Ulster ended a five-match losing run in all competitions with a dogged 17-7 United Rugby Championship win at Connacht.
Connacht were left to rue Sean Jansen’s 21st-minute red card as they fell to a 28-14 defeat to the Vodacom Bulls in their BKT United Rugby Championship clash at Dexcom Stadium.
Olympian Zac Ward is set to start on the wing for Emerging Ireland on Wednesday against the Pumas in Bloemfontein.
Emerging Ireland have been dealt another injury blow with Connacht prop Jordan Duggan being replaced by Leinster's Alex Usanov the day before the squad embark for South Africa.
Retiring full-back Tiernan O’Halloran missed out on a winning send-off in his native Galway, with Connacht’s top-eight hopes now hanging by a thread.
Connacht secured a third BKT United Rugby Championship win in a row as Sean Jansen’s 57th-minute bonus-point try gave them a 26-10 victory over Scarlets in Galway.
Leinster continued their 100 per cent start in the Investec Champions Cup with a crushing victory over Stade Francais on Saturday.
Munster boosted their hopes of reaching the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup with a 29-18 triumph at Toulon on Saturday.
Gallagher Premiership heavyweights Leicester Tigers have confirmed the departure of nine players at the end of the season.
