Ulster fight off Sharks to book home quarter-final

In the United Rugby Championship sales pitch, these were the nights they were promising.

High stakes, World Cup winners, British and Irish Lions, full-blooded rugby under the Friday night lights. And it went right down to the wire.

When the Sharks shipped 42 points on their URC debut at Thomond Park last September, few would have thought they'd be coming to Belfast in Round 18 looking to stake their claim on a home-quarter final.

The squad they brought to Kingspan Stadium was unrecognisable from the group in Limerick though. Backed-up by their Springbok heavyweights, and the return of Lukhanyo Am from Japan, Sean Everitt's side fancied their chances of sealing a top four finish.

So too, though, did Ulster.

The task for both sides was simple; win, and the home quarter-final is yours. For Ulster, it would be mission complete.

Dan McFarland's side weren't at their best this evening, but they won this game through their physicality. The Sharks brought with them a ferocious pack and a reputation for using it, but the home side continually met them at the gainline.

Iain Henderson was immense, the captain leading by example both in the tight and the loose, where his deft offload to Stuart McCloskey set up his side's second try.

Duane Vermeulen tackled relentlessly, while Nick Timoney came up with two huge turnovers at the start and end of the first half. And with the game in the balance Kieran Treadwell and Matty Rea came off the bench and made an impact, Treadwell with some huge tackles, while Rea prevented a near-try late on with an excellent turnover.

On a showery night, handling proved difficult for both sides, but Ulster showed just enough in flashes. James Hume joined his centre partner McCloskey in scoring a second half try,