**Semi-finalists Ulster were pegged back in their pursuit of a first Guinness PRO14 title since 2005/06, as they were trumped 26-20 by fellow Irishmen Connacht in their penultimate match of the regular season at the Aviva Stadium.** John Cooney kicked Ulster ahead, but smart tries from John Porch and Kieran Marmion gave Connacht a 14-6 half-time lead, on their first trip to Irish Rugby headquarters since 1989. Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney scored either side of Bundee Aki’s try on his 100th Connacht appearance, but Jack Aungier made sure of the bonus point as the 2015/16 champions were ultimately too strong on the teams’ first meeting outside of Belfast or Galway. Following their first defeat against their fellow countrymen in three, Ulster will be desperate to return to winning ways against Leinster ahead of the coveted Final Series, while Connacht will be hoping to finish with a flurry against Munster.
