ULSTER 50 GLASGOW WARRIORS 19

First-team rugby returned to the Kingspan Stadium with a bang this afternoon as Ulster put eight tries past Glasgow in an entertaining pre-season friendly, with many of the new additions to Dan McFarland’s squad making an instant impression. New signings Matt Faddes, David O’Connor and Sam Carter all made their debuts in this afternoon’s clash, with two further new faces – Academy prospect Graham Curtis and sub-Academy back Ethan McIlroy also getting their first taste of senior action from the bench – and their names on the scoresheet. New Zealander Faddes started at centre alongside James Hume, with Michael Lowry at full-back, Craig Gilroy back on the wing after a protracted absence due to injury, and Angus Kernohan on the opposite flank. Billy Burns captained the side from out-half, where he was partnered at scrum-half by Jonny Stewart. O’Connor linked up with his elder brother Alan in the second row, behind a front three of props Kyle McCall and Ross Kane and hooker Adam McBurney, with Clive Ross, Marcus Rea and Greg Jones forming the back row. Australian international Carter started on the bench, alongside a mixture of youth and experience including four full Ireland internationals in the form of Kieran Treadwell, Sean Reidy, Luke Marshall and John Cooney. The Kingspan Stadium burst into life with six minutes on the clock as the Gilroy interception of a loose pass set up a high-octane kick-and-chase, but Warriors did well to clear their lines and went on to draw first blood, Nick Grigg nipping over in the corner after fast hands from his fellow visiting backs. The hosts were soon back on terms, however, as Gilroy capitalised on some quick thinking from McBurney who scooped a loose ball backwards between his legs to Lowry, who found the wing in acres of space for the try. Burns converted, but the game continued to follow its see-saw pattern with winger Ratu Tagive touching down on 22 minutes from full-back Glenn Bryce’s pass. McIlroy got his first run-out on the half-hour as a blood replacement for Lowry, but could do nothing to repel the force of the Glasgow pack, with flanker Matt Smith bundling over for the visitors’ third try moments later. Ulster responded within minutes through Jones thanks to a scrappy but ultimately effective rolling maul, and parity was restored – in terms of tries scored at least – on the stroke of half-time as assured footwork took Gilroy over for his second of the afternoon from Burns’ long pass. Half-Time Score Ulster 17 Glasgow Warriors 19 Multiple changes at half-time seemed to give Ulster renewed incentive, but a dropped pass five metres from the Glasgow line put paid to a fine early chance. No such mistake was made on 52 minutes, however, with David Shanahan, Marshall and Kernohan combining at electric speed down the left flank, the winger diving over for a fine collective try. Lowry’s conversion crept over the bar via an upright for a 24 – 19 lead, topped up just after the hour by a well-deserved try for McIlroy, the grateful recipient of a pass three metres from home after some bludgeoning work from Tom O’Toole. Lowry converted again before another debutant – this time Carter – forced his way over for try number six off a neat pass from Matthew Rea, and with five minutes remaining Ulster still weren’t done, Jones tearing up the final five metres despite resistance from three Warriors to land his second of the day. Then Curtis finished the afternoon off in style with a fantastic solo effort which started on his own 10-metre line and saw the youngster evade three attempted tackles on the way to crowning his debut with a memorable try. Next up for the Ulstermen is a trip to Scotstoun next Saturday for a return friendly against today’s opponents, before the Guinness Pro14 begins in earnest on Friday 27 September with Ospreys the visitors to the Kingspan. Full-Time Score Ulster 50 Glasgow Warriors 19 Ulster (15 – 9) Michael Lowry; Craig Gilroy, Matt Faddes, James Hume, Angus Kernohan; Billy Burns (c), Jonny Stewart (1 – 8) Kyle McCall, Adam McBurney, Ross Kane, Alan O’Connor, David O’Connor, Clive Ross, Marcus Rea, Greg Jones Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Sam Carter, Kieran Treadwell, Matthew Rea, Sean Reidy, Nick Timoney, David Shanahan, John Cooney, Luke Marshall, Graham Curtis, Ethan McIlroy Glasgow Warriors (15 – 9) Glenn Bryce; Robbie Nairn, Nick Grigg, Robbie Fergusson, Ratu Tagive; Brandon Thomson, Sean Kennedy (1 – 8) Oli Kebble, Johnny Matthews, Adam Nicol, Tim Swinson (c), Kiran McDonald, Matt Smith, Tom Gordon, Adam Ashe Replacements: Pat O’Toole, Alex Allan, D’arcy Rae, George Thornton, Rob Harley, Lars Morrice, Cameron Henderson, Marshall Sykes, Chris Fusaro, Nick Frisby, Jamie Dobie, Ross Thompson, Paddy Kelly, Alec Coombes, Kyle Rowe, Max McFarland, Ollie Smith