Ulster come from behind to defeat Wasps 19-9

Ulster 19-9 Wasps, Kingspan Stadium
Scorecard

Ulster came up with a clinical second half performance as they came from behind to win the European Champions Cup opening clash against Wasps with a 19-9 margin at Kingspan Stadium on Friday.

Wasps scored an early penalty in the third minute through Elliot Daly to start the proceedings but 11 minutes later Ulster levelled the scores with a penalty of his own through John Cooney.

As the half-time was nearing, fly-half Jimmy Gopperth kicked his first penalty to provide Dai Young's side a slender three point lead.

Gopperth further stretched Wasps' advantage at the start of the second half with another penalty but Ulster made a strong comeback with back to back tries that came from Jacob Stockdale and Stuart McCloskey in the 54th and 56th minutes respectively as the Irish side had a lead of 16-9 at the end of the third quarter.

As the end time was approaching, Christian Leali'ifano kicked two penalties with the second one coming at the back of a sin-bin to Wasps winger Josh Bassett as Ulster completed a 10 point victory.

Ulster now top Pool 1 and will line up against La Rochelle in Round 2 while Wasps will host their Aviva Premiership rivals Harlequins next.