Summary

  • Use the audio icons at the top of the page to listen to live commentary

  • Opening round of 2023-2024 Investec Champions Cup pool matches

  • Pool 3: Toulon 18-19 Exeter Chiefs (FT)

  • Pool 2: Bath 37-14 Ulster (FT)

  • Pool 2: Toulouse 52-7 Cardiff (FT)

  • Pool 1: Bristol Bears v Lyon (20:00 GMT) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra & BBC Radio Bristol

  • Challenge Cup - Pool 3: Black Lion 10-15 Gloucester (FT)

  • Challenge Cup - Pool 2: Ospreys 43-34 Benetton (FT)

  1. That's a wrappublished at 17:32 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    FT: Bath 37-14 Ulster

    That is all from us, as Ulster succumb to their third straight defeat after a storming second half display from Bath, who go top of Pool 2 of the Champions Cup after a 37-14 win.

    You can read the report from the game here.

    We will be back next week as Ulster face another tough test against French side Racing 92 at the Kingspan Stadium.

    See you then, goodnight.

    Bath celebrate tryImage source, Inpho
  2. 'When Bath got rolling there was no coming back for Ulster'published at 17:27 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    FT: Bath 37-14 Ulster

    Ian Humphreys
    Former Ulster fly-half Ian Humphreys on BBC Radio Ulster

    It was a really tough second half for Ulster, especially after they conceded so quickly after half-time. The Bath forward pack dominated Ulster and their scrum was also really dominant.

    Ulster tried to make changes early, bringing Marty Moore and Rob Herring on, but it didn't really make much of a difference. When the Bath team got rolling there was no coming back for Ulster.

    That is three tough results in a row now for Ulster and they are just not quite clicking at the moment.

  3. 'The Rec is on fire' - Man-of-the-Match, Beno Obanopublished at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    FT: Bath 37-14 Ulster

    The immovable force and man-of-the-match Beno Obano gives his thoughts on today's game.

    "When you play a side like Ulster or any side in the Champions Cup, you have to be on top of your game and thankfully we were today.

    "It's great to be back at home and give this performance in front of our fans, the Rec is on fire today."

    Ben ObanoImage source, Getty Images
  4. 'Ulster in big, big trouble'published at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    FT: Bath 37-14 Ulster

    Tony McWhirter
    1999 Ulster European Cup winner on BBC Sportsound

    We have to give credit to Bath and their second half performance.

    Second half, the game management from Russell and Spencer and the power play from the forwards, Ulster had no answer.

    There was some abject defending when they gave away some poor scores when their heads dropped.

    Ulster are in big, big trouble.

    Bath celebrateImage source, Inpho
  5. Full-timepublished at 17:05 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    FT: Bath 37-14 Ulster

    It is Bath's day as they blow away Ulster in a dominant second half with a bonus-point win to go top of Pool 2.

    Second-half tries from Thomas Du Toit, a second from Joe Cokanasiga and Matt Gallagher claimed the win, as Ulster failed to trouble the scoreboard in the second period.

    For Ulster, they have to pick themselves up for a huge game with Racing 92 at Kingspan Stadium next weekend.

  6. 'Abject defending from Ulster'published at 17:00 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Bath 37-14 Ulster

    Tony McWhirter
    1999 Ulster European Cup winner on BBC Sportsound

    Bath have absolutely dominated this second half, you can count the amount of Ulster forrays into the red half on one hand. Slowly, but surely, Bath have turned the screw.

    There is no excuse for that, it is abject defending of the worst from Ulster.

    It is all over now.

  7. try

    Try Bath 37-14 Ulsterpublished at 17:00 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Matt Gallagher (79 mins)

    Really poor from Ulster on defence.

    Substitute Jaco Coetzee with an easy run through Ulster defenders before being hauled down eventually two yards out.

    The ball is then spun right where an orderly queue of Bath backs await. It's that man Gallagher who gets the ball and simply falls over the line.

  8. Close!published at 16:59 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Bath 30-14 Ulster

    Almost another for the men in red!

    A grubber kick played through the Ulster defence which Rob Baloucounce allows to trickle over the line. The ball then sits back behind the Ulsterman, who just about gets his hand on the ball to ground ahead of Ollie Lawrence.

  9. 'Russell tears Ulster to shreds'published at 16:55 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Bath 30-14 Ulster

    Tony McWhirter
    1999 Ulster European Cup winner on BBC Sportsound

    If you are going to let Fionn Russell run at you he is going to tear you to shreds.

  10. try

    Try Bath 30-14 Ulsterpublished at 16:53 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Joe Cokanasiga (72 mins)

    Oh dear.

    The wheels coming off for Ulster as Bath show a ruthless efficiency.

    The hosts now showing that they can score tries through the backs.

    Ollie Lawrence with the break through midfield, before popping the ball out of the tackle into the arms of Cokanasiga on the right wing and he races home from 30 metres. Surely no way back for Ulster now.

    Spencer misses with the conversion.

  11. 'Inevitable try'published at 16:52 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Bath 25-14 Ulster

    Tony McWhirter
    1999 Ulster European Cup winner on BBC Sportsound

    That try was inevitable with reset scrum after reset scrum. The recycle, pick and go and then it is simple numbers, simple wait and simple big man against little man.

  12. try

    Try Bath 25-14 Ulsterpublished at 16:50 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Thomas Du Toit (70 mins)

    It was coming.

    Penalty after penalty and Ulster's resistance finally cracked.

    South-African prop Thomas Du Toit gets his hands on the ball after a number of post-scrum drives. From three metres out, Ulster were not going to stop the 125kg man.

    Spencer makes no mistake from the tee.

  13. Postpublished at 16:47 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Bath 18-14 Ulster

    Another infringement and another penalty under the posts.

    Another scrum called and it's difficult to see how the visitors get out of here without conceding.

  14. Sin-binpublished at 16:45 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Bath 18-14 Ulster

    It's substitute Matty Rea who gets a yellow card for not rolling away as Bath pummell the Ulster line.

    Bath go for the scrum 5 metres out. Ominous.

  15. Postpublished at 16:43 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Bath 18-14 Ulster

    Almost immediately, Ulster concede a penalty. This time Finn Russell goes for the corner.

    Finn RussellImage source, Getty Images
  16. Penaltypublished at 16:42 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Bath 18-14 Ulster

    Marty Moore can't seem to shore up this Ulster scrum. Beno Obana seems to have all of Ulster's front-rows' numbers.

    Penalty given. Ben Spencer strikes well from 45 metres, but it drifts just right of the upright.

  17. 'Ulster need to pick up the pace'published at 16:41 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Bath 18-14 Ulster

    Tony McWhirter
    1999 Ulster European Cup winner on BBC Sportsound

    Ulster have to pick up their pace, they've made lots of substitutions and there are a few walking wounded still out there.

  18. Postpublished at 16:38 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Bath 18-14 Ulster

    Ulster still very much in the contest, but they are a little sloppy at times.

    If they can keep the ball in hand and cut down on the errors they will get chances.

    Bath seem content with possession and driving through the heart of the Ulstermen.

    Bath v UlsterImage source, Inpho
  19. Penalty - Bath 18-14 Ulsterpublished at 16:35 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Ben Spencer (59 mins)

    Iain Henderson with hands in a ruck. Penalty to the hosts.

    Ben Spencer strikes it over from straight in front.

  20. Postpublished at 16:32 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2023

    Bath 15-14 Ulster

    Smart turnover by Ulster.

    Nick Timony and Steven Kitshoff with the jackal winning a penalty.

    Charlie Ewels, on his 150th appearance for the west-country side, holding on.