GOING TO GLASGOW - AGAIN

In the midst of a mini injury crisis, Ulster look at their fixture list dreading their next game – a 1^st v 2^nd clash away to Glasgow, and it will not be easy.

Glasgow have been undefeated since early December and come into the game on the back of two bonus point victories against Zebre and the Dragons, notching up fourteen tries in the process, eight of which came in a 60-3 win last week in Newport.

They are undoubtedly the form team in the Pro12 right now, and Ulster will have to go there missing 21 players…

Four out of four?

Ulster have already beaten Glasgow three times this season – once in the Pro12 and twice in the Heineken Cup. Tonight Ulster will be aiming to make it a clean sweep against their Scottish opponents, but they face an uphill task to do so.

After the devastating news on Monday that Johann Muller will be out for at least another four weeks, Ulster now have to cope with 21 players missing out due to injury or international call-ups. The surprising call by Ireland coach Declan Kidney to start Paddy Jackson and Luke Marshall for Sunday’s match against Scotland limits Anscombe’s hand considerably.

So Ulster head to Glasgow with what could be considered not a ramshackle team, but certainly not a full strength team. Out of the twenty-three selected, only four would make it into a full strength Ulster side. Even for an international period, that is a surprisingly low number.

But every side has to deal with injuries and call-ups, and because of Irish injuries too, Ulster are even more limited. That said, so are Glasgow. They are missing several backs to injury, and twelve of their first team are involved with Scotland. While on the face of the matter it may be 1^st v 2^nd, in reality it’s two second string sides battling it out.

The game itself, however, should be just as physical and hard-hitting as it would have been if it was two first teams going at each other. Glasgow are the typical “grind-it-out” team – they do everything right and then capitalise on opposition mistakes. On rare occasions they do turn on the style (like last week) and when they do, they can cut through sides like a hot knife through butter.

For Ulster it has to be a case of keeping it tight. No mistakes, no sloppy errors like the last few weeks – they have to be strong in all areas. If they can outmanoeuvre Glasgow in the forwards then that should be enough to let the backs loose. With some interesting selections there, it will be interesting to see how they get on.

I’m all for being positive, and I am confident that if Ulster play to their best then they will steal the win. However, Ulster have been off form since the Scarlets game back in early January and Glasgow, coupled with the home advantage, look a safe bet. I’m going to go risky and back the lads though! Prediction – Ulster by 2.

Teams

Glasgow have given Peter Horne his fiftieth start at fly-half this evening as one of six changes made by coach Gregor Townsend. Due to multiple injuries in the front row, Ofa Fainga’anuku gets only his second start for the Warriors at loosehead and Ed Kalman starts on the tighthead side. Pat MacArthur is released from international duty to line up between them at hooker. Josh Strauss replaces James Eddie at blindside flanker, and John Barclay returns from the Scotland camp to take his place at openside. Nikola Matawalu returns to his favoured position of scrum-half to allow Tommy Seymour to start on his return from injury.

Ulster make eleven changes to the side that beat Zebre last Friday. Paddy Wallace will make his first start of the season at fly-half, while Stuart Olding takes his place at inside centre. Andrew Trimble also takes up an unfamiliar position at outside centre with Mark Anscombe giving a full debut to Dublin-born winger Neil Walsh. The front row is completely changed with Nigel Brady starting at hooker in his first match since November. Alongside him are Callum Black and John Afoa who captains the side. Neil McComb replaces the injured Johann Muller at lock, while Dan Tuohy returns from his injury to start alongside him. Conor Joyce and Ali Birch are drafted into the back row.

Glasgow Warriors vs. Ulster Rugby

RaboDirect Pro12, Round 16

Friday 22^nd February, 19:35

Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow

GLASGOW WARRIORS

15. Peter Murchie, 14. Tommy Seymour, 13. Mark Bennett, 12. Alex Dunbar, 11. DTH van der Merwe, 10. Peter Horne, 9. Nikola Matawalu; 1. Ofa Fainga’anuku, 2. Pat MacArthur, 3. Ed Kalman, 4. Tim Swinson, 5. Tom Ryder, 6. Josh Strauss, 7. John Barclay, 8. Ryan Wilson (c).

16. Fraser Brown, 17. Luke Pettie, 18. Garry Mountford, 19. Nick Campbell, 20. James Eddie, 21. Sean Kennedy, 22. Scott Wight, 23. Graeme Morrison.

ULSTER RUGBY

15. Ricky Andrew, 14. Neil Walsh, 13. Andrew Trimble, 12. Stuart Olding, 11. Mike Allen, 10. Paddy Wallace, 9. Ruan Pienaar; 1. Callum Black, 2. Nigel Brady (c), 3. John Afoa, 4. Neil McComb, 5. Dan Tuohy, 6. Conor Joyce, 7. Ali Birch, 8. Robbie Diack.

16. Rob Herring, 17. Ricky Lutton, 18. Andrew Warwick, 19. Alan O’Connor, 20. Mike McComish, 21. Paul Marshall, 22. Darren Cave, 23. Chris Cochrane.

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 91^st competition game)

Assistant Referees: David Changleng, Adrian Graves (both SRU)

Citing Commissioner: Rob Flockhart (SRU)

TMO: Iain Ramage (SRU)

Around the grounds

This week’s fixtures feature another top four tussle and a basement battle. Can Zebre get their first win? Will Leinster keep pace with the top two?

Treviso vs. Munster – Home win

Cardiff vs. Connacht – Home win

Leinster vs. Scarlets – Home win

Ospreys vs. Edinburgh – Home win (BP)

Zebre vs. Dragons – Home win