Postpublished at 20:50 GMT 22 December 2023
Ulster 17-7 Connacht
Referee Eoghan Cross has called both sides in and asked them to make more of an effort to role away after a tackle has been made.
Connacht have a lineout close to Ulster's line.
Ulster 20-19 Connacht
Ulster led 14-7 at half-time
Ulster 17-7 Connacht
Referee Eoghan Cross has called both sides in and asked them to make more of an effort to role away after a tackle has been made.
Connacht have a lineout close to Ulster's line.
Ulster 14-7 Connacht
Tom O'Toole and Steven Kitshoff come on for Marty Moore and Andy Warwick.
Ulster 17-7 Connacht
Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Kingspan Stadium
If you want to know how strong the wind is, John Cooney just sprayed a bit of water out of his bottle to check the direction and it blew back and hit him in the face.
It did the trick as he nailed that kick.
John Cooney
Ulster get a penalty in a decent position and John Cooney knocks it over despite the tricky conditions to extend his side's lead.
Ulster now have a slight cushion but this game is far from over.
Ulster 14-7 Connacht
Ulster have a penalty in midfield and Jake Flannery once again puts the ball into the corner.
Ulster secure the lineout on their own throw and carry for a number of phases trying to find a gap, but Connacht's defence is standing strong.
Ulster 14-7 Connacht
Ulster win a lineout deep into their own 22 and John Cooney box-kicks to clear.
Connacht give away a penalty for obstruction and there is a bit of niggle between the two teams who have been warned by referee Eoghan Cross to watch their discipline.
Ulster 14-7 Connacht
Ulster's Tom Stewart gets stripped off the ball and Connacht surge forward through Shayne Bolton who is ultimately bundled into touch.
Ulster 14-7 Connacht
Jack Carty gets the second half underway and James Hume hits a good clearance kick.
Connacht have a lineout and Jack Carty hits a fantastic kick, pinning Ulster back with a lineout in their 22.
HT: Ulster 14-7 Connacht
Tommy Bowe
Former Ulster & Ireland winger on BBC Two NI
"It's been a captivating first half and both sides mean business. Ulster started really well and their defence has been excellent at times but then little chinks have appeared and Connacht have opended them up.
"Ulster wil be hapy enough going in at half-time but there's still a lot to improve on."
Ulster 14-7 Connacht
Ulster do well to repel a spell of Connacht pressure close to their line and will be relieved to boot the ball out and go in with their seven point lead intact at the break.
There has not been much between the sides and it was turned into a bit of an arm wrestle in the second quarter, with neither side fully in control.
With Connacht still well within touching distance, it sets up an fascinating second-half.
Ulster 14-7 Connacht
Connacht have worked their way up the pitch are now pummelling the Ulster defence just short of the Ulster try-line.
The visitors recycled the ball well until a knock-on from Conor Oliver at the base of a ruck gives Ulster the scrum and a chance to clear the ball as we approach half-time.
Ulster 14-7 Connacht
After a breathless start, the game has slowed down as both sides wrestle for the ascendency.
Both sides are struggling to maintain momentum although Ulster have the better of territory and possession as we approach the break.
Ulster 14-7 Connacht
Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Kingspan Stadium
The first 20 minutes were great. The last 16 less so.
The wind and rain have been getting worse as the half has ticked on and it's showing on the pitch.
Ulster 14-7 Connacht
Connacht lock Darragh Murray gets a helping hand in the line-out
Ulster 14-7 Connacht
Connacht string some phases together and force a penalty as Nick Timoney is pinged for putting his hands on the ground in the ruck.
Jack Carty kicks into touch but Connacht lose the lineout and their field position as Ulster now surge forward.
Ulster 14-7 Connacht
Jake Flannery once again kicks towards the corner and puts Ulster in a good position.
Matty Rea knocks the ball on and Connacht will now look to clear their lines.
Ulster 14-7 Connacht
Ulster make a mess at the back of the scrum and a brief game of kick-tennis ensues.
Will Addison launches a good clearing kick and Connacht will now have the lineout a short distance into their own half.
Kieran Treadwell has stolen it and Ulster will look to build an attack.
Penalty Ulster.
Ulster 14-7 Connacht
Watch: Nick Timoney scores a try for Ulster
Ulster 14-7 Connacht
Jack Flannery fails to make touch with a penalty and it's a Connacht scrum close to the halfway line.
A bit of a momentum killer for Ulster but they are causing Connacht issues at the scrum.
Ulster 14-7 Connacht
Tony McWhirter
1999 Ulster European Cup winner on BBC Two NI
'Halfway through the first half and both teams are on the scoreboard. It might not be the most flowing rugby but it's a derby match - it's about rolling you sleeves up and doing the dirty work.'