'We have had ten inter-pros and ten losses, so it’s a big win for us'

There was no disguising Stuart Lancaster’s delight as Connacht ended their derby drought by recording a 26-19 bonus point win away to high-flying Ulster.

It was their first Irish inter-provincial victory since January 2024 and they also became the first team to beat Ulster in Belfast this season.

That’s now four league wins on the bounce for the Galway-based outfit who are very much back in the play-off race.

“There was a great feeling in the dressing room afterwards,” said head coach Lancaster.

“We knew how good Ulster were going to be. I am just delighted with the squad effort.

United Rugby Championship

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Glasgow

13

10

3

0

50

2

Stormers

13

10

3

0

46

3

Ulster

13

8

5

0

42

4

Leinster

13

8

5

0

41

5

Cardiff Rugby

13

8

5

0

40

6

Munster

13

8

5

0

39

7

Lions

13

7

5

1

38

8

Bulls

13

7

6

0

35

9

Connacht

13

6

7

0

35

10

Ospreys

13

5

6

2

29

11

Sharks

13

5

7

1

29

12

Benetton

13

5

6

2

28

13

Edinburgh

13

4

9

0

23

14

Scarlets

13

4

8

1

21

15

Dragons RFC

13

2

8

3

20

16

Zebre

13

2

11

0

12

“We have had ten inter-pros and ten losses, so it’s a big win for us.

“Ulster are such a good attacking team, but we contained them really well. I thought the intent was excellent and we worked hard.

“On the flip side, once you’ve defended, you’ve then got to be able to attack with the same accuracy and intensity as Ulster do and I think we did that.

“The tries we scored, there were no gimmes. We had to earn them. I think when we look back and analyse them we will be really proud of what we achieved.”

Connacht’s triumphant run is a real turnaround given they only won two of their first nine league matches.

Lancaster said: “Even though we were losing games earlier in the season, the boys could see the progression we were making. We could all see the direction we were going.

“We have still got a long way to go. We’ve still got to work hard to try and get into the play-offs. You’ve got to be careful not to get too carried away because every game starts at zero.”

BKT URC top try scorer Sean Jansen set the ball rolling by touching down for the ninth time this season, while winger Finn Treacy crossed twice after the break.

Captain Cian Prendergast said: “I am unbelievably proud.

“Ulster are a brilliant attacking side, so we knew we would really have to dig in. We did that and came out with the win.”

The flanker added: “We have got some super young backs that are starting to really push the door down now and really starting to play well for us. It’s just brilliant to see them deliver it in an inter-pro on a big night like this.

“We are trusting our training, we are building every week. We have tough games to come up. We will enjoy this, recover and we will bring on Ospreys next week.”