That’s one way to put a pep back in Irish rugby’s step.
With Leinster already destined to the Champions Cup scrap heap and Munster losing at home to Leicester last weekend, the Irish provinces quarter-final places have been looking bleak.
So thank goodness for Ulster, who, one week after thrashing Toulouse 38-0 at Ravenhill, went and repeated the trick in the south of France this afternoon.
Tries from Ruan Pienaar, Andrew Trimble and Luke Marshall delivered a 25-23 triumph for Les Kiss’s side, as they took every punch the French giants threw to hang on for victory.
Ruan Pienaar gets the first try of the game, Ulster lead 10-0 after 35 minutes #ERCChttps://t.co/9pobi2qTNz
https://t.co/YHwU39D9XQ— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) December 20, 2015
Yet the highlight of the match was a try that didn’t even count on the scoreboard, but which epitomised the expansive style Ulster embraced.
Down to 14 men and leading by seven in first-half injury-time, Ulster eschewed kicking the ball dead to launch a stunning counter-attack which ended with Rory Scholes touching down in the corner.
Unfortunately the score was called back for a forward pass earlier in the move, but thrilling stuff nonetheless.
The win keeps Ulster’s qualification hopes alive, as they move to nine points from three games. With two fixtures against bottom side Oyonnax still to come, a runners-up quarter-final spot is a real possibility behind pool-topping Saracens.
