Ulster stun defending URC Champs

MATCH REPORT: A dramatic late try with the clock well in the red from David Shanahan ensured that Ulster opened their United Rugby Championship season with a 20-19 win over champions Glasgow Warriors.

The Irish province came from behind to take the four points with earlier tries from Aidan Morgan and David McCann getting them over the line.

Glasgow took the lead after six minutes when a driving maul off a lineout saw hooker Johnny Matthews touch down, but Tom Jordan could not convert.

Ulster hit back after 16 minutes when Nathan Doak slotted over a penalty and then two minutes later a charge down by Morgan on Jordan led to a scramble up-field and ultimately a try for the Ulster man.

Doak converted and Ulster led 10-5.

Henco Venter went over for Glasgow’s second try after 25 minutes, with Jordan’s conversion giving the champions a two-point lead.

Eight minutes into the second half, Rory Darge went over in the corner for the Warriors but the try was ruled out by the TMO for a forward pass.

Then just before the 60-minute mark, Jordan was yellow-carded for head contact on Stewart Moore.

Jude Postlethwaite then had what looked to be a try ruled out, but Ulster kept the pressure on and with Richie Gray sin-binned – briefly reducing the visitors to 13 – James McNabney was held up over the line.

Ulster kept up the pressure and McCann scored after 72 minutes, though Morgan was unable to convert.

Ulster had the lead for just two minutes as Glasgow skipper Kyle Steyn scored in the corner, Adam Hastings adding a great conversion to put the Scots ahead 19-15 with six minutes remaining.

But Ulster would not lie down and with the clock well into overtime, Shanahan wriggled over from close range and even though Morgan missed the extras it did not matter.

The scorers:

For Ulster:
Tries: Morgan, McCann, Shanahan
Con: Doak
Pen: Doak

For Glasgow Warriors
Tries: Matthews, Venter, Steyn
Cons: Jordan, Hastings

Yellow cards: Tom Jordan (Glasgow Warriors, 57), Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors, 65)

Teams

Ulster: 15 Ethan McIlroy, 14 Mike Lowry, 13 Stewart Moore, 12 Jude Postlethwaite, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Aidan Morgan, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Nick Timoney, 7 David McCann, 6 James McNabney, 5 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Iain Henderson (captain), 3 Corrie Barrett, 2 John Andrew, 1 Eric O’Sullivan.
Replacements: 16 James McCormick, 17 Andrew Warwick, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Harry Sheridan, 20 Cormac Izuchukwu, 21 Dave Shanahan, 22 James Humphreys, 23 Werner Kok.

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Stafford McDowall, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Kyle Steyn (captain), 10 Tom Jordan, 9 Jamie Dobie, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Max Williamson, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Johnny Matthews, 1 Jamie Bhatti.
Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Alex Samuel, 20 Gregor Brown, 21 Euan Ferrie, 22 Ben Afshar, 23 Adam Hastings.

Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)
Assistant referees: Robbie Jenkinson (Ireland); Padraig Reidy (Ireland)
TMO: Tom Spurrier (Wales)