Even if the final score at the Stade Marcel-Michelin was not pretty to look at, it’s important to keep in mind that Ulster was still playing Clermont in the Challenge Cup Quarterfinal at the hour mark.
Ulster’s hopes of securing a last-four tie with the Sharks were ultimately dashed when Peceli Yato crashed over for his second try of the match. Clermont proceeded to score three more tries before the game’s conclusion, further dividing the two teams.
In the big scheme of things, players have long talked about winning every “moment” in a game, how a yard over the gain line or an extra yard off a kick for touch can make all the difference in the world, and Ulster did not do that on Saturday.
Some instances are when Nathan Doak kicked out on full in a confrontation with Anthony Belleau, setting the stage for Yato’s score, or when Tom Stewart’s lineout was intercepted, allowing Rob Simmons to dive over for the sixth try for the French team.
Because of this, Roddy Grant is hopeful that this team is closer than Saturday’s result suggests. Small improvements add up to significant victories.
“Rugby is never a game of shadows; someone is always trying to do things a little differently. These are critical times, and we must perform better during them.
“It’s evident from our results and the games we’ve lost that we’ve lost those pivotal moments, and it’s contributed to either a subpar second half or a loss overall. Teams’ primary priority will always be sports as long as they exist.
