One area Connacht really are clicking is the scrum.

Another penalty out of the set-piece and again it's Finlay Bealham taking the plaudits.

Leinster's Rabah Slimani gave Ulster a torrid time in the scrum during an interpro last month and they'll need to sort this out to avoid giving Connacht a way into the game.

They can't!

After a big carry from Paul Boyle, Bundee Aki comes in at the side and Ulster have the penalty.

The Galway crowd, I think it's fair to say, do not agree.

John Andrew returns and will take the Ulster line-out.

This is better from Connacht...can they get on the board?

It takes no time at all for Finlay Bealham to make amends.

The prop wins the penalty at the scrum and Connacht are able to clear.

They're in the Ulster half now...somewhere they've spent precious little time so far.

Some silly penalties aren't helping Connacht get into this one at all.

Irish international Finlay Bealham with the latest as he infringes at the line-out after Ulster were penalised at the breakdown.

And McCormick's first line-out throw produces a turnover.

A really tough position for the youngster but he's plenty of time to settle.

The line-out came after Santiago Cordero's yellow boot wandered into touch...the yellow boot being the left foot and the black boot being the right.

He was doing the same against Leinster last week but if anyone knows why the Argentina international is wearing two different boots this weather, answers on a postcard please...

Just before that kick from Doak, John Andrew was taken off for an HIA.

So James McCormick, who wasn't in the 23 until about half an hour ago, is on in the 13th minute.

McNabney with another big burst through the middle and Connacht are pinged at the breakdown.

Nathan Doak adds the easy three.

Image source, Inpho

Ulster's forwards have been making some real gains in the tight exchanges with that score set up by some dominant carries in contact.

An encouraging start from their pack with the likes of Cormac Izuchukwu and James McNabney leading the way.

"A lot of chat, let's go."

Andrew Brace not entertaining the respective front-rows' opinions on what is going wrong at these scrums.

Image source, Inpho

Ulster on the attack again with some big carries from their forwards.

Connacht turn them over but carry over their own line in the process.

Five metre scrum and another big, early chance for Ulster.

Frantic stuff as Ulster win the free-kick against the head but they tap and go only for John Andrew to get isolated and Connacht get the penalty for holding on.

Kieran Treadwell claims the line-out but, after a bit of a rumble, Scott Wilson gets a little too excited and flings his attempted offload straight into John Andrew.

Ulster's front-rowers not quite on the same page there...

Scrum to Connacht and they'll have the chance to clear their lines.

No nerves from Jack Murphy then!

His first act on his first start is to boom a 50:22 down the field to give Ulster the line-out. What a kick!

Can the visitors make the most of it?

Image source, Inpho

Andrew Brace blows his whistle and we're underway in Galway!

Two changes to the run-on side for Connacht now, as well.

Dave Heffernan and Darragh Murray are out and they’re replaced by Dylan Tierney-Martin and Niall Murray.

With the side stuck in a five-game losing run, there hasn't been much good news around Ulster Rugby of late but the news that Ireland wing Jacob Stockdale has committed his future to the province will have been a real boost this week.

"I'm delighted to sign for the next couple of seasons here," said the 28-year-old Stockdale, who has 38 Test caps.

"I feel good about where my game is at and where this team is heading. There is a lot of excitement around the place with the young players coming up and I am enjoying my role as one of the experienced players in the team."

Read more.

Image source, Inpho

Tony McWhirter
1999 Ulster European Cup winner on BBC Sounds

This Connacht pack and their backrow are scavengers.

Shamus Hurley Langton has been a thorn in the Ulster side the last few years.

I think they'll really fancy their chances of doing a number on Ulster in and around the breakdown.

Ulster have been forced into a second late change and it's a big blow for the visitors.

Rob Herring is out, John Andrew starts, and James McCormick is now on the bench.

Richie Murphy will have been relying on Herring's experience up front against a veteran Connacht scrum.