DAN MCFARLAND DECLARED being in a semi-final in Europe was a great place to be after Ulster came from behind to put Northampton Saints to the sword 35-27 at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday night.
Saints had three players sin-binned but still had an eight-point half-time lead through a clever Alex Mitchell finish and two quickfire Tommy Freeman tries.
But Ulster responded strongly in the second half and dominated in the key facets, finally getting their noses in front and not relinquishing the lead to book their first European semi-final for nine years and McFarland’s first as head coach.
Hailing his side, McFarland said it is great to be in a European semi-final.
“We talked about how disappointing it was not playing play off games in the Pro14 because of the nature of the competition this year. We won 14 games and not to get a play-off was disappointing,” said McFarland.
“Now we have had a chance to play two play-off games these last two weeks. It is cup rugby, it is all or nothing. And the lads have risen to the occasion against two really big clubs who are sitting fourth and fifth in the English Premiership, and we were away from home.
“We were obviously hoping our skipper, Iain Henderson, would have been playing in the last two games, but we have done without him and we would be hopeful that a couple of the other guys will be coming back in the next few weeks and we will look forward to a semi-final. A semi-final in Europe is a great place to be.
Trailing 22-14 at the break, Ulster struck early in the second half, Marty Moore powering over but Ahsee Tuala’s fine offload put Ollie Sleightholme in for a home score.
However, John Cooney went over after a short lineout and Jacob Stockdale ran through to give the Irish Province a deserved victory.
McFarland admitted his side had been poor in some aspects of the first half, but everyone had a good discussion at the break and the players had reacted.
“We were poor in some aspects in the first half particularly the defence, which was really unusual because I knew we were going to have to come here and weather a physical battle on the gain line and we did not weather than in the first half. We were pretty down on ourselves at half time.
“But we knew the areas which had been problematic, so it was pretty clear what we had to do, it was not complicated, but we actually felt quite good going out for the second half in the fact that the area we needed to improve in is part of the game we pride ourselves on, so it did not really take much sorting out,” added McFarland.
The visit to Saints was an opportunity for Ulster to lay down a marker having underperformed in big games when it mattered in the past 12 months and the victory will put them up there are serious contenders for silverware in Europe.
McFarland said: “I knew the side Saints had picked was very strong, a lot of really good players, playing at home, playing with a bit of confidence now and I knew they were a very dangerous side who would test us.
“In all honesty, not since earlier in the season or a while back have we been tested and it has been few and far between. But this is a group of players who have been to the well in tight games over the course of the last three years.
“They know how to win in tight situations, they know how to fight for every inch, they know how to dog it out, they know how to show a bit of bite when it comes down to the wire and they certainly did that tonight.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Well done Ulster, great result.
Well done Ulster. A home fixture is deserved at this stage.
Well done ulster but after this result against an average side ulster fans think they’re going to win the world Cup and should have 15 players on the lions, it’s absolutely hilarious
@Michael Oats: what’s with the sour grapes? They got their deserved win and the fans are within their rights to celebrate and dream of big things. The Challenge Cup is not an easy competition to win either, the ruthless needed in the knock out stages is as ferocious as you’d expect and fair dues to Ulster for the win. As for players on the Lions that depends on Gats and what he wants from individuals fitting into HIS team, not the performance of Ulster as a team.
@Michael Oats: Michael, you need to get out a little more. Where did this come from? As. Leinster fan, I cheered them to the finish an celebrated a great performance. It augurs well for the future of both Ulster and Irish rugby. What was it Brendan Behan said about the begrudgers?
@SPQH: ah theres no sour grapes here. I actually like Dan mcfarland as a coach – has been very good everywhere he’s coached – and some of the players are alright club players too tbf. It’s the fans that make them out to be spartan warriors and world beaters after every game they win against poor opposition gets me in fits of laughter every time… On a side note “Gats” You know him personally do ya? Lol
@Michael Oats: you are a very embittered Musterman. I won’t call you a Munster supporter as they are fair-minded.
@Michael Oats: that’s a very odd comment to be making unprompted. Just say well done and ignore the chip on your shoulder
@Trevor Johnston: Munster Abu trev
@Michael Oats: why so bitter? That’s 2 away wins on the trot in England, and Saints are a decent side. It’s a great win and chance of a cup. And a couple of Lions is a possibility, don’t be so odd
@Michael Oats: They probably are the 2nd best province
@Trevor Johnston: he is probably just annoyed that if Ulster won silverware, Munster will be the only province not to have won a competition in the last decade.
@Michael Oats: troll harder
@Joe Vlogs: I rather we didn’t win a second rate trophy tbh. Challenge Cup against what? English teams rolling out second strings. Treviso were in the quarter final and agen were in the last 16, neither of those teams have won a game all year. But go on ulster have your day. Lol
@rugbyanbeer: this is the kind of fan I’m talking about. Hahaha
@Michael Oats: ulster play a great brand of rugby and have been the 2nd best side in the league and in Ireland for a while now. Some of their home grown talent are simply fantastic rugby players. You need to find a different sport if you can’t appreciate how ulster play rugby.
@Michael Oats: a) I’m not from Ulster b) I guess that explains why Munster don’t win anything…they don’t really want to, you know. Saving their tinder for the Rainbow cup or something serious like that.
Congratulations Ulster
Great win and have to say did not look likely at HT. Hope Lowrey learns a lot from that game for he is an exciting prospect. …..but he’s not going to suck in defenders and offload in the tackle very often and running up blind alleys gets him turned over like you would a baby in a cot. His strength is that he’s a space user not a space creator . Get him running off the shoulders of fellas that can take the hit and offload in the tackle and not sure 15 is suited to him…might be worth giving him a protracted run at 10. Played last night like a chap that has started to believe the hype. Some of his decision making was poor.
@Michael Murray: not his best game. Hopefully he will learn.
@Trevor Johnston: …looks every inch a footballer….I’m sure he will. Given he is such a unique package with incredible potential ,his coaches and mentors have a hell of a responsibility to help get the best out of himself and reach his full potential.
@Michael Murray: to be fair he is a 10 playing at 15. He has been impressive in general but these blips will happen
@Dave O Keeffe: I know and that makes it even more important that he’s looked after particularly well.
@Michael Murray: Super talented but because of his size has to be used properly. Has the skills for 10 but I doubt he’d be able for the hits Sexton has taken over the years.
FB would appear to be his best option. Wasn’t great yesterday but any player can have an off day.
After 2 away wins Ulster definitely deserve a home game. Great for Irish rugby if they can pull it off.