Ulster match winner Wilson 'has huge potential'

Prop Scott Wilson, Ulster's match winner against the Dragons, "has a huge ceiling" in terms of his potential says the Irish province's assistant coach Dan Soper.

Ulster avoided a defeat that would have severely dented their hopes of finishing in the play-off places in the United Rugby Championship thanks to the replacement's impact off the bench.

Trailing by six points with nine minutes to play, Wilson, 22, made a tackle, turned the ball over and burst over for what would be a match-winning score in Newport.

John Cooney added the simple conversion and secured the 34-30 victory with a late penalty.

"He has a lot of potential, we know that and Scottie knows that," Ulster's assistant coach Soper said on Premier Sport.

"He is working really hard at the nuts and bolts of his game.

"That's awesome for a tight-head prop to be doing, there's no doubting his impact was massive, but his scrum, maul and line-out role - they are going to be the things to create an opportunity for Scottie to nail down a spot in this team and go on to greater things."

Ulster survive scare against bottom side Dragons

The result moves Ulster from 14th to ninth in the table, with the top eight teams qualifying for the URC play-offs and a place in the Champions Cup rugby next season.

On the whole, Ulster have had an injury-hit and disappointing campaign, but have now picked up back-to-back wins over Scarlets and Dragons.

The Welsh side led 24-14 at half-time and only relinquished that lead for the first time when Cooney converted Wilson's superb solo try.

Soper admits it was a "nervy" win and but says Ulster have "never had an easy game" away to the Dragons - who are bottom of the URC with one win in 13 matches.

"We've got a habit of being in games like that, where there is no clear margin either way.

"It was nervy, but we're delighted that the guys found a way in the last quarter of the match to get the job done."

Soper added that Ulster kept "feeding the Dragons opportunities" with errors and poor discipline, and says that will have to change if they are to continue their push for the top eight.

Ulster play Stormers, who are one point ahead of Richie Murphy's side in the crucial eighth place, at home on Friday before their last-16 tie in the Investec Champions Cup away to Bordeaux.

"That's something we are trying to address because the league is so tight. The swing of a penalty here or there can decide the game," added Soper.

"We just keep giving teams opportunities through indiscipline."

Topics

Ulster 'must win' at Dragons for top-eight hopes

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy says his side "need to win" to keep their hopes of finishing in the top eight of the United Rugby Championship alive.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
Morgan Stanley's near-term rally call: CIO Mike Wilson sees beaten-up Mag 7 stocks as winners

Morgan Stanley CIO Mike Wilson contends the recent market weakness "has nothing to do with tariffs."
CNBC - 8h
Hallgrimsson chat pays off for match-winner Idah

Republic of Ireland match-winner Adam Idah says he had a meeting with manager Heimir Hallgrimsson about his lack of minutes for his country before he came off the bench to score the winner against ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Match Report: Rangers Clinch Historic Victory Over Celtic with Dramatic Winner

Rangers Stun Celtic with Late Igamane Winner in Thrilling DerbyRangers sealed a dramatic victory over Celtic at Parkhead, with Hamza Igamane’s stunning late goal ensuring a 3-2 win in a pulsating ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16
Steelers potential draft target has huge pro day

Jalen Milroe could be a target of the Steelers in the draft.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
20 potential candidates for the UND hockey coaching job

Mar. 24—GRAND FORKS — The only two times the UND hockey head coaching position has been open in the last 30 years, the school promoted the top assistant coach. Last time, in May 2015, UND hired ...
Yahoo Sports - 7h
Shaheen needles Scott Brown over potential GOP Senate bid

New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D) needled her former rival Scott Brown over his status as a former Massachusetts senator on Wednesday as he weighs a bid to replace her in the Senate. “You ...
The Hill - Mar. 12
Zach Wilson: Time with Jets was 'challenging' but signing with Dolphins 'couldn't have been a better match'

Wilson spent last season with the Broncos
CBS Sports - 4d
Imps forward Makama has 'crazy' potential - Skubala

Jovon Makama's hat-trick against Bristol Rovers is a glimpse of the "crazy" potential he has, says Lincoln City boss Michael Skubala.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17

Ulster match winner Wilson 'has huge potential'

Topics

Related

Ulster 'must win' at Dragons for top-eight hopes

Morgan Stanley's near-term rally call: CIO Mike Wilson sees beaten-up Mag 7 stocks as winners

Hallgrimsson chat pays off for match-winner Idah

Match Report: Rangers Clinch Historic Victory Over Celtic with Dramatic Winner

Steelers potential draft target has huge pro day

20 potential candidates for the UND hockey coaching job

Shaheen needles Scott Brown over potential GOP Senate bid

Zach Wilson: Time with Jets was 'challenging' but signing with Dolphins 'couldn't have been a better match'

Imps forward Makama has 'crazy' potential - Skubala

More from Yahoo Sports

Brandin Cooks wants to be a leader of "a great room" of wide receivers in New Orleans

Chase Daniel says Broncos are NFL’s most improved team in 2025

Who will advance to Elite Eight? See our NCAA Tournament bracket predictions for Sweet 16

Pay increases, new titles for Georgia football support staffers

What Georgia basketball coach Mike White, assistants made in bonuses for making March Madness

More in Sports

Brandin Cooks wants to be a leader of "a great room" of wide receivers in New Orleans

Chase Daniel says Broncos are NFL’s most improved team in 2025

Who will advance to Elite Eight? See our NCAA Tournament bracket predictions for Sweet 16

Pay increases, new titles for Georgia football support staffers

What Georgia basketball coach Mike White, assistants made in bonuses for making March Madness