Ulster’s rugby heroics are something to cheer about

The Ulster rugby team has taken a huge step towards a place in the European Champions Cup quarter-finals with a pulsating home win on Saturday over top French side Racing 92.

This was a game that had everything Ulster rugby fans could hope for — skill, supreme effort and determination.

This was symbolised by the picture of Ulster captain Rory Best at full-time, bloodied but unbowed, as he and his team savoured a well-earned victory.

This is the essence of sport: heroism in the face of every challenge. It also underlines the joy of top sporting victories at a time when many other developments, political and otherwise, are so depressing.