Ulster break French jinx at last

PARIS (AFP) –

Ulster’s prop Tom Court (Center L) fights in the scrum with Castres’ Anton Peikrishvili (Center R) during their match at the Pierre Antoine Stadium in Castres, on January 19, 2013. Last season’s beaten finalists Ulster rounded off their European Cup pool campaign with a first win in France at their 15th attempt, beating Castres 9-8.

Last season’s beaten finalists Ulster rounded off their European Cup pool campaign with a first win in France at their 15th attempt, beating Castres 9-8 on Saturday.

All their points came from the boot of South African Ruan Pienaar, but a weakened side were unable to get the bonus point that would have strengthened their chances of getting a home quarter-final.

The 1999 European Cup winners, who topped Pool Four, will have to wait till the end of the weekend and the outcome of other matches to see if they entertain their quarter-final opponents in Belfast.

“We wanted to win and even by a point, I’ll take it. A win is a win,” said Ulster coach Mark Anscombe.

“It wasn’t our best performance but we knew it would be difficult here. I don’t know if we will be playing at home in the quarter-finals, but the most important thing is that we are in the last eight. We will play anyone, anywhere.”

Castres went into the final 20 minutes with an 8-6 lead, Remy Lamerat’s try and South African kicker Rory Kockott’s penalty giving them the edge.

Ulster had two Pienaar penalties to their credit.

Pienaar, who had been moved to fly-half from scrum-half for the match, sent Ulster into the lead for the first time with a penalty in the 64th minute.

In the pool’s other match a surprisingly effective performance by previously winless Glasgow saw the Scottish side beat English giants Northampton 27-20 which ended any hopes the 2000 champions had of making the last eight as a one of the two best runners-up.

George Pisi’s second-half try saw Northampton overhaul Glasgow, who had taken a surprising 13-8 lead when South African backrow forward Josh Strauss touched down with Scott Wight converting.

The Scottish side went back in front as Fijian scrum-half Nikola Matawalu scored their second try which Wight also converted.

Back came Saints and England fullback Ben Foden, whose pass had been intercepted by Matawalu for his try, brought them level with a try in the dying minutes.

But Glasgow centre Peter Horne brought the home crowd to their feet as he scored right at the death — and converted for good measure — to give the hosts their long-awaited win.