Ulster secured back to back wins against Toulouse with a gutsy 23 – 25 win in Stade Ernest Wallon. This wasn’t the one sided romp of last week, and it was all the better for it, however, as with last week, there is no doubt where this one was won, it was in the front five who completed an astonishing 72 tackles between them.

Compare this to the 21 tackles completed by Toulouse’s front five and it’s clear to see who wanted to win this one the most but it wasn’t just a question of the commitment from the Ulster engine room it was the quality of the tackles and the pressure that Ulster applied which inevitably yielded a massive 16 turnovers, and that was without Chris Henry!

Ulster began the game in a confident mood and they were on the scoreboard within three minutes as Paddy Jackson slotted over a third minute penalty.

Toulouse showed a bit more desire than last week and enjoyed a sustained period of possession but Ulster coped comfortable and despite missing a couple of long range penalty attempts they found themselves camped in the home sides red zone as the clock ticked past the half hour mark.

The forwards had a couple of darts for the line but it was Ruan Pienaar who spotted a massive gap in defence to dive over for the opening try, under the posts. Jackson converted and Ulster led 0 – 10 with 32 minutes played.

Any expectation that Toulouse would lie down and have their tummies rubbed was quickly rebuffed as they struck out for the Ulster line after the restart. Jackson took one for the team with a deliberate knock on and after a touch of handbags the Ginger Prince trotted off for a ten minute rest. Toulouse slotted over the penalty but it was a four point save for Ulster who went into the break with a 3 – 10 lead.

An early second half penalty for Sébastien Bezy reduced the lead to four points shortly after the restart but a magnificent break by Stuart McCloskey ended with Andrew Trimble dotting down out wide and despite Jackson missing the conversion Ulster looked well set to push on with a nine point lead.

However, the visitors found themselves a point behind as Gael Fickou finished off  a flowing attack which Bezy converted before slotting over a penalty to put the home side in front on the 55th minute.

Although I predicted a second half comeback for Ulster I can hardly count this as such as Jackson had Ulster back in front, within minutes, with his second penalty of the game, and it looked like the game was done and dusted when Alan O’Connor sent Luke Marshall over under the posts on the 74th.

The nine point lead looked more than enough and so it proved despite a consolation, converted, try from Louis Picamoles in the closing minute.

Final Score: Toulouse 23 Ulster 25. 

Ulster: Louis Ludik, Andrew Trimble, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Craig Gilroy, Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar, Kyle McCall, Rory Best, Wiehahn Herbst, Alan O’Connor, Franco vd Merwe, Robbie Diack, Sean Reidy, Roger Wilson. Replacements. Rob Herring, Andy Warwick, Ricky Lutton, Lewis Stevenson, Nick Williams, Paul Marshall, Ian Humphreys, Rory Scholes.

A real team effort from the boys, what’s not to like? #SUFTUM