Ulster beat Dragons 42-21 in URC opener with six tries

Ulster opened their United Rugby Championship campaign with a 42-21 bonus-point victory over the Dragons at Affidea Stadium in Belfast on Friday, running in six tries to secure maximum league points in the opening round. The win, Ulster’s first competitive outing under new attack coach Mark Sexton, offered an encouraging start after a disappointing 14th-place finish last season.

The match began in startling fashion when Dragons number eight Aaron Wainwright capitalised on a loose Ulster kickoff to score under the posts inside the opening minute, a score converted by flyhalf Tinus de Beer. Ulster responded through Cormac Izuchukwu, who touched down on 12 minutes and was converted by Nathan Doak. Dragons winger Jared Rosser briefly restored their lead, but Ulster seized control before half-time with tries from Nick Timoney, David McCann and Zac Ward, the last securing a four-try bonus and leaving Ulster 28-14 at the break.

Two minutes after the restart Doak crossed for his own try and converted, extending Ulster’s advantage. Dragons flanker Shane Lewis-Hughes crossed on 49 minutes to keep the visitors in contention, but a late driving lineout try from replacement hooker Tom...