Ulster edge Clermont in rugby European Cup thriller

Paris (AFP) – Ulster edged Clermont 39-32 in a nine-try thriller in Belfast on Saturday to keep their European Champions Cup hopes alive.

The result saw Ulster go second in Pool 5 on nine points, three behind leaders Clermont, who picked up two bonus points despite the defeat.

A see-saw of a first-half between two ambitious teams willing to run everything saw the lead change hands seven times.

Clermont’s Fijian No 8 Peceli Yato opened the scoring, Ulster’s Luke Marshall splitting the defence for a straight run-in and then Ian Henderson crossing after a Ruan Pienaar cross-kick as Ulster roared back.

But slick hands saw South African-born France full-back Scott Spedding go over before Paddy Jackson gathered his own grubber to hand the advantage back to the Irish province at the end of an enthralling first 40 minutes, 22-18.

A high-tempo start to the second period saw Marshall crash over for his second, All Black full-back Charles Piutau outpacing the defence after bluffing his way into space down the right wing to cross in the corner.

But Clermont hit back through England winger Nick Abendanon to keep the French side in the hunt. Skipper Damien Chouly then went over, Morgan Parra’s conversion taking Clermont to within five points.

Ulster had New Zealand-born prop Rodeny Ah You sin binned late-on for a high tackle, and the Irish province tried to run down the clock, with Pienaar at the helm. But with 20 seconds to play, they gifted Clermont a final chance, a knock-on in midfield ending French hopes.