Ulster hold firm to earn derby win against Connacht

The Christmas celebrations can start early for Ulster, after they held on for a vital win against Connacht at Kingspan Stadium, to get back to winning ways in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

The northern province gained an element of revenge for their two recent defeats to their rivals, as they edged out 20-19 Connacht in a dramatic derby in Belfast.

Dan McFarland's side never trailed over the 80 minutes, and while they were outscored by three tries to two on the night it was the laser boot of John Cooney that they were thankful for, as he kicked four from four to give his side the narrowest of wins.

Andy Warwick and Nick Timoney grabbed the Ulster tries in the opening half as they led 14-7 at the break, while Player of the Match Iain Henderson led a ferocious pack that constantly disrupted the Connacht lineout.

In spite of their lineout issues, Connacht kept finding ways to come back at their hosts. Bundee Aki barged over for a try which briefly drew them level, before Shamus Hurley-Langton and the impressive Shayne Bolton both took advantage of defensive lapses to give their side a losing bonus-point.

The win couldn't have come at a better time for the hosts, who backed up their victory against Racing 92 a week ago, while for Connacht it's now five defeats in a row, with nine days for them to stew on their defeat ahead of hosting Munster on New Year's Day.

It took Ulster just two minutes to pick up where they left off against Racing 92 a week ago, with Warwick crashing over for his first try since April 2022.

It was a score that came far too easily from a Connacht point of view, with Rob Baloucoune and Timoney initially linking up down the right wing, before strong carries by Marty Moore and Kieran Treadwell gave them