Summary

  • The clinch second spot in the URC table

  • Edinburgh stay 12th

  • Mike Blair's last game as Edinburgh head coach

  • Graham scores early try for visitors, converted by Boffelli

  • Stockdale and two Cooney penalties put Ulster ahead at break

  • Cooney with a try and conversion straight from the restart

  • Timoney try as Edinburgh's Young is sin-binned

  • Nel's try is only a late consolation

  1. Postpublished at 7 mins

    Ulster 0-0 Edinburgh

    Edinburgh make their way into the Ulster 22 after some quick, slick hands unlock the home defence.

    Blair Kinghorn stabs a kick in behind and Duhan van der Merwe gets there first, but the giant winger overcooks his kick forwards and it rolls harmlessly out over the dead-ball line.

    The footballing skills left a lot to be desired there.

  2. Postpublished at 5 mins

    Ulster 0-0 Edinburgh

    Jamie Ritchie gets over the ball just when Ulster look poised to break Edinburgh down.

    It results in a penalty, but the Scotland captain looks to be in at the side to me...

  3. Postpublished at 3 mins

    Ulster 0-0 Edinburgh

    Ulster win an early penalty after Emiliano Boffelli finds himself isolated, but Billy Burns misses touch.

    That mistake doesn't deter the hosts though - they are straight back on the front foot.

  4. Kick-offpublished at 1 min

    Ulster 0-0 Edinburgh

    Billy Burns gets us under way in front of an expectant home crowd.

    Who are you backing at home? Thumbs up for Ulster, thumbs down for Edinburgh.

  5. McInally has been a 'consummate professional'published at 19:31 British Summer Time 21 April 2023

    Ulster v Edinburgh (19:35)

    Edinburgh head coach Mike Blair spoke to BBC Scotland earlier this week.

    "This game for me is very much about the team, about the players," he said. "We've got a number of guys that are leaving, a number of guys that are really motivated for World Cup reasons and the overriding motivation of performing for the jersey."

    When asked about Stuart McInally, Blair said: "He played his first game when I was playing and he's been a consummate professional since then. He's been crucial to my role at the club, asking for his opinions and helping drive the club forward.

    "A very impressive man and someone that's made the decision when he's not far off the best physical shape of his life. He's got goals and another life that wants to lead. Hopefully we'll allow him to go out in style."

    Mike BlairImage source, Getty Images
  6. Farewells aplenty for Edinburghpublished at 19:24 British Summer Time 21 April 2023

    Ulster v Edinburgh (19:35)

    Mike Blair has made several changes to the Edinburgh XV in his final match as head coach.

    Henry Pyrgos and Cammy Hutchison both come into the side as they bid farewell to the capital club and Duhan van der Merwe replaces the injured Damien Hoyland on the wing.

    Luan de Bruin and Glen Young start in the forwards, while Stuart McInally will make his 177th and last appearance for Edinburgh from the bench.

    The Scotland hooker is retiring from the game to become a commercial airline pilot.

    Stuart McInallyImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Stuart McInally is retiring in November to become a pilot

  7. O'Connor continues as captainpublished at 19:21 British Summer Time 21 April 2023

    Ulster v Edinburgh (19:35)

    Alan O’Connor leads the hosts in this vitally important game and is part of a typically strong forward pack that includes Grand Slam-winning hooker Rob Herring and world champion Duane Vermuelen.

    John Cooney and Billy Burns are tasked with controlling things at nine and 10, while Jacob Stockdale makes his 99th Ulster appearance tonight.

  8. 'A lot of work to be done'published at 19:15 British Summer Time 21 April 2023

    Ulster v Edinburgh (19:35)

    Peter Wright
    Former Scotland prop on BBC Radio Scotland

    You started the season with high hopes for Edinburgh, with the squad they've got and the rugby they played last year.

    They have just hit a wall - they're struggled in Europe and the URC and it's tough when you've got nothing to play for.

    There's a lot of work to be done at Edinburgh.

  9. Team newspublished at 19:11 British Summer Time 21 April 2023

    Ulster v Edinburgh (19:35)

    Ulster: Lowry, Baloucoune, Hume, Moore, Stockdale, Burns, Cooney; Warwick, Herring, Toomaga-Allen, O’Connor (c), Treadwell, McCann, Timoney, Vermeulen.

    Replacements: Stewart, Reid, Milasinovich, Carter, Sheridan, Doak, Marshall, Gilroy.

    Edinburgh: Boffelli, Graham, Bennett, Hutchison, Van der Merwe, Kinghorn, Pyrgos; Schoeman, Cherry, De Bruin, Young, Skinner, Ritchie (c), Watson, Mata.

    Replacements: McInally, Venter, Nel, Phillips, Boyle, Shiel, Bennett, Sweeney, Savala.

  10. Evening allpublished at 19:05 British Summer Time 21 April 2023

    Ulster v Edinburgh (19:35)

    The regular United Rugby Championship season is into its final round of fixtures and we've got you covered on this fine Friday night.

    Edinburgh travel to Belfast looking to end what has been a thoroughly disappointing season on a high, while Ulster are targeting a top-two finish that would guarantee them a semi-final should they get that far.

    Let's see the teams...

    General view of Kingspan stadiumImage source, Getty Images