Ulster beat Stade Francais 23-13 at Ravenhill yesterday in an entertaining Heineken Cup match that frustrated the visitors and resulted in a few off the ball scuffles, including one incident that will probably end with the player being suspended.
Ian Humphreys, named Man of the Match, was brilliant on the day as he put on a superb display, playing a part in the first try for Nigel Brady, then starting a great try for Simon Danielli early in the second half.
With Ulster ahead by a decent margin, Stade attempted to run the ball when possible, but failed to finish off on numerous occasions. The frustration told as captain Rodrigo Roncero clearly lost his composure, and Julien Dupuy allegedly eye-gouged Stephen Ferris.
The French side finally got things right six minutes from time as they scored a nice try through Julien Arias, but it was too late as the home side picked up a great win.
The result puts them on nine points each, and they will meet again next weekend in a match that will prove crucial to the outcome of their group.
“All they were saying on the pitch was: ‘See you next week.'” Stephen Ferris said afterwards.
“Every Heineken Cup game is a tough game. I think they were thinking of coming over here and getting an easy win and then throwing the ball around in Brussels for their expanded fan base,” he added.
The video reviewers will have an interesting time with this one, as Roncero apparently threw a few punches that went unpunished, and Dupuy will no doubt be sitting out for some time after he raked his fingers across the face of Ferris twice.
Time:
05:03
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