Ulster Rugby celebrated a thrilling 34-30 victory against the Dragons, thanks to a moment of brilliance from Scott Wilson. The 22-year-old prop scored a match-winning try, securing the victory that reignited Ulster's hopes of qualifying for the play-offs in the United Rugby Championship.
The match, held on March 22, 2025, at Rodney Parade, was a rollercoaster for both teams. Ulster found themselves trailing 24-14 at halftime, with Dragons' players exploiting gaps in their defense. Aneurin Owen opened the scoring for the Dragons just a minute into the game, bringing an early shock to the visitors. Despite efforts from Ulster’s James Hume, who scored a try, the Dragons managed to establish a solid lead before the break.
Ulster’s performance in the first half left much to be desired, prompting assistant coach Dan Soper to praise the team's resolve in the second half. Wake-up calls, including a strong halftime talk from head coach Richie Murphy, seemed to make a difference. Jacob Stockdale, reflecting on the changing room atmosphere at halftime, stated, “We needed that spark, and Richie’s scolding gave it to us.”
After the break, Ulster appeared rejuvenated. Rob Herring contributed with a second try. However, the dragons maintained their pressure, primarily through the reliable goal-kicking of Will Reed, who added six penalties throughout the match. Reed was close to extending the Dragons’ lead further before Wilson’s game-changing play, as his penalty attempt hit the frame of the goal post.
With the clock ticking down and Ulster behind by six points, Wilson delivered an electrifying moment. Following a tackle deep in the Dragons' territory, he showcased his tremendous skill by winning a jackal turnover. In a display of strength and determination, Wilson charged towards the line, overriding the defense to score and shift the game's momentum. This brilliant try was pivotal as it marked Ulster's first lead in the match.
John Cooney added the crucial conversion, solidifying the score to 31-30, and he later sealed the game with a late penalty, ensuring that Ulster didn’t just win but also clinched a bonus-point victory. This win was significant for Ulster, marking their first back-to-back victories since October 2024 and only their fourth bonus-point win of the season.
Following the match, Soper could not hide his admiration for Wilson’s performance, noting, “He has a lot of potential, we know that and Scottie knows that. There’s no doubting his impact was massive...” Soper highlighted that Wilson's skills are only going to improve as he continues to refine his fundamentals in scrummaging, which will, in turn, enhance his future contributions to the team.
Ulster's comeback places them in ninth place in the URC table, just outside of playoff contention. Before facing the Stormers, who they play at home on March 28, 2025, Ulster aims to build on their momentum. With only five matches left in the season, every game will be crucial for their ambitions, and improvement in discipline is a key focus, as mistakes had given away many opportunities to the opposition.
“We just keep giving teams opportunities through indiscipline,” Soper pointed out, underlining an area needing attention as the league tightens up. The focus is set on rectifying those errors while harnessing the energy and confidence gained from this remarkable comeback against the Dragons.
Ulster’s upward trajectory in the standings is promising, but their upcoming challenges will test their resilience and overall team dynamics as they push toward the coveted playoff spots.
