Ulster fall to URC defeat in Italy to Benetton

Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey is tackled by Benetton’s Tomas Albornoz and Alessandro Garbisi

Rhyno Smith's late penalty secured a 31-29 win for Benetton over Ulster in the URC on Saturday.

It is now five defeats in six for an out-of-form Ulster side with this defeat at the Stadio di Monigo.

Dan McFarland's side managed to draw back a 13-point deficit in the last 15 minutes. However their 14-man hosts clinched the win at the last with Rhyno Smith's penalty that went in via a post.

Having scored four tries, Ulster as a consolation have two bonus points to take back to Belfast.

But there is no disguising this is another deeply disappointing result.

As Ulster battle to reach second spot in the table ahead of the DHL Stormers and securing home advantage in the semi-finals, this result will have done damage to those aspirations.

Ulster went over with tries from O'Sullivan, Herring and Lowry, with John Cooney landing two conversions and a penalty, but it was all scant consolation.