Ulster promise underpinned by Italian win

FINALLY their wait is over. On Saturday, before a small crowd in a remote village in northern Italy, Ulster claimed a place in the Heineken Cup knockout stages for the first time in 12 years with a 43-6 win over Aironi.

It wasn’t as straightforward as the scoreline suggested but, as Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin smiled afterwards: “We got the job done.”

Ulster’s mission was clear: win in Viadana and a quarter-final berth was theirs, irrespective of results elsewhere. They ultimately progressed as runners-up in Pool 4, having been pipped to top spot by Biarritz on account of the Basques’ superior head-to-head record.