Rugby

Ospreys edge closer to semi-finals at Ulster’s expense

Stuart Olding’s season over after he suffers suspected ankle fracture in Swansea

Ulster’s Paddy Jackson is tackled by Kieron Fonotia of the Ospreys. Photograph: Inpho

Sat Apr 29 2017 - 19:22

Ospreys 24 Ulster 10

Ulster may have seen the last of iconic scrum-half Ruan Pienaar after the South African suffered a back spasm in his team’s 24-10 defeat to the Ospreys.

Les Kiss saw his side's play-off hopes virtually ended at the Liberty Stadium as they were outscored three tries to one. The Australian's men grabbed a consolation effort though Jacob Stockdale, but they were outplayed and paid the price for a poor first-half display.

The Kingspan Stadium outfit also suffered injuries to Pienaar and Stuart Olding in what was an afternoon to forget.

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Kiss said: “Ruan had a back spasm just as the game started.

"He said he'd ride it out, but it took 20 minutes and then it was gone so that was a blow but I thought Paul Marshall came on and did a good job.

“I’ve spoken to the doctor about the injury. It’s a significant back spasm and sometimes these things take a while to settle. We’ll find out later in the week.

“With Stuart, it’s an ankle injury. We think it’s a fracture and it’s probably season ending. That’s a blow for him because he’s been good for us recently.”

Pienaar’s six-year stint with Ulster will end at the season’s finale, and he is now a serious doubt to face Leinster at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday. It would rob the 33-year-old of what would be a fitting finale in front of his home crowd.

Pienaar lasted just 23 minutes against the Ospreys as Ulster turned around 17-3 down. Tom Habberfield and Tyler Ardron scored the home tries, with Dan Biggar adding two conversions and a penalty. Ulster were poor before the break, and failed to take their chances in the second half as Olding joined Pienaar in the treatment room. Both players are likely to miss the game with Leinster.

Brendon Leonard crossed for Ospreys' third try, Biggar converting, but there was still time for Stockdale to finish the scoring late on. Paddy Jackson converted to add to an earlier penalty.

“We’re frustrated and disappointed. There is a fair bit of pain in the dressing room,” Kiss added.

“I am very frustrated by the result, but also by the fact we gave so much to the Ospreys and fair play to them, they took advantage of it.

“The boys at half time copped it on the chin. We’d given them the 17-3 lead and we played with some ambition and guile in the second half, but we just weren’t good enough.”

OSPREYS: Evans; Giles, Fonotia, Beck, Habberfield; Biggar, Webb (capt); Smith, Baldwin, Mujati; Davies, Ardron; Underhill, Tipuric, King.

Replacements: Baker for Tipuric (37-40 mins) & for Underhill (67 mins), Jones for Mujati (54 mins), Matavesi for Beck, James for Smith (both 65 mins), Ashley for Davies (62 mins), Davies for Habberfield (74 mins), Leonard for Webb (76 mins).

ULSTER: Gilroy; Trimble (capt), L Marshall, McCloskey, Piutau; Jackson, Pienaar; Warwick, Best, Herbst; Treadwell, O'Connor; Henderson, Reidy, Diack.

Replacements: P Marshall for Pienaar (23 mins), Ah You for Herbst (44 mins)

Olding for McCloskey (53 mins), Stockdale for Olding, Black for Warwick (both 55 mins), Timoney for Diack (62 mins), Herring for Best (65 mins), Van der Merwe for O’Connor (77 mins)

Referee: John Lacey (IRFU).

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