ULSTER 17 GLOUCESTER 29

Ulster's first pre-season friendly of the 2018/19 term may have ended in a three-try-to-five defeat at the hands of Gloucester this evening, but with a squad rich in up-and-coming talent there was plenty for the Kingspan Stadium to cheer - including two debutant scorers. Recent additions Marty Moore, Billy Burns and Will Addison all got a run-out as second half replacements, while established names like Chris Henry, Alan O’Connor and Darren Cave lined up alongside young prospects keen to catch the eye of the coaching staff. Ulster’s first-half XV featured none of the close season’s new recruits, but a strong contingent of Academy and sub-Academy players, with winger Angus Kernohan in particular impressing both in defence and attack, and blindside flanker Marcus Rea getting his name on the scoresheet. An early handling error from skipper O’Connor gave the visitors an immediate impetus, but a fine interception from Kernohan soon dispelled any danger. Similar pre-season rustiness from Gloucester in their own ‘22’ moments later also went unpunished, however, as Ulster failed to make any metres from the scrum and eventually surrendered possession. Further mistakes from both sides ensured the first quarter ended scoreless, but as the Premiership outfit began to find their feet, a 25th-minute five-metre lineout saw second row Gerbrandt Grobler bundle over after a strong rolling maul. Ulster struck back with interest almost immediately, Rea diving over after a long carry from Tom O’Toole and some fleet feet in attack from Kernohan, before Timoney showed that his form last season was no flash in the pan as he cut a diagonal line through the Gloucester defence for the second try three minutes later. Gloucester hit back moments before the break through out-half Owen Williams, trotting off at the break two points to the good thanks to Williams’ two successful conversions against Peter Nelson’s solitary one. Half-Time Score Ulster 12 Gloucester 14 An opportunistic kick-and-chase from Tom Hudson brought the visitors their third try within five minutes of the restart, the full-back capitalising on some hesitation over a loose ball from the Ulster defence to hack on and just touch down as the ball bobbled over the line. Multiple changes at the interval had brought no fewer than 12 new Ulster faces onto the park, including tighthead Moore for his Kingspan bow, but it was to be two other debutants who would make the biggest impact, Academy centre James Hume picking up after good work from Bangor Grammar propsect Aaron Sexton to nip over for the try just after the hour. Now trailing once again by two slender points, Ulster struggled to craft the breakthrough that would turn the tables in their favour, eventually leaking a fourth try with four minutes to play when Todd Gleave finished off a period of dominant Gloucester mauling in the corner. There was still time for a final away try, Henry Purdy finishing off a speedy wingbreak down the Ulster right in the final play of the match. Ulster now have one more dress rehearsal, away to Wasps on Friday 24 August, before the serious business of the Guinness Pro14 starts on Saturday 1 September with the visit of the Scarlets to the Kingspan Stadium. Full-Time Score Ulster 17 Gloucester 29