CHANGING FOCUS

Forget the internationals – there’s Ulster action this weekend! Parma is the location for the Ulstermen this weekend in the re-arranged game from Round Four, and Zebre are the opposition.

The term ‘underdogs’ isn’t a particularly nice one and in my opinion it shouldn’t be used very often. But if it was being used anywhere, here would be the best place to use it, because this weekend, it’s top v bottom, and the game should be in no doubt. But the players available to each team may make it a bit closer than we would presume.

To use another saying, it’s the ‘David v Goliath’ match. Let battle commence…

Stars and stripes

Not the best comparison, but it’s not far away, as the stars of Ulster take on the stripes of the Zebras.

By no means am I saying Zebre haven’t any stars though. But most of theirs have been taken by the Italian national side or injury. Fly-half Daniel Halangahu has made a great start at his new side, although that’s playing at centre and wing. Tomorrow, he’s playing at fly-half, his usual position, and is expected to flourish. Add in Tito Tebaldi, an ex-Italy international and Dries van Schalkwyk their South African back rower, you do have quite a few brilliant players.

And as Ulster have learned from the past two seasons, Italy isn’t an easy place to go and win in the league. Both seasons they required intercept tries from Robbie Diack to see off Aironi, and last season they needed a last minute Ian Whitten try to beat Treviso.

But if there’s one thing this current Ulster side can do, it’s win. And this year that includes away games. If they want to really consolidate their position at the top of the PRO12 table, tomorrow’s game (and Friday’s probably) is a must-win. And two bonus points aren’t out of reach either.

They need to meet the Italians head on in the scrum and then go one step further and beat them there. Nick Williams will be crucial in this area, on his return to Italy, and his brute strength should be what puts Ulster’s forwards at a slight advantage. Ulster’s front row bench is a lot stronger than the hosts’ as well boasting two Irish internationals in Tom Court and Declan Fitzpatrick, two players that can turn a scrum on its head.

The half-back battle will also be something to watch. Since returning from Connacht, Niall O’Connor hasn’t had many chances to impress so he will be eager to show what he can do once more. The same goes for Michael Heaney who will be trying to secure a long-term contract with his performances. The Ulster duo will go up against the aforementioned Tebaldi and Halangahu – two experienced players. It will be a big test.

And finally, before the prediction, I would like to express my delight at seeing the return of Michael Allen at wing. After suffering his unfortunate injury against Cardiff it’s good to see him back on the teamsheet once again – he has a great future ahead of him.

Predicting Ulster matches is getting harder and harder each week. With the teams that both sides have available it will be a very close game and I think it will be a one score game. Hopefully it will go Ulster’s way. Prediction – Ulster by 6.

Stadio XXV Aprile, Sunday 18^th November, 2:00pm GMT

ZEBRE: 15. David Odiete, 14. Leonardo Sarto, 13. Matteo Pratichetti, 12. Samuele Pace, 11. Alessandro Castagnoli, 10. Daniel Halangahu, 9. Tito Tebaldi; 1. Matias Aguero, 2. Andrea Manici, 3. Luca Redolfini, 4. Josh Sole, 5. Filippo Cazzola, 6. Filippo Ferrarini, 7. Filippo Cristiano (c), 8. Dries van Schalkwyk.

16. Andrea de Marchi, 17. Salvatore Perugini, 18. Flavio Tripodi, 19. Emiliano Caffini, 20. Nicola Belardo, 21. Alberto Chillon, 22. Ross McCann, 23. Nicola Cattina.

ULSTER: 15. Ricky Andrew, 14. Mike Allen, 13. Jared Payne, 12. Paddy Wallace, 11. Chris Cochrane, 10. Niall O’Connor, 9. Michael Heaney; 1. Callum Black, 2. Nigel Brady (c), 3. John Afoa, 4. Robbie Diack, 5. Neil McComb, 6. Nick Williams, 7. Mike McComish, 8. Roger Wilson.

16. Rob Herring, 17. Tom Court, 18. Declan Fitzpatrick, 19. James Simpson, 20. Ali Birch, 21. Blane McIlroy, 22. Stuart Olding, 23. Peter Nelson.

Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU, 44^th competition game)

Assistant referees: Matteo Liperini, Stefano Penne (both FIR)
Citing commissioner: Achille Reali (FIR)
TMO: Alan Falzone (FIR)

International issues

A brief note on the Ireland XV vs. Fiji match. In my opinion, this is a pointless and stupid game. No caps are being given and it is a humiliation to Fiji that they are to play in a match that doesn’t give caps. It’s a disgrace.

On the flipside, it’s great to see that so many Ulster players will be on show at Thomond Park and I wish them the best of luck. Time for them to really stake a claim for a starting place in the Ireland team that gives caps.

And in a final outburst – what does Paul Marshall have to do to get a start for Ireland? He’s by a long way the form scrum-half in Ireland, the only person that can’t recognise that is Declan Kidney. Wake up Deccie.

Prediction – Ireland by 13.