Connacht stun Ulster to book URC semi-final spot

Connacht upset the odds with a stunning victory against Ulster in Belfast to advance to the semi-finals of the BKT United Rugby Championship.

Never beaten in a home knock-out match at the Kingspan, Ulster's season came to a jarring halt as the visitors booked an away date with either the Stormers or the Bulls, who meet tomorrow in Cape Town.

Jack Carty kicked all 15 points and despite a late period of pressure, Dan McFarland’s side left it too late and Connacht, who finished the regular season 18 points behind Ulster in the table, progressed with just a second win in their last 11 games against Irish opposition and their first win at the Kingspan since a Rainbow Cup game in 2021.

Having lost twice to Ulster during the season, Connacht were more disciplined and made the hosts pay for the concession of 18 penalties.

It was a tight and cagey opening quarter played mostly between the two 22s but, for all the errors, the high stakes nature of the game made it an entertaining fare.

There was an element of shadow boxing with Shamus Hurley-Langton's strong running on one side and Robert Balcoucoune's pace on the other creating half chances that neither team could take full advantage of.

A messed-up tap penalty close to the Ulster line led to a telling off for Cian Prendergast after his over-reaction led to pushing and shoving under the posts, and one of 14 first half penalties conceded between the teams.

Connacht should have taken the lead but, after a clever dummy in midfield, Tom Farrell inexplicably failed to pass inside to Caolin Blade who had a run-in and Ulster, who lost Michael Lowry to a HIA in the build-up, survived.

The hosts were keen to get Baloucoune involved and he created an extra man out wide that led to an Ulster