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Ulster Rugby will have the chance to close the gap on Champions Cup Pool 1 runaway leaders La Rochelle on Friday evening when they take on Harlequins
Ulster Rugby will have the chance to close the gap on Champions Cup Pool 1 runaway leaders La Rochelle on Friday evening when they take on Harlequins, live on BT Sport at 19:45 (UK and Ireland time). The Irish province have scored 19 points in each of their last two home games against Aviva Premiership opposition, enough for a one point win over Exeter Chiefs and a 10 point win against Wasps.
· The clubs have met four times previously, each winning two apiece, however Ulster’s two victories have come in their most recent with Harlequins including last weekend.
· Quins have won just twice on eight previous trips to Ireland, beating Ulster in 1996/97 and Connacht in Round 2 of the 2012/13 season.
· The last time Ulster won a Round 3 game away from home they then went on to lose the reverse fixture at home in Round 4 (2012/13 v Northampton Saints).
Ulster Rugby kept the dream of a European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final berth alive with a 52-24 triumph over Harlequins in a thrilling Friday night encounter at the Kingspan Stadium. - 15/12/2017 22:14
Ulster Rugby kept the dream of a European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final berth alive with a 52-24 triumph over Harlequins in a thrilling Friday night encounter at the Kingspan Stadium.
- An impressive bonus-point victory means Irish province Ulster Rugby have moved within two points of Pool 1 runaway leaders La Rochelle, who take on Wasps this Sunday.
- Ulster Rugby scrum-half John Cooney was at the heart of all the action, contributing 27 points to home side's efforts, while Stuart McCloskey, Craig Gilroy, Charles Piutau, Alan O'Connor and Andrew Trimble all chalked up tries in a comprehensive victory.
- Cooney opened the scoring with two penalties in the opening 10 minutes, before England prodigy Marcus Smith slid in a try for Harlequins, although his missed conversion meant the hosts still had the lead.
- Ulster Rugby would extend that lead as centre McCloskey beat the Harlequins defence to a loose ball as the hosts moved 13-5 up, only for Charlie Walker's try, converted by fly-half Smith, to bring the visitors back within a point.
- Cooney's third penalty kick of the game offered a small buffer to Ulster Rugby, who headed into the break 16-12 up, despite Harlequins producing the better play in the first period.
- In an incredibly expansive encounter, Ulster Rugby winger Gilroy and full-back Piutau both dotted down 15 minutes into the second period.
- Harlequins full-back Ross Chisholm offered some hope to travelling fans with a try on his European Rugby Challenge Cup starting debut, but O'Connor was soon over at the opposite end as Ulster Rugby ran riot.
- Flanker Dave Ward did clinch a try-scoring bonus-point for Harlequins, but Cooney and Trimble would have the final say as Ulster Rugby put a fine gloss on an eye-opening display in Belfast.
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