Richie Murphy: Ulster is benefitting from seeing both sides of John Cooney’s game over the past fortnight

John Cooney of Ulster is tackled by Scott Scrafton of Benetton

Michael Sadlier

How they needed that win and the five points too but, really, this was far too nervy and close for comfort.

Entertainment-wise though it was a tub-thumper, 10 tries scored in all and such a lift for Ulster, but it came with an unavoidable caveat in terms of the home team’s defensive effort, coughing up five tries and allowing what looked to be a reasonably impregnable 21-8 lead at the break to become just 28-27 after just over an hour’s play.