Addison injury mars another bonus-point win for Ulster
ULSTER 26 LIONS 10
WITH the All Blacks coming to town in a few weeks, Ireland need all the firepower they can muster, and the sight of Will Addison being carried injured from the field last night was a grim image.
Given his long history of injury issues, this was a sickener for the Irish-qualified English three-quarter and, while there are no specifics yet on the extent of the problem, Addison sadly looks set for another extended stay on the sidelines. Sad for Ulster, too, because prior to the accidental collision with a Lions player that ended his evening, Addison looked electric, causing consternation with his pace and stepping every time he touched the ball.
Two tries from back-rower Nick Timoney ensured four bonus-point wins from four and sent Ulster back to the top of the table, with James Hume and Matty Rea also crossing for tries in a hard-fought game that saw Ulster lead 12-10 at half-time.
Timoney was hugely impressive yet again and is undeniably in the mix for Ireland next month, his switch to openside drawing favourable comparisons with former Munster, Ireland and Lions great David Wallace.
However, collectively, while Ulster will gain confidence and momentum from another victory, it was not a wholly convincing performance and, based on this evidence, there is still some way to go before this side can realistically challenge for silverware.
The South Africans, on the last leg of their four-match European tour, put up more spirited resistance than was expected but this still did not excuse the unforced errors, questionable defence and sometimes flaccid attack that pockmarked this Ulster performance.
Travelling to Connacht next week will
provide a true test of how Ulster are shaping up, but head coach Dan McFarland will be pleased with the continuing development of his younger players, with Matty Rea catching the eye alongside Timoney.
The pity is Ulster are likely to be denied the extra attacking edge of Addison for the foreseeable future.
ULSTER: Scorers – Tries: Timoney (2), Hume, Rea. Cons: Doak (3). LIONS: Scorers – Try: Pienaar. Con: Viljoen. Pen: Viljoen.