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Lions hand Ulster their first URC defeat of the season

Robert Baloucoune of Ulster slips a tackle during the United Rugby Championship match between Emirates Lions and Ulster at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo By Shaun Roy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
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Ulster suffered their first setback of the United Rugby Championship season, slipping to a 49-31 defeat to the Lions in Johannesburg.

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The Northern Irish side had won each of their first three matches, including two against South African opponents, but came up short in a high-scoring affair at Ellis Park.

Richie Murphy’s side were on course at half-time, leading 19-17 on the back of two tries from Robert Baloucoune and one from James Hume.

SJ Kotze and Eduan Keyter also crossed early for the hosts but it was after half-time that they turned on the style.

Baloucoune completed his hat-trick and David McCann crossed but the tide of scoring from the Lions was relentless as they ran in five more touchdowns courtesy of Ruan Venter, Renzo du Plessis, Henco van Wyk, Conraad van Vuuren and Morne Brandon.

Chris Smith added another 14 points with his boot, with four conversions and two penalties.

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EvilMockingJay 9 minutes ago
Antoine Dupont missing for now as Galthie names 33-man France squad

8 is more than Dupont if i’m not mistaken (being a draw with the final to come), that’s why I put Couilloud (but yeah, i did hesitate to put him, but he’s one of the best player at Lyon, and him being out of the field is probably why Lyon is so bad in the classement.

When i said destroyed i did not mean by playing better. I mean some random player from a “really weaker nation” going to his head, or knee in what seems to be a contract placed by “better” teams we will encounter a bit later, with a Dupont injured. Like you know, during the World Cup where nothing was prepared to face both Dupont and NTK injuries. Galthié was even in tears about NTK not being there (so great for MJ's self-confidence…). Let’s not lie, Galthié really want his “Dupont NTK”. Like, always. French gameplan seems to be really dependant on that. It need to change. We must turn our gameplan to be about our best available players at the time. Not just “Dupont NTK” always ad nauseum, even when it’s not the best or when they are litteraly NOT AVAILABLE (man, Galthié made Dupont played before a facial fracture had time to heal, like seriously ?). + NTK ain't that good without Dupont doing everything for him, during the season NTK was really… transparent while playing with Graou or Saito, who are playing real 9, while Dupont is playing 9 AND 10, leaving NTK to “shine” as a 2nd 12. We have a lot of international 9 and two 10 (3 with Ramos ?). Let’s use them, and not to play as “Dupont NTK” because they are not them. We need to adapt to every situation.



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