Ulster were ahead by two scores heading into the final ten minutes but lost to a Munster comeback.
AN IRATE DAN McFarland tore his Ulster side apart after their 15-14 loss to Munster at Kingspan Stadium on New Year’s Day, describing them as “terrible” and labelling his players as soft for throwing away a late lead.
Ulster were ahead by two scores heading into the final ten minutes after Rob Baloucoune’s try and were seemingly home and dry until a late comeback from the visitors, led by replacement Ben Healy, saw them suffer their fourth defeat in their last five games. It was a brutal finish for McFarland’s men, who had led from just before the midway point of the first half and, despite looking well off their best, had controlled the majority of the game but, for the second week in a row, allowed their opponents to fight back.
In Galway a week ago, they survived Connacht’s late push. On this occasion there would be no reprieve, Healy’s try with the clock in the red earning Munster the win and leading the outraged coach to tear into his side after the final whistle.“I don’t want to take away anything from Munster but that was a game where we decided our own fate. We had the ball 11 times in their 22 and lost it ten times. The only time we held it for long phases we scored a magnificent try.
“It was an issue last year and I don’t mind admitting it. I’m struggling to find a solution. Clermont, Sharks, Leicester a year before that. We don’t struggle when we’re one score ahead – take a look at Edinburgh last season. But it’s two scores.
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