Live Reporting

Richard Petrie and Paul McIntyre

  1. Ulster 24-17 Connacht

    Ulster are really making a nuisance of themselves at the breakdown. They are scrapping and fighting for everything tonight.

  2. try

    Try - Ulster 24-17 Connacht

    David McCann - 52mins

    It's a case of if it ain't broke, don't fix it for Ulster.

    Another lineout leads to another maul and this time flanker David McCann is the one to touch the ball down.

    It's Ulster's fourth try of the night and they now lead by seven after John Cooney pulls the conversion attempt.

    Connacht must also go without second row Sean O'Brien for the next 10mins. He picked up a yellow card in the build-up to that try.

  3. Fighting back

    Ulster 19-17 Connacht

    It's Ulster's turn to go on the try hunt as the pace of this contest refuses to drop.

    Jacob Stockdale gets bundled into touch and and a shemozzle breaks out. But order is quickly restored and we go again with an Ulster penalty.

  4. No try

    Ulster 19-17 Connacht

    Connacht thought they were in for their fourth-try of the evening. But after originally awarding the sore, Andrew Brace overturns his decision following a TMO review.

    Replays showed that the Ulster defence held up Connacht's attack. Ulster survive and get away with a goal line drop-out.

  5. Ulster discipline

    Ulster 19-17 Connacht

    Ulster concede another penalty allowing Connacht easy access into their half.

    Their discipline has been their downfall tonight.

  6. Back underway

    Ulster 19-17 Connacht

    Up and running again at Ravenhill in this ding-dong inter-pro.

  7. Watch: Murphy breaks to reduce Ulster's lead

    Ulster 19-17 Connacht (HT)

    Anything John Cooney can do, Ben Murphy can do too!

    It's a two-point game in Belfast thanks to this break from Murphy junior... one that Murphy senior in the Ulster dug-out won't be too happy to watch again.

    Ben Murphy punches a hole in the Ulster defence

  8. Half-time

    Ulster 19-17 Connacht

    It's a try-feast here at Ravenhill where Ulster lead by two at the break.

    John Andrew's early try was cancelled out by Shayne Bolton before efforts from Jude Postlethwaite and John Cooney.

    But Connacht came roaring back through Joe Joyce and Ben Murphy.

    Ulster have also lost Iain Henderson and Postlethwaite through injury, while Werner Kok is currently off the park to a yellow card.

    It's all happening here tonight.

    Sure what else would you expect from an inter-pro!

  9. Watch: Cooney breaks for Ulster's third try

    Ulster 19-17 Connacht

    It's been a pulsating first half with six tries.

    At one point, Ulster led by 14 points - and this is how they got that lead thanks to John Cooney.

    John Cooney spots a gap in the Connacht defence to race clear

  10. converted try

    Converted try - Ulster 19-17 Connacht

    Ben Murphy (try); Josh Ioane (con) - 40mins

    Right on the cusp of half-time, Ben Murphy, son of Ulster head coach Richie, punches a hole in the Ulster backline to race clear from 30 metres to finish off in the corner.

    A fabulous finish to a fabulous half of rugby.

    Ioane adds the conversion to leave just two between them at the break.

  11. Watch: Postlewaite extends Ulster's lead

    Ulster 19-10 Connacht

    It's been an exciting first-half in Belfast.

    Five tries thus far - and here's a recap of Ulster's second (and the game's third) from Jude Postlewaite.

    Jude Postlethwaite extends Ulster's lead

  12. Sin-bin Ulster

    Ulster 19-10 Connacht

    Werner Kok sees yellow from the restart after Connacht's try.

    And to make matters worse, try scorer Jude Postlethwaite's night is over as he is forced to leave the field injured.

    He's replaced by Ben Carson who was amongst the try's in last weeks defeat to the Bulls.

  13. try

    Try - Ulster 19-10 Connacht

    Joe Joyce - 32mins

    Connacht come roaring back into the contest with second row Joe Joyce getting in for the Westerners second try of the evening.

    Just like Ulster did, they kick a penalty into the corner and Joyce gets himself on the end of a maul to cut the arrears to 9 points after Ioane's conversion again drifts wide.

  14. converted try

    Converted try - Ulster 19-5 Connacht

    John Cooney (try & con) - 28mins

    After two defeats, Richie Murphy is getting the perfect response from his side tonight.

    Less than half-an-hour played and Ulster are in for their third try of the evening.

    John Cooney spots a gap in the Connacht defence to race clear and touchdown under the posts.

    Cooney picks himself up and kicks the conversion and Ulster open up a 14-point lead.

  15. Watch: Bolton cuts Ulster's lead

    Ulster 12-5 Connacht

    Ulster's seven point lead was cut to two thanks to Connacht wing Shayne Bolton.

    The home side have since restored their seven-point advantage - but here's that Connacht try for those looking a recap!

    Shayne Bolton responds for Connacht

  16. try

    Try - Ulster 12-5 Connacht

    Jude Postlethwaite - 21mins

    Another Ulster lineout, and another Ulster maul.

    This time though after a TMO check, it's Jude Postlethwaite who is at the back of a maul and the Ulster lead is pushed out to 7 points.

    John Cooney's conversion unfortunately goes narrowly wide.

  17. Replacement

    Ulster 7-5 Connacht

    A massive blow for Ulster as captain Iain Henderson is forced to leave the field injured.

    He's replaced by Alan O'Connor who comes in for his 250th Ulster appearance.

  18. Watch: Andrew scores early Ulster try

    Ulster 7-5 Connacht

    It was a fast and impressive start from the home side.

    Here's how John Andrew push over to give Ulster that early lead in Belfast.

    John Andrew gets Ulster up and running against Connacht

  19. try

    Try - Ulster 7-5 Connacht

    Shayne Bolton - 12 minutes

    After a period of sustained pressure on the Ulster line, Connacht winger Shayne Bolton just about get in from the Connacht left.

    Ulster had been defending their line magnificently but Connacht go wide to allow Bolton to slide at the corner.

    Josh Ioane's conversion goes across the face of the posts and Ulster lead by two points.

  20. Connacht response

    Ulster 7-0 Connacht

    After falling behind to that early try, Connacht's response is a positive one and two penalties sees them five metres from the Ulster line.