Ulster fought back from 26-5 down at half-time to earn a thrilling 26-26 draw with Munster in a United Rugby Championship Irish derby in Belfast. Munster looked on course for a bonus-point win after first-half tries from Alex Kendellen (2), Marnus van der Merwe and Dan Kelly put them 26-5 up at the break.
However, having already marked his 150th appearance with a superb solo try in the first half, Jacob Stockdale scored a second to raise Ulster's hopes of a turnaround. David Mc Cann further cut the gap, and after replacement Munster fly-half Charlie O'Shea kicked a penalty short, Stuart Mc Closkey touched down three minutes from time to ensure a share of the spoils.
It is a second successive draw for Ulster after last week's 33-33 tie with Glasgow, although an opening loss to Edinburgh leaves Richie Murphy's team still searching for their first win of the season. Munster head coach Clayton Mc Millan had admitted midweek that last season's 28-3 loss in Belfast remained "etched" in his memory, and his side came out fired up for the season's first interpro.
Ulster were sluggish and ill-disciplined early on, with handling errors handing Munster chances to strike. Munster's lead was then compounded when Cormac Izuchukwu was yellow carded, and Kendellen crossed again before half-time with Ireland head coach Andy Farrell watching from the stands. Ulster's late surge proved enough to salvage a point in a dramatic finish.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing