IT’S J FOR J EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CUP QUARTER-FINAL UBILATION

John & Jacob earn special praise from delighted boss Mcfarland as Ulster book Tigers semi-final

ULSTER coach Dan Mcfarland praised the impact of Jacob Stockdale and John Cooney as the province won a first European quarter-final in five attempts.

They now face Leicester Tigers at Welford Road in three weeks and, after claiming a second Premiership scalp following the last 16 win at Harlequins, confidence is high.

Marty Moore, Cooney and Stockdale all scored in the second half as Ulster recovered from a bizarre opening period where Saints had three players sin binned but still managed to lead 22-14 at the interval.

But, with Cooney on song, Mcfarland’s side ran out deserving winners and the coach praised his scrum-half ’s ability to bounce back from a series of disappointments to show his top form again.

“Excellent, John’s been really good for us,” said Mcfarland. “After the disappointment of (being dropped for) the PRO14 final and not getting into the Ireland squad, he’s really shown what he can do.

“He’s a quality footballer, that’s the bottom line. The game was nip and tuck. Billy Burns has been brilliant for us. Jacob

Stockdale was disappointed with his performance last week.

“He had a couple of really good moments against Quins but he had a couple of things that he didn’t do well. To watch him bounce back and the way that he did was really pleasing.”

A penalty try and Rob Herring’s mauled effort had given Ulster a 14-10 lead around the time Saints had Nick Isiekwe, Sam Matavesi and David Ribbans all binned by the 22nd minute.

But Tommy Freeman scored two tries in as many minutes for Northampton who led by eight points at the break.

At this stage

Ulster needed a change in fortune but Mcfarland

(right) said they regrouped well at half-time.

He revealed:

“Some of it was probably not repeatable. I didn’t say most of it to be fair.

“We felt a little bit sorry for ourselves when we went in but it was a question of

Tries – Pen, R Herring, M Moore, J Cooney, J Stockdale; Cons – Cooney 4 turning that around. Physicality was a big thing.”

Moore crashed over after 48 minutes for Ulster and although Ollie Sleightholme restored Saints’ advantage, Cooney put Ulster ahead, while Stockdale rounded off a solid display by the Ulstermen seven minutes from time.

“In terms of making sure we stick in the game, we are really proud of being able to do that,” said Mcfarland.

“We haven’t been able to do that this year because a lot of our games haven’t been tight. That was a bit of a worry coming here with such quality opposition and we knew they were going to test us.

“This is a group of players who have been to the well in tight games over the last three years. They know how to win in tight situations, they know how to fight for every inch, they know how to dog it out.

“They know how to show a bit of bite when it comes down to the wire and they certainly showed that.

“But I’m glad in the end we found a way to win.”

FROM FRANKLIN’S GARDENS