Ulster 15-13 Scarlets

Dan McFarland's Ulster tenure began with a win over Scarlets in the PRO14 season opener at Kingspan.

John Cooney kicked 5 penalties, with the winning points coming in the 80th minute.

It was the visitors who made the early breakthrough, with fly-half Rhys Patchell crossing to score, and then convert, a try in the left corner with just 7 minutes played.

A hat-trick of Cooney penalties nudged Ulster ahead by the 25th minute, and they remained in front at the interval.

Early in the second period, Ulster's Nick Timoney did well in defence to deny the visitors a second try as he held up captain Ken Owens beneath the posts.

Scarlets did soon move ahead though with Dan Jones slotting 2 penalties either side of Cooney's kick to make it 13-12 to the Welsh club after an hour.

Ulster were then handed the advantage when Ed Kenney was binned for a dangerous tackle on Henry Speight with 12 minutes remaining.

David Bulbring was also yellow carded in the 78th minute, which teed up Cooney to nail the winning penalty to seal a man of the match performance.