Ulster stun Munster with 21-point comeback to snatch dramatic Belfast draw

Ulster produced the second remarkable comeback in as many weeks, fighting from 26-5 down at half-time to draw 26-26 with Munster in their United Rugby Championship Irish derby at Affidea Stadium in Belfast. Munster were utterly dominant in the opening forty minutes, enjoying 76 percent possession and turning their set-piece pressure into four tries. Alex Kendellen crossed twice, Marnus van der Merwe powered over from a maul and Dan Kelly cut a superb line to score, with JJ Hanrahan adding three conversions. Ulster's only response came when Jacob Stockdale marked his 150th appearance with a first-half try, and they were reduced to 14 men when Cormac Izuchukwu was sin-binned. The hosts were transformed after the break. Stockdale added his second try, David McCann powered over with 12 minutes left, and Stuart McCloskey's 78th-minute score — converted by Jack Murphy — levelled the scores with two minutes remaining. Munster had chances to seal it, but replacement Charlie O'Shea missed a long-range penalty and captain Tadhg Beirne was penalised at a crucial lineout. It is Ulster's second consecutive draw after last week's 33-33 thriller at Glasgow, and a second straight try bonus point, though Richie Murphy's men remain winless after three rounds. Munster's Marnus van der Merwe was named man of the match, but Clayton McMillan's side were left to rue a second half in which they failed to score a single point.