Try hero Addison warns Ulster must beware of Scarlet fever
ULSTER’S Will Addison has warned the “elation” of Friday night’s huge Champions Cup win over Scarlets will have to pass quickly if the side are to achieve their ultimate goal of securing a place in Europe’s last eight. The province haven’t made the European knockouts since a run of four consecutive quarter-finals ended after 2014 but their surprise 2524 win in Parc y Scarlets leaves them with a real shot this season.
Dan McFarland’s men were as much as 10-point underdogs in some quarters but tries from Jacob Stockdale, Henry Speight, Addison and Marcell Coetzee upset the odds in west Wales.
Addison (right) stressed the result will count for little if they can’t repeat the dose back at home against the same opposition on Friday night (7.45pm kick-off ).
“We’re an ambitious group and the knockout stages were something that we’ve targeted,” said the former Sale man. “To come away with a bonus point from one of the tougher places to go in Europe is a testament to the group.
“There’s a bit of elation there for sure but the great thing is we’re looking to the next game already. It’s a good sign of progress that we’re not celebrating the win too much. It’s one of our best wins to date but our eyes are on the next game and making sure we don’t slip up at home because that’s a massive thing for us.”
Racing 92 remain favourites to top Pool 4 after their 36-26 win over Leicester yesterday, but another Ulster victory this week would put them in with a real chance of securing one of three best runner-up spots.
There is a doubt over Sean Reidy for Friday after the flanker departed early from the Scarlets game for a head injury assessment. NORTHERN Ireland duo Graeme McDowell and Mark Allen are reflecting on what might have been after missing their glory shots last night.
McDowell and team-mate Emiliano Grillo finished second to Patton Kizzire and Brian Harman in golf ’s $3.4m QBE Shootout in Florida while snooker ace Allen was outclassed 10-6 by Ronnie O’Sullivan who claimed a record seventh UK Championship title in York.
Allen still picked up a £75,000 cheque and joked: “I hope Ronnie forms his own breakaway tour.”
It was another hard luck story for Allen, who was on the ropes when O’Sullivan won six frames in a row. Although the Antrim man rallied to trail 9-6, the five-time world champion collected the trophy and the £170,000 top prize.
McDowell (above) and his Argentine partner, who started the final round tied for the lead, combined for a 10-under-par 62 in yesterday’s fourball format. They finished on 29 under, a shot behind Americans Kizzire and Harman, who won with a 61.
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