32 ULSTER CRUISE TO FRENCH WIN
FORMER Ulster star Stephen Ferris slammed Montpellier’s “appalling” discipline after Ulster ran out 40-17 winners against them in the Challenge Cup.
The French outfit were dominant in the first half yesterday and took a 17-7 lead into the break but the game was to flip a minute into the second half as Paul Willemse was sent off for a high tackle on Will Addison.
Things got worse for the hosts as their discipline completely unravelled, with referee Ben Whitehouse dishing out three further yellow cards in the final quarter of the game.
Pressure
Ulster took full advantage, with Rob Baloucoune, Scott Wilson, David McCann all Stuart McCloskey all adding to Addison’s first half try.
A late penalty try for the visitors completed the rout.
“It was a brilliant second half by Ulster, they put Montpellier under pressure straight away, but I would say there’s going to be a few harsh words in their dressing room,” Ferris said on Viaplay. “Their discipline was absolutely appalling, it was as if half the players didn’t even know what the rules are. Genuinely it was terrible.
“There’s been turmoil at Ulster over the last six weeks so what do you want to get things back on track...a good away win against a side you weren’t expected to beat and that’s exactly what they did.”
Asterisk
Ferris’ former Ulster teammate Andrew Trimble said: “There’s a big asterisk beside that result. On paper that’s a huge win in the south of France, but in reality they kind of stuttered over the line a little bit.
“They were clinical enough in the end, but with three yellow cards and one red they were handed the game to be fair. But it’s less about the detail of the win, it’s more about what we saw at the end...smiles on faces, feelgood factor and into the knockout stages of a European competition.
“It might ignite something, who knows they could kick on and finish strong for the rest of the season.