Ulster still without URC win after defeat by Bulls

Ulster's winless start to the United Rugby Championship stretches to four games as they are beaten 34-26 by the Bulls in Pretoria. Former Ulster player Marcell Coetzee scored twice at Loftus Versfeld Ulster's winless start to the United Rugby Championship stretched to four games as they were beaten 34-26 by the Bulls in Pretoria. Former Ulster star Marcell Coetzee led the way for his side in a dominant pack effort, scoring two tries despite spending 10 minutes in the sin-bin. From 21-0 down, the northern province did at least mount something of a comeback to secure a four-try bonus, although they were denied further consolation with Curwin Bosch's last-kick penalty knocking them out of losing bonus-point range.

While Richie Murphy's side did notch a Challenge Cup win against Zebre last week, it is the first time they have failed to win any of their first four league fixtures since 2008-09 when they opened what was then the Celtic League with a quartet of consecutive losses. They face a second game in South Africa against Stormers on 31 October before the URC takes a four-weekend break for November's Nations Championship fixtures. In what was a clumsy start, Ulster conceded a penalty in the opening passage of play and were quickly made to pay when Coetzee finished off a maul try after