Michael Lowry, the Heineken star-of-the-match, breaks clear to score Ulster's third try of the game in Northampton ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
A Michael Lowry-inspired Ulster have progressed to the round of 16 in the Heineken Champions Cup, after overcoming Northampton Saints 24-20 at cinch Stadium.
Quick-witted full-back Lowry was electric in attack, crowing his Heineken star-of-the-match performance with a brace of tries.
Robert Baloucoune marked his return from injury with a sharply-taken opener, while scrum half Nathan Doak, on his first European start, completed a terrific counter attack for the visitors’ second try.
Lowry crossed to make it 19-10 for half-time, and although Dan Biggar and Rory Hutchinson both touched down for Saints, Ulster stayed in front thanks to an opportunist 60th-minute bonus point score.
The result saw the province follow up on last month’s 27-22 home win over Northampton, maintaining their unbeaten European form this season ahead of the visit of Clermont Auvergne next Saturday.
Asked about the impact of these young backs, head coach Dan McFarland, whose side sit second in Pool A, commented: “In terms of the talent that they have and the desire to improve on a week to week basis it’s very exciting.
“Don’t get me wrong they’ve got a long way to go. These guys are not the finished article, they can be much, much better and they’ll get that through experience.
“There’s a huge amount of work that the coaches put into that, in understanding the game. It’s part of the way that we, as a group, like to coaching. Thinking about the game and the ifs and whens of what we’re trying to do.”
He added: “Rob’s been recognised by (Ireland head coach) Andy Farrell, Michael Lowry’s been in that conversation. I’ve chatted with Andy about Ethan McIlroy.
“Obviously Rob got some of the plaudits tonight and Mikey got man of the match, but Ethan has been absolutely tremendous for us.
“He’s a really smart rugby player who has got one of the most deadly sidesteps within our squad. Obviously James Hume has been producing big performances in big games.
“I thought Stewart Moore played really well tonight too. He had a really good game in what is a huge pair of boots that Stuart McCloskey left in the changing room for him.”
The opening few minutes at the Franklin’s Gardens venue involved both teams probing with the boot, and Ulster’s back-three dealt with the high balls comfortably.
Courtnall Skosan was unable to cleanly catch one of Ulster’s kicks in response, giving the visitors the scrum which they won to put Northampton under pressure.
Centre Moore, Billy Burns and Doak set in motion the first try, with the fit-again Baloucoune collecting a loose ball a few metres out and finishing expertly past two defenders in the right corner.
Saints soon got themselves into a dangerous area of the field, but Lowry’s superb pick-up of a loose ball set the wheels in motion for a 13th-minute converted score.
Lowry jinked and released Baloucoune from halfway, the winger shrugging off a tackle to speed up to the 22 where he offloaded brilliantly back inside for Doak to gleefully finish off behind the posts.
It took until the 19th minute for the hosts to get on the board through a Biggar penalty after Ulster were caught offside.
Northampton enjoyed a solid period of possession and territory, and eventually got purchase through Wales star Biggar dotting down under the posts. He converted to close the gap to 12-10.
That two-point gap was short-lived, however, as Ulster responded just three minutes later to give themselves a decent cushion at the break.
Armed with a penalty advantage after some good carrying by Martin Moore and captain Alan O’Connor, out-half Burns dinked a kick over the top into the Northampton 22.
It was messy ball, centre Moore narrowly avoiding a knock-on and the Saints cover also failed to gather it as it popped up invitingly for Lowry to scamper over and score, holding off his opposite number George Furbank in the process.
Doak converted to take his tally to nine points, but Saints were first on the board in the second half after Ulster were guilty of going off their feet. Biggar mopped up with the three points.
Ulster then had a golden opportunity on 55 minutes after a fantastic initial break by Lowry brought them agonisingly close to the Northampton line.
They got a penalty when scrum half Alex Mitchell infringed and saw yellow. Replacement Ian Madigan went for the quick tap, only for the hosts to show their breakdown smarts and force a turnover.
The Ulstermen, in their European red colours, pocketed their bonus point try on the hour mark, with Hume getting them over the gain-line to provide momentum to the attack.
Brilliant hands from Baloucoune, with an initial sidestep and a deft one-handed release, sent fellow winger McIlroy scorching down the left wing and he drew in a defender to send Lowry cutting in for his second try.
Northampton looked to be down and out but with a minute left to play, centre Hutchinson broke through the middle to touch down. Furbank fired over a quick conversion.
Although their lead was cut to four points, Ulster were able to regain possession and fittingly it was Lowry who kicked the ball out to seal their qualification for the knockout stages.
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