Ulster’s European campaign looked to be over as they trailed by 23 points to zero at the break.

However, a second half comeback with tries from Rory Scholes, Craig Gilroy and Kyle McCall, plus three conversions and a monster penalty from Paddy Jackson, keeps their hopes alive until the final weekend of the Pool Stages.

I was down in Cavan covering Cooke v Cavan in the Rosie Stewart Cup but by virtue of BBC iPlayer Radio and a VPN I was able to listen to the commentary as I snapped away.

On the commentary it was clearly the pack that were getting the blame for a sub standard first half performance and when I eventually got the time to sit down and watch the match late last night that’s the way it appeared to me. They just didn’t seem willing to raise their game in that dismal first half.

Everything stems from the front five and Ulster’s were clearly well below par. I don’t know why we’re surprised as they were sub par against a poor Munster last week, only this time round they were playing a team that could actually score.

Poor Paul Marshall and Ian Humphreys bore the brunt of the supporters disquiet but if your front five are getting smashed about by their opposite numbers there is not a lot that the half backs can do except shovel shite ball on.

Ruan Pienaar and Jackson received the plaudits for the second half turnaround but those plaudits should go to whoever put the rocket up the packs collective asses at the break as Ruan and Jacko were on an armchair ride compared to their predecessors.

Of course, they also had the ability to convert possession into points with Pienaar looking hungrier for involvement than he has been in a while and Jackson, the picture of confidence as he distributed the ball, nailed the kicks with aplomb – a far cry from their performance’s against Munster were they were the pair playing behind an un-enthused pack!

If Ulster are honest with themselves they will admit that they have been a bit lazy over the last two matches. Players have been unwilling to push themselves beyond that point that they have deemed acceptable, or just enough, to win the match. It bit them in the arse last week and very nearly did again this week but for the long range winning penalty from Jackson on the 77th minute.

Those forwards that upped their game in the second half, lets face it that’s all of them, should be ashamed to look Humphreys and Marshall in the eye this week as the starting half backs seem to be carrying the can for the forwards incompetent first half performance.

Ulster: Craig Gilroy, Sam Arnold, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Rory Scholes, Ian Humphreys, Paul Marshall, Kyle McCall, Rory Best, Ricky Lutton, Lewis Stevenson, Franco vd Merwe, Robbie Diack, Chris Henry, Roger Wilson. Replacements: Rob Herring, Callum Black, Bronson Ross, Nick Williams, Sean Reidy, Ruan Pienaar, Paddy Jackson, Louis Ludik.