Ulster’s Ian Madigan slotted a last-minute long-range penalty to seal a thrilling 22-19 comeback win over Edinburgh in Saturday’s second PRO14 semi-final.
What a result this was!
For the majority of the match Edinburgh looked in complete control, with South Africa-born wing Duhan van der Merwe particularly producing a standout performance in the first half.
Early in the second half, Edinburgh had opened up a 12-0 lead, while they still held a comfortable 19-7 advantage heading into the final.
Yet, Ulster simply refused to give up the fight, with Springbok star Marcell Coetzee particularly making his presence felt as the Irish club began to win the physical exchanges as the match headed into the business end.
Yet again, it was the magic of Madigan from the kicking tee that proved to be decisive, with the substitute landing a touchline conversion and then slotting the match-winning penalty with the final kick of the game.
Ulster will now face defending champions Leinster after they put in a clinical display to beat rivals Munster 13-3 in the first PRO14 semi-final in Dublin on Friday.
Ian Madigan WINS IT for @UlsterRugby with the penalty at the death! ?
They’re in the final! What incredible scenes! ? pic.twitter.com/OVRcQ8aBkH
— Premier Sports ? (@PremierSportsTV) September 5, 2020
Ian Madigan ???#GuinnessPRO14 pic.twitter.com/SdlfFQIdeA
— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 5, 2020
What a game we’ve got on our hands ?@EdinburghRugby hit right back, then @UlsterRugby grab another through Rob Herring ?
Which way is this one going??
?? Watch Live Now on @PremierSportsTV
?? Watch Live Now on @eirSport #GuinnessPRO14 #EDIvULS pic.twitter.com/J4O3kMdz1F— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) September 5, 2020
Duhan. Van. Der. Merwe. Here’s here all night folks. pic.twitter.com/WcWkA1POIJ
— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) September 5, 2020
Edinburgh – 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Chris Dean, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Magnus Bradbury, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Ben Toolis, 3 WP Nel, 2 Stuart McInally (c), 1 Rory Sutherland.
Subs: 16 Mike Willemse, 17 Pierre Schoeman, 18 Simon Berghan, 19 Andrew Davidson, 20 Jamie Ritchie, 21 Charlie Shiel, 22 Nathan Chamberlain, 23 George Taylor.
Ulster – 15 Jacob Stockdale, 14 Louis Ludik, 13 James Hume, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Rob Lyttle, 10 Billy Burns (c), 9 John Cooney, 8 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Jordi Murphy, 6 Matthew Rea, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Alan O’Connor, 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Eric O’Sullivan.
Subs: 16 John Andrew, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Marty Moore, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Sean Reidy, 21 Alby Mathewson, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Michael Lowry.
