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Ulster run rampant in 6-try win over Harlequins

By Jack Davies
John Cooney's hopes of going to the World Cup with Ireland were dashed by a phone call from Joe Schmidt

Ulster ran in six tries as a stunning second-half performance earned themĀ a 52-24 victory over Harlequins in the Champions Cup on Friday.

The Irish province won 17-5 at The Stoop last weekend but struggled to impose themselves early on at the Kingspan Stadium, leading 16-12 at the break.

Ulster's advantage owed much to the boot of John Cooney, with Stuart McCloskey crossing for their only try of the opening period, but the home side were rampant in the second half.

Craig Gilroy, Charles Piutau, Alan O'Connor, Cooney and Andrew Trimble all went over to collect a comfortable victory and a bonus point that draws them to within two points of Pool 1 leaders La Rochelle, who visit Wasps on Sunday.

There was also a bonus point for Quins, for whom Ross Chisholm and Dave Ward added to first-half tries from Marcus Smith and Charlie Walker.

However, that point is just a second of the campaign for winless Quins, who are yet to visit the runaway French pool-toppers.