Wasps 31 Ulster 14

A hat-trick from number 8 Nathan Hughes launched Wasps to a deserved win over Ulster at the Ricoh Arena on Friday night, in what was the final pre-season outing for the Ulster men. The home side, fielding a more experienced starting XV than Ulster, got off the mark in the 7th minute when a well-placed cross kick found Hughes in the left corner to touch down. 8 minutes later Hughes added his second with an opportunistic pick and go from the base of a ruck, with flyhalf Billy Searle converting. Just 3 minutes later flanker Nizaam Carr ran in from the left after being found with a huge skipped pass, with Searle once again adding the extras. As temperatures started to rise, Marcell Coetzee, who made a welcome return after 12 months out injured, saw yellow for his part in a scuffle on the half hour mark, then Wasps skipper Joe Launchbury suffered the same fate 6 minutes later. A frustrating first half drew to a close with Ulster coming away scoreless following 3 attacking lineouts inside the opposition 22 in the final minutes. Replacement prop Zurabi Zhvania crashed over for Wasps’ fourth try 6 minutes after the interval, with Searle’s conversion making it 26-0. As play became more open, Ulster found a footing in the game and a driving lineout maul forced Wasps back to their own try line before play was shifted left to the waiting Nick Timoney to dot down. Johnny McPhillips added the touchline conversion. Wasps, and Nathan Hughes, responded within 4 minutes, as the back rower powered over in the left corner for his third try. The Ulster men fought to the final whistle and were rewarded in the 79th minute with their second try, as 19-year-old winger Angus Kernohan crossed the whitewash for the first time in an Ulster senior jersey in the 79th minute. McPhillips converted to leave the final score 31-14 in favour of the hosts. Next Saturday 1st September Ulster will kick-off the season with a home tie against last year’s Guinness PRO14 finalists Scarlets at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 5.15pm). Home: (15-9): Rob Miller, Christian Wade, Elliot Daly, Juan De Jongh, Josh Bassett, Billy Searle, Dan Robson; (1-8): Ben Harris, Tom Cruse, Kieran Brookes, Joe Launchbury (C), Will Rowlands, Nizaam Carr, Joe Atkinson, Nathan Hughes. Replacements: Tommy Taylor, Zurabi Zhvania, Will Stuart, James Gaskell, Thomas Young, Craig Hampson, Michael Le Bourgeois, Gaby Lovobalavu, Marcus Watson, Charlie Matthews, Ashley Johnson. Tries: Nathan Hughes (3), Nizaam Carr, Zurabi Zhvania Cons: Billy Searle (3) Away: (15-9): Will Addison, Craig Gilroy, Stewart Moore, Stuart McCloskey, Angus Kernohan, Johnny McPhillips, Jonny Stewart; (1-8): Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor (C), Kieran Treadwell, Marcell Coetzee, Sean Reidy, Nick Timoney. Replacements: Adam McBurney, Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Alex Thompson, Caleb Montgomery, David Shanahan, Angus Curtis, Darren Cave, Greg Jones, Chris Henry, Jack Owens. Tries: Nick Timoney, Angus Kernohan Cons: Johnny McPhillips (2)