Ulster's European hopes are hanging by a thread after a 38-19 defeat to French giants Clermont Auvergne at the Stade Marcel-Michelin.

An abject first half saw Ulster go in at the break 21-0 down having conceded three tries, and a further Camille Lopez try after the restart meant at one point Les Kiss' men were 28 points behind.

A spirited comeback wasn't enough to get Ulster anything from the game, and it means they need all ten points from their two remaining pool games to stand any chance of...

Read More

In one of their worst performances of the season so far, Ulster were completely outplayed by a half strength Edinburgh side, losing 28-17 at BT Murrayfield Stadium.

They did themselves no favours, conceding two early tries to Viliame Mata and Damien Hoyland, and when Magnus Bradbury crossed just after the break the lead was unassailable.

There was a debut try for Aaron Cairns and Jacob Stockdale also crossed late on, but this was Ulster a long long way from their best, and they can't argue...

Read More

In a finish that was remarkably similar to last week's win over the Exeter Chiefs, Munster took victory from the Kingspan Stadium after a late Rory Scannell drop goal handed them a 14-15 win over Ulster.

Despite leading at half-time courtesy of a first try for Charles Piutau and a further effort by Rob Lyttle, the home side couldn't hold onto their advantage, and missed a chance to steal the win at the end when Paddy Jackson pushed a drop goal of his own wide.

Man of the Match Scannell added a...

Read More

A late Paddy Jackson drop goal handed Ulster a nail-biting 19-18 victory over the Exeter Chiefs at the Kingspan Stadium and kept their slim European hopes alive.

Gareth Steenson and Jackson traded drop goals in the last five minutes, and Steenson had a second chance to put the Chiefs ahead again but pushed a second drop kick wide.

Sean Reidy scored the only try of the game just before half-time, while Jackson also added three penalties to keep Ulster ahead for most of the game and maintain...

Read More

A LATE SURGE of tries from Bordeaux condemned Ulster to an opening defeat in their Champions Cup campaign as they lost 28-13 in the Stade Chaban-Delmas.

The Ulster defence had held out admirably for most of the second half, but after Sebastien Taofifenua crossed with eight minutes to go, it spelled the end for Ulster.

Coming into the game it had been billed as a battle between the two Irish fly-halves: Ian Madigan and Paddy Jackson.

The early stages of the game belonged to Madigan and Bordeaux....

Read More

Ulster found themselves up against a reinvigorated Connacht, who inflicted their first defeat of the season at the Galway Sportsground, winning their Guinness PRO12 clash 30-25.

A triple try salvo in the first half from the defending PRO12 champions set the platform for them, with Cian Kelleher in top form, scoring twice in the hosts' bonus point win.

Ulster will take a losing bonus point home, but it's scant consolation for Les Kiss' men who will be disappointed their unbeaten run has come to...

Read More