Kolbe shines as Ulster suffer more cup woe

Ulster crashed out of the Heineken Champions Cup to Toulouse, a week after losing to Leinster in the Pro14 final.

South Africa’s World Cupwinning wing wizard Cheslin Kolbe scored two great tries in a 36-8 victory in yesterday’s quarter-final clash at Stade Ernest-wallon.

Kolbe showed his class at the beginning and end of the first half as he twice stepped inside Irish wing Jacob Stockdale to round off sweeping moves.

His first try came after two and a half minutes as the four-time champions exploded into action in front of a 5,000-strong home crowd.

Wave after wave of attacks eventually putKolbeo ne on one with Stockdale and the Springbok came off his dynamic right foot to step inside his man and score the first of Toulouse’s five tries.

Ulster head coach Dan Mcfarland went with a 6-2 split of forwards to backs on the bench and, after losing outside half Billy Burns to a calf strain in the first half, and centre Stuart Mccloskey after the turnaround, they ended up with a full-back at No 10 and a scrum-half on the wing. But despite being hit with that blistering start, Ulster dug deep and a penalty by Cooney in the 26th minute put them right back in the contest. They also managed a number of line-breaks but could not manufacture the final pass to make them pay.

Kol be showed his fancy foot work once again as he outwitted Stockdale for a second time and Thomas Ramos’ conversion made it 15-3 at the break.

Three more tries flowed in the second half as the lead grew to 33 points.

Two of the tries were made by Sofiane Giteau’s charging runs, paving the way for the outstanding French scrumhalf An toni eD upon ta nd R amos to score. Ahki got the other with an eat kick and chase up the left touchline.

Co oneygrabb ed a consolation try nine minutes from time for the visitors.