Scarlets v Ulster

:00:35. > :00:44.Last week it all went horribly wrong against Leinster. The Ulster

:00:45. > :00:50.midfield thoroughly shredded. He's not going to get him. Ulster were

:00:51. > :00:55.criticised harshly for their performance. Outgunned and

:00:56. > :01:02.outplayed. And Ulster failed to score in the first half. Ulster

:01:03. > :01:07.caught napping. They are not doing the basics well enough. So how will

:01:08. > :01:13.they respond tonight for the first game of this New Year? Ulster are in

:01:14. > :01:20.Wales to take on the inform Scarlets who are unbeaten at home in the last

:01:21. > :01:25.eight matches. It's a big game for both teams tonight as they push for

:01:26. > :01:30.a place in the all-important play-offs, Ian Humphreys and Stephen

:01:31. > :01:36.Ferris with us. Ulster have slipped to sixth in the table with a game in

:01:37. > :01:42.hand, Scarlets tonights opposition asked for. Two other games tonight,

:01:43. > :01:48.it's currently 5-3 to Treviso against the Dragons, Leinster

:01:49. > :01:54.against Zebre kicks off later. You were among the critics last week

:01:55. > :01:57.especially after the first half performance, some of the players

:01:58. > :02:03.said they were hard by the comments but find them quite motivating, what

:02:04. > :02:07.is your reaction? I hope they do find them motivating. Watching the

:02:08. > :02:14.Ulster performance in the first half, so frustrating at times. For

:02:15. > :02:19.me lacked a few things, they made mistakes but 17-0 down away from

:02:20. > :02:25.home, 25% possession, it was hard to watch and be made a mistake they

:02:26. > :02:29.were making. It's one of those things when you are standing at

:02:30. > :02:33.half-time and the microphone is put in front of you, I am a passionate

:02:34. > :02:36.man, played with a lot of passion for Ulster for many times over the

:02:37. > :02:42.years and that's how I felt at the time and I hope the boys do take it

:02:43. > :02:46.as inspiration. With the Irish international is back tonight are

:02:47. > :02:52.you hoping to see a more passionate Ulster performance, do you expect

:02:53. > :03:01.one? Bringing Rory Best will be a huge thing, Ian Henderson will bring

:03:02. > :03:04.a lot of enthusiasm. Some of Ulster's best performances a car

:03:05. > :03:07.whenever the backs are running at the back of the forwards and giving

:03:08. > :03:11.options towards the softer line for the forward is to run. If there are

:03:12. > :03:18.brick walls there are a few players who can make any game lines. They

:03:19. > :03:23.look big performance tonight so I expect big carries from Henderson

:03:24. > :03:27.and Treadwell to set the platform. Last week the first half was

:03:28. > :03:34.particularly hard to take as an Ulster fan, do you expect response

:03:35. > :03:38.tonight, better defending than this? Absolutely, we talked during the

:03:39. > :03:43.week, slipping off tackles and making defensive mistakes is

:03:44. > :03:47.unacceptable. This is good play from Leinster but at the same time, you

:03:48. > :03:52.have to be more switched on and you could have been ready for it. It's a

:03:53. > :03:55.huge game in Wales, fourth versus sixth and Ulster need to pull one

:03:56. > :04:00.out of the bag because they are under pressure at the minute. Thank

:04:01. > :04:05.you very much gentlemen. Andrew Trimble leading out Ulster as the

:04:06. > :04:08.captain, how will they get on against the Scarlets, enjoy the

:04:09. > :04:27.game. COMMENTATOR:, good evening, Andrew

:04:28. > :04:35.Trimble the captain tonight. Ross Kane gets only his second start.

:04:36. > :04:47.Luke Marshall, Jackson, best and Henderson all back. The return one

:04:48. > :04:52.of 11 changes which ground out a 15-10 win against Cardiff Blues just

:04:53. > :04:58.five days ago, eight wins in their last nine Pro12 matches. Rhys

:04:59. > :05:04.Patchell is entered so Dan Jones who will be 21 tomorrow gets his first

:05:05. > :05:08.start of the season at ten, the backline also includes Liam Williams

:05:09. > :05:09.and Jonathan Davies whose brother James returns after suspension to

:05:10. > :05:25.the back row. Ulster down to four fit props.

:05:26. > :05:33.Warwick and Simpson the front row options. The man hoping to get his

:05:34. > :05:40.head around the new tackle Lawes, pun intended, is the Romanian born

:05:41. > :05:47.Italian Marius Mitrea. Carlo Damasco is the TMO. Ulster get is underway,

:05:48. > :05:53.Rob Jones sitting beside me, good evening. Looking forward to this,

:05:54. > :06:01.conditions are not great but again, Scarlets are traditionally very good

:06:02. > :06:07.at home. And Ulster are always good opposition so let's hope it's a good

:06:08. > :06:10.contest. Great winning record here, Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets. Ulster

:06:11. > :06:15.will be hoping to start the match better in the first half than they

:06:16. > :06:19.did in Dublin last weekend. A number of unforced changes but Paddy

:06:20. > :06:26.Jackson is back, Stuart McCloskey in midfield. Heavy rain all day, still

:06:27. > :06:29.going on at Parc y Scarlets. I think the weather and the number of

:06:30. > :06:35.matches Scarlets are played in recent weeks has reduced the crowd

:06:36. > :06:39.somewhat. It's over four years since Ulster have won here. They did beat

:06:40. > :06:47.them earlier on this season at Kingspan Stadium. Well taken by Dan

:06:48. > :06:55.Jones, the man filling in for Rhys Patchell this evening, watching the

:06:56. > :06:58.expect from Jones? He's a young man who was given an opportunity at the

:06:59. > :07:02.start of last year and was the number one choice down here. When

:07:03. > :07:09.you consider that Stephen Jones is part of the coaching staff and is

:07:10. > :07:15.keen to help develop him. He offers our lot in terms of attack and his

:07:16. > :07:19.kicking ability. We will see a lot of that in the opening exchanges,

:07:20. > :07:24.high balls directed at the back three. First touch at full-back for

:07:25. > :07:30.Johnny McNicholl, new signing for the Scarlets. Heavy pitch, well

:07:31. > :07:39.taken by Andrew Trimble. Trimble over the halfway line. The ball set

:07:40. > :07:49.up for Marshall. Jackson getting it out, McCloskey. Louis Ludik at

:07:50. > :08:01.full-back for Ulster this evening. Driven on by Chris Henry. Bright

:08:02. > :08:04.start by Ulster. Marshall. That's another of the returning players,

:08:05. > :08:16.Ian Henderson. Marshall looking for his man. Driven on by Ross Kane.

:08:17. > :08:20.Callum Black stopped in his tracks by Rob Evans and Kruger is in there

:08:21. > :08:28.as well. Ulster seen a lot of the ball, nice kick through by Marshall.

:08:29. > :08:31.Easily taken, slightly overcooked by Jones, and both sides in the opening

:08:32. > :08:36.moments getting used to the conditions, dreadful weather. Good

:08:37. > :08:40.defensive work by Scarlets, very comfortable getting numbers out wide

:08:41. > :08:47.to insure there was no space and good ball retention and I suppose by

:08:48. > :08:53.Ulster. It's a case in the first five, ten, 15 minutes, these are not

:08:54. > :08:56.great conditions, a lot of pressure on those receiving the ball but

:08:57. > :09:06.defensively Scarlets looking sound. Well taken by Henderson but charged

:09:07. > :09:10.down, opportunity for Dan Jones in the opening minutes, is it another

:09:11. > :09:18.bad start for Ulster, Jones for the line and he has got there! The man

:09:19. > :09:25.who celebrates his birthday tomorrow might just have got his fingers on

:09:26. > :09:28.the ball in the fourth minute at the Parc y Scarlets. Looked like he got

:09:29. > :09:32.there first but Paddy Jackson did do well to work his way back after the

:09:33. > :09:37.disappointment of having it charged down. Decent ball control on a wet

:09:38. > :09:54.and slippery surface. It's down to the TMO. Not as conclusive... Looks

:09:55. > :10:02.very much as if Paddy Jackson might have got back, you can see the ball

:10:03. > :10:07.not quite over the line. No control. Jackson might just have saved

:10:08. > :10:13.Ulster. Saved himself. Was not a great kick. Good anticipation by Dan

:10:14. > :10:21.Jones but I don't think he has any control of the ball over the line.

:10:22. > :10:26.To me Paddy Jackson has got there. The TMO has any number of angles to

:10:27. > :10:30.look at. The question is if you're not going to give the try, whether

:10:31. > :10:42.it is Paddy Jackson taking the ball over the line. Big decision for the

:10:43. > :10:47.Italian team of officials. Let me get this straight, you say the

:10:48. > :11:00.grounding is not clear, but it is a red knock-on a scrum? Correct. I

:11:01. > :11:04.think Paddy Jackson got there, put pressure on Dan Jones to ensure that

:11:05. > :11:08.he did not get any control over the line. I don't think it was a

:11:09. > :11:12.knock-on but Paddy Jackson probably took the ball over the try line.

:11:13. > :11:17.Should have been a scrum five, pressure still an Ulster. But

:11:18. > :11:23.nevertheless they have managed to hold onto what looked like a certain

:11:24. > :11:29.try. Not what you want in the opening moments if you are Ulster

:11:30. > :11:30.here in the lashing rain. First test in terms of scrum time, slippery

:11:31. > :11:43.surface. First test of the night for this

:11:44. > :11:53.readership Ulster front row of Callum Black, Rory Best and Ross

:11:54. > :12:00.Kane. The charge down by Dan Jones. Fair play to Jackson. Did well to

:12:01. > :12:09.get back just before they stop the try. When you put in that little

:12:10. > :12:15.dink over the top you have all your back three up as well so you don't

:12:16. > :12:26.have any cover behind. The Ulster pack slightly heavier Perak man. --

:12:27. > :12:37.per man. That's a decent kick by Jackson.

:12:38. > :12:45.Relieved the pressure. Scarlets will be disappointed that Dan Jones did

:12:46. > :12:48.not get to the line. Then a scrum and the chance to bid Ulster under

:12:49. > :13:01.pressure five years out and they have not taken advantage.

:13:02. > :13:07.They have two forgive the odd mistake in this weather. Gareth

:13:08. > :13:10.Davies could not hold onto it and when you are on the back foot and

:13:11. > :13:17.her pressure from Ulster coming through mistakes will happen. Good

:13:18. > :13:20.pressure by Ulster, managing to lift themselves, get themselves back from

:13:21. > :13:40.the early disappointment. Solid Ulster scrummage and again the

:13:41. > :13:52.win the decision. Huge encouragement for Ross Kane. Rob Evans, a man less

:13:53. > :13:57.than happy. Rob Evans working his way back to full fitness, trying to

:13:58. > :14:04.push for a place in the Six Nations, did very well for Wales last year. A

:14:05. > :14:17.number of the Scarlets hoping to impress, the coach will be in charge

:14:18. > :14:22.was sitting yards away from us. Good early signs. There is Rob Powley. --

:14:23. > :14:35.Robin what can Sean Reidy do? Good ball

:14:36. > :14:48.from Marshall. Driven on by Treadwell. Chris Henry. No good

:14:49. > :14:59.quick ball from Ulster. Taken on by that man, Ross Kane. Marshall.

:15:00. > :15:07.Anderson. Ulster retaining the ball. In by Treadwell.

:15:08. > :15:16.Number eight first man in. Sean Reidy penalised by the Italian

:15:17. > :15:20.referee. Going to ground immediately, trying to protect the

:15:21. > :15:24.ball from Scarlets pressure. Scarlets look reasonably comfortable

:15:25. > :15:28.in defence. Good ball retention, you can just see because of the

:15:29. > :15:32.conditions that both sides, Ulster dominating possession early on,

:15:33. > :15:36.looking to keep it tight and get their big runners, the back row,

:15:37. > :15:44.Henderson and others, just to try to make those hard yards. What has been

:15:45. > :15:48.the secret? Back in the autumn when Scarlets lost at Kingspan Stadium it

:15:49. > :15:55.was three defeats in a row, how do you explain the recent revival? They

:15:56. > :16:05.have managed to play good rugby. You look at the back line, Jonathan

:16:06. > :16:08.Davies carrying the ball, Scott Williams and Liam Williams, a lot of

:16:09. > :16:13.talent, Gareth Davies offers a threat. It's about the ability to

:16:14. > :16:19.get the ball and keep the ball and they've managed to do that. Bright

:16:20. > :16:25.stuff from Scarlets, that's Jonathan Davies, needs no introduction to

:16:26. > :16:32.Ireland rugby fans. The ball is still there for Scarlets scrum half

:16:33. > :16:39.Gareth Davies. Two tries in a thrilling 32-32 draw a couple of

:16:40. > :16:51.years ago here in bright sunshine. That could be a first opportunity

:16:52. > :16:57.for points. Rory Best receiving the telling off. You said first

:16:58. > :17:02.opportunity for points to Dan Jones. Dan Jones has not seen much

:17:03. > :17:07.opportunity to start for Scarlets this year. Has triggered off the

:17:08. > :17:13.bench quite a bit with Rhys Patchell playing consistently well so this

:17:14. > :17:19.will be a pressure kick for the young man. Seven appearances as a

:17:20. > :17:27.replacement this season. This his first start, Dan Jones.

:17:28. > :17:48.No problem at all. In the 11th minute Scarlets go 3-0 up. I think

:17:49. > :18:13.it's going to be down to a battle of the boot between the teams.

:18:14. > :18:24.Sean Reidy a distinctive figure with his luminous books. Callum Black.

:18:25. > :18:34.Jackson keeps it low. The ball did go backwards. And reciprocated into

:18:35. > :18:40.the Ulster 22. Marshall the last man back.

:18:41. > :18:48.Decent kick under the circumstances and the weather is not getting any

:18:49. > :18:53.easier. Billy Connolly has said many things Rob Jones but his comment

:18:54. > :18:57.that there is no such thing as bad weather, just wrong clothing, on a

:18:58. > :19:05.night like this a few people might take convincing. Good play by Dan

:19:06. > :19:10.Jones, struck the ball particularly well. It's a case of winning the

:19:11. > :19:16.territorial battle. If you can slowly but surely through your

:19:17. > :19:26.kicking ability game that was 20, 30 yards which they have managed to do

:19:27. > :19:33.and keep possession. Ken Owens turned 30 this week, on Tuesday,

:19:34. > :19:40.seems to have been around forever. He came through the Academy system,

:19:41. > :19:46.very much been here since a 16-year-old, made his way into the

:19:47. > :19:53.first team. Advantage Scarlets after the knock-on. Let's see if they can

:19:54. > :20:00.do anything with it. Advantage is over. Taken on by Jake Ball. One of

:20:01. > :20:06.the men looking to impress the Welsh coach this evening. All the play

:20:07. > :20:16.taking place inside the Ulster have suddenly. Jonathan Davies makes

:20:17. > :20:30.himself available. Man mountain. Ulster penalised. Not releasing the

:20:31. > :20:37.man. Les Kiss and his fellow coaches behind us, I think you have to

:20:38. > :20:45.release the player and I think that is what the referee was saying.

:20:46. > :20:53.Taken in by Ken Owens. Hadleigh Parkes on Jonathan Davies. A

:20:54. > :21:02.crunching tackle by Ian Henderson. Second row, back row. The

:21:03. > :21:07.athleticism. Lions places to be played for in 2017 as well. The Six

:21:08. > :21:10.Nations will be so important to every one of those players

:21:11. > :21:15.representing their country, so much at stake and ultimately it's the

:21:16. > :21:20.shop window for Lions selection as much as one Gatlin might have taken

:21:21. > :21:24.note of performances up till now, it's going to be the next two or

:21:25. > :21:30.three months that will shape the squad to fly out to New Zealand. A

:21:31. > :21:35.month away from the start of the Six Nations, just two months before the

:21:36. > :21:42.title decider between Ireland and Wales! Lets hope, let's keep our

:21:43. > :21:50.fingers crossed! Wales were quite disappointing in terms of how they

:21:51. > :21:58.played overall in the autumn. Second opportunity in the space of three

:21:59. > :22:02.minutes for Dan Jones. He has got his kicking boots. Ulster drop

:22:03. > :22:09.further behind. Hurdle en route to go. -- there is a

:22:10. > :22:34.long way to go. Don't think Jackson quite hit that

:22:35. > :22:48.ball right. That's great refereeing because I

:22:49. > :22:56.think most people would have gone with Gareth Davies decision there.

:22:57. > :23:03.It's a tricky ball bloodwork supermoon. High tackle and it could

:23:04. > :23:16.be a card. New regulations coming in three days ago. Accidental can still

:23:17. > :23:32.be a card. You have to understand the game. I think, it's high, around

:23:33. > :23:41.the neck. And again, your arms are sliding up... The ball carrier.

:23:42. > :23:48.Again, I think it's ridiculous, we are seeing far too many yellow

:23:49. > :23:57.cards... There will only be more! It is getting worse but it's a physical

:23:58. > :24:00.game. Anyone playing in the forwards tackling the likes of me will find

:24:01. > :24:04.themselves in trouble because it's difficult. Jackson's first attempt

:24:05. > :24:21.at goal. He's got the accuracy and the

:24:22. > :24:26.distance! Two out of two for Dan Jones, one out of 14 Paddy Jackson.

:24:27. > :24:32.On an evening like this it could be a kicking contest. It comes down to

:24:33. > :24:37.the discipline between the two sides. Not an awful lot that's going

:24:38. > :24:51.to happen in terms of creative rugby so you have to be disciplined.

:24:52. > :24:55.Johnny McNicholl, a man who played on the wing the other day against

:24:56. > :25:09.Cardiff Blues. Can I send my best wishes and I am

:25:10. > :25:15.sure your best wishes to Jim Neilly who has a dose of the lurgy and here

:25:16. > :25:27.I am in his place misidentifying the players. Hopefully you will recover

:25:28. > :25:32.soon. I hope this Ulster performance makes you feel better. In an hour

:25:33. > :25:41.and a half, we shall see. Ball is still in play, Scarlets have kept it

:25:42. > :25:49.from going out. Davies. Going to keep it tight with the big men,

:25:50. > :25:58.Kruger. Davies has got it but it's a scrappy possession for the Scarlets.

:25:59. > :26:06.Davies put it up in the air. Stockdale underneath it. Everybody

:26:07. > :26:26.looks at the Italian referee. Scrum our line-out? Scrum. Scrum.

:26:27. > :26:30.Lost it as he got up, under pressure from Liam Williams. Did not go to

:26:31. > :26:36.deck, tried to regather but the ball went forward and into touch. Good

:26:37. > :26:51.pressure by Ulster at the breakdown. Just to ensure that it's all about

:26:52. > :27:05.pressure. Justice slip, understandable in

:27:06. > :27:51.conditions. -- just a slip. Ulster have come away with it.

:27:52. > :27:56.Turnover ball for Ulster. Marshall. Jackson chasing. McNicholl Boswell

:27:57. > :28:09.eventually, there is nobody there. -- does well eventually. That was a

:28:10. > :28:17.great scrum. Just look at the pressure from Callum Black. Does he

:28:18. > :28:22.touch the whitewash? Just a fraction. McNicholl thought he had

:28:23. > :28:28.kept away from it. Great scrum, great pick-up, great drive and great

:28:29. > :28:32.vision from Marshall. Again it's the ability to put the ball where it

:28:33. > :28:44.matters and put Scarlets under pressure. Treadwell takes it.

:28:45. > :29:00.A rare foray in the opening 20 minutes. Paul Marshall told to use

:29:01. > :29:08.it, McCloskey, feeds it and there is the drive for Stockdale! -- try for

:29:09. > :29:14.Stockdale! The opening try of the match! Beautifully worked. You have

:29:15. > :29:20.got the pressure, Scarlets on the back foot and then you have to use

:29:21. > :29:27.your big men to get the halls. There is no one bigger than McCloskey and

:29:28. > :29:31.when you have Stockdale, of similar stature alongside him it's almost

:29:32. > :29:35.impossible to stop them. In these conditions perfect execution of a

:29:36. > :29:41.game plan, keeping the ball close and tightened using the big men to

:29:42. > :29:44.bang the holes in midfield. The first real expedition of Ulster into

:29:45. > :29:51.the 22 and Jacob Stockdale goes over for his third try of the season.

:29:52. > :29:55.When you have McCloskey, if you can hit the weaker outside shoulders of

:29:56. > :29:57.defenders you know full well that he's going to gain three, four, five

:29:58. > :30:10.metres. Scott that will increase Ulster's

:30:11. > :30:16.lead the four points. Suddenly, it is looking brighter for the

:30:17. > :30:25.visitors. If we are looking back, this is a great kick I Marshall. Was

:30:26. > :30:42.he offside? Probably, he was. That is history now. An added spring in

:30:43. > :30:53.the step for Ulster now. It slips out of his grasp. Good chasing by

:30:54. > :30:59.the try scorer. That is great rugby in these conditions. Getting on the

:31:00. > :31:04.front foot, you execute the cake perfectly. Then it is all about

:31:05. > :31:19.pressure in that five metre channel. Great work. I discussion between

:31:20. > :31:31.Callum Black and Rory Best. Again, Kieran Treadwell takes it for

:31:32. > :31:35.Ulster. Good driving for the men in white, or slightly dirty white. Rory

:31:36. > :31:43.Best has the ball, can he work it back on the Ulster side? Not quite

:31:44. > :31:57.the distance Marshall was hoping for. Jacob Stockdale was there, as

:31:58. > :32:02.was Liam Williams. Sean Reidy not retreating. We spoke about the

:32:03. > :32:06.execution of the two kicks by Marshall earlier, but on that

:32:07. > :32:17.occasion, it is always difficult to work your way backwards. That is a

:32:18. > :32:24.great kick by Dan Jones. Fantastic, what a strike! A brilliant attacking

:32:25. > :32:32.position now for the Scarlets. That is a great kick. Very hard to do.

:32:33. > :32:35.You want to go for that five metre channel but when you are 50 metres

:32:36. > :32:39.away, it is a difficult one in conditions like this. What a great

:32:40. > :32:50.position for the Scarlets to head back. The Scarlets droplet, Bill. It

:32:51. > :32:56.just is there was little mistakes that could be the winning or losing

:32:57. > :33:03.but this match. Marshall get away. Here they come with Johnny

:33:04. > :33:21.McNicholl, the Kiwi. The bees in front of him. Ken Owens, the

:33:22. > :33:28.captain. Well taken by Davies. That was Hadleigh Parkes. A quiet,

:33:29. > :33:32.unassuming staff of the Scarlets in recent weeks. Suddenly it is looking

:33:33. > :33:39.ominous. Taken on by Lewis Rawlins. Jones. That is Stephane Evans, none

:33:40. > :33:45.of the match in the win against the Cardiff Blues five days ago. On by

:33:46. > :33:54.John Barclay. A wonderful Scottish international. Suddenly the Scarlets

:33:55. > :34:15.have been stung into reacting to that Ulster try. Good tackle by

:34:16. > :34:22.Clive Ross. Driven on by Rob Evans. The narrow side is on the Scarlets.

:34:23. > :34:26.Liam Williams is looking for support. He has had from Hadleigh

:34:27. > :34:37.Parkes. Williams thought about picking it up. Davies was there as

:34:38. > :34:43.well. There was a challenge from Rory Best but the Scarlets have

:34:44. > :34:51.possession inside the Ulster 22. Taken by Jake Ball. Suddenly, the

:34:52. > :34:57.thread is on. Turning the screw. Ulster are doing well too disrupted.

:34:58. > :35:07.Stuart McCluskey trying to hack through. Knocked on is the referee's

:35:08. > :35:14.decision. Good defensive work again. Just looking at Liam Williams. He

:35:15. > :35:23.draws in defenders and the lines and the timing of Liam Williams's rumba,

:35:24. > :35:26.as always, perfect. He gets the off-load to Hadleigh Parkes who

:35:27. > :35:33.again has shown his consistency in the midfield for the Scarlets. They

:35:34. > :35:40.managed to regroup and get back their defensive line and defensive

:35:41. > :35:45.system to keep the Scarlets ad. From what we have seen in the opening 27

:35:46. > :35:49.minutes, it will have to be a battling performance by Ulster in

:35:50. > :35:55.these terrible conditions. It is, but so far, so good for the

:35:56. > :36:00.Ulsterman. They have scored the only try. They have played a sensible

:36:01. > :36:03.game of rugby. When it comes to the kicking game, both sides are

:36:04. > :36:06.cancelling each other out. Perhaps the Scarlets just about have the

:36:07. > :36:12.edge perhaps but this is going to be and tuck, I think, for the whole

:36:13. > :36:21.game. You won't see anything fancy, it will be a case of blood and guts.

:36:22. > :36:35.It is the side he makes the least mistakes that will come out on top.

:36:36. > :36:42.Now, a free kick to the Scarlets. They are going to have the scrum

:36:43. > :36:48.again. The scrum will probably give them more of a platform to attack.

:36:49. > :37:07.The options are out left and right. Johnny McNicholl has looked solid

:37:08. > :37:21.since he arrived from New Zealand. The Scarlets have options on each

:37:22. > :37:25.side. The referee calls for a break. I know the ground is slippery but

:37:26. > :37:40.let us not use it as an excuse. Let us all do better. We agree?

:37:41. > :37:53.Stay on the left, please. That's a little insight, that is exactly what

:37:54. > :37:57.goes on before the ball is put into the scrum. In fairness, so far he

:37:58. > :38:04.has done well. He has refereed the whole contest well. Some tough

:38:05. > :38:14.decisions to make and he has made the right ones. Conditions are not

:38:15. > :38:22.an excuse, says the referee. A solid Scarlet scrummage. They go down the

:38:23. > :38:40.left-hand side. The ball the Davies, the scrum-half. Driven on by Tom

:38:41. > :38:45.Price. It is Jake Ball. The Scarlets just whittling away at that distance

:38:46. > :38:57.between themselves and the line. Just prevented from leaving the

:38:58. > :39:02.hands. Rob Evans. Liam Williams coming at pace. A fantastic tackle

:39:03. > :39:09.the Kieran Treadwell for Ulster. The ball was there for the asking and on

:39:10. > :39:20.by Evans against the Scarlets. Halfway inside the Ulster 22. Davies

:39:21. > :39:27.let it slip but it did go backwards. Dan Jones runs into trouble, little

:39:28. > :39:32.else he could have done. Ulster are doing well to frustrate the

:39:33. > :39:42.Scarlets. That is great line speed. That is Jonathan Davies. That was

:39:43. > :39:46.excellent defensive work. It is all about the line speed. They are

:39:47. > :39:50.coming up and putting the pressure on the first and second receiver and

:39:51. > :39:55.also at the breakdown, Henderson is very effective on a secondary rock,

:39:56. > :40:01.coming through and putting pressure on Gareth Davies. Pressure on nine

:40:02. > :40:08.is going to mean pressure on everyone alongside him. It hasn't

:40:09. > :40:25.been a spectacle but it has been a good contest the data. -- to date.

:40:26. > :40:35.Those are the latest scorers in the other two games being played this

:40:36. > :40:43.evening. Earlier kick-off times. A healthy lead, as you might expect,

:40:44. > :40:51.for Leinster. That game also kicked off at 7:30 five. It begin tomorrow

:40:52. > :40:56.of interest to both of these sides, Glasgow against the Cardiff Blues.

:40:57. > :41:00.Second-place Ospreys have a lunchtime kick-off at home against,

:41:01. > :41:03.the. They have been spotted in Wales, they have arrived! A day trip

:41:04. > :41:21.for them, Billy. The last ten minutes of the first

:41:22. > :41:32.half. Still, the rain falls. Still Ulster denying the Scarlets a Smith

:41:33. > :41:49.of the try line. Marshall is told to use it. He finds touch. King on the

:41:50. > :41:53.left but of Jacob Stockdale. Good pressure from Gareth Davies. He did

:41:54. > :42:05.not gain the yardage he was expecting or helping.

:42:06. > :42:23.Is there an injury in midfield? There is. The concern is that it is

:42:24. > :42:29.a front row problem. With all the problems Ulster have had, in the

:42:30. > :42:34.front row in particular, I think there are four props out injured,

:42:35. > :42:45.the last thing you want to lose is a problem. He looks fine. Ross Kane is

:42:46. > :42:53.fit to continue. There are certainly hasn't been a letup in the weather.

:42:54. > :42:57.It is still heavy, heavy drizzle. It was forecast, the Ulster party

:42:58. > :43:03.arrived yesterday with the knowledge that there was a 90% chance of

:43:04. > :43:10.certain brain this evening. It's pretty much has been all day 100%!

:43:11. > :43:20.There was a period when it relented but it has set in the the night.

:43:21. > :43:29.That is on the John Barclay. Oh, a logon has been called by the

:43:30. > :43:36.referee. Advantage to Ulster. Henry. He keeps the ball alive. Jackson to

:43:37. > :43:44.relieve this siege a little bit. That is a testing ball. Well dealt

:43:45. > :43:53.with, that is into Liam Williams. No way through and Williams throws a

:43:54. > :44:01.loose pass. That is good play by Ken Barnes. Ken Owens is offside. That

:44:02. > :44:17.was a logon. Advantage for Ross Kane. Marshall, a is back for

:44:18. > :44:25.Williams. I think it is going to be a head injury assessment here for

:44:26. > :44:35.Lewis Rawlins. He took a bump. He is down. Trying to tackle Callum Black.

:44:36. > :44:43.Look for the big hit. The immovable object! He is Allen, isn't he? You

:44:44. > :44:47.said that, not me! Lewis Rawlins certainly felt the effect of that.

:44:48. > :44:55.You got to react in games, haven't you? In fairness to Ken Owens, not

:44:56. > :45:02.just reacting but you are in the play and the ability as well to

:45:03. > :45:11.catch. And to take the ball forward. The Scarlets almost put themselves

:45:12. > :45:15.into so much trouble. Steffan Evans managed to get the ball out. He

:45:16. > :45:22.managed to keep himself in play before the Scarlets again made the

:45:23. > :45:28.error. He fielded the pretty ball pretty well for a hooker!

:45:29. > :45:35.Absolutely. He has always been a decent footballer, in fairness to

:45:36. > :45:46.him. Will Boyde has been filling in for the suspended Jason Davies. He

:45:47. > :45:57.doesn't look great going off. He looks a bit shaky. I didn't know if

:45:58. > :46:01.you can see it on your TV screens but the rain, it is the heaviest it

:46:02. > :46:06.has been in the first half so far. Ulster with their noses in front.

:46:07. > :46:20.Taken on by Chris Henry. Marshall, Jackson. Marshall again. Rory Best

:46:21. > :46:31.with his distinctive headgear. That is well caught by Callum Black.

:46:32. > :46:36.Ulster are setting up the phases. The Ulster coaching staff want the

:46:37. > :46:46.ball in the bottom corner. That is good wrestling driving forward by

:46:47. > :46:55.Ulster. Marshall. Jackson. Over the top of Jones and he has been called.

:46:56. > :47:06.He has been told to release by the referee. Jones keeps possession but

:47:07. > :47:21.the Scarlets. They do have it. But Ulster finished inside the Scarlets

:47:22. > :47:28.22. Possession wise, Ulster, when they've got it, the use it very

:47:29. > :47:33.well. They use their egg men. It is Paddy Jackson who is calling the

:47:34. > :47:42.shots. He is starting to tactically put the ball where it needs to be.

:47:43. > :47:52.Gareth Davies limping there? A couple of bumps there. Morissette in

:47:53. > :48:04.the Ulster performance. Eventually worked back by Henry. Jackson. The

:48:05. > :48:16.shirt nearly taken of his back. Best. Marshall. Henry. Jackson.

:48:17. > :48:26.Stuart McCluskey put it up. This is good from Ulster. Taken on by Louis

:48:27. > :48:32.Ludik. Luke Marshall setting up the ball for Paul Marshall. That is a

:48:33. > :48:36.prop forward pass but it didn't go forward. Ulster have the advantage.

:48:37. > :48:54.Marshall. Henderson. Ulster retaining possession. The

:48:55. > :49:00.referee accidentally getting in the way. Ulster will have the put-in the

:49:01. > :49:06.scrummage. They are really stretching the Scarlets. There is a

:49:07. > :49:10.lot of tired bodies already on the Scarlets side. They've had a busy

:49:11. > :49:13.Christmas period, as Ulster have had, but they look a little jaded.

:49:14. > :49:23.They have had to work hard defensively. It is quite a schedule.

:49:24. > :49:37.It is. It has been a tough old time. All physical games. It is important

:49:38. > :49:42.that the Scarlets donned a Ulster to take control just before half-time.

:49:43. > :49:45.There are hanging all in there, the Scarlets at the moment, because

:49:46. > :49:49.Ulster certainly look better side. There seems to be more energy in

:49:50. > :49:56.their attacks. They are using the big men so effectively. It has been

:49:57. > :50:05.no less easy for Ulster with those in the pro derby matches. Ulster

:50:06. > :50:12.switch the angle of attack. Jackson floated to Jacob Stockdale. The fans

:50:13. > :50:27.suggesting that it was forward. On the Henderson. Marshall to Marshall.

:50:28. > :50:39.Again, Luke Marshall. Acting as at half. Ulster have the ball in

:50:40. > :50:45.mid-half. Louis le Duc. The more they retain the ball, the more they

:50:46. > :50:46.stay in the Scarlets have. Can they turn it into points the last human

:50:47. > :51:21.lives of this first-half? The 12 days for Ulster. Jackson goes

:51:22. > :51:30.for the corner. And it just falls short. You can almost hear it

:51:31. > :51:42.squelch from here! Now, can Ulster counter attacks from deep? Captain

:51:43. > :51:47.Andrew Trimble, head down. Still they retain possession. Ulster have

:51:48. > :51:59.the advantage. The home fans are not happy. That was Clive Ross trying to

:52:00. > :52:05.keep it alive. Ulster have the penalty. Again, in conditions like

:52:06. > :52:11.this, if you keep the ball long enough, ultimately the referee will

:52:12. > :52:19.find fault in the defence of work of the Scarlets and certainly of the

:52:20. > :52:22.breakdown. On this occasion, the Stuart McCluskey is bubbly the

:52:23. > :52:27.reason for the penalty. Very impressive from Ulster and their

:52:28. > :52:30.ability not to make errors in these preconditions has been a real big

:52:31. > :52:34.part of their performance in this first-half. They have made very few

:52:35. > :52:40.errors, they have kept the ball in the contact area and under pressure

:52:41. > :52:46.and as a result, they probably deserve going into half-time in the

:52:47. > :52:53.lead. An important cake for Paddy Jackson. All that hard work, can he

:52:54. > :53:09.turn it into three points? That will make the difference at half time.

:53:10. > :53:19.Another birthday boy, he was 25 yesterday. Is this going to be an

:53:20. > :53:31.additional little birthday present for Paddy Jackson and Ulster? Yes,

:53:32. > :53:36.it is! So, Paddy Jackson kicks the penalty that sends Ulster into a

:53:37. > :53:45.half-time lead of seven points. The scoring was opened by Dan Jones.

:53:46. > :53:48.Pulled back by Jackson to 6-3 and the only try scored by Jacob

:53:49. > :53:58.Stockdale in the 22nd minute. That means at half time, it is the

:53:59. > :54:06.Scarlets, six, and Ulster, the team. -- 13. Paddy Jackson saved a certain

:54:07. > :54:10.score. Dan Jones kept the scoreboard ticking over the Scarlets but it has

:54:11. > :54:14.been more like it for Ulster. More composed this week and Jacob

:54:15. > :54:20.Stockdale, the try between the sides. We've been watching that

:54:21. > :54:23.first half. After the first half last week, you said Ulster had no

:54:24. > :54:28.heart or passion, what you think of that? Amazing what a week can do.

:54:29. > :54:34.They have been brilliant. I have to be positive this week. In saying

:54:35. > :54:37.that, they have been very good, they have been retaining possession very

:54:38. > :54:42.well and making the Scarlets make mistakes. Their scrum has been

:54:43. > :54:45.impressive. Iain Henderson has put himself about and made big hits on

:54:46. > :54:50.the Scarlets on a complete turnabout from last week. We were talking

:54:51. > :54:53.about Ulster getting off to a good start and it was merely a horrific

:54:54. > :54:58.start with that kick over the top but Paddy Jackson worked his socks

:54:59. > :55:02.off to get us back and that is what we want to see. It is not a night

:55:03. > :55:07.where you can throw the ball around with ease, a dirty old night and the

:55:08. > :55:13.Ulster forwards have really dug in to play and keep possession well?

:55:14. > :55:18.Ahab. One criticism in the past has been a slow ruck well but they have

:55:19. > :55:23.been Kieran Treadwell. The train Marshall and Paddy Jackson, they

:55:24. > :55:30.have kicked really well. They have put the Scarlets under pressure. The

:55:31. > :55:34.forwards have been carrying well. In this weather, you don't want to play

:55:35. > :55:38.the ball at the back because when you see the Marshall trying to shut

:55:39. > :55:44.them down. They have been presenting the ball nicely for Paddy Jackson. A

:55:45. > :55:49.very well taken score, greeted by the forwards. They just locked down

:55:50. > :55:53.the ball well. I didn't think it was going to go anywhere at first but

:55:54. > :56:02.they did in there. It is just all about retaining possession. What big

:56:03. > :56:09.man to put up the middle, Stuart. He gets over the gain line and gets his

:56:10. > :56:13.hands-free and Ciaran -- Jacob Stockdale was there. Ulster deserve

:56:14. > :56:18.it. That is the ideal way to use Stuart Stuart McCloskey. He targets

:56:19. > :56:21.in between the first and second defender so you see they don't look

:56:22. > :56:26.in very well and he makes a soft shoulder and Jacob finished it

:56:27. > :56:33.nicely. In this weather, it is very hard for defenders to change their

:56:34. > :56:37.angles so Stuart McCluskey making that hard on him. After coming into

:56:38. > :56:43.this game, by their own admission, struggling. Almost at the start of

:56:44. > :56:46.the game, how big a turnaround was at the Paddy Jackson saved that

:56:47. > :56:51.score? It could be very big come the end of the game. Heads might have

:56:52. > :56:57.dropped a little bit if this try had been awarded but look at the pace of

:56:58. > :57:00.Paddy Jackson getting in there. He slides and to me, Paddy Jackson baby

:57:01. > :57:07.brings that over the line. But they get the decision and thankfully,

:57:08. > :57:11.frankly, Ulster don't go five points down early on. That is effort and

:57:12. > :57:16.commitment to make up for your own mistake, I suppose? Dan Jones took a

:57:17. > :57:21.gamble. He knew that Paddy Jackson would probably kick but he went,

:57:22. > :57:26.knowing there was protection inside and outside and he got the rewards.

:57:27. > :57:29.That is the leadership Paddy Jackson brings. Many players would have

:57:30. > :57:35.given up but you saw how hard he worked to get back. You would never

:57:36. > :57:40.have made it back! Last week against Leinster, Ulster 's defence was poor

:57:41. > :57:45.but tonight, a massive improvement. What have you made of the effort? It

:57:46. > :57:49.doesn't matter how many phases the Scarlets go through, they are

:57:50. > :57:55.counter looking every run. They are making the ball really difficult for

:57:56. > :57:59.Davies at nine. Somebody misses at tackle their, they are coming in and

:58:00. > :58:05.making up for each other's errors and his great to see. You see the

:58:06. > :58:08.counter rocks. That is Rose Kane who has been out for a couple of weeks

:58:09. > :58:14.with an injury. It is just the fighter they are showing in every

:58:15. > :58:16.aspect of play. Not just here and there, it is every asset and

:58:17. > :58:22.Hezbollah to watch impaired last week. Iain Henderson and Rory Best

:58:23. > :58:27.in the middle of everything good that they are doing. They are

:58:28. > :58:31.staying square and defending as a group, not individuals. In this

:58:32. > :58:36.weather, it is difficult for the Scarlets to put on any fancy plays.

:58:37. > :58:40.When they try and go wide, Luke Marshall is just reading the play

:58:41. > :58:45.nicely and tackling in the line and there is the pressure. It is

:58:46. > :58:49.allowing the others to counter rocks. Despite giving more penalties

:58:50. > :58:54.away than they wanted to, Ulster deservedly in front? They are and

:58:55. > :58:59.you got to give credit where it is Joe. Ulster have played well and

:59:00. > :59:05.they deserved readers here at half-time. Last week, they didn't

:59:06. > :59:09.play so well and I think they deserved some of the comments made

:59:10. > :59:12.after that game but they have played some superb stuff here. Just

:59:13. > :59:16.retaining possession in this weather is a difficult and they are doing it

:59:17. > :59:22.well, making the Scarlets give away the odd penalty. They have maybe

:59:23. > :59:29.conceded too many at times. But maybe talked about, the discipline,

:59:30. > :59:35.that they decide it. A wet and windy game, it is hard to play rugby. But

:59:36. > :59:38.Rory and Calum luck but they did have a crack at the ball but from

:59:39. > :59:42.that, if they gave away a few penalties after that so Andrew

:59:43. > :59:46.Trimble and Rory said, we need to step up the discipline. On a night

:59:47. > :59:53.like the night, it is whoever will concede the least penalties. In the

:59:54. > :59:57.autumn, Paddy Jackson had 13 from 13. He keeps the scoreboard going. I

:59:58. > :00:02.think they will come through the second half. If you are to win on a

:00:03. > :00:05.night like that, you're set piece has to function well and Ulster 's

:00:06. > :00:12.has so far? It has, it has been great. The scrum in particular has

:00:13. > :00:15.been brilliant, ringing in Callum Black and Ross Kane and when you

:00:16. > :00:21.stick Rory Best in the middle, there is no scrummage in world rugby for

:00:22. > :00:28.me. It is the workrate of every body else behind having, not just the

:00:29. > :00:32.front row. It is the work rate of Henderson. Ross staying down, is all

:00:33. > :00:34.the loves working together and that is a massive change from what we saw

:00:35. > :00:42.last week. Time for the half-time feature,

:00:43. > :00:46.Ulster rugby are keen that their younger players look after

:00:47. > :00:51.themselves off the pitch as well as on it and a new innovation has been

:00:52. > :00:57.set up between Belfast Metropolitan College and the rugby association to

:00:58. > :01:02.do just that. The Ulster Academy players are used to getting the game

:01:03. > :01:06.faces on but not like this. A six-week cooking course culminated

:01:07. > :01:11.in a Masterchef style competition, the climax of a column of a journey

:01:12. > :01:15.of discovery. Food makes up a massive part of their lives and

:01:16. > :01:18.particularly for the academy boys a lot of them have just moved out of

:01:19. > :01:22.home, on their own for the first time. The amount of food they have

:01:23. > :01:30.to eat on a training day is massive and it can become really boring and

:01:31. > :01:33.a bit mundane. A big part of it was to try to upscale them with their

:01:34. > :01:38.creativity and make them more excited and it seems to have worked.

:01:39. > :01:45.Before kick off our final briefing from mentors and head chef Gavin.

:01:46. > :01:49.Congratulations, well done, you are at the very end, the final cook-off.

:01:50. > :01:54.We have a larder table down there this evening and you are working off

:01:55. > :01:58.it. The kitchen was a hive of activity as the players were peered

:01:59. > :02:03.of land given two hours to prepare two dishes for the celebrity dashes,

:02:04. > :02:10.they aim to produce healthy and nutritious balanced food with style.

:02:11. > :02:14.We are making a sticky chicken pasta with creme fraiche and some salmon

:02:15. > :02:21.and couscous. Hopefully the dish will impress the judges. Nutrition

:02:22. > :02:26.is a huge part of rugby nowadays, the meals we are given and get told

:02:27. > :02:30.to produce are at the top standard. My cooking skills over the years

:02:31. > :02:33.have not been the best so I hope to have something plated up better than

:02:34. > :02:41.I could do and from the looks of it it's looking pretty impressive. It's

:02:42. > :02:45.going well actually, tasting nice, nice little kick to it. With the

:02:46. > :02:52.hard work done the final dishes were presented to the hungry judges. And

:02:53. > :02:58.there was plenty of variety to tickle the taste buds. Beef

:02:59. > :03:10.Wellington, salad, mustered and honey sauce. And mushroom and onion

:03:11. > :03:20.gravy. What do you think? That's good steak. Absolutely beautiful and

:03:21. > :03:24.no soggy bottom. With the plate is clear and bellies full it was time

:03:25. > :03:34.to tot up the scores and reveal the kings of the kitchen. And the winner

:03:35. > :03:50.is... Aaron and Ali, congratulations guys. It was one of my mum 's

:03:51. > :03:58.recipes so I was well prepped. Mummies boys then? Good sons. We

:03:59. > :04:03.will take that, well done boys. A couple of players look out for in

:04:04. > :04:07.future, back to tonight 's game, plenty of food for thought, sorry,

:04:08. > :04:13.for the second half. What do Ulster need to do to close the game? And

:04:14. > :04:18.more of the same, they cannot come out and kick over the top and get

:04:19. > :04:23.charged down. Stick it up the jumper, make Scarlets make mistakes

:04:24. > :04:29.and work off the back of that. The kicking game, that could come into

:04:30. > :04:32.play also. Play the pitch, keep the discipline, keep hold of the ball

:04:33. > :04:40.when you need to and hopefully ran out winners. Important Ulster to get

:04:41. > :04:44.off to a good start, obviously. It is, the start of the second half

:04:45. > :04:47.they have conceded tries in big games recently so they will want to

:04:48. > :04:51.get out there, take a clean receipt of the Scarlet kick-off and try to

:04:52. > :04:57.get out of 22, put Scarlets under pressure and try to build. They need

:04:58. > :05:00.to play as they are, do not try to force their hand and they have

:05:01. > :05:05.enough. It is good to see you happier at half-time this week. I

:05:06. > :05:10.was a passionate man on the pitch and I am the same off the pitch.

:05:11. > :05:17.Proud Ulsterman and it's good to see the boys playing well. What pleased

:05:18. > :05:20.you most about the first half? The intensity, Rory Best and Iain

:05:21. > :05:25.Henderson bring it every week and you see them fitting into the pack,

:05:26. > :05:30.know what they bring. The massive hit from Ian Henderson 15 minutes in

:05:31. > :05:38.set the tone. We want to see more of that. Do you fancy them to close it

:05:39. > :05:43.out? Yes, I think they will. Thank you very much gentlemen. The teams

:05:44. > :05:50.back out for the second half, Ulster leading, let's see how the second

:05:51. > :05:56.half unfolds. COMMENTATOR: As you can see the weather has improved

:05:57. > :06:04.dramatically... It hasn't. Change at scrum-half for Scarlets, Gareth

:06:05. > :06:13.Davies limping so he has been replaced by Aled Davies making his

:06:14. > :06:20.100th appearance. 24-year-old who might be a senior international of

:06:21. > :06:25.the future. He has been in great form the last couple of years,

:06:26. > :06:30.missed out to Gareth Davies, certainly this year but when he on

:06:31. > :06:35.form he played exceptionally well. The attempted kick have charged

:06:36. > :06:48.down. A few fresh jerseys in the Ulster team. As the boys in the

:06:49. > :06:53.studio were saying, can Ulster in sure discipline wins them this

:06:54. > :06:56.match? The ball well one back by Henderson, one of the senior players

:06:57. > :07:07.who has been leading by example. Back to Jackson. That's a chase back

:07:08. > :07:12.for Evans, McNicholl missed it. Evans has time to clear right

:07:13. > :07:20.footed. Decent clearance under the circumstances. Good kick by Steff

:07:21. > :07:25.Evans, again, Paddy Jackson putting the ball downfield into the key

:07:26. > :07:29.areas, the Scarlets 22. Trying to keep them under pressure, the ball

:07:30. > :07:34.swirling around as well. It is wet and miserable. As long as they keep

:07:35. > :07:40.the urgency that they did in the first half and keep Scarlets in this

:07:41. > :07:44.part of the field then Ulster look good for a win. Stephen Ferris

:07:45. > :07:49.seeing at half-time that discipline is the watchword for Ulster. I think

:07:50. > :07:55.the discipline was outstanding, not just discipline in terms of giving

:07:56. > :08:01.away penalties but also discipline in holding onto possession. Very few

:08:02. > :08:08.mistakes and it was very impressive. Ulster starting the second half of

:08:09. > :08:30.the way they ended the first. Marshall. McCloskey.

:08:31. > :08:41.Slightly grubbier Jersey they are from the back row.

:08:42. > :08:52.Best. Marshall. Jackson. It's a high one for Trimble to chase, Steff

:08:53. > :08:59.Evans underneath it. Makes the clean catch. Good discipline with the

:09:00. > :09:08.ball, not making many yards but holding onto possession and again it

:09:09. > :09:11.went slightly too far from Jackson. Allow Scarlets to clear their lines

:09:12. > :09:19.but gives the ball back to Ulster to again build opportunities to move

:09:20. > :09:32.themselves downfield. Swirling wind as Rob Jones was saying. The rain

:09:33. > :09:43.moving all around the night sky. The ball boy with the towel a key figure

:09:44. > :09:54.for Rory Best. All sorts of movement and Henderson takes it cleanly.

:09:55. > :10:02.Up it goes again for Trimble to chase. That was a good kick. Evans

:10:03. > :10:06.again underneath it, Trimble contesting for it, it's back for

:10:07. > :10:11.Marshall and break might be on, Sean Reidy staying on his feet. Can

:10:12. > :10:14.Ulster get bodies to the ball? Marshall finds Trimble, the captain.

:10:15. > :10:29.Just slips out of the grasp. Chance for Jake Ball. Big bearded

:10:30. > :10:36.figure, to drive the Scarlets up towards their own 22 metre line. No

:10:37. > :10:48.advantage, going back for the knock-on. Great work by Trimble.

:10:49. > :10:55.Drove hard. Into the defence. I think the question here was was it a

:10:56. > :10:59.knock-on by Trimble? Some angry home support, probably dead just lose

:11:00. > :11:06.that. I think he lost the ball. If we did not see it.

:11:07. > :11:16.They look sharp in attack, a lot of energy and dynamism in the ball

:11:17. > :11:20.carrying from each of the forwards, they have all played their part.

:11:21. > :11:43.Aled Davies will put the ball in. Davies gets it to Jonathan Davies.

:11:44. > :11:46.Louis Ludik is there. Counterattacking. Brought down by a

:11:47. > :11:51.combination of Steff Evans and Jonathan Davies. Marshall urging

:11:52. > :12:01.Clive Ross to get round the other side. Sean Reidy. Sold the dummy.

:12:02. > :12:05.And again the high ball for Trimble to chase, and obvious tactic in the

:12:06. > :12:11.second half. Slightly overcooked, Dan Jones with plenty of time to

:12:12. > :12:19.catch it. A couple have gone a bit too far. By first Jackson and that

:12:20. > :12:23.one by Marshall. But it is where you want to keep the Scarlets. Pinning

:12:24. > :12:28.them down inside their own half, trying to pin them down inside their

:12:29. > :12:41.own 22. That has gone a bit across the park, taken by McNicholl. It's

:12:42. > :12:45.been sliced. Stockdale will know that he had plans of where he was

:12:46. > :12:48.going before he had the ball in his hands. You talk about keeping your

:12:49. > :12:52.eyes on the ball and that was a great example of what not to do.

:12:53. > :12:56.Look at the ball initially but probably aware there was space, room

:12:57. > :13:03.for him to run in front and he took his eyes off the ball, and not a

:13:04. > :13:08.great kick by McNicholl. He looked sharp early in the game but a few

:13:09. > :13:11.mistakes have crept in. Try to perhaps force a few passes and a few

:13:12. > :13:32.mistakes defensively as well. A study in concentration, the Welsh

:13:33. > :13:41.coach. Scarlets get the ball away, Jonathan Davies keeping it low.

:13:42. > :13:46.Straight out. Luke Marshall. Thinking about the quick take.

:13:47. > :13:53.Jumping Davies holds his head in his hands. Disappointing for Scarlets.

:13:54. > :13:59.Making far too many mistakes. Cannot afford them in a game of such small

:14:00. > :14:07.margins. Giving away possession like that. Too many mistakes in the first

:14:08. > :14:16.half and that was the contrast between the sides. The discipline,

:14:17. > :14:26.ball-handling, ball retention from Ulster far better than Scarlets.

:14:27. > :15:05.The ball driven on by Clive Ross. Marshall. Now Luke Marshall. Best.

:15:06. > :15:26.I think John Barclay felt the penalty should have gone the way of

:15:27. > :15:32.Scarlets. There is only one man with the whistle on the park. Yes, he's

:15:33. > :15:36.had a reasonable game. Very few mistakes. It's a tough old battle

:15:37. > :15:47.out there. A lot happening at the breakdown. Best was held, tried to

:15:48. > :15:58.move forward and did not release the ball.

:15:59. > :16:10.Marshall is charged down. Ludik deals with it but he has dropped it.

:16:11. > :16:17.Slight wobble now. Ulster having to defend. Long looping pass to Steff

:16:18. > :16:26.Evans. Ulster have enough bodies back. Jake Ball taking his eye off

:16:27. > :16:43.the ball. The ball went backwards says the

:16:44. > :16:49.referee. Jones. Little kick over the top. Plenty of men in red. Stockdale

:16:50. > :16:53.always had his eye on it. We saw there are perhaps the difference

:16:54. > :16:57.between the two backsides in terms of how they are playing the

:16:58. > :17:03.conditions, everything is close and tightened using the big men, Ulster

:17:04. > :17:08.doing it so effectively. Trying to get the ball out wide with long

:17:09. > :17:12.difficult passes which is allowing the defence of Ulster are to get

:17:13. > :17:25.across and make the big hits, slow things down. Accommodation of James

:17:26. > :17:30.Davies and Jake Ball. About to see a change in the Ulster front row.

:17:31. > :17:41.Callum Black making way for Andrew Warwick.

:17:42. > :17:56.Andrew Warwick on, Black. Turnover ball for the Scarlets. Taken on by

:17:57. > :18:01.James Davies. Suddenly the threat is there from the men in red. Bartley.

:18:02. > :18:28.-- Barclay. Davies. Twisting out of the

:18:29. > :18:35.challenge. The ball is loose. Ross Kane the man who was offside. An

:18:36. > :18:44.opportunity for the Scarlets to cut the lead of Ulster. And the right

:18:45. > :18:51.decision. Just got to keep the scoreboard ticking over. An

:18:52. > :18:56.opportunity to reduce the deficit. Definitely been a sharper start to

:18:57. > :19:00.the half by Scarlets. When we spoke about the line speed, it was so

:19:01. > :19:05.evident in the defensive work of Ulster in the first half. The fact

:19:06. > :19:08.that are getting quick ball, Scarlets having to deliver quick

:19:09. > :19:13.ball, Aled Davies has come on and has got the ball away so quickly

:19:14. > :19:22.it's keeping the momentum of Scarlets and keeping Ulster

:19:23. > :19:33.defensively on the back foot. Dan Jones to try to make it three out of

:19:34. > :19:44.three. Right between the saucepans on the top of the posts. Scarlets

:19:45. > :19:52.9-13 Ulster. And the change at scrum-half, Dave Shanahan, making

:19:53. > :20:07.his first appearance of the season. Replacing Paul Marshall. Evans.

:20:08. > :20:21.Trying the ambitious kick, did not quite work out for him, just outside

:20:22. > :20:24.the Scarlets 22. Interesting decision, Paul Marshall, vastly

:20:25. > :20:28.experienced alongside Paddy Jackson have really delivered something in

:20:29. > :20:38.the first half. To bring someone with less experience onto the park?

:20:39. > :20:46.Only time will tell I suppose. Rory Best goes long. Taken by Henry.

:20:47. > :21:05.First touch for a Dave Shanahan. McCloskey. Pizza one challenge.

:21:06. > :21:08.Shanahan has it. Henderson. Opportunity is there for Ludik

:21:09. > :21:19.coming back inside. Treadwell is with him. There is the goal-line.

:21:20. > :21:25.And if Ulster can get that ball, advantage red.

:21:26. > :21:36.Bright start to the game by Dave Shanahan. Looks sharp. Looks similar

:21:37. > :21:41.to Marshall in stature. Freshfaced. It's all about the ability to get

:21:42. > :21:45.the ball away quickly and make the right decisions at the right time.

:21:46. > :21:52.Henderson, making yards with the ball in hand. McCloskey the same.

:21:53. > :22:03.Getting through the first tackle. Constantly putting Ulster on the

:22:04. > :22:06.front foot. Been quite a bright start the second half, Scarlets have

:22:07. > :22:13.looked sharper, probably would have been disappointed in what they did

:22:14. > :22:16.in the first half. Ulster have just carried on in the same vein. Dynamic

:22:17. > :22:34.with ball in hand, defensively sound another change in the Ulster

:22:35. > :22:45.front row, Jonny Simpson coming on after his half an hour last weekend.

:22:46. > :22:49.Possibly the tallest prop I have ever seen, well over six foot. Big

:22:50. > :23:16.man, lean and fit. scrummage. Going to be a double

:23:17. > :23:27.change her Ulster. Pete Browne preparing to come on as well. It's

:23:28. > :23:32.been a tiring festive period on a very heavy pitch this evening,

:23:33. > :23:47.Ulster utilising the bench in the third quarter of the match. Away by

:23:48. > :24:03.Aled Davies. Stockdale under it. Ludik eventually feels it.

:24:04. > :24:13.Towering performance from Henderson this evening. Shanahan keeping it

:24:14. > :24:18.low. Doesn't find his touch. Jones, along with ground to the edge of the

:24:19. > :24:26.Ulster 22. Paddy Jackson, showing a little bit of initiative. Up to the

:24:27. > :24:28.ten metre line. Shanahan foraging for it, being put under pressure and

:24:29. > :24:44.gets the penalty. Looked like the balls go to pop out,

:24:45. > :24:46.just wanted to give that extra impetus to get over the ball but

:24:47. > :25:04.ultimately conceded the penalty. Ludik underneath it. Is that

:25:05. > :25:16.forward? The home fans certainly think so. Jackson finds McNicholl.

:25:17. > :25:27.Steff Evans acting at scrum-half. Jones charged down. I think that

:25:28. > :25:38.part. -- art. That ball is like a bar of soap at the moment. Clutching

:25:39. > :25:45.his ribs, Henderson. He is down. McCloskey penalised. McCloskey

:25:46. > :25:50.penalised but I think the worry for Ulster is what effect that charge

:25:51. > :25:55.down had on Ian Henderson. All the Ulster fans believe he's of

:25:56. > :26:05.titanium. But he is human like the rest of us. Varying degrees of

:26:06. > :26:17.Beard. It's become the norm now hasn't it? Spoken by the

:26:18. > :26:25.clean-shaven Rob Jones. Well, at my age... I'm very old-fashioned in my

:26:26. > :26:27.ways. If Ian Henderson has an ice pack to his stomach it must have

:26:28. > :26:43.been sorer. Whilst Ian Henderson is restored to

:26:44. > :26:53.full fitness, Ross Kane makes way for Jonny Simpson. In the Ulster

:26:54. > :27:02.front row. All sorts of injury problems amongst the props for

:27:03. > :27:11.Ulster. But a win this evening will restore confidence, optimism heading

:27:12. > :27:19.into those two European matches. That was flat out onto the rib cage.

:27:20. > :27:21.Good job it was not lower. Trimble calling for it, went backwards off a

:27:22. > :27:39.Scarlets hand. And Scarlets have it. Jonathan

:27:40. > :27:44.Davies. Barclay goes with them. Aled Davies. Steff Evans chasing, Ludik

:27:45. > :28:02.catches. Ludik dealt with that well. You can

:28:03. > :28:06.see the Ulster 22 in the background. Shanahan clears. McNicholl gets it,

:28:07. > :28:25.well taken by the full-back. Ulster not releasing. Henderson the

:28:26. > :28:31.man conceding the penalty. Slowly but surely, mentioned discipline at

:28:32. > :28:34.half-time. Ulster conceding the penalties. Saying that, they're not

:28:35. > :28:43.going for gold, they are going for the corner. Interesting call?

:28:44. > :28:50.Interesting, but in the conditions, 45 metres out, are you going to get

:28:51. > :28:53.there? Are you going to allow Ulster to clear their lines? Are you going

:28:54. > :29:00.to keep the pressure on by kicking into the corner? It's a great kick,

:29:01. > :29:11.you have to say. Into the last quarter, four points Ulster lead.

:29:12. > :29:15.That's big Jake Ball. Owens, the captain, with ball in hand. This is

:29:16. > :29:25.threatening for Ulster. It's all hands to the pump now.

:29:26. > :29:38.They have broken free, going for the corner... Held up.

:29:39. > :29:46.In the end it was brilliant defensive work by that man Ian

:29:47. > :29:49.Henderson. It was fantastic work. Aled Davies looked as if he was over

:29:50. > :29:55.the line, that's great defensive work. Just wondering if the referee

:29:56. > :30:02.will see if there was a high tackle there. Certainly looked like there

:30:03. > :30:09.was. Can we checked the last tackle, if it was a high tackle? Could be a

:30:10. > :30:15.penalty try. Key moment in the match. It is. Bryant worked for the

:30:16. > :30:22.Aled Davies but was there an infringement to prevent him getting

:30:23. > :30:31.across? Is this tackle high? Number eight, Sean Reidy. The reality is

:30:32. > :30:38.that Aled Davies is running low, he's not the biggest of men. But the

:30:39. > :30:50.arm I think comes across. Comes across the neck and the head. The

:30:51. > :30:54.right arm of Sean Reidy. Then you have to ask the question, would that

:30:55. > :31:00.prevent the dry when you have got Ian Henderson?

:31:01. > :31:11.Not looking good for Ulster. This could be a huge turning point. Looks

:31:12. > :31:24.like a penalty try and a yellow card. Now, this might be just the

:31:25. > :31:27.key moment of this match. And Sean Reidy is going to be sin-binned and

:31:28. > :31:35.Ulster are going to concede a penalty try. Eight. If you go by the

:31:36. > :31:40.letter of the law it's the right decision. High tackle preventing a

:31:41. > :31:53.possible try, it is a yellow card and a penalty try. Well, well, well.

:31:54. > :32:02.Suddenly this game has turned on its head. Sean Reidy is in the Denver

:32:03. > :32:08.ten minutes. Is it a case of preventing a definite try? You had

:32:09. > :32:23.Iain Henderson who was also part of the tackle team on Aled Davies. He

:32:24. > :32:29.managed to get it below him. I know that the law is the law but I just

:32:30. > :32:43.question where that's going into, to be honest. There we are, the score

:32:44. > :32:51.stays. Peter Browne is off. Now, what do Ulster have in the last 18

:32:52. > :33:03.minutes of this match? David Shanahan. A high tackle. Ulster

:33:04. > :33:17.coaching staff shouting for a yellow card. Jackson.

:33:18. > :33:33.We will wait and see. Jake Ball, the man being investigated. Even the

:33:34. > :33:39.crowd, as soon as there is an arm anywhere near the top of the

:33:40. > :33:45.shoulder or head, they will call for a high tackle, yellow card.

:33:46. > :33:48.Everybody wants to get concussion out of the game but is this the way

:33:49. > :34:05.to do it? There is nothing wrong with that. The first thing is his

:34:06. > :34:19.arm slips up. Similar to the first one, I think the low card again. --

:34:20. > :34:26.yellow card. I think the referee has had a reasonable game up into the

:34:27. > :34:33.last five minutes. It is making a mockery of a physical collision

:34:34. > :34:40.sport. In all honesty, it is absolutely, we have had two guys off

:34:41. > :34:51.the park for making what only 12 months ago would have been decent,

:34:52. > :34:59.physical tackle. I think this is only the start. It is. They need to

:35:00. > :35:11.sit down and review them again. Where are we going to? Peter Browne

:35:12. > :35:18.is the man on for Kieran Treadwell. You can tell him in the line-out

:35:19. > :35:34.with that nice, clean jersey! Tidied up by Chris Henry. Knocked forward

:35:35. > :35:49.by Ulster. Both teams will have two dig deep. A rejig acquired in the

:35:50. > :35:57.dressing room. We had 16 minutes to go. The game is very much in the

:35:58. > :36:00.balance. The Scarlets have had the better of the second half, they have

:36:01. > :36:06.looked a lot sharper than the first half. They know Ulster arguable and

:36:07. > :36:14.if they get on the front foot, there is every opportunity to get the

:36:15. > :36:33.scorer right. Both of are down one man. Davies eventually gets the ball

:36:34. > :36:38.away. Oh, it has gone back. Again, we talk about those little errors.

:36:39. > :36:48.That could make all the difference. We have had a few in the second half

:36:49. > :36:54.from the Ulster team but that is disappointing. There was a lot of

:36:55. > :37:05.space to aim at. He can't afford to overcook it. I think Dan Jones knows

:37:06. > :37:19.that. Now, what can Ulster do? Henderson with a clean take. It made

:37:20. > :37:34.five yards. As for Rory Best, with a white headgear, David Shanahan,

:37:35. > :37:38.taken on by Clive Ross. Ulster are getting forward, going sideways, but

:37:39. > :37:52.they have possession. Options but ways. David Shanahan. The scrum-half

:37:53. > :38:03.is there again. Ulster can almost smell that Scarlets scoreline. David

:38:04. > :38:16.Shanahan looking for the options in the corner. Peter Browne, head down.

:38:17. > :38:24.The first receiver is Henderson. Chris Henry. Now, a good ball for

:38:25. > :38:37.Ulster. Can they find a way through? What might be a match-winning score.

:38:38. > :38:53.Rory Best. David Shanahan. That was Louis Ludik. Oh, slipping out of the

:38:54. > :39:03.Ulster grasp. The Scarlets have cleared the ball out of their own

:39:04. > :39:12.22. Here comes Andrew Trimble. David Shanahan. Rory Best. He has been

:39:13. > :39:26.immense. He has, his work rate has been fantastic. As has the work rate

:39:27. > :39:32.of Iain Henderson. John Barclay nearly winning possession back for

:39:33. > :39:38.the Scarlets. David Shanahan, second-half replacement. Luke

:39:39. > :39:43.Marshall is asking for the high hanging ball. Jackson saw the gap.

:39:44. > :39:52.Paddy Jackson couldn't find David Shanahan. Was he held back? Was

:39:53. > :39:57.there ever jersey grabbed there? I'll tell you what, the players who

:39:58. > :40:01.started this match are towering now but they are giving their all.

:40:02. > :40:11.Straight down the throat of his opposite number. Not clean contact

:40:12. > :40:17.by Johnny McNicholl but he does enough. A lot of tired bodies out

:40:18. > :40:23.there. Rory Best has made so many carries, effective carries as well.

:40:24. > :40:32.He has really led by example. Along with Iain Henderson. It is little

:40:33. > :40:39.fractions. Losing possession, that forward pass has just given the

:40:40. > :40:42.Scarlets an opportunity to relieve some of the pressure because they

:40:43. > :40:51.have been under some huge pressure in this game. A double change in the

:40:52. > :40:59.Scarlets front row. Wyn Jones is on. Wener Kruger is still there. A

:41:00. > :41:06.charge down. Jackson's kick is charged down or grassed eventually

:41:07. > :41:16.by Luke Marshall. A member, three points is the difference. Just over

:41:17. > :41:19.ten minutes left. Ulster need to get the ball, they need to get out of

:41:20. > :41:34.their own 22. David Shanahan with the clearance. Williams dropped it.

:41:35. > :41:41.In terms of discipline, just look at the replay. Dan Evans does well to

:41:42. > :41:49.come in but the charge is out. Great work by Luke Marshall. He has the

:41:50. > :42:01.wit to hold onto the ball and stand up for support together. For the

:42:02. > :42:15.second time this evening, Dan Jones charged down Paddy Jackson's kick.

:42:16. > :42:22.This is a very big ten minutes for both sides. It is. It is difficult

:42:23. > :42:27.to call who will come out on top of this game. It is keeping the

:42:28. > :42:47.discipline. There are a lot of tired bodies. The Dragons have beaten

:42:48. > :42:49.Treviso by 26-8. Out of the tunnel. The ball came straight out of the

:42:50. > :43:14.tunnel. Did it? Is going to be an experience in the

:43:15. > :43:26.Scarlets from drill now with Ken Owens going off. The Scarlets have

:43:27. > :43:39.brought on Stephane Hughes. -- Stephane Evans. Here come Ulster.

:43:40. > :43:45.Andrew Trimble. That a good kick. Luke Marshall nearly losing it in

:43:46. > :43:55.the floodlights but he does well. Jacob Stockdale into the waiting

:43:56. > :44:05.hands of Gareth Davies. That's all it had to do, keep pumping the ball

:44:06. > :44:08.into the Ulster 22. Now, there were men over but maybe that wasn't the

:44:09. > :44:19.right option but the Scarlets have it still. Dan Jones. Going to

:44:20. > :44:34.ground. That is taken on by Wyn Jones. Aled Davies finds John

:44:35. > :44:38.Barclay. Suddenly the Scarlets believe if they can get a try, that

:44:39. > :44:42.will be the winning of the game. They have a real kick in their step

:44:43. > :44:47.now. All these replacements are adding a little bit more energy. Dan

:44:48. > :44:55.Jones, a nice run, eventually stopped by a combination of David

:44:56. > :45:01.Shanahan and Chris Henry. Into the Ulster 22. Home fans are expected.

:45:02. > :45:08.Jonathan Davies, Liam Williams shrugs off the challenge from Andrew

:45:09. > :45:13.Trimble. Aled Davies pops it up. It didn't go forward. He said there was

:45:14. > :45:28.a spring in their step. Davies looks at the options. Keeping it tight and

:45:29. > :45:37.driving it on. That was lost. Ulster have possession back but they are

:45:38. > :45:44.still a deep inside their own half. Sean Reidy returns to the action

:45:45. > :45:48.after his yellow card. Interesting to see them both coming back on

:45:49. > :45:55.together again because that play went on for several minutes. Not a

:45:56. > :46:10.bad man to bring on with seven minutes to go, top try scorer, Tommy

:46:11. > :46:16.Bowe. Also, Franco van der Merwe and Liam Williams is. Missing last week

:46:17. > :46:27.through injury so he looks a bit disappointed coming off, to be

:46:28. > :46:35.honest with you. Steffan Hughes. He suffered badly with injuries over

:46:36. > :46:43.the last couple of years. Can the Scarlets hold onto their winning run

:46:44. > :46:52.here? Or have Ulster got something left in the tank? Little bit of

:46:53. > :46:56.magic? Can they force a crucial error to at least maybe even get a

:46:57. > :47:07.draw from this game and? Down goes the scrummage. David Shanahan get it

:47:08. > :47:16.away. That's a great kick. Terrific touch. Finally enough, not in a

:47:17. > :47:21.great hurry to get play restarted. The clock is ticking. But the

:47:22. > :47:24.Scarlets, is about holding onto the ball but more importantly, it

:47:25. > :47:29.hitting the ball into Ulster territory, into that 22 metre area

:47:30. > :47:41.and exerting and keeping pressure on Ulster, slow things down.

:47:42. > :47:52.Davies will kick this. Steffan Evans will chase it. Andrew Trimble has

:47:53. > :47:57.somebody under the high ball. David Shanahan has been nabbed. His

:47:58. > :48:26.team-mates come to his rescue. The ball presented beautifully for

:48:27. > :48:43.Aled Davies. Ulster have got to get their hands on the ball. On by Wyn

:48:44. > :48:56.Jones. Johnny McNicholl. The kick again. There is goes. That was a

:48:57. > :49:00.knock forward, was there? Well, they can keep doing this for the next

:49:01. > :49:08.five minutes and they will win the game. They know what they are doing.

:49:09. > :49:14.They haven't got Ken Owens or Liam Williams. Aled Davies has played

:49:15. > :49:17.well since he came on. He has been sharp on the break but more

:49:18. > :49:32.importantly, he has taken control of the session.

:49:33. > :49:56.But they are still inside their own half. David Shanahan again with the

:49:57. > :50:10.ball for Andrew Trimble the chase. The Scarlets pick it up, the rain is

:50:11. > :50:16.getting heavier. Aled Davies. It bounces into the hands of Will

:50:17. > :50:20.Boyde. Now, Ulster. They pick up scraps of possession. David

:50:21. > :50:33.Shanahan. Is there a sting in the tail? Foreword by Luke Marshall. He

:50:34. > :50:36.watched it bounced into touch. When you're talking about 2.5 minutes

:50:37. > :50:46.left, Ulster probably need to keep the ball in hand. Work your way down

:50:47. > :50:51.field. Even if it is that 3-point opportunity to draw themselves

:50:52. > :50:56.level, they will want to win the game but there are not going to do

:50:57. > :51:00.it without the ball. All across Ulster, there are fingers and toes

:51:01. > :51:15.crossed. Can they somehow get an opportunity in the last two minutes

:51:16. > :51:20.to possibly get a draw? Not a lot Tommy Bowe could do about that. Aled

:51:21. > :51:25.Davies has done everything right since he has been on. He has lived

:51:26. > :51:30.as sharp as he has been for the majority of the season when he has

:51:31. > :51:40.had its opportunity. He has kicked exceptionally well.

:51:41. > :51:51.Ulster need to build the faces. Vital but they get the session. They

:51:52. > :52:06.have lost possession. Slippery surface here. The referee, yes, it

:52:07. > :52:20.was the original logon? Knock-on by the Reds. So, one minute to go. One

:52:21. > :52:25.last opportunity for Ulster. The Scarlets will look to put pressure

:52:26. > :52:35.on scrum tight. That will be keep the Scarlets, discipline, here. They

:52:36. > :52:46.will keep their offensive system. Difficult to judge from that replay.

:52:47. > :52:57.This is it. Is this the last throw of the dice here? Ulster have not

:52:58. > :53:02.won here for over a form. -- over four years. The last chance saloon.

:53:03. > :53:13.He has lost it. It has been hacked here. The home fans think that is

:53:14. > :53:19.that. He will have to play this. Ulster have to keep this ball alive.

:53:20. > :53:27.They can't afford a single handling error. They have to make their way

:53:28. > :53:43.body five metres down into the Scarlets half. Jackson. This is a

:53:44. > :53:47.titanic effort. But will it all come to nothing? Henderson. Possibly

:53:48. > :53:56.Ulster's man of the match. That is it, but is it. It is all over.

:53:57. > :54:01.Ulster have lost by three points. Rob Jones, without the penalty try

:54:02. > :54:08.would be the crucial turning point and that was the case. It was. Is

:54:09. > :54:12.poor refereeing decisions again. By the letter of the law, he is right,

:54:13. > :54:17.but you said to have certain empathy as to what this gear is all about.

:54:18. > :54:20.But absolutely the turning point. The second half was fantastic but

:54:21. > :54:27.the Scarlets in terms of energy and defensive work. Defeat for Ulster,

:54:28. > :54:32.they have lost here by 16-13. The first half was better me Stephen

:54:33. > :54:39.Ferris and Ian Humphreys, how was the second? You have to give a lot

:54:40. > :54:42.of credit to the Scarlets. They put Ulster under the pressure. I am not

:54:43. > :54:46.so sure about the referee Bosman decision. It will play havoc with

:54:47. > :54:51.the rest of the season for all teams throughout rugby. But give credit

:54:52. > :54:54.where it is due, the Scarlets just edged Ulster in the second half. Did

:54:55. > :55:00.they deserve to win the game? Probably not, a draw might have been

:55:01. > :55:04.a fairer result but Ulster, seven losses from 11 games is not happy

:55:05. > :55:10.reading. The builder try was the difference. It is zero tolerance

:55:11. > :55:14.with these new laws. Do you think is was the correct decision? No point

:55:15. > :55:21.in asking him, he never tackled anybody! A short nine, he ducks

:55:22. > :55:26.towards the line. I think if anybody should be penalised, it should be

:55:27. > :55:29.Andrew Trimble with his left hand there but Sean Reidy and Iain

:55:30. > :55:33.Henderson make a great effort to stop the try. You see Jake Ball's

:55:34. > :55:38.yellow card next, is a shambles. If you take this out of the game, it

:55:39. > :55:43.will ruin it. It was a complete Lottery. By the letter of the law,

:55:44. > :55:46.these are the new laws we have been reading and it says if you make

:55:47. > :55:50.contact around the neck area, the referee has no decision

:55:51. > :55:56.unfortunately that is it. I would be yellow carded every week. I thought

:55:57. > :55:59.that was brilliant play from Sean Reidy, getting in and holding the

:56:00. > :56:04.player up. Andrew Trimble might have been penalised for coming in. Again,

:56:05. > :56:11.there was no intent of hitting around the head area. It is

:56:12. > :56:14.disappointing, there is a lot of turmoil in the air for rugby in

:56:15. > :56:21.general at the minute. Took a poll across social media and this new law

:56:22. > :56:26.has not down: well at all. When you look at the Scarlets, they also had

:56:27. > :56:34.a yellow card for a similar one but earlier in the game, Louis but it

:56:35. > :56:40.didn't. Referee felt that he needed to even things up. No yellow card

:56:41. > :56:43.there? He just played it as it is and it is going to be the

:56:44. > :56:48.difficulty. Do you wanted to go that every time a player appeals, you go

:56:49. > :56:54.to the video refs? That is not a yellow card and any body 's books.

:56:55. > :56:58.For me, is play on. Everybody on the pitch has been playing rugby from

:56:59. > :57:02.the age of five, six, seven, eight, and then earned a tackle. That is

:57:03. > :57:06.just a slip of the shoulder, it should not be a yellow card. We

:57:07. > :57:10.could talk about this all night but overall, Ulster have lost this game,

:57:11. > :57:15.how big dent is that going to put their season? I think Les Kiss will

:57:16. > :57:19.not be happy that they did not click on second half and keep the

:57:20. > :57:25.scoreboard going. They had a couple of chances. David Shanahan knocked

:57:26. > :57:30.the ball, they were putting pressure on and six minutes later, they go

:57:31. > :57:36.the other end of the pitch and score a controversial try. But I give

:57:37. > :57:41.credit to the Scarlets, they kept digging in and they got results.

:57:42. > :57:45.They are playing fantastic at home. Leinster have won comfortably

:57:46. > :57:49.tonight. They are level with Munster at the top of the table. Ulster have

:57:50. > :57:52.that one game in hand but my goodness, this will be a tough ask

:57:53. > :57:57.if they are getting into the play-off positions this year? Is not

:57:58. > :58:00.ideal and hopefully we would have had a winter night but let us take

:58:01. > :58:05.the positives. We know they have that run of six games where they

:58:06. > :58:09.play three Italian matches. They play a couple of Scottish games at

:58:10. > :58:13.home and then the Dragons so if they can get between 25 or 30 points out

:58:14. > :58:17.of those games, you are laughing. They will be right back in the mix.

:58:18. > :58:21.They have to think about Europe in the next few weeks. If they get nine

:58:22. > :58:26.or ten points, they will have a chance. Can the savage the season in

:58:27. > :58:31.Europe? I think they can. It will depend on how many people turn up.

:58:32. > :58:36.Ulster can call upon the performances last year and this year

:58:37. > :58:41.and if they go and play rugby the way we know they can, they have a

:58:42. > :58:46.chance. I think it will be difficult. Sandy Park is a hard

:58:47. > :58:50.place to go. Exeter are a very proud team, a really good home record. A

:58:51. > :58:54.couple of extra Ulster players in their squad so I think it will be a

:58:55. > :58:58.very tough ask for Ulster to go to Sandy Park and get the win. Ulster

:58:59. > :59:02.have just over a week to get ready for that next game and we have live

:59:03. > :59:09.commentary of the European Champions Cup match away to Exeter next

:59:10. > :59:15.Sunday. That's it, Ulster have now lost seven of their last 11 games,

:59:16. > :59:22.this can deliver to do. From all of us here, it is goodbye.