culprit at the far side. The substitution is certainly
:45:05. > :45:05.
:45:05. > :46:10.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:46:10. > :46:14.not going to do anything to improve game. They have had some position
:46:14. > :46:17.and they have had to -- they have looked dangerous, but their set
:46:17. > :46:22.piece has not functioned enough to give them the opportunity to get
:46:22. > :46:27.into this game. It has been desperate defence that has kept the
:46:27. > :46:37.score line manageable, but Ulster, after half-time, it was always a
:46:37. > :46:37.
:46:37. > :48:08.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 86 seconds
:48:08. > :48:14.think. Darren Tuohy and John Connor, maybe that could be reported on
:48:14. > :48:19.after Nick Williams's injuries are assessed.
:48:19. > :48:24.The Comissioner, to. I it, is a Eugene Ryan, D will be having a
:48:24. > :48:31.look at everything. -- to point out. He will be having a look at
:48:31. > :48:35.everything. A little bit ominous, with European Rugby a week away,
:48:35. > :48:39.and Roger Wilson not yet coming back. Ulster would not want to lose
:48:39. > :48:43.this fellow, but then, Chris Henry can play at No. 8. Plenty of
:48:44. > :48:48.options, but given the impact Nick Williams has had since his arrival,
:48:48. > :48:55.they would certainly want him to be part of that back row. Just a few
:48:55. > :49:02.minutes to go. Cast your mind forward to a week's time. The last
:49:02. > :49:06.time Ulster played end a Heineken Cup game here at Ravenhill, they
:49:06. > :49:10.absolutely soared. Aren't we expected them to raise to those
:49:10. > :49:14.heights again? There is a special atmosphere at on a Friday night
:49:14. > :49:23.here at Ravenhill. It is essential, given the pull but they have, they
:49:23. > :49:33.will want to be two for two when the enter into those games, the
:49:33. > :49:35.
:49:35. > :49:39.Northampton home and away fixtures actually leaving the field. He
:49:39. > :49:49.twisted round very awkwardly in a tackle. Not altogether sure what he
:49:49. > :50:05.
:50:05. > :50:13.has done. He is holding his ribs, Number 10, Paddy Jackson, is on the
:50:13. > :50:19.bench. He changed his mind, well done, George, you got it right.
:50:19. > :50:22.Connacht have the penalty, and they may well go for the scrummage.
:50:22. > :50:32.Connacht obviously feel their second half scrummage is better
:50:32. > :50:34.
:50:34. > :50:44.than the first. It is proving to be but they will be pretty keen to get
:50:44. > :50:47.
:50:47. > :50:57.a score of some kind, preferably a going to get themselves a winning
:50:57. > :51:21.
:51:21. > :51:25.ice on Nick Williams's Trust. I hope it does nothing too serious.
:51:25. > :51:28.Sometimes a torn rib cartilage can be more -- can be worse than a
:51:28. > :51:38.fracture. It is much more painful in the middle of the night, at
:51:38. > :51:44.
:51:44. > :51:51.blind side of the scrum for Ulster. He played number rate of four
:51:51. > :52:01.Methodist College at Ravenhill three years ago. -- he played at No.
:52:01. > :52:23.
:52:23. > :52:30.have kept everything to the end of this have, as they did in the first,
:52:30. > :52:35.and that was the try of the evening, the move of the evening. And the
:52:35. > :52:38.smile of the evening from young Luke Marshall. Ulster fans have
:52:39. > :52:45.waited four years to see Tommy bought flying down that fighting
:52:45. > :52:50.end. Excellently judged kick from Paddy Wallace, and Tommy Ball
:52:50. > :52:57.releases the pass, and a very clever line at run by Luke Marshall
:52:57. > :53:07.to take the final pass. The crowd is coming alive in the 78th minute.
:53:07. > :53:29.
:53:29. > :53:34.knocked forward with one minute to go. Stimac will have to try and
:53:34. > :53:40.score for a set piece. I can't remember the last time I saw
:53:40. > :53:45.someone spurned the chance to add points. I can understand the logic,
:53:45. > :53:50.you have to take the conversion. is a good tactic for Ulster,
:53:50. > :53:55.particularly if it leads to at try scoring opportunity. Certainly
:53:55. > :53:59.worth a shot. This could well be the last set-
:53:59. > :54:06.piece of the game. If that is the case, Ulster would be looking to
:54:06. > :54:16.conjure up a for try. 25-0 is a pretty decent score line. -- a for
:54:16. > :54:48.
:54:48. > :54:55.they used to see in the olden days. George Clancy blows his whistle, so
:54:55. > :55:00.not the exuberant try-scoring, a fun game we saw from Ulster a week
:55:00. > :55:10.ago in Cardiff, where they run riot. A good finish for the first have, I
:55:10. > :55:13.did finis for the second, two trys -- tries, three tries, no bonus
:55:13. > :55:17.point. It probably will come back to haunt them at the end of the
:55:17. > :55:22.season. They would have liked to go further bonus, but to Connacht's
:55:22. > :55:28.credit, they did not allow them to get into those positions to score
:55:28. > :55:32.that try. Ultimately, it will focus try's mind with big matches to come
:55:32. > :55:38.this season. They are plenty of work to do. A little untidy, but
:55:38. > :55:44.the fitness of their No. 8, Nick Williams, man of the match again.
:55:44. > :55:54.Five games in his opening sprint of Pro12 games. They should still be,
:55:54. > :55:55.
:55:55. > :55:58.by my reckoning, top of the league. Delirious faces, there, Shane Logan,
:55:58. > :56:06.the Chief Executive come and beside him the director of rugby, David
:56:06. > :56:11.Humphreys, will be reasonably pleased with the final score. Of
:56:11. > :56:13.course, Rory Best next week play course, Rory Best next week play
:56:13. > :56:18.income and Dan Parks, who knows Stephen Ferris well and has spent a
:56:18. > :56:22.few seasons keeping out of his way on the Park gives the big fellow at.
:56:22. > :56:29.Well done to Connacht, a great win for them last week at home against
:56:29. > :56:33.Leinster. The last season for Eric Elwood, former international
:56:33. > :56:37.outside-half, is leaving at the end of the season. People be
:56:37. > :56:41.disappointed by the scoreline, but not by their performance. Mark
:56:41. > :56:45.Anscombe will be digesting and analysing and we will explain -- he
:56:45. > :56:49.will explain exactly what he wants from his team as they give
:56:49. > :56:53.themselves up for one of those big Heineken Cup nights here that
:56:53. > :56:57.Ravenhill, when the French side come to town. Connacht have come
:56:57. > :57:03.good time, they have gone away with nothing, Ulster have the wind. They
:57:03. > :57:13.will be disappointed they did not get the bonus point, but they have
:57:13. > :57:13.
:57:13. > :57:17.It was not pretty at times, but it was certainly a very effective
:57:18. > :57:21.performance by Ulster. They scored two tries in the first staff, the
:57:21. > :57:29.first a penalty try, then it Nick Williams rumbled over for the
:57:29. > :57:33.second. That gave them a 17-0 lead at the brake. For a while it looked
:57:33. > :57:40.like that would be it in the second half, until the very last minute,
:57:40. > :57:50.when brilliant play from GMac on the counter, Luke Marshall went in
:57:50. > :57:51.
:57:51. > :57:56.on the third score of the game. -- brilliant play from Ulster.
:57:56. > :58:03.Well, what is the verdict on that? A disappointing second half, I
:58:03. > :58:07.thought we did enough in the first have to lay a good platform to get
:58:07. > :58:12.there four tries. There was only one team playing rugby out there, a
:58:12. > :58:18.disappointing game, particularly the second half. We do impressed
:58:18. > :58:21.with the intensity Connacht brought in the second have? They played
:58:21. > :58:27.sporting debate, the decisions went their way. I don't think it was a
:58:27. > :58:31.good game of rugby, at all. We certainly wanted to play some rugby,
:58:31. > :58:39.we were our own worst enemy at times. They played spoiling rugby
:58:39. > :58:43.tactics, and we made some poor decisions.
:58:43. > :58:49.The defeats have been good all year, any time you keep a team thaw this
:58:49. > :58:57.it is something to be proud of. -- any time you keep a team's scored
:58:57. > :59:01.We are winning, you have to enjoy that. The factors, we go to the
:59:01. > :59:05.Heineken Cup now, and they showed tonight we have a lot of work to do
:59:06. > :59:09.to be competitive next week. Nick Williams produced another man of
:59:09. > :59:13.the match display. What is the verdict on him two a pretty
:59:13. > :59:16.powerful performers, but we did not want to do that, we did not take
:59:16. > :59:21.advantage of some of the garbage he made today. We have to strike and
:59:21. > :59:25.finish better than we did. He even anything on the injury front?
:59:25. > :59:27.I think it is his rib, it is a bit early, but we'll see how he is in
:59:27. > :59:33.the morning and hopefully he will be all right.
:59:33. > :59:41.Thank you for your time, Mark. Andy Ward, you are a fellow TV,
:59:41. > :59:48.would you send us downbeat as the Ulster courts did there? -- the
:59:48. > :59:52.Ulster court she. He clearly he was not happy, we
:59:52. > :59:55.thought then the half-time brake that they had laid a big enough
:59:55. > :59:58.platform to really take on and goal. Some of the passes had not gone
:59:58. > :00:02.straight to hand, so he was bitterly disappointed with their
:00:02. > :00:05.performance in the second half, and rightly so. He demands a standard,
:00:05. > :00:10.and if they want to be better than the competition they need to finish
:00:10. > :00:14.it off. With two scores in the first have,
:00:14. > :00:18.and Luke Marshall added another at the very death, two will have been
:00:18. > :00:21.disappointed not to add the bonus point for the four tries this
:00:21. > :00:25.evening. The years, and much -- as Mark
:00:25. > :00:30.Anscombe said, they had that first- half foundation. There may be an
:00:30. > :00:35.element of complacency on Ulster's part. The physicality and intensity
:00:35. > :00:38.was probably not there. It came down to the fact that, like us,
:00:38. > :00:43.they probably thought after 60 minutes gold would open and they
:00:43. > :00:47.would start scoring. You have to get through that to
:00:47. > :00:51.Connacht that they have that this has moved on from last season.
:00:51. > :00:55.They are not the sort of team to capitulate in the last 20. There
:00:55. > :01:05.was still a lot of effort or there, and Ulster were unable to brake
:01:05. > :01:08.
:01:08. > :01:13.Do you agree a lot of work needs to be done? They cannot go in with a
:01:13. > :01:18.performance like that. I have no doubt their coach is going to put
:01:18. > :01:21.their feet back on the floor and say, that is below par for the
:01:21. > :01:26.standard we are trying to set. players smiling at the minute, but
:01:26. > :01:31.they have not been on -- into the dressing room yet to hear from the
:01:31. > :01:37.coach. We do agree that Connacht played a lot of it spoiling rugby
:01:37. > :01:42.tonight? -- would you agree? Connacht did not come out to play
:01:42. > :01:49.that type of rugby. They wanted to play a more expansive game. They
:01:50. > :01:55.have got some very exciting young backs. Henshall looks like he is
:01:55. > :01:59.marked out as a future international. -- Henshaw. There
:01:59. > :02:05.are guys like Griffin coming through. We want to play an
:02:05. > :02:10.expansive game. There is no doubt some of the decisions went against
:02:10. > :02:14.Ulster. But times there were 50-50 calls and there are no doubts that
:02:14. > :02:24.they went against Ulster. Ulster cannot be more minder. It was
:02:24. > :02:26.
:02:26. > :02:29.fragmented at times. What was positive in the second half was
:02:29. > :02:36.Ulster's defensive line-out. They caused serious problems for
:02:36. > :02:42.Connacht. No slow second half, whose fault is that, the referee?
:02:42. > :02:47.It was a combination of things. Ultimately, Ulster are going to get
:02:47. > :02:54.decisions that go against them. It is the ability to deal with those
:02:54. > :02:58.situations. I have not seen a referee changed his mind yet. Those
:02:58. > :03:05.situations are going to happen. In fairness to O'Connor, he had a
:03:05. > :03:14.negative approach at certain times tonight. It is a credit to Ulster,
:03:14. > :03:19.their defence is very good and it was picked up. That is what stop
:03:19. > :03:25.Connacht from trying to play an expansive game. It did not happen
:03:25. > :03:29.from -- for them but the defence picked up.
:03:29. > :03:33.You have had to watch a lot of rugby, how satisfying was it to get
:03:33. > :03:41.doubt there? Be is good to be back and get a win at home. It is hard
:03:41. > :03:46.to believe it is over. It does not seem that long ago that I'd played
:03:46. > :03:56.their last match. It was 23rd June. It is good to keep the winning
:03:56. > :03:58.
:03:58. > :04:03.going. How was that fit this? was all right. -- it was all right.
:04:03. > :04:08.You cannot always prepare for the scrums. I will probably be sought
:04:08. > :04:12.tomorrow morning, but it was nice to get that bit more under the belt.
:04:12. > :04:18.Their coach is not a happy man, is that a sign of where things are
:04:18. > :04:26.going? As players we are not happy. The important thing is in games
:04:26. > :04:33.like that, get the win. We probably just need to keep it tighter at
:04:33. > :04:43.times. Offload its were not coming off, and that is where we need to
:04:43. > :04:44.
:04:44. > :04:51.go come back and plant again. -- planning gain. As an entire squad,
:04:51. > :04:55.we are not happy, but we got the wind. Is there much to build on for
:04:55. > :05:00.next week? We are going to have to improve substantially. Monday
:05:00. > :05:05.morning is a fresh outlook. We are going in on the back of a brilliant
:05:05. > :05:10.winning run. We have a lot to work on. It is not a bad place to be,
:05:10. > :05:16.but top of the Pro12 with a lot to work on. We feel we can play better
:05:16. > :05:24.going into Europe. There is quite an atmosphere tonight. It was going
:05:24. > :05:32.to be emotional. It was nice to get the result and it was good to see
:05:32. > :05:36.Willie Faloon captaining cull. -- Connacht. The crowd was fantastic
:05:36. > :05:43.and the way everyone has rallied, players, management and supporters,
:05:43. > :05:48.has been a real sign of Ulster Rugby and it was great to see an
:05:48. > :05:52.extra special atmosphere tonight. The fans saw Ulster went and also
:05:52. > :05:58.an outstanding performance by Nick Williams, who went off with an
:05:58. > :06:05.injury. It does not much good for next week. Before he went off, what
:06:05. > :06:11.he did was fantastic. His form is getting better and better. He is a
:06:11. > :06:16.top player. For any team to have as Stephen Ferris is great, but his
:06:16. > :06:20.goal Ford ability, he gets the whole team going forward. -- going
:06:21. > :06:25.forward ability. It is his enthusiasm for the game, he is
:06:25. > :06:30.difficult to put down. When you have got twenties don't breathing
:06:30. > :06:38.down your neck it is not great. He is holding on to his ribs here and
:06:38. > :06:43.taking a deep breath. It always seems to be the way that you lose a
:06:43. > :06:47.key player before a key European game. Nick Williams has been very
:06:47. > :06:51.influential for Ulster this season? It is a physical game. It is
:06:51. > :06:56.unfortunate that it has happened to Ulster's consistent performer of
:06:56. > :07:03.the season so far. He has been outstanding in terms of going for
:07:03. > :07:10.the poor -- the ball. There are times people have not wanted him to
:07:10. > :07:16.give the path, but he does so much positive stuff. You do not want to
:07:16. > :07:20.coach that out of his game. You want him to have free rein to cause
:07:20. > :07:24.havoc in the defence. The second half we can probably some of end
:07:24. > :07:34.what we are about to show you with the Ulster try at the end. This was
:07:34. > :07:35.
:07:35. > :07:44.the highlight of a very stop-start second half. The timing of the pass
:07:44. > :07:51.was impeccable. We know what Craig Gilroy is capable of. How many
:07:51. > :07:57.times have we seen Tommy Bowe do this? He is fantastic. His power,
:07:57. > :08:01.strength and ability is great. This is the rugby we are looking for.
:08:01. > :08:07.That is where Tommy Bowe is so devastating. He is great in the air.
:08:07. > :08:10.He puts the opposition under a lot of pressure. They need to use him
:08:10. > :08:19.throughout the season. They need to break the game up and do things
:08:19. > :08:24.like that. It was there to seven minutes of not particularly pretty
:08:24. > :08:28.rugby, and then it was worth waiting for. -- 37 minutes. We have
:08:28. > :08:32.seen Tommy Bowe do not for Ireland as well. That was the one
:08:32. > :08:37.opportunity when Ulster could show what was possible. It was a good
:08:37. > :08:43.forward ball. It is hard to defend in that sort of scenario, when you
:08:43. > :08:52.have backtracked from 50 metres up the pitch. You get disorientated.
:08:52. > :08:59.Life is easier going forward and backwards. Connacht were getting
:08:59. > :09:03.used to Ulster moving the ball from side to side. What we did there,
:09:03. > :09:07.Ulster changed direction. They decided to go across field for
:09:07. > :09:13.Tommy Bowe. They had not used it all might I knew there was an
:09:13. > :09:17.opportunity to do it and executed perfectly. Ulster created a good
:09:17. > :09:25.few opportunities in the second half but could not finish them off.
:09:25. > :09:34.Nick Williams Ynyswen again. The -- in this one again. Connacht were
:09:34. > :09:41.doing their utmost to hold on. It could have been a penalty.
:09:41. > :09:48.Williams's enthusiasm for my game is immense. We are just not getting
:09:49. > :09:54.the last pass, which is probably what the coach was talking about,
:09:54. > :10:00.the execution. On a couple of occasions, the back line started to
:10:00. > :10:07.get flat. Ulster have to attack the lines. If the outside men are flat,
:10:07. > :10:11.they have to throw an -- a forward pass to keep the momentum going. I
:10:11. > :10:17.think they were too eager to get over the whitewash. After the
:10:17. > :10:20.emphatic victory over Leinster last week, probably Connacht's best ever
:10:20. > :10:25.performance in a Pro12 and they will be disappointed they did not
:10:25. > :10:34.create more tonight. This was the first time they had shown
:10:34. > :10:38.enterprise to attack and have a go. From an Ulster perspective,
:10:38. > :10:48.brilliant play by Paul Marshall. What have you made of Eric Elwood
:10:48. > :10:52.deciding to quit Connacht? He will be a big loss. I do not want to
:10:52. > :10:56.speculate as to what his reasons are. He has added so much to
:10:56. > :11:00.Connacht rugby. He is incredibly passionate about the game but he is
:11:00. > :11:04.also a people person. His management skills are incredibly
:11:04. > :11:09.good. He has the support of his players and that is important as a
:11:09. > :11:13.coach. He is good with the technical aspect. He has the
:11:13. > :11:18.respect. There are so many things going for him and Connacht.
:11:18. > :11:26.Especially after last week's one of four performance. It is a loss and
:11:26. > :11:36.big shoes to fill. Let's look at the table. It makes good reading
:11:36. > :11:38.
:11:38. > :11:41.They have got a game in hand against the Scarlets as well. If
:11:41. > :11:50.you look at the difference between Ulster and Munster, it is
:11:50. > :12:00.phenomenal. The points for and against says a lot about the style
:12:00. > :12:04.in which we are playing. They did not concede any points tonight.
:12:04. > :12:13.They will be happy they have kept a clean sheet. That is why cull did
:12:13. > :12:23.not play an expansive game, they were not allowed to. The Ulster
:12:23. > :12:25.
:12:25. > :12:29.Defence are making the right That was back to the good old days?
:12:29. > :12:37.It was great to get back to Ravenhill. There was a great crowd
:12:37. > :12:43.today. Connacht came in with a lot of confidence. We just were not
:12:43. > :12:48.clinical enough a few times. But we have a lot of positivity. Are you
:12:48. > :12:52.pleased with the competition in the team? Yes, it is unbelievable. You
:12:52. > :12:58.have Gilroy and Marshall coming off the bench, boys in the training
:12:58. > :13:02.field. It is very tough. It is Good For Ulster Rugby. How have you
:13:02. > :13:08.finding it coming back? But when did not make it coach happy, but
:13:08. > :13:18.back in the day it might have? is funny that it is almost flat.
:13:18. > :13:18.
:13:19. > :13:25.825-0 when his phenomenal. -- a 25- 0 When he's phenomenal. It is
:13:25. > :13:34.something we can work on. It is a good result.
:13:34. > :13:39.The platform on his victory -- for this victory tonight was the tries?
:13:39. > :13:47.Connacht had been under immense pressure. The referee had no
:13:47. > :13:50.decision. It could have been at try had there not been the yellow-card.
:13:50. > :13:56.Something has to give. As the referee you have got to ask the
:13:56. > :14:04.question, why is it happening? the second? Constant pressure from
:14:04. > :14:08.the pack. It is just impossible to stop from there. That is why we
:14:08. > :14:12.have such high expectations. They were dominating every area and
:14:12. > :14:18.every facet of play. You stop the game would open up for Ulster, but
:14:18. > :14:28.it did not happen. How high are expectations going
:14:28. > :14:31.
:14:31. > :14:34.They have assembled a very good side. It was a little messy tonight,
:14:34. > :14:38.because for a lot of starting players it was the first time they
:14:38. > :14:41.had played for a long time, Rory Best had not played since June.
:14:41. > :14:45.That is a long time to be out of a competitive environment.
:14:45. > :14:49.Thank you very much for your company tonight. It is the start of
:14:49. > :14:53.it -- Heineken Cup next week, you it -- Heineken Cup next week, you
:14:53. > :14:58.can hear the opening game live on Radio Ulster, Ulster against
:14:58. > :15:00.Castres, and the following weekend away to the glad it -- Glasgow
:15:00. > :15:06.away to the glad it -- Glasgow Warriors, also live on Radio Ulster.