How the Ulster players rated in Champions Cup defeat to Racing 92

Ulster's centre Will Addison put in another impressive performance.

Ratings by Michael Sadlier

October 22 2018

Ulster were beaten 44-12 by Racing 92 on Saturday evening but captain Rory Best spoke of positives to take from the performances.

So did the individuals far?

Read more:

I still feel sick: Simon Zebo gives Michael Lowry his jersey in apology for try-scoring taunt
Ulster were better than Racing 92 scoreline suggests, insists Rory Best

Michael Sadlier casts his eye over the Ulster players:

Starting XV

Michael Lowry 7: His pace will worry most defences. Helped set up the first try and did well throughout. Rightfully got an apology from Zebo.

Ulster's full-back Michael Lowry dashes forward against Racing 92.

Craig Gilroy 6: The idea was to get the ball out wide and he was involved in both Ulster tries. But there were errors and one unnecessary forward pass.

Will Addison 7: Another impressive showing when going forward. Gave Shanahan the scoring pass but there were two chances lost as passes went astray.

Stuart McCloskey 5: Not his finest effort though there was plenty of direct work. Will be frustrated that he couldn’t have scored off Gilroy.

Jacob Stockdale 6: His try was beautifully crafted and came close to two more. But there were defensive issues.

Billy Burns 7: Had to stamp himself on the game and did that starting the move for the first try and cross-kicking to both wings for the second. Left early.

Dave Shanahan 6: Always a big ask coming in for Cooney, he bagged himself another try and kept things ticking over.

Andy Warwick 4: There was one early missed tackle but when the scrum started to go south his night ended at the interval.

Rory Best 5: Looked to be losing that defiance as things ebbed away. It was a hard night at the coalface with the lineout not going well.

Marty Moore 5: Put in a big shift defensively which must have been energy-sapping and he too fell off tackles while the scrum wasn’t something to admire.

Iain Henderson 5: Busy in defence which maybe seemed to take from his overall contribution which was quieter than usual.

Kieran Treadwell 5: Pulled off one big hit on Nakarawa but there was far too much work off the back-foot.

Marcell Coetzee 6: Ulster’s top carrier (16) and tackler (20). The pressure told though and he could have been carded for one deliberate knock-on.