PADDY JACKSON WAS the hero as Ulster completed one of the most remarkable comebacks in the history of European rugby this afternoon.
Les Kiss’ decision to rest some of his key players backfired and Ulster’s European campaign looked to be in tatters as the province trailed 23-0 at halftime to Oyonnax following a woeful first stanza.
But Jackson, Ruan Pienaar and Nick Williams were introduced at the interval and the two halfbacks, in particular, were the key men in this remarkable turnaround.
They made an instant impact, lifting the tempo of Ulster’s attack, as tries from Rory Scholes, Craig Gilroy and the impressive Kyle McCall got Ulster back into the contest.
With Jackson perfect from the tee, that brought Ulster within two points of the hosts with 10 minutes to play.
And when the Irish province were awarded a penalty just inside their own half with two minutes on the clock, the fly-half launched the kick high and true, easily clearing the 50-odd metres to complete an incredible comeback.
The drama didn’t end there though as Ulster’s misfiring scrum clicked at the right time, stoppage time in fact, winning the ball against the head with Oyonnax just 30 metres from the Irish side’s tryline.
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Oyonnax came into this clash sitting second from bottom in the Top 14 and with only one point from their three Champions Cup games. But they began this encounter with a menace and vigour that caught a sluggish Ulster off guard.
Ulster weren’t at the races in the first-half and they were punished severely by a brutal Oyonnax pack and the boot of Welsh fly-half Nicky Robinson.
On the artificial pitch in France’s east, Ulster went down to a try with the game only seven minutes old. An excellent touch-finding penalty from Robinson put the home side in an excellent attacking position.
Oyonnax hooker Jeremie Maurouard found his man from the lineout and eventually touched down at the back of a maul that never looked like being stopped.
Ulster couldn’t get out of their half for most of the opening 40 minutes and when they did their handling let them down time and time again.
They spent large parts of the opening period under pressure and Robinson made the most of their infringements; tagging on three first-half penalties to take the lead out to 16 points.
A shell-shocked Ulster desperately tried to get on the scoreboard before the break but their forwards struggled to make any headway in the Oyonnax ’22.
So, through the hands it went only for a poor Paul Marshall pass be picked up by lightning wing Uanakoro Tawalo, and he raced the length of the field to touch down under the posts and compound Ulster’s misery.
Ulster trailed by 23 points and looked dead and buried after the opening 40 minutes. But they re-emerged in the second period looking a different side and, crucially, with Pienaar, Jackson and Williams plotting a great escape.
The South African was sublime, injecting speed and intelligence in the attack that had been obviously lacking. Jackson commanded his troops to great effect, kicking 4/4 from the tee and working the ball well through the hands, including a delicious wraparound move to set up Gilroy’s try.
The likes of Stuart McCloskey and Chris Henry became more involved too as Ulster got the march on, and Scholes’ try on 43 minutes got the great escape under way.
Further tries from Gilroy and McCall, with the halfbacks heavily involved once more, set up a thrilling final 10 minutes before Jackson’s golden moment sealed the deal.
Oyonnax scorers:
Tries: Maurouard, Tawalo,
Conversions: Robinson (2)
Penalties: Robinson (3)
Ulster scorers:
Tries: Scholes, Gilroy, McCall
Conversions: Jackson (3)
Penalties: Jackson
OYONNAX: Q Etienne; D Codjo, A Taufa, E Sheridan, U Tawalo (D Ikpefan 69′) ; N Robinson (R Clegg 55′), J Blanc (A Aziza 58′); L Delboulbes (S Wright 62′), J Maurouard (T Bordes 52′), M Clerc (H Pungea 60′); G Robson, F Metz (L Power 63′); P Gunther, M Fa’asavalu (V Maafu 60′), P Wannenburg.
ULSTER: C Gilroy; S Arnold (L Ludik 23′ (S Reidy 75′)), L Marshall, S McCloskey, R Scholes; I Humphreys (P Jackson 40′), P Marshall (R Pienaar 40′); K McCall (Black 78′), R Best (c) (Herring 77′), R Lutton (B Ross 78′); L Stevenson (N Williams 40′ (R Best 78′)), F van der Merwe; R Diack, C Henry, R Wilson.
Monstrous Jackson kick completes incredible Ulster comeback
Oyonnax 23
Ulster 24
PADDY JACKSON WAS the hero as Ulster completed one of the most remarkable comebacks in the history of European rugby this afternoon.
Les Kiss’ decision to rest some of his key players backfired and Ulster’s European campaign looked to be in tatters as the province trailed 23-0 at halftime to Oyonnax following a woeful first stanza.
But Jackson, Ruan Pienaar and Nick Williams were introduced at the interval and the two halfbacks, in particular, were the key men in this remarkable turnaround.
They made an instant impact, lifting the tempo of Ulster’s attack, as tries from Rory Scholes, Craig Gilroy and the impressive Kyle McCall got Ulster back into the contest.
With Jackson perfect from the tee, that brought Ulster within two points of the hosts with 10 minutes to play.
And when the Irish province were awarded a penalty just inside their own half with two minutes on the clock, the fly-half launched the kick high and true, easily clearing the 50-odd metres to complete an incredible comeback.
The drama didn’t end there though as Ulster’s misfiring scrum clicked at the right time, stoppage time in fact, winning the ball against the head with Oyonnax just 30 metres from the Irish side’s tryline.
Oyonnax came into this clash sitting second from bottom in the Top 14 and with only one point from their three Champions Cup games. But they began this encounter with a menace and vigour that caught a sluggish Ulster off guard.
Ulster weren’t at the races in the first-half and they were punished severely by a brutal Oyonnax pack and the boot of Welsh fly-half Nicky Robinson.
On the artificial pitch in France’s east, Ulster went down to a try with the game only seven minutes old. An excellent touch-finding penalty from Robinson put the home side in an excellent attacking position.
Oyonnax hooker Jeremie Maurouard found his man from the lineout and eventually touched down at the back of a maul that never looked like being stopped.
Ulster couldn’t get out of their half for most of the opening 40 minutes and when they did their handling let them down time and time again.
They spent large parts of the opening period under pressure and Robinson made the most of their infringements; tagging on three first-half penalties to take the lead out to 16 points.
A shell-shocked Ulster desperately tried to get on the scoreboard before the break but their forwards struggled to make any headway in the Oyonnax ’22.
So, through the hands it went only for a poor Paul Marshall pass be picked up by lightning wing Uanakoro Tawalo, and he raced the length of the field to touch down under the posts and compound Ulster’s misery.
Ulster trailed by 23 points and looked dead and buried after the opening 40 minutes. But they re-emerged in the second period looking a different side and, crucially, with Pienaar, Jackson and Williams plotting a great escape.
The South African was sublime, injecting speed and intelligence in the attack that had been obviously lacking. Jackson commanded his troops to great effect, kicking 4/4 from the tee and working the ball well through the hands, including a delicious wraparound move to set up Gilroy’s try.
The likes of Stuart McCloskey and Chris Henry became more involved too as Ulster got the march on, and Scholes’ try on 43 minutes got the great escape under way.
Further tries from Gilroy and McCall, with the halfbacks heavily involved once more, set up a thrilling final 10 minutes before Jackson’s golden moment sealed the deal.
OYONNAX: Q Etienne; D Codjo, A Taufa, E Sheridan, U Tawalo (D Ikpefan 69′) ; N Robinson (R Clegg 55′), J Blanc (A Aziza 58′); L Delboulbes (S Wright 62′), J Maurouard (T Bordes 52′), M Clerc (H Pungea 60′); G Robson, F Metz (L Power 63′); P Gunther, M Fa’asavalu (V Maafu 60′), P Wannenburg.
ULSTER: C Gilroy; S Arnold (L Ludik 23′ (S Reidy 75′)), L Marshall, S McCloskey, R Scholes; I Humphreys (P Jackson 40′), P Marshall (R Pienaar 40′); K McCall (Black 78′), R Best (c) (Herring 77′), R Lutton (B Ross 78′); L Stevenson (N Williams 40′ (R Best 78′)), F van der Merwe; R Diack, C Henry, R Wilson.
Blood sub: C Black (20′) for McCall
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European Rugby Champions Cup Great Escape Paddy Jackson Ruan Pienaar Ulster US Oyonnax Rugby