Debut day: Zac Ward. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
The northern province have made plenty of changes to last weekend’s XV, with several Ireland internationals in from the off and Sevens star Zac Ward making his debut on the wing.
Ulster
15. Michael Lowry
14. Werner Kok
13. Jude Postlethwaite
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Zac Ward
10. Aidan Morgan
9. Nathan Doak
1. Eric O’Sullivan
2. Rob Herring
3. Tom O’Toole
4. Iain Henderson
5. Kieran Treadwell
6. Cormac Izuchukwu
7. Nick Timoney
8. David McCann
Replacements:
16. John Andrew
17. Andrew Warwick
18. Scott Wilson
19. Harry Sheridan
20. Marcus Rea
21. Dave Shanahan
22. James Humphreys
23. Rory Telfer
6 hrs ago
3:05PM
Team news
And here’s the Bordeaux-Bègles selection. A certain Joey Carbery starts at 10 for the French side, who opened their European campaign with a win over Leicester Tigers last weekend.
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼 ♟️
Le @CCBordeauxLac vous présente les 23 Bordeaux & Blanc qui affronteront Ulster demain à 16h15 (heure française) !
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
5 hrs ago
3:09PM
Pre-match reading
Cormac Izuchukwu intends channelling the hurt from last Sunday’s 61-21 Champions Cup thrashing at Toulouse towards downing Bordeaux-Begles who visit Kingspan Stadium today for round two of the pool stages.
“It hurts a lot. You want to be up there with the best in the world and it’s hard,” said Izuchukwu.
“I myself wasn’t up to it last weekend. I felt like I didn’t have enough good moments (from the bench) and it kind of stays with you. It’s a bit of an itch so hopefully this weekend I can fix that.”
We’re underway at Kingspan Stadium, Joey Carbery getting us up and running.
5 hrs ago
3:18PM
Ulster 0-0 Bordeaux
2 mins – The visitors settle quickest, winning a line-out from the kick-off and enjoying some early possession on the front foot. Early penalty, Carbery hits the corner.
5 hrs ago
3:20PM
Bordeaux 7-0 Ulster (Tatafu, 2 mins)
TRY! Perfect start for the French side, another nightmare one for Ulster.
Bordeaux barrel over from the line-out, Latterrade dummying and going to the front, and Tatafu charging over to silence the home crowd.
Carbery adds the extras, great kick.
5 hrs ago
3:23PM
Bordeaux 7-7 Ulster (Izuchukwu, 6 mins)
TRY! Just the response Richie Murphy’s side needed.
They attack Bordeaux with intent, and Izuchukwu is the man to finish it off. A try for the Tullamore man on his first European start.
Doak nails the conversion. All square.
5 hrs ago
3:28PM
Ulster 7-7 Bordeaux
10 mins – It was ropey enough early doors for Ulster, but they have responded and shown really encouraging signs.
They are bringing the fight to Bordeaux here, Jude Postlethwaite with a big break through the middle. He tries to find Doak, the move doesn’t quite come to fruition, but Ulster are on the charge here again.
‘Ulster, Ulster’ rings out around the Kingspan.
5 hrs ago
3:31PM
Ulster 7-7 Bordeaux
13 mins – It all breaks down as Ulster are penalised deep inside the 22.
Lucu boots it out the field, putting Mike Lowry under immediate pressure and Bordeaux eventually win a scrum.
Doak goes down awkwardly on his knee, but he’s up and walking around again.
5 hrs ago
3:34PM
Ulster 7-7 Bordeaux
16 mins – Bordeaux impose themselves in the scrum and then break at pace, but Lucu can’t get the ball away.
We go to the line-out; Ulster steal; Izuchukwu breaks and kicks and the hosts win a line-out as the Bordeaux player fumbles into touch.
The home crowd love that!
5 hrs ago
3:35PM
Ulster 7-7 Bordeaux
17 mins – Yellow card for Gazzotti, seems to be for a stray arm with Ulster closing in on the try-line. Huge opportunity here.
5 hrs ago
3:36PM
Ulster 14-7 Bordeaux (Timoney, 18 mins)
TRY! A superb try from Nick Timoney, selling a dummy on the spin and dotting down after a period of sustained Ulster pressure.
Sadie was pinged for offside less that 5m out, Ulster tap and go and Timoney finishes off.
Great conversion from Doak, as Ulster capitalise on their numerical advantage.
5 hrs ago
3:42PM
Ulster 14-7 Bordeaux
23 mins – Bordeaux are trying to hit back, but Ulster are really bringing the game here.
They’re trying to go direct, with some big carries, and will be happy to have punished the yellow card and lead by seven points.
Scrum around halfway, over on the left flank. Referee wants it re-set, a Bordeaux player goes down with cramp. Right then…
5 hrs ago
3:46PM
Ulster 14-7 Bordeaux
25 mins – Apologies to Poirot. It wasn’t cramp, seemed to be a change of boots in the end.
Ulster attack from the scrum, some more big carries, but Retiere forces a crucial turnover and Bordeaux clear their lines.
Jonny Gray goes off injured, Coleman comes on in his place. Seemed Gray actually wanted to stay on, but the change had already been made.
5 hrs ago
3:49PM
Ulster 14-7 Bordeaux
27 mins – Ulster cough up a cheap penalty, and Carbery goes for the corner.
The former Leinster and Munster man isn’t overly happy, seemed he thought he hit closer to the 5m line, but on we go.
Bordeaux maul off the line-out and think they have crossed, we go to the TMO…
5 hrs ago
3:51PM
Ulster 14-14 Bordeaux (Penalty try, 28 mins)
Dave McCann sees yellow for collapsing the maul, and the referee awards a penalty try after debate over whether the ball was grounded or not.
All level, both on points and players. 14 all round.
Cormac Izuchukwu making a break. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
5 hrs ago
3:59PM
Ulster 14-14 Bordeaux
32 mins – Ulster put the squeeze on off the back of a scrum in a good position.
Madness from Poirot, who sees yellow for a needless boot in the ruck.
TMO assessing a Falatea Moefana challenge on Timoney – could be in big trouble for head contact.
5 hrs ago
4:01PM
Ulster 14-14 Bordeaux
33 mins – Yellow for Falatea Moefana, he’ll be relieved to just be going to the bin.
Ulster pile on the pressure again, but 13-man Bordeaux keep them out.
Twice — they force a big turnover and draw breath.
5 hrs ago
4:03PM
Ulster 14-14 Bordeaux
35 mins – The same theme continues, Ulster looking to keep the tempo high and Bordeaux hanging on.
This opening half has been stop-start, but breathless at the same time.
Ulster will really want to make their territorial and numerical dominance count over the next few minutes. 14 v 13 for the next few, and then 15 v 13 until the break I think.
4 hrs ago
4:08PM
Ulster 14-14 Bordeaux
39 mins – Zac Ward with an impressive break, he’s tackled high so Ulster win a penalty and have one last attacking platform before half time.
They’re back to their full complement with David McCann out of the sin bin, while Boniface has replaced Tatafu for Bordeaux.
4 hrs ago
4:09PM
Ulster 19-14 Bordeaux (Kok, 41 mins)
TRY! Bernard Kok crashes over for a major boost for Ulster on the stroke of half time.
They make their pressure count, working the ball from one side to the other through the hands and Kok makes no mistake with the finish.
Doak lines up the conversion, but miscues in the end. That’s that.
Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
4 hrs ago
4:16PM
Halfway there at Kingspan Stadium, and Ulster lead 19-14 at the break.
A much-improved showing from Richie Murphy’s side and a big response so far after last weekend’s horror show in Toulouse.
Izuchukwu, Timoney and Kok with the tries, the last on the stroke of half time as they made their numerical advantage count.
It’s been a hectic first half, with four yellow cards dished out.
Bordeaux hit the ground running through Tatafu and later added a penalty try. Ulster have been on top, but the Top 14 side carry a huge threat and will undoubtedly turn it on from here.
42 mins – Ulster with the lions’ share of possession early in the second half, both sides fully restored to 15 men.
4 hrs ago
4:30PM
Ulster 19-14 Bordeaux
44 mins – Some brilliant Ulster carries as they go on the attack again, an unfortunate knock on from Morgan in a good position.
Bordeaux scrum, which results in another scrum penalty. Carbery finds touch.
4 hrs ago
4:33PM
Ulster 19-14 Bordeaux
46 mins – Bordeaux take it clean and move quickly through the phases. Ulster scramble to slow them down, and Timoney produces a big turnover to stop them in full flow.
Bordeaux change their front row, Warwick in for Ulster as Izuchukwu gets some medical attention on the field.
4 hrs ago
4:37PM
Ulster 19-14 Bordeaux
49 mins – Ulster claim their line-out, and move the ball with good tempo, hands and purpose.
Bordeaux counter-ruck, but not for long, before Ulster win it back. Both sides having a good go at the breakdown, as Bordeaux win a penalty. Will they make their move?
4 hrs ago
4:42PM
Ulster 19-14 Bordeaux
54 mins – Lowry with a key interception as Bielle-Biarrey threatens.
A srappy, stop-start few minutes follow. Ulster are bemused by a referee decision, then there’s over and backs in a series of scrums. Two decisions go Ulster’s way, they’ll be buoyed by those.
4 hrs ago
4:44PM
Ulster 19-14 Bordeaux
56 mins – Lineout isn’t straight, though. Disappointment for Ulster as we go to the scrum after a few small wins.
Two Ulster changes: Humphreys for Izuchukwu, Shanahan for Doak.
4 hrs ago
4:47PM
Ulster 19-14 Bordeaux
59 mins – Momentum and initiative swings both ways, but Ulster seem to have it again.
Until they don’t… penalty Bordeaux after a Timoney interception.
Hour-mark imminent, same scoreline as half time.
4 hrs ago
4:49PM
Bordeaux 21-19 Ulster (Penaud, 62 mins)
TRY! That had been coming, Bordeaux attacking with urgency first and then, show patience to work the crucial score.
Penaud dots down out wide, after they moved from left to right, and Carbery nails a tricky conversion amidst no shortage of noise.
4 hrs ago
4:52PM
Bordeaux 21-19 Ulster
65 mins – That was Carbery’s last act, as both sides ring the changes.
Humphreys is on for Ulster. Bordeaux are on the hunt again.
4 hrs ago
4:55PM
Bordeaux 21-19 Ulster
67 mins – Bordeaux work it through the phases and pile the pressure on Ulster.
They survive, turning it over near the try-line around the same position Penaud crossed moments ago. Shanahan fails to make touch, handing the initiative back towards Bordeaux.
TRY! Again, that was coming. Pretty ominous stuff as Bordeaux move through the phases and a tiring Ulster defence scramble. Penaud to the fore in the build-up, before Petti Pagadizabal mazes through and bags the bonus-point try.
Extras added by Garcia, Bordeaux move nine points ahead.
4 hrs ago
5:00PM
Bordeaux 35-19 Ulster (Bielle-Biarrey, 71 mins)
TRY! Outstanding stuff. Three tries in the space of 10 minutes or so, and that was the best of Bordeaux there.
It all happens in a flash. They turn Ulster over, Mofana steps up with a big carry and the ball is eventually spread out wide, Garcia finding Bielle-Biarrey and the 15 in the red scrum cap opening up his shoulders and running it home.
Brilliant heads-up rugby, backed up by Garcia’s conversion.
4 hrs ago
5:06PM
Bordeaux 35-19 Ulster
76 mins – That’s game, set, match.
Ulster had actually gone close before that, but Bordeaux well and truly turned on the style. They’ll look to chase a losing bonus point, but their French visitors are still sniffing blood here.
Tatafu has just been named Man of the Match, what a display from him.
3 hrs ago
5:09PM
TRY! Bordeaux 40-19 Ulster (79 mins)
Just like they started, Bordeaux finish strong!
Boniface with the try, Garcia adds the extras, and the final whistle sounds.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
3 hrs ago
5:15PM
More Champions Cup disappointment for Ulster as it finishes 40-19 at Kingspan Stadium.
Richie Murphy’s side led 19-14 at half time in a much-improved display from last weekend’s Toulouse thrashing, but Bordeaux hit back with a second-half blitz.
The French side scored three tries in 10 minutes to put the game to bed, their bench press key as they again came from behind to win convincingly.
A full match report will be available on The 42 imminently, but that’s all from me on the liveblog.
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As it happened: Ulster v Bordeaux-Bègles, Champions Cup
Good afternoon, and welcome to The 42‘s live coverage of Ulster versus Bordeaux-Bègles in the Champions Cup.
All eyes on Kingspan Stadium, where Richie Murphy’s side are looking to bounce back from their nightmare opener against Toulouse last weekend.
Kick-off is at 3.15pm. The game is available to watch on Premier Sports 2, but if you can’t tune in, we’ll do our best to keep you updated right here.
Team news
The northern province have made plenty of changes to last weekend’s XV, with several Ireland internationals in from the off and Sevens star Zac Ward making his debut on the wing.
Ulster
Replacements:
Team news
And here’s the Bordeaux-Bègles selection. A certain Joey Carbery starts at 10 for the French side, who opened their European campaign with a win over Leicester Tigers last weekend.
Some familiar faces pre-match…
Pre-match reading
Cormac Izuchukwu intends channelling the hurt from last Sunday’s 61-21 Champions Cup thrashing at Toulouse towards downing Bordeaux-Begles who visit Kingspan Stadium today for round two of the pool stages.
“It hurts a lot. You want to be up there with the best in the world and it’s hard,” said Izuchukwu.
“I myself wasn’t up to it last weekend. I felt like I didn’t have enough good moments (from the bench) and it kind of stays with you. It’s a bit of an itch so hopefully this weekend I can fix that.”
Read the full interview here>
Call it before kick-off, so…
Poll Results:
Kick-off! Ulster 0-0 Bordeaux
We’re underway at Kingspan Stadium, Joey Carbery getting us up and running.
Ulster 0-0 Bordeaux
2 mins – The visitors settle quickest, winning a line-out from the kick-off and enjoying some early possession on the front foot. Early penalty, Carbery hits the corner.
Bordeaux 7-0 Ulster (Tatafu, 2 mins)
TRY! Perfect start for the French side, another nightmare one for Ulster.
Bordeaux barrel over from the line-out, Latterrade dummying and going to the front, and Tatafu charging over to silence the home crowd.
Carbery adds the extras, great kick.
Bordeaux 7-7 Ulster (Izuchukwu, 6 mins)
TRY! Just the response Richie Murphy’s side needed.
They attack Bordeaux with intent, and Izuchukwu is the man to finish it off. A try for the Tullamore man on his first European start.
Doak nails the conversion. All square.
Ulster 7-7 Bordeaux
10 mins – It was ropey enough early doors for Ulster, but they have responded and shown really encouraging signs.
They are bringing the fight to Bordeaux here, Jude Postlethwaite with a big break through the middle. He tries to find Doak, the move doesn’t quite come to fruition, but Ulster are on the charge here again.
‘Ulster, Ulster’ rings out around the Kingspan.
Ulster 7-7 Bordeaux
13 mins – It all breaks down as Ulster are penalised deep inside the 22.
Lucu boots it out the field, putting Mike Lowry under immediate pressure and Bordeaux eventually win a scrum.
Doak goes down awkwardly on his knee, but he’s up and walking around again.
Ulster 7-7 Bordeaux
16 mins – Bordeaux impose themselves in the scrum and then break at pace, but Lucu can’t get the ball away.
We go to the line-out; Ulster steal; Izuchukwu breaks and kicks and the hosts win a line-out as the Bordeaux player fumbles into touch.
The home crowd love that!
Ulster 7-7 Bordeaux
17 mins – Yellow card for Gazzotti, seems to be for a stray arm with Ulster closing in on the try-line. Huge opportunity here.
Ulster 14-7 Bordeaux (Timoney, 18 mins)
TRY! A superb try from Nick Timoney, selling a dummy on the spin and dotting down after a period of sustained Ulster pressure.
Sadie was pinged for offside less that 5m out, Ulster tap and go and Timoney finishes off.
Great conversion from Doak, as Ulster capitalise on their numerical advantage.
Ulster 14-7 Bordeaux
23 mins – Bordeaux are trying to hit back, but Ulster are really bringing the game here.
They’re trying to go direct, with some big carries, and will be happy to have punished the yellow card and lead by seven points.
Scrum around halfway, over on the left flank. Referee wants it re-set, a Bordeaux player goes down with cramp. Right then…
Ulster 14-7 Bordeaux
25 mins – Apologies to Poirot. It wasn’t cramp, seemed to be a change of boots in the end.
Ulster attack from the scrum, some more big carries, but Retiere forces a crucial turnover and Bordeaux clear their lines.
Jonny Gray goes off injured, Coleman comes on in his place. Seemed Gray actually wanted to stay on, but the change had already been made.
Ulster 14-7 Bordeaux
27 mins – Ulster cough up a cheap penalty, and Carbery goes for the corner.
The former Leinster and Munster man isn’t overly happy, seemed he thought he hit closer to the 5m line, but on we go.
Bordeaux maul off the line-out and think they have crossed, we go to the TMO…
Ulster 14-14 Bordeaux (Penalty try, 28 mins)
Dave McCann sees yellow for collapsing the maul, and the referee awards a penalty try after debate over whether the ball was grounded or not.
All level, both on points and players. 14 all round.
Ulster 14-14 Bordeaux
32 mins – Ulster put the squeeze on off the back of a scrum in a good position.
Madness from Poirot, who sees yellow for a needless boot in the ruck.
TMO assessing a Falatea Moefana challenge on Timoney – could be in big trouble for head contact.
Ulster 14-14 Bordeaux
33 mins – Yellow for Falatea Moefana, he’ll be relieved to just be going to the bin.
Ulster pile on the pressure again, but 13-man Bordeaux keep them out.
Twice — they force a big turnover and draw breath.
Ulster 14-14 Bordeaux
35 mins – The same theme continues, Ulster looking to keep the tempo high and Bordeaux hanging on.
This opening half has been stop-start, but breathless at the same time.
Ulster will really want to make their territorial and numerical dominance count over the next few minutes. 14 v 13 for the next few, and then 15 v 13 until the break I think.
Ulster 14-14 Bordeaux
39 mins – Zac Ward with an impressive break, he’s tackled high so Ulster win a penalty and have one last attacking platform before half time.
They’re back to their full complement with David McCann out of the sin bin, while Boniface has replaced Tatafu for Bordeaux.
Ulster 19-14 Bordeaux (Kok, 41 mins)
TRY! Bernard Kok crashes over for a major boost for Ulster on the stroke of half time.
They make their pressure count, working the ball from one side to the other through the hands and Kok makes no mistake with the finish.
Doak lines up the conversion, but miscues in the end. That’s that.
HT: Ulster 19-14 Bordeaux
Halfway there at Kingspan Stadium, and Ulster lead 19-14 at the break.
A much-improved showing from Richie Murphy’s side and a big response so far after last weekend’s horror show in Toulouse.
Izuchukwu, Timoney and Kok with the tries, the last on the stroke of half time as they made their numerical advantage count.
It’s been a hectic first half, with four yellow cards dished out.
Bordeaux hit the ground running through Tatafu and later added a penalty try. Ulster have been on top, but the Top 14 side carry a huge threat and will undoubtedly turn it on from here.
An interesting second half awaits.
Kick-off! Ulster 19-14 Bordeaux
The hosts get us back underway in Belfast.
Ulster 19-14 Bordeaux
42 mins – Ulster with the lions’ share of possession early in the second half, both sides fully restored to 15 men.
Ulster 19-14 Bordeaux
44 mins – Some brilliant Ulster carries as they go on the attack again, an unfortunate knock on from Morgan in a good position.
Bordeaux scrum, which results in another scrum penalty. Carbery finds touch.
Ulster 19-14 Bordeaux
46 mins – Bordeaux take it clean and move quickly through the phases. Ulster scramble to slow them down, and Timoney produces a big turnover to stop them in full flow.
Bordeaux change their front row, Warwick in for Ulster as Izuchukwu gets some medical attention on the field.
Ulster 19-14 Bordeaux
49 mins – Ulster claim their line-out, and move the ball with good tempo, hands and purpose.
Bordeaux counter-ruck, but not for long, before Ulster win it back. Both sides having a good go at the breakdown, as Bordeaux win a penalty. Will they make their move?
Ulster 19-14 Bordeaux
54 mins – Lowry with a key interception as Bielle-Biarrey threatens.
A srappy, stop-start few minutes follow. Ulster are bemused by a referee decision, then there’s over and backs in a series of scrums. Two decisions go Ulster’s way, they’ll be buoyed by those.
Ulster 19-14 Bordeaux
56 mins – Lineout isn’t straight, though. Disappointment for Ulster as we go to the scrum after a few small wins.
Two Ulster changes: Humphreys for Izuchukwu, Shanahan for Doak.
Ulster 19-14 Bordeaux
59 mins – Momentum and initiative swings both ways, but Ulster seem to have it again.
Until they don’t… penalty Bordeaux after a Timoney interception.
Hour-mark imminent, same scoreline as half time.
Bordeaux 21-19 Ulster (Penaud, 62 mins)
TRY! That had been coming, Bordeaux attacking with urgency first and then, show patience to work the crucial score.
Penaud dots down out wide, after they moved from left to right, and Carbery nails a tricky conversion amidst no shortage of noise.
Bordeaux 21-19 Ulster
65 mins – That was Carbery’s last act, as both sides ring the changes.
Humphreys is on for Ulster. Bordeaux are on the hunt again.
Bordeaux 21-19 Ulster
67 mins – Bordeaux work it through the phases and pile the pressure on Ulster.
They survive, turning it over near the try-line around the same position Penaud crossed moments ago. Shanahan fails to make touch, handing the initiative back towards Bordeaux.
Bordeaux 28-19 Ulster (Petti Pagadizabal, 68 mins)
TRY! Again, that was coming. Pretty ominous stuff as Bordeaux move through the phases and a tiring Ulster defence scramble. Penaud to the fore in the build-up, before Petti Pagadizabal mazes through and bags the bonus-point try.
Extras added by Garcia, Bordeaux move nine points ahead.
Bordeaux 35-19 Ulster (Bielle-Biarrey, 71 mins)
TRY! Outstanding stuff. Three tries in the space of 10 minutes or so, and that was the best of Bordeaux there.
It all happens in a flash. They turn Ulster over, Mofana steps up with a big carry and the ball is eventually spread out wide, Garcia finding Bielle-Biarrey and the 15 in the red scrum cap opening up his shoulders and running it home.
Brilliant heads-up rugby, backed up by Garcia’s conversion.
Bordeaux 35-19 Ulster
76 mins – That’s game, set, match.
Ulster had actually gone close before that, but Bordeaux well and truly turned on the style. They’ll look to chase a losing bonus point, but their French visitors are still sniffing blood here.
Tatafu has just been named Man of the Match, what a display from him.
TRY! Bordeaux 40-19 Ulster (79 mins)
Just like they started, Bordeaux finish strong!
Boniface with the try, Garcia adds the extras, and the final whistle sounds.
FT: Bordeaux 40-19 Ulster
More Champions Cup disappointment for Ulster as it finishes 40-19 at Kingspan Stadium.
Richie Murphy’s side led 19-14 at half time in a much-improved display from last weekend’s Toulouse thrashing, but Bordeaux hit back with a second-half blitz.
The French side scored three tries in 10 minutes to put the game to bed, their bench press key as they again came from behind to win convincingly.
A full match report will be available on The 42 imminently, but that’s all from me on the liveblog.
Thanks for reading. Enjoy your evening!
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Champions Cup Liveblog Rugby Ulster Updates