Ulster 27-22 Northampton: Saints dealt Champions Cup setback as Michael Lowry and co run out winners

Northampton fought the good fight this time, but their European hopes are hanging by a thread, after they failed to contain Michael Lowry and the rest of Ulster’s dazzling young backs last night.

Chris Boyd’s side earned a losing bonus point, thanks to Courtnall Skosan’s late try in this Heineken Champions Cup encounter, at what used to be known as Ravenhill. 

A week after they were humbled at home by Racing 92, there was spirited resistance from the Saints this time, but a second successive defeat means their campaign is surely doomed, already.

Northampton’s 27-22 defeat against Ulster has left their European hopes hanging by a thread

Ulster ran out bonus-point winners to build on their momentous victory at Clermont Auvergne

Asked about the implications of this result, Chris Boyd hinted at the turmoil caused by COVID when he quipped: ‘I don’t think winning or losing the games is going to count in the end.’ 

Ulster’s head coach, Dan McFarland, added: ‘We’re pretty grateful that we’ve managed to play two games. A bonus-point win in Europe is great, any time.’ 

George Furbank’s goal-kicking kept Northampton in touch, against the run of play, and Alex Mitchell scored a darting, diving try in the closing stages, but by then Ulster were all but out of sight. 

Northampton’s season already appears doomed after suffering back-to-back defeats

Lowry, the home full-back, was electric. On this evidence, it is an injustice that the 23-year-old has not been capped by Ireland. He should be a contender for the Six Nations, along with the graceful, classy and combative centre, James Hume.

Ulster were well worth the bonus-point win which built on their momentous victory at Clermont Auvergne. 

Rob Herring and Ethan McIlroy touched down either side of a first-half penalty try, then Craig Gilroy struck from a Billy Burns cross-kick just before the hour mark.