Ulster's Champions Cup hopes came crashing down after they were whacked by Harlequins at the Stoop on Saturday afternoon.
Going into the final weekend, the Ulstermen had their fate in their own hands in the hunt for a place in the knockout phase. Positioned in fourth place, Ulster knew that a win would be enough to guarantee them a place in the last 16.
Of course, an away win at Premiership high-flyers Harlequins is easier said than done, but the nature of Ulster's defeat will be the most frustrating aspect for their fans.
Harlequins raced clear of Ulster and claimed a 47-19 victory, despite Ulster spending much of the first half camped in the Quins 22. The Irish side were unable to claim a single point from the game.
Ulster are now guaranteed to be eliminated regardless of the result in this evening's game between Racing 92 and Cardiff in Paris, with any result in that game enough to see one of those teams surpass Ulster in the Pool B standings.
Speaking on TNT Sports' coverage of the game, Tommy Bowe ripped into Ulster's conversion (or lack thereof) in the Harlequins 22 - and highlighted Jacob Stockdale's poor defence for Quins' first two tries.
READ HERE: Munster Legend Finds Peter O'Mahony Captain Narrative "Disrespectful"
READ HERE: Former Wallabies Star Slams Decision To Appoint Joe Schmidt As Australia Coach
Harlequins v Ulster: Tommy Bowe criticises Jacob Stockdale for errors in lead-up to Quins tries
All three of Harlequins' first-half tries will have been immensely frustrating to the Ulster coaching setup.
Think quick ⚡️
The @Harlequins catch @UlsterRugby napping with a sneaky quick throw and Nick David bags the first try of the day!#InvestecChampionsCup #HARvULS pic.twitter.com/ujjniWx4R4— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) January 20, 2024
The first try saw Jacob Stockdale's kick chase find touch, but Ulster were caught out by a quick lineout, and Nick David went over in the corner to kick off Harlequins' scoring.
Louis Lynagh scored a sensational second for Quins 20 minutes later, running from his own half with a virtuosic, mazy break - but Stockdale had the opportunity to collect his kick through before Lynagh went over.
𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄 🤯
Louis Lynagh leaves devastation in his wake to score a serious try of the round contender!#InvestecChampionsCup #HARvULS pic.twitter.com/ZTMxnrhc2i— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) January 20, 2024
Speaking at half-time, Tommy Bowe said that Ulster only had themselves to blame for finding themselves such distant losers in London.
Bowe highlighted the errors made by Stockdale in the buildup to both of Quins' first two tries, as well as that of Robert Baloucoune for their third, as symptomatic of Ulster's performance:
Ulster come over here with a lot of expectation, feeling all week that they could put up a big performance. They have only themselves to blame.
They have been all over Harlequins...it's the costly errors in the 22 that are really hurting this Ulster side.
For Dan McFarland, the Ulster head coach, he will be so, so frustrated.
Harlequins got three tries with no phases of play. This quick lineout, Jacob Stockdale takes it up the lefthand side, kicks it into touch - he then just disappeared in to the 15-metre line! Really quick thinking from Oscar Baird who passes it in to Nick David - he couldn't believe his luck! He's actually looking around backwards thinking, 'that was too easy.'
[For the second try] a quick tap...this is just wonderful by Lynagh. Never gives up but Jacob Stockdale, a player with so much experience, should be really gathering this.
[For the third try] Robert Baloucoune takes his eye off the ball. That exactly sums up Ulster's performance - taking their eye off the ball.
Stockdale is back in the Irish squad for the Six Nations, having played his first game for his country in two years in the lead-up to the World Cup last summer. He would miss out on selection for the World Cup squad, with veteran Keith Earls preferred to the Ulsterman.
Though the injury to Mack Hansen - and Earls' retirement - have presented an opportunity for Stockdale to reclaim his place in the Ireland XV, it is expected that Calvin Nash will start for Ireland against France on the opening weekend. Stockdale's errors in Saturday's game will not have helped his chances of working his way into Andy Farrell's thinking.
Ulster are now eliminated from the Champions Cup, with the result of this evening's game between Racing 92 and Cardiff guaranteed to see one of those teams surpass the Irish team. A draw will see Racing through on points difference, while a victory for either team will see them move ahead of Ulster on total points.
It will be the Challenge Cup knockouts for Ulster in the spring and, as Tommy Bowe said, they only have themselves to blame.
SEE ALSO: Hamilton & Genge Defend Bristol Player After Horror Stamp On Finlay Bealham
