PRO12: Ulster 33 Munster 13

The match rolled out pretty much as expected with Ulster recording a bonus point win against a rather limited Munster. New boys Stefan Terblanche and John Afoa scored in the first half with Ian Humphreys and Ruan Pienaar crossing the line in the second as Ulster comfortably pulled clear from the underpowered visitors. Humphreys added two conversions and two penalties with Pienaar completing the scoring with a late penalty.

It was a cagey enough start from both sides with Munster edging the early encounters despite an early long range penalty from Humphreys. Shortly after, a period of pressure from Munster on the Ulster line created space out wide allowing Keatley to chip over the defence for young winger Luke O’Dea to collect and score in the corner. Keatley added the extras and Ulster trailed 3 – 7.

Ulster patiently worked their way back into the game with the backs looking dangerous with ball in hand. Humphreys added a second penalty and minutes later, good work from Cave sent Terblanche clear for his début try. Humphreys converted, but moments later Munster hit back with a Keatley penalty taking the score to 13 – 10 and the visitors had a chance to level . . .