Ulster race past Racing 92 for storming Challenge Cup win
MATCH REPORT: It was a statement of intent from Ulster as they saw off last year’s Challenge Cup semifinalists Racing 92 61-7.
The French side continued last season’s momentum when they sped into a 7-minute lead through Antoine Gibert.
The flyhalf’s interception just outside the Ulster 22 meant he still had lots to do, but he put the burners on to break free.
Jacob Stockdale and Rob Herring got the hosts back on track, though, as their strength came in clutch to pierce the Racing defence.
Their foot remained on the gas after the restart, too, as they edged their way over two minutes into the second half.
It was more front-row force that extended the Ulster lead before the 50-minute mark as they were starting to impose their system on the visitors.
Now sailing, Ulster never looked like relinquishing the lead. Scott Wilson and Jake Flannery continued the onslaught with tries of their own.
The hosts’ scoring spree finally ended eight minutes from time when Jack Murphy converted a Zac Ward try, taking Ulster over the coveted 60-point mark.
Certainly a strong message from the Northern Irish from the get-go in Round 1 as they head into next week’s trip to Cardiff full of confidence.
Scorers:
For Ulster:
Tries: Stockdale 2, Herring, O’Toole, Stewart, Wilson, Flannery, Ward 2
Cons: Murphy 8
For Racing 92:
Try: Gilbert
Con: Gilbert
Teams:
Ulster: 15 Jacob Stockdale, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 James Hume, 12 Jude Postlethwaite, 11 Zac Ward, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Nick Timoney (captain), 6 Dave McCann, 5 Charlie Irvine, 4 Harry Sheridan, 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Sam Crean.
Replacements: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Joe Hopes, 20 Bryn Ward, 21 Conor McKee, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Stewart Moore.
Racing 92: 15 Geronimo Prisciantelli, 14 Nolann Donguy, 13 Sam James, 12 Vladi Ashvetia, 11 Wilfried Hulleu, 10 Antoine Gibert, 9 Kleo Labarbe, 8 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 7 Noa Zinzen, 6 Fabien Sanconnie, 5 Will Rowlands (captain), 4 Junior Kpoku, 3 Gia Kharaishvili, 2 Yanis Basse, 1 Edouard Jabea Njocke.
Replacements: 16 Diego Escobar, 17 Herman Coetzee, 18 Lehopoame Leota, 19 Maxime Baudonne, 20 Jonny Hill, 21 Auguste Albuisson, 22 Leo Carbonneau, 23 Arthur Espeut.
Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales)
Assistant referees: Adam Jones (Wales), Carwyn Sion (Wales)
TMO: Aled Griffiths (Wales)
Source @EPCR
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