Superb Ulster fightback dents Edinburgh play-off hopes

United Rugby Championship: Edinburgh v Ulster

Edinburgh (19) 19

Tries: Thompson, Paterson, Goosen Cons: Thompson 2

Ulster (14) 40

Tries: Irvine, Augustus, Flannery, Wilson, McKee, Carson Cons: Murphy 5

A superb second-half performance earned Ulster a bonus-point victory at Edinburgh in the URC that damages the hosts' chances of a top-eight finish.

Sean Everitt's side led 19-14 at half-time thanks to tries from Ross Thompson, Harry Paterson and Wes Goosen.

After Ulster wing Zac Ward was sin-binned in the opening stages, Thompson was put through a hole by Mosese Tuipulotu to open the scoring.

Although still down to 14 players, Ulster levelled through Charlie Irvine before Paterson and Goosen both benefitted from slick Edinburgh hands to establish a healthy lead.

That was as good as it got for the hosts though as Juarno Augusto's try narrowed the gap and the Irish province then went through the gears after the break.

Ulster were put on the back foot by more ill-discipline - Harry Sheridan receiving a 20-minute red card for a high tackle - but Edinburgh were unable to capitalise on that numerical advantage.

Jake Flannery, Scott Wilson, Conor McKee and Ben Carson all crossed for the visitors in a dominant showing as they reached the 40-point mark.

The result takes Richie Murphy's side to second in the table, although they could fall back to third if Stormers take five points from their match against Bulls on Saturday.

Edinburgh - who lost hooker Harri Morris to a red card - failed to fire a shot in the second half and now trail eighth-placed Bulls by seven points.

It is the latest blow for Everitt, who has failed to rid Edinburgh of their inconsistency since taking charge in 2023. He signed a two-year contract extension in January.

Edinburgh: Paterson; Satala, O'Conor, Tuipulotu; Goosen; Thompson, Vellacott (capt); Venter, Richardson, Williams, Skyes, Young, McConnell, Boyle, Muncaster.

Replacements: Morris, Whitcombe, Blyth-Lafferty, Hunter-Hill, Currie, Shiel, Scott, Brown.

Ulster: Lowry; Kok, Hume, Postlethwaite; Z Ward; Murphy, Shanahan; Bell, Herring (capt), McAllister, Sheridan, Irvine, Izuchukwu, B Ward, Augustus.

Replacements: McCormick, Crean, Wilson, Hopes, McCann, McKee, Flannery, Carson.