URC: Soper hails Ulster ‘character’ after win over Glasgow

Ulster assistant coach Dan Soper says the last-gasp 20-19 victory over Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship opener was “good entertainment”.

The Belfast hosts trailed the champions four minutes into the red when Dave Shanahan touched down to give Ulster a dramatic winning start to the campaign.

“This group of guys have character, they’re not going to go away and they’ll stay in the fight,” said Soper.

“It was good entertainment – it was a bit nervy. We could be a lot more efficient, scoring a bit quicker but Dave Shanahan did the job at the death so it’s a great way to start the year.”

Glasgow dominated for much of the game and led 12-10 at the break but Ulster finished strongly with two tries in the final eight minutes.

“We weren’t brilliant, we are all aware of that, but we did enough in the first half, we were under a lot of pressure to stay in the game and then in the second half it was much of the same.

“We did just enough to get our noses in front at the death.”

Ulster now travel to South Africa to face the Lions next Saturday before a meeting with the Bulls.

“We’re pretty pleased to get this result but we have a tough couple of weeks coming up so we’ll need to get better.”