Ulster head coach blames referee after defeat to Ospreys
REF BLAME: Ulster head coach Dan McFarland before his side's URC match against Ospreys. Picture: ©INPHO/Ashley Crowden
Ulster head coach Dan McFarland pointed the finger of blame at referee Federico Vedovelli following his side's last minute defeat to Ospreys in Wales on Sunday.
The Welsh side won the game 19-17 thanks to a drop goal by out-half Dan Edwards.
A penalty from Jake Flannery had given Ulster a one-point lead in the 75th minute and looked like it would be the decisive score.
Minutes later, Ulster hooker Tom Stewart was penalised during a maul and Ospreys ultimately worked their way into position for Edwards's drop goal following the turnover. It was that decision, in particular, which drew McFarland's ire.
"The game was pretty scrappy in that first half. The ball was pretty greasy and we looked a little bit rusty after the break," McFarland told Viaplay.
"Ultimately, the game came down to two instances, both where we were in control, one in their 22 where they got an intercept pass and the second one was at the end of the game where we were in total control and the refereeing decision called a scrum on the back of a maul.
"I have literally no idea what that was about. You see that every week. I'm going to ask and find out because ultimately those two instances decided the game in the Ospreys' favour."
Dan Edwards WINS IT! ⚫
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) February 18, 2024
The @ospreys man with a drop goal at the death to win it against Ulster 👏 pic.twitter.com/94c3ROwyRT
Former Ulster player Stephen Ferris was among those to criticise McFarland for blaming the referee for the defeat. "Any Ulster fan that wants to know why things aren’t going to plan, just remember it’s the referees fault," Ferris posted on X.
Sunday's defeat was the third on the bounce for Ulster, adding to the Champions Cup losses to Harlequins and Toulouse.
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