Match Reports

Match Report | Ulster 22 Toulouse 29

11th December 2020
Ulster’s winning run at home came to an end at the hands of French powerhouse, Toulouse, with the visitors collecting a try bonus-point at Kingspan Stadium on Friday night. Ulster battled hard all evening with the lead changing hands throughout the game, but a brace from Cheslin Kolbe and scores from Antoine Dupont and Rory Arnold, plus 9 points from the boot of Thomas Ramos meant the visitors took the spoils. It was a nervy start with the wet ball causing problems for both sides, leading to an exchange of scrums in the first 10 minutes. But Ulster were first to draw blood with a trademark Rob Herring try, rumbling over from an Ulster maul and Cooney adding the conversion. Just three minutes later, a beautiful back line move which involved John Cooney and Ian Madigan going on the wraparound, dispatching Matt Faddes down the right wing, passing back inside to James Hume who sent Madigan at the right-hand corner. The flags stayed down for the difficult conversion attempt from Cooney. Toulouse bounced back just a few short minutes later, with World Cup winner, Cheslin Kolbe going for a chip and chase to collect the ball and pull one back for the visitors. Thomas Ramos added the conversion to reduce the deficit to 5. At the stroke of half-time, Toulouse struck again through scrum-half, Antoine Dupont, spotting a gap to run in their second try of the evening. Ramos took the lead for the visitors with the conversion. Toulouse’s lead didn’t last for long, when John Cooney landed a penalty to put Ulster ahead by a point. Ulster had the opportunity to widen the gap after an excellent work at the breakdown from Eric O’Sullivan earned another penalty opportunity, but Cooney’s attempt was nudged wide. Toulouse were next to get on the scoreboard with Rory Arnold forcing his way over after a series of pick-and-goes from the forwards. Ramos was accurate with the conversion. Rob Herring bagged his second try of the night after peeling off an Ulster maul to sneak over. Cooney added the two to make it a one-point lead for Ulster. Cheslin Kolbe once again showed his skill when he evaded the tackle to go in at the corner for his second. Ramos was unable to convert. The visitors began to turn the screw after a long-range penalty from Thomas Ramos extended Toulouse’s lead to 7 with three minutes left to play. The Ulster men fought hard to respond in the dying minutes, but a knock-on with the clock in the red put paid to their efforts. Full-time score: Ulster 22 Toulouse 29

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

SCORERS

Ulster Tries: Rob Herring (2), Ian Madigan Cons: John Cooney (2) Pens: John Cooney Toulouse Tries: Cheslin Kolbe (2), Antoine Dupont, Rory Arnold Cons: Thomas Ramos (3) Pens: Thomas Ramos

LINE-UPS

Ulster (15-9) Michael Lowry, Matt Faddes, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Ian Madigan, John Cooney;  (1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Sam Carter (Capt.), Matty Rea, Sean Reidy, Marcell Coetzee.   Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, David O’Connor, Greg Jones, Alby Mathewson, Stewart Moore, Craig Gilroy.  Toulouse (15-9) Maxime Médard, Mattish Lebel, Sofiane Guitoune, Romain Ntamack, Cheslin Kolbe, Thomas Ramos, Antoine Dupont; (1-8) Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand (Capt.), Charlie Faumuina, Rory Arnold, Joe Tekori, Rynhard Elstadt, Alban Placines, Selevasio Tolofua. Replacements: Guillaume Marchan, Rodrigue Neti, David Ainuu, Emmanuel Meafou, Louis-Benoit Madaule, Yannick Youyoutte, Pita Ahki, Alexis Balès.

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