Glasgow Warriors 33-20 Ulster: Coach Dan McFarland disappointed with Ulster’s performance in the second half

Ulster Rugby Lament Second Half Display in URC Loss

In a surprising turn of events, Ulster rugby boss Dan McFarland expressed his disappointment with his team’s second half performance as they suffered a 33-20 defeat against Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship (URC). The match started off promisingly for Ulster with tries from Tom Stewart and John Cooney propelling them into an early lead. However, their advantage quickly waned as the hosts fought back to secure a bonus-point victory at Scotstoun.

McFarland couldn’t hide his frustration at not being able to capitalize on their impressive first-half display: “The first half showcased some exceptional aspects of our game, particularly our defense. However, we found ourselves on the wrong side of the referee’s decisions and failed to adapt.”

The coach continued reflecting on their missed opportunities: “After scoring those two tries, we put unnecessary pressure on ourselves by not finishing sets effectively. In the second half, we struggled to match the physicality required and even when presented with chances, we failed to convert.”

This loss marks Ulster’s second defeat this season in the URC standings, leaving them currently sitting fourth in the table. McFarland also acknowledged that losing Jake Flannery during warm-up and Billy Burns due to an early head injury assessment further hindered their injury-ridden squad. Nathan Doak was forced to fill in at fly-half despite not practicing there all week.

“Losing two fly-halves within the first 10 minutes of the game undoubtedly made it incredibly challenging,” admitted McFarland. “Nathan did a commendable job considering the disruptions, but we were in a strong position before those setbacks.”

The coach added, “The high number of penalties we conceded at the breakdown shifted momentum in Glasgow’s favor. They found their rhythm and proved why they are a formidable team. As for our attack, holding onto possession and executing sets more effectively is an area that requires improvement.”