Aironi Rugby 6 Ulster 43:Ulster ended their 12-year exile from the Heineken Cup knockout stages when securing second in Pool Four after a comfortable win against Aironi at the Stadio Luigi Zafanella. Brian McLaughlin's side join Leinster in the last eight, as one of the two best runners-up, with a six-try win over the Italian side.
It was a hugely impressive group phase that saw them record more victories (five from six) than the group winners, but miss out on top spot because of the losing bonus point picked up by Biarritz in a close encounter at Ravenhill last week. The French finished the job with a 26-19 win over Bath this afternoon.
Number eight Pedrie Wannenburg scored twice in a man-of-the-match display while tries from Andrew Trimble, Chris Henry and a penalty try wrapped up a bonus point before Simon Danielli capped the victory with a late score.
Outhalf Ian Humphreys also booted 13 points, including the opening points of the game with a third-minute penalty to help settle Ulster nerves. It was not until the 23rd minute that Ulster found their way over the Italian try line, having come under pressure themselves from the home team.
South Africans Wannenburg and scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar combined before fullback Adam D’Arcy showed strength to hand off Aironi flanker Vickus Liebenberg and deliver the scoring pass for Trimble.
Aironi’s Kiwi outhalf James Marshall got the Italians off the mark with a penalty after a break by lively wing Pablo Canavosio.
Humphreys was off target with his second penalty attempt moments later, and when Aironi full-back Julien Laharrague stepped up to knock over a long-range penalty on 36 minutes Ulster were holding onto a slender 10-6 lead at half-time. But Ulster took control of the tie with a try inside the opening minute of the second half, Wannenburg touching down from an impressive forward drive.
Just five minutes later and Wannenburg scored again from almost the exact same move as Ulster’s pack began to dominate. Humphreys converted both and Ulster were looking more comfortable at 24-6.
Trimble threatened again, catching his own high kick and bursting through tackles forcing Aironi to concede a penalty. With three tries in the bag Ulster were desperate to wrap up the bonus point, and they opted to go for the line-out instead of the posts.
Their initial drive was held up short but from the resulting scrum Aironi’s pack crumbled and French referee Christophe Berdos walked under the posts to award a penalty try.
Humphreys conversion broke the 30-point barrier and Ulster could relax for the final 20 minutes.
It was from another scrum that they grabbed their fifth try, pushing Aironi off their own set-piece, handing Wannenburg a perfect attacking position. The former Springbok powered forward before off-loading to replacement Henry, who picked his angle to perfection.
Wannenburg was again involved as Ulster sealed the rout with a sixth score, passing to Ian Whitten who shipped on to Danielli, handing the wing an easy finish in the left-hand corner. Humphreys missed the conversion, but Ulster had taken their chance and will learn who stands between them and a semi-final place.
