Ulster showed their determination to hold onto their league title on Friday night, as against the wind, they scored two crucial second half tries to beat Connacht in Galway.

The northerners avenged last season's 22-12 defeat at the Sportsground with tries after the break from scrum half Isaac Boss and full-back Bryn Cunningham. They ran out 24-17 winners.

After watching his side bounce back from last week's loss to Munster to chalk up their fourth win in six games, Ulster coach Mark McCall was understandably happy.

"We were all disappointed with the score line at half-time. 10-0 with a strong wind didn't seem enough," said the former Ireland centre.

"But the first 25 minutes of the second half were outstanding from our point of view. To go 24-0 up with just five minutes to go was a hell of an effort. We weren't happy with the way things went against Munster last week so this was a big victory."

Adding that he did not think Connacht's late tries managed to "take the gloss off what was a comprehensive win" - both Paul Warwick and Matt Mostyn touched down for the hosts - McCall will hope his charges can keep on the winning track against Cardiff on Saturday (Ravenhill, kick-off 5.30pm) before Toulouse come to Belfast the following weekend for the start of the Heineken Cup.