Ulster v Edinburgh

:00:35. > :00:41.Ulster returned to action after a disappointing run of results. They

:00:42. > :00:48.have lost nine out of their last 13 games in all competitions. It has

:00:49. > :00:54.been the story of the season, going in and out of games. Out of sorts.

:00:55. > :01:00.Across the board, not good enough. Some of those mistakes we made...

:01:01. > :01:05.And out of Europe. I am finding this difficult to watch, I refuse to

:01:06. > :01:11.believe that we are not good enough. Despondency after their last defeat.

:01:12. > :01:17.Absolutely soul destroying, you are in cuckoo land if you think what we

:01:18. > :01:20.have can compete in Europe. Back to the Pro12 and Ulster need to get

:01:21. > :01:25.back to winning ways. There are still a play-off place up for grabs.

:01:26. > :01:32.We are in this together. We need to find a way out. Ulster are keeping

:01:33. > :01:35.the faith. I am still relatively optimistic that we can get there.

:01:36. > :01:42.But we have to do something different. Welcome to Ulster Rugby

:01:43. > :01:47.Live, Stephen Ferris and Eddie O'Sullivan join me for a round 14 of

:01:48. > :01:52.the Guinness Pro12 and Ulster have work to do. Currently at number six

:01:53. > :02:00.on the table, 17 points behind the leaders, Munster, who played the

:02:01. > :02:04.Dragons and Ospreys play Zebre and the Scarlets are playing. We heard

:02:05. > :02:09.Bryn Cunningham saying ulster were not good enough and they must do

:02:10. > :02:14.something different. What is that? To get the season back on track?

:02:15. > :02:18.They need to draw a line in the sand, the season is on the line

:02:19. > :02:23.every game, huge pressure. The biggest bugbear has been lack of

:02:24. > :02:27.consistency, even over 80 minutes, playing well for 20 minutes and a

:02:28. > :02:32.following. Focus on staying in the game for 80 minutes, get results,

:02:33. > :02:38.forget about before, but will not do anything but they need to change in

:02:39. > :02:42.energy and I suppose vision and that is about consistency. The bugbear

:02:43. > :02:45.for the last while and that is the one thing they will get out of this.

:02:46. > :02:53.One person people are looking forward to is a new signing from

:02:54. > :03:00.South Africa, what do we expect from him? We were so excited to see him.

:03:01. > :03:03.He damaged his cruciate ligament and he is making his debut at the

:03:04. > :03:09.Kingspan Stadium and everybody is looking to see what he can do.

:03:10. > :03:14.Destructive and physical and powerful, that is what Ulster have

:03:15. > :03:20.lacked. He is just an absolute unit, he is like the Nick Williams that

:03:21. > :03:25.left us last and I am excited to see how he goes, it is important

:03:26. > :03:29.everybody is not -- everybody does not expect him to win this for

:03:30. > :03:35.Ulster, everybody fast to pitch in. It is a big bad for him. This is a

:03:36. > :03:37.big game for Ulster, lacking in confidence but this Edinburgh team

:03:38. > :03:43.have already beaten Ulster this season and they will have their

:03:44. > :03:48.tails up. Yes, they have nothing to lose, away from home, the middle of

:03:49. > :03:53.the Six Nations, they don't have the aspirations of Ulster have, making

:03:54. > :03:58.that top four. That is dangerous because they can play very well. It

:03:59. > :04:03.is about ulster taking control of their own destiny and the need to do

:04:04. > :04:07.that from the off. Thank you very much. Ulster with only one win in

:04:08. > :04:10.their last six, let us see if they can get their season back on track

:04:11. > :04:16.in the company of Ian Humphreys and Michael McNamee. Good evening.

:04:17. > :04:24.It is a chilly evening in Belfast, no wind or rain and Edinburgh will

:04:25. > :04:28.have half a dozen players involved in the Six Nations clash in Paris on

:04:29. > :04:33.Sunday and they were forced into some exchanges. Hardie called on to

:04:34. > :04:39.the Scotland bench and in Jimmy Ritchie and Stuart McInally replaces

:04:40. > :04:40.Neil Cochrane, who has a shoulder injury and McInally takes over the

:04:41. > :04:55.captaincy. Without their Ireland regulars and

:04:56. > :05:00.some others besides, Ulster welcome back Peace Centre Stuart Olding, who

:05:01. > :05:06.has been out for nearly four months and we expect him to do the

:05:07. > :05:20.goal-kicking this evening. And the team is captained by Chris Emery.

:05:21. > :05:31.The Ulster support never diminishes. That is Olding, back after four

:05:32. > :05:37.months. They are tough Peter Nelson has been out of action for 15

:05:38. > :05:45.months, since winning over Edinburgh back in December 20 15. And it is

:05:46. > :05:49.time for number eight, Coetzee, his long-awaited debut and John Andrew

:05:50. > :05:57.and Ricky Lutton, the all Ballymena front row. The latest castaway on

:05:58. > :06:02.Kirsty Young's famous desert island, Nigel Owens. If you have not heard

:06:03. > :06:07.that, check out his own desert island discs. The man described by

:06:08. > :06:14.Les Kiss is a beast. One years since Marcell Coetzee's signing was

:06:15. > :06:18.announced. And watching this, making his debut, from the commentary box,

:06:19. > :06:23.former Ulster I'd have Ian Humphreys. Good evening. I am

:06:24. > :06:33.looking forward to Ulster and that performance from Coetzee. And the

:06:34. > :06:39.Number 10, Peter Nelson, this is a big evening for him. Credit goes to

:06:40. > :06:41.the medical staff at Ulster, they have gotten back from a potential

:06:42. > :06:53.career ending injury. The first line-out and a little

:06:54. > :06:59.colour flap between Stuart McInally, who was due to be on the bench this

:07:00. > :07:12.evening... And the first opportunity to have a look at McKenzie and

:07:13. > :07:16.Toolis. The breakaway by Jimmy Ritchie, the 20-year-old. Not the

:07:17. > :07:25.start that Ulster wanted. Kennedy. That is driven on by the Fijian

:07:26. > :07:31.Mata. Immediately, Edinburgh showing initiative inside the opening

:07:32. > :07:34.minutes inside the ulster 22. Taken on by Dean, lots of young Scottish

:07:35. > :07:46.born talent in this Edinburgh back line. John Kennedy. Taken on by

:07:47. > :07:57.Mata. Try scorer in that victory. That is Tovey and Dean.

:07:58. > :08:07.Lively start and back into the hands of Mata. Ulster have yet to get

:08:08. > :08:11.started. They could be in the corner in the opening seconds. And they are

:08:12. > :08:17.through already! And that is a try from Magnus Bradbury. Very

:08:18. > :08:23.disappointing start for Ulster. They took that kick-off plainly but they

:08:24. > :08:28.gave Edinburgh a strong position to attack from and very direct from

:08:29. > :08:32.Edinburgh, that was a deep run, simple hands on the edge and that

:08:33. > :08:35.nice off-load and he could force in way over into the corner.

:08:36. > :08:40.Disappointing for Ulster. It seems to be the key to the season, slow

:08:41. > :08:44.starts. They will need to get the ball back and get the other end of

:08:45. > :08:49.the pitch and get the crowd into this. We need some enthusiasm the

:08:50. > :08:58.kick-off chase. Suffice to say that at the start, this is just not what

:08:59. > :09:01.Ulster wanted. Edinburgh Sharp and lively and Bradbury, who had the

:09:02. > :09:06.second try in that went before Christmas, it's the opening try this

:09:07. > :09:14.evening. Short in the end, the conversion attempt. Early doors,

:09:15. > :09:24.Edinburgh trying as much as they can to get Mata on the ball. Three

:09:25. > :09:27.carries in that opening phase. Five points down. Ulster making their way

:09:28. > :09:32.inside the Edinburgh half for the first time this evening. We have

:09:33. > :09:40.quite a few left footed kickers in the Ulster side this evening. The

:09:41. > :09:49.atmosphere has died down. Whatever Ulster got to offer? -- what have

:09:50. > :10:03.Ulster. Kennedy to the Welsh might have, Tovey. -- out half. Marshall

:10:04. > :10:12.back in the starting line-up. Driven on by the Ulster back row. That is

:10:13. > :10:21.Ludik getting his hands on the ball. Ulster again, that was a high tackle

:10:22. > :10:26.on John Andrew. Let us see what Nigel Owens has to say at the end of

:10:27. > :10:35.this. Olding. Cave, did not go to hand. And the referee will bring

:10:36. > :10:42.things back. Lovely play, interplay between Robbie Diack and John

:10:43. > :10:46.Andrew, soft hands by Diack. Mata has to jam in from wide. Fortunate

:10:47. > :10:52.not to get the yellow card. Nelson will go to the corner. I wonder what

:10:53. > :11:00.Sean Reidy is thinking? Sitting on the bench. If he comes on the Sivan,

:11:01. > :11:15.it will be his 50th cap. -- this evening. That is the man. Back after

:11:16. > :11:20.a very long recovery from injury. Peter Nelson has found a very good

:11:21. > :11:26.touch inside the Edinburgh 22. John Andrew, his third senior start this

:11:27. > :11:30.evening. O'Connor takes that. Ulster being urged to drive forward. Paul

:11:31. > :11:48.Marshall, guiding the ball forward. The ball is there for Ulster.

:11:49. > :11:53.Marshall. On the blind side. That was Stockdale, forced into touch.

:11:54. > :11:58.That was a lovely line-out by the Ulster forwards, they broke the 15,

:11:59. > :12:01.Ulster had a good drive on and they needed the ball to come out just a

:12:02. > :12:06.split second earlier. You heard Nigel Owens saying that was just

:12:07. > :12:13.once. Seeming to get away with hesitating the attack.

:12:14. > :12:28.Stockdale. McInally. Reduced line-out. Taken by Toolis. Nearly

:12:29. > :12:33.seven and a half years since Edinburgh came to the Kingspan

:12:34. > :12:49.Stadium and left with a victory. Tovey. Quick take for Ludik.

:12:50. > :12:57.Edinburgh 22. Marshall. Here is number eight making his debut,

:12:58. > :13:05.Coetzee. The skipper, Chris Henry. Nelson. Cave. Running into trouble

:13:06. > :13:12.in the form of Jimmy Ritchie. Tipped to be a future senior international

:13:13. > :13:16.for Scotland. Ulster retaining possession but having trouble

:13:17. > :13:25.getting over the gain line. That is more like it, the golfer Marshall,

:13:26. > :13:33.Henry. -- the ball for Marshall. The Edinburgh defence is up quickly.

:13:34. > :13:42.John Andrew. Tidy possession. That was Andrew Warwick. The Ballymena

:13:43. > :13:48.front row. Coetzee. Those distinctive lime green boots. And he

:13:49. > :13:56.is getting a warm welcome in his opening seven and a half minutes

:13:57. > :14:01.here at the Kingspan Stadium. Taken on by Ludik. The Ulster fans have

:14:02. > :14:16.found their voice. Marshall, Nelson. And popped back inside and very,

:14:17. > :14:19.very nearly on the corner. Very good attack by Ulster, the Edinburgh

:14:20. > :14:23.defence managing to put a lot of line speed on the ball and they

:14:24. > :14:29.managed to shift the point of attack very well. And Darren Cave keeps his

:14:30. > :14:30.with fairly well, that was a good covering tackle to put him into

:14:31. > :14:56.touch. Toolis. Did not go forward. Ulster has spent five minutes inside

:14:57. > :15:08.the Edinburgh half. Tovey again, the man from Newport.

:15:09. > :15:25.Les Kiss. Whether point to make. -- with a point. Coetzee is going to

:15:26. > :15:30.see a lot of the bulbous even, he is maybe not expected to play the full

:15:31. > :15:37.80 minutes, but he is a talismanic figure already. That is good!

:15:38. > :15:43.Nelson. Piutau, the first time we have seen him attacking his opposite

:15:44. > :15:52.number. Can Ulster keep this momentum going? Darren Cave.

:15:53. > :15:57.Marshall. Nelson. There was nobody really there, and too many

:15:58. > :16:06.defenders. Ulster, this should be in! And Marshall Marx 's return with

:16:07. > :16:11.the try. -- marks his. And that is what the home fans came to see.

:16:12. > :16:14.Great attacking play and linkup between Peter Nelson and Stuart

:16:15. > :16:20.Olding with that wraparound blade to create space on the outside. Piutau

:16:21. > :16:23.making good yards. Edinburgh trying to put the pressure on but they have

:16:24. > :16:27.managed to get that over the gain line, quick pick-up by Stuart Olding

:16:28. > :16:35.and that was an easy finish from five yards out. A big thing for

:16:36. > :16:40.Ulster tonight is they have been getting well past the ball, that is

:16:41. > :16:44.making it easy for number nine to get there. Keeping it alive and it

:16:45. > :16:46.is easier for the backs to create space and the Edinburgh forwards are

:16:47. > :17:00.unable to cope. So, Stuart Olding taking over the

:17:01. > :17:19.duties this evening. Of Peter Nelson. Blonde hair, ginger hair,

:17:20. > :17:25.apologies. Nelson. Shelling peas. Ulster have alleged. The Secretary

:17:26. > :17:36.of State, James Brokenshire. Enjoying the game. -- Ulster have

:17:37. > :17:44.the lead. Peter Nelson marking his return with the conversion.

:17:45. > :18:04.Marshall finds his man, Nelson, Ludik. Taken down by Dean and

:18:05. > :18:13.Bernie. Marshall, the skipper, Chris Henry. Wearing the armband in the

:18:14. > :18:21.absence of Rob Herring and Trimble. Stockdale jumping for it. That is a

:18:22. > :18:26.perfect outcome for Ulster from that kick-off compared to the first one.

:18:27. > :18:31.He played across a field, looking for the right foot Ludik and Paul

:18:32. > :18:35.Marshall, very good box kick. Putting the pressure on Edinburgh.

:18:36. > :18:44.That is a good line-out for Ulster. Marshall. The break by Cave. He has

:18:45. > :18:52.support. Can he keep that alive? Olding feeling that very well. Ludik

:18:53. > :18:58.and Piutau in support. Nigel Owens spotted the knock-on. Lovely

:18:59. > :19:04.attacking play from Ulster. Quite often recently we have seen them

:19:05. > :19:07.play direct and that opens up a large range of possibilities and

:19:08. > :19:11.Darren Cave is one of the best support runners you will find.

:19:12. > :19:15.Finding a good line from Paul Marshall and it is nice to see

:19:16. > :19:19.Ulster playing with ambition, it brings back the plays of yesteryear

:19:20. > :19:23.and it is nice to see them going here with ambition on a lovely

:19:24. > :19:28.evening. They have so many injuries that the central combination has

:19:29. > :19:37.changed so often. It is good to see Stuart Olding back.

:19:38. > :19:57.But a huge different in the weight of the pack. -- not be huge. In

:19:58. > :20:04.their 1-point defeat against Munster won the Google, Edinburgh. And

:20:05. > :20:21.Ulster giving the shelf on. And they have stolen that ball. -- the shelf.

:20:22. > :20:24.-- shove. And he is penalised. That is a very good scrum from Ulster.

:20:25. > :20:35.They put pressure on Robbie Deans quickly and we could see that block

:20:36. > :20:42.of Coetzee from Mata. Do you like what you see so far from him? He is

:20:43. > :20:46.carrying the ball very physically and he has been menacing on the

:20:47. > :20:49.breakdown, he is going through and creating the attacks. It is very

:20:50. > :21:04.good so far and hopefully that can continue. Toolis.

:21:05. > :21:16.Just four wins in the Pro12, the first comment at home against Ulster

:21:17. > :21:21.back in November. Piutau, never in doubt, he has beaten the first and

:21:22. > :21:25.second man... And this is what the Kingspan Stadium loves about Piutau.

:21:26. > :21:32.Coetzee, the next poster boy. Marshall. More confidence flowing.

:21:33. > :21:45.Through those white shirts. Fielded by Hoyland. The flag was up on

:21:46. > :21:53.underside. As John Andrew was pointing out. To the referee, Nigel

:21:54. > :21:58.Owens. It drifted out and came back in again. Ulster were fortunate,

:21:59. > :22:01.Robbie Diack had the quick line-out but Edinburgh have to be careful of

:22:02. > :22:12.those tactics. How do you tackle him? It is tough. Charles Piutau

:22:13. > :22:15.gets over at the gain line, then Paul Marshall find some grass.

:22:16. > :22:20.Putting Edinburgh under pressure, this is a good attacking line-out

:22:21. > :22:32.and this might be early doors for them. Coetzee, again. If the only

:22:33. > :22:37.get one hour out of him this even, what an hour that will be! He just

:22:38. > :22:47.goes over the top, as Ian Humphreys says. Robbie Diack, but to the floor

:22:48. > :22:52.by Toolis. -- put to the floor. And that is frustrating for Ulster. Two

:22:53. > :22:58.food carries again, the same boys involved. Robbie Diack chipped the

:22:59. > :23:03.ball standing still and he lost the contract and then that list is for

:23:04. > :23:07.the knock-on, very frustrating for coaches and players alike, that is

:23:08. > :23:10.good field position, they could attack left or right and that is

:23:11. > :23:19.where Ulster all season have had a hassle, they must make sure they are

:23:20. > :23:29.looking after that better. One of the number eight desert island discs

:23:30. > :23:35.songs was a Eurovision song winner. For Nigel Owens. Check it out on

:23:36. > :23:48.iPlayer. Kennedy, the scrum-half, born in

:23:49. > :23:54.Stirling. At the back of a pack that is going backwards. Coetzee. Ulster

:23:55. > :24:08.dominant in the scrummage. Marshall looks at the options. Kay. Piutau.

:24:09. > :24:13.Look at that! Wonderful feat. That was good support work from Cave.

:24:14. > :24:18.Nelson, if they can get the ball to the far side, Ulster did have meant

:24:19. > :24:31.over. Nelson. Edinburgh, defence is getting wise to that, Henry makes a

:24:32. > :24:36.few. Ulster looking for the break. Can Stockdale provide that?

:24:37. > :24:44.Brilliant. Look at that. Can they finish? Driven on by Ricky Lutton.

:24:45. > :24:47.Looking for his first senior Ulster try. The crowd are expected. They

:24:48. > :25:00.have got men over. Yes! Darren Cave, one of the most

:25:01. > :25:06.experienced players on the pitch this evening, he has been effective

:25:07. > :25:13.so far. And he has got the second try for Ulster. That is great work

:25:14. > :25:17.from Stockdale, they have been coming off the wing and making

:25:18. > :25:22.options from nine and ten and after that, you do not want forward to

:25:23. > :25:26.find himself in the channel and that could have been one or two phases

:25:27. > :25:30.earlier. That was a good finish and Darren Cave and quick ball and that

:25:31. > :25:37.is great and that is what is troubling Edinburgh tonight. Darren

:25:38. > :25:42.Cave made his debut back in April 2007. Look at that power from

:25:43. > :25:52.Stockdale. A tricky conversion attempt for

:25:53. > :26:14.Peter Nelson. Not a breath of wind here at the

:26:15. > :26:23.Kingspan Stadium. Slightly weathered. -- we word. Ulster

:26:24. > :26:39.leading 12-5. Look at the power from Stockdale. Quick possession. Ricky

:26:40. > :26:40.Lutton. John Andrew played his part. And Marshall, again, providing the

:26:41. > :27:01.scoring pass for Darren Cave. After that wobbly start... Ulster

:27:02. > :27:07.have got more into this. That was a good take from the try scorer,

:27:08. > :27:15.Bradbury, from Edinburgh. Kennedy. McKenzie feeding it on. Dean linking

:27:16. > :27:22.up with Burnley. The young full-back, Kinghorn, 20 years old.

:27:23. > :27:28.He missed the long penalty that beat Ulster -- Munster last week. It was

:27:29. > :27:40.McKenzie who took that into contact. Bradbury. Edinburgh have not been in

:27:41. > :27:49.the Ulster 22 since scoring a try. McCallum, the 22-year-old from Kirk

:27:50. > :27:59.all day. Dean. -- Kirk. Kennedy finding Cosgrove.

:28:00. > :28:09.Tovey has made the break! He is going all the way! He has dropped

:28:10. > :28:14.it! He should have gone for the line! And Hoyland cannot believe it.

:28:15. > :28:21.What a let off for Ulster. Jason Tovey has caused Ulster trouble over

:28:22. > :28:25.the years. Lovely dummy but that is one of the strengths as -- for

:28:26. > :28:31.Nelson. That is a huge play for Ulster by Peter Nelson. Hopefully

:28:32. > :28:35.they can clean that up because that was better from Edinburgh, that

:28:36. > :28:47.really should have been a try. Hoyland.

:28:48. > :29:01.That could be a key moment if this is a tight game. Les Kiss. He is

:29:02. > :29:06.more across the technology than I am. What do you think he is trying

:29:07. > :29:10.to transmit? If you look at the Edinburgh pack, a couple of them are

:29:11. > :29:14.on their knees, they looked very tired, a few of them were just

:29:15. > :29:18.flopping over those rucks, the message from Ulster must be keep

:29:19. > :29:23.playing with pace, Jonathan Davies, the conditioning Head Coach, he has

:29:24. > :29:29.us that as anybody and if they can manage to keep this intensity,

:29:30. > :29:33.Edinburgh will have nothing. They have McCloskey, Tommy Bowe, Sean

:29:34. > :29:39.Reidy coming off the bench. They could have a chance to run away with

:29:40. > :29:50.this and they must keep sure they put Tovey under pressure. Yes, the

:29:51. > :30:08.dab. My son has taught me something! Warwick Andrew in the front row for

:30:09. > :30:22.Ulster. They have more than held their own so far. Under pressure at

:30:23. > :30:33.the moment, though. Marshall to Nelson. A left footed kicker on the

:30:34. > :30:38.side of the pitch. Peter Nelson happy to see that they're going

:30:39. > :30:44.outside of play. Ever could play under pressure. A bit of trouble at

:30:45. > :30:50.the back of the scrum for Ulster, also have Phil or five left footers,

:30:51. > :30:52.but a very good clearance under pressure from Peter Nelson. -- four

:30:53. > :31:16.five. Burleigh changes the tactic. And on

:31:17. > :31:19.such matters are games one and last stop till you can see what he was

:31:20. > :31:24.trying to do. Edinburgh's analysis will know that Ludik likes to get up

:31:25. > :31:31.the defensive line and orbital space behind. A strange decision to kick

:31:32. > :31:37.so early in the play. -- and a bit of space behind. A good opportunity

:31:38. > :31:40.for Ulster attack here. They like right-hand scrums. To try and get

:31:41. > :31:45.the outside edge against them. C what is in store for us now. -- let

:31:46. > :31:55.us see. 15,000 tickets sold in this game,

:31:56. > :32:10.not a full house but a healthy crowd here at the Kingspan Stadium.

:32:11. > :32:26.A study scrum from Ulster. Marshall goes himself.

:32:27. > :32:40.Down the throat of Peter Nelson, who returns the favour. Excellent

:32:41. > :32:46.following up by Ludik. Not a lot Hoyland could do. His opponent not

:32:47. > :32:51.the sort of money want to see breathing down your neck when you

:32:52. > :32:57.have the ball in your hands. -- the sort of man you want. Edinburgh

:32:58. > :32:59.happy to run from inside their own half, that was Belly. The

:33:00. > :33:14.left-winger coming in on the action. You see Edinburgh tonight have gone

:33:15. > :33:19.with the really big ambition to play from deep, with Phil Burleigh at 12

:33:20. > :33:24.who can also play ten as a secondary ball player. He has proved a lot of

:33:25. > :33:27.guts out wide. -- a lot of threats. They are managing to kick well and

:33:28. > :33:40.that is a very good tackle by Louis Ludik. Ulster looking to end this

:33:41. > :33:44.losing run. They have to go back seven years to the last time they

:33:45. > :33:52.lost five consecutive matches. Edinburgh preparing for a European

:33:53. > :33:58.quarterfinal against the French side. That game has been moved to

:33:59. > :34:09.Murrayfield. The Challenge Cup. Quarterfinal.

:34:10. > :34:16.There's the ball, is it going to go back in the Ulster side? Not the

:34:17. > :34:26.position that Marshall might have wanted. Again, the momentum of the

:34:27. > :34:33.ball setup for Ulster. Toolis doing defensive work for them. Tricky

:34:34. > :34:37.ball, but well taken by's. It is past the first man, you're not stop

:34:38. > :34:46.him. 'S setting up the drive for Ludik! He was like a human bar of

:34:47. > :34:54.soap. If you don't get hold of Piutau, he will do damage. And Ludik

:34:55. > :34:57.finished it off. That is a lovely try by Ulster, as you say Piutau

:34:58. > :35:02.one-on-one is very difficult to beat. I think he has been a much

:35:03. > :35:05.better threat for Ulster, when you think of Glasgow and a few other

:35:06. > :35:12.games where who is getting one-on-one bro, it's great for him

:35:13. > :35:21.to know he has Ludik onside, he is constantly looking. Ludik get that

:35:22. > :35:24.the outside, he gives Ludik an easy run. Brilliant by Ulster, great to

:35:25. > :35:33.see them play with some ambition tonight. He can make defenders look

:35:34. > :35:41.flat-footed. That is the brilliance of Piutau.

:35:42. > :35:46.Suddenly there's opening two minutes of the match seem a long, long time

:35:47. > :36:04.ago. -- those two minutes. Can Nelson... No. He has putted

:36:05. > :36:10.pretty much the same side. That is three tries in the opening 28

:36:11. > :36:15.minutes -- he has put it. You might be a slightly happier man. I think

:36:16. > :36:20.he is. Ulster were disappointed in the first couple of minutes -- he

:36:21. > :36:29.might be a slightly happier man. Very good game management by Peter

:36:30. > :36:35.Nelson tonight. Ulster wow try away from the bonus point. -- one try.

:36:36. > :36:49.Marshall. The left foot of Nelson, that is a

:36:50. > :36:54.terrific touch quickly taken by Bradbury.

:36:55. > :37:12.We haven't seen an awful lot of him in the last 15 minutes.

:37:13. > :37:21.It was a kick for Damien Hoyland to chase, but suddenly Hoyland's

:37:22. > :37:25.failure to clutch that by seems even more noteworthy now. That is a

:37:26. > :37:29.massive swing in the game. Ulster had a great exit strategy from man

:37:30. > :37:47.managed to put another score on the board. Edinburgh seem flat now, they

:37:48. > :37:54.need to get Mata. What might 12- 12 is now Sony 17-5 in Ulster's favour.

:37:55. > :37:57.He has made seven appearances this year. Scrappy ball by Treadwell.

:37:58. > :38:17.Carried by the skipper. Here comes Hoyland. A fine tackle,

:38:18. > :38:23.but he did well to release the ball. Held by Burley. Kinghorn couldn't

:38:24. > :38:30.pick it up. Is there an Congress might ask when I was. And I think

:38:31. > :38:37.you can sense that Jason Tovey is a frustrated out of -- is there a

:38:38. > :38:41.knock-on? There was. They didn't know who it was going to. Had he

:38:42. > :38:48.managed to let that go on through, I think Kinghorn could open away.

:38:49. > :38:51.Edinburgh showing ambition. They don't have much to lose today. They

:38:52. > :38:55.have gone out there and are playing with a lot of wit, Ulster. It's a

:38:56. > :38:58.lovely evening, both teams are trying to play an attractive brand

:38:59. > :39:08.of rugby and it's good for us to watch. The start of the night in

:39:09. > :39:17.ninth position, the former coach they were eighth and ninth. An

:39:18. > :39:24.opportunity for the acting coach Duncan Hodge to prove that he is

:39:25. > :39:34.worth the job on a permanent basis. Here goes Nelson. Ludik again.

:39:35. > :39:51.Olding on by, O'Connor. The ball is being run, an opportunity now, has

:39:52. > :39:56.he got the support? And he is going to get the bonus point try for

:39:57. > :40:05.Ulster! With eight minutes left in the first half! That is another

:40:06. > :40:10.beautiful try by Ulster. With Stuart Olding 12, he is stepping up as

:40:11. > :40:15.first receiver. After Peter Nelson attacked off the left-hand side of

:40:16. > :40:20.the scrum, Stuart Olding managed to step up into regular phases and some

:40:21. > :40:26.lovely better. Great by Stockdale as well. But we can hear is

:40:27. > :40:33.communication between the players is as best as I have heard of the

:40:34. > :40:36.season. There is a lot of communication at, and what has been

:40:37. > :40:46.lacking this season seems to be out there tonight brilliantly.

:40:47. > :41:01.Nelson to add the two points. And suddenly Ulster are thinking about a

:41:02. > :41:05.really impressive victory. Absolutely. They have been very good

:41:06. > :41:11.in the first half. And this opportunity by Edinburgh to go 14-12

:41:12. > :41:14.up, or 12-12. Had they got it going, you would imagine Ulster would've

:41:15. > :41:22.been a bit nervous. Another shackles are off and they look like they are

:41:23. > :41:32.enjoying themselves. -- and now the shackles. It looks like it might be

:41:33. > :41:39.something sombre, here they come, they have nothing to lose. Inside

:41:40. > :41:48.the 22. Scrappy ball tidied up by Cosgrove.

:41:49. > :41:56.Tovey looking for Hoyland. That has worked well. Highland! Brilliantly

:41:57. > :42:04.forced into touch by Paul Marshall. Saved a try. -- Hoyland. You would

:42:05. > :42:11.imagine we know would have finished that, but brilliant tackle. Just

:42:12. > :42:22.manage to get it into touch. With the corner being so far behind. This

:42:23. > :42:26.manner is from international duty along with Stuart McCloskey to take

:42:27. > :42:37.place on a replacement bench -- this man is released.

:42:38. > :42:52.Edinburgh wanting to prove that this game is not done and dusted. Still

:42:53. > :42:59.five minutes left in the first half. He would expect McInally to be on

:43:00. > :43:17.the bench, Admiral Cochrane suffering a shoulder injury. -- Neil

:43:18. > :43:20.Cochrane. Stuart McInally. Is playing a girl, and Edinburgh's

:43:21. > :43:27.second try of the much. That is going to be frustrating for the

:43:28. > :43:31.Ulster coach is. Unfortunately, they give away a penalty. But into the

:43:32. > :43:39.corner. Mice play by Edinburgh. Ulster forward is putting so much

:43:40. > :43:44.into defending, but slow around the corner. McInally began his rugby

:43:45. > :43:49.career in the back row. He was showing exactly those foraging and

:43:50. > :43:57.driving qualities taking over. That is just what stood and went before

:43:58. > :44:08.half-time, little bit of hope and light. That is very unlike him. I

:44:09. > :44:12.should -- they want to make show this game is put to bed now. And

:44:13. > :44:17.hopefully put Edinburgh under pressure. Attacking in the Edinburgh

:44:18. > :44:43.half is a good outcome from here. A collective towering out of her

:44:44. > :44:51.amongst the Ulster coach staff. -- towering out hair.

:44:52. > :45:06.Commented's delight with those green boots, Coetzee. Nelson.

:45:07. > :45:17.You can hear the band for the first time this evening.

:45:18. > :45:30.Held by Fraser McKenzie. They won't go down for lack of trying,

:45:31. > :45:37.Edinburgh. Real initiative. Kinghorn. Finds Burleigh. The

:45:38. > :45:48.Christchurch born man. Plenty of time for Ludik. He finds his

:45:49. > :46:00.opposite number, Kinghorn. Here comes the counterattack. It's

:46:01. > :46:10.Bradbury. To the floor by Darren Cave. I think Les Kiss and company

:46:11. > :46:13.would happily shut up shop now and take the 14 point advantage and head

:46:14. > :46:19.into the break, but Edinburgh have other ideas. Burleigh grabbed by a

:46:20. > :46:42.O'Connor. McInally try scorer. Back. -- forced

:46:43. > :46:53.back. Too far away to charge out. Taken by Stockdale. The ball is not

:46:54. > :47:02.out yet. Nelson Vining Piutau, here he goes! Here he goes! He has

:47:03. > :47:14.support from Marshall! Can Ulster keep it alive? This could be one of

:47:15. > :47:20.the tries of the season! Could -- it is out. It is well held and driven

:47:21. > :47:29.on. This could be a 15 man Ulster trial. There is Andrew getting its

:47:30. > :47:37.hands on the ball. -- Ulster try. Ludik acting at scrum-half.

:47:38. > :47:47.Marshall. It's a crunching tackle coming in from McKenzie.

:47:48. > :47:57.For the moment, the momentum has gone, but maybe Coetzee can reignite

:47:58. > :48:04.matters for Ulster. Henry, Nelson, Piutau! Can he keep under ball all

:48:05. > :48:12.he find the corner? No, he can't. What a phase. Great attack by Ulster

:48:13. > :48:16.in the first half. What we like there is the ball's at the back

:48:17. > :48:23.caused all the problems. The threats behind, wrote that ball carries from

:48:24. > :48:27.the forwards. Sometimes it's just one person, sometimes four. They

:48:28. > :48:30.seem to be playing had up rugby, which has been a complaint about

:48:31. > :48:35.them, but I'd doubt that they're just having fun, plenty of

:48:36. > :48:42.enthusiasm and ambition. That is the big thing tonight. It is lovely to

:48:43. > :48:52.watch. Marshall, Cave, Ludik and Stockdale try scorers. Bradbury and

:48:53. > :48:58.McInally: entertaining half. -- an entertaining first half. Ulster at

:48:59. > :49:13.half-time leading 24-10. What an exciting, entertaining and

:49:14. > :49:18.electric first half at the Kingspan Stadium. Six tries in all. Ulster

:49:19. > :49:22.already with a bonus point. All the fans tonight and all of you watching

:49:23. > :49:29.at home certainly getting your money's was from Ulster Rugby live

:49:30. > :49:33.this evening. -- Ulster Rugby Live this evening. It has been a

:49:34. > :49:36.sensational have. Very interesting. We got off to a nightmare start and

:49:37. > :49:40.thought the wings were maybe going to come off -- the Wales. Try to

:49:41. > :49:48.play catch up again, but the boys responded very well. The four tries

:49:49. > :49:53.that can have an excellent. Really good hands, build-up play. One thing

:49:54. > :49:55.that Eddie will touch on is the confidence and just the

:49:56. > :49:59.perseverance, holding onto the ball for an extra couple of phases, not

:50:00. > :50:02.making silly errors. It's a different Ulster team and so good to

:50:03. > :50:08.watch. A different Ulster team eventually. The first few minutes,

:50:09. > :50:12.it was the same old story. What an awful start for Ulster, great for

:50:13. > :50:18.Edinburgh. It was. You've got to worry about stage for Ulster, having

:50:19. > :50:21.given up a soft spot to start the game, how to respond. Edinburgh

:50:22. > :50:27.happened patient here. It came to play. There wasn't much pressure on

:50:28. > :50:35.them and they just held on to the ball. Ulster paid the price. Not the

:50:36. > :50:39.best start, but you have to admit they responded really well in coming

:50:40. > :50:45.back. The quality of rugby has been superb. Edinburgh have played very

:50:46. > :50:49.well also. When a team is lacking in confidence like Ulster before this

:50:50. > :50:54.game, credit that they were able to come back so well. There were tight

:50:55. > :50:57.in defence. When you winger get in, he's got a head in and take the

:50:58. > :51:03.ball. He goes low, doesn't wrap up the ball. If he hadn't wrapped up

:51:04. > :51:08.the ball, it wouldn't have been a try. They regrouped, kicked off and

:51:09. > :51:12.turn things around. As we have said, it has just been really good,

:51:13. > :51:17.entertaining stuff. Ulster have played some great rugby tonight. The

:51:18. > :51:21.patience they have shown on the ball and not forcing the game. When they

:51:22. > :51:28.have had those wraparound passes, quick hands and Piutau has been

:51:29. > :51:33.outstanding. He was like lightning, you can't tie him down. He is really

:51:34. > :51:38.killing Edinburgh with his hands on the ball. It makes me wonder why

:51:39. > :51:41.they kick the ball to him. This is great rugby. It's a tough draw, good

:51:42. > :51:47.continuity, good off-loading. You can see already that Edinburgh are

:51:48. > :51:51.backing of because they don't know where to go. Ultimately, fantastic

:51:52. > :51:59.by Olding behind him. These are top drawer. It all looks a bit more

:52:00. > :52:05.off-the-cuff. If they spot a gap, they go for it. You can see that

:52:06. > :52:09.effort by Marshall. Paul Marshall sniffing round the back, and in easy

:52:10. > :52:13.walking for him. I think everybody to a man has stood up, that is what

:52:14. > :52:17.Les Kiss probably said in the changing room before the match.

:52:18. > :52:22.Every single person in that change has to stand up, and they have done

:52:23. > :52:27.so far. Credit to them for that, they are performing. They had to

:52:28. > :52:31.come out, they had to play. You have to give credit where it is due. What

:52:32. > :52:35.would like to see now is the kicked down in the second half, just to

:52:36. > :52:44.keep their foot on the pedal and not back away. Let us look at the Cave

:52:45. > :52:49.try. Think he has played row were all night. He has been in and out a

:52:50. > :52:54.bit this season. Stockdale's carries phenomenal. He has carried the ball

:52:55. > :52:57.25 minutes. He has dragged a lot of Edinburgh players and it was over

:52:58. > :53:03.them, it was just a matter of holding onto that damage. I think a

:53:04. > :53:07.dummy line is being held. They are working the defence, and Edinburgh

:53:08. > :53:15.don't man up. Darren Cave in the breadbasket. All good quick ball for

:53:16. > :53:20.Ulster tonight, and it seems to be that everything is working for them.

:53:21. > :53:27.As well as being patient they are winning collisions. Paul Marshall is

:53:28. > :53:31.getting from the forwards. He is sliding in self, keeping a defence

:53:32. > :53:35.guessing. It is just a very good balance, wit and aggression and

:53:36. > :53:38.directness when they have to be. I think at one stage here, you thought

:53:39. > :53:44.Edinburgh want to fall away, but they haven't. They are not going to

:53:45. > :53:50.give up that easy, sizing the second half to start with will be critical.

:53:51. > :53:53.A player you know well, Brian O'Driscoll, is always very

:53:54. > :53:56.complimentary about Piutau, absolutely loves him. What he did

:53:57. > :54:03.hear from us next try had you purring, didn't it? He's just a joy

:54:04. > :54:06.to watch. As Eddie alluded to, he make something happen every time he

:54:07. > :54:10.touches ball. He makes tackles, the right decisions at the right time.

:54:11. > :54:18.For me, he has been Ulster's best player tonight. He can arise be very

:54:19. > :54:26.dangerous, he knows Ludik is on his side, and a lovely pass again. It's

:54:27. > :54:29.a nice score from Ulster. That's all Piutau. He doesn't step, he doesn't

:54:30. > :54:35.break the tackle. He makes everything happen. Watching his body

:54:36. > :54:40.language, he is looking for work as well. You just want the ball. Every

:54:41. > :54:44.time he get that, Edinburgh are in a panic, for good reason. Ulster in

:54:45. > :54:49.the ascendancy, but as you say, Edinburgh battling their way back

:54:50. > :54:53.into this game. Scored a try before half-time, Jason Tovey a golden

:54:54. > :54:58.opportunity as well. They should have had another one. I think Chris

:54:59. > :55:03.Henry is caught slightly wide, Jason Tovey recognises the space, beta. Of

:55:04. > :55:09.his left foot. Should he have held onto it? For me, he probably should

:55:10. > :55:14.have. He just recognises a little bit of separation, just a bit too

:55:15. > :55:19.much between Andrew Warwick and Chris Henry the they should have

:55:20. > :55:24.just paid back. Had to back himself. That would have brought them back

:55:25. > :55:28.into the game. Ulster bounced back from that, in fairness. They judged

:55:29. > :55:32.a bullet, but certainly took advantage. Edinburgh before

:55:33. > :55:36.half-time, they'll be disappointed to concede this. For all the good

:55:37. > :55:40.things they have done in the first half. Eddie has talked about it many

:55:41. > :55:43.times, playing the game in ten minute blocks. Ten minutes before

:55:44. > :55:49.half-time is always crucial, going into the second half. As in

:55:50. > :55:55.Humphreys mentioned, this is a bit of a lifeline for Edinburgh in this

:55:56. > :55:58.game. They probably with the play didn't deserve it, but they are

:55:59. > :56:01.still there and get over the line, and it's just a little bit too easy

:56:02. > :56:05.for me. They aren't working hard enough, the forwards not working

:56:06. > :56:09.hard enough, any easy soft score. It is a danger when you're attacking so

:56:10. > :56:15.well, everything is going well, you forget you've got to defend as well.

:56:16. > :56:20.I think Ulster needs to switch their headset onto the defensive side,

:56:21. > :56:24.recognise that Edinburgh... They need to score at the start of the

:56:25. > :56:28.second half. If Edinburgh score again, the game is back on. It is as

:56:29. > :56:32.ridiculous given the quality of rugby we have seen, but it is like

:56:33. > :56:35.that. I think there will be disappointed with that. They had

:56:36. > :56:38.switched off a little bit. They were playing so well and didn't defend,

:56:39. > :56:42.but they needed to. They have given them a lifeline. Defensively, Ulster

:56:43. > :56:46.is slightly disappointing at times. Offensively there have been

:56:47. > :56:50.brilliant. The only tried we have not looked at is the one by young

:56:51. > :56:55.Jason Stockdale, which he took really well. It's just great to

:56:56. > :57:00.watch. EC Robbie Diack on the touchline, he is holding his wits.

:57:01. > :57:05.He's actually holding the wits, he has spurred defence. I've been in

:57:06. > :57:09.the back row many times, it is difficult to hold the wits. Quran

:57:10. > :57:12.comes to him, the guys do well. And Jason Stockdale who has been

:57:13. > :57:17.magnificent all night, doesn't just dive there. He makes it easy for

:57:18. > :57:24.Peter Nelson and it is a 7-point. Has he impressed you tonight,

:57:25. > :57:29.Stockdale. He was phenomenal in the build-up to Ludik's try. I think he

:57:30. > :57:35.has been hugely physical, he has held onto the ball. For me, he has

:57:36. > :57:39.had a big impact on the game. He was responsible for tee scores at the

:57:40. > :57:44.end of the day. Let us pause on the Pro12 for the moment, because it is

:57:45. > :57:49.a big weekend in the Six Nations championship. Ireland first up

:57:50. > :57:54.tomorrow against Italy. It is in Rome. Followed by Wales against

:57:55. > :58:00.England. On Sunday, Scotland travel to France. The Ireland team are to

:58:01. > :58:08.play Italy, a couple of changes to the pack for this week. Ryan

:58:09. > :58:13.replaces Henderson who has tight hamstring with prop Healy taking

:58:14. > :58:17.over from Jack McGrath. Big news today, Rory Best did not take part

:58:18. > :58:20.in the captain's run. Are you concerned about his participation

:58:21. > :58:28.tomorrow in the game? Unconcerned, obviously. But he is the captain,

:58:29. > :58:33.you know? -- I'm concerned. If he's not fit, he's not fit. If he is 60

:58:34. > :58:37.or 70%, he shouldn't play. But it will be a bigger loss if he does not

:58:38. > :58:40.play. Having from a type of game tomorrow as we have seen tonight.

:58:41. > :58:44.That's what we want to see. I'm thinking Rome tomorrow is supposed

:58:45. > :58:50.to be good, nice and dry. Transient question, it would be a big loss for

:58:51. > :58:53.Ireland if Rory Best didn't play. -- to answer your question. Ireland

:58:54. > :58:57.were defensively disappointing last week against Scotland. No better

:58:58. > :59:01.team to bounce back against than the weakest team in the group in the Six

:59:02. > :59:08.Nations. They'll be very disappointed. This kind of very lax

:59:09. > :59:13.defence, wandering off badly on the short side. And then again, being

:59:14. > :59:17.beaten off by being too narrow. It's a problem for Ireland in the last

:59:18. > :59:22.couple of seasons and hasn't gone away. Falling asleep at the

:59:23. > :59:27.line-out. Scotland use that lineout last year but didn't use the front

:59:28. > :59:32.of this year. Defensively, you cannot come from three tries again

:59:33. > :59:38.in Six Nations rugby and come out from it. Because we were winning, we

:59:39. > :59:42.kind of laughter over it. But it's a big problem. I don't think tomorrow

:59:43. > :59:46.is a problem, we'll defend well against Italy, we shouldn't get

:59:47. > :59:50.complacent, though. If Italy score a couple of tries to, we need to ask

:59:51. > :59:55.questions. Offensively, we need to get this sorted. It is schoolboy

:59:56. > :00:01.errors by any metric. It is very frustrating to watch by anybody

:00:02. > :00:04.involved, not just the players. The line-out is an error Ulster are

:00:05. > :00:07.going to try and get right. Just disappointing last week. Island.

:00:08. > :00:22.Ireland, yes. That gave Scotland a foothold in the

:00:23. > :00:30.game. I expect this to be different tomorrow and there to be real

:00:31. > :00:33.strength. We have had a problem. We had two jumpers, Ian Anderson would

:00:34. > :00:38.not be comfortable in the second row and that made life difficult per

:00:39. > :00:44.Rory Best, having just two jumpers against some of the tallest locks in

:00:45. > :00:51.the game. To compete with Devin Toner. The pressure on the line-out

:00:52. > :00:55.was immense. The teams are back at the Kingspan Stadium, let us hope

:00:56. > :01:01.for as entertaining as second-half. Back to Ian and Michael.

:01:02. > :01:11.Ulster have made a couple of changes. Stuart McCloskey replaces

:01:12. > :01:19.Darren Cave in the centre. And Herbst, back after injury, returning

:01:20. > :01:30.to the front row in place of Lutton. Tovey. Gingerly getting back into

:01:31. > :01:38.the action. That is a good outcome for Ulster, deep kicking, that will

:01:39. > :01:44.be a loss for Edinburgh, because he has been a threat in the first half.

:01:45. > :01:52.Neat work by Treadwell. Hugh healers. In the second half it is

:01:53. > :02:00.Edinburgh who have started sleepily. -- here he is. Marshall. The fellow

:02:01. > :02:09.just one. The big presence of McCloskey in the midfield. Robbie

:02:10. > :02:17.Diack. And the Ulster tales are up, whatever Les Kiss said at half-time,

:02:18. > :02:24.that was unfortunate. Finally, there is a chance for Kennedy to clear the

:02:25. > :02:34.danger. Back into trouble. That is the man he did not want to give the

:02:35. > :02:42.ball to, Piutau. Coetzee. On the basis of the first 40 minutes, he is

:02:43. > :02:46.a firm favourite. Ludik, one of the try scorers. And Stockdale, who

:02:47. > :02:59.scored before Christmas in the defeat away. Warwick. McCloskey with

:03:00. > :03:04.a clean 22 on his Jersey. There is no sign of Ulster taking their foot

:03:05. > :03:13.off the pedal. Very nearly through, it takes two men to bring him down.

:03:14. > :03:21.Edinburgh have barely touched the ball at the start of the second

:03:22. > :03:29.half. Good hands. Olding held off the challenge of Brown. Coetzee. But

:03:30. > :03:35.she stopped him but he could not bring him down. Nelson, changing the

:03:36. > :03:47.angle of attack. McCloskey. The advantage being played for Ulster.

:03:48. > :03:52.Herbst. No advantage. Terrific start to the second half? Very nice baby

:03:53. > :03:56.Ulster, Coetzee being involved heavily and Stuart Olding getting

:03:57. > :04:02.into the second phase behind those carriers, but only a threat out wide

:04:03. > :04:05.but that also softens the carriage for the forwards. Nice to see Ulster

:04:06. > :04:09.playing with ambition and Nelson changing the point of attack, you

:04:10. > :04:13.hope that Ulster keep playing with this ambition and put some nice

:04:14. > :04:18.attacking shapes on it, they don't decide to shut up shop and be

:04:19. > :04:35.content with winning. Concern for Jason Tovey.

:04:36. > :04:46.Of the two former Ulster players on the bench, Allen and schools. --

:04:47. > :04:55.Rory Scholes. Ulster have a decent attacking position. Kinghorn going

:04:56. > :04:59.off. Rory Scholes comment on. He will look forward to a very big

:05:00. > :05:03.impact, he scored a lot of tries and is a dangerous attacking player and

:05:04. > :05:11.Ulster will be keen not to give him too much space. He scored five tries

:05:12. > :05:18.for Ulster, Rory Scholes. Campbell College man. Kinghorn making his way

:05:19. > :05:41.off. Andrew has the ball in his hands at

:05:42. > :05:51.the back of all that, Herbst. Not taking any prisoners! Sobol in the

:05:52. > :06:06.end, taken on by Herbst. -- slow ball. In a change to the normal

:06:07. > :06:11.receiver, McCloskey takes this on. Ulster have got the Edinburgh line

:06:12. > :06:21.in their sides. Marshall. Driven on by Treadwell.

:06:22. > :06:38.Marshall looking up. Maintaining possession? Well, Nelson, Piutau!

:06:39. > :06:43.That was a high tackle. He took the colour from his Jersey. Marshall,

:06:44. > :06:54.slapping around the fringes, confidence flowing for Ulster. Can

:06:55. > :07:00.they've finish this off? -- carnet. Couple of metres short, McCloskey

:07:01. > :07:07.has got support. Just held up. Marshall, Herbst. And the ball on

:07:08. > :07:14.that occasion was like the proverbial bar of soap for Herbst.

:07:15. > :07:18.Ulster have not let up in this opening five minutes of the second

:07:19. > :07:26.half. Edinburgh have been pinned down inside their own 22. And here

:07:27. > :07:33.they go, little bit of initiative! And beautifully done. Quickly taken

:07:34. > :07:38.by Stockdale, Ludik. The crowd are getting their money's worth, no

:07:39. > :07:44.doubt about that. Marshall, the attempted kick for Olding and

:07:45. > :07:48.that'll be an Ulster line-out. Again, great attack by Ulster and I

:07:49. > :07:52.think the encouraging thing is that throughout that passage of play,

:07:53. > :07:55.Ulster may Howard 13 different carriers and that means the

:07:56. > :08:02.Edinburgh defence don't have an easy point of attack to go after and you

:08:03. > :08:07.can see Coetzee carrying the ball and Chris Henry and Herbst and the

:08:08. > :08:09.forwards, it makes the job for everybody easier and it gives them

:08:10. > :08:15.the point of difference that everybody is putting their hand up.

:08:16. > :08:21.The last Emperor Peter Nelson, Rory Scholes actually scored the try for

:08:22. > :08:26.Ulster against Edinburgh back in 2015, that is just how long ago it

:08:27. > :08:30.was. Stockdale. You can sense the Ulster players want to get their

:08:31. > :08:44.hands onto the ball. Ludik staying strong. Marshall. Nelson. Top job

:08:45. > :08:54.for Treadwell. Piutau. Nice little bit of room. Ulster being patient.

:08:55. > :08:57.They might have a problem because Treadwell has taken a blow to the

:08:58. > :09:01.foot and is limping but he says he does not need treatment, Ulster

:09:02. > :09:11.still have 15 men on the park. McCloskey. He get the sense that

:09:12. > :09:17.Edinburgh are tearing out in the defence already in the opening

:09:18. > :09:28.stages of the second half. -- tiring out. Here is Andy Warwick. Marshall,

:09:29. > :09:34.Nelson. Olding very nearly sent Piutau in there. The ball is still

:09:35. > :09:45.there for Ulster. Coetzee. Marshall. Can they find their way through?

:09:46. > :09:57.Olding. Edinburgh just cannot get their hands on the ball. Coetzee.

:09:58. > :10:02.Marshall. Nelson. Ludik. Stockdale, three defenders in front of him, he

:10:03. > :10:07.has taken on Tom Brown and has kept the ball alive for Ulster. Tidied up

:10:08. > :10:14.by Henry. At the moment Edinburgh are down to 14, back to 15. Clever

:10:15. > :10:20.hands. Warwick. He maybe should have given the ball to Olding earlier.

:10:21. > :10:25.The attacker still there, it is never ending, can they finish it

:10:26. > :10:34.off? The curse of the commentator! Mata. There were three or four men

:10:35. > :10:42.outside of him. And here they come, Edinburgh. McInally. It is

:10:43. > :10:43.exhausting, watching this! Continuous play for about five

:10:44. > :10:59.minutes! Mata. Treatment for an Edinburgh player on

:11:00. > :11:05.the far side. They are not going to kick it! Jason Tovey defying

:11:06. > :11:14.expectations. They are going to play their way out of their own 22, they

:11:15. > :11:22.are not going to kick it. Kennedy with the box kick. Piutau sizing up

:11:23. > :11:31.his opposite number, Tom Brown. The pass was fired out of Ludik. Not

:11:32. > :11:37.forward, says Nigel Owens. That was a long period of play. You can see

:11:38. > :11:41.that both teams are just on their feet, Ulster, probably five players

:11:42. > :11:48.coming back from long-term injury so you would imagine... I can hear the

:11:49. > :11:52.side of benches about to be cleared! Players walking everywhere, and the

:11:53. > :11:57.boys from Edinburgh look even worse, they are hoping this injury lasts so

:11:58. > :12:00.they can get their breath back. Ulster look like they're playing

:12:01. > :12:04.conditioning games preseason, keeping the ball alive,

:12:05. > :12:09.enthusiastic, great to see. They worry will be the fact that Piutau

:12:10. > :12:13.is getting treatment but hopefully it is nothing serious because it has

:12:14. > :12:19.been a great night so far and they don't want any negatives after

:12:20. > :12:27.tonight. A change at scrum-half Edinburgh, Hidalgo-Clyne replacing

:12:28. > :12:36.John Kennedy. Nine Scottish caps, Hidalgo-Clyne, born in Spain. And

:12:37. > :12:45.that is not what the Ulster fans want to see. Piutau limping away.

:12:46. > :12:48.That is a worry. He has been a massive threat tonight along with

:12:49. > :12:53.others but hopefully the fact that he can walk away shows this is not a

:12:54. > :12:59.bad sign that this is a huge disappointment. Tommy Bowe, coming

:13:00. > :13:04.on. Usually experienced and he will enjoy playing in front of the home

:13:05. > :13:07.crowd but Piutau has been unbelievable tonight and he has been

:13:08. > :13:13.the focal point for Ulster and along with Coetzee, they have lead by

:13:14. > :13:17.example and the rest of the team have been feeding off them. Keep the

:13:18. > :13:32.energy high because Ulster are very fit. Piutau, again. The challenge

:13:33. > :13:36.coming in from Brown. Off the bench at Murrayfield last week for Ireland

:13:37. > :13:58.and tonight for Ulster, Tommy Bowe. Still 30 minutes to play. Terrific

:13:59. > :14:04.levels of fitness from both sides and another brilliant Ulster

:14:05. > :14:08.scrummage. Edinburgh in trouble, Coetzee, Marshall, Nelson, here is

:14:09. > :14:13.Ludik with room in front of him. Stockdale. He perhaps should have

:14:14. > :14:19.kept the ball in hand, that is a dive and the touchdown for the man

:14:20. > :14:24.just on the park, Hidalgo-Clyne. The second or third scrummage taken

:14:25. > :14:29.against the head. They are putting Edinburgh under so much pressure and

:14:30. > :14:33.you can understand what Stockdale is doing, Scholes coming up but

:14:34. > :14:41.Edinburgh are looking to relieve this pressure.

:14:42. > :14:49.Libra have not been in Ulster's half in the second half. -- Edinburgh.

:14:50. > :14:57.Just that little pause while Stockdale considers his options. He

:14:58. > :15:04.runs into McCullum. Nelson. Tommy Bowe, ball in hand. Rousing cheer

:15:05. > :15:13.from the faithful. As ever. Coetzee waiting to receive. Setting up for

:15:14. > :15:22.Marshall. Elson. Little bit of action midfield for John Andrew.

:15:23. > :15:32.Marshall looking at the options, he goes narrow. McCloskey. All of this

:15:33. > :15:38.possession and territorial dominance but Ulster have not put one point on

:15:39. > :15:42.the board in the second half and Edinburgh are having to run the ball

:15:43. > :15:48.from wherever they find it. Ulster have the ball back, another

:15:49. > :15:57.turnover, Marshall. That is a chase into the corner. And it might yet be

:15:58. > :16:02.there for Ulster! Jason Tovey, I do not think his team-mates know what

:16:03. > :16:06.he is going to do but that a patient, Edinburgh got away with

:16:07. > :16:11.that. I settle kick by Paul Marshall after the turnover, it means

:16:12. > :16:17.Edinburgh have to play it and Scholes touched the touchline.

:16:18. > :16:22.Ulster want to stay here and hopefully turn over possession and

:16:23. > :16:35.get some points on the board. Rory Scholes is relieved. Here comes

:16:36. > :16:52.Ludik. Taken down by McCallum. Coetzee. The Beast at work. Nelson,

:16:53. > :17:03.Olding. He finds Tommy Bowe. Coetzee. He does not look like a man

:17:04. > :17:10.just back after ten months? Nelson. Ludik. McCloskey tried to spin on

:17:11. > :17:21.the challenge. Marshall, looking to the corner. Nelson and Olding.

:17:22. > :17:27.Nelson with the corner. Straight into the hands of Scholes. And

:17:28. > :17:40.straight into the hands of Peter Nelson. Nelson appealing that he was

:17:41. > :17:49.impeded. Nothing doing, says the referee. Here, Edinburgh. Dean,

:17:50. > :18:04.Burley. Not quite the same pace. Hidalgo-Clyne. The skipper,

:18:05. > :18:19.McInally. Was that forward? Flat, says the referee. Here is Tom Brown,

:18:20. > :18:23.against Tommy Bowe. Mata asking for the ball and getting it. Tackle

:18:24. > :18:32.coming in from Herbst. Hidalgo-Clyne. Should be

:18:33. > :18:39.Stockdale's. That was an awkward bounce back the Ulster winger. Nice

:18:40. > :18:44.play by that replacement scrum-half. Edinburgh are not out of this, if

:18:45. > :18:49.they can get the score, they will feel they are right back in this.

:18:50. > :18:54.You can see Ulster are starting to retire right, very fast-paced first

:18:55. > :18:59.55 minutes and the key is to keep concentration and have a good exit

:19:00. > :19:03.strategy. Probably use the right foot of Ludik. Or a box kick from

:19:04. > :19:07.Marshall. In the first half Edinburgh made rare forays into the

:19:08. > :19:13.Ulster 22 but they were very profitable. Dangerous with the ball

:19:14. > :19:18.in hand, Edinburgh. When they could not get Mata onto the ball, he has

:19:19. > :19:23.been prominent in the last ten minutes with Edinburgh attacking and

:19:24. > :19:27.you need two men to attack him otherwise it gets the Flood, and

:19:28. > :19:32.that is what Edinburgh are doing, playing at a high pace with floods.

:19:33. > :19:42.I think Ulster should keep switched on here and they can push through. A

:19:43. > :19:57.change in the Edinburgh front row. Definitely for Ulster. Callum Black

:19:58. > :20:06.coming on. The man making his way off, Andrew Warwick. And George

:20:07. > :20:17.Turner replacing McInally in the front row as hooker. And Fraser

:20:18. > :20:29.McKenzie has taken it upon himself to take over as captain because

:20:30. > :20:39.Nigel Owens asked him, effectively! Tidy ball taken by O'Connor.

:20:40. > :20:45.Coetzee. Marshall gets it back and Ulster are trying to get a more

:20:46. > :20:52.central position for Peter Nelson or Ludik, in the end. Decent touch

:20:53. > :20:55.fined by the Ulster full-back. Ludik did well under pressure, after the

:20:56. > :21:03.first snowball, whenever Coetzee had to step in field, I thought Marshall

:21:04. > :21:07.might have box kicked that to take the pressure off but Edinburgh have

:21:08. > :21:10.a good attacking position and hopefully Ulster can turn the ball

:21:11. > :21:15.over in a couple of phases and get back to Edinburgh have. It does

:21:16. > :21:24.sound amazing that with 15 minutes in the first half -- second half and

:21:25. > :21:35.we have not seen one point. Troy Merritt finding Toolis. -- Turner.

:21:36. > :21:40.Another score from Edinburgh would make this interesting, not in the

:21:41. > :21:51.way the home fans would hope for. Still rolling forward. Hidalgo-Clyne

:21:52. > :21:55.having a little word with Tovey. He also has the winger, Brian. Up

:21:56. > :22:01.against Black. The referee has a look. Knocked on? Hidalgo-Clyne

:22:02. > :22:13.cannot get the ball back and Ulster have taken it. Schools. Up against

:22:14. > :22:24.his old friend, Tommy Bowe. -- Scholes. Highland. -- Hoyland. Some

:22:25. > :22:33.belief being injected into Edinburgh. Bradbury, it seems a long

:22:34. > :22:45.time ago since you went over without opening try. Tovey. Plenty of

:22:46. > :22:58.support, Toolis. Mata. Scholes is with them. Toolis. Turner. Creeping

:22:59. > :23:03.forward, Edinburgh. Tovey, there are men over here and they are on the

:23:04. > :23:10.corner. And suddenly they are back into the game and it is Damien

:23:11. > :23:15.Hoyland. He scored in the factory in Scotland before Christmas and

:23:16. > :23:22.Hoyland has got Edinburgh back into this. I think Hidalgo-Clyne has made

:23:23. > :23:24.a huge difference since coming on. He has raised the pace of the game

:23:25. > :23:30.and that is lovely passing from Jason Tovey. Mata is hugely

:23:31. > :23:34.influential for this Edinburgh team, carrying the ball in one hand, like

:23:35. > :23:40.McWilliams a few years ago, very clinical. They have not been able to

:23:41. > :23:44.create any scoring chances in the second half and that is the first or

:23:45. > :23:49.second chance from Edinburgh and they have managed to score. Perhaps

:23:50. > :23:55.not expecting the pass in the first half from Tovey, definitely

:23:56. > :24:00.expecting that pass. A man about to make his 50th appearance for Ulster,

:24:01. > :24:09.Sean Reidy. He will enter this game at a very pivotal point. Into the

:24:10. > :24:19.last corner. -- quarter. And Edinburgh since they still have a

:24:20. > :24:27.chance. -- they can sense. Very important kick. Hidalgo-Clyne with

:24:28. > :24:36.it. Did not make it. Relief for the home fans. Nine points still 20

:24:37. > :24:40.minutes left. This is a huge next five minutes, Sean Reidy is on and

:24:41. > :24:46.Coetzee has had a great game, very big impact. This is a game that

:24:47. > :24:59.should have Ulster running in the wide channels, Ulster need the next

:25:00. > :25:03.score. If he can keep that level of performance up, he will be a massive

:25:04. > :25:16.hit at the Kingspan. Sean Reidy, his 50th appearance. And for all of that

:25:17. > :25:26.territorial dominance, Ulster are trailing in the second half by five

:25:27. > :25:34.but -- 5-0. Tovey. Toolis with the long hair. Hidalgo-Clyne, another

:25:35. > :25:45.left footed kicker. He was expecting to put them there. Marshall has been

:25:46. > :25:52.nabbed. Ludik acting at the scrum-half for Reidy. And a vital 20

:25:53. > :26:06.minutes in the Ulster season coming up. Marshall. Tommy Bowe is going to

:26:07. > :26:10.chase this. Ulster about to bring on Peter Browne. Tovey. He does well

:26:11. > :26:30.for Edinburgh. That is a long pass from Burnley. --

:26:31. > :26:39.Burleigh. Can Mata keep the ball alive? We have seen all evenly that

:26:40. > :26:44.Edinburgh will attack from deep, not the best kick from Hidalgo-Clyne.

:26:45. > :26:52.Stockdale thought about putting his boot to the ball and instead retains

:26:53. > :26:57.possession for Ulster. Herbst. Into the final quarter. -- quarter.

:26:58. > :27:04.Ulster have the bonus point. They will hold on hopefully for victory.

:27:05. > :27:29.Nelson. Henry. Nelson for the corner. Well fielded by Tovey. Very

:27:30. > :27:34.nicely fielded by Nelson. That was Tommy Bowe trying to make his way

:27:35. > :27:42.through the traffic. And I think one of the Edinburgh players has come

:27:43. > :27:46.off the worse in that collision. Ian Humphreys, these are very two sets

:27:47. > :27:53.of players, certainly the players who started. They are exhausted.

:27:54. > :27:57.This has been a very long passage of play, both teams have the idea of

:27:58. > :28:01.not kicking into touch, they are kicking long or just to compete and

:28:02. > :28:04.it means they have played for a very long time and these boys would only

:28:05. > :28:09.be training in batches of three minutes so when it gets to this

:28:10. > :28:14.length of time, the shape is gone and you need nines and tens to

:28:15. > :28:18.organise things because the forwards have been on their feet, set piece

:28:19. > :28:22.to set piece and they need to be bossed around and from up here it is

:28:23. > :28:27.good to see, you can hear the voices, Stuart Olding and Stuart

:28:28. > :28:32.McCloskey, Peter Nelson, just bossing around the players and that

:28:33. > :28:36.is what they need. Ulster's shape has been very good tonight, playing

:28:37. > :28:40.exciting rugby and they are enjoying it, they are keen to get their hands

:28:41. > :28:42.on the ball and just express themselves and they seem to be

:28:43. > :28:47.playing with the freedom they have not had in recent weeks and it is

:28:48. > :28:52.exciting to be a fan when they play this way. Despite it being quite

:28:53. > :28:57.tight, the key is they do not go into their shells and they continue

:28:58. > :29:07.to play. Peter Browne replacing Treadwell. Brian started in their

:29:08. > :29:10.last four European matches. -- Browne. The medical truck is on for

:29:11. > :29:27.the Edinburgh man. Tommy Bowe, as you saw running

:29:28. > :29:34.through, collided with him. He has not moved since then. He seems to

:29:35. > :29:37.have been hit by Tommy Bowe tried to get past, he was trying to block and

:29:38. > :29:43.as a chaser you are allowed to get them out of the way and he has tried

:29:44. > :29:45.to shepherd him out of the way. Very innocuous, it might just be

:29:46. > :29:52.whiplash. Bye Rory Scholes. Concern being

:29:53. > :30:15.shown. I think one of the impressive things

:30:16. > :30:18.from Ulster tonight has been the leadership of Henry. Every time you

:30:19. > :30:23.have seen a break in play, here's gathered them around and chatted to

:30:24. > :30:27.them. What we saw was the same from Marcel Coetzee. When you bring in

:30:28. > :30:31.those big players, you hope they lead by example. He was out there

:30:32. > :30:37.tonight, leading by word and action. If you can all of a sudden get the

:30:38. > :30:41.likes of Chris Henry, Rory Best, Marcel Coetzee in there, that brings

:30:42. > :30:48.a team on, vocal as leaders. The problem for teams, they might be

:30:49. > :30:54.looking to Paddy Jackson, but we have heard a lot of voices tonight.

:30:55. > :30:58.Peter Nelson has been instrumental in organising. It makes the team

:30:59. > :31:05.more of a threat, because all know what is going on. Fraser McKenzie in

:31:06. > :31:09.the second row who is down. As a result, the Ospreys winning to take

:31:10. > :31:17.over at the top. Munster will have other ideas. An early kick-off in

:31:18. > :31:25.Italy. Scarlet started the night in fourth, and Glasgow, fifth --

:31:26. > :31:30.Scarlet started on fourth, Glasgow and fifth. Munster retain their

:31:31. > :31:37.dominance at the top. If there is one message that Les Kiss's teams

:31:38. > :31:43.could transmit now, what would it be the last 18 minutes of this match?

:31:44. > :31:46.Think field positions is important, because is to have them playing a

:31:47. > :31:55.lot at the ten metre line. With the dangerous backs in the ten Edinburgh

:31:56. > :31:59.but line-up, without contradicting myself, stay positive. You don't

:32:00. > :32:04.want to just be kicking ball away. It's a case of taking a couple of

:32:05. > :32:08.phases to nip it in the backfield, and then Peter Nelson sweeping down

:32:09. > :32:14.the left and Ludik down the right, and playing behind the defence.

:32:15. > :32:17.Because the Edinburgh full-backs are closing the gate quite quickly.

:32:18. > :32:23.Getting up the defensive line and leaving a lot of kicks base. They

:32:24. > :32:27.need to keep playing with ambition, because you can see how excited they

:32:28. > :32:31.are whenever they are playing the balls at the back. At the same time,

:32:32. > :32:37.don't ever played, get in the right position where Edinburgh can't hurt

:32:38. > :32:47.them. Lewis Carmichael is on for Edinburgh. Les Kiss well aware

:32:48. > :33:00.importance of the remaining moments of this game. The smiles are back on

:33:01. > :33:04.the faces here at the Kingspan. I think the Ulster club shop did well

:33:05. > :33:28.over Christmas, didn't it? The quality of the systems that

:33:29. > :33:40.Fraser McKenzie has received has been top notch -- of assistance. All

:33:41. > :33:45.that strapping in and padding. It's hopefully not an indication of a

:33:46. > :33:55.serious injury. And purely precautionary.

:33:56. > :34:08.They are nothing if not warm and welcoming to visitors here at the

:34:09. > :34:17.Kingspan. Lewis Carmichael is on for McKenzie. And the restart. What will

:34:18. > :34:25.the long delay have done to these sides? Remember, Edinburgh

:34:26. > :34:36.themselves are looking for a try scoring bonus point. And it just

:34:37. > :34:40.feels that that try and break in play is affecting the Ulster

:34:41. > :34:43.concentration here stopped as you mentioned earlier, they have had a

:34:44. > :34:50.few defeats and their pays on your mind this stage of the game. The

:34:51. > :34:53.Ulster players were a bit slow to get underway, and he threw the ball

:34:54. > :34:57.straight into them. A bit of gamesmanship, but he knows that a

:34:58. > :35:01.penalty put them in bonus range and with winning the game. He has made a

:35:02. > :35:05.huge difference to this Edinburgh team. He has brought up the

:35:06. > :35:12.intensity they play with, and you see how much of a threat himself he

:35:13. > :35:17.is. He has what could well turn out to be an absolutely vital kick. If

:35:18. > :35:23.he can get this over, Hidalgo-Clyne, the lead is down to six. And you

:35:24. > :35:31.don't need a mathematical genius to work out that a converted try would

:35:32. > :35:35.put Edinburgh into the lead. And all Ulster's possession and territorial

:35:36. > :35:45.dominance at the start of the second half, that will have been long

:35:46. > :35:49.forgotten. There is no wind. Hidalgo-Clyne write down the middle.

:35:50. > :35:58.And suddenly there's a bit of a nervy atmosphere. 24-18, 15 minutes

:35:59. > :36:01.left to go. You have nailed it. The crowd have gone quiet, very nervous,

:36:02. > :36:06.they've been here the last couple of weeks. You can hear the silence.

:36:07. > :36:09.This is where you need your players like Chris Henry to stand up and

:36:10. > :36:12.drive the team through. There are a lot of guys returning from injury

:36:13. > :36:17.and they need experienced guys to pull them through the next 15

:36:18. > :36:25.minutes. Michael Allen coming on for Phil Burleigh.

:36:26. > :36:40.We're in for a nervy finish to this one, I think. Ludik is bad. -- is

:36:41. > :36:51.there. The combination of Turner and Brown bring him down.

:36:52. > :37:07.Edinburgh changing their captain yet begun. That is good work by Reidy.

:37:08. > :37:11.Next score at vital. Nelson hasn't been put to the floor, is now. Jamie

:37:12. > :37:34.Ritchie is down for Edinburgh. John Andrew and Chris Henry outside

:37:35. > :37:38.him. Helps to -- Herbst grabbed by the Edinburgh replacement. Brilliant

:37:39. > :37:44.defence by Edinburgh. Ulster putting them and all sorts of pressure. A I

:37:45. > :37:51.stepped on by Alan O'Connor. A member's defence just not giving up.

:37:52. > :37:58.-- Edinburgh's defence. They have been very threatening the last 20

:37:59. > :38:06.minutes. The Tongan back row is on as well.

:38:07. > :38:13.And David Shanahan replacing Paul Marshall. Who has worked and worked

:38:14. > :38:18.and worked his socks off this evening. He Paul Marshall has played

:38:19. > :38:22.row well tonight, coming back into the starting line-up has helped

:38:23. > :38:25.Peter Nelson coming in with Paul's experience is marshalled the

:38:26. > :38:28.forwards very well, moved the team around with the kicking and a very

:38:29. > :38:34.important try saving tackle on the corner. Shanahan will bring the

:38:35. > :38:41.intensity, and bring more intensity to the team.

:38:42. > :38:54.There is the impact of Reidy on Jamie Ritchie. That is the prop

:38:55. > :39:11.signed on a short-term loan. From more stuff. -- from

:39:12. > :39:31.Worcester. Ulster suddenly have conceded a penalty. The combination

:39:32. > :39:35.of black and brown. A coach's nightmare. Edinburgh are under all

:39:36. > :39:41.sorts of trouble. Ulster defence is good, well organised, good chance to

:39:42. > :39:48.turn over, the story of Ulster all season a cheap turnover. Jamie

:39:49. > :39:49.Ritchie having a head injury assessment, replaced by the man who

:39:50. > :40:05.normally plays prop. It's been a just rented last ten

:40:06. > :40:10.minutes because of all the stoppages. At the moment, it is

:40:11. > :40:22.working in Ulster's favoured -- it has been a disjointed last. Ball

:40:23. > :40:25.still was Edinburgh's Turner, the replacement hooker. Hidalgo-Clyne,

:40:26. > :40:30.and relief for Ulster. Edinburgh not releasing, and that is a cry of

:40:31. > :40:35.relief around the Kingspan Stadium. Brilliant defence by Callum Black.

:40:36. > :40:38.Got himself blocked on the ball whenever Edinburgh got himself

:40:39. > :40:42.isolated, brilliant massive turnover. Hopefully Peter Nelson can

:40:43. > :40:45.relieve the pressure. Take a deep breath. They have two remember they

:40:46. > :40:49.are still winning this game, they don't have to chase anything. Go

:40:50. > :40:55.back to basic play, whether that is a box-kick or McCloskey of the

:40:56. > :41:02.middle and play from now. Jamie Ritchie will not be returning to the

:41:03. > :41:13.fray. Edinburgh will have a prop in their back row.

:41:14. > :41:31.Blood injury. John Andrew getting worked on. I think you realise till

:41:32. > :41:39.on the big screen. A little lick around the lip of John Andrew. -- I

:41:40. > :41:45.think he realised he was on. The anthem for the first time this

:41:46. > :41:47.evening. Is it going to inspire Ulster to hold on and end of this

:41:48. > :42:00.losing run? Is a hooker has the ball in hand,

:42:01. > :42:13.Shanahan. Tommy Bowe is underneath it. Reidy has picked it up.

:42:14. > :42:18.Shanahan, Nelson. Oh, finding McCloskey, holding off the

:42:19. > :42:30.challenge. Wonderful run by McCloskey. Shanahan, another

:42:31. > :42:32.Edinburgh man down. That is Brown with the red headband. Once again

:42:33. > :42:47.Edinburgh down to 14. Chris Henry. And who does well to release, but he

:42:48. > :42:56.threw a wide passed in Ludik's direction. -- Andrew does. Stockdale

:42:57. > :43:07.has made himself available on the narrow side, not needed. Driven on

:43:08. > :43:15.by Callum Black. Momentary pause in this breathless second half, and

:43:16. > :43:20.Stuart Olding. And suddenly possession for Edinburgh in a

:43:21. > :43:23.dangerous position. It's great vision by Peter Nelson, Stuart

:43:24. > :43:28.Olding, a big overlap against front row. But it's just a little bit of

:43:29. > :43:33.inaccuracy, tired legs perhaps. You see him stretching his calves out.

:43:34. > :43:36.You're in Ulster to play with ambition and be positive, but at the

:43:37. > :43:41.same time you saw them all relied up ready for the box-kick, perhaps that

:43:42. > :43:47.would of been at better option. Credit for trying to keep playing

:43:48. > :43:51.and stay positive. But maybe, you see Edinburgh, plenty of space at

:43:52. > :44:00.the back. I think Dave Shanahan has made a good impression coming on.

:44:01. > :44:04.You want Ulster to put the phase together, get some field position

:44:05. > :44:09.and make either a penalty try obviously would be ideal. A few

:44:10. > :44:14.cheap turnover is an losing field position to easy at times. I think

:44:15. > :44:20.Michael Allen inadvertently got a McCloskey boot in the face.

:44:21. > :44:33.Edinburgh must be down to their last sub, if Mercury listed -- used it.

:44:34. > :44:38.So Belly is coming back on. He won't be too pleased if he has any bruises

:44:39. > :44:48.on his face, a good-looking lad! -- Burleigh is coming back on. He

:44:49. > :44:52.didn't expect to come back to Belfast and shed some blood for

:44:53. > :44:58.Edinburgh. I would guess that Edinburgh have cleared their entire

:44:59. > :45:02.bench. And Phil Burleigh is coming back on to replace Michael Allen.

:45:03. > :45:06.Have we ever known as many stoppages in a half of rugby? I think it's due

:45:07. > :45:13.to the fact that neither team are really kicking out a Mirror has been

:45:14. > :45:18.in play. It has been hugely entertaining -- how long the ball

:45:19. > :45:22.has been in play. There have been -- will be a few tired and sore bodies

:45:23. > :45:25.tomorrow, especially for those who have been out for a long time.

:45:26. > :45:28.Credit to the condition, and the fact that Peter Nelson, Stuart

:45:29. > :45:35.Olding, they are lasting the full 80 minutes. Darren Cave had a great

:45:36. > :45:40.game, I would imagine he was planning to come on follow other two

:45:41. > :45:49.dies. Ulster have extended their lead against the Dragons. -- the

:45:50. > :45:57.other two guys. The 30 point victory earlier on for the Ospreys. Spy have

:45:58. > :46:01.to keep winning to stay in touch. -- so they have do. They have that game

:46:02. > :46:09.in hand. But they have to keep beating the teams below them, and

:46:10. > :46:22.that includes Edinburgh. And that a very sad sight indeed. Michael Allen

:46:23. > :46:23.back in Belfast. And having to go off only a matter of minutes after

:46:24. > :46:39.coming on. So at this rate, I think wing may be

:46:40. > :46:46.going to charge into Newsnight. I'm not sure we've ever done before.

:46:47. > :46:50.It's been a great game. I just hope for Ulster's point of view they can

:46:51. > :46:54.hold on. For the 25, 30 minutes in the first half where there were so

:46:55. > :46:58.good, I think they deserve. Credit to Edinburgh, they have never given

:46:59. > :47:03.up despite going behind so far. You thought Ulster had it in the back,

:47:04. > :47:09.but that try before half-time, we talked about it and hoped it would

:47:10. > :47:14.be a major factor. We can see the wound. He looks totally dazed. He

:47:15. > :47:22.has the oxygen mask back on the face. The synthetic round of

:47:23. > :47:27.applause for the man who at the minute possibly doesn't quite know

:47:28. > :47:43.where he is. Certainly dazed, and bloodied. Michael Allen being slowly

:47:44. > :47:54.taxied off the pitch. I think won pretty much left with the 35th

:47:55. > :48:00.players. So we restart again after a long delay. The second half has

:48:01. > :48:09.lasted about an hour already it feels. Still six points the

:48:10. > :48:13.difference. Edinburgh with players playing out of position in the pack,

:48:14. > :48:24.and they have conceded a penalty. Again, not releasing. Remember,

:48:25. > :48:27.Ulster at half-time lead 24-10. Another good Ulster scrummage,

:48:28. > :48:41.excellent work by Shanahan and Chris Henry. They didn't recycle the ball.

:48:42. > :48:48.Holding on, and Peter Nelson will lead. The forwards really stepped up

:48:49. > :48:54.when they did. And lovely turnover by Reidy in the end. Chris Henry

:48:55. > :49:04.than obviously was first at it and then Reidy finished it off. Still

:49:05. > :49:15.the game is in the balance. Taken by Diack. Reserves of energy being

:49:16. > :49:24.tapped now. The pack being urged forward. Look at the options.

:49:25. > :49:34.Brilliant by the Ulster Park. Shanahan makes clear what's going to

:49:35. > :49:47.happen. McCloskey. McCloskey keeps the ball live for Ulster.

:49:48. > :49:52.It's all just a bit slow and Ulster look as if they have lost this ball.

:49:53. > :50:05.Turnover for Edinburgh, and here they come. They keep thinking about

:50:06. > :50:11.kicking and deciding not to. Is there a sting in the tail for the

:50:12. > :50:21.home side? Hoyland, try scorer in the second half.

:50:22. > :50:29.They're looking for a gap, they are probing, they are going to find one.

:50:30. > :50:33.The chase is on. Rory Scholes piling forward for Edinburgh, awkward bunch

:50:34. > :50:38.for Ulster. He was first? It is Olding, McCloskey. Nobody outside

:50:39. > :50:41.him, you'll have to go himself. Willing from Shanahan, excellent

:50:42. > :50:47.support running. He's unlucky. His jersey just touch the line. Very

:50:48. > :50:50.unlucky. Edinburgh unlucky as well, it could have gone anywhere, a

:50:51. > :50:55.massive bounce back into Olding's hands. They'll be disappointed not

:50:56. > :51:05.to finish this off as well. McCloskey can just find, good

:51:06. > :51:11.defence by Hidalgo-Clyne again. Ulster in dangerous territory. By

:51:12. > :51:18.the law of diminishing returns, but must've been that Murphy is going to

:51:19. > :51:22.appear, one else has come off the bench for Ulster. He is coming on

:51:23. > :51:27.for Alan O'Connor. I think John Andrew has been very good today, his

:51:28. > :51:30.line it has been very accurate, I think that is a hugger coming on for

:51:31. > :51:37.second row. We'll see John Andrew probably shift to the back road --

:51:38. > :51:49.ul-Haq are coming on. Murphy was 25 on Monday, his second appearance for

:51:50. > :51:55.the team. Came on against the Scarlet a year ago, Jonny Murphy. He

:51:56. > :52:00.is coming on tonight against Edinburgh for the last six minutes

:52:01. > :52:01.of the game and Ulster now have a player playing out of position in

:52:02. > :52:23.the pack. O'Connor makes his way off. This is

:52:24. > :52:32.Edinburgh. And this is Bradbury. Held up by Diack. And brilliantly

:52:33. > :52:40.done, pats on the back all round. Jonny Murphy only on the park. Big

:52:41. > :52:44.impact. We have seen himself and Diack, the first and Ulster have

:52:45. > :52:47.made from the choke tackle. McCloskey from a few times and

:52:48. > :52:51.recently referees are trying to get away. Great defence now, opportunity

:52:52. > :53:18.for Ulster to close this game out. A massive overturning of possession

:53:19. > :53:26.for Ulster. But this game is not done and dusted! And Edinburgh team

:53:27. > :53:39.happy to run the ball from deep. Ulster need a solid scrummage. So

:53:40. > :53:49.yes, they have Sean Andrew on this nearside.

:53:50. > :53:55.Don't think this is a back row you might see again for Ulster, Andrew

:53:56. > :54:18.Henry and Reidy. The huge Ben Toolis. I somehow

:54:19. > :54:27.sensed nobody's leaving the Kingspan Stadium early. Bye trying to make a

:54:28. > :54:32.break. It takes a couple of them to bring him down. -- bye trying. If

:54:33. > :54:42.Ulster can get a fifth try. And here they come, running from

:54:43. > :54:48.deep, little chip over the top. Isn't going to bounce favourably for

:54:49. > :54:51.the men in black? Yes, it is. Three minutes left. It's taken on by

:54:52. > :55:00.Carmichael the replacement. Inside the all-star half. Ulster go from a

:55:01. > :55:05.phase of attack to run defence -- inside the all-star half. Is there

:55:06. > :55:11.anybody there in a black jersey? Burleigh keeps it alive. Nails being

:55:12. > :55:21.bitten all around the stadium. That's the Ulster 22 metre line.

:55:22. > :55:28.Appealing the ball, and Edinburgh can't believe it, they concede a

:55:29. > :55:33.penalty. Off their feet and Ulster get the penalty. This is like a Six

:55:34. > :55:39.Nations game, isn't it? A little bit of a soft penalty by Edinburgh, but

:55:40. > :55:44.what a counterattack. Great plague sweeping round, chip, recover.

:55:45. > :55:50.Ulster might be relieved. -- great play. Those are the kind of

:55:51. > :56:08.decisions that frustrate you as a player.

:56:09. > :56:16.Two minutes away from victory. Browne.

:56:17. > :56:33.John Andrew of ball in hand. -- with ball. If Ulster can keep this going

:56:34. > :56:44.for another 150 seconds... Shanahan. McCloskey crunched to midfield.

:56:45. > :56:54.Tapping and not releasing the man. McCloskey helped to his feet. Ulster

:56:55. > :56:59.quite fortunate there, very good tackle on McCloskey in midfield, a

:57:00. > :57:03.little bit predictable by Ulster. Despite the size of McCloskey, you

:57:04. > :57:06.still need a bit of deception on the play. This will hopefully kill the

:57:07. > :57:14.game now if Peter Nelson can put this in the Edinburgh have, just

:57:15. > :57:21.drive and kill the clock. Very impressive return to action from

:57:22. > :57:24.Peter Nelson. In injury affected season, Ulster were coming players

:57:25. > :57:36.back. Nelson has made a big impact the evening. He is so confident. Try

:57:37. > :57:49.all-star roster to them. They are making their own fans sweat. --

:57:50. > :57:51.Ulster. It is now or never for Edinburgh. They've got to keep this

:57:52. > :58:08.ball moving, keep it alive. A good tackle by Olding. Edinburgh

:58:09. > :58:16.replacement has been the thick of the action the last ten or 15

:58:17. > :58:27.minutes. The little school box is about to turn right. -- square box.

:58:28. > :58:34.Belliard, 80 minutes. Ulster need to get their hands on a ball. They need

:58:35. > :58:41.to force a mistake out of Edinburgh. They're not going to kick the ball,

:58:42. > :58:48.they have to keep it in hand. Hidalgo-Clyne, Tovey. It is

:58:49. > :59:03.Bradbury, opening try scorer in this match. Can Nelson get it out of

:59:04. > :59:10.play? Not quite done by Nelson. Edinburgh the last chance saloon.

:59:11. > :59:18.Hidalgo-Clyne can possibly a candidate for Edinburgh's man of the

:59:19. > :59:24.match. Ulster hands being pointed, close the gaps. Can they force a man

:59:25. > :59:37.out of play? The break's been half made. That is taken on by Fihaki,

:59:38. > :59:42.the Tongan. Tovey, any other time he might have kicked it. Bradbury.

:59:43. > :59:50.Ulster have got to force the man out of play. Astonishing finish to this

:59:51. > :59:54.game. Retaining possession, and Ulster have done enough. And they

:59:55. > :00:08.haven't violent touch. -- they haven't found touch. It's

:00:09. > :00:11.all over. Never has a blast of his whistle had been greeted with more

:00:12. > :00:20.relief than here. At the Kingspan Stadium. As Ulster have somehow held

:00:21. > :00:27.on in the disjointed second half for a 6-point victory.

:00:28. > :00:35.It turned out to be about 55 minutes in the second half. Very

:00:36. > :00:42.entertaining to watch and after all that has happened in the last few

:00:43. > :00:48.months, five points. There will be areas to work on but the positive

:00:49. > :00:53.things have to be Peter Nelson, Coetzee, Stuart Olding, we hope the

:00:54. > :00:58.injury to Piutau is not serious but Ulster have to be positive. Some of

:00:59. > :01:02.the first-half play when they had ambition and they seemed to play

:01:03. > :01:06.what is in front of them. As if it was preseason and that is the way

:01:07. > :01:12.this team has to play. They have the bonus point by half-time, leading at

:01:13. > :01:17.the break, all that dominance at the start of the second half was not

:01:18. > :01:21.turned into points. The try from Hoyland and the late Hidalgo-Clyne

:01:22. > :01:26.penalty made the home fans sweat but Ulster have ended the losing run,

:01:27. > :01:35.winning here. Let us hope that man is not badly injured. 24-18.

:01:36. > :01:42.That was a game that left us breathless. Ulster in the end

:01:43. > :01:46.breathing a sigh of relief and wondering how, after scoring the

:01:47. > :01:50.bonus point in the first-half, they were left to cling on by the

:01:51. > :01:58.fingernails in the second. This is the table. Ulster is still in sixth

:01:59. > :02:04.place. Just three points behind the Glasgow Warriors. Ulster with the

:02:05. > :02:09.game in hand against Zuber rugby. Munster still topping the table

:02:10. > :02:19.after that bonus point win. Scarlets beat Glasgow at the Ospreys beat

:02:20. > :02:22.Zebre tonight. Stephen Ferris and Eddie O'Sullivan, Ulster had a

:02:23. > :02:29.brilliant first-half, the second half simply did enough to do the

:02:30. > :02:34.job. Just about? Eddie O'Sullivan is not allowed to come back to Belfast!

:02:35. > :02:37.Every time he is here it is tight. That ten minute period in the second

:02:38. > :02:41.half, we should have got points on the board, just to keep things

:02:42. > :02:45.ticking over and we did not score any point. Playing towards the clock

:02:46. > :02:51.like we had won the toss, the way we played the game, it was a

:02:52. > :02:57.disappointing second half, injuries did not help, Darren Cave was a big

:02:58. > :03:01.loss in not starting. It did not happen, we did not get that first

:03:02. > :03:07.score. Just before half-time that this was a lifeline for Edinburgh

:03:08. > :03:11.and they took that. Yes, it is positive for Ulster with the bonus

:03:12. > :03:16.point and that 5-point return after that disappointing run but after the

:03:17. > :03:22.match you feel deflated after that second-half performance? We are

:03:23. > :03:24.seeing a team that is shy on confidence and only first-half you

:03:25. > :03:30.would not have known that watching them but you could see the changing

:03:31. > :03:35.tempo when they let Edinburgh back, they did not score for ten minutes,

:03:36. > :03:38.Edinburgh defending for 12 minutes in the second-half and Ulster had

:03:39. > :03:47.not scored and suddenly Edinburgh saw that and Ulster sensed that. I

:03:48. > :03:52.think Piutau was a huge loss. Darren Cave played well but it is the sense

:03:53. > :03:56.of a team that just do not trust themselves in these situations. They

:03:57. > :04:00.got the result, they need one of these results to convince them they

:04:01. > :04:03.are back on the road but it was nervous at the end and you have to

:04:04. > :04:08.think that in a tighter game it might have gone the wrong way. You

:04:09. > :04:16.did mention Piutau. Your Man of the Match, perhaps half of the match.

:04:17. > :04:23.The first-half was pure brilliance. The standout in the first-half and

:04:24. > :04:28.that was what won the match for Ulster. His brilliance, every time

:04:29. > :04:34.he touched the ball he made something happen, joy to watch. When

:04:35. > :04:40.he went off Ulster seemed to just shut down. Even though they had

:04:41. > :04:44.Tommy Bowe on the pitch, he just does not have the impact he has.

:04:45. > :04:50.Hopefully that injury is not a concern. He has been like that all

:04:51. > :04:55.season and tonight the game suited him, plenty of width. Getting his

:04:56. > :04:59.hands on the ball and he was terrorising the Edinburgh defence

:05:00. > :05:03.but he left the field and the tempo dropped and Darren Cave going as

:05:04. > :05:08.well. It goes back to that confidence issue around the team, we

:05:09. > :05:13.saw that fear factor creeping in as the game went on and Edinburgh were

:05:14. > :05:20.But this is five points and he said before the game, they would take

:05:21. > :05:29.this five points. We can hear from Charles Piutau. Shivering down here.

:05:30. > :05:32.What is the injury? Not bad, I have to talk to the doctors but I am

:05:33. > :05:39.feeling all right. Hopefully not bad. How stressful was that last 20

:05:40. > :05:43.minutes? I was watching on the sidelines and I think the boys did a

:05:44. > :05:47.great job to close the game and this is a class side, Edinburgh, they

:05:48. > :05:54.have been playing great rugby. Was it a case of, we just need to win?

:05:55. > :05:57.In the first-half, we had a great performance and we conceded and as a

:05:58. > :06:04.second-half went on, lamenting changed how they play to close the

:06:05. > :06:10.game but I am glad to have a better game. The spark seems to be in the

:06:11. > :06:15.back line again? Credit to the forwards, they said a great place

:06:16. > :06:22.for us. And they took the opportunity. Coetzee is learning

:06:23. > :06:28.quickly, he has his coach! He did really well, congratulations. Coming

:06:29. > :06:32.back from long trip injuries, they are terrific for us. What was the

:06:33. > :06:38.experience like? It has been a long wait? It is nice to be on the park

:06:39. > :06:41.playing with world-class players like Charles. Just glad to get

:06:42. > :06:46.factory and we will build on that. What about the atmosphere? It was a

:06:47. > :06:53.rousing sendoff when you came off the pitch? Great support base and

:06:54. > :06:56.they have been awesome, all of the fans and everything, we must thank

:06:57. > :07:00.them for tonight. Support means a lot for the team and next week is

:07:01. > :07:07.another challenge and we will expect the same crime. Are you motivated to

:07:08. > :07:12.push on and do special things? Yes, with the team, were hungry, we will

:07:13. > :07:15.look at this game and take it every game but on Monday it will analyse

:07:16. > :07:20.everything and build on this performance. Thank you. It was good

:07:21. > :07:27.to speak to you. Jim Conlon will present the award for Man of the

:07:28. > :07:37.Match. Well done. Coetzee, we should learn a thing or two! We don't have

:07:38. > :07:41.any coats. The backs were brilliant. Brilliant platform and he was in the

:07:42. > :07:49.middle of everything, Coetzee? Great performance. Exactly what he wanted

:07:50. > :07:52.after that ten month lay-off, he can see him talking that he has the bit

:07:53. > :07:56.between his teeth, he put his hand up to carry the ball a lot more than

:07:57. > :08:00.I thought he would have and they will see a lot more of him on the

:08:01. > :08:05.ground. Stealing more ball, he has a massive unit. Andy Ward said he was

:08:06. > :08:08.walking around Tesco that he could not believe the size of him.

:08:09. > :08:16.Hopefully more of what we could see tonight. He is a great asset. Are

:08:17. > :08:21.you impressed? Outstanding workrate. To back from that sort of lay-off,

:08:22. > :08:25.you would think it would take awhile to get back and he kept the tempo

:08:26. > :08:31.up, he lasted longer than I thought, not just on the field but his

:08:32. > :08:36.workrate, doing all the hard graft. And he probably was tired and he

:08:37. > :08:42.came off. The second-half was hard to watch as a Ulster fan but the

:08:43. > :08:47.first-half, let us reflect on what was very positive for Ulster. They

:08:48. > :08:51.scored four cracking tries and if they are to kick on the seafront,

:08:52. > :08:57.this is the highlights reel they want to look at. In the second half

:08:58. > :09:02.also, Edinburgh were coming back but you must give them credit. Six

:09:03. > :09:07.points, Edinburgh but looking like coming back but they closed the game

:09:08. > :09:11.and they ran down the clock when they needed to, they did not get out

:09:12. > :09:15.of jail but they got over the line. There are positives to be taken from

:09:16. > :09:18.the second-half but no doubt the first-half, those tries and the

:09:19. > :09:23.rugby and the off-loads and the speed of the ball from the ruck, it

:09:24. > :09:30.was on a plate to Paul Marshall and when you have world-class players

:09:31. > :09:35.like Piutau and Coetzee, things will happen. When those lads went off, it

:09:36. > :09:38.did affect them. When you have a bonus point at half-time it is

:09:39. > :09:43.almost a case of thinking we have the job done. And I suppose we saw

:09:44. > :09:50.the second-half unfolding and we felt that Ulster, had they scored

:09:51. > :09:57.again, it would have clicked on. If professional rugby, it means don't

:09:58. > :10:00.give the opposition and even break and ten minutes into the second-half

:10:01. > :10:04.Edinburgh should have been dead and buried and Labour back in the game.

:10:05. > :10:10.Those lifelines breathe life into the opposition but the team that

:10:11. > :10:14.goes through, feeling the pressure having to win, and the pendulum is

:10:15. > :10:18.swinging away, the energy drops and they have to look at that, they will

:10:19. > :10:22.be in tighter games down the track but the more games like this under

:10:23. > :10:27.your belt, the more of the guys believe. It could have gone the

:10:28. > :10:30.wrong way tonight but full credit, fantastic first-half, but fantastic

:10:31. > :10:34.second but they got the job done and it would have been a tragedy and an

:10:35. > :10:39.injustice had they lost. Not pretty in the end but important they got

:10:40. > :10:42.five points. By getting the job done, that will give them confidence

:10:43. > :10:48.to kick on and have a positive run with a lot of home games? It has

:10:49. > :10:51.been talked about. They have a lot of games coming up and they must

:10:52. > :10:55.make them count, they have to get five points and when they get

:10:56. > :10:59.Edinburgh at home at Zebre at home, you have to get five points and move

:11:00. > :11:03.up the leaderboard, we are playing catch-up, Leinster and the Ospreys,

:11:04. > :11:07.when they drop points? It will be very tough to get there. If they

:11:08. > :11:11.keep winning and getting five points, they will make the job

:11:12. > :11:16.easier. In the last four games on the run, they were difficult, the

:11:17. > :11:20.Ospreys, Munster and Leicester, I think it is Cardiff, those last four

:11:21. > :11:25.games give them no chance to drop the ball in the incoming games but

:11:26. > :11:28.they have three games with Italian sides and with all due respect, they

:11:29. > :11:34.should put those in the bank. Do you fancy Ulster for the top four? If

:11:35. > :11:38.they build momentum in the next five or six games, they probably can't,

:11:39. > :11:41.those last four games will decide the season but I would worry about

:11:42. > :11:45.those games because there is a tight space at the moment, they have no

:11:46. > :11:47.room for error but they will have those international boys back.

:11:48. > :11:54.Hopefully it'll be a different situation. Top four? Yes, there is a

:11:55. > :11:59.chance but for me, I cannot see the other teams dropping points to lead

:12:00. > :12:03.Ulster get back in. They are playing catch-up at this stage, it is

:12:04. > :12:06.difficult. Everything is possible, if they can get these world-class

:12:07. > :12:10.players playing every week, Libby first-half, this should be first out

:12:11. > :12:15.that they were all about sweat as they can do it. Thank you both very

:12:16. > :12:18.much. Tomorrow, it is utterly against Ireland, live commentary on

:12:19. > :12:20.BBC Radio Ulster. That is it from the Kingspan Stadium, Ulster back

:12:21. > :12:40.with a win. Goodbye. Do you have

:12:41. > :13:05.any prior motoring convictions? Can you confirm that you will be

:13:06. > :13:13.adhering to the speed limit?