Ulster fell to defeat right at the death in the opening Round of the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup, at the hands of Inter-Pro rivals, Connacht, at Kingspan Stadium on Friday night. The visitors were first to register on the scoreboard; their forwards picking-and-going for captain, Paul Boyle to barge his way over from short range under the posts, making Carty’s conversion an easy one. Connacht had come to play and kept Ulster well contained until the 24th minute when Billy Burns flicked the ball out wide to Jacob Stockdale who dotted down in the left-hand corner. The wind was in Ulster’s sails and they continued to press, eventually getting dividends when Rob Herring crashed over for a maul try. Cooney fired over the conversion. Ulster took advantage of Connacht’s shaky start to the second half. James Hume made a fantastic break to send John Cooney on a scintillating run, setting in motion Ulster’s third try; Billy Burns sneaking in at the corner in the 44th minute. Despite being a man down with Carty in the bin for a deliberate knock-on, Connacht soon struck back. Living up to his name, Caolin Blade cut through Ulster’s defences to score under the posts, and centre Tom Daly landed the extras. The visitors took the lead in the 63rd minute, again through scrum-half, Caolin Blade. Ultan Dillane looked close to scoring but was held just short. Blade took the second bite at the cherry and after referee Andrew Brace consulted with TMO Brian MacNeice, the try was awarded. Tom Daly fired over the two. The lead changed hands with seven minutes to go, Michael Lowry going on the break and David Shanahan running a fantastic support line to cross the whitewash under the posts. Lowry took over the kicking duties and drilled through the conversion. Connacht’s use of the Captain’s Challenge proved crucial with the clock in the red, earning a penalty which they kicked to the corner for the line-out. Conor Fitzgerald threaded the ball through for Peter Sullivan to collect and ground the ball just before the dead ball line, snatching the win away from home. Ulster’s attentions now turn to Europe and the Challenge Cup Semi-Final versus Leicester at Mattioli Woods Welford Road next Friday. Full-time score: Ulster 24 Connacht 26

WORTH ANOTHER LOOK

Turnaround 🔄
Rob Herring's try fires @UlsterRugby into the lead ⚪️ 🇬🇧 @PremierSportsTV 💻 https://t.co/CeNCIlfD9i #️⃣ #ULSvCON 🏆 #GuinnessPRO14RainbowCup pic.twitter.com/DVxDkFSiI5 — PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) April 23, 2021

SCORERS

Connacht Tries: Paul Boyle, Caolin Blade (2), Peter Sullivan Cons: Jack Carty, Tom Daly (2) Ulster Tries: Jacob Stockdale, Rob Herring, Billy Burns, David Shanahan Cons: John Cooney, Michael Lowry

LINE-UPS

Ulster (15-9) Jacob Stockdale, Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Ethan McIlroy, Billy Burns, John Cooney; (1-8) Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson (CAPT), Matty Rea, Sean Reidy, Nick Timoney. Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Ross Kane, Alan O’Connor, Greg Jones, David Shanahan, Michael Lowry, Will Addison. Connacht (15-9) John Porch, Ben O’Donnell, Sean O’Brien, Tom Daly, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Caolin Blade; (1-8) Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Gavin Thornbury, Eoghan Masterson, Conor Oliver,Paul Boyle (CAPT). Replacements: Shane Delahunt, Matthew Burke, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Niall Murray, Abraham Papali’i, Kieran Marmion, Conor Fitzgerald, Peter Sullivan.

SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION

hard luck lads, onwards & upwards 🤍
— issy 🪓 (@whatatimemendes) April 23, 2021

Well done @connachtrugby 🙌 Commiserations to @UlsterRugby Thanks everyone for a great game of rugby. Fantastic to watch and to support 👏🙌 https://t.co/LbyhYeEbET
— Bernadette Brady (@bradymbe21) April 23, 2021

Disappointing result but european semi final next week to look forward to
— Stockdale Burner (@BurnerStockdale) April 23, 2021

Match Report | Ulster 24 Connacht 26

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