Ulster’s Slow Start Costs Them Victory Against Munster in URC Draw

Ulster’s head coach Richie Murphy has voiced his disappointment following a 26-26 draw with Munster in Belfast, stating that his team is currently playing matches as if they were training sessions. The match saw Ulster trailing by 21 points at half-time before mounting a comeback in the second half.

Frustration Over Slow Start

Murphy’s side struggled to find their rhythm early on, allowing Munster to build a significant lead with tries from Alex Kendellen, Marnus van der Merwe, and Dan Kelly. Despite the return of key players such as Jacob Stockdale and Stuart McCloskey, Ulster’s performance in the first half left much to be desired.

Second Half Resurgence

In the second half, Ulster showed resilience, with Stockdale scoring his second try of the match, followed by efforts from David McCann and McCloskey. However, Murphy expressed that the team needs to apply more pressure on their opponents and improve their overall game management.

Key Takeaways from the Match

• Inaccuracy in Play: Murphy noted that Ulster was inaccurate with their initial plays, which allowed Munster to dictate the tempo.
• Turnover Issues: The head coach highlighted the need to reduce their turnover rate, which has been a recurring issue.
• Scrum Performance: Although Ulster’s scrum had been performing well, they took a step back in this match, affecting their overall control.

Looking Ahead

As Ulster prepares to start their European campaign next week, Murphy remains hopeful that the return of several players will help the team find their footing. He acknowledged the importance of learning from this match to improve their performance in future fixtures.

Despite the draw, Ulster’s winless streak in the United Rugby Championship has now extended to seven games, raising concerns as they look to turn their fortunes around.

Source: This original report was produced by WTGO Newsroom using verified reporting from BBC Sport.