Ulster travelled to Paris to take on a star-studded Racing outfit in the Heineken Champions Cup and started ominously with two spectacular tries.
Encouragingly for Ireland, the early scores were created by a host of exciting Irish prospects currently plying their trade up north. Michael Lowry and Will Addison were immense in the build-up to the game's opening score, finished by David Shanahan. A field-length break sent Ulster racing forward, and after some questionable tackling from Simon Zebo, Addison was able to offload and send his scrum-half away.
What a start for Ulster ?
David Shanahan touches down after a blistering break turns defense into attack, and the visitors lead in Paris! pic.twitter.com/S7haQUlxo9
— Watch the Heineken Champions Cup on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 20, 2018
Soon after, back to back cross-field kicks saw Jacob Stockdale punish a narrow Racing defence.
What a score for Ulster! ?
Try machine Jacob Stockdale touches down after not one, but two perfectly placed crossfield kicks!
Billy Burns out there pinging them like it's nothing! ? pic.twitter.com/EEEc10AhIh
— Watch the Heineken Champions Cup on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 20, 2018
The duo of Stockdale and Addison will harbour hopes of making Joe Schmidt's Ireland squad next week. Stockdale is assured his place while Addison has spent time with the squad in the past and Schmidt is known to be a fan. Stuart McCloskey's recent form also means he has an outside chance. It will likely come too early for Michael Lowry, who at just 20 years old has been superb recently.
At half-time, Ulster went in eight points behind after a Nick Timoney yellow card proved costly.
