Connacht Stuns Ulster in United Rugby Championship Clash

Connacht secured a statement victory over Ulster in the United Rugby Championship (URC) with a final score of 26-19 at the Affidea Stadium on Friday, March 20, 2026. The win marks Ulster’s first defeat in Belfast this season and boosts Connacht’s play-off hopes.

First-Half Battle

The first half was a frenetic and energetic contest, with both teams struggling to gain a decisive advantage. Connacht opened the scoring with a try from Sean Jansen, converted by Sean Naughton . Ulster quickly responded with a try from Nathan Doak, who also added the conversion to level the score at 7-7. Finlay Bealham was later sent to the sin bin for a shoulder-to-head contact on Tom Stewart, leaving the teams tied at halftime.

Connacht Dominates Second Half

After the break, Connacht took control of the match with a flurry of tries. Finlay Bealham crashed over from close range, and Dave Heffernan’s offload set up Finn Treacy for Connacht’s third try, putting them ahead. Despite a response from Ulster’s Zac Ward, Connacht maintained their momentum. Treacy secured his second try of the night, solidifying Connacht’s victory.

Key Performances

Bundee Aki was highlighted as a standout performer for Connacht, demonstrating class throughout the match . The combination of Bryn Ward and Nathan Doak provided a bright spot for Ulster, but ultimately wasn’t enough to overcome Connacht’s strong second-half performance.

Looking Ahead

Ulster will look to rebound against Zebre in Italy, while Connacht will face Ospreys in their next URC fixture . This result significantly impacts the URC standings as teams vie for a top-four finish.

Match Details

• Ulster: 19 (Tries: Doak, Z Ward, Bell; Cons: Doak, Murphy)
• Connacht: 26 (Tries: Jansen, Bealham, Treacy (2); Cons: Naughton (3))