Youth policy rewards boss with another wing gem

“That’s probably been a trademark of Dan this season,” adds the ‘senior’ wing of the man nicknamed ‘The Cat’ by his former Academy boss Willie Anderson. A cheetah, we presume.

“He does give the younger guys the opportunities and, as a younger player in the squad, that’s exactly what you want. It’s fantastic for Rob. It’s working really well at the moment.” It worked well from the off. “He was brilliant and the execution of everybody involved in his try, plus the construction of it with the attack leaders and Dwayne Peel at the beginning of the week,” noted McFarland.

“You know it was an area when we sat down and analysed them the week before, we thought we could hit them in the middle if we had quick ball and if we flashed it to the edge.

“For Dwayne, that is very satisfying and so it should be, as it was really well thought out and really well executed.

“Robert is so laid-back, the one thing you have to careful about is not giving him any tension. You just say go out there and we want to see you with the ball in your hands.

“I actually said that at halftime, goodness me, look at the wingers we have got. Let’s make sure we get the ball to the edge because at half-time we felt we did not get the ball to the edge enough and you see what we can do when we do.

“We are actually pretty blessed with some pretty good wingers. So Robert did a really good job against guys likes Zebo and Juan Imhoff on the wings. And Jacob sprinkles stardust. I wouldn’t swap any of them.”

Two tries from either side left Ulster 16-10 ahead at the break and they twice led by two scores; Stockdale’s second-half effort was almost a replica of that which downed the All Blacks.

A lineout replaced the scrum and Will Addison impersonated Bundee Aki, but the switch, the pass and cheeky chip and charge — this time evading three defenders – were franked by Stockdale’s incredible finishing ability.

Although Racing nabbed a bonus-point try and had a fifth ruled out for a forward pass in the ceaseless, error-strewn 80-minute humdinger, Addison’s late penalty secured the win – just.

With John Cooney withdrawing from the warm-up, Addison assumed kicking duties late in the piece, but he misjudged his time allowance and there were still six seconds to play once he had booted Ulster to 26-22.

To everyone’s relief he nabbed the restart to ensure there was no late heartache as the rangy Parisiens pushed for what would have been a smash-and-grab success.

Now Ulster must finish the job in Leicester next week, unlike last year, when they followed a similar win with a pratfall in the English midlands.

Just when you needed him lift the siege he won a crucial penalty but then lost a lineout which so nearly lost the game. Made 17 bruising tackles

Still making up for all that lost time. Seventeen tackles (none missed) and secured three turnovers. If he leaves, who’ll do that?

Rob Herring (for Best, 64mins):

Pulled off one steal on the deck which was badly needed as Ulster were struggling.

6 Andrew Warwick (for O’Sullivan, 64mins):

One of only two now fit looseheds, he was visible throwing his body into quite a few tackles.

Ross Kane (for Moore, 64mins):

It was all hands to the pump as

Ulster held on for dear life.

Ian Nagle (for O’Connor, 64mins):

This was a difficult shift and he couldn’t really get to the pace of the game.

Michael Lowry (for Burns, 69mins):

Ambitious with the ball, he slotted in late on at out-half.

Not used:

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Nick Timoney, Jonny Stewart, Darren Cave

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