Ulster 32
Connacht 12
Adam McKendry reports from the Kingspan Stadium
AS FAR AS responses to being overlooked for a Six Nations team go, Robert Baloucoune’s was about as spot on as Andy Farrell could have hoped for as he struck twice in sending Ulster top of the United Rugby Championship standings with a 32-12 bonus-point win over Connacht at Kingspan Stadium.
Some believe the winger should have been included in the team to play Wales tomorrow, and perhaps he himself will think that, but if he wanted to send a message to his head coach then scoring a sensational solo effort and the bonus point-clinching score with the clock in the red was an excellent way to do so.
Alongside him in the Ulster back three, Mike Lowry was just as impressive in putting one try on a plate and setting up Baloucoune for his first, while Farrell will have watched the efforts of Cian Prendergast in the visitors’ back row with a smile on his face after calling him up as a development player for their camp in Portugal.
But the flanker was powerless to stop Ulster moving top of the URC standings, further scores from Greg Jones and Declan Moore – on his Ulster debut on loan from Munster – got them the five points in dramatic late circumstances that will have Dan McFarland beaming going into their Six Nations break.
The game was less than three minutes old when it had its only moment of controversy, the TMO called in to adjudge on a high hit from Peter Sullivan, the winger a little too eager in his chase off a Kieran Marmion box-kick and catching Lowry in the head with his shoulder and seeing yellow – the decrease in height from the full-back the determining factor it was not red.
Although Ulster couldn’t capitalise with the extra man, Lowry ensured they wouldn’t be scoreless for long with a sensational couple of minutes.
The full-back’s meandering run from deep in his own half nearly set Ethan McIlroy over in the corner only moments before he did set up their opening try, taking Marmion’s clearing box kick, breaking the line effortlessly once again and, once he was felled by John Porch, he off-loaded to Jones on his shoulder for the try.
New man Moore then did his part to endear himself to the Kingspan Stadium crowd when he crashed over from the back of a driving maul shortly after for their second, before Connacht finally got themselves on the board with a fine score of their own.
Conor Oliver, another who perhaps feels he has something to prove to Farrell, started the move when he dummied off a line-out and drove into the 22 down the blindside, and after good carries from Jarrad Butler and Tietie Tuimauga, the space opened up for Sammy Arnold to off-load and send Oran McNulty over in the corner.
The crowd were on their feet late in the first half when, seemingly out of nothing, Duane Vermeulen and Alex Wootton came to blows at a ruck, before Baloucoune had them out of their seats again right on the stroke of the half-time whistle.
It’s not exactly a secret that the former Sevens specialist has electric pace, but even this was incredible. Taking the ball on the touchline on halfway, the Ireland ace stripped four players for pace to get around the outside and evaded the despairing tackle of Porch to dive over for a sumptuous finish.
If that knocked the stuffing out of Connacht at the break, it took them seven minutes of the second half to get right back into it, a turnover just outside the Ulster 22 giving them field position and when the gap opened up down the blindside, Tom Daly pulled a pass back for Conor Fitzgerald to break the line and the fly-half’s bullet pass sent Wootton over in the corner.
Nathan Doak then put Ulster’s lead back into double figures with his only penalty of the night and the hosts then laid siege to the Connacht line in search of that crucial bonus-point try, however they found the westerners’ back row in sensational form as all three of Prendergast, Oliver and Butler won crucial turnovers almost on their own line.
Doak chipped over another penalty to ensure at least the four points before Ulster’s defence produced one more last stand on their own line to repel a Connacht maul as the visitors tried to finish with a flourish, but in the end it was their own endeavour that produced Ulster’s fourth score.
Trying to play from a scrum in their own half with the clock in the red, Arnold couldn’t hold a loose pass and Baloucoune was on hand to regather it and, under pressure, Prendergast saw yellow for a high tackle that provided the overlap on the other side for the try.
Billy Burns judged the kick to the touchline perfectly, Baloucoune waited just long enough to catch it and walk over, and Ulster go top.
Scorers for Ulster: Tries: Jones, Moore, Baloucoune (2); Cons: Doak (3); Pens: Doak (2)
ULSTER
(15-9) Mike Lowry; Robert Baloucoune, Angus Curtis, Stuart McCloskey (Ben Moxham 78), Ethan McIlroy (Rob Lyttle 54); Billy Burns, Nathan Doak (David Shanahan 78); (1-8) Andrew Warwick (Callum Reid 66), Declan Moore, Gareth Milasinovich (Ross Kane 58); Alan O’Connor, Sam Carter (Mick Kearney 74); Greg Jones (Nick Timoney 49), Marcus Rea, Duane Vermeulen.
Sub not used: Eric O’Sullivan.
CONNACHT
(15-9) John Porch; Peter Sullivan (Oran McNulty 13), Sammy Arnold, Tom Daly, Alex Wootton; Conor Fitzgerald (Cathal Forde 70), Kieran Marmion; (1-8) Denis Buckley (Jordan Duggan 59), Shane Delahunt (Jonny Murphy 66), Tietie Tuimauga (Greg McGrath 48); Niall Murray (Leva Fifita 66), Oisín Dowling; Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Jarrad Butler (Paul Boyle 66).
Sub not used: Colm Reilly.
Yellow cards: Peter Sullivan (3′), Cian Prendergast (80′)
Man of the Match: Nathan Doak (Ulster)
Referee: Andy Brace (Ireland)
I’d add Ruddock as a winner if you are viewing it as a head to head with Murphy for a versatile back rower.
I wasn’t convinced by Porter, although the scrum went well enough in the first half I don’t think he is consistent enough in set piece or having the impact he has previously had in the loose.
you could put Toner in the loser bracket ..offers you nothing
@Kieran Considine: he’d sort you out you old duffer.
he would like fcuk …watch him hitting a defensive maul on 50 mins ..fraud
@Kieran Considine: great scrummager and world class lineout option. You should update your photo – about 20 years out of date.
@Kieran Considine: Toner proves his value every time that he doesn’t play. His experience is invaluable. Not every player can be a Jordan Larmour or Tadhgh Beirne.
cant carry a player for one option . lineout….others gone by him imo ..why cant he score when he receives from 5 yards out ? sure all he has to do is fall over
@Paul Ennis: perfectly put, Paul. Some of the more negative commenters on here are fly by night rugby fans.
@Kieran Considine: clueless
@Kieran Considine: as someone else pointed out.. can anyone name a game for province or country where toner won an opposing line out?? How many lineouts in the modern game now … 5 or 6 in 80 minutes?
@Kieran Considine: seriously.
@Kieran Considine:
If you say so !! But he will be causing trouble getting his place on the airplane because they will have to adjust the seats so he can fit !! But they will have sorted it out already as he is a certainty !!
Only the 1st warm up but my 31 now, without more injuries would be
Back3: Kearney, larmour, Earls, Stockdale, Conway
Centres: henshaw, ringrose, Farrell, aki
Halves: Sexton, carbery, Murray, marmion, carry/Cooney
Front row: furlong, Ryan, Healy, kilcoyne, Porter, best, scannell, Cronin
2nd row: toner, Ryan, Henderson, beirne, kleyn
Back row: cj, pom, vdf, conan
We are lacking open side flankers so think cj is going to get time there in the warm ups, leavy a massive loss. Beirne is a far superior player to both ruddock & jordie Murphy so I think he’ll be a serious option for the back row
@Tim Magner: Bierne is second to none at the turnover. Ask for the rest of the jobs he has to do Murphy and Ruddock are better backrowers and Henderson is better at second row. It’s a case of what joe wants.
@Chris Mc: well he’s also better in the lineout than both the other two. It’s not like either the other 2 are massive ball carriers, just good honest workers. I’d say beirne is maybe just behind only pocock as a turnover forward in world rugby, that kind of world-class has to go over genuine but limited players, my opinion anyway
@Tim Magner:
‘beirne is maybe just behind only pocock as a turnover forward in world rugby’
Ah jaysus, I mean that’s not even remotely true!
@Oval Digest: who’s better?
@Tim Magner: Ruddock is a serious carrier, one of the few who has the bulk to get over the gain line regularly. Murphy I’d agree with
@Tim Magner: Michael Hooper, Sam Cane, Sam Underhill, Francois Louw, Justin Tipuric to name 5.
All of the above have been consistently excellent at test level.
Beirne hasn’t.
It’s laughable to say he’s second only to Pocock when for most of his test career so far he has been anonymous.
@Daragh O’Brien: ruddock is a very good player and a good carrier but he’s not like Peter Steph du toit as an elite carrier. I’m just measuring up their skill sets and I think beirne offers more than ruddock. I think people over estimate Jordi Murphy cos he can play across the back row, he’s average in all three positions
@Oval Digest: he’s hardly played any tests! But going by European level, which he has played a lot of, he has been far superior as a turn-over forward than louw, Underhill & tipuric. Even the most die hard kiwi fan will tell you that at the break down cane is Richie McCaw. But the fact that you mention the very best 7′s in the world as comparisons tells us all we need to know about beirnes skill set, he’s a fairly unique forward
@Tim Magner: I mention these guys because they’re all better than Tadhg Beirne, who is great at league and (sometimes) at Euro level, but has failed so far to bring that to the top level.
To say he’s the second best turnover forward in the world is not living in the reality.
If he does it at test level, like Louw, Underhill, Tipuric and others have then we can start talking about him in that way. But he hasn’t.
Talking about him as one of the ‘best in the world’ based on a lethargic warm-up against Italy and ignoring how he has done so far in his Irish test career is a bit one eyed.
@Oval Digest: ok he started against Wales in the 6ns and made a world class turnover on our goal line, stopped a certain try. Saracens who are by far the best team in Europe, came to the semi final last year with a game plan to stop beirne at the break down at all costs. They spoke about it all week & if he was within 5 yards of the breakdown he was taken out. I have never heard a team publicly name check a break down forward unless it’s pocock or McCaw. Beirne is 6’6″ and he’s harder to shift than any of these 6′ forwards.
@Tim Magner: if you have Bierne in the backrow who makes the tackles. The two honest workers tackle all day. Pom doesn’t have a massive tackle count and CJ tackles close in. A winning rugby team needs balance not just those who make the highlights reel.
He’s going to the World Cup as a secondrow/hybrid but it’s hard to see him starting in the big games. Maybe the perfect bench option ala Sean Cronin.
@Tim Magner: that’s the problem they are all 7’s, their job is to boss the breakdown, a secondrow is not doing his primary job if he’s doing the job of a 7.
@Chris Mc: as a 7 vdf offers nothing much more than a tackle machine, is that a good enough balance? Leavy is the massive loss to our back row
@Tim Magner: why are leinster fans so unwilling to recognise beirne as a class player?
@Tim Magner: you know the answer to that. It’s because they don’t want to admit they released a top class player to keep maloney and Kearney
@Jim Demps: I know ya, I was hoping Chris mc or the lad that tried to launch a sh*te fanboy blog would answer though
@Tim Magner: era ya, you’ll be waiting for that answer. All you’ll get is that he’s too lightweight, eventhough he’s not or some other rubbish. I’ve been late watching the game but there’s a few guys who’ve put their hands up and a few who’ve played their way out of a squad. Conway, Beirne and Farrell were class. Tommy and Kleyn prob didn’t do enough. Carbery is world class in waiting. Id love to see Conway get a lash at 15. Larmour was grand but huge question marks over his ability under the high ball.
@Jim Demps: I was disappointed in larmour. I thought a couple of years ago he was going to be a class act but now think he’s maybe bulked up too much. He looks lost under a high ball & the top teams with really good fly halves would crucify him. I think he might be in danger of missing the cut if Addison can prove his fitness
@Tim Magner: Addison won’t make the squad. He just won’t get enough of a chance to play rugby between now and the time of a squad announcement. At best he’ll get a start and I don’t think it’ll be enough considering Kearney will prob start two of the remaining games. I like larmour but I’m not sure if 15 is his best position. In theory it should be but he’s not brave enough under the high ball. Could be an experience thing but he’ll get crucified against a decent 10. Id like to see Conway get a run there, he proved today and all season that the high ball is no problem.
@Jim Demps: and yet Schmidt has kept Addison in the squad to give him every chance! I was in thomond 2 yrs ago when larmour scored that try & me and all the Munster fans around us thought that this guy is special, we’ve got our Shane Williams for Ireland. That has been the highlight of his career though, plus the Ulster try that year. The rabbit in the headlights under the high ball though makes him a very risky proposition at the world cup though. If he was going to cut loose today was his day. Looked a bit sluggish to me & the footwork is fooling no-one now
@Tim Magner: the problem there is that he’s played practically exclusively on the left wing. Hard for anyone to step up to playing international fullback if they aren’t getting the game time there at club. Conway faces the same issues but there’s no doubt he’s better under the high ball. It’s a bravery/ experience issue. You could argue that larmour hasn’t kicked on but I’d say he’s proved to be a solid option on the wing. No question over his RWC selection but I think there’s an absolutely huge question over his ability as the back up full back.
@Jim Demps: yes but on the wing would you select him before any of Earl’s, Stockdale or Conway? All the talk is of versatility but if he’s only 4th choice wing then he better be a viable option for fullback & I can’t see it. I’d prefer to see Conway, Addison or even henshaw ahead of larmour if Kearney gets hurt. After not lighting it up today he’s starting to look like a luxury that the squad doesn’t need
@Tim Magner: personally no I wouldn’t select him ahead of earls, stockdale or Conway. I would have him ahead of Addison. You’ve got to factor in the Schmidt Leinster factor too. If it came down to a shootout between Conway and Larmour schmidt would go for Larmour.
@Jim Demps: I think Schmidt has always gone for Conway but niggly injuries have stopped him. The guy is a class act for Munster & Ireland, tough as nails and fearless. He’s nailed on now I think. Looking at today’s games I’d take the all blacks in the quarters now before the boks! I know you’re no fan of rassie but I was gutted when he left munster
@Tim Magner: I’ve never doubted he’s ability as a top class coach, he’s obviously one of the best in the world, I just think he’s an absolute rat. Never once considered the impact on munster during all his negotiations with SA.
True about Conway, he’s definitely in pole position at the moment. I’d like to see him get a start in one of the remaining games, he’s definitely earned it. Farrell same story, was a complete menace at 12 today on both sides of the ball.
@Jim Demps: ah I wouldn’t be that hard on rassie, he was in a tough position between taking on his dream job, with the boks in the sh*t, and trying his best not to destabilize Munster in the middle of the season. That turned out to be a job too much for him cos he got questioned at every press conference. I bear him no ill- will at all, thought he did a great job for us in really tough circumstances, just remember the year before he came! Delighted for Farrell today, he’s a class act. In the semi v sarries he was our best player by a country mile
@Tim Magner: I, unfortunately, am not as gracious as you. I’d never wish anyone any ill will on anyone but that doesn’t change my opinion of him.
The other guy who I thought was excellent today was Dave Kearney. I’ve never rated him but it was one of the best games I’ve seen from him in years – eager for work and looked fit. The whole starting back row didn’t really impose themselves, same with both McGrath’s, toner and both hookers. Bit of a mixed bag from today’s game.
@Jim Demps: Dave’s problem has always been pace for the top level, but no doubt a top top pro who a bit like McFadden, has been slated for not being flash, but any team wouldn’t be weaker for having them on it. Luke mcgraths passing let him down, jack is just not mobile enough for a modern loosehead. Toner is a funny one, he’s obviously an outstanding player with all he has won & how we play when he’s not there, but as individual players you’d pick Ryan & henderson
@Tim Magner: i think there’s 3 players going to be released from the squad on Monday/ Tuesday. If I were to bet I’d say Haley, o Donnell and possibly Addison. Hard to call guys at this stage but someone has to go.
@Jim Demps: I think it’s gonna be Haley, Tommy and Dave Kearney. Unless Addison has no hope Joe is going to give him a go. Otherwise he’d have been cut last week
The big losers for me were Luke McGrath, Mike Haley, Dave Kearney, Jack McGrath, Jean Kleyn & Tommy O’Donnell….. I think they have all ruled themselves out.
I was really impressed with Jack Carty when he came on. Would probably benefit most from World Rugbys new 50/22 law!! He is probably the best kicker from hand in Irish Rugby.
@Paul Ennis: Agree re McGrath thought he was very slow getting the ball away from the ruck and just kept going the same way especially in the first half. Poor Jack Magrath just can’t get the form from 2017 back. Haley and Kearney were never going to Japan and kleyn done himself no favours.
@Paul Ennis: totally agree Paul. Carty must be on the plane to Japan. Klein a huge disappointment and Luke McGrath was poor. Marmion and Cooney must be in contention.
While it’s going to be hard for Jack McGrath to get into the squad ahead of Healy and Kilcoyne, I think he was rock solid in everything he did in that first half, particularly in the scrum.
I would actually have put Porter in the loser column ahead of him personally. I thought Porter really struggled with his scrummaging, getting popped a couple of times on the tighthead side despite going forward and conceding a penalty on the loosehead side.
There was also a clear overlap on the left-hand side in the second half that Porter ignored by choosing to crash the ball up instead to go for a try.
Schmidt may well end up travelling with three tightheads to the World Cup but I would definitely have John Ryan ahead of Porter in the squad at this point in time.
Lineouts were still not great. Scrum was solid in first half particularly. Thought Luke McGrath was very good. And nothing wrong with the work that Dave Kearney did, he’s just behind the rest of the top lads. Carbery was a class above the first half, the link play between himself, Farrell, Ringrose and Larmour was very slick. Fingers crossed.
@Seán O’Brien: I thought the 1st 2 lineout were more than a bit worrying….. Scannell proved a real positive as I dont think we lost 1 when he came on.
@Paul Ennis: Yeah we did. Managed to throw over Toner in an attack lineout in their 22 which takes some doing. Neither Herring nor Scannell did badly but neither did they shine. Herring will probably go with Best/Cronin if he’s fit though.
@Lian McGuire: in fairness toner got both hands to that and dropped it
well spotted ..couldnt do that right even and isnt that what hes there for ?
@Kieran Considine: unless its a massive overthrow lineouts are a collective responsibility. Movement, the lifters, timing, everything, I actually feel like it needs to be laid at Easterby’s feet a little. Plumtree’s teams may have usually had O’Connell but there was just total synchronicity in it. I think the pack have to really prioritise it again. Wales will put it to a real test. You can’t just expect it to work out because Toner is really tall. There is probably a case where they are going to limit the number of calls for lineouts that they are going to use before the WC, but the wheels need to be well greased.
Farrell was good in fairness. Ther all still bit rusty. Hard for anyone to shine, when its a sloppy old game like that.
Conway was good to.
Didn’t see all the game (seen most of the second half and the opening 10 minutes), how did Larmour play?
What I seen liked more assured in terms of positioning. Offered little going forward which was broadly common in that second half.
Conway looked good. I’d like to see him at FB. Addison to me is the bolter mostly due to his versatility.
Just looking for general thoughts
@Michael Buckley: Lamrour kicked really smartly in the first half. Got back to touch down a few dangerous grubbers by the Italians, and generally just appeared to be really solid. Was caught underneath Italian right wing for one crossfield kick, but assisted for two tries and was generally just really solid. To me he finally looked like the guy who will permanently replace Kearney when he’s done.
@Seán O’Brien: um, are you talking about yesterday’s game?? Larmour is nowhere near being ready to take Kearney’s place.
This is a long winded blast at today’s Post section :: be warned it is ”bias and about bias” boring I am sure as well ::::::
At the beginning of the page we had the pleasure of meeting two posters , Kieran Considine ::Walter Obrien :Two of the best fly by night rugby fans: we have ever read. But that was only the starter before the main course:: Then we got a Jim and Tim Magner (a new comrade who breathes the same air) take over that lasted for 14 :::10 (24 posts):they held onto it for 14 posts in a row:: In that time it was a “love in” between Munster lovers:: When you read their Bias, finishing in, out of the 31 on the plane 11 would be their players. This section was littered with great lines like ::::: “”You’ve got to factor in the Schmidt Leinster factor too” ” vdf offers nothing much more than a tackle machine”” :: “”both of McGrath’s, toner, Porter and both hookers.: didn’t impose themselves””, “It’s a case of what joe wants.:but :: all the time you have to add in Leinster and Schmidt”” you can image when we got to the end of this 15 posts love in, one was thinking we should just pick the panel who lost their S/F in the H C Cup. The funny part was some of the players they were pushing played well and have helped their position for Japan:
: Just to say one thing we learned was that Carty is one of the best out of hand kicker since ROG:: so that was the most of the page (bias parts and all) then at the end Seán O’Brien sent out some posts and now we see a very good poster with no obvious bias just good points :: GOD wish there was more like him (I know I have my bias side as well) then if that happens we would not have something like this abomination page again !!