TOP-FLIGHT RUGBY returned to Belfast with a bang as impressive Ulster dispatched English Premiership hopefuls Northampton with a powerhouse display that will buoy Les Kiss’s side with confidence for the coming term.
Tries from Louis Ludik, Charles Piutau and Rob Herring blew the visitors away in a faultless first half, and while Saints responded in kind in the second period, a killer break from Piutau for Jacob Stockdale’s decisive score gave the Kingspan faithful a mouth-watering hint of the superlative rugby they can expect from the Kiwi in the 2016/17 season proper.
While both teams were far from full strength, Ulster started with big-name new recruits Piutau and Rodney Ah You in their ranks, while Northampton brought England captain Dylan Hartley and Stade Toulousain exile Louis Picamoles to the party.
No more than 10 minutes had elapsed before Ah You booked his first stay in the Kingspan sinbin for a borderline tip-tackle, but staunch Ulster defence held Saints at bay, and a sublime take by Piutau from out-half Brett Herron’s crossfield kick set up the first score for a short-handed Ulster five minutes later.
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Jacob Stockdale goes over for Ulster's final try. Presseye / Brian Little/INPHO
Presseye / Brian Little/INPHO / Brian Little/INPHO
A quick exchange between the Kiwi and Academy winger Robert Lyttle created the space for Ludik, playing at centre, to barge over for the try, converted by the versatile Lyttle.
The former Methodist College man added a penalty moments later as Picamoles saw yellow for a high tackle, and notched over his second conversion on 24 minutes after a signature darting run from Marshall, quick offload and long pass found Piutau on the right wing for his first try in Ulster colours.
The third try, grounded five minutes before the break, was less about craft than it was brute force, as home skipper Rob Herring touched down off a perfectly-executed Ulster rolling maul, with Lyttle once again spot-on from the boot.
The youngster even came closer to capping a flawless half with a breakaway try a minute from the whistle after intercepting deep in his own half, only brought to ground by the Northampton chasers as he careered into their ‘22’.
Robert Lyttle impressed again. Presseye / Brian Little/INPHO
Presseye / Brian Little/INPHO / Brian Little/INPHO
Sluggish defence from Ulster let prop Alex Waller in for a try with the second half three minutes old, but after weathering ten minutes’ worth of persistent yet uninspired probing from Saints, an electric break from halfway by Piutau – looking more and more the real deal with every touch – gave Stockdale the try by the left-hand corner flag.
Northampton responded on the hour through Tom Collins, again by the flag, and grabbed another five minutes later as Juan Pablo Estelles was first to JJ Hanrahan’s grubber kick, Stephen Myler converting.
Ulster regrouped well to withstand the barrage of final Northampton onslaughts, and a lap of honour from Piutau – already a fan-favourite by all accounts – at the final whistle received the ovation it deserved.
Ulster scorersTries: Loius Ludik, Charles Piutau, Rob Herring, Jacob Stockdale Conversions: Robert Lyttle (3) Penalties: Robert Lyttle
Northampton scorers
Tries: Alex Waller, Tom Collins, Juan Pablo Estelles Conversions: Stephen Myler (2)
ULSTER: Charles Piutau; Jacob Stockdale, Louis Ludik, Stuart McCloskey, Robert Lyttle; Brett Herron, Paul Marshall, Andy Warwick, Rob Herring (c), Rodney Ah You, Pete Browne, Franco van der Merwe, Robbie Diack, Clive Ross, Roger Wilson
Replacements: John Andrew, Callum Black, Ross Kane, Alan O’Connor, Conor Joyce, Matthew Rea, David Shanahan, Sam Windsor, David Busby, Jonny McPhillips, Mark Best, Ciaran Treadwell, Steve Mulholland, Nick Timoney
NORTHAMPTON: Ben Foden; Ken Pisi, Luther Burrell, Harry Mallinder, Ahsee Tuala; Stephen Myler, Lee Dickson; Alex Waller, Dylan Hartley, Kieran Brookes, Michael Paterson, James Craig, Tom Wood (c), Jamie Gibson, Louis Picamoles
Replacements: Campese Ma’afu, Mikey Haywood, Paul Hill, Courtney Lawes, Jordan Onojaife, Reece Marshall, Lewis Ludlam, Sam Dickinson, Nic Groom, JJ Hanrahan, Howard Packman, George Pisi, Juan Pablo Estelles, Tom Collins, George Furbank
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Ulster blow Northampton away as Charles Piutau gives Ravenhill a taste of what is to come
Ulster 29
Northampton Saints 19
Neil Carnduff reports from Kingspan Stadium
TOP-FLIGHT RUGBY returned to Belfast with a bang as impressive Ulster dispatched English Premiership hopefuls Northampton with a powerhouse display that will buoy Les Kiss’s side with confidence for the coming term.
Tries from Louis Ludik, Charles Piutau and Rob Herring blew the visitors away in a faultless first half, and while Saints responded in kind in the second period, a killer break from Piutau for Jacob Stockdale’s decisive score gave the Kingspan faithful a mouth-watering hint of the superlative rugby they can expect from the Kiwi in the 2016/17 season proper.
While both teams were far from full strength, Ulster started with big-name new recruits Piutau and Rodney Ah You in their ranks, while Northampton brought England captain Dylan Hartley and Stade Toulousain exile Louis Picamoles to the party.
No more than 10 minutes had elapsed before Ah You booked his first stay in the Kingspan sinbin for a borderline tip-tackle, but staunch Ulster defence held Saints at bay, and a sublime take by Piutau from out-half Brett Herron’s crossfield kick set up the first score for a short-handed Ulster five minutes later.
A quick exchange between the Kiwi and Academy winger Robert Lyttle created the space for Ludik, playing at centre, to barge over for the try, converted by the versatile Lyttle.
The former Methodist College man added a penalty moments later as Picamoles saw yellow for a high tackle, and notched over his second conversion on 24 minutes after a signature darting run from Marshall, quick offload and long pass found Piutau on the right wing for his first try in Ulster colours.
The third try, grounded five minutes before the break, was less about craft than it was brute force, as home skipper Rob Herring touched down off a perfectly-executed Ulster rolling maul, with Lyttle once again spot-on from the boot.
The youngster even came closer to capping a flawless half with a breakaway try a minute from the whistle after intercepting deep in his own half, only brought to ground by the Northampton chasers as he careered into their ‘22’.
Sluggish defence from Ulster let prop Alex Waller in for a try with the second half three minutes old, but after weathering ten minutes’ worth of persistent yet uninspired probing from Saints, an electric break from halfway by Piutau – looking more and more the real deal with every touch – gave Stockdale the try by the left-hand corner flag.
Northampton responded on the hour through Tom Collins, again by the flag, and grabbed another five minutes later as Juan Pablo Estelles was first to JJ Hanrahan’s grubber kick, Stephen Myler converting.
Ulster regrouped well to withstand the barrage of final Northampton onslaughts, and a lap of honour from Piutau – already a fan-favourite by all accounts – at the final whistle received the ovation it deserved.
ULSTER: Charles Piutau; Jacob Stockdale, Louis Ludik, Stuart McCloskey, Robert Lyttle; Brett Herron, Paul Marshall, Andy Warwick, Rob Herring (c), Rodney Ah You, Pete Browne, Franco van der Merwe, Robbie Diack, Clive Ross, Roger Wilson
Replacements: John Andrew, Callum Black, Ross Kane, Alan O’Connor, Conor Joyce, Matthew Rea, David Shanahan, Sam Windsor, David Busby, Jonny McPhillips, Mark Best, Ciaran Treadwell, Steve Mulholland, Nick Timoney
NORTHAMPTON: Ben Foden; Ken Pisi, Luther Burrell, Harry Mallinder, Ahsee Tuala; Stephen Myler, Lee Dickson; Alex Waller, Dylan Hartley, Kieran Brookes, Michael Paterson, James Craig, Tom Wood (c), Jamie Gibson, Louis Picamoles
Replacements: Campese Ma’afu, Mikey Haywood, Paul Hill, Courtney Lawes, Jordan Onojaife, Reece Marshall, Lewis Ludlam, Sam Dickinson, Nic Groom, JJ Hanrahan, Howard Packman, George Pisi, Juan Pablo Estelles, Tom Collins, George Furbank
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good signs Les Kiss Pre-season Friendly Report Northampton Saints Ulster