STOCKDALE SHINES AS RUSSELL LOSES HIS TOUCH
Jacob Stockdale shone again for Ulster yesterday as he scored two tries in the Irish province’s pulsating European Champions Cup win over Racing 92 at the Kingspan Stadium.
The Ireland winger scored tries in either half – his second a memorable solo effort – and has scored in every European round so far, with Ulster’s other try coming from debutant winger Robert Baloucoune.
The win puts Ulster just two points behind leaders Racing in Pool Four – the French having come away with two bonus points – with just one more round of games to go, which puts Dan Mcfarland’s side in a strong position to potentially qualify for the quarter-finals.
Racing scored four tries through Virimi Vakatawa, Simon Zebo, Brice Dulin and Oliver Klemenczak and came back after trailing 23-10 early in the second half, though Finn Russell missed three conversions. Leinster ended Toulouse’s unbeaten run in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup as a terrific bonus-point victory at the RDS secured their quarter-final place with one round remaining.
Jack Conan’s 34th-minute try gave the defending champions a 10-6 lead after playing into a strong wind in the first half, with Thomas Ramos kicking two penalties in reply for Toulouse.
The hosts, despite a significant list of absentees that included captain Jonathan Sexton, Rob Kearney, Robbie Henshaw, Devin Toner and Dan Leavy, then went on to dominate the second half with three further tries.
Dave Kearney, Sean Cronin – the Ireland hooker’s ninth in 12 appearances – and Adam Byrne all crossed as Leinster claimed a victory that moves them top of Pool 1.
Having been kept quiet for the most part, Toulouse back Cheslin Kolbe wriggled free to run in a last-minute consolation try for the French side, whose quarter-final hopes rest on next Sunday’s final-round clash at home to Bath.
Sealing a home quarterfinal will be Leinster’s aim when they visit Wasps at the same time.