Ulster v Edinburgh Ulster Rugby Live

Ulster returned to action after a disappointing run of results. They

have lost nine out of their last 13 games in all competitions. It has

been the story of the season, going in and out of games. Out of sorts.

Across the board, not good enough. Some of those mistakes we made...

And out of Europe. I am finding this difficult to watch, I refuse to

believe that we are not good enough. Despondency after their last defeat.

Absolutely soul destroying, you are in cuckoo land if you think what we

have can compete in Europe. Back to the Pro12 and Ulster need to get

back to winning ways. There are still a play-off place up for grabs.

We are in this together. We need to find a way out. Ulster are keeping

the faith. I am still relatively optimistic that we can get there.

But we have to do something different. Welcome to Ulster Rugby

Live, Stephen Ferris and Eddie O'Sullivan join me for a round 14 of

the Guinness Pro12 and Ulster have work to do. Currently at number six

on the table, 17 points behind the leaders, Munster, who played the

Dragons and Ospreys play Zebre and the Scarlets are playing. We heard

Bryn Cunningham saying ulster were not good enough and they must do

something different. What is that? To get the season back on track?

They need to draw a line in the sand, the season is on the line

every game, huge pressure. The biggest bugbear has been lack of

consistency, even over 80 minutes, playing well for 20 minutes and a

following. Focus on staying in the game for 80 minutes, get results,

forget about before, but will not do anything but they need to change in

energy and I suppose vision and that is about consistency. The bugbear

for the last while and that is the one thing they will get out of this.

One person people are looking forward to is a new signing from

South Africa, what do we expect from him? We were so excited to see him.

He damaged his cruciate ligament and he is making his debut at the

Kingspan Stadium and everybody is looking to see what he can do.

Destructive and physical and powerful, that is what Ulster have

lacked. He is just an absolute unit, he is like the Nick Williams that

left us last and I am excited to see how he goes, it is important

everybody is not -- everybody does not expect him to win this for

Ulster, everybody fast to pitch in. It is a big bad for him. This is a

big game for Ulster, lacking in confidence but this Edinburgh team

have already beaten Ulster this season and they will have their

tails up. Yes, they have nothing to lose, away from home, the middle of

the Six Nations, they don't have the aspirations of Ulster have, making

that top four. That is dangerous because they can play very well. It

is about ulster taking control of their own destiny and the need to do

that from the off. Thank you very much. Ulster with only one win in

their last six, let us see if they can get their season back on track

in the company of Ian Humphreys and Michael McNamee. Good evening.

It is a chilly evening in Belfast, no wind or rain and Edinburgh will

have half a dozen players involved in the Six Nations clash in Paris on

Sunday and they were forced into some exchanges. Hardie called on to

the Scotland bench and in Jimmy Ritchie and Stuart McInally replaces

Neil Cochrane, who has a shoulder injury and McInally takes over the

captaincy. Without their Ireland regulars and

some others besides, Ulster welcome back Peace Centre Stuart Olding, who

has been out for nearly four months and we expect him to do the

goal-kicking this evening. And the team is captained by Chris Emery.

The Ulster support never diminishes. That is Olding, back after four

months. They are tough Peter Nelson has been out of action for 15

months, since winning over Edinburgh back in December 20 15. And it is

time for number eight, Coetzee, his long-awaited debut and John Andrew

and Ricky Lutton, the all Ballymena front row. The latest castaway on

Kirsty Young's famous desert island, Nigel Owens. If you have not heard

that, check out his own desert island discs. The man described by

Les Kiss is a beast. One years since Marcell Coetzee's signing was

announced. And watching this, making his debut, from the commentary box,

former Ulster I'd have Ian Humphreys. Good evening. I am

looking forward to Ulster and that performance from Coetzee. And the

Number 10, Peter Nelson, this is a big evening for him. Credit goes to

the medical staff at Ulster, they have gotten back from a potential

career ending injury. The first line-out and a little

colour flap between Stuart McInally, who was due to be on the bench this

evening... And the first opportunity to have a look at McKenzie and

Toolis. The breakaway by Jimmy Ritchie, the 20-year-old. Not the

start that Ulster wanted. Kennedy. That is driven on by the Fijian

Mata. Immediately, Edinburgh showing initiative inside the opening

minutes inside the ulster 22. Taken on by Dean, lots of young Scottish

born talent in this Edinburgh back line. John Kennedy. Taken on by

Mata. Try scorer in that victory. That is Tovey and Dean.

Lively start and back into the hands of Mata. Ulster have yet to get

started. They could be in the corner in the opening seconds. And they are

through already! And that is a try from Magnus Bradbury. Very

disappointing start for Ulster. They took that kick-off plainly but they

gave Edinburgh a strong position to attack from and very direct from

Edinburgh, that was a deep run, simple hands on the edge and that

nice off-load and he could force in way over into the corner.

Disappointing for Ulster. It seems to be the key to the season, slow

starts. They will need to get the ball back and get the other end of

the pitch and get the crowd into this. We need some enthusiasm the

kick-off chase. Suffice to say that at the start, this is just not what

Ulster wanted. Edinburgh Sharp and lively and Bradbury, who had the

second try in that went before Christmas, it's the opening try this

evening. Short in the end, the conversion attempt. Early doors,

Edinburgh trying as much as they can to get Mata on the ball. Three

carries in that opening phase. Five points down. Ulster making their way

inside the Edinburgh half for the first time this evening. We have

quite a few left footed kickers in the Ulster side this evening. The

atmosphere has died down. Whatever Ulster got to offer? -- what have

Ulster. Kennedy to the Welsh might have, Tovey. -- out half. Marshall

back in the starting line-up. Driven on by the Ulster back row. That is

Ludik getting his hands on the ball. Ulster again, that was a high tackle

on John Andrew. Let us see what Nigel Owens has to say at the end of

this. Olding. Cave, did not go to hand. And the referee will bring

things back. Lovely play, interplay between Robbie Diack and John

Andrew, soft hands by Diack. Mata has to jam in from wide. Fortunate

not to get the yellow card. Nelson will go to the corner. I wonder what

Sean Reidy is thinking? Sitting on the bench. If he comes on the Sivan,

it will be his 50th cap. -- this evening. That is the man. Back after

a very long recovery from injury. Peter Nelson has found a very good

touch inside the Edinburgh 22. John Andrew, his third senior start this

evening. O'Connor takes that. Ulster being urged to drive forward. Paul

Marshall, guiding the ball forward. The ball is there for Ulster.

Marshall. On the blind side. That was Stockdale, forced into touch.

That was a lovely line-out by the Ulster forwards, they broke the 15,

Ulster had a good drive on and they needed the ball to come out just a

split second earlier. You heard Nigel Owens saying that was just

once. Seeming to get away with hesitating the attack.

Stockdale. McInally. Reduced line-out. Taken by Toolis. Nearly

seven and a half years since Edinburgh came to the Kingspan

Stadium and left with a victory. Tovey. Quick take for Ludik.

Edinburgh 22. Marshall. Here is number eight making his debut,

Coetzee. The skipper, Chris Henry. Nelson. Cave. Running into trouble

in the form of Jimmy Ritchie. Tipped to be a future senior international

for Scotland. Ulster retaining possession but having trouble

getting over the gain line. That is more like it, the golfer Marshall,

Henry. -- the ball for Marshall. The Edinburgh defence is up quickly.

John Andrew. Tidy possession. That was Andrew Warwick. The Ballymena

front row. Coetzee. Those distinctive lime green boots. And he

is getting a warm welcome in his opening seven and a half minutes

here at the Kingspan Stadium. Taken on by Ludik. The Ulster fans have

found their voice. Marshall, Nelson. And popped back inside and very,

very nearly on the corner. Very good attack by Ulster, the Edinburgh

defence managing to put a lot of line speed on the ball and they

managed to shift the point of attack very well. And Darren Cave keeps his

with fairly well, that was a good covering tackle to put him into

touch. Toolis. Did not go forward. Ulster has spent five minutes inside

the Edinburgh half. Tovey again, the man from Newport.

Les Kiss. Whether point to make. -- with a point. Coetzee is going to

see a lot of the bulbous even, he is maybe not expected to play the full

80 minutes, but he is a talismanic figure already. That is good!

Nelson. Piutau, the first time we have seen him attacking his opposite

number. Can Ulster keep this momentum going? Darren Cave.

Marshall. Nelson. There was nobody really there, and too many

defenders. Ulster, this should be in! And Marshall Marx 's return with

the try. -- marks his. And that is what the home fans came to see.

Great attacking play and linkup between Peter Nelson and Stuart

Olding with that wraparound blade to create space on the outside. Piutau

making good yards. Edinburgh trying to put the pressure on but they have

managed to get that over the gain line, quick pick-up by Stuart Olding

and that was an easy finish from five yards out. A big thing for

Ulster tonight is they have been getting well past the ball, that is

making it easy for number nine to get there. Keeping it alive and it

is easier for the backs to create space and the Edinburgh forwards are

unable to cope. So, Stuart Olding taking over the

duties this evening. Of Peter Nelson. Blonde hair, ginger hair,

apologies. Nelson. Shelling peas. Ulster have alleged. The Secretary

of State, James Brokenshire. Enjoying the game. -- Ulster have

the lead. Peter Nelson marking his return with the conversion.

Marshall finds his man, Nelson, Ludik. Taken down by Dean and

Bernie. Marshall, the skipper, Chris Henry. Wearing the armband in the

absence of Rob Herring and Trimble. Stockdale jumping for it. That is a

perfect outcome for Ulster from that kick-off compared to the first one.

He played across a field, looking for the right foot Ludik and Paul

Marshall, very good box kick. Putting the pressure on Edinburgh.

That is a good line-out for Ulster. Marshall. The break by Cave. He has

support. Can he keep that alive? Olding feeling that very well. Ludik

and Piutau in support. Nigel Owens spotted the knock-on. Lovely

attacking play from Ulster. Quite often recently we have seen them

play direct and that opens up a large range of possibilities and

Darren Cave is one of the best support runners you will find.

Finding a good line from Paul Marshall and it is nice to see

Ulster playing with ambition, it brings back the plays of yesteryear

and it is nice to see them going here with ambition on a lovely

evening. They have so many injuries that the central combination has

changed so often. It is good to see Stuart Olding back.

But a huge different in the weight of the pack. -- not be huge. In

their 1-point defeat against Munster won the Google, Edinburgh. And

Ulster giving the shelf on. And they have stolen that ball. -- the shelf.

-- shove. And he is penalised. That is a very good scrum from Ulster.

They put pressure on Robbie Deans quickly and we could see that block

of Coetzee from Mata. Do you like what you see so far from him? He is

carrying the ball very physically and he has been menacing on the

breakdown, he is going through and creating the attacks. It is very

good so far and hopefully that can continue. Toolis.

Just four wins in the Pro12, the first comment at home against Ulster

back in November. Piutau, never in doubt, he has beaten the first and

second man... And this is what the Kingspan Stadium loves about Piutau.

Coetzee, the next poster boy. Marshall. More confidence flowing.

Through those white shirts. Fielded by Hoyland. The flag was up on

underside. As John Andrew was pointing out. To the referee, Nigel

Owens. It drifted out and came back in again. Ulster were fortunate,

Robbie Diack had the quick line-out but Edinburgh have to be careful of

those tactics. How do you tackle him? It is tough. Charles Piutau

gets over at the gain line, then Paul Marshall find some grass.

Putting Edinburgh under pressure, this is a good attacking line-out

and this might be early doors for them. Coetzee, again. If the only

get one hour out of him this even, what an hour that will be! He just

goes over the top, as Ian Humphreys says. Robbie Diack, but to the floor

by Toolis. -- put to the floor. And that is frustrating for Ulster. Two

food carries again, the same boys involved. Robbie Diack chipped the

ball standing still and he lost the contract and then that list is for

the knock-on, very frustrating for coaches and players alike, that is

good field position, they could attack left or right and that is

where Ulster all season have had a hassle, they must make sure they are

looking after that better. One of the number eight desert island discs

songs was a Eurovision song winner. For Nigel Owens. Check it out on

iPlayer. Kennedy, the scrum-half, born in

Stirling. At the back of a pack that is going backwards. Coetzee. Ulster

dominant in the scrummage. Marshall looks at the options. Kay. Piutau.

Look at that! Wonderful feat. That was good support work from Cave.

Nelson, if they can get the ball to the far side, Ulster did have meant

over. Nelson. Edinburgh, defence is getting wise to that, Henry makes a

few. Ulster looking for the break. Can Stockdale provide that?

Brilliant. Look at that. Can they finish? Driven on by Ricky Lutton.

Looking for his first senior Ulster try. The crowd are expected. They

have got men over. Yes! Darren Cave, one of the most

experienced players on the pitch this evening, he has been effective

so far. And he has got the second try for Ulster. That is great work

from Stockdale, they have been coming off the wing and making

options from nine and ten and after that, you do not want forward to

find himself in the channel and that could have been one or two phases

earlier. That was a good finish and Darren Cave and quick ball and that

is great and that is what is troubling Edinburgh tonight. Darren

Cave made his debut back in April 2007. Look at that power from

Stockdale. A tricky conversion attempt for

Peter Nelson. Not a breath of wind here at the

Kingspan Stadium. Slightly weathered. -- we word. Ulster

leading 12-5. Look at the power from Stockdale. Quick possession. Ricky

Lutton. John Andrew played his part. And Marshall, again, providing the

scoring pass for Darren Cave. After that wobbly start... Ulster

have got more into this. That was a good take from the try scorer,

Bradbury, from Edinburgh. Kennedy. McKenzie feeding it on. Dean linking

up with Burnley. The young full-back, Kinghorn, 20 years old.

He missed the long penalty that beat Ulster -- Munster last week. It was

McKenzie who took that into contact. Bradbury. Edinburgh have not been in

the Ulster 22 since scoring a try. McCallum, the 22-year-old from Kirk

all day. Dean. -- Kirk. Kennedy finding Cosgrove.

Tovey has made the break! He is going all the way! He has dropped

it! He should have gone for the line! And Hoyland cannot believe it.

What a let off for Ulster. Jason Tovey has caused Ulster trouble over

the years. Lovely dummy but that is one of the strengths as -- for

Nelson. That is a huge play for Ulster by Peter Nelson. Hopefully

they can clean that up because that was better from Edinburgh, that

really should have been a try. Hoyland.

That could be a key moment if this is a tight game. Les Kiss. He is

more across the technology than I am. What do you think he is trying

to transmit? If you look at the Edinburgh pack, a couple of them are

on their knees, they looked very tired, a few of them were just

flopping over those rucks, the message from Ulster must be keep

playing with pace, Jonathan Davies, the conditioning Head Coach, he has

us that as anybody and if they can manage to keep this intensity,

Edinburgh will have nothing. They have McCloskey, Tommy Bowe, Sean

Reidy coming off the bench. They could have a chance to run away with

this and they must keep sure they put Tovey under pressure. Yes, the

dab. My son has taught me something! Warwick Andrew in the front row for

Ulster. They have more than held their own so far. Under pressure at

the moment, though. Marshall to Nelson. A left footed kicker on the

side of the pitch. Peter Nelson happy to see that they're going

outside of play. Ever could play under pressure. A bit of trouble at

the back of the scrum for Ulster, also have Phil or five left footers,

but a very good clearance under pressure from Peter Nelson. -- four

five. Burleigh changes the tactic. And on

such matters are games one and last stop till you can see what he was

trying to do. Edinburgh's analysis will know that Ludik likes to get up

the defensive line and orbital space behind. A strange decision to kick

so early in the play. -- and a bit of space behind. A good opportunity

for Ulster attack here. They like right-hand scrums. To try and get

the outside edge against them. C what is in store for us now. -- let

us see. 15,000 tickets sold in this game,

not a full house but a healthy crowd here at the Kingspan Stadium.

A study scrum from Ulster. Marshall goes himself.

Down the throat of Peter Nelson, who returns the favour. Excellent

following up by Ludik. Not a lot Hoyland could do. His opponent not

the sort of money want to see breathing down your neck when you

have the ball in your hands. -- the sort of man you want. Edinburgh

happy to run from inside their own half, that was Belly. The

left-winger coming in on the action. You see Edinburgh tonight have gone

with the really big ambition to play from deep, with Phil Burleigh at 12

who can also play ten as a secondary ball player. He has proved a lot of

guts out wide. -- a lot of threats. They are managing to kick well and

that is a very good tackle by Louis Ludik. Ulster looking to end this

losing run. They have to go back seven years to the last time they

lost five consecutive matches. Edinburgh preparing for a European

quarterfinal against the French side. That game has been moved to

Murrayfield. The Challenge Cup. Quarterfinal.

There's the ball, is it going to go back in the Ulster side? Not the

position that Marshall might have wanted. Again, the momentum of the

ball setup for Ulster. Toolis doing defensive work for them. Tricky

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

him. 'S setting up the drive for Ludik! He was like a human bar of

soap. If you don't get hold of Piutau, he will do damage. And Ludik

finished it off. That is a lovely try by Ulster, as you say Piutau

one-on-one is very difficult to beat. I think he has been a much

better threat for Ulster, when you think of Glasgow and a few other

games where who is getting one-on-one bro, it's great for him

to know he has Ludik onside, he is constantly looking. Ludik get that

the outside, he gives Ludik an easy run. Brilliant by Ulster, great to

see them play with some ambition tonight. He can make defenders look

flat-footed. That is the brilliance of Piutau.

Suddenly there's opening two minutes of the match seem a long, long time

ago. -- those two minutes. Can Nelson... No. He has putted

pretty much the same side. That is three tries in the opening 28

minutes -- he has put it. You might be a slightly happier man. I think

he is. Ulster were disappointed in the first couple of minutes -- he

might be a slightly happier man. Very good game management by Peter

Nelson tonight. Ulster wow try away from the bonus point. -- one try.

Marshall. The left foot of Nelson, that is a

terrific touch quickly taken by Bradbury.

We haven't seen an awful lot of him in the last 15 minutes.

It was a kick for Damien Hoyland to chase, but suddenly Hoyland's

failure to clutch that by seems even more noteworthy now. That is a

massive swing in the game. Ulster had a great exit strategy from man

managed to put another score on the board. Edinburgh seem flat now, they

need to get Mata. What might 12- 12 is now Sony 17-5 in Ulster's favour.

He has made seven appearances this year. Scrappy ball by Treadwell.

Carried by the skipper. Here comes Hoyland. A fine tackle,

but he did well to release the ball. Held by Burley. Kinghorn couldn't

pick it up. Is there an Congress might ask when I was. And I think

you can sense that Jason Tovey is a frustrated out of -- is there a

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

managed to let that go on through, I think Kinghorn could open away.

Edinburgh showing ambition. They don't have much to lose today. They

have gone out there and are playing with a lot of wit, Ulster. It's a

lovely evening, both teams are trying to play an attractive brand

of rugby and it's good for us to watch. The start of the night in

ninth position, the former coach they were eighth and ninth. An

opportunity for the acting coach Duncan Hodge to prove that he is

worth the job on a permanent basis. Here goes Nelson. Ludik again.

Olding on by, O'Connor. The ball is being run, an opportunity now, has

he got the support? And he is going to get the bonus point try for

Ulster! With eight minutes left in the first half! That is another

beautiful try by Ulster. With Stuart Olding 12, he is stepping up as

first receiver. After Peter Nelson attacked off the left-hand side of

the scrum, Stuart Olding managed to step up into regular phases and some

lovely better. Great by Stockdale as well. But we can hear is

communication between the players is as best as I have heard of the

season. There is a lot of communication at, and what has been

lacking this season seems to be out there tonight brilliantly.

Nelson to add the two points. And suddenly Ulster are thinking about a

really impressive victory. Absolutely. They have been very good

in the first half. And this opportunity by Edinburgh to go 14-12

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

been a bit nervous. Another shackles are off and they look like they are

enjoying themselves. -- and now the shackles. It looks like it might be

something sombre, here they come, they have nothing to lose. Inside

the 22. Scrappy ball tidied up by Cosgrove.

Tovey looking for Hoyland. That has worked well. Highland! Brilliantly

forced into touch by Paul Marshall. Saved a try. -- Hoyland. You would

imagine we know would have finished that, but brilliant tackle. Just

manage to get it into touch. With the corner being so far behind. This

manner is from international duty along with Stuart McCloskey to take

place on a replacement bench -- this man is released.

Edinburgh wanting to prove that this game is not done and dusted. Still

five minutes left in the first half. He would expect McInally to be on

the bench, Admiral Cochrane suffering a shoulder injury. -- Neil

Cochrane. Stuart McInally. Is playing a girl, and Edinburgh's

second try of the much. That is going to be frustrating for the

Ulster coach is. Unfortunately, they give away a penalty. But into the

corner. Mice play by Edinburgh. Ulster forward is putting so much

into defending, but slow around the corner. McInally began his rugby

career in the back row. He was showing exactly those foraging and

driving qualities taking over. That is just what stood and went before

half-time, little bit of hope and light. That is very unlike him. I

should -- they want to make show this game is put to bed now. And

hopefully put Edinburgh under pressure. Attacking in the Edinburgh

half is a good outcome from here. A collective towering out of her

amongst the Ulster coach staff. -- towering out hair.

Commented's delight with those green boots, Coetzee. Nelson.

You can hear the band for the first time this evening.

Held by Fraser McKenzie. They won't go down for lack of trying,

Edinburgh. Real initiative. Kinghorn. Finds Burleigh. The

Christchurch born man. Plenty of time for Ludik. He finds his

opposite number, Kinghorn. Here comes the counterattack. It's

Bradbury. To the floor by Darren Cave. I think Les Kiss and company

would happily shut up shop now and take the 14 point advantage and head

into the break, but Edinburgh have other ideas. Burleigh grabbed by a

O'Connor. McInally try scorer. Back. -- forced

back. Too far away to charge out. Taken by Stockdale. The ball is not

out yet. Nelson Vining Piutau, here he goes! Here he goes! He has

support from Marshall! Can Ulster keep it alive? This could be one of

the tries of the season! Could -- it is out. It is well held and driven

on. This could be a 15 man Ulster trial. There is Andrew getting its

hands on the ball. -- Ulster try. Ludik acting at scrum-half.

Marshall. It's a crunching tackle coming in from McKenzie.

For the moment, the momentum has gone, but maybe Coetzee can reignite

matters for Ulster. Henry, Nelson, Piutau! Can he keep under ball all

he find the corner? No, he can't. What a phase. Great attack by Ulster

in the first half. What we like there is the ball's at the back

caused all the problems. The threats behind, wrote that ball carries from

the forwards. Sometimes it's just one person, sometimes four. They

seem to be playing had up rugby, which has been a complaint about

them, but I'd doubt that they're just having fun, plenty of

enthusiasm and ambition. That is the big thing tonight. It is lovely to

watch. Marshall, Cave, Ludik and Stockdale try scorers. Bradbury and

McInally: entertaining half. -- an entertaining first half. Ulster at

half-time leading 24-10. What an exciting, entertaining and

electric first half at the Kingspan Stadium. Six tries in all. Ulster

already with a bonus point. All the fans tonight and all of you watching

at home certainly getting your money's was from Ulster Rugby live

this evening. -- Ulster Rugby Live this evening. It has been a

sensational have. Very interesting. We got off to a nightmare start and

thought the wings were maybe going to come off -- the Wales. Try to

play catch up again, but the boys responded very well. The four tries

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

that Eddie will touch on is the confidence and just the

perseverance, holding onto the ball for an extra couple of phases, not

making silly errors. It's a different Ulster team and so good to

watch. A different Ulster team eventually. The first few minutes,

it was the same old story. What an awful start for Ulster, great for

Edinburgh. It was. You've got to worry about stage for Ulster, having

given up a soft spot to start the game, how to respond. Edinburgh

happened patient here. It came to play. There wasn't much pressure on

them and they just held on to the ball. Ulster paid the price. Not the

best start, but you have to admit they responded really well in coming

back. The quality of rugby has been superb. Edinburgh have played very

well also. When a team is lacking in confidence like Ulster before this

game, credit that they were able to come back so well. There were tight

in defence. When you winger get in, he's got a head in and take the

ball. He goes low, doesn't wrap up the ball. If he hadn't wrapped up

the ball, it wouldn't have been a try. They regrouped, kicked off and

turn things around. As we have said, it has just been really good,

entertaining stuff. Ulster have played some great rugby tonight. The

patience they have shown on the ball and not forcing the game. When they

have had those wraparound passes, quick hands and Piutau has been

outstanding. He was like lightning, you can't tie him down. He is really

killing Edinburgh with his hands on the ball. It makes me wonder why

they kick the ball to him. This is great rugby. It's a tough draw, good

continuity, good off-loading. You can see already that Edinburgh are

backing of because they don't know where to go. Ultimately, fantastic

by Olding behind him. These are top drawer. It all looks a bit more

off-the-cuff. If they spot a gap, they go for it. You can see that

effort by Marshall. Paul Marshall sniffing round the back, and in easy

walking for him. I think everybody to a man has stood up, that is what

Les Kiss probably said in the changing room before the match.

Every single person in that change has to stand up, and they have done

so far. Credit to them for that, they are performing. They had to

come out, they had to play. You have to give credit where it is due. What

would like to see now is the kicked down in the second half, just to

keep their foot on the pedal and not back away. Let us look at the Cave

try. Think he has played row were all night. He has been in and out a

bit this season. Stockdale's carries phenomenal. He has carried the ball

25 minutes. He has dragged a lot of Edinburgh players and it was over

them, it was just a matter of holding onto that damage. I think a

dummy line is being held. They are working the defence, and Edinburgh

don't man up. Darren Cave in the breadbasket. All good quick ball for

Ulster tonight, and it seems to be that everything is working for them.

As well as being patient they are winning collisions. Paul Marshall is

getting from the forwards. He is sliding in self, keeping a defence

guessing. It is just a very good balance, wit and aggression and

directness when they have to be. I think at one stage here, you thought

Edinburgh want to fall away, but they haven't. They are not going to

give up that easy, sizing the second half to start with will be critical.

A player you know well, Brian O'Driscoll, is always very

complimentary about Piutau, absolutely loves him. What he did

hear from us next try had you purring, didn't it? He's just a joy

to watch. As Eddie alluded to, he make something happen every time he

touches ball. He makes tackles, the right decisions at the right time.

For me, he has been Ulster's best player tonight. He can arise be very

dangerous, he knows Ludik is on his side, and a lovely pass again. It's

a nice score from Ulster. That's all Piutau. He doesn't step, he doesn't

break the tackle. He makes everything happen. Watching his body

language, he is looking for work as well. You just want the ball. Every

time he get that, Edinburgh are in a panic, for good reason. Ulster in

the ascendancy, but as you say, Edinburgh battling their way back

into this game. Scored a try before half-time, Jason Tovey a golden

opportunity as well. They should have had another one. I think Chris

Henry is caught slightly wide, Jason Tovey recognises the space, beta. Of

his left foot. Should he have held onto it? For me, he probably should

have. He just recognises a little bit of separation, just a bit too

much between Andrew Warwick and Chris Henry the they should have

just paid back. Had to back himself. That would have brought them back

into the game. Ulster bounced back from that, in fairness. They judged

a bullet, but certainly took advantage. Edinburgh before

half-time, they'll be disappointed to concede this. For all the good

things they have done in the first half. Eddie has talked about it many

times, playing the game in ten minute blocks. Ten minutes before

half-time is always crucial, going into the second half. As in

Humphreys mentioned, this is a bit of a lifeline for Edinburgh in this

game. They probably with the play didn't deserve it, but they are

still there and get over the line, and it's just a little bit too easy

for me. They aren't working hard enough, the forwards not working

hard enough, any easy soft score. It is a danger when you're attacking so

well, everything is going well, you forget you've got to defend as well.

I think Ulster needs to switch their headset onto the defensive side,

recognise that Edinburgh... They need to score at the start of the

second half. If Edinburgh score again, the game is back on. It is as

ridiculous given the quality of rugby we have seen, but it is like

that. I think there will be disappointed with that. They had

switched off a little bit. They were playing so well and didn't defend,

but they needed to. They have given them a lifeline. Defensively, Ulster

is slightly disappointing at times. Offensively there have been

brilliant. The only tried we have not looked at is the one by young

Jason Stockdale, which he took really well. It's just great to

watch. EC Robbie Diack on the touchline, he is holding his wits.

He's actually holding the wits, he has spurred defence. I've been in

the back row many times, it is difficult to hold the wits. Quran

comes to him, the guys do well. And Jason Stockdale who has been

magnificent all night, doesn't just dive there. He makes it easy for

Peter Nelson and it is a 7-point. Has he impressed you tonight,

Stockdale. He was phenomenal in the build-up to Ludik's try. I think he

has been hugely physical, he has held onto the ball. For me, he has

had a big impact on the game. He was responsible for tee scores at the

end of the day. Let us pause on the Pro12 for the moment, because it is

a big weekend in the Six Nations championship. Ireland first up

tomorrow against Italy. It is in Rome. Followed by Wales against

England. On Sunday, Scotland travel to France. The Ireland team are to

play Italy, a couple of changes to the pack for this week. Ryan

replaces Henderson who has tight hamstring with prop Healy taking

over from Jack McGrath. Big news today, Rory Best did not take part

in the captain's run. Are you concerned about his participation

tomorrow in the game? Unconcerned, obviously. But he is the captain,

you know? -- I'm concerned. If he's not fit, he's not fit. If he is 60

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

play. Having from a type of game tomorrow as we have seen tonight.

That's what we want to see. I'm thinking Rome tomorrow is supposed

to be good, nice and dry. Transient question, it would be a big loss for

Ireland if Rory Best didn't play. -- to answer your question. Ireland

were defensively disappointing last week against Scotland. No better

team to bounce back against than the weakest team in the group in the Six

Nations. They'll be very disappointed. This kind of very lax

defence, wandering off badly on the short side. And then again, being

beaten off by being too narrow. It's a problem for Ireland in the last

couple of seasons and hasn't gone away. Falling asleep at the

line-out. Scotland use that lineout last year but didn't use the front

of this year. Defensively, you cannot come from three tries again

in Six Nations rugby and come out from it. Because we were winning, we

kind of laughter over it. But it's a big problem. I don't think tomorrow

is a problem, we'll defend well against Italy, we shouldn't get

complacent, though. If Italy score a couple of tries to, we need to ask

questions. Offensively, we need to get this sorted. It is schoolboy

errors by any metric. It is very frustrating to watch by anybody

involved, not just the players. The line-out is an error Ulster are

going to try and get right. Just disappointing last week. Island.

Ireland, yes. That gave Scotland a foothold in the

game. I expect this to be different tomorrow and there to be real

strength. We have had a problem. We had two jumpers, Ian Anderson would

not be comfortable in the second row and that made life difficult per

Rory Best, having just two jumpers against some of the tallest locks in

the game. To compete with Devin Toner. The pressure on the line-out

was immense. The teams are back at the Kingspan Stadium, let us hope

for as entertaining as second-half. Back to Ian and Michael.

Ulster have made a couple of changes. Stuart McCloskey replaces

Darren Cave in the centre. And Herbst, back after injury, returning

to the front row in place of Lutton. Tovey. Gingerly getting back into

the action. That is a good outcome for Ulster, deep kicking, that will

be a loss for Edinburgh, because he has been a threat in the first half.

Neat work by Treadwell. Hugh healers. In the second half it is

Edinburgh who have started sleepily. -- here he is. Marshall. The fellow

just one. The big presence of McCloskey in the midfield. Robbie

Diack. And the Ulster tales are up, whatever Les Kiss said at half-time,

that was unfortunate. Finally, there is a chance for Kennedy to clear the

danger. Back into trouble. That is the man he did not want to give the

ball to, Piutau. Coetzee. On the basis of the first 40 minutes, he is

a firm favourite. Ludik, one of the try scorers. And Stockdale, who

scored before Christmas in the defeat away. Warwick. McCloskey with

a clean 22 on his Jersey. There is no sign of Ulster taking their foot

off the pedal. Very nearly through, it takes two men to bring him down.

Edinburgh have barely touched the ball at the start of the second

half. Good hands. Olding held off the challenge of Brown. Coetzee. But

she stopped him but he could not bring him down. Nelson, changing the

angle of attack. McCloskey. The advantage being played for Ulster.

Herbst. No advantage. Terrific start to the second half? Very nice baby

Ulster, Coetzee being involved heavily and Stuart Olding getting

into the second phase behind those carriers, but only a threat out wide

but that also softens the carriage for the forwards. Nice to see Ulster

playing with ambition and Nelson changing the point of attack, you

hope that Ulster keep playing with this ambition and put some nice

attacking shapes on it, they don't decide to shut up shop and be

content with winning. Concern for Jason Tovey.

Of the two former Ulster players on the bench, Allen and schools. --

Rory Scholes. Ulster have a decent attacking position. Kinghorn going

off. Rory Scholes comment on. He will look forward to a very big

impact, he scored a lot of tries and is a dangerous attacking player and

Ulster will be keen not to give him too much space. He scored five tries

for Ulster, Rory Scholes. Campbell College man. Kinghorn making his way

off. Andrew has the ball in his hands at

the back of all that, Herbst. Not taking any prisoners! Sobol in the

end, taken on by Herbst. -- slow ball. In a change to the normal

receiver, McCloskey takes this on. Ulster have got the Edinburgh line

in their sides. Marshall. Driven on by Treadwell.

Marshall looking up. Maintaining possession? Well, Nelson, Piutau!

That was a high tackle. He took the colour from his Jersey. Marshall,

slapping around the fringes, confidence flowing for Ulster. Can

they've finish this off? -- carnet. Couple of metres short, McCloskey

has got support. Just held up. Marshall, Herbst. And the ball on

that occasion was like the proverbial bar of soap for Herbst.

Ulster have not let up in this opening five minutes of the second

half. Edinburgh have been pinned down inside their own 22. And here

they go, little bit of initiative! And beautifully done. Quickly taken

by Stockdale, Ludik. The crowd are getting their money's worth, no

doubt about that. Marshall, the attempted kick for Olding and

that'll be an Ulster line-out. Again, great attack by Ulster and I

think the encouraging thing is that throughout that passage of play,

Ulster may Howard 13 different carriers and that means the

Edinburgh defence don't have an easy point of attack to go after and you

can see Coetzee carrying the ball and Chris Henry and Herbst and the

forwards, it makes the job for everybody easier and it gives them

the point of difference that everybody is putting their hand up.

The last Emperor Peter Nelson, Rory Scholes actually scored the try for

Ulster against Edinburgh back in 2015, that is just how long ago it

was. Stockdale. You can sense the Ulster players want to get their

hands onto the ball. Ludik staying strong. Marshall. Nelson. Top job

for Treadwell. Piutau. Nice little bit of room. Ulster being patient.

They might have a problem because Treadwell has taken a blow to the

foot and is limping but he says he does not need treatment, Ulster

still have 15 men on the park. McCloskey. He get the sense that

Edinburgh are tearing out in the defence already in the opening

stages of the second half. -- tiring out. Here is Andy Warwick. Marshall,

Nelson. Olding very nearly sent Piutau in there. The ball is still

there for Ulster. Coetzee. Marshall. Can they find their way through?

Olding. Edinburgh just cannot get their hands on the ball. Coetzee.

Marshall. Nelson. Ludik. Stockdale, three defenders in front of him, he

has taken on Tom Brown and has kept the ball alive for Ulster. Tidied up

by Henry. At the moment Edinburgh are down to 14, back to 15. Clever

hands. Warwick. He maybe should have given the ball to Olding earlier.

The attacker still there, it is never ending, can they finish it

off? The curse of the commentator! Mata. There were three or four men

outside of him. And here they come, Edinburgh. McInally. It is

exhausting, watching this! Continuous play for about five

minutes! Mata. Treatment for an Edinburgh player on

the far side. They are not going to kick it! Jason Tovey defying

expectations. They are going to play their way out of their own 22, they

are not going to kick it. Kennedy with the box kick. Piutau sizing up

his opposite number, Tom Brown. The pass was fired out of Ludik. Not

forward, says Nigel Owens. That was a long period of play. You can see

that both teams are just on their feet, Ulster, probably five players

coming back from long-term injury so you would imagine... I can hear the

side of benches about to be cleared! Players walking everywhere, and the

boys from Edinburgh look even worse, they are hoping this injury lasts so

they can get their breath back. Ulster look like they're playing

conditioning games preseason, keeping the ball alive,

enthusiastic, great to see. They worry will be the fact that Piutau

is getting treatment but hopefully it is nothing serious because it has

been a great night so far and they don't want any negatives after

tonight. A change at scrum-half Edinburgh, Hidalgo-Clyne replacing

John Kennedy. Nine Scottish caps, Hidalgo-Clyne, born in Spain. And

that is not what the Ulster fans want to see. Piutau limping away.

That is a worry. He has been a massive threat tonight along with

others but hopefully the fact that he can walk away shows this is not a

bad sign that this is a huge disappointment. Tommy Bowe, coming

on. Usually experienced and he will enjoy playing in front of the home

crowd but Piutau has been unbelievable tonight and he has been

the focal point for Ulster and along with Coetzee, they have lead by

example and the rest of the team have been feeding off them. Keep the

energy high because Ulster are very fit. Piutau, again. The challenge

coming in from Brown. Off the bench at Murrayfield last week for Ireland

and tonight for Ulster, Tommy Bowe. Still 30 minutes to play. Terrific

levels of fitness from both sides and another brilliant Ulster

scrummage. Edinburgh in trouble, Coetzee, Marshall, Nelson, here is

Ludik with room in front of him. Stockdale. He perhaps should have

kept the ball in hand, that is a dive and the touchdown for the man

just on the park, Hidalgo-Clyne. The second or third scrummage taken

against the head. They are putting Edinburgh under so much pressure and

you can understand what Stockdale is doing, Scholes coming up but

Edinburgh are looking to relieve this pressure.

Libra have not been in Ulster's half in the second half. -- Edinburgh.

Just that little pause while Stockdale considers his options. He

runs into McCullum. Nelson. Tommy Bowe, ball in hand. Rousing cheer

from the faithful. As ever. Coetzee waiting to receive. Setting up for

Marshall. Elson. Little bit of action midfield for John Andrew.

Marshall looking at the options, he goes narrow. McCloskey. All of this

possession and territorial dominance but Ulster have not put one point on

the board in the second half and Edinburgh are having to run the ball

from wherever they find it. Ulster have the ball back, another

turnover, Marshall. That is a chase into the corner. And it might yet be

there for Ulster! Jason Tovey, I do not think his team-mates know what

he is going to do but that a patient, Edinburgh got away with

that. I settle kick by Paul Marshall after the turnover, it means

Edinburgh have to play it and Scholes touched the touchline.

Ulster want to stay here and hopefully turn over possession and

get some points on the board. Rory Scholes is relieved. Here comes

Ludik. Taken down by McCallum. Coetzee. The Beast at work. Nelson,

Olding. He finds Tommy Bowe. Coetzee. He does not look like a man

just back after ten months? Nelson. Ludik. McCloskey tried to spin on

the challenge. Marshall, looking to the corner. Nelson and Olding.

Nelson with the corner. Straight into the hands of Scholes. And

straight into the hands of Peter Nelson. Nelson appealing that he was

impeded. Nothing doing, says the referee. Here, Edinburgh. Dean,

Burley. Not quite the same pace. Hidalgo-Clyne. The skipper,

McInally. Was that forward? Flat, says the referee. Here is Tom Brown,

against Tommy Bowe. Mata asking for the ball and getting it. Tackle

coming in from Herbst. Hidalgo-Clyne. Should be

Stockdale's. That was an awkward bounce back the Ulster winger. Nice

play by that replacement scrum-half. Edinburgh are not out of this, if

they can get the score, they will feel they are right back in this.

You can see Ulster are starting to retire right, very fast-paced first

55 minutes and the key is to keep concentration and have a good exit

strategy. Probably use the right foot of Ludik. Or a box kick from

Marshall. In the first half Edinburgh made rare forays into the

Ulster 22 but they were very profitable. Dangerous with the ball

in hand, Edinburgh. When they could not get Mata onto the ball, he has

been prominent in the last ten minutes with Edinburgh attacking and

you need two men to attack him otherwise it gets the Flood, and

that is what Edinburgh are doing, playing at a high pace with floods.

I think Ulster should keep switched on here and they can push through. A

change in the Edinburgh front row. Definitely for Ulster. Callum Black

coming on. The man making his way off, Andrew Warwick. And George

Turner replacing McInally in the front row as hooker. And Fraser

McKenzie has taken it upon himself to take over as captain because

Nigel Owens asked him, effectively! Tidy ball taken by O'Connor.

Coetzee. Marshall gets it back and Ulster are trying to get a more

central position for Peter Nelson or Ludik, in the end. Decent touch

fined by the Ulster full-back. Ludik did well under pressure, after the

first snowball, whenever Coetzee had to step in field, I thought Marshall

might have box kicked that to take the pressure off but Edinburgh have

a good attacking position and hopefully Ulster can turn the ball

over in a couple of phases and get back to Edinburgh have. It does

sound amazing that with 15 minutes in the first half -- second half and

we have not seen one point. Troy Merritt finding Toolis. -- Turner.

Another score from Edinburgh would make this interesting, not in the

way the home fans would hope for. Still rolling forward. Hidalgo-Clyne

having a little word with Tovey. He also has the winger, Brian. Up

against Black. The referee has a look. Knocked on? Hidalgo-Clyne

cannot get the ball back and Ulster have taken it. Schools. Up against

his old friend, Tommy Bowe. -- Scholes. Highland. -- Hoyland. Some

belief being injected into Edinburgh. Bradbury, it seems a long

time ago since you went over without opening try. Tovey. Plenty of

support, Toolis. Mata. Scholes is with them. Toolis. Turner. Creeping

forward, Edinburgh. Tovey, there are men over here and they are on the

corner. And suddenly they are back into the game and it is Damien

Hoyland. He scored in the factory in Scotland before Christmas and

Hoyland has got Edinburgh back into this. I think Hidalgo-Clyne has made

a huge difference since coming on. He has raised the pace of the game

and that is lovely passing from Jason Tovey. Mata is hugely

influential for this Edinburgh team, carrying the ball in one hand, like

McWilliams a few years ago, very clinical. They have not been able to

create any scoring chances in the second half and that is the first or

second chance from Edinburgh and they have managed to score. Perhaps

not expecting the pass in the first half from Tovey, definitely

expecting that pass. A man about to make his 50th appearance for Ulster,

Sean Reidy. He will enter this game at a very pivotal point. Into the

last corner. -- quarter. And Edinburgh since they still have a

chance. -- they can sense. Very important kick. Hidalgo-Clyne with

it. Did not make it. Relief for the home fans. Nine points still 20

minutes left. This is a huge next five minutes, Sean Reidy is on and

Coetzee has had a great game, very big impact. This is a game that

should have Ulster running in the wide channels, Ulster need the next

score. If he can keep that level of performance up, he will be a massive

hit at the Kingspan. Sean Reidy, his 50th appearance. And for all of that

territorial dominance, Ulster are trailing in the second half by five

but -- 5-0. Tovey. Toolis with the long hair. Hidalgo-Clyne, another

left footed kicker. He was expecting to put them there. Marshall has been

nabbed. Ludik acting at the scrum-half for Reidy. And a vital 20

minutes in the Ulster season coming up. Marshall. Tommy Bowe is going to

chase this. Ulster about to bring on Peter Browne. Tovey. He does well

for Edinburgh. That is a long pass from Burnley. --

Burleigh. Can Mata keep the ball alive? We have seen all evenly that

Edinburgh will attack from deep, not the best kick from Hidalgo-Clyne.

Stockdale thought about putting his boot to the ball and instead retains

possession for Ulster. Herbst. Into the final quarter. -- quarter.

Ulster have the bonus point. They will hold on hopefully for victory.

Nelson. Henry. Nelson for the corner. Well fielded by Tovey. Very

nicely fielded by Nelson. That was Tommy Bowe trying to make his way

through the traffic. And I think one of the Edinburgh players has come

off the worse in that collision. Ian Humphreys, these are very two sets

of players, certainly the players who started. They are exhausted.

This has been a very long passage of play, both teams have the idea of

not kicking into touch, they are kicking long or just to compete and

it means they have played for a very long time and these boys would only

be training in batches of three minutes so when it gets to this

length of time, the shape is gone and you need nines and tens to

organise things because the forwards have been on their feet, set piece

to set piece and they need to be bossed around and from up here it is

good to see, you can hear the voices, Stuart Olding and Stuart

McCloskey, Peter Nelson, just bossing around the players and that

is what they need. Ulster's shape has been very good tonight, playing

exciting rugby and they are enjoying it, they are keen to get their hands

on the ball and just express themselves and they seem to be

playing with the freedom they have not had in recent weeks and it is

exciting to be a fan when they play this way. Despite it being quite

tight, the key is they do not go into their shells and they continue

to play. Peter Browne replacing Treadwell. Brian started in their

last four European matches. -- Browne. The medical truck is on for

the Edinburgh man. Tommy Bowe, as you saw running

through, collided with him. He has not moved since then. He seems to

have been hit by Tommy Bowe tried to get past, he was trying to block and

as a chaser you are allowed to get them out of the way and he has tried

to shepherd him out of the way. Very innocuous, it might just be

whiplash. Bye Rory Scholes. Concern being

shown. I think one of the impressive things

from Ulster tonight has been the leadership of Henry. Every time you

have seen a break in play, here's gathered them around and chatted to

them. What we saw was the same from Marcel Coetzee. When you bring in

those big players, you hope they lead by example. He was out there

tonight, leading by word and action. If you can all of a sudden get the

likes of Chris Henry, Rory Best, Marcel Coetzee in there, that brings

a team on, vocal as leaders. The problem for teams, they might be

looking to Paddy Jackson, but we have heard a lot of voices tonight.

Peter Nelson has been instrumental in organising. It makes the team

more of a threat, because all know what is going on. Fraser McKenzie in

the second row who is down. As a result, the Ospreys winning to take

over at the top. Munster will have other ideas. An early kick-off in

Italy. Scarlet started the night in fourth, and Glasgow, fifth --

Scarlet started on fourth, Glasgow and fifth. Munster retain their

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

could transmit now, what would it be the last 18 minutes of this match?

Think field positions is important, because is to have them playing a

lot at the ten metre line. With the dangerous backs in the ten Edinburgh

but line-up, without contradicting myself, stay positive. You don't

want to just be kicking ball away. It's a case of taking a couple of

phases to nip it in the backfield, and then Peter Nelson sweeping down

the left and Ludik down the right, and playing behind the defence.

Because the Edinburgh full-backs are closing the gate quite quickly.

Getting up the defensive line and leaving a lot of kicks base. They

need to keep playing with ambition, because you can see how excited they

are whenever they are playing the balls at the back. At the same time,

don't ever played, get in the right position where Edinburgh can't hurt

them. Lewis Carmichael is on for Edinburgh. Les Kiss well aware

importance of the remaining moments of this game. The smiles are back on

the faces here at the Kingspan. I think the Ulster club shop did well

over Christmas, didn't it? The quality of the systems that

Fraser McKenzie has received has been top notch -- of assistance. All

that strapping in and padding. It's hopefully not an indication of a

serious injury. And purely precautionary.

They are nothing if not warm and welcoming to visitors here at the

Kingspan. Lewis Carmichael is on for McKenzie. And the restart. What will

the long delay have done to these sides? Remember, Edinburgh

themselves are looking for a try scoring bonus point. And it just

feels that that try and break in play is affecting the Ulster

concentration here stopped as you mentioned earlier, they have had a

few defeats and their pays on your mind this stage of the game. The

Ulster players were a bit slow to get underway, and he threw the ball

straight into them. A bit of gamesmanship, but he knows that a

penalty put them in bonus range and with winning the game. He has made a

huge difference to this Edinburgh team. He has brought up the

intensity they play with, and you see how much of a threat himself he

is. He has what could well turn out to be an absolutely vital kick. If

he can get this over, Hidalgo-Clyne, the lead is down to six. And you

don't need a mathematical genius to work out that a converted try would

put Edinburgh into the lead. And all Ulster's possession and territorial

dominance at the start of the second half, that will have been long

forgotten. There is no wind. Hidalgo-Clyne write down the middle.

And suddenly there's a bit of a nervy atmosphere. 24-18, 15 minutes

left to go. You have nailed it. The crowd have gone quiet, very nervous,

they've been here the last couple of weeks. You can hear the silence.

This is where you need your players like Chris Henry to stand up and

drive the team through. There are a lot of guys returning from injury

and they need experienced guys to pull them through the next 15

minutes. Michael Allen coming on for Phil Burleigh.

We're in for a nervy finish to this one, I think. Ludik is bad. -- is

there. The combination of Turner and Brown bring him down.

Edinburgh changing their captain yet begun. That is good work by Reidy.

Next score at vital. Nelson hasn't been put to the floor, is now. Jamie

Ritchie is down for Edinburgh. John Andrew and Chris Henry outside

him. Helps to -- Herbst grabbed by the Edinburgh replacement. Brilliant

defence by Edinburgh. Ulster putting them and all sorts of pressure. A I

stepped on by Alan O'Connor. A member's defence just not giving up.

-- Edinburgh's defence. They have been very threatening the last 20

minutes. The Tongan back row is on as well.

And David Shanahan replacing Paul Marshall. Who has worked and worked

and worked his socks off this evening. He Paul Marshall has played

row well tonight, coming back into the starting line-up has helped

Peter Nelson coming in with Paul's experience is marshalled the

forwards very well, moved the team around with the kicking and a very

important try saving tackle on the corner. Shanahan will bring the

intensity, and bring more intensity to the team.

There is the impact of Reidy on Jamie Ritchie. That is the prop

signed on a short-term loan. From more stuff. -- from

Worcester. Ulster suddenly have conceded a penalty. The combination

of black and brown. A coach's nightmare. Edinburgh are under all

sorts of trouble. Ulster defence is good, well organised, good chance to

turn over, the story of Ulster all season a cheap turnover. Jamie

Ritchie having a head injury assessment, replaced by the man who

normally plays prop. It's been a just rented last ten

minutes because of all the stoppages. At the moment, it is

working in Ulster's favoured -- it has been a disjointed last. Ball

still was Edinburgh's Turner, the replacement hooker. Hidalgo-Clyne,

and relief for Ulster. Edinburgh not releasing, and that is a cry of

relief around the Kingspan Stadium. Brilliant defence by Callum Black.

Got himself blocked on the ball whenever Edinburgh got himself

isolated, brilliant massive turnover. Hopefully Peter Nelson can

relieve the pressure. Take a deep breath. They have two remember they

are still winning this game, they don't have to chase anything. Go

back to basic play, whether that is a box-kick or McCloskey of the

middle and play from now. Jamie Ritchie will not be returning to the

fray. Edinburgh will have a prop in their back row.

Blood injury. John Andrew getting worked on. I think you realise till

on the big screen. A little lick around the lip of John Andrew. -- I

think he realised he was on. The anthem for the first time this

evening. Is it going to inspire Ulster to hold on and end of this

losing run? Is a hooker has the ball in hand,

Shanahan. Tommy Bowe is underneath it. Reidy has picked it up.

Shanahan, Nelson. Oh, finding McCloskey, holding off the

challenge. Wonderful run by McCloskey. Shanahan, another

Edinburgh man down. That is Brown with the red headband. Once again

Edinburgh down to 14. Chris Henry. And who does well to release, but he

threw a wide passed in Ludik's direction. -- Andrew does. Stockdale

has made himself available on the narrow side, not needed. Driven on

by Callum Black. Momentary pause in this breathless second half, and

Stuart Olding. And suddenly possession for Edinburgh in a

dangerous position. It's great vision by Peter Nelson, Stuart

Olding, a big overlap against front row. But it's just a little bit of

inaccuracy, tired legs perhaps. You see him stretching his calves out.

You're in Ulster to play with ambition and be positive, but at the

same time you saw them all relied up ready for the box-kick, perhaps that

would of been at better option. Credit for trying to keep playing

and stay positive. But maybe, you see Edinburgh, plenty of space at

the back. I think Dave Shanahan has made a good impression coming on.

You want Ulster to put the phase together, get some field position

and make either a penalty try obviously would be ideal. A few

cheap turnover is an losing field position to easy at times. I think

Michael Allen inadvertently got a McCloskey boot in the face.

Edinburgh must be down to their last sub, if Mercury listed -- used it.

So Belly is coming back on. He won't be too pleased if he has any bruises

on his face, a good-looking lad! -- Burleigh is coming back on. He

didn't expect to come back to Belfast and shed some blood for

Edinburgh. I would guess that Edinburgh have cleared their entire

bench. And Phil Burleigh is coming back on to replace Michael Allen.

Have we ever known as many stoppages in a half of rugby? I think it's due

to the fact that neither team are really kicking out a Mirror has been

in play. It has been hugely entertaining -- how long the ball

has been in play. There have been -- will be a few tired and sore bodies

tomorrow, especially for those who have been out for a long time.

Credit to the condition, and the fact that Peter Nelson, Stuart

Olding, they are lasting the full 80 minutes. Darren Cave had a great

game, I would imagine he was planning to come on follow other two

dies. Ulster have extended their lead against the Dragons. -- the

other two guys. The 30 point victory earlier on for the Ospreys. Spy have

to keep winning to stay in touch. -- so they have do. They have that game

in hand. But they have to keep beating the teams below them, and

that includes Edinburgh. And that a very sad sight indeed. Michael Allen

back in Belfast. And having to go off only a matter of minutes after

coming on. So at this rate, I think wing may be

going to charge into Newsnight. I'm not sure we've ever done before.

It's been a great game. I just hope for Ulster's point of view they can

hold on. For the 25, 30 minutes in the first half where there were so

good, I think they deserve. Credit to Edinburgh, they have never given

up despite going behind so far. You thought Ulster had it in the back,

but that try before half-time, we talked about it and hoped it would

be a major factor. We can see the wound. He looks totally dazed. He

has the oxygen mask back on the face. The synthetic round of

applause for the man who at the minute possibly doesn't quite know

where he is. Certainly dazed, and bloodied. Michael Allen being slowly

taxied off the pitch. I think won pretty much left with the 35th

players. So we restart again after a long delay. The second half has

lasted about an hour already it feels. Still six points the

difference. Edinburgh with players playing out of position in the pack,

and they have conceded a penalty. Again, not releasing. Remember,

Ulster at half-time lead 24-10. Another good Ulster scrummage,

excellent work by Shanahan and Chris Henry. They didn't recycle the ball.

Holding on, and Peter Nelson will lead. The forwards really stepped up

when they did. And lovely turnover by Reidy in the end. Chris Henry

than obviously was first at it and then Reidy finished it off. Still

the game is in the balance. Taken by Diack. Reserves of energy being

tapped now. The pack being urged forward. Look at the options.

Brilliant by the Ulster Park. Shanahan makes clear what's going to

happen. McCloskey. McCloskey keeps the ball live for Ulster.

It's all just a bit slow and Ulster look as if they have lost this ball.

Turnover for Edinburgh, and here they come. They keep thinking about

kicking and deciding not to. Is there a sting in the tail for the

home side? Hoyland, try scorer in the second half.

They're looking for a gap, they are probing, they are going to find one.

The chase is on. Rory Scholes piling forward for Edinburgh, awkward bunch

for Ulster. He was first? It is Olding, McCloskey. Nobody outside

him, you'll have to go himself. Willing from Shanahan, excellent

support running. He's unlucky. His jersey just touch the line. Very

unlucky. Edinburgh unlucky as well, it could have gone anywhere, a

massive bounce back into Olding's hands. They'll be disappointed not

to finish this off as well. McCloskey can just find, good

defence by Hidalgo-Clyne again. Ulster in dangerous territory. By

the law of diminishing returns, but must've been that Murphy is going to

appear, one else has come off the bench for Ulster. He is coming on

for Alan O'Connor. I think John Andrew has been very good today, his

line it has been very accurate, I think that is a hugger coming on for

second row. We'll see John Andrew probably shift to the back road --

ul-Haq are coming on. Murphy was 25 on Monday, his second appearance for

the team. Came on against the Scarlet a year ago, Jonny Murphy. He

is coming on tonight against Edinburgh for the last six minutes

of the game and Ulster now have a player playing out of position in

the pack. O'Connor makes his way off. This is

Edinburgh. And this is Bradbury. Held up by Diack. And brilliantly

done, pats on the back all round. Jonny Murphy only on the park. Big

impact. We have seen himself and Diack, the first and Ulster have

made from the choke tackle. McCloskey from a few times and

recently referees are trying to get away. Great defence now, opportunity

for Ulster to close this game out. A massive overturning of possession

for Ulster. But this game is not done and dusted! And Edinburgh team

happy to run the ball from deep. Ulster need a solid scrummage. So

yes, they have Sean Andrew on this nearside.

Don't think this is a back row you might see again for Ulster, Andrew

Henry and Reidy. The huge Ben Toolis. I somehow

sensed nobody's leaving the Kingspan Stadium early. Bye trying to make a

break. It takes a couple of them to bring him down. -- bye trying. If

Ulster can get a fifth try. And here they come, running from

deep, little chip over the top. Isn't going to bounce favourably for

the men in black? Yes, it is. Three minutes left. It's taken on by

Carmichael the replacement. Inside the all-star half. Ulster go from a

phase of attack to run defence -- inside the all-star half. Is there

anybody there in a black jersey? Burleigh keeps it alive. Nails being

bitten all around the stadium. That's the Ulster 22 metre line.

Appealing the ball, and Edinburgh can't believe it, they concede a

penalty. Off their feet and Ulster get the penalty. This is like a Six

Nations game, isn't it? A little bit of a soft penalty by Edinburgh, but

what a counterattack. Great plague sweeping round, chip, recover.

Ulster might be relieved. -- great play. Those are the kind of

decisions that frustrate you as a player.

Two minutes away from victory. Browne.

John Andrew of ball in hand. -- with ball. If Ulster can keep this going

for another 150 seconds... Shanahan. McCloskey crunched to midfield.

Tapping and not releasing the man. McCloskey helped to his feet. Ulster

quite fortunate there, very good tackle on McCloskey in midfield, a

little bit predictable by Ulster. Despite the size of McCloskey, you

still need a bit of deception on the play. This will hopefully kill the

game now if Peter Nelson can put this in the Edinburgh have, just

drive and kill the clock. Very impressive return to action from

Peter Nelson. In injury affected season, Ulster were coming players

back. Nelson has made a big impact the evening. He is so confident. Try

all-star roster to them. They are making their own fans sweat. --

Ulster. It is now or never for Edinburgh. They've got to keep this

ball moving, keep it alive. A good tackle by Olding. Edinburgh

replacement has been the thick of the action the last ten or 15

minutes. The little school box is about to turn right. -- square box.

Belliard, 80 minutes. Ulster need to get their hands on a ball. They need

to force a mistake out of Edinburgh. They're not going to kick the ball,

they have to keep it in hand. Hidalgo-Clyne, Tovey. It is

Bradbury, opening try scorer in this match. Can Nelson get it out of

play? Not quite done by Nelson. Edinburgh the last chance saloon.

Hidalgo-Clyne can possibly a candidate for Edinburgh's man of the

match. Ulster hands being pointed, close the gaps. Can they force a man

out of play? The break's been half made. That is taken on by Fihaki,

the Tongan. Tovey, any other time he might have kicked it. Bradbury.

Ulster have got to force the man out of play. Astonishing finish to this

game. Retaining possession, and Ulster have done enough. And they

haven't violent touch. -- they haven't found touch. It's

all over. Never has a blast of his whistle had been greeted with more

relief than here. At the Kingspan Stadium. As Ulster have somehow held

on in the disjointed second half for a 6-point victory.

It turned out to be about 55 minutes in the second half. Very

entertaining to watch and after all that has happened in the last few

months, five points. There will be areas to work on but the positive

things have to be Peter Nelson, Coetzee, Stuart Olding, we hope the

injury to Piutau is not serious but Ulster have to be positive. Some of

the first-half play when they had ambition and they seemed to play

what is in front of them. As if it was preseason and that is the way

this team has to play. They have the bonus point by half-time, leading at

the break, all that dominance at the start of the second half was not

turned into points. The try from Hoyland and the late Hidalgo-Clyne

penalty made the home fans sweat but Ulster have ended the losing run,

winning here. Let us hope that man is not badly injured. 24-18.

That was a game that left us breathless. Ulster in the end

breathing a sigh of relief and wondering how, after scoring the

bonus point in the first-half, they were left to cling on by the

fingernails in the second. This is the table. Ulster is still in sixth

place. Just three points behind the Glasgow Warriors. Ulster with the

game in hand against Zuber rugby. Munster still topping the table

after that bonus point win. Scarlets beat Glasgow at the Ospreys beat

Zebre tonight. Stephen Ferris and Eddie O'Sullivan, Ulster had a

brilliant first-half, the second half simply did enough to do the

job. Just about? Eddie O'Sullivan is not allowed to come back to Belfast!

Every time he is here it is tight. That ten minute period in the second

half, we should have got points on the board, just to keep things

ticking over and we did not score any point. Playing towards the clock

like we had won the toss, the way we played the game, it was a

disappointing second half, injuries did not help, Darren Cave was a big

loss in not starting. It did not happen, we did not get that first

score. Just before half-time that this was a lifeline for Edinburgh

and they took that. Yes, it is positive for Ulster with the bonus

point and that 5-point return after that disappointing run but after the

match you feel deflated after that second-half performance? We are

seeing a team that is shy on confidence and only first-half you

would not have known that watching them but you could see the changing

tempo when they let Edinburgh back, they did not score for ten minutes,

Edinburgh defending for 12 minutes in the second-half and Ulster had

not scored and suddenly Edinburgh saw that and Ulster sensed that. I

think Piutau was a huge loss. Darren Cave played well but it is the sense

of a team that just do not trust themselves in these situations. They

got the result, they need one of these results to convince them they

are back on the road but it was nervous at the end and you have to

think that in a tighter game it might have gone the wrong way. You

did mention Piutau. Your Man of the Match, perhaps half of the match.

The first-half was pure brilliance. The standout in the first-half and

that was what won the match for Ulster. His brilliance, every time

he touched the ball he made something happen, joy to watch. When

he went off Ulster seemed to just shut down. Even though they had

Tommy Bowe on the pitch, he just does not have the impact he has.

Hopefully that injury is not a concern. He has been like that all

season and tonight the game suited him, plenty of width. Getting his

hands on the ball and he was terrorising the Edinburgh defence

but he left the field and the tempo dropped and Darren Cave going as

well. It goes back to that confidence issue around the team, we

saw that fear factor creeping in as the game went on and Edinburgh were

But this is five points and he said before the game, they would take

this five points. We can hear from Charles Piutau. Shivering down here.

What is the injury? Not bad, I have to talk to the doctors but I am

feeling all right. Hopefully not bad. How stressful was that last 20

minutes? I was watching on the sidelines and I think the boys did a

great job to close the game and this is a class side, Edinburgh, they

have been playing great rugby. Was it a case of, we just need to win?

In the first-half, we had a great performance and we conceded and as a

second-half went on, lamenting changed how they play to close the

game but I am glad to have a better game. The spark seems to be in the

back line again? Credit to the forwards, they said a great place

for us. And they took the opportunity. Coetzee is learning

quickly, he has his coach! He did really well, congratulations. Coming

back from long trip injuries, they are terrific for us. What was the

experience like? It has been a long wait? It is nice to be on the park

playing with world-class players like Charles. Just glad to get

factory and we will build on that. What about the atmosphere? It was a

rousing sendoff when you came off the pitch? Great support base and

they have been awesome, all of the fans and everything, we must thank

them for tonight. Support means a lot for the team and next week is

another challenge and we will expect the same crime. Are you motivated to

push on and do special things? Yes, with the team, were hungry, we will

look at this game and take it every game but on Monday it will analyse

everything and build on this performance. Thank you. It was good

to speak to you. Jim Conlon will present the award for Man of the

Match. Well done. Coetzee, we should learn a thing or two! We don't have

any coats. The backs were brilliant. Brilliant platform and he was in the

middle of everything, Coetzee? Great performance. Exactly what he wanted

after that ten month lay-off, he can see him talking that he has the bit

between his teeth, he put his hand up to carry the ball a lot more than

I thought he would have and they will see a lot more of him on the

ground. Stealing more ball, he has a massive unit. Andy Ward said he was

walking around Tesco that he could not believe the size of him.

Hopefully more of what we could see tonight. He is a great asset. Are

you impressed? Outstanding workrate. To back from that sort of lay-off,

you would think it would take awhile to get back and he kept the tempo

up, he lasted longer than I thought, not just on the field but his

workrate, doing all the hard graft. And he probably was tired and he

came off. The second-half was hard to watch as a Ulster fan but the

first-half, let us reflect on what was very positive for Ulster. They

scored four cracking tries and if they are to kick on the seafront,

this is the highlights reel they want to look at. In the second half

also, Edinburgh were coming back but you must give them credit. Six

points, Edinburgh but looking like coming back but they closed the game

and they ran down the clock when they needed to, they did not get out

of jail but they got over the line. There are positives to be taken from

the second-half but no doubt the first-half, those tries and the

rugby and the off-loads and the speed of the ball from the ruck, it

was on a plate to Paul Marshall and when you have world-class players

like Piutau and Coetzee, things will happen. When those lads went off, it

did affect them. When you have a bonus point at half-time it is

almost a case of thinking we have the job done. And I suppose we saw

the second-half unfolding and we felt that Ulster, had they scored

again, it would have clicked on. If professional rugby, it means don't

give the opposition and even break and ten minutes into the second-half

Edinburgh should have been dead and buried and Labour back in the game.

Those lifelines breathe life into the opposition but the team that

goes through, feeling the pressure having to win, and the pendulum is

swinging away, the energy drops and they have to look at that, they will

be in tighter games down the track but the more games like this under

your belt, the more of the guys believe. It could have gone the

wrong way tonight but full credit, fantastic first-half, but fantastic

second but they got the job done and it would have been a tragedy and an

injustice had they lost. Not pretty in the end but important they got

five points. By getting the job done, that will give them confidence

to kick on and have a positive run with a lot of home games? It has

been talked about. They have a lot of games coming up and they must

make them count, they have to get five points and when they get

Edinburgh at home at Zebre at home, you have to get five points and move

up the leaderboard, we are playing catch-up, Leinster and the Ospreys,

when they drop points? It will be very tough to get there. If they

keep winning and getting five points, they will make the job

easier. In the last four games on the run, they were difficult, the

Ospreys, Munster and Leicester, I think it is Cardiff, those last four

games give them no chance to drop the ball in the incoming games but

they have three games with Italian sides and with all due respect, they

should put those in the bank. Do you fancy Ulster for the top four? If

they build momentum in the next five or six games, they probably can't,

those last four games will decide the season but I would worry about

those games because there is a tight space at the moment, they have no

room for error but they will have those international boys back.

Hopefully it'll be a different situation. Top four? Yes, there is a

chance but for me, I cannot see the other teams dropping points to lead

Ulster get back in. They are playing catch-up at this stage, it is

difficult. Everything is possible, if they can get these world-class

players playing every week, Libby first-half, this should be first out

that they were all about sweat as they can do it. Thank you both very

much. Tomorrow, it is utterly against Ireland, live commentary on

BBC Radio Ulster. That is it from the Kingspan Stadium, Ulster back

with a win. Goodbye. Do you have

any prior motoring convictions? Can you confirm that you will be

adhering to the speed limit?