TERRIFIC TOP SEEDS

What a game, what a win, and what an opportunity we have been gifted.

It was a monumental night at Welford Road. I forwent my position in the press box to join the rest of the Ulster fans on the Holland and Barrett terrace on Saturday night, and I was not disappointed. We sang, we chanted and we cheered all night in delight as Ulster deservedly left the home of the Tigers with all four points, and our unbeaten run in this season’s competition still firmly intact, leaving us a head and shoulders above the rest in Europe.

Now we have been rewarded with a home quarter-final against Saracens to look forward to at Ravenhill which (touch wood) will be completed just in time to be able to host the game. The players have done their job, now it’s time for the builders to fulfil their side of the bargain and have the ground ready for the 5^th April!

Back to the game on Saturday night, and to me it proved two things. Firstly that we are one of the best sides in Europe. For years we have sort of drifted on the edge of the best sides in Europe – there but not quite if you catch my drift. But we despatched the Tigers with a controlled and professional performance, confirming to the rest of the rugby world that we are genuine contenders for the title, and that we can break the ‘six from six curse’.

Secondly, that Ruan Pienaar is the best scrum-half in the northern hemisphere. His kicking game was absolutely superb, both from hand and off the tee, but the composure he brings to the game and his quick passing from the ground constantly puts Ulster on the front foot. He is in top form, and long may it continue – he is a joy to watch in full flow.

Nobody will now fancy a trip to Ravenhill. Ulster proved on Saturday night that we can exploit the weaknesses of teams, and over the pool stages we have done everything that has been asked of us, including notching up two superb away wins at two of the toughest grounds in Europe. In fact, it’s a bit of a disgrace that Ulster aren’t given more of a chance at winning the tournament considering how they have taken apart two real contenders at the start of the year.

So now we’re looking forward to a home quarter-final in April and the chance of revenge against the side that knocked us out last season at this stage. For three years we have been travelling in the knockouts of the Heineken Cup, now we’ve finally achieved a home quarter-final and a glorious chance to reach the semi-finals too. As a top club, we are still slowly improving, and with the opportunity to reach the final without leaving Ireland, the incentive is there.

This could finally be Ulster’s season to win a trophy. We’ll have to defeat three big teams to get there, but this side is growing in confidence, and with home advantage behind us in the quarters and a potential semi-final, I don’t think I’m being unreasonable whenever I say that we really should make the final at least.

Failing that, we should win the thing outright.

Quality quarter-finalists

I don’t think there has ever been a year where the Heineken Cup quarter-finalists have been of such quality. The line up features six former champions, the defending English and Celtic champions, and Saracens (sorry, had to say that!). Three French sides, three Irish, and two English. Hm, seems to represent the current hierarchy in European rugby in my opinion…

And although it doesn’t include the might of Toulouse and Leinster like it did last season, the Amlin should still provide some quality match-ups, including two all-English clashes between Wasps and Gloucester, and Sale and Northampton. Keep your eye on Bath though – they’re playing very well in the Premiership, and deservedly finished as top seeds in the Amlin. They could go all the way, and I don’t think anyone would argue if they did.

If you’re not already excited for April, then there’s something wrong with you. It will be incredibly difficult to predict any of the eight knockout matches, and it will prove to be a cracking weekend of rugby. Just the matter of some small international tournament to deal with first, before the real rugby returns!

Heineken Cup quarter-finals

Ulster Rugby vs. Saracens
ASM Clermont Auvergne vs. Leicester Tigers
Toulon vs. Leinster Rugby
Munster Rugby vs. Toulouse

Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals

Bath Rugby vs. Brive
London Wasps vs. Gloucester Rugby
Sale Sharks vs. Northampton Saints
Stade Francais Paris vs. Harlequins