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Ulster will be more than aware that they have to record a bonus point win over Italians Aironi if they are serious about mounting a real challenge and qualifying from Pool 4. - 08/12/2011 08:12
Ulster will be more than aware that they have to record a bonus point win over Italians Aironi if they are serious about mounting a real challenge and qualifying from Pool 4.
The Belfast-based outfit face the Italian new boys, who recorded one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history when they beat Biarritz last season, in the first of their back-to-back clashes.
Aironi are in only their second season of Heineken Cup rugby and have still to win a game on the road, but will be looking to cause another major upset when they arrive in Ravenhill.
Ulster, who beat Clermont Auvergne in the Pool opener and lost to the Leicester Tigers in round 2, will be aiming to qualify for a second successive Heineken Cup quarter final place in two years.
The home side have won their last nine games in the Heineken Cup at Ravenhill and will also be looking to build on that impressive home record when Aironi visit on Friday night.
Ulster will be looking to finish off the job when they travel for the second game in their double header against Italian new boys Aironi in Italy. - 15/12/2011 16:59
Ulster stretched their unbeaten run in the Heineken Cup at Ravenhill to nine games and kept themselves in the hunt in Pool 4 with this bonus point victory over Italian outfit Aironi.
The Belfast-based side, who famously lift European rugby’s prize back in 1999, kept themselves in the hunt for a quarter-finals spot in this tournament with this win over the Italian new boys.
Ulster now will watch with interest the other Pool clash between Clermont Auvergne, who they beat at Ravenhill, and Leicester, who they lost to in Welford Road, in France on Sunday afternoon.
Stephen Ferris, Adam D’arcy, Andrew Trimble, Paul Marshall and Paddy Jackson all crossed for tries for the home side but they found it tough going against their fellow Pro12 side.
Lions flanker Ferris started the ball rolling with a try in the corner to get his side on the scoreboard and fly-half Ian Humphreys landed the difficult touchline conversion to put the home side 7-0 midway through the first half.
The Italian side replied with a well taken penalty by outside half Tito Tebaldi but he and Humphreys and both missed penalties before Aironi found themselves down to 14-men, when full-back Giiuilo Toniolatti was shown the yellow card.
The home side took full advantage of their extra man when full-back D’arcy crossed for Ulster’s second try just before half-time to stretch their lead to 12-3 at the break.
Ireland wing Trimble crossed for Belfast’s third try straight after half-time and Ulster finally got the much-needed bonus point win when replacement scrum-half Marshall crossed for a fourth try midway through the second half.
Replacement Jackson rubbed salt in the Italian side’s wounds with Ulster’s fifth try but Aironi did manage a consolation try by replacement hooker Tommaso D’Apice in the dying moments of the contest.Ulster 31 Aironi 10
Ulster stretched their unbeaten run in the Heineken Cup at Ravenhill to nine games and kept themselves in the hunt in Pool 4 with this bonus point victory over Italian outfit Aironi.
The Belfast-based side, who famously lift European rugby’s prize back in 1999, kept themselves in the hunt for a quarter-finals spot in this tournament with this win over the Italian new boys.
Ulster now will watch with interest the other Pool clash between Clermont Auvergne, who they beat at Ravenhill, and Leicester, who they lost to in Welford Road, in France on Sunday afternoon.
Stephen Ferris, Adam D’arcy, Andrew Trimble, Paul Marshall and Paddy Jackson all crossed for tries for the home side but they found it tough going against their fellow Pro12 side.
Lions flanker Ferris started the ball rolling with a try in the corner to get his side on the scoreboard and fly-half Ian Humphreys landed the difficult touchline conversion to put the home side 7-0 midway through the first half.
The Italian side replied with a well taken penalty by outside half Tito Tebaldi but he and Humphreys and both missed penalties before Aironi found themselves down to 14-men, when full-back Giiuilo Toniolatti was shown the yellow card.
The home side took full advantage of their extra man when full-back D’arcy crossed for Ulster’s second try just before half-time to stretch their lead to 12-3 at the break.
Ireland wing Trimble crossed for Belfast’s third try straight after half-time and Ulster finally got the much-needed bonus point win when replacement scrum-half Marshall crossed for a fourth try midway through the second half.
Replacement Jackson rubbed salt in the Italian side’s wounds with Ulster’s fifth try but Aironi did manage a consolation try by replacement hooker Tommaso D’Apice in the dying moments of the contest.
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