Ulster produce sensational second-half to gain a draw with Munster in Belfast

Ulster and Munster played out totally contrasting halves to finish 26-26 and share the spoils in Belfast.

The Reds had bagged their four try bonus-point just before half-time and went in 5-26 ahead.

but Ulster stuck to the task, however, and by scoring three tries, managed to get level with two minutes to play.

"It was like our Edinburgh game, we nearly got it," said Ulster's Jacob Stockdale. "We are an incredibly potent team when we get it right.

"We can't keep giving teams that much of an advantage and then try and claw it back.

Munster dominated the early exchanges gaining four early penalties before Craig Casey was stopped inches short of the line on an advantage.

The Reds kicked to the corner, set up a maul that gained momentum immediately and Alex Kendellan dotted down from the back.

Ulster kicked off, Munster knocked on, Ulster took the ball off a back of a solid platform, went right-to-left from where Ulster's Jacob Stockdale beat Ben O'Connor and JJ Hanrahan to score in the corner.Munster kicked-off, gained a penalty, kicked to the corner, set up a maul and, eventually, after moving forward quite slowly, Marnus van der Merwe touched down.

Hanrahan kicks the points but both previous conversions were missed, so it's 5-12 to the visitors after 16 minutes.

However a 31st minute yellow card for Cormac Izuchukwu was punished by Munster who posted two tries.

Firstly Dan Kelly tore through a half-gap to score before Alex Kendellan dotted down the Reds' fourth try, their third from a maul, before the break.

Ulster bagged a decent 54th minute try when some slick handling allowed Robert Baloucoune to break through.

The winger looked as if he might get caught just short but off-loaded to a supporting Stockdale.

When David McCann scored from close range and Jack Murphy kicked the conversion with 12 minutes left on the clock Ulster, at 19-26, had given themselves a lifeline.

Suddenly The Affidea Stadium was alive and repeated Munster indiscipline had Ulster camped on the visitors line from where Stuart McCloskey made a key surge to cross for the try.. Jack Murphy kicked the conversion to level the scores.

Munster's South African hooker Marnus van der Merwe was voted Player of the Match.

Ulster: Ethan McIlroy, Robert Baloucoune, Jamie Benson, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart (capt), Keynan Knox, Ben Donnell, Eli Snyman, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, Juarno Augustus.

Replacements: Henry Walker for Stewart 79, Tom O’Toole for O'Sullivan 41, Tom McAllister for Knox 41, James McNabney for Augustus 41, David McCann for Snyman 18, Matthew Devine for Doak 50, Jake Flannery, Chay MullinsMunster Rugby: Ben O'Connor, Shay McCarthy, Alex Nankivell, Dan Kelly, Seán O'Brien, JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Marnus van der Merwe, Kieran Brookes, Evan O'Connell, Tadhg Beirne (capt), Jack O'Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes

Replacements: Max Clein for van der Merwe 66, Josh Wycherley for Loughman 66, Jack Aungier for Brookes 50, Michael Foy for O'Connell 62, Brian Gleeson for Coombes 50, Ben O'Donovan for Casey 73, Charlie O’Shea for Hanrahan 70, John Hodnett for Kendellen 54Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)