Bloodied Gloucester make dramatic winning start to life after Cipriani
1:27pm, 19 December 2020 By PA
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1:27pm, 19 December 2020
Gloucester put Danny Cipriani’s departure from the club well and truly behind them as they recorded a stunning 38-34 Heineken Champions Cup victory over Ulster. John Cooney looked to have inspired a memorable Ulster victory, but Gloucester triumphed through substitute fly-half George Barton’s try five minutes into stoppage time.
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England international Cipriani left Gloucester with immediate effect earlier this week, ending a two-and-a-half-year stint in the west country. And how Gloucester responded, delivering arguably their best performance under head coach George Skivington just six days after they were routed 55-10 by Lyon.
Champions Cup: George Barton the hero for Gloucester in dramatic win over Ulster Replacement Barton grabbed a try on the final play of the game. Other scores from Louis Rees-Zammit, Mark Atkinson and two penalty tries secured the bonus point; Ulster kept in the contest despite having three men sin-binned
Last Updated: 19/12/20 6:16pm Gloucester celebrate George Barton s game-winning try against Ulster
George Barton came off the bench to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat for Gloucester in a see-saw 38-34 win over Ulster in Saturday s Champions Cup Pool 2 clash at Kingsholm.
Louis Rees-Zammit put Gloucester ahead early on and although Billy Burns went over against his old side, a penalty try following a sustained spell of pressure and yellow cards for both Rob Herring and Alan O Connor saw the hosts lead by 10 points.
Ulster s Champions Cup hopes rocked by late defeat
Updated / Saturday, 19 Dec 2020
17:57
George Barton of Gloucester dives over to score the match-winning try
Gloucester broke Ulster hearts with a try five minutes into injury time to win a pulsating Heineken Champions Cup clash 38-34 at Kingsholm Stadium.
John Cooney looked to have inspired a memorable Ulster victory, but Gloucester triumphed through substitute fly-half George Barton’s try five minutes into stoppage time.
England international Danny Cipriani left Gloucester with immediate effect earlier this week, ending a two-and-a-half year stint in the west country.
And how Gloucester responded, delivering arguably their best performance under head coach George Skivington just six days after they were routed 55-10 by Lyon.
McCloskey a key man in all aspects as Ulster look for crucial away win
The English side have brought back most of their frontliners for the clash at Kingsholm. By Adam McKendry Saturday 19 Dec 2020, 8:30 AM Dec 19th 2020, 8:30 AM 2,492 Views 1 Comment
McCloskey brings a threat in many areas.
Image: James Crombie/INPHO
Image: James Crombie/INPHO
IN THE EARLY days when Stuart McCloskey broke into the Ulster squad, such was the province’s need for back-rowers his size and physique had fans wondering if he was maybe being utilised in the wrong position.
His bruising ball carrying in the centre was highly effective – as it still is now – but with Darren Cave, Stuart Olding and Luke Marshall also there and a glaring need at blindside, there were legitimate arguments that he would be better utilised elsewhere.
Ulster 34
NINE TRIES SHARED between the two sides, four yellow cards and three penalty tries all add up to Ulster’s Heineken Champions Cup hopes coming to a premature end at Kingsholm.
The province’s aim of making it three consecutive trips to the European quarter-finals have ended after just two games, and needing a big win after last week’s defeat to Toulouse at Kingspan Stadium, they will only have themselves to blame for not seeing this game out having been ahead with less than a minute to play.
With the ball in hand in Gloucester territory, a knock-on from Matty Rea conceded possession, and when Gloucester went down the other end, George Barton’s try with the last play of the game consigned Ulster to back-to-back defeats in Europe and ensured they would be on the wrong side of an absolute thriller.