Another Champions Cup game, another superb performance from Ulster man Michael Lowry.
Ulster coach Dan McFarland spoke pre-game about the fullback describing him as "a point of difference", and he was proved right.
The jinky and electric Lowry put in another exciting shift that would have been greatly pleasing to Andy Farrell, who rewarded Lowry's recent form by selecting him in the Irish squad earlier in the week.
Lowry repaid Farrell with another excellent performance that included a try, 57 metres off ten carries, and involvements in both Vermeulen's and Balacoune's tries.
Ulster controlled the early stages of the match, and got the game’s first try when captain Rob Herring went over from a driving maul.
Lowry’s try came after 32 minutes with the Clermont defence standing no chance after giving him too much space too close to the line.
You cannot stop Mike Lowry! 🌟
The talk of @UlsterRugby. The talk of @IrishRugby. The talk of the @ChampionsCup.#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/pUtxBcJxBj— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) January 22, 2022
The quality of rugby dipped from Ulster, and Clermont were able to keep gain the lead through the boot of veteran Morgan Parra who knocked over four penalties.
Herring then got his second try, a carbon copy of the first, right on the stroke of halftime, and Nathan Doak was able knock over the extras.
Wait for it... BANG! 💥@UlsterRugby's Rob Herring is difficult to stop from that sort of range! 💪#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/GKEDWl4bN8
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) January 22, 2022
Herring, who has also been named in Farrell’s squad, will give the Irish coach food for thought over who to select on the bench between himself and Leinster’s Dan Sheehan.
Ulster began to pull away in the second half and it was Lowry again who helped set up a try for Duane Vermeulen just after the break, after nearly goin over himself after a run down the touchline.
⚡️ Mike Lowry just inches short after an explosive run...
Instead, it's Duane Vermeulen who powers over for the @UlsterRugby bonus point 👏#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/l5JtX89LV0— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) January 22, 2022
Ulster's lead was 34-12 after a 65th minute Robert Balacoune try, but Clermont began to play unstoppable rugby seemingly out of nowhere. The French side came back and scored three tries in six minutes to get within three points. Ulster, however, managed to hold on.
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