Ulster v Ospreys Ulster Rugby Live

Pienaar scored all the points to help his team to the Heineken Cup

quarterfinal. Tonight, Ulster return to Pro12 action without their

Ireland internationals, who are on Six Nations duty.

There is Welsh opposition tonight for Ulster as the Ospreys come to

time. Paddy Jackson was the matchwinner at the last time these

two sides met, and this is a crucial head in their race for the

RaboDirect title. It is fourth place Ulster against

third placed Ospreys. It has been a busy week at Ulster

rugby headquarters. Mark Anscombe signed an extension to his contract

keeping him in the province to the summer of 2015. The captain, Johann

Muller commits hanging up his boots. The South African confirmed, as

expected, he is retiring at the end of the season. After a lovely day in

Elf asked it has turned a little nasty. There was a torrential

downpour earlier. Guess what? It is still raining tonight but that will

not dampen the spirits of this sell-out crowd.

Welcome to Ulster rugby life -- Ulster Rugby Live and Round 13 of

the RaboDirect Pro12. A big game tonight, the winners can go second

in the table. It is the start of a massive rugby weekend, Ireland

against Wales tomorrow and because there was Welsh opposition tonight,

we thought we would invite one of Wales's most capped players to join

us. Here he is in action, use the joint most capped Welsh vicar of all

time with 58 appearances, three world cups under his belt and he was

not to be messed with. -- Welsh player of all time. It is Gethin

Jenkins and he welcomes that Michael Gareth Jenkins and years with us

tonight. I long ago was that footage? It was

at the start of my career, 1982, I long ago was that footage? It was

distractions at Ravenhill this week with the news about Mark Anscombe

and Johann Muller. What will the players have made about? Will they

have taken their eye off the ball? I don't think so, Ulster have been

blessed with two weeks of rest and recovery after the trials of the

Heineken Cup. They will look forward to this.

Potential distractions for the public with Johann Muller's

retirement and Mark Anscombe staying for another year, but it gives an

opportunity for the six internationals we have on the pitch

to take the younger players through this game.

Gareth, Welsh rugby... That was a terrible build-up!

Welsh rugby is in turmoil at the moment, there is the Civil War at

the moment, does that affect the way the Ospreys turn-up?

Now, I don't think so. There are 13 home-grown players for

the Ospreys and there is a great adult passion in that region, -- I

great amount of passion in that region. Ulster look a lot stronger

on paper tonight, anyway. Yes, I think that is the benefit of

Ulster having the players they have, as a squad they can have it afford

-- they can afford to have more experienced players leave throughout

the season. They also have the host of the Welsh cap -- Ulster Academy

players coming through. The Ospreys team, it is a young team

but a bit of experience through it, as well. Yes, that is right, there

is the dynamic Ryan Bevington -- Ryan Bevington on the bench.

He has ten plus caps for Wales. It is a nice balance of youth and

experience. Last season they came away with a win here, and they will

be confident tonight with no baggage.

Ryan Bevington will be a -- remembered by a lot of the Ulster

public for last season. One talking point tonight is Darren Cave moving

In the Irish context, because we have had Brian O'Driscoll as an

outside combination, people are talking about where they will play?

For me, his development is as a player on inside centre. I think the

13 spot will be taken by Robbie Henshaw than the next couple of

years. A lot missing for the Ospreys tonight, Justin to bridge, Ian

Everett, Ryan Jones. -- Justin Tipuric. This backline is

exciting, though. Yes, I don't like great deal about back play, Morris

would be better talking about that, but Sam Davies at fullback committee

will be one to look out for tonight. His counterattack -- at fullback

tonight will be one to look out for. Yes, big pressure on his shoulders,

he produced a man of match performance last time.

I am sure he will probably counterattack. Ulster have won three

of the last four contests between them.

We had you to our commentators. We had you to

It is a miserable night he rattled Ravenhill, -- here at Ravenhill.

It is not a bad Ospreys pack, and all international front row with

Duncan Jones, capped 50 psi -- 57 times, and not a bad back division,

either. An interesting young man to watch at the back, the Junior World

Cup player of the year, Sam Davies at fullback.

Umbrellas not quite the order of the day because of you stand in front of

someone your umbrella is blocking their view.

There is a man who has limited time, as has the man be hanged him,

Johann Muller leaving Ulster at the end of the season. He has put in for

terrific years and I remember when he first arrived at Ravenhill.

Ulster were fighting he first arrived at Ravenhill.

of their ability, he first arrived at Ravenhill.

and productive addition both on and off the field. He will leave behind

a lot of friends but he has not gone yet, so let us enjoy your time or

for another two or three months, shall we? -- let us enjoy Johann

Muller. Tom Court in the starting line-up.

Roger Wilson and Robbie Diack, who has had a very good season in the

back row, alongside Sean Doyle. James McKinney makes a rare start,

with the company of Ruan Pienaar. Darren Cave outside him at number

12. Ricky Andrew because of the move to 13 for Jared Payne starts at

fullback. Pretty tidy looking put --

replacements for Ulster. Not required by Ireland this weekend,

Iain Henderson and Luke Marshall. There is a man who has had one heck

of a season. His 103rd league game, Nigel Owens,

one more cup at test level and he reaches the half-century.

Sam Davies starts this game, and straightaway a familiar pattern.

Irish international Roger Wilson takes it forward.

Pienaar, very much the star of the show three weeks ago gets it back.

McKinney has kept it in full. Ricky Andrew gatherers.

I should have said Sam Davies, of course, Ricky Andrew is the Ulster

fullback. Good tackle by the Ulster skipper on

Scott Baldwin. Enterprising staff from the Ospreys. Sam Lewis

clattered by Wilson. Ashley Beck, one of an all international three

quarters line. Once again, the Ospreys taking it

through the forwards. Ulster have not had a chance at the ball since

the kick-off. Ulster told to roll away by the referee.

Have a chance here, bit of a gap. Well closed by Ruan Pienaar.

Morgan is right through! Here's a clever little fellow! He may go all

the way! Ricky Andrew is has to be quick and he is. That was just an

example of the blistering pace of the diminutive Matthew Morgan. He

may not be the biggest guy in the world but he is one of the

quickest. He glided away effortlessly.

An excellent mismatch has identified, found the space. Unable

to get players into position to finish it. That was built on a solid

continuity game from the Ospreys to get through that.

Brought down by Craig Gilroy, that has forced the five metre scrum

against Ulster. That was a scare and a half. Let's not forget the last

time the Ospreys came here, Ryan Bevington ran from about half way.

A torrid opening spell for this Ulster side, who are notoriously

slow starters. Ulster, ?1 and man heavier. -- a pound a man heavier.

Picked up by the experienced Bearman. Sean Doyle holds onto him.

Duncan Jones leaves it. Usually, again, this time it is the Canadian

International, Tyler Ardron. Again, Ulster's defence being well

and truly tested. Morgan back inside to back. -- Beck. Ospreys are

keeping the ball but not Kennedy -- terribly penetrative since Morgan's

cleverly to run. Jeff Hassler, the Canadian

international wing three quarters came in, once again taken by his

fellow international from Canada. Phase after phase being built by the

Ospreys but nothing coming of it as yet.

Again, Ulster close the door in the Ospreys's faces. The referee says

they must release. Sam Davies may be overcooked that and that is good

covering from the right wing by Craig Gilroy. Ulster will be happy

with the back, who have soaked up an awful lot of pressure playing into a

strong wind. Excellent discipline in their defence, not conceding the --

any penalties. They will be very happy, they are

looking very well coached team, understanding what they are trying

to do and they are focused on ball carrying upfront. Play on, says the

referee, knocked forward by Ulster. Again, Ulster just got away with

that. A great season Nigel Owens has had.

He did one of the great rugby games last summer, the Springboks against

New Zealand decide. He was in action last weekend in Paris. Ruan

Pienaar's kick just have to block and couldn't quite gather.

Tom Court is down on the near side of the Ulster scrum, he is having a

glance towards the near side of the field, indicating to the touch judge

that his opposite number, Aaron Jarvis, has taken the scrum down.

Nigel Owen, politely, has asked them to get it together better.

Always interesting in the first few scrums

flow for those 50-50 decisions. Jarvis is not biting on the jersey

but on the arm there. That should be a penalty against the Ospreys.

This is good stuff by the Ospreys, Sam Davies away to the Fijian flying

machine, Aisea Natoga. They have really taken this game by

the scruff of the neck. Beck looking for his hooker, Scott

Baldwin. Good cover by Ulster, they have

snuffed it out yet again, but the pressure is still on.

A half decent chance here. That was good defence by Ulster, by Craig

Gilroy in particular, just cut off the exit route to the far side. But

the Ospreys are still going. From Tonga, again, the man who

scored a hat-trick last week when the Ospreys came back from the dead

to beat the Sale Sharks in the LV cup.

The Ulster crowd are getting behind their side, they are defending

desperately. Morgan charged down. Play on, says the referee. A little

dummy by Jonathan Spratt, the skipper for the night.

They have given thataway. The referee said they had the advantage

if they want it, and they have taken it. Sam Davies goes all the way

back. That is a very good kick. Did Ruan Pienaar's fingertips touch

that? The ball is back down in Ulster

territory. You see the last-gasp attempt, unable to break down the

disciplined defence, going to the drop goal. Doesn't go their way and

Ulster have relief from the pressure. A clever kick from Davies,

getting it back down to the 22. The son of former Welsh international

Nigel Davies, and that big fellow with the beard is Perry Parker,

starting his first pro 12 game. He is on loan from Edinburgh. A bit of

a crisis in the second row department for the ospreys with

international call ups and Evans suspended. They have been able to

draft him in. You can see the reliance on the experience, the ball

carrying ability. He is already up around six or seven carries, they go

to man to get over the advantage line and he normally does just that

-- the go to man. Rob Herring. Robbie Dayak, at the back, as he's

done all season. -- Diack. Accidental offside by Ulster. It

will be an ospreys scrum -- Ospreys scrum. Huge defensive workload

they've had to go through. Morgan and Habberfield really orchestrating

things well, going through multiple phases. It's the discipline and

organisation in the Ulster defence which has seen them breach it once

despite the territory and possession.

Nigel Owens around the side of the scrum. He will bring them back. A

free kick against Ulster. Taken quickly by Joe Bearman. Adventurous

stuff. quickly by Joe Bearman. Adventurous

Jones. Ashley Beck trying to get through. Good cover by McKinney.

Free kick taken quickly and the advantages gone, but Ospreys have

the ball. Morgan. Morgan, looking for another try. It is very close.

He hasn't made it, but he's got it back. This is Habberfield. Clever

slap back. Away they go. It's going to be a try. Wonder. By the Ospreys.

Sam Lewis gets the first try of the evening -- wonder. By the Ospreys.

Matthew Morgan unlocking the defence. The quick tap which utilise

well. Dancing feet, get amongst the forwards and he can come off the

left or right. He is powerful and quick off the mark. Eventually it

took some creativity in the form of a tap on. Quite a lucky one, but an

excellent piece of skill to finish it off and deserved score for the

Ospreys after mounting pressure. Ulster were a bit short-handed on

the side of the park as Sam Lewis went over unopposed. So, Sam Lewis

with the try. Sam Davies to attempt the conversion. A left footed

kicker, so this is the right side of the field for him.

Well, he is judged that very nicely indeed. Nearly 11 minutes played and

Ulster trailing. Fair to say that the first 11 minutes has almost been

exclusively in the ospreys favour -- the Ospreys. More security in the

breakdown, very composed, well coached side and they are performing

the basics well. Joe Bearman gets away. Was that

Davies puts it down to his opposite number, Ricky Andrew. That will hang

in the stiff breeze. Knocked forward by the Ospreys. The referee playing

advantage. Penile -- dinar -- Pienaar. I think the penalty has

been given. Still advantage to Ulster. Ulster get it away. Roger

Wilson. The referee will come back with a

penalty and the Ospreys try scorer, Sam Lewis, has been penalised. The

discipline has been good. I'm sure Ulster enjoy having the ball in

their hand. They've defended since the whistle went, and now they have

field position. The wind must be fairly strong given that Ruan

Pienaar is taking the touch at the early stage. It would have been into

the wind, and judging that the better option is to go to the

sideline to try and employ a driving maul. What a kick by Ruan Pienaar.

The ninth time this season that the Ravenhill ground has been sold out.

Johann Muller gets it from Rob Herring. Sean Doyle in there. Has to

keep contact. Good driving, Ulster could do with a few more forwards.

Stevenson comes in to add about 18 stone. The ball has gone down. Rock,

so they have to play it. Ruan Pienaar, looking for John Afoa,

great strength by the all Blacks. They need something here. Johann

Muller there to help his They need something here. Johann

over, but can they get it down? Held They need something here. Johann

up but it will be a five metre scrum for Ulster. That is the response the

Ulster crowd expected. Started with a well executed line-out. After

going through a number of phases, I think it was Perry Parker who

managed to get in over the top and pull the ball down. We see them

getting across the line, but bodies everywhere and able to get the ball

across the line. Ulster with a tremendous opportunity with the

scrum five metres out. Great expectation even though there

are international games coming up, and everybody has their thoughts

here turning towards the beginning of April and the quarterfinal of the

Heineken cup against Saracens. Control by Roger Wilson. Ruan

Pienaar to go himself. McKinney. Michael Allen in the corner. They

may have to go upstairs. Was he in touch? Nigel Owens has looked at his

touch judge decided he will check with the DMO, Marshall Kilgore. --

TMO. Took it well, Michael Allen. Could be his sixth league try. Easy

in touch? Did he drop it? Did he not get forward question -- easy in

touch? This will be interesting. Did it leave his hand. It did. I don't

think that is a try. It looks like the tackler, having made the bad

decision to comment has been bailed out by Beck. Conscious of what he is

doing, tackling around the ball to force the knock-on. This will get

looked at a couple of times before the decision is made. Maybe the

left-hander got it down. It's too close to me for call. OK, Nigel, the

left-hander got it down. It's too try! The crowd don't like it, but

you wouldn't expect them to. Michael Allen's left-hander lost control of

the ball as they had to touch it down so they have to come back for a

five metre scrum to the Ospreys. They have lived dangerously after

scoring after ten minutes but they still don't have a line crossed.

Ulster's first real opportunity in the 22. Still under pressure. They

will look to disrupt the scrum. The pressure does not allow them to get

the clearance and they can retain position and reset. 15 minutes gone.

Ulster trailing to the side one place above them in the league. They

need to win this one, because last year they only lost four games and

drew one and they have lost four already. Tidied up well by Joe

Bearman. Vastly experienced, born in Cornwall, played for the Cornish

Pirates, then the Dragon. -- the Dragons. Ulster defending well. John

Afoa off the blocks quickly. Good control. Tom Habberfield gets it

away. Well taken by Ricky Andrew with men outside him. Looks, changes

his mind. Darren Cave, back into Roger Wilson. A burst from the Irish

international. Ruan Pienaar. Doyle losing his footing. The pitch is

cutting up. Well taken by McKinney. Good, thumping tackle.

Turnover to the Dragons. Slight advantage if they can shift this.

That is well read. Knocked forward by Natoga.

That is well read. Knocked forward that. Playing along advantage,

nothing developing out of it. Ospreys thought they probably had

the opportunity in the wider flank, but conditions not conducive to that

behind them. It just drag them further on and they will use the

wind to establish field position. All of Ulster's pressure and

territorial advantage yielded nothing at all, and the Ospreys back

where they want to be, deep inside Ulster territory. No signs of

panic, but there never are. Ospreys have one that reasonably cleanly.

Habberfield. Taken on by the hooker, Scott Baldwin. You stole it, then

you lost it off. And knock forward by Ulster, so Ospreys scrummage. A

huge amount of credit must go to the Ospreys team. You looked at the

teams on the paper, the core of experience through the Ulster team,

and you didn't think after 17 minutes that the Ospreys would

dominate the place of the game, where it is being played, and

ultimately on the scoreboard -- the pace of the game. Ospreys seem to

have the strength in depth equal to Ulster. Joe Bearman sells the dummy.

Hugely unlucky never to have been capped by Wales. Habberfield. He was

half impeded. Taken over by Tyler Ardron. Played the Ontario Blues. A

bit unfortunate. -- 40 on Tory Blues.

bit unfortunate. -- 40 on Tory kick. Back to Sam Davies, who will

kick. McKinney. Lets it go to the 22 so he can kick it directly into

touch if you need it. -- if he needs it. Morgan. Davies. Members of the

very good Welsh junior World Cup squad. Habberfield. Duncan Jones

leaves it. Ardron, taken by Sean Doyle in the tackle. Habberfield

again. Morgan. Quick hands to go with the twinkly feet.

Michael Allen decides to let it go. A lot of kicking by the Ospreys, and

pretty useful. Forcing Ulster to turn and reply, and that will give

them a line-out, but that's not a bad kick by Michael Allen, who will

be cross with himself about that try that wasn't taken.

Excellent tackle by Beck in the end. It is by these fine measures

that games are decided and the Ospreys will be happy with their

return thus far. They have to -- they have a heavy win at their back

and will have to utilise that advantage, but certainly things are

going to plan that far. -- so far. Good curling drive by the men from

Swansea, Ulster replying. The next time it stops, the Ospreys

will have to use it. They are still going for it, good for wordplay by

the visitors to Raven Phil -- Ravenhill.

Habberfield has to dig it out. He has been very impressive,

Habberfield. Lloyd Peers. has been very impressive,

just shutting everything down. The ball is back in the Ulster side

this time. Michael Allen on the right wing gives it a fair old thump

and here comes Pienaar. Morgan clattered by Pienaar. He does

wonderfully to get away from him. Great chase by way of seven Michael

but a wonderful piece by defending by Matthew Morgan. -- great chase by

Pienaar. Ulster get the penalty, taken

quickly, but the referee will bring them back.

Very clear instructions from Nigel Owens at the breakdown, asking for

them player of his feet to get back on, reload is the terminology he

used, to prevent that ceiling off. As we see this kick into open

space, Ruan Pienaar, the pace of a winger in a halfback. Matthew Morgan

did particularly well to get up and evade defenders to get his team be

hanged him and try and salvage the situation. -- team behind him. A

chance for Ulster to get the first points of this evening.

A couple of albeit difficult try scoring chances not taken.

Nigel Owens having a word with Oscar's skipper, Ruan Pienaar, about

hands in the ruck situation. That is a good kick by Pienaar,

picking up where he left off three weeks ago. A bit more encouraging

Yes, they have had the ball in play still a long way to go --

Yes, they have had the ball in play for long periods, going through the

phases, both sides, and they will be really happy with their penalty

count so far in the game. Nobody claims that comment has gone

loose. Ulster have not been able to snap it up but they have made a lot

of yardage. Good turnaround by Ulster. Now Darren Cave gets away.

He gets back inside to Jared Payne. I better stop by Ulster. Pienaar to

Tom Court. Wide to Michael Allen. It has been set up for Ulster. The

referee has given the penalty. Hand in there. They will be weighing for

a yellow card, and Nigel Owens may be complex -- contemplating that,

but he has not shown it. You would probably feel that may have ended in

a yellow card but interesting decision for Ospreys now.

They look as if they will kick into touch. It was cleverly done by

Ulster, what a kick by Pienaar, spot on and a very good chase indeed.

Three men there, one of them should have called.

Once Bearman was tackled running backwards, Ulster arrived, just

blowing in the players away at the ball carrier free to promote it up

to the pitch. Crucial line-out now. And Ospreys player hi am pretty sure

has come in from an illegal angle. -- and

Diack. Well tackled. Pienaar again. Wilson. Nudged forward. The referee

playing advantage to the Ospreys. Huge gap down year if Ulster can

spot it. Morgan has, but he has opted to go for touch and Ulster

will get the line-out. Difficult conditions in that brain.

The quicker flows may be unsuspecting in the ball receiver.

That is a recipe for a turnover as Ulster, close to the line, excellent

defence coming in from Ashley Beck, a big lump of a bloke, managed to

get the ball tackled and relieve the pressure.

Rob Herring was involved in the cup in Georgia last summer and started

for the Will phones a couple of weeks ago against the England

Saxons. -- Wolfhounds a couple of weeks ago. Not likely we will see

Rory Best until the Six Nations is over. Lewis Stevenson. And the rain

is getting worse. It really is coming down. There is a couple of

familiar faces who have been following Ulster for a long time,

the boys from the good old YMCA club, great followers of

international rugby. Muller again, didn't let desperately

straight and Nigel Owens did not list that. Ulster pretty happy with

that, you cannot afford to give possession away. Only four points

between them. Maybe knocked out of the hand, then that wind took over

and exacerbated the angle of that throw.

The Ospreys no ill days throw.

first few minutes. Ulster have been doing a good job of addressing the

territorial ad vantage. The referee wants it in. Great work

by the all international front row. Here is Morgan. Davies.

A very well taken kick. Ricky Andrew has to come all the way back.

That is a good reply by Ricky Andrew. Taken quickly. Morgan has a

glance, what is available on this site?

And that is going to give Ulster the line-out with about 12 minutes

remaining. The Ospreys using their clicking

options out of hand very well. Morgan, Davies, they have options to

either side, they can mix the players up, just mixing and maxing

the options well to ensure Ulster do not spend too much time and that's

22. From line three the Ospreys are aged

23, 21, 22, 127 at 120. -- a 27 and a 20.

Robbie Diack gets up across the halfway line.

A bit of space, Darren Cave chases and that is a good kick by James

McKinney. Yes, and that is a good kick by James

pressure, a little and that is a good kick by James

pocket now, they perfectly placed.

McKinney on his third start of the season. He put in a man of the match

performance against Edinburgh. As we get to the end of the opening

half-hour here at Ravenhill, a scoreline that may not have been

anticipated. Ospreys have cut the line-out to

just five men. Cleverly done, Habberfield gets it

away. Bearman. Slow ball, but they will not mind at

all. Well taken by Ricky Andrew. He

changes his mind, good pace by Andrew, still going. He got himself

tripped there, but he has made up a lot of ground. Pienaar having a

little glance, Robbie Diack. Good defending this time by the Ospreys.

Pienaar. Well nudged forward by Ulster.

The ball was knocked forward into touch, so the Ospreys will have the

option of the knock-on and scrum or the line-out.

Pienaar getting around the corner, he has an excellent defensive read.

A little too shallow one the past there as the Pienaar run took some

of the space out on the blindside. Ulster trying to inject some pace

into the game, they are unable to get that kind of possession that

they thrive on. It is the Ospreys who have manned up defensively and

are slowing it down, denying Ulster the speed of delivery they require.

No real scrum dominance so far, everyone going with the put-in and

Tom Habberfield, the Welsh under 20 no one is able to force the issue.

Tom Habberfield, the Welsh under 20 international, and a member of a

very good junior World Cup squad. REFEREE: You are too open, OK?

Head-to-head. There again, you see, Jarvis is

binding on the arm. McKinney slows Bearman up.

Habberfield. Morgan inside his 22. He has got away from three Ulster

defenders. This fellow is like quicksilver. I weighed two Jeff

Hassler and he can shift, but he is well tackled by Michael Allen. The

referee is signalling a knock-on for Ulster. It has been put into touch

and it will be a Ulster scrum. Matthew Morgan is giving a lot of

problems. A bit of experience, he bails them at a trouble at scrum

time. He has that footwork to get him out

of those tight spaces, particularly up against tight 5-4s. Running at

that pace, of the right, once he is away, here's assessing his options,

he runs towards his support players but excellent cover by Ulster, three

men coming across. Yes, he can sidestep at full speed.

Years accelerating and still sidestepping, he does not seem to

lose any momentum. -- he is accelerating. REFEREE: I just want

to check on screen, please. Nigel Owens has gone upstairs to the

TMO to see there was a tackle without arms.

I wonder if it is going against Michael Allen.

Maybe we will get a bit of a look at it. He did make an attempt to put

the arms around, I think it was just a shoulder on the site, I don't see

what all fuss was about. The shoulder charge around the

Thiago Silva is particularly illegal. Nigel Owens is having a

look on the big screen. You wants the other angle.

There is Hassler. The shoulder went in first, but the arm came round in

an attempt to catch the leg. It looks like a poor tackling technique

but nothing much else about it. REFEREE: You cannot drop with no

arms beneath you, OK? Well, I am surprised about that, but

Nigel Owens has had a good look at it and has given the penalty against

Ulster and against Michael Allen, which is rather unfortunate, I don't

think there was anything malicious at all.

It was not even tell us, just one of those things. -- not even careless.

It wasn't the greatest tackle as he came across to take the player, but

it looked like a genuine attempt to wrap the arms as he caught that

trailing foot. Nothing malicious about it, I am

surprised it has resulted in a penalty.

Well, a lot of booing at Ravenhill, I know the crowd are not happy about

that, but they need to stop the doing and let the man take his kick

at goal. In respectful and traditional Ulster silence.

Well, he landed a very good conversion. As he landed a penalty?

No, he hasn't. The crowd will feel justice has been done. Seven and a

half minutes remaining, still 7-3. It brought the crowd to live.

Normally it is a big tackle or It brought the crowd to live.

finish off the half with possession in opposition territory. Davies

gathers and there is the tormentor, Morgan. He has put it straight into

touch. His first mistake of the evening. The crowd will be hoping

for more, needless to say. And amazingly talented little player. He

got his first senior cap when he was only about 17. He hasn't grown any,

mind you. He is using it to good effect, that diminutive stature, and

it means he can ride tackles and slip over the shoulders. Darren Cave

nearly got it away. The ball is loose. That has been knock forward

by the Ospreys. Ulster lucky to get away with it. The intent was good,

but the support play was just not there quickly enough. Ulster will be

frustrated. Not really able to get into the groove. A little hand in

there from Ashley Beck disrupting that. Ospreys not able to get the

rhythm and flow to the game. A little bit staccato. They will look

to impose some patterns. Interesting that they position Craig Gilroy

behind the scrum. We know what speed and elusive ability he has got.

Roger Wilson packing down at number eight for Ulster. One his only cap

for Wales against Osaka in Japan. Guess who was refereeing that game,

it was that man Nigel Owens. Nigel Owens has gone on to referee another

40 tests, but Roger Wilson has not got past just the one for Ireland.

Deserving of more. Good control by Wilson. Lack of concentration. It

went back, and Ruan Pienaar got away with it. Now Jared Payne. Clever

kick. Will with it. Now Jared Payne. Clever

calculated perfectly. -- line-out. Ruan Pienaar does not panic, but he

recovers from his handling mistake. Clever pass by Wilson. He still

looks up and assesses the situation. The long passes on, and Jared Payne

running out of space drops it on to the left foot and establishes field

position. Good chasing by Darren Cave, who has shown a good bit of

pace this evening. A good take out the back by Ulster.

They go to ground. Well taken by Wilson. Ruan Pienaar. James

McKinney. Jared Payne. Strong enough to make ground and present the ball.

That's another mistake by the Ulster scrum-half. Ospreys have come away

with it. Taken by Lewis. Baldwin, who is speedy, and this is a speedy

man, Morgan. No room to move. Habberfield thought about the kick.

Good tackle by Darren Cave. Knocked forward. Tom Court misses it. Away

by Stevenson. The referee playing advantage. Craig Gilmour gets away.

Covering tackle by Sam Lewis. Pienaar thought about the narrow

side. Gives it to McKinney. Tackle by Morgan. Pienaar in quickly. Here

is Jared Payne. Back inside to Michael Allen. He's come across to

the right wing. Good approach work. Can Ulster finish it off before the

interval? Johann Muller, the captain. Pienaar again. McKinney.

Turnover ball. Great defensive captain. Pienaar again. McKinney.

might have been blunted again. Again, the word composer --

composure springs to mind. They are making the right decisions. If it's

not on, they are happy to go to ground and back the defence. They

are working well as a team, and that is what makes them a good team, the

code he is of this, the unity and the willingness to play for each

other -- tell. -- cohesiveness. Nicely done by Pienaar. A good

clearance kick by the talented Sam Davies.

Playing his 15th game for the Ospreys and all competition, the

junior player for the league in 2013. Ospreys doing a good job of

juggling the resources. Sam Davies plays very well in the number ten

channel. Matthew Morgan showing what a threat he is. A wealth of talent,

being used well, particularly kicking out of hand. One of the most

impressive aspects of the performance tonight. Good ball by

Ulster. Cave. Pienaar to take the kick. Drifted towards the far

touchline. It goes into touch after the bounce. That will be an Ospreys

line. Coming up to the final minute of the first half. -- line-out. Not

quite going according to the script. From an Ulster perspective, anyway.

Morgan. done it. Slippery ball making

handling impossible. Diack had just nudged it forward. Conditions

playing into the hands of the Ospreys at the moment. They have had

the wind at their back, which is an advantage. Conditions are the same

for both teams, but Ospreys have made less unforced errors.

Decision-making and ball security has been excellent. They are

committing the right numbers. They are a team that knows what they're

trying to achieve, and unfortunately for Ulster they have not got the

tempo in their game. A couple of individual errors have robbed them

of the continuity and they've not been able to impose themselves on

this game. A 7-3 scoreline, I still think Ulster are in this game. A

free kick against Habberfield for not putting it down the middle. I

think there might be time for the penalty because the 40 minutes are

up. Will they go for the scrum? Last

play. Johann Muller very politely enquired. Nigel Owens says, yes, you

may have a scrum. The Ospreys will need to ensure they are

concentrating in this overtime period. All the hard work could be

undone by a slick Ulster training move that they might look to do with

limited time. Vital that they maintain the computation --

concentration and discipline in defence. Need to get possession

first because the scrum is a bit wobbly. Wilson, good control at the

back of the scrum. Good work by the home side. Nigel Owens has given a

penalty. They could go for another scrum, and it's a wee bit closer and

just about within Ruan scrum, and it's a wee bit closer and

Roger Wilson. Ulster starting to get dominance in the scrums. Joe Bearman

has bailed out Ospreys at number eight to pick up the ball and get

them over the advantage lies -- line. Bevington might find his way

onto the park early in the second half. Ulster will be happy if they

can take three points. It's not got no way in the first but they have

played into a stiff wind that will be at their back in the second with

plenty to play for. He has only had one kick at goal in this half,

testimony to some very good Ospreys defence and discipline.

This is not a game changer but it would not fit -- nudge things and

Ulster's direction. -- in Ulster's direction.

Do the crowd like it? Well, they don't, and he doesn't, because it is

missed. A bit of a flat end to a fairly high tempo first half, but

the Ospreys have cope better with the conditions, with the wind behind

them. They have been the dominant side and they will be pretty happy.

A man wearing number seven, the man who has scored the only try, Sam

Lewis. Ulster have a lot to do in the second half. They certainly do.

They don't want a repeat of where they could not get rid in the game.

Ospreys were dominating the pace of the game, where it was being

played, and ultimately they deserve to be aired on the scoreboard.

Ulster trailing at half-time -- they deserve to be ahead on the

scoreboard. Both these teams trying to provide

us with Friday night entertainment in miserable conditions at

Ravenhill, and with conditions worsening by the minute. It was the

visitors who got out of the blocks more quickly.

Some great handling and a try by Sam Lewis. Ulster playing

Some great handling and a try by Sam strong breeze. Ruan

Some great handling and a try by Sam quite complete. The umbrellas are up

at Ravenhill and Ulster are behind. They trail 3-7.

Garin Jenkins and Maurice Field have been enjoying this with our window

opening, so we have been sampling the atmosphere. Ospreys very much

deserving the lead. Very much so. I said they would not have any baggage

and they started with all the composure, attack all of the forward

ball and it was the Talisman, Joe Bearman spearheading the tracks --

attacks. Even though they were under pressure, it was from the scrum they

caught Nash scored a good try. Ospreys are justifiably in front.

The last kick Ruan Pienaar took mirrored the first half. Misfiring

opportunities. Great scrum by Ospreys at the very start. A lot of

pressure on Ulster. Nigel Owens calling the free kick, but it's just

the creativity and the inventiveness that they are showing. It is that

man Joe Bearman again. Great kick from Ryan Jarvis, then the boldness

and intent. The ospreys deservedly lead.

from Ryan Jarvis, then the boldness and intent. The ospreys Matthew

Morgan playing in the face of the Ulster defence. Good shape in the

defence, but it's that playing in the face and the boldness. Some

great handling by the forwards in difficult conditions. We just saw

the clip of Matthew Morgan. To me he's been the outstanding player

apart from Joe Bearman. Everything that has been positive about the

Ospreys has been through him. He's been creative, taking it flat and

asking questions of the defence. Great handling there. Just

fantastic. He has picked up some messy balls from the scrum. We saw a

lovely backpass to Sam Lewis, and a very well-deserved try.

lovely backpass to Sam Lewis, and a Yes, they were very strong. He's

taking the ball flat to the opposition and asking questions of

the defence. The Ulster has come up reasonably quiet. He sees this

mismatch and that is where Ulster have been really good, accurate in

the Big Ben and get the ball back. He shot up the line-out for someone

of Matthew's skill, really fast feet, she goes round to the outside.

-- he goes round the outside. They were under a bit of pressure there.

But the likes of Joe Bearman are enabling the attacks of Matthew

Morgan. They are bringing Spratt land in four into the game, running

some lovely lines and enabling them to get the ball wide. -- Beck into

the game. He has controlled the ball and bought his team time.

It is easy to go down on the ball and not give a penalty. James

McKinney tonight has been having a more difficult evening.

Yes, he is misfiring, not getting the platform to control the game in

the same way. This was really a kick to nothing and that allows Sam

Davies to counterattack. It puts Ulster under pressure defensively. A

great tackle coming up here. Ulster have not been able to

engineer any attacks, but Lloyd Peers in the engine, great tackle

and again, the boldness of the Ospreys to move the ball wide.

Unfortunately this time the ball did not go to hand. But the creativity

from the Ospreys has been far in advance of Ulster.

But McKinney settled down? Yes, a better kick that time.

He has been able to put the ball where he wanted and is executed that

kick well. Just a lack of accuracy from Ulster causes them to be hind

at the moment. -- to be behind.

I think I'll salute a little rusty, there has been a bit of distraction

this week but the Ospreys really look like a team. Even when Ulster

have had the upper hand the Ospreys's defence have held out.

They have scuppered a few chances, Ulster. I would be disappointed with

their accuracy, especially when they come close to the Ospreys line, they

have held out. To date, when they have got within

scoring chances they have taken them.

Unfortunately, earlier, Michael Allen dropped the ball going into

the corner dear. As a winger that is your bread and butter.

Excellent defence, but if you watch here, I think it is Beck who comes

across, manages to get his hands on the ball and nudge it down. As an

attacking winger you have to be thinking, that is a scoring

opportunity you have missed. You mentioned Joe Bearman, and every

time he gets his hands on the ball tonight something magical seems to

happen for the Ospreys. He has made everything count.

He has had at least 12 carries. This is a retreating Ospreys scrum,

he comes 12 yards, four word ball and allows the Ospreys a great exit.

He has been key tonight for the Ospreys. Matthew Morgan, again, 20

or 30 yards from a poor scrum just finishing off. That was a scrum

going backwards. Sean Doyle should have put Bearman

on his backside and put the pressure on. From their 22 they find

themselves 50 metres further up the pitch.

Ulster had a penalty from that of and they may revert to type in the

second half, Ulster may stick it up the jumper little bit. They have big

guys like John Afoa. But Ospreys have the guys like Ryan Bevington

coming on, they have something in their armoury. Ulster have to be

tighter. Thank you very much for the moment.

As we said at the start of the show, Mark Anscombe this week signed an

extension to his contract which will keep them at the province until the

summer of 2015. Earlier this week he sat down and talked to -- he sat

down and talked to Gavin Andrews. I'm looking forward to it. I first

spoke to David about this and said I always looked at this job as a

project of three years. That is the case.

It is a time that allows you to implant your style and ways and

means into an organisation and from a personal point of view it gives us

time to assess, from my family's point of view, if it is the right

place to be. We come from the other side of the world, it is a big move.

Was the home quarterfinal in Europe the clincher in the deal? Not at

all. We had been talking well before

then. It is nice to be able to give our supporters a home game in a new

stadium. That is going to be a special day and we want to make it a

special day. I have been around the world in this

game and I still don't think... I think this is the most special place

I have been to. The only thing to match the atmosphere of this is an

international. It is special. Now that you are going to be coach for

next season, you are going to lose John Afoa, Tom Court, Johann Muller

- who do you bring in? I would be lying if we had things

sorted out. They have been outstanding. They are all

international quality players. They have proven that. You do not just

replace people of that calibre overnight. But that is life, that is

this game of rugby. One door closes and another opens. David is doing a

good job and has done well because he has that calibre of player here

in the first place. If you he has that calibre of player here

laughed at us, but we have done that. One thing you want to achieve

is that we are recognised in the top six teams in Europe. Every team, I

don't care who you are or what you have, we all need a little luck. To

keep everyone injury free and on the deck, if we perform, we are the

measure of any team in this competition.

There had been some speculation that Mark Anscombe may be leaving Ulster

at the end of season. Decision from both parties? I believe so.

Initially when he came he said this was a three-year tender.

-- tenure. He said he wanted to make this one of the top six teams in

European rugby. Ulster have now attained that Agnew later. Heineken

cup final, Pro12 final last year, a final this year. It is a good

decision. Second-half coming up, both benches very strong tonight.

Iain Henderson coming on for Ulster in the second half. Could that be

where this game is won or lost tonight? I think there will be big

changes, I think this will impact Ulster.

They will tighten things up, they play a lot of Round 9 and yet into

field position. They have gotten into good positions in the

first-half but had not got that killer instinct. I think there will

be a stern talking at half-time. But the Ospreys will be confident. My

only nagging doubt is the set piece. Have the Ospreys pretty enough

points on the board? -- pretty enough.

It is Jose Ospreys attacked -- it is how the

It is Jose Ospreys attacked -- it is When you are watching in your nice

warm living room at home it looks a lot better, but it is a miserable

night at Ravenhill. We are hoping you are enjoying some Ulster Rugby

Live this Friday night. Back to our commentary team, Ryan Constable and

Jim Neilly. Iain Henderson is on for Ulster.

The Ulster team have come out for the second half at something of a

gallop. One or two fellows have clean jerseys on.

Lewis Stevenson has less the field -- left the field, so Iain Henderson

is on. Well taken in by Joe Bierman, who

has been such a dominant force in this game.

Iain Henderson from the bench in the Six Nations to the bench against the

Ospreys, now he is on the pitch against the Ospreys. That will be a

pass back inside the 22, it will be a line-out to Ulster. Ulster need to

be thinking about scoring pretty darn quickly. Yes, they have the

wind at their back now so they will have better exit side of those

pressure situations. But it is the lack of time they have

spent in the opposition 22 that has not allowed them to contribute to

the scoreboard. They will be looking to address that at the start of the

second half. That is not the start they wanted, the link between Rob

Herring and Iain Henderson did not work.

Knocked backward by the Ospreys. The referee thinking that any

advantage the Ospreys had is gone. They have made decent ground and

have the ball... No they haven't! Ulster come away, there is Pienaar.

A little bit of city getting in play, this is the danger man.

A little bit of city getting in they have a very difficult time to

make the play-offs of this competition.

Taken by Craig Gilroy. Uses the wind well. Sam Davies

gathers again. You have to kick it immediately

after the catch and it went back inside the 22 again. Ulster have

another chance and they have to start taking some of these. The

reason the referee has denied that is that he has taken it back in so

he cannot call the mark. It looks as though he had a foot

inside and having been denied the mark, rush kick. A lot of mistakes

from the Ospreys which were not evident in the first-half.

That is the sensible option, Muller in the middle.

Here comes Doyle on his own, Diack does a bit of clearing out.

Afoa keeps the ball low to the ground.

Again, Ulster's first driving men make a bit of distance. Back inside

to Craig Gilroy, who has come in from the right wing.

All of the pressure coming from the men in dirty white.

Darren Cave, wonderful! That is one of the great tries of

the season by an individual, because he saw the space, but it required

strength and pace and he showed both of them. What a boost that is for

Ulster at what a boost for Darren Cave, who does not play too often at

well but has done tonight. Yes, they create a little bit of front foot

ball which Ulster have not how. Second play around the corner, Miss

match, then too big, too Duncan Jones was there and Morgan

was outside him. He missed that handoff and he was over as if he was

a chocolate wafer. Yes, just for a minute he got held in by that dummy

run. That allowed Cave to get slightly on

the outside and from then on to much quality was always going to win

over. 15th league try for Darren Cave.

This fellow here is up to 425 points in terms of the league.

That has come in very nicely from Ruan Pienaar.

Having gone 7-3 adrift at the start of this half with not quite five

minutes gone, Ulster are now leading by 10-7. The Ospreys I think have

made a replacement. And what a replacement it is Italian

international Tito Tebaldi has come on the field.

Ruan Pienaar can kick directly into touch and he has done. We saw the

strength of the wind is there that Ulster are joining.

-- in joining. They did not have that option to get

up the pitch in the first-half, they have to make sure they use in the

second. A handyman to have a replacement, as Tom Habberfield goes

off, Tito Tebaldi, formerly of the as Uri.

-- Azzurri. Roger Wilson came through the middle

and the referee is happy with that. Tebaldi saying he needs someone as a

runner. He has Lewis but he decides to kick.

runner. that. Gathered by Tebaldi. Sam

Davies has a glance to see what is available. Not too far-away, and

Mark Anscombe reacted to that, because he wanted him to kick it

away, not slow the thing up. As he hit that forward? James McKinney it

seems. Juggling the ball on the ground. The option was maybe to trap

it with the foot. Curling ball, difficult, had to go for it. Looks

as though he might have gone back on the first one and then the second

one, the referee had a chat into his microphone, and an opportunity for

Ospreys. Important they respond to the early school. They've been

through a tremendous amount of hard work in the first half defensively

and through the possession. Ulster needing to play into the wind, and

they haven't really done it well apart from scoring a try. Joe

Bearman. Well picked up by Natoga. Joe Bearman in there, but they leave

it to the Italian, to Balde. -- Tebaldi. Recycling the ball well and

the frightful conditions. Left for Perry Parker -- in the frightful

conditions. Lewis, the try scorer, tackled by Johann Muller. Tebaldi.

Jared Payne, what will he do? Afoa needs to give it. Got himself caught

by Jonathan Spratt. Tom Court ran in front of Ruan Pienaar and made it

difficult for him. front of Ruan Pienaar and made it

you, the man from Alberta. Tebaldi. Duncan Jones. Still churning it out

at 35, the oldest man on the park. That was touched and that will be a

line-out on the far side. Ulster leading. You can hear the Ulster

coaching staff, keen to play this in opposition territory. You don't want

to play a lot of rugby in your own defensive third. It needs to go a

couple of phases to bring the wingers up, and if it's like that,

so be it, but don't play the risk of playing rugby from deep especially

when Ulster lead 10-7. Duncan Jones's work here is done.

Nice chap too. Big kick by Tebaldi. Michael Allen hundred. Referee says

play on -- under it. To Balde. -- Tebaldi. Almost a big gap. Good

tackle by Darren Cave, the Ulster try scorer. Morgan. Scott Baldwin is

injured. Michael Allen let it run into touch. It could well be an

all-star line-up. Nick Williams coming out of the dugout. Will this

bill -- will this be a change? There is the formidable figure of Nick

Williams. Looks as if he is about to get ready to come on. Baldwin, I'm

delighted to getting worse as the evening goes

on. The rain is really coming down. He kept his eye on the ball and he

was knocked over by his own man, Jeff Hassler. I think he nearly got

an elbow in the stomach, but he seems to be fine. A lot happier than

they were at the interval, the Ulster fans, but still a long way to

go. Diack's work at the back of a line-out has been outstanding. That

is a good drive. Rob Herring tucked in there somewhere. Tom Court doing

a bit of huffing and puffing and shoving. Slowed down, so Ruan

Pienaar will have to kick, and he does. Keeps it short. Not the

greatest and gathered by the Ospreys. Here is Jeff Hassler. Quick

and strong. Sean Doyle slowed him down. Tebaldi. Muller put the

tackling. Good switch to Morgan who has Davies outside. -- tackle in. He

needs to give it one of these massive clearance kicks, Pienaar.

That doesn't look too bad at all. That is a very good kick by Pienaar.

Ulster still inside their own half with ten minutes played. The wind is

still blowing pretty strongly. Hard to tell what direction it is in, but

if it comes down a wee bit, we will have a look. It is over in the far

corner from us. Those are the Ulster posts. That is a nasty evening.

Baldwin. It was tapped back out of the line-out, so that is officially

over. Had he caught it and held it, the line-out would have been on.

Ospreys making a bit of ground. Good protection of the

Ospreys making a bit of ground. Good game, and that is a good drive.

Taken on by Ardron, but stolen by Ulster. Here is Henderson. Couldn't

quite get away, but very nearly. Pienaar. Darren Cave. That is not a

bad kick by Darren Cave at all. That is exactly what Mark Anscombe would

have wanted. The trouble is, when you play into the wind you have to

work hard and go through multiple phases to establish field position.

U-turn over and that makes it quick for the team with the wind at their

back to establish field position. A couple of drives, and Ulster do have

the armoury. Darren Cave with an excellent kick, and the Ospreys find

they have all the hard work to do again. Ospreys line-out.

Once again, Perry Parker, the man on loan from Edinburgh, getting it

away. Tackled by Rob Herring. Tebaldi saying he wants protection.

Charged down by guess who, Pienaar. Henderson drives. He might get over.

And Henderson has got over. I think the referee has given a try for Iain

Henderson. What a response by Ulster. Again, Ruan Pienaar. How

often does he do this? The ability to charge it down. Using the height

he has to get the chance, and an excellent finish by Henderson. A

number of his mistakes by Tito Tebaldi. This one looks like it will

cost. -- a number of mistakes. He has gone upstairs to Marshall

Kilgore and I thought Nigel Owens had given the try but maybe he wants

to be doubly sure. Tom Court is pretty convinced it has been

to be doubly sure. Tom Court is And when he becomes mature, he will

be some player. He's only still a baby. Good drive, getting in the low

position, cavalry arrive. No stopping him. He does award the

try. Has second thoughts for some reason, anti-checks but we expect

the try to be awarded. -- and he checks. We have not heard from

Marshall Kilgore. He was in the perfect position, but he goes to the

former Derry outside half, Marshall Kilgore who is the TMO. Nigel, the

ball was stolen by black. Stolen before it was grounded? So the ball

was over the line and then put down? So it will be a drop 22? Yes. No

try. The second time Ulster have been denied a try. The ball was

stolen as Henderson went over the line, so it will be a 22 metre

dropout, and Ulster will be very, very upset another chance is gone

begging. But rules is rules. Desperate work in defence from the

Ospreys. Nigel Owens in a fantastic position and initially awarded it

but there was some doubt on his mind and he went upstairs to get

clarification. It came down as no try, and an opportunity for the

ospreys to clear their lines. -- the Ospreys. The TM oak called -- TMO

called it was stolen afterwards. There is nothing showing on the

screen. Nick Williams with a bit of a cut. Probably the result of the

stud. Sean Doyle hasn't had a bad game.

stud. Sean Doyle hasn't had a bad Allen. Tebaldi goes back and lets it

go. And he's not sure what to do. He hurls it inside. Davies gets it

away, and that will be an all-star line-up. I think Ulster have their

dander up. -- Ulster line-out. They have a huge win -- wind behind their

backs and it's difficult to see how the Ospreys will last another 27

minutes of the match without conceding further points. Very

difficult conditions for them. Ulster have the luxury of kicking

for territory and squeezing the Ospreys out of the match. Perry

Parker coming off. And on comes Dan Baker.

That might have been knocked back, but the referee is playing on. He

does have the hand-out to indicate it was knocked forward by Ulster.

Advantage has gone to the Ospreys. Conditions are awful and Ulster have

not really been able to manage them. Obviously the game plan in the

second half is kicking the territory. The issue on that

occasion was the line-out. Difficult conditions to secure possession but

they're in the right part of the pitch. They are up on the scoreboard

which is where you want to be, the wind at your back. A couple of

substitutions to give some fresh impetus to the cause as we see

Marshall coming on to replace Jared Payne. Marshall will go into inside

centre and Darren Cave will move out of the more familiar position of

outside centre. So, six Nations one week, and we saw Jared Payne running

off, his chin tucked into his chest wanting to get away from the awful

weather. He has come back from two weeks home

weather. He has come back from two Nick Williams packing down at number

eight. Roger Wilson on the open side for Ulster. The referee asks them to

square up a bit. Inconclusive says the referee, Nigel Owens. Time

ticking away. 24 minutes remaining. Ulster are 10-7 ahead. This is a

period where Ulster will look to profit. Given their relative lack of

recognition at international level, the quality of the foreign players

throughout this period, and the depth and quality of the squad, they

will look to proceed up the table and get into contention for first or

second place. That will be the target over this stretch of three or

four games. Ospreys giving away the free kick. Ulster have four games in

the month of February. All against Welsh opposition. Next week it is

the Scarlet, then the Dragons, then after the game at Twickenham, they

travel to Italy to play Treviso. They would be hoping, and maybe

expecting, to win all four of those games. Certainly a loss at home

tonight would not be nudged -- much good to them.

It has taken the best part of our to burst into song.

Look at the strength of this young man. Pienaar. Better stuff from the

earth are Ospreys. That is better from Ulster, Johann Muller is in

there. Now it is Tom Court.

across. There goes Now it is Tom Court.

Pienaar. Knocked forward and the referee is

playing advantage to Ospreys, and they have taken full advantage, as

Ashley Beck has given it a real wallop.

Taken off at the ankles, the referee tells him to release it, he does.

Roger Wilson standing in the outside half position. Pienaar again. This

is Cave. He has curled that back infield. Well positioned by Sam

Davies, who is awarded fair catch. Little tap to himself. Ricky Andrew

nearly got fat and that is a very good clearance kick by young Sam

Davies. A very elegant player, as his dad was for Wales. He took his

time and looked for a bit of a gap, but the first thing he had to do was

make sure he found his touch, and he did.

There is probably the warmest person at Ravenhill.

Conditions have been very difficult for hookers throwing the ball into

night. Muller, with ease. Pienaar for

possession. Sam Davies outside his 22 this time. That is a good kick,

well gathered by Pienaar. That is right up into the

stratosphere! Knocked back words, the ball is loose. Ulster have

snapped it up. Well away by Marshall. Well taken by Ricky

Andrew. The referee will bring them back for

the knock-on. becoming a lottery, it is slippery

and screwing around. Not a lot of authority from the

teams when it goes on TV air. It robs the game of any real

continuity. Well, Paul Marshall has come on for Ulster, which would

indicate Ruan Pienaar would go to the outside half position.

We have not seen too much of Paul Marshall recently.

This is his 96th league game, Paul Marshall.

His first Irish cap as a replacement at the tail end of last season

against Italy in Rome. Clever little kick, it is going to

go dead and that will be a 22. Just needed to angle that a wee bit

towards the touchline for the Ospreys to take the line-out. Sam

Davies does the clever thing. Here is Pienaar. A bit goes again and

Cave is leading it. Tebaldi get it away to Davies.

We know this fellow, Hassler. Well positioned by Pienaar.

Scruffy I think is the word that comes to mind. It has not gone dead

and it will be a 22. Aisea Natoga, capped five times by

Fiji. Well, Italy -- into the last quarter

of this game. Ulster making another change, Aaron Jarvis is going off,

Dan sit is coming on. Only a youngster, 20 years old. This is his

fourth league game, his fourth as a put out -- and his fourth as a

replacement. Up it goes again. He has given that

a decent wallop. That was a horrible kick. Well taken by Hassler. Davies

pops it into touch and it will be a Ulster line-out. Tactics are evident

from Ulster, anything from their own have they are putting straight up

into the orchard and micro, getting chased down and forcing the Ospreys

to try and retain possession. -- straight up into the air. They

are trying to drive through the driving maul and see what they can

develop through that then release it to the backs. They have not had a

lot of quality possession to try and create some space.

Williams drives the tackle pretty well. Scrambles forward. He is like

a turtle on speed! And he has given away the penalty.

Well, I am not sure you can be penalised if you are not held. He is

released from the tackle, there is nobody holding him down, he is still

making progress going forward, then presents the ball. Ready on

orthodox, but I would not have said illegal.

-- unorthodox. An interesting call from the referee there.

And the Ospreys back inside the Ulster have for the first time in

about ten minutes or so. A 3-point lead I don't think will suffice.

Baldwin, he has been on from the start. Well taken again by Lloyd

Peers. act.

Once again, -- a little bit slow Lote Tuqiri act. -- slope to

this is Morgan. Good work again by his skipper. He is a replacement

number, number 19. Ulster doing a bit of grappling in the middle of

the park, Tito Tebaldi digs it out and gets it to Bearman.

We have not seen too much of them in the second half, it has been mainly

Ulster. The referee calling for the ball to

be released. Tebaldi, Baldwin. Tebaldi again, they knock it

forward. Henderson gives it an almighty hack.

Henderson, rate in the thick of things. That is going nowhere in

particular. In two does not seem to be going anywhere but the touch.

That will be a Ulster line-out. 15 minutes remaining, only three points

between them. Dudley Philips puts his flag up and points in the

direction of Ulster. The Ospreys finding a lot more

difficult without the wind at their back.

They have not been able to get into the opposition 22, where they spent

a lot of time in the first half. The Ulster rushing defence is catching

them behind the advantage line and the kicking options are not there

for them to kick their way out of trouble. They are just having to

roll their sleeves up and put the hard in. Difficult to get any result

from it. Ulster, that opportunistic try by Darren Cave, excellent

identification of the mismatch. Then the power and pace has put him in

the tendency and they are the ones who can afford to play

territorially. -- in the ascendancy. Tom Court looks as if he has hurt

his left hand -- arm. Callum Black would probably have

been coming out at this stage Callum Black would probably have

loose-head against the Leicester Tigers in the arm August -- in their

most recent Heineken cup win. The referee telling Ulster to keep

Ireland. Ospreys have sent them back word, . -- to keep down.

Well taken by Jeff Hassler, who has a lot of pace. Williams misses the

tackle and Hassler has gotten away! This could be catastrophic. He has

not quite got the legs, Cave gets in, albeit on the high side. Hassler

has put the Ospreys into a great position. Here is the other

Canadian, Ardron. He has knocked it forward and Ulster have got out of

jail. Hassler has been running with real

conviction all night. He went into that tackle situation, burst out the

other side and, fortunately, the West -- wet conditions, he did not

have the pace to go all the way. The Ospreys looked to be delivering a

try scoring below, just dislodged the ball in the tackle and trying to

hold on, but relinquishing possession. Ulster now find

themselves close to their online after that magnificent run.

Ospreys about to make another change, I think Jeff Hassler, who

has scored three tries this season for the Ospreys, is about to go off.

They are about to bring on... Eli Walker, for his first game. Well,

this is the man who was picked to play for Wales in the autumn against

the South Africans for his very first cap and did a hamstring couple

of days before the game and has not played since. Welcome back, Eli

Walker. I am not sure played since. Welcome back, Eli

Pienaar has brought that infield. Here is another fellow who cannot be

allowed to run. They will be glad they made the tackle.

Bearman has his second wind. I think Johann Muller has probably

been the top tackle Manford Ulster. There was no touching there, so it

was not ice it was not an accidental offside. Dan Suter, the replacement

prop, makes a bit of ground. Ryan Bevington, who had that amazing

breakaway score last year in this fixture.

Scott Baldwin picks it up to Ulster's 22. Ospreys are being very

patient. A penalty would give them a draw and I think they would be very

contented to come away from Ravenhill -- Ravenhill with a couple

of points. Ulster certainly would not. Good defence again by Ulster.

Lazio that order -- Aisea Natoga. Knocked foreword by Ulster. 12

minutes remaining, this is going to the wire. The Ospreys are doing very

well to stay in this game. It is just that tenacity, the

willingness to put their hand to the ball, recycle, go through phases.

Ulster trying to keep up their line speed defensively, difficult for the

Ospreys to That offer Aske still with the

Ospreys who still need to That offer Aske still with the

Ospreys. -- the tougher ask. REFEREE: Just a slip, lads, just a

slip. Nigel Owens saying there was nothing

sinister about that and they will have to come back and scrum again,

only a slip. Time ticks away but the Ospreys have

the ball and they are in the right part of the field. This is when you

are thinking is the fact that the Ospreys have been playing for the

last two weeks a benefit because they are much fit, or is it Ulster

because they have had a break and have more running in their legs? We

will find out in an extra ten minutes. It will be attrition stuff,

conditions are deteriorating and showing no signs of abating. Nigel

Owens will be pleased to get himself into a hot shower.

Tebaldi put in. Marshall does well to disrupt but

the Ospreys do well to disrupt but the Ospreys

taken on by Sam Lewis. Again, Ospreys keep it here. Baldwin, and

again Muller makes the important tackle. That has come off and Ulster

player. Backward by the Ospreys. Everything falling at their way.

Tackle by Rob Herring. Tebaldi. Matthew Morgan. Ulster up quickly

and Nick Williams this is the tackle. Diack couldn't quite manage

it. Natoga. Ulster ten metres away. Have they got something special and

then? A couple of bad misses by Ulster. Natoga again.

strength by the Ulster man. And that is taken in, and that was Iain

Henderson. Heart stopping stuff for the Ulster

fans as they see the line break again by the Ospreys, who are

defying these conditions, managing to establish field position in

Ulster's territory. They are the ones looking most dangerous at this

stage. Well, only 21 years old, Iain

Henderson, he has made a big difference since he came on. Not his

kind of night at all, but he really worked hard there. There is another

Ulster player in there, I think Roger Wilson, who helped his young

colleague hold the Ospreys player off the ground to get the put-in in

the scrum. The clock is ticking away. Ospreys

about to make another replacement, and I think it will be younger

Richard Fussell. Matthew Morgan might be going off, but we have to

wait and see. They haven't come on the field yet. The change will be

because of the scrum. Ulster cannot give away a free here. Downey goes.

That was just a slip. -- down it goes.

One or two empty seats there I am sorry to report. Seven minutes

remaining approximately, and the scrum has to be completed before the

replacement comes on. The next time it is dead, they can bring him on. I

think they might replace both the full can the outside half. -- the

hooker and the outside half. full can the outside half. -- the

game next Friday, which you can see full can the outside half. -- the

playing the Scarlet 's. Good scrum. Williams. Marshall. He has tweaked

that infield. Well taken by Sam Davies.

Davies has done well. Tebaldi. Taken forward by Lloyd Peers. The referee

has given the penalty but playing advantage to Ulster. They would

probably prefer the penalty, for holding after the tackle. How

significant will that be with six minutes remaining? You felt the

Ospreys had to score with that incursion. Ruan Pienaar will put it

close to the 22, and they will find themselves defending, and three

points down on the scoreboard. He had to find touch and he hasn't.

That's not so good. Pienaar a little bit out of kilter tonight. Paul

Marshall gathering at outside the 22. That might not work out too

badly. Well kept in, I think, by Sam Davies. The referee says to play on.

Darren Cave. Ulster's kicking his bitter rivals to their knees those

balls to go into touch. Here comes the little quicker fellow, Matthew

Morgan. Just over five minutes remaining. Good tackle on Bevington.

Rob Herring, did a great bit of work, but the ball has gone loose.

The referee says they knocked it forward, and Tebaldi kicks. Went

straight into an all-star hand. -- Ulster hand. Ospreys have brought

on a couple of replacement. Richard Fussell has come on. And Matthew

Dwyer has come on, another youngster. Not that much of a

youngster, actually, he's 29. when you potentially need the game

changing moment and you are down by three point -- lupines. He put in a

good shift in the first half when they had possession -- three points.

Rory Scholes brought on for his first senior cap. He had such a good

junior World Cup last summer. Sam Davies has gone to outside half.

Tebaldi takes his time. What will the referee decide? Did

Ulster swing it around? He said, no, they have to do it again.

Just about four minutes remaining. Ulster leading 10-7.

It is told, it is wet, it is miserable. -- it is cold.

Another good Ulster scrum. Here is Davies. There is the gap for worker.

He gets away from Darren Cave. Berger. He properly should've given

that two Natoga, but Ospreys still capable of stealing the win. Might

have been knocked forward again by the Ospreys. They will be furious,

because the last 15 minutes they've been by far the better side, and

just as Ulster blew a chance or two, Ospreys have been just as guilty.

They probably left two tries out there, but the Ospreys have made

more clean breaks. Through all four of them but they haven't been able

to finish. But for a draw and pass, it could have been a dramatic

last-minute victory. it could have been a dramatic

gained against South Africa, had he not tweaked his hamstring quite

badly. Awful conditions here at Ravenhill. The crowd, I would say,

nervous crowd trying to encourage the Ulster side who have not

performed the way they did at Welford Road three weeks ago.

Williams needs a bit of help, and he's going across the field. Brought

to ground, Williams. This needs to go straight into touch. And that is

a very significant kick from Paul Marshall. Eli Walker is limping.

Hasn't taken his position on the pitch since that run. Has he done

his hamstring again? They have brought on another replacement, the

last one they have, Morgan Allen. The man of the match this even, more

than justify the com is the ospreys number eight, Joe Bearman -- this

evening. He might be on the losing side, but he's played outstandingly

well all the way through. Paul Marshall, to Pienaar, and he's

trying to keep the lid on the whole thing. Straight into touch. Pienaar

furious with himself. Not the best performance week saw from the

Springbok specialist at Welford Road three weeks ago. Coming up to one

minutes ago. -- one minute to go. Mulder gets his hands to it. --

mother -- Muller. Mulder gets his hands to it. --

Fussell. 30 seconds to go, Ulster are three will he do it again? You

will certainly have a go. -- Ulster are three points up. Ulster have the

tackle. Ospreys still in possession. Up to halfway. Tebaldi gets it away.

A good, thumping tackle. We have now played 80 minutes. Once the ball

goes dead, it will be all over. Ospreys looking to conjure something

up. Ulster have do defend and defend. Scholes is in there. -- have

do. Ospreys trying to get to the halfway line. Here they go again.

Good work by the replacement, Dan Baker. Afoa is in there with Rob

Herring. This could be interesting. All the way out to Ashley Beck. Good

covering tackle by Diack. Ospreys are still not going to give this up.

The replacement hooker Matthew Dwyer sets it up. Tebaldi. Davies. The

overlap nearly created. Lewis gets it away. Natoga. That line is the

Ulster ten metre line. Tebaldi looking for a runner. Might

go to the narrow side. Decides to kick, I'm not sure why. Somebody

needs to win that. Ricky Andrew wins it for Ulster. All they have to do

is get it into catch. Marshall gets it into touch, and Ulster have held

on -- into touch. One of their poorer performances of the season

but I don't think the crowd won't mind. They will certainly settle

but I don't think the crowd won't 10-7 at Lansdowne Road tomorrow,

up to second in the table. Just making it over the line to

full-time. 10-7. Well, we have been watching the

game. It was not pretty, but certainly a gritty win for Ulster. A

gritty win, and they edged it over a spirited ospreys side. They

certainly threw the kitchen sink at them. We have a great amount of

respect for the way the ospreys played. It says something about how

close the game was is that the man of the match was on the losing side.

I thought it was integral. Matthew Morgan had a good first half. As we

said before the game, the experience. Ball in hand, asking

questions, but in the second half performance, he kept the team

together. Absolutely appalling conditions and he showed his

leadership qualities which were exceptional. There were 13

home-grown players for the Ospreys, and they did show confidence. Ulster

did not quite get the game going. The conditions were wonderful, you

know what I mean? It was just the experience that brought them home.

The Darren Cave try was the key school. -- squirrel. -- score. Maybe

Matthew Morgan was bought watching. At that stage, we thought Ulster

would go on and get another couple of schools. OK, thank you very much

for your company this evening. Next up for Ulster, another Welsh team,

back in action next Friday at Ravenhill at the usual time of 7pm.

And before that, the big Six Nations game tomorrow, Ireland against

Wales. It starts at 2pm on BBC One and it is live on radio Ulster as

well. Let's hope the weather improves. A hard-fought win for

Ulster tonight. For all other sphere -- from overseer, goodbye. -- from

all of us here. He likes hunting

and he likes racing. He's just completely mad

about horses, and that's just it. True North is back with another tale

from a unique perspective. My job in life now is to teach

the boys as much as I can. Aye, she's not going

to give any chemo until she finds out

what's causing the pain. We don't talk about it that much,

to be honest. Aye, he made it to the end of

the season, and that'll be it.