Ulster 25-0 Connacht

Ulster's powerhouse pack steer them to a convincing 25-0 victory over Connacht to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

In an emotional first outing at Ravenhill since the tragic death of centre Nevin Spence, both sides began nervously with errors and ill-discipline a common theme in the opening exchanges. The game eventually settled down and Ulster's scrum was exhibiting supreme dominance at the set-piece, particularly at the scrum. Ulster's talented fly-half Paddy Jackson opened the scoring when he kicked a penalty after a Connacht scrum infringement. A strong run from winger Andrew Trimble followed by a deft pass to Paul Marshall needed stern Connacht defence to hold the scrum-half up over the line. Connacht flanker Dave Gannon was sin-binned for illegally pulling down a driving maul and from the ensuing scrum there was an air of inevitability as referee George Clancy awarded the home side a penalty try for yet another infringement at the set-piece. Jackson's conversion took Ulster's lead to 10-0. The impressive Ulster No.8 Nick Williams went over from close range after the forwards attritional yard-gaining pick and go's had the visiting side on the back-foot. Jackson' s conversion gave the home side a well-deserved 17-0 lead going into the break. After the interval the Ulstermen were again close to converting their pressure as Captain Johan Muller was held up over the line before another Jackson penalty extended the home side's lead to 20-0 with a quarter of the game remaining. Replacement Luke Marshall finished off sweeping move to score Ulster's third try of the game. The home side opted not to convert the score as they went in search for the bonus-point try, but had to settle for a victory that keeps them top of the table.