Ulster v Connaught Ulster Rugby Live

Welcome to Ravenhill for live coverage of Ulster versus Connacht.

This a Friday night feels very different than any other. It

poignant atmosphere for the first home game since the death of 22-

year-old player, Nevin Spence. This choir will be welcoming everyone

here to Ravenhill this evening with their rendition of cat might raise

Me Up. -- Raised Me Up. They will have at Nevin Spence's

initials embroidered on their shirts for the rest of the season.

They will try and take another step on a long journey for this team.

The last time Ulster played at Ravenhill three weeks ago, this

place was absolutely rocking when they had a dramatic victory. How

the landscape changed within 24 hours, following the tragic death

of Nevin Spence and his brother and father. Everyone arriving here

tonight is still in a sense of shock very much? Absolutely. It is

going to be a very emotional night for everybody concerned, probably

no one more so than the players. They put-in an excellent

performance last week and will do the same again on their home patch.

It will be difficult coming into the changing room and seeing Nevin

Spence's peg. That will be difficult for the players to come

to terms with. The most fitting tribute to Nevin Spence is to do

what Ulster did last week away to Cardiff and have a resounding

victory in the style that that he would have appreciated? It is a sad

night for all concerned. As you rightly say, that is the sort of

style of rugby -- over beat Nevin Spence loved to play and it will

only do him justice if they play like that. The world has been

paying tribute to Nevin Spence throughout the week. Most of the

focus has been here at Ravenhill for a bright young talents taken

far too soon. He was born in Ulster, came through

school in Ulster, played rugby for Ulster and all he wanted to do will

stay here, went Rovers' and be successful with Ulster.

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Nat smile it will be missed by everyone here at Ravenhill. -- that

smile it will be missed. You have been talking West the family?

was talking with Emma. The family want to give a few Tyne-Tees.

Firstly, they would like to thank their coaches and support staff

that contributed into making Nevin Spence into such a wonderful player.

It has been cut cruelly short. We would have seen him blossom into an

international rugby player. They would like to thank Ulster Rugby

and all of those involved in that the Sunday service held at

Ravenhill. They found a touching and the fitting. They would like to

thank all those well-wishers who had sent flowers and cards with

messages of support and strength, that they find quite literally

overwhelming. I just want to take the opportunity to thank all of

those people individually. They are at home, they are watching their

game, they are still supporting Ulster Rugby and are looking

forward to a successful season. Let's hope we can do them proud.

Wigan here from the Chief Executive. -- we can hear from.

It is a special might? It is, we have been overwhelmed with the

response from a public. We have had over 3,000 people signing a book of

condolence. We have a record crowd for this fixture, well over 10,000.

Exceptional, for an exceptional individual. And his initials will

be on a shirt for the rest of the season? It is the way the players

want to remember it. They want to contest every match and training

session the way Nevin Spence would have done. Having it on the shirts

is a fitting reminder. The best they can do is produce a

performance against Connacht for him? They need to be the best they

can be, just like Nevin Spence was. How much can may build on the last

three weeks? -- can make -- can may build on the last few weeks? They

want to honour his memory by being the best we can be. We are also at

rugby family and we will do just that. -- an Ulster Rugby family.

Reduce baby game going tonight? -- how do you see the game going?

is going to be a very interesting match. Most of the crowd have an

expectation. It is amazing what one good performance for Ulster can do

and it gives us all and expectation. We want to see free-flowing rugby.

Connacht have raised the bar and Eric Elwood has done a superb job.

It is going to be a great clash. could be in for something special

tonight? We have got two sides performing particularly well at the

moment. Connacht will be out to get something over Ulster. It is an

open game. Ulster have not been beaten by

Connacht at home for more than 50 years. Let's see how things go

for Willie Faloon, now paying in the west of Ireland and captaining

of Johann Muller. -- waiting to take the hand off. It is a welcome

back to Ravenhill for the men who performed so splendidly a week ago.

It is an item expectation, poignancy and remembrance. It is

the first start of the season for Nevin Spence, at Ravenhill will

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Nevin Spence remembered by those who knew him best. His initials

will be embroidered on the Ulster Jersey's for this entire season.

The challenge is to try and Channel matt emulsion onto a performance --

channel bad demotion into the performance on the pitch.

52 years is the gap. Connacht Cobbing to bridge the gap. The man

in the middle its George Clancy, to be a young man growing into this

role? He is developing maturity and composure, taking the right

decisions and bringing a players around him into the game. A

wonderful start to the season for last week, maybe after that Ulster

will settle. You can see some disruption, but that is what Parks

does. He mixes the game up for:. -- scrum down. That is a psychological

department -- in the confidence of last week.

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start by Ulster, but they have settled down very quickly, even

more quickly than they did against Cardiff., this signs when? Are that

physically dominant. That is what was impressive last week - a way

from home that they still dominated specimen, 38 years of age, the New

Zealander, playing his 50th consecutive league game for

intent. They are looking for that quick possession they thrive on a

out wide, created at the overlap, but not enough depth in the outside

channels. It was an almost man and ball situation. Not coming off in

this situation. Brett Wilkinson having a word with

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that the men of Ulster are going to penalty. Essential now that the

outside backs are capable at the breakdown. Getting into a good,

strong position, a weight supported across both feet, unable to

entombed -- Connacht territory. Make sure it hits the ground, guys.

George Clancy, a member of the World Cup refereeing panel in the

the scrimmage. Michael Swift, who is playing tonight his 151st league

game. A wonderful tackle, you can see the two Big Ben getting in

there, preventing the ball going to ground according to the referee,

and Connacht will look for plenty Loughney getting in too quickly,

according to the referee. Ulster have gone further scrum, again.

They could not get the ball in their hands. Midfield scrum,

Marshall to potentially exploit with his pace. First of all, they

start of the season, in the league, man. It does not seem to get any

excellent set piece. Ulster are picking up at Ravenhill where they

left off a week ago against the Cardiff Blues, and it all comes

down to the men up front, and Ulster really executed that set

piece very well indeed. Good control at the back by Nick

Williams, his socks down round his ankles. Ulster get the penalty.

Connacht need to come up with an answer quickly. It provides Ulster

the opportunity to get field position through the penalties, and

once they are in running Paddy Jackson gets the first opportunity

for points on the board. Nick Williams controlled that ball very

nicely. The only member of the Ulster pack he did not start

against Leinster at Twickenham last year. The No. 8 last year has moved

another good at scrimmage for Ulster, ten minutes gone, and

Ulster leading Connacht by 3-0 at Ravenhill. He the real feature of

this opening stanza has been the dominance of the Ulster scrum. It

has ultimately resulted in that three point lead. It a change of

direction by Dan Parks into Tommy played it, so I can't play

advantage. A good interpretation of the laws

of the game. It was knocked forward by Connacht. Ulster then played it

and it went forward. An Ulster man was in front of the Ulster man to

touch the ball, so there was no advantage, so the initial decision

was for the Connacht knock-on. It is going to be a Ulster scrum. I

is great to see. Work will soon begin on the new stands at either

end. Before you know it, Ravenhill will have a capacity of 18,000. If

you want to stay involved with Ulster rugby, get your season

ticket orders in as soon as Connacht front row.

There is an option for a scrum again. Ulster taking the option of

the scrum. George Clancy has told Adrian Flavin that if they do early

engaging again there will be a penalty. Ulster have already turned

a couple of short arms into a Falana penalty, and you can't

underestimate the effect it has on the psychology of the team when

they are scrum is hitting backwards at a rate of knots. This from a man

who spent his career assiduously these scrums, such a important

bit of a strainer, courtesy of Cardiff one week ago. -- a little

touch judge's flag is up and there is a Ulster foot or hand in touch.

Tommy thinking he had probably released the ball by the time he

went into touch. The excellent work on the sideline, up to his feet

very quickly, then released the ball at the back. The assistant

referee adjudicating he was across the line. If it might have been his

shoulder went in. He did so well to slip away from a couple of tackles.

He looks very sharp and as if he is getting back to his very best form,

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forward. We were just saying it needed something to live in this

game up, and right on cue... Nick Williams, a huge physical presence

around the fringes, he is the one who instigated that brake.

Unfortunately, from Ulster's perspective, not able to continue.

Paul Marshall has the awareness that all is free, but the referee

adjudicating he knocked it on in the process of trying to collected.

It is not just around the fringes Nick Williams is saw effective. We

need it into open space he can get up a fair old gallop. -- when he

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Ulster line-out, but this is a past master, the man who has scored more

points than anyone in the league. Connacht recovering particularly

well. The pass went in behind, they were under a lot of pressure. A big

hit from John Afoa, excellent technique there. Connacht did well

to hold position, then Dan Parks put them in exactly the right place.

I an inch perfect tackle by John a flower. Ronan Loughney is feeling

the effects of that, he is down around the Ulster 22. -- By John a

flower. -- Afoa. The referee said he is not going to stop the game

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for the injury, Ronan Loughney The referee will come back because

not let us to get into the stride of offloading. -- Ulster get into

particularly well. There were bare wood knows exactly what to expect

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winning and it is even between the pitch is cutting up. It is in

pretty good condition, despite their rain. The service is a little

Ravenhill as well. -- Connacht the scrum. Ronan Loughney not

binding properly. A chance for her jerks into but Ulster into a decent

position. -- Court Jackson to put come through from an earlier age,

crowd are not happy but you have got to abide by the rules. That was

an interesting call, Trimble's arm was in touch. It might have been

the player passing because it looked like Andrew Trimble had

released the ball. Yes, it might have been someone who'd heard there

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try of the evening, 10 metres from coming in but an unfortunate

handling error for Ulster as they looked to be building up to that

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away from our half-century for forward to welcoming back Ruan

Pienaar. There is someone who probably does not even know who he

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supporters were expecting an early May have done. Can I get the tried

die? George Clancy is right there. You can see the urgency and

determination of the Ulster players but also the Connacht defenders.

Has it resulted in a try? We have to wait and see. As soon as Andrew

Trimble gets the ball he accelerates. Then, Court and Best

drive him across the line. referee and assistant have said no.

Great forward momentum by the Ulster support for words. -- for

words. Very, very close to a try. This is a five-metre scrum for

Ulster and it is an area they have completely dominated so far. They

will not want to do anything silly in case they concede a penalty try.

It has gone down but the referee should have perhaps made more of

that. Great events from Connacht. Ulster have had to concede a couple

of the majors. Marshall looking for Ulster. Paddy Walsh coming in their

side. Another chance of at try just not taken. Ulster are getting

frustrated, being so close and then errors that have not enable them to

score the try. Paddy Wallace pretty eager to get involved. He set their

whole thing up, and lovely flat pass and good driving run by Darren

Cave and Ben Paddy Wallace was too have been under at scrum time and

the penalties they have given away, they have had to defend heroically.

They will hope to be raised the margin on the scoreboard before

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little bit of verve. WHISTLE BLOWS. game. He has been really enjoying

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Connacht line. This time it is a referee says no. Someone is going

to court to the bin, I think it might be Dave Gannon. He has

spotted an infringement. I am not sure why he did not play the

advantage there. Dave Gannon is going to the bin. If he has

committed a professional foul and Ulster were in the act of scoring a

try, by is that not a penalty try? There was a subsequent obstruction

after the penalty was given, but it looked fairly certain Ulster were

heading in the right direction on that occasion, and once again

denied. They will look to get something out of this next passage

of play to reward them for their efforts. The penalty had been

rewarded. I thinkMiller might have been in front of Chris Henley, so

he was doing -- I think Johann Muller may have been in front of

Chris Henley. I guess George Clancy probably felt that, either indoor

he had to send him to the bin, it was not because he denied Ulster a

Still no try and others come. -- a bit of a roasting in at the

scrummage. Nick Williams, aching to get his big pause on that ball. --

his big hands. Only three points relax, but we will get it right. It

is nice that the referee is extra forward in, so they are

scrummaging... Dave McSharry is the No. 8, I thought they were going to

try and scrum against Ulster with only seven forwards. The referee

has had enough, he is going further penalty try, at the referee has

gone right between the Connacht Ulster's points come through the

agency of their scrum that has dominated this period of play.

Ulster get their first try, not perhaps the way they would have

wished for, but all that pressure behind the scrum has yielded a

penalty try. Connacht could not contain that rampant Ulster rate.

George, C, no hesitation, and off he went underneath the visitors'

posts. -- George Clancy. Paddy Jackson adds the two points, and

Ulster are now into double figures with five minutes of the first half

remaining. You felt that had to come in some shape or form, didn't

you? It looked inevitable, Connacht desperately defending, but the 10

points Ulster know have, if they can massage that they can play with

even more freedom. -- Ulster now bringing on a replacement in the

front row. Nathan White, who captained the side against Leinster

last week, might be coming on. I don't know whether Ronan Loughney

is injured or not, or maybe he is getting a tough time from Tom Court.

This is Nathan White. New Zealand- born, had a couple of seasons with

Leinster, and Ronan Loughney looked a little bit disconsolate. I am not

sure whether he ever recovered from that hard tackle by John or form. -

to get ten metres, but Connacht wisely let it bounce and it rolled

over that ten-metre line. He has a tackling without the ball. I am

sure Dan Parks will want to have a goal at the Ulster posts. Banned

for week was the man who tackled the number rate, George Naoupu.

Irish internationals having a word with each other. Here is a man

capped 67 times by Scotland. He is playing in his second game for his

new province. He got seven points is the first time they have been

under Ulster for 20 minutes. He has pulled that one. The chance of

Connacht points goes begging. Nothing for Connacht, nothing for

Dan Parks. 10-02 Ulster. -- 10-04 three-quarter, whether to the left

or right, not quite there. But Payne really had to take the ball

and pass it in one movement. The ball was slightly behind and, as

well. The real danger is to be too lateral, and you can see him trying

to strike it on that occasion. Well read from the Connacht offence --

defence. It is the danger, it can get a little too lateral if no one

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George Clancy, right on the spot. There was an incident on the far

side, an altercation between an Ulster and a Connacht player. It

looked like one of them used Danny from this angle, but we will hear

from the report. -- used to the knee.

REFEREE: two players holding each other, and he has hit him with his

knee. He did not make any connect - - direction, but he hit out with

his knee. That was number four. Before!

Michael Swift, I think, tried to connect with an All-Star player

with his knee. -- an Ulster player. The assistant said there was no

contact, but the attempt was made, so it may be a straightforward

penalty to Ulster. REFEREE: You didn't make contact, but you have

to be very careful the next time. It is your response to that. There

is a penalty against you. Why are not discussing this any more, that

is the decision. -- I am not. Willie Faloon asking if he can have

time to have a bit of a word with his players. Michael Swift has been

a great worker for Connacht over the years, a fair player but a

tough one. They have conceded the penalty, added know if there is

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going to be time for a line-out league try of the season, two

against Cardiff, won here against Connacht, and right on half-time.

That is a just reward for Ulster, they spent a lot of time in the

Connacht 22, they may not have a lot of point play like to show for

it. Nick Williams, the last person Connacht would have wanted to see

picking that Pollok, unstoppable bull with help from Johann Muller a

cross that line. -- picking that close range. The scoreboard looking

pretty healthy from an Ulster perspective.

The scrum was the feature of the first half with the dominance from

the Ulster scrum. They had a number of phases where they came very

close to scoring, and they will probably feel that 15-0 justifies

that dominance. Two tries, Ulster very much in the

Well, Johann Muller led two out for what has been a competitive Derby,

although a little stop-start. Paddy Jackson kick-started things for

Ulster. Tommy Ball looking threatening, his first home game

since his return from the All-Stars. -- from the Ospreys. Chris Henry

thought he would get over for the opening score, but eventually the

pressure did so -- did pay off. A penalty try awarded, and a deserved

lead for Ulster. And a second try before half-time, the barnstorming

Ulster lead by 17 points. We have been watching that first half, and

I think it is fair to say Ulster are very much deserving that lead.

I think all, they have weathered the storm, a lot of credit to

Connacht up to his point. It has not been a fantastic game to watch,

but there has been a lot of confrontation, very physical up

front, and they will be a few tired bodies tomorrow. Ulster are edging

it at this point. Connacht have not had much creative

opportunity, but they have defended very well. They have defended

heroically, but I have been massively impressed with Ulster.

They have dominated that first half, the scoreline does not reflect that.

I think Ulster will be delighted with their opening 40 minutes.

were ride of the blocks very quickly, creating very great

chances. That is what it is all about, they are in a good position

and it is great to see them continuing last week. The work rate

of players of the ball is very good and they keep flicking the ball.

This will take its toll in the last 20 minutes of today's game. A

couple of handling errors and is costing them. It is good to see

Ulster having the ambition to move the ball at every opportunity.

Great pace from Marshall on the back line. Nick Williams, what more

can you say about the man? He is just lethal. He is becoming a big

crowd favourite. He is fulfilling his role, using his abilities to

the best of his advantage, and thankfully he is wearing an Ulster

should do. He is on form this season, great to see. The only

thing not busy about Ulster was the scoreboard. They were doing

anything right, just a few errors creeping in and not been able to

finishing -- to finish things off. I think Ulster have defended really

well, but Ulster have defended brilliantly. Occasionally they can

get a little bit Lateral, they need to straighten it, but to be honest

you have to give Connacht a lot of credit. If they lose the ball they

are fanning out quickly and making it difficult for Ulster to brake

them down. Penalty tries Ferrero of? Yes, it

is fair enough. It was already shown, we gave a yellow card away.

The try we scored was probably a right decision, coming back from

the penalty, but just a lot of pressure. This pressure will take

its toll in the last 20 minutes of this match. Johann Muller caught a

little bit ahead of the other player there. Yes, but the pressure

endured have been showing. At the front row is under pressure, the

prop pops up. They just call were, there is no control from that.

have to look at the Ulster pack in particular. They have so much power

there. I think that is where Connacht cannot match them. Afoa is

fantastic. Tom Court has been great. Whenever you have guys like Nick

Williams and Stephen Ferris carrying the ball, it is very

difficult and will take its toll. The Ulster scrum has been very big

cuppa it is a big pack now. It is very mobile, athletic, and they are

showing great individual schools, and that is down to the coaching. -

- individual skills. They want to play rugby, that is what we have

come to watch, and hopefully they can sustain it. On the stroke of

half-time, they really sees that with both hands. At think it was

always coming. The pressure was always going to tell on Connacht.

Probably a just reward for the pressure Ulster put on. To be

honest, I think whenever they get five yards out, Nick Williams is

phenomenal. They cannot stop him. That is big men in front of him,

but if he get that ball with a bit of momentum moving forward, you

Is important for Auster that Nick Williams is making ground every

time and making yardage? -- Ulster. It is important that whoever is

there is making ground. He has been everything bad is good about Ulster

Rugby so far. The other guys are starting to play and you can see

them opening up. That is the basis of their game that Ulster are

playing. Guys like Williams are consistently getting over the gain-

line with her clean ball. Guys like Jackson can get it barred their and

getting -- getting it out there and getting defenders running. More

analysis in a couple of minutes. First, let's hear from the Ulster

director of rugby. Happy with the score line? I think

they are frustrated. I think the set piece has been very good. You

can never complain about 17-0. Would you like to see the ball

going out wide a bit more? We would like to see a little bit of width

in the game. There have been a couple of mistakes with the ball

going into touch. Tonight has been very good. Hopefully the second

half will have more opportunities. Have you been impressed with

Connacht? They are always difficult to play. We knew with the news of

Eric leaving that they were going to play with passion. As always,

they have. We were lucky that Dan Parks had a relatively

straightforward. We have to concentrate and make sure that we

keep doing the things we have done well in the first half. Is there a

bonus point out there? We need to focus early on at the start of the

second half. If we get some chances I think we will see some tries.

Connacht's lack of ball has been their problem? It has. They have

had it on a couple of occasions in our half and have ended up taking

it away. -- kicking it. The defence from Ulster has been very organised.

It has come together. I fear for Connacht in this game that the

physicality of this game is going to take its toll in the last 20.

Let's look at some examples. For a while, Connacht were frustrating

Ulster. They were running some good lines. Their defence and structures

are very good. They are not getting bogged down by runners, they are

filtering out. That is why Ulster need to hold the inside defenders a

bit more in the second half. That way, they can create at -- an extra

man. Big guys like Swift, they are causing problems. If Ulster

continue with that intensity, moving the ball from side to side,

there is no doubt that Connacht will break down and we will see

more tries. Ulster are looking to create things and it will take its

toll. The most important part of my game is that Ulster take -- hit the

ground running. Early scores will set the tone for the rest of the

evening. Patience is key as well? They have been patient. They have

been clinical around the ruck area. They have not turned over too much

ball. The penalties have fragmented became slightly. While one or two

occasions when Payne put the ball under pressure and we could not

finish it off, I think in this half we will see more finishing because

Connacht will not be as alert. Kilroy on the bench that puts more

pressure on the winners, tremble in particular, but he has turned in a

good performance so far? He has made their decisions tonight. For

one moment I thought he was going to run away with the ball. He is

strong. That is the bd of the Ulster scrod. We know their

strengths has improved beyond recognition. That is why they are

playing well and they perform at internationals, because they know

their place is under threat if they do not. When you have guys like

equality of Gilroy coming off the bench, it keeps the guys who are

starting every week on their toes, knowing they have to perform.

a far more exciting Ulster team, not just the first 15, it is the 22,

the guys who are not here tonight. The environment must be very

enthusiastic and it must make for an exciting training session. We

are seeing the benefits. What have you made against Jackson against

Parks? Paddy has had a lot more ball. It has been easy for him and

he has controlled the game very well. What Paddy Jackson is doing

is growing in confidence week after week. He is starting to play rugby

really well, knowing the right time to move, the right time to keep it

inside a pack on the right time to put it behind the opposition

defence. -- and the right time. Parks has had to resort to taking -

- taking. That is one of the best front rows in Europe. And they are

all wearing Ulster shirts tonight. I can see Rory Best coming into the

front line and he is renowned for its scrummaging. John Afoa can play

any position. The energy that boat -- and those guys can absorb in a

scrum situation is immense and that will take its toll.

Connacht have only won once away from home before in the Pro12

League. Let's see if they can studio discussion, the crowd of

Ravenhill work in detained for -- were entertained with many rugby.

Johann Muller leads the Ulster side out for the second half, leading

17-0. It does not look like there are any

changes on the Ulster side. Johann Muller enjoying his leadership yet

again. Williams, the last man out. It is going to be Ulster to start

the second half. Jackson is the man will get the scrum straight away.

Helene has played no more than 63 times for Ulster and has won caps

at Weedon Hill. -- Willie Faloon. They will be looking for him to

have an immediate impact. Connacht Their rate him highly. He has got

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mess over. -- turning this over. That is the second time they have

Parks kicking straight down the middle of the picture on that

occasion. He has a great awareness for where the space is behind him.

Connacht need to apply pressure to prevent Ulster from counter-

attacking. They have got Connacht give away the penalty, and

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a way it Marshall goes. -- a way it everything but score. Once again,

credit to that Connacht defence, scrambling to get numbers into the

right place. A little inside pass from Paddy Wallace, unable to get

across the line. Desperate defence again from Connacht, but you feel

like they're putting their finger in the wall, at some stage it is

going to brake. At this stage Ulster are difficult to contain.

Unfairness, Connacht doing well just -- thus far. It has taken

every sinew and muscle of Ulster to get themselves across the line. Two

which will please the referee. Former member of the All Blacks

World Cup winning note squad, 28 years old, 26 times capped for New

Zealand. His work around the park the referee, Ulster are penalised

in the scrum. Somebody put a hand on the ball in the scrum, and there

is no need to do that in that what seemed to be a try scoring

situation. Connacht will be relishing the opportunity to have a

line-out and potentially have some position and maintain it for a

period of time. They have not seen any attacking after the ten-minute

Gannon is going off, and John Malden, another Irish international,

is coming on. -- John Muldoon. Connacht will not lose anything up

in terms of experience. John Muldoon, cat three times for

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have been a little jersey pulling their. Connacht complaining, the

far side touch judge has kept his flag down. Mrs Henshaw, did he put

the past a way? He did. Excellent play in congested space, finding a

way through, a good hand-off from player for eight -- Henshaw.

Connacht looking dangerous with possession.

Vainikolo, the 27-year-old, was not smashing tick by Paddy Wallace.

That is the kick of the evening so far. A what a luxury to have

someone who has a book of that size, a huge pressure relief for Ulster.

Paddy Wallace, somewhat surprised to find himself called off of

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holiday to go and play against the behind him and they knocked it

forward, not his fault. Last week in Cardiff, everything was going to

hand, of the try came off, they will be a little frustrated if they

have not been able to get into that floor and replicate that tonight.

Once they do, you feel there will be more tries in this game.

Williams went for the wide pass, and just as he was passing he was

tackled, but probably put him off slightly.

The Ospreys are running away with it in Italy. Edinburgh are finding

that Treviso at home are a pretty tackle. Those little niceties not

quite come off for Ulster this evening. Attention paid to the ball

there by Vainikolo, he looked like he managed to dislodge it from John

Afoa. Dan Parks will need to put them further down the pitch, but

some relief for them that their scrum is not heading backwards at a

rate of knots. We look at Mark Anscombe, arms

folded, and the director of fit -- director of rugby, David Humphreys.

There is the man who got the man of the match award went Ulster won the

out. The score is still the same as not going to wait for Nick Williams

to get the eyedrops Britain, or whatever it is. Now he is back on

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the debate -- busy Dennis Buckley, try to launch them potentially

towards a fourth. The crowd reaction here has told you, Paddy

Jackson has found the corner quite brilliantly. His kicking to touch

has been spot on this evening. is distribution, as well. He can

pass with both hands, get into the wider channel, he looks very

comfortable at this level of rugby, talking to players around him, and

certainly looks to have a bright A slap on the wrist for Rory Best.

A very rare mistake by Rory Best. In his first outing, probably

expected after about 40 minutes, he may well have been substituted, but

in the heat of the battle, good things to come in Ulster's season.

John Afoa injured, Ulster's excellent physio on giving him a

bit of a rub. Gareth Robins was mystified last week when I

suggested Andrew Trimble should be seeing a chiropractor. He really

does not want anyone other than him having a look at his boys! Ulster

about to make a replacement, I can see someone warming up on the far

side, it may be Rob Herring. Rory Best may not be on the field for

much longer. But was certainly surprised... Yes, it is Rob Herring

who is going to come on. I was surprised Rory Best started this,

but he has a good arm under his belt. Is there enough of this

Not releasing in the tackle. It will probably be a case of Rory

Best going off and Rob Herring going on. A great Ulster at scrum,

good work by Williams. Did Williams released the tackler? Made it was

Stephen Ferris hanging on for grim Connacht, also gave Muir, Numbers

20 and 21. Vastly experienced, Kieran Marmion going off and is

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side out, cause of the field. -- speculative, take more chances. You

can sense their frustration at not finishing off some of these

opportunities. Rory Best goes off. This is his first game since the

All Blacks in June. Herring, saying -- Herring comes on for his death

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work in defence by Connacht. Naoupu referee is playing advantage to

Ulster. -- wonderful work by Kate penalised. That has might have been

meant for Andrew Trimble. Desperate defence from Connacht, but the

penalties coming quickly. Johnny O'Connor stuck in our mind to try

and stop Marshall from passing. -- for tremble. Paddy Wallace came in

and has decided to take their three points. Just coming into the start

of the last quarter. It took Ulster are a long time to get there in the

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proposition. Ulster have always still scoreless. Jason Harris-

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league so far this season and they are determined to keep it that way.

Last week against Cardiff, when their goods such a big score line,

you can get lapses in defence on the back of that but it looks as if

Ulster are going to keep the intensity up. They are going to

take pride in the fact that Connacht have yet to register a

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It is the Connacht scrum. Stephen Ferris looks slightly bemused.

Connacht have been created with their opportunities, but they have

been few and far between. The ball was knocked forward by Herring,

according to the referee. It looked like a straightforward tackle but

it went backwards from a Connacht perspective, so they get the scrum.

Herring, 22, Irish qualified from replacements. Craig Gilroy and Mike

McComish, I think. Craig Gilroy champing at the bit to get on again.

Lewis Stevenson warming-up not too far away as well. Much better

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goes off. Here come Lewis Stevenson, Mike McComish and Craig Gilroy.

Stephen Ferris, Johann Muller and straight away it buys Stevenson.

a number of occasions Ulster have been able to disrupt the Connacht

line-out. John Muldoon getting agitated. There is going to be an

any Heineken Cup against Castro. I have a feeling the scrums will be a

lot more difficult for them. French team take their scrummaging

seriously and are expected to be more of a contest next week. Are a

terrific kick to touch by Jackson. Connacht have made a change, Dave

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McSharry has come off and Mata got it. It is going to be a scrum

to Connacht. More Ulster replacements. Callum Black coming

on for Tom Court. Luke Marshall coming on for Paddy Jackson. Luke

Marshall may well slot straight in. There have options. That is one

thing about this Ulster's rot in this season in particular. -- this

Ulster squad. It is hard to tell who is going to play the outside-

half. Free kick against Connacht, a scrum. It is a midfield attacking

opportunity. Some desperate defence from Connacht. A lack of continuity

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from Ulster are contributing to Connacht. Like Cardiff a week ago,

it is just not going for all stood tonight. They are winning, they are

not in any danger of losing, unless Connacht can find three quick tries

from somewhere, but it is not the same intensity. They have dominated

but have not got the score to show it. They have had a huge amount of

opportunities but some handling errors and the scoreline could have

Marshall has come off, Michael Heaney has come on. Michael Heaney,

who has just agreed an extension of his three-month contract, he will

be with Ulster until the end of going to the ground, Callum Black,

I think, the culprit at the far side. The substitution is certainly

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not going to do anything to improve game. They have had some position

and they have had to -- they have looked dangerous, but their set

piece has not functioned enough to give them the opportunity to get

into this game. It has been desperate defence that has kept the

score line manageable, but Ulster, after half-time, it was always a

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think. Darren Tuohy and John Connor, maybe that could be reported on

after Nick Williams's injuries are assessed.

The Comissioner, to. I it, is a Eugene Ryan, D will be having a

look at everything. -- to point out. He will be having a look at

everything. A little bit ominous, with European Rugby a week away,

and Roger Wilson not yet coming back. Ulster would not want to lose

this fellow, but then, Chris Henry can play at No. 8. Plenty of

options, but given the impact Nick Williams has had since his arrival,

they would certainly want him to be part of that back row. Just a few

minutes to go. Cast your mind forward to a week's time. The last

time Ulster played end a Heineken Cup game here at Ravenhill, they

absolutely soared. Aren't we expected them to raise to those

heights again? There is a special atmosphere at on a Friday night

here at Ravenhill. It is essential, given the pull but they have, they

will want to be two for two when the enter into those games, the

Northampton home and away fixtures actually leaving the field. He

twisted round very awkwardly in a tackle. Not altogether sure what he

has done. He is holding his ribs, Number 10, Paddy Jackson, is on the

bench. He changed his mind, well done, George, you got it right.

Connacht have the penalty, and they may well go for the scrummage.

Connacht obviously feel their second half scrummage is better

than the first. It is proving to be but they will be pretty keen to get

a score of some kind, preferably a going to get themselves a winning

ice on Nick Williams's Trust. I hope it does nothing too serious.

Sometimes a torn rib cartilage can be more -- can be worse than a

fracture. It is much more painful in the middle of the night, at

blind side of the scrum for Ulster. He played number rate of four

Methodist College at Ravenhill three years ago. -- he played at No.

have kept everything to the end of this have, as they did in the first,

and that was the try of the evening, the move of the evening. And the

smile of the evening from young Luke Marshall. Ulster fans have

waited four years to see Tommy bought flying down that fighting

end. Excellently judged kick from Paddy Wallace, and Tommy Ball

releases the pass, and a very clever line at run by Luke Marshall

to take the final pass. The crowd is coming alive in the 78th minute.

knocked forward with one minute to go. Stimac will have to try and

score for a set piece. I can't remember the last time I saw

someone spurned the chance to add points. I can understand the logic,

you have to take the conversion. is a good tactic for Ulster,

particularly if it leads to at try scoring opportunity. Certainly

worth a shot. This could well be the last set-

piece of the game. If that is the case, Ulster would be looking to

conjure up a for try. 25-0 is a pretty decent score line. -- a for

they used to see in the olden days. George Clancy blows his whistle, so

not the exuberant try-scoring, a fun game we saw from Ulster a week

ago in Cardiff, where they run riot. A good finish for the first have, I

did finis for the second, two trys -- tries, three tries, no bonus

point. It probably will come back to haunt them at the end of the

season. They would have liked to go further bonus, but to Connacht's

credit, they did not allow them to get into those positions to score

that try. Ultimately, it will focus try's mind with big matches to come

this season. They are plenty of work to do. A little untidy, but

the fitness of their No. 8, Nick Williams, man of the match again.

Five games in his opening sprint of Pro12 games. They should still be,

by my reckoning, top of the league. Delirious faces, there, Shane Logan,

the Chief Executive come and beside him the director of rugby, David

Humphreys, will be reasonably pleased with the final score. Of

course, Rory Best next week play course, Rory Best next week play

income and Dan Parks, who knows Stephen Ferris well and has spent a

few seasons keeping out of his way on the Park gives the big fellow at.

Well done to Connacht, a great win for them last week at home against

Leinster. The last season for Eric Elwood, former international

outside-half, is leaving at the end of the season. People be

disappointed by the scoreline, but not by their performance. Mark

Anscombe will be digesting and analysing and we will explain -- he

will explain exactly what he wants from his team as they give

themselves up for one of those big Heineken Cup nights here that

Ravenhill, when the French side come to town. Connacht have come

good time, they have gone away with nothing, Ulster have the wind. They

will be disappointed they did not get the bonus point, but they have

It was not pretty at times, but it was certainly a very effective

performance by Ulster. They scored two tries in the first staff, the

first a penalty try, then it Nick Williams rumbled over for the

second. That gave them a 17-0 lead at the brake. For a while it looked

like that would be it in the second half, until the very last minute,

when brilliant play from GMac on the counter, Luke Marshall went in

on the third score of the game. -- brilliant play from Ulster.

Well, what is the verdict on that? A disappointing second half, I

thought we did enough in the first have to lay a good platform to get

there four tries. There was only one team playing rugby out there, a

disappointing game, particularly the second half. We do impressed

with the intensity Connacht brought in the second have? They played

sporting debate, the decisions went their way. I don't think it was a

good game of rugby, at all. We certainly wanted to play some rugby,

we were our own worst enemy at times. They played spoiling rugby

tactics, and we made some poor decisions.

The defeats have been good all year, any time you keep a team thaw this

it is something to be proud of. -- any time you keep a team's scored

We are winning, you have to enjoy that. The factors, we go to the

Heineken Cup now, and they showed tonight we have a lot of work to do

to be competitive next week. Nick Williams produced another man of

the match display. What is the verdict on him two a pretty

powerful performers, but we did not want to do that, we did not take

advantage of some of the garbage he made today. We have to strike and

finish better than we did. He even anything on the injury front?

I think it is his rib, it is a bit early, but we'll see how he is in

the morning and hopefully he will be all right.

Thank you for your time, Mark. Andy Ward, you are a fellow TV,

would you send us downbeat as the Ulster courts did there? -- the

Ulster court she. He clearly he was not happy, we

thought then the half-time brake that they had laid a big enough

platform to really take on and goal. Some of the passes had not gone

straight to hand, so he was bitterly disappointed with their

performance in the second half, and rightly so. He demands a standard,

and if they want to be better than the competition they need to finish

it off. With two scores in the first have,

and Luke Marshall added another at the very death, two will have been

disappointed not to add the bonus point for the four tries this

evening. The years, and much -- as Mark

Anscombe said, they had that first- half foundation. There may be an

element of complacency on Ulster's part. The physicality and intensity

was probably not there. It came down to the fact that, like us,

they probably thought after 60 minutes gold would open and they

would start scoring. You have to get through that to

Connacht that they have that this has moved on from last season.

They are not the sort of team to capitulate in the last 20. There

was still a lot of effort or there, and Ulster were unable to brake

Do you agree a lot of work needs to be done? They cannot go in with a

performance like that. I have no doubt their coach is going to put

their feet back on the floor and say, that is below par for the

standard we are trying to set. players smiling at the minute, but

they have not been on -- into the dressing room yet to hear from the

coach. We do agree that Connacht played a lot of it spoiling rugby

tonight? -- would you agree? Connacht did not come out to play

that type of rugby. They wanted to play a more expansive game. They

have got some very exciting young backs. Henshall looks like he is

marked out as a future international. -- Henshaw. There

are guys like Griffin coming through. We want to play an

expansive game. There is no doubt some of the decisions went against

Ulster. But times there were 50-50 calls and there are no doubts that

they went against Ulster. Ulster cannot be more minder. It was

fragmented at times. What was positive in the second half was

Ulster's defensive line-out. They caused serious problems for

Connacht. No slow second half, whose fault is that, the referee?

It was a combination of things. Ultimately, Ulster are going to get

decisions that go against them. It is the ability to deal with those

situations. I have not seen a referee changed his mind yet. Those

situations are going to happen. In fairness to O'Connor, he had a

negative approach at certain times tonight. It is a credit to Ulster,

their defence is very good and it was picked up. That is what stop

Connacht from trying to play an expansive game. It did not happen

from -- for them but the defence picked up.

You have had to watch a lot of rugby, how satisfying was it to get

doubt there? Be is good to be back and get a win at home. It is hard

to believe it is over. It does not seem that long ago that I'd played

their last match. It was 23rd June. It is good to keep the winning

going. How was that fit this? was all right. -- it was all right.

You cannot always prepare for the scrums. I will probably be sought

tomorrow morning, but it was nice to get that bit more under the belt.

Their coach is not a happy man, is that a sign of where things are

going? As players we are not happy. The important thing is in games

like that, get the win. We probably just need to keep it tighter at

times. Offload its were not coming off, and that is where we need to

go come back and plant again. -- planning gain. As an entire squad,

we are not happy, but we got the wind. Is there much to build on for

next week? We are going to have to improve substantially. Monday

morning is a fresh outlook. We are going in on the back of a brilliant

winning run. We have a lot to work on. It is not a bad place to be,

but top of the Pro12 with a lot to work on. We feel we can play better

going into Europe. There is quite an atmosphere tonight. It was going

to be emotional. It was nice to get the result and it was good to see

Willie Faloon captaining cull. -- Connacht. The crowd was fantastic

and the way everyone has rallied, players, management and supporters,

has been a real sign of Ulster Rugby and it was great to see an

extra special atmosphere tonight. The fans saw Ulster went and also

an outstanding performance by Nick Williams, who went off with an

injury. It does not much good for next week. Before he went off, what

he did was fantastic. His form is getting better and better. He is a

top player. For any team to have as Stephen Ferris is great, but his

goal Ford ability, he gets the whole team going forward. -- going

forward ability. It is his enthusiasm for the game, he is

difficult to put down. When you have got twenties don't breathing

down your neck it is not great. He is holding on to his ribs here and

taking a deep breath. It always seems to be the way that you lose a

key player before a key European game. Nick Williams has been very

influential for Ulster this season? It is a physical game. It is

unfortunate that it has happened to Ulster's consistent performer of

the season so far. He has been outstanding in terms of going for

the poor -- the ball. There are times people have not wanted him to

give the path, but he does so much positive stuff. You do not want to

coach that out of his game. You want him to have free rein to cause

havoc in the defence. The second half we can probably some of end

what we are about to show you with the Ulster try at the end. This was

the highlight of a very stop-start second half. The timing of the pass

was impeccable. We know what Craig Gilroy is capable of. How many

times have we seen Tommy Bowe do this? He is fantastic. His power,

strength and ability is great. This is the rugby we are looking for.

That is where Tommy Bowe is so devastating. He is great in the air.

He puts the opposition under a lot of pressure. They need to use him

throughout the season. They need to break the game up and do things

like that. It was there to seven minutes of not particularly pretty

rugby, and then it was worth waiting for. -- 37 minutes. We have

seen Tommy Bowe do not for Ireland as well. That was the one

opportunity when Ulster could show what was possible. It was a good

forward ball. It is hard to defend in that sort of scenario, when you

have backtracked from 50 metres up the pitch. You get disorientated.

Life is easier going forward and backwards. Connacht were getting

used to Ulster moving the ball from side to side. What we did there,

Ulster changed direction. They decided to go across field for

Tommy Bowe. They had not used it all might I knew there was an

opportunity to do it and executed perfectly. Ulster created a good

few opportunities in the second half but could not finish them off.

Nick Williams Ynyswen again. The -- in this one again. Connacht were

doing their utmost to hold on. It could have been a penalty.

Williams's enthusiasm for my game is immense. We are just not getting

the last pass, which is probably what the coach was talking about,

the execution. On a couple of occasions, the back line started to

get flat. Ulster have to attack the lines. If the outside men are flat,

they have to throw an -- a forward pass to keep the momentum going. I

think they were too eager to get over the whitewash. After the

emphatic victory over Leinster last week, probably Connacht's best ever

performance in a Pro12 and they will be disappointed they did not

create more tonight. This was the first time they had shown

enterprise to attack and have a go. From an Ulster perspective,

brilliant play by Paul Marshall. What have you made of Eric Elwood

deciding to quit Connacht? He will be a big loss. I do not want to

speculate as to what his reasons are. He has added so much to

Connacht rugby. He is incredibly passionate about the game but he is

also a people person. His management skills are incredibly

good. He has the support of his players and that is important as a

coach. He is good with the technical aspect. He has the

respect. There are so many things going for him and Connacht.

Especially after last week's one of four performance. It is a loss and

big shoes to fill. Let's look at the table. It makes good reading

They have got a game in hand against the Scarlets as well. If

you look at the difference between Ulster and Munster, it is

phenomenal. The points for and against says a lot about the style

in which we are playing. They did not concede any points tonight.

They will be happy they have kept a clean sheet. That is why cull did

not play an expansive game, they were not allowed to. The Ulster

Defence are making the right That was back to the good old days?

It was great to get back to Ravenhill. There was a great crowd

today. Connacht came in with a lot of confidence. We just were not

clinical enough a few times. But we have a lot of positivity. Are you

pleased with the competition in the team? Yes, it is unbelievable. You

have Gilroy and Marshall coming off the bench, boys in the training

field. It is very tough. It is Good For Ulster Rugby. How have you

finding it coming back? But when did not make it coach happy, but

back in the day it might have? is funny that it is almost flat.

825-0 when his phenomenal. -- a 25- 0 When he's phenomenal. It is

something we can work on. It is a good result.

The platform on his victory -- for this victory tonight was the tries?

Connacht had been under immense pressure. The referee had no

decision. It could have been at try had there not been the yellow-card.

Something has to give. As the referee you have got to ask the

question, why is it happening? the second? Constant pressure from

the pack. It is just impossible to stop from there. That is why we

have such high expectations. They were dominating every area and

every facet of play. You stop the game would open up for Ulster, but

it did not happen. How high are expectations going

They have assembled a very good side. It was a little messy tonight,

because for a lot of starting players it was the first time they

had played for a long time, Rory Best had not played since June.

That is a long time to be out of a competitive environment.

Thank you very much for your company tonight. It is the start of

it -- Heineken Cup next week, you it -- Heineken Cup next week, you

can hear the opening game live on Radio Ulster, Ulster against

Castres, and the following weekend away to the glad it -- Glasgow

away to the glad it -- Glasgow Warriors, also live on Radio Ulster.