I’m running
out of puns for my titles.
Anyway,
enough of my problems – on to the match!
Connacht
are travelling up north this week, looking to build on what was a fairly
remarkable victory last weekend against Leinster. And they will be looking to
add another remarkable victory to their list…
Five not out?
Yes,
Ulster are aiming for their fifth win in a row. I’m still not sure if I
comprehend how great an achievement this is, considering the teams we’ve beaten
(and their finishing positions last year) – Glasgow (4th), Ospreys
(winners), Munster (3rd), Cardiff (7th).
And you
know what they say – winning is the best way to improve morale. Who can blame
Anscombe for what he’s done so far? His policies of rotation and play by form
have certainly paid off and we’ve now unmasked some unbelievable raw potential
in players such as Luke Marshall, Mike Allen and Chris Farrell.
In fact,
Luke Marshall is probably going to be on the bench for the Castres match next
weekend. Anscombe has to take a lot of the credit for that.
So we come
to Connacht – or rather, Connacht come to us. Indeed, they come to us on the
back of the biggest high they could possibly have had. Hammering Leinster with
a bonus point, and sending them back to D4 with nothing.
You can
look into it all you want and bring up the strength (or lack of strength) of
the Leinster side, or the ‘home comforts’ of the Sportsground. Whatever way you
look at it, that was a good win for the Galway side.
They
should not be underestimated. This is a team that has Dan Parks in its ranks –
a world class fly half and one of the best signings Connacht have ever made.
And we all know what Willie Faloon (captain today) is capable of. Connacht will
come at us with fire in their bellies and with the will to win.
But the
difference this week is that Connacht will face a side that is a lot stronger
than the one they took on last week. Tommy Bowe has shown he hasn’t lost any of
his talent from last season, Paddy Jackson is starting to show why he was given
the starting berth in the Heineken Cup final last season and Nick Williams is
like a runaway train – unstoppable.
Ulster’s
scrum has been virtually impossible to square up against so far this season.
Tom Court, Nigel Brady and John Afoa have been destroying front rows across
Britain, and the reintroduction of Rory Best will only strengthen that.
In many cases,
this will be like a pre-season match. Ulster will be using this game to give
the 1st XV a chance to gel before the Heineken Cup begins again. Although
the matter at hand is the Connacht match, no-one can deny that there will be
one eye on the Castres game and a bit of planning will already have been done.
I can only
see one result here, and I sincerely hope my prediction will be right. With a
full team back and the Ravenhill crowd behind them, Ulster should walk this
(emphasis on the should) and I would hope the win would include four tries.
Although the weather may intervene on the visitor’s part…
Prediction
– Ulster by 22 (with a try bonus point)
At
Ravenhill, 7:05pm kick-off
ULSTER:
15. Jared Payne, 14. Tommy Bowe, 13. Darren Cave, 12. Paddy Wallace, 11. Andrew
Trimble, 10. Paddy Jackson, 9. Paul Marshall; 1. Tom Court, 2. Rory Best, 3.
John Afoa, 4. Johann Muller (c), 5. Dan Tuohy, 6. Stephen Ferris, 7. Chris
Henry, 8. Nick Williams.
Subs: 16.
Rob Herring, 17. Callum Black, 18. Adam Macklin, 19. Lewis Stevenson, 20. Mike
McComish, 21. Michael Heaney, 22. Luke Marshall, 23. Craig Gilroy.
CONNACHT:
15. Robbie Henshaw, 14. Tiernan O’Halloran, 13. Eoin Griffin, 12. Dave
McSharry, 11. Fetu’u Vainokolo, 10. Dan Parks, 9. Keiran Marmion; 1. Brett Wilkinson,
2. Adrian Flavin, 3. Ronan Loughney, 4. Michael Swift, 5. Mike McCarthy, 6.
Dave Gannon, 7. Willie Faloon (c), 8. George Naoupu.
Subs: 16.
Jason Harris-Wright, 17. Denis Buckley, 18. Nathan White, 19. John Muldoon, 20.
Johnny O’Connor, 21. Dave Moore, 22. Miah Nikora, 23. Mata Fifita
Referee:
George Clancy (IRFU)
Assistant
referees: Brian MacNeice, Eanna O’Dowd (both IRFU)
Citing
commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin
Beggs (IRFU)
Stars in the House
The House
of Fraser in Victoria Square was the venue for the latest Ulster meet ‘n’ greet
on Tuesday night – and the Hound paid the players a quick visit.
In
attendance were Jared Payne, John Afoa, Roger Wilson, Adam Macklin, Darren Cave
and Tom Court (who was sporting a very trim looking moustache!).
Roger
Wilson’s spell on the sidelines isn’t going to end any time soon, according to
the man himself, he says he is hoping to be back in two weeks, not in time for
the Heineken Cup matches. However, he says he is happy with the job Nick Williams
is doing and knows it will be a tough ask to get into the side!
The boys
were in great spirits after the win in Cardiff, but Jared Payne admitted his
try was very lucky and he just got the bounce!
And John
Afoa still insists his beard is the best at the club!
Around the grounds
After last
week’s predictions, I have decided instead simply to state the winner.
Where will the wins go this weekend?
Zebre vs.
Ospreys – Zebre
have had a few good efforts at beating the Ospreys in the past and will take
heart from Treviso’s win earlier this year. But the Ospreys have found form at
the right time and this should be no problem. Winners - Ospreys
Scarlets
vs. Dragons – Our nearest challengers should have the edge in this Welsh
derby and they will want to end a run of two straight defeats. They should do
that. Winners – Scarlets
Edinburgh
vs. Treviso – Edinburgh have found great form, winning matches convincingly.
That said, I like the look of Treviso this year and I don’t want to rule them
out. Expect this to be close. Winners – Edinburgh
Leinster
vs. Munster – The ‘Big One’, the ‘Feva in the Aviva’ is upon us. Leinster
aren’t Leinster at the moment, I think even their fans will admit that. But
Munster aren’t on top form either and Leinster are always at their best in and
around European stage. They’ll sneak it. Winner – Leinster
Cardiff
vs. Glasgow – Despite their mauling by us last week, Cardiff will learn their
lesson. Will it be enough to beat Glasgow? I don’t think so. Winner – Glasgow
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