Leinster and Munster brought Irish rugby with a bang at the Aviva Stadium last night, and it was the turn of the other two Irish provinces to take centre stage this afternoon.
Ulster entered their meeting with Connacht with far more to play for, needing two points from their two remaining fixtures to secure a place in the semi-final.
However, it was Connacht who would win a thriller on a scoreline of 26-20.
Perhaps unburdened by playing without the pressure of needing a result, they played with plenty of freedom. That resulted in some stunning rugby at times.
Their opening try of the game came in the 12th minute, with some wonderful hands from out-half Jack Carty helping make their pressure on the Ulster line pay off, with Jack Porch the one touching down.
WATCH:
Connacht 7-3 Ulster
John Porch ends a fantastic team move from @connachtrugby to get the first try of the game.
Live now on eir sport 1!#GuinnessPRO14 #CONvULS pic.twitter.com/WeaCBu0TTU— eir Sport (@eirSport) August 23, 2020
Ulster would respond with a penalty, but the westerners scored their second ten minutes later.
It was Kieran Marmion who got it, gathering a wonderful dink in behind from Porch after another flowing wonderful team move.
WATCH:
"Well worth a watch again!'
Connacht 14-6 Ulster
An excellent try from Kieran Marmion to extend @connachtrugby lead once again. Two excellent tries with Jack Carty scoring the conversion.
Live now on eir sport 1!#GuinnessPRO14 #CONvULS pic.twitter.com/rVo07TWglB— eir Sport (@eirSport) August 23, 2020
Brilliant rugby.
It was Ulster who struck first in the second half, with a new look Jacob Stockdale crossing the whitewash for their opening try.
WATCH:
Connacht 14 -13 Ulster
Jacob Stockdale gets over the line to give @UlsterRugby the first try for his side this afternoon. Bill Burns gets the conversion.
It's a one-point game now!
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Connacht responded quickly, with Bundee Aki showing incredible strength to run over three Ulster defenders and touch the ball down.
WATCH:
"Bundee just laid down a marker"
Connacht 21 -13 Ulster
What a try from Bundee Aki to get his try and using all that power to get across the line!
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Ulster got within in a point with just under 20 minutes to go, with Nick Twomey scoring their second try.
WATCH:
"One point game ...again!"
Connacht 21 -20 Ulster
A try from Nick Timoney and conversion from Ian Madigan. What a way to get @UlsterRugby back into this game once again.
Live now on eir sport 1!#GuinnessPRO14 #CONvULS pic.twitter.com/t5PsYK4Ovu— eir Sport (@eirSport) August 23, 2020
In the end, a late try from Jack Aungier secured the bonus point victory for Connacht.
WATCH:
Connacht 26 -20 Ulster
Jack Aungier gets a debut try and a bonus point for @connachtrugby
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Ulster now need one point from next week's game against Leinster to be certain of a place in the semi-final, while Connacht will take on Munster.
