Ulster Rugby vs Connacht

ULSTER A LEADING THE WAY IN BRITISH & IRISH CUP Ulster A, sponsored by CD Group, are currently sitting top of Pool 1 after the opening four rounds of the British & Irish Cup.

The Ulster men opened their campaign with a win on Friday 14th October, where it took a Sam Windsor try in the 51st minute plus 14 points from the boots of Johnny McPhillips to see off a dogged Jersey Reds challenge at Shaw’s Bridge. The following weekend Ulster travelled to Richmond to take on London Scottish, where a slow start resulted in their only loss of the campaign to date. However, a brave comeback aided by tries from Rob Lyttle, Lorcan Dow and a brace from hooker John Andrew saw the visitors come away with two crucial bonus points. In round 3, Ulster A welcomed the Cardiff Blues Premiership Select to Eaton Park. Depsite a numerical advantage for the second forty minutes, Ulster were made to work all the way for a 16-10 win, with Jack Owens getting Ulster’s only try of the game. Eight days later Ulster visited Pontypridd for the return fixture and again the game was in the balance until the final exchanges. This time it was replacement Peter Cooper who proved to be the hero, crashing over for his side’s third try in the closing stages to snatch a 27-30 win. Next up for Ulster A is the visit of London Scottish to Kingspan Stadium on Friday 13th January, and coach Willie Anderson knows it is all still to play for: “We have two group stage games left but we can’t look past the visit of London Scottish, that is going to be an absolutely huge game.

I’m delighted that it is at Kingspan Stadium and hopefully a decent crowd will help us get over the line. We’ve worked an awful lot with the boys in preparation for each game, but what has pleased me the most is seeing how they have come together and are giving everything for the Ulster jersey. Every game has been a really tough test but the lads have fought right to the final whistle and shown great character – that is what has taken us to where we are now and hopefully it will continue for the next couple of games.” Tickets for Ulster A v London Scottish are available now from www.ulsterrugby.com/ buytickets. ROUND 1: ULSTER A 19-6 JERSEY REDS Friday 14th October at Shaw’s Bridge ROUND 2: LONDON SCOTTISH 34-29 ULSTER A Saturday 22nd October at Athletic Ground ROUND 3: ULSTER A 16-10 CARDIFF BLUES PREMIERSHIP SELECT Friday 9th December at Eaton Park ROUND 4: CARDIFF BLUES PREMIERSHIP SELECT 27-30 ULSTER A Saturday 17th December at Pontypridd RFC BRITISH & IRISH CUP POOL 1 RESULTS TO DATE

ULSTER A UPDATE

BRITISH & IRISH CUP POOL 1

P 4 4 4 4

W

D 0 0 0 0

L

F

A

BP

P

ULSTER A

3 3 2 0

1 1

94

77 63 95 121

2

14 13

JERSEY REDS

100

1

LONDON SCOTTISH CARDIFF BLUES PS

2 4

92 70

3 3

11

3

14

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