MUNSTER TASK FOR ULSTER

Not my best headline, I know, but it really does sum up what sort of a match the Ulstermen will face this Saturday. If you sat down and listed the grounds that are hardest to come away with a win from, you’d list the usuals: the RDS, Stade Marcel-Michelin, Welford Road etc. But undoubtedly, on that list would be Thomond Park.

And it is where Ulster find themselves this weekend, trying to maintain an eleven-match unbeaten streak in the league. Couple that with the team they have selected and the side they are coming up against, and you are looking at one enormous challenge. If Ulster can walk away from this game unscathed, it will be possibly the biggest step they have taken this season so far.

Part 2 of the season starts here…

Fortune favours the brave

Or so they say anyway. And Ulster will need to draw upon all of their bravery to even come away from Limerick with the losing bonus point, let alone the win. Countless numbers of teams have tried and failed to leave the southern province with something to show from their efforts.

But Ulster have something that all of those other teams don’t have – the upper hand. This side comes into the match on a personal high – top of the league by nine points (with this game in hand) and top of their Heineken Cup pool with only one loss to their name. This season couldn’t be going much better for the Ulstermen.

That’s not all though. Ever since that win in April, there have been whispers of a change in power in Irish rugby, with Ulster replacing Munster as the “second” province. And Ulster’s start to this season would only back that up – maybe even leapfrog them into first ahead of Leinster. Certainly all the bragging rights belong to the “noisy northern neighbours”.

Unfortunately though, fixture scheduling usually results in the two sides always being unevenly matched – last season’s league meetings both resulted in bonus point victories for the home sides, while this season the two teams met early in the campaign when neither had their internationals back from the summer Tests (Ulster won that game 20-19).

This weekend is no different. The usual Christmas matches meant Mark Anscombe decided to play his full side against Leinster and then rest them this weekend. It is the way it has been in the PRO12 for a long time and it is probably how it will continue.

Ulster’s side takes on an unfamiliar look with eleven changes from last weekend’s victory over Leinster. Rather than list every single change I will simply state who remains – Craig Gilroy and Luke Marshall are the only backs that remain after being released from the Ireland camp, while Neil McComb and Robbie Diack maintain their positions in the pack. Lewis Stevenson makes his first start since his return from injury.

For Munster it is a case of all-change. After resting their internationals last weekend, they have a full squad to choose from, and they are firm favourites to win their match with such stars available to them. Simon Zebo, Conor Murray, Damien Varley and Peter O’Mahony return to the Munster team, who can go equal second with a bonus-point win, which is what they are aiming for. A certain Ronan O’Gara is also on the bench.

How can Ulster win this game? As I’ve already said, they need to have the belief in their ability, or they will get nowhere. These guys can play rugby, but if they think they are simply going down to lose then they will. Once they get there, they have to try and win the physical battle – which is not an easy task. If Ulster can get an upper hand in the scrum then it is possible that their backs can cause Munster plenty of damage.

I don’t think that will happen though. They are coming up against a side that is (and probably will be for a long time) motivated by revenge and will simply have too much for Ulster’s young guns to handle. It will be a case of damage limitation for the Ulstermen, and try to head back to Belfast with their heads held high. Prediction – Munster by 11.

At Thomond Park, Limerick

Saturday 29th December, 17:30
RaboDirect PRO12 - Round 12

MUNSTER
15. Denis Hurley, 14. Doug Howlett (c), 13. Casey Laulala, 12. James Downey, 11. Simon Zebo, 10. Ian Keatley, 9. Conor Murray; 1. Wian du Preez, 2. Damien Varley, 3. BJ Botha, 4. Donncha O’Callaghan, 5. Billy Holland, 6. Peter O’Mahony, 7. Tommy O’Donnell, 8. Paddy Butler.

Subs: 16. Mike Sherry, 17. Marcus Horan, 18. Stephen Archer, 19. Dave O’Callaghan, 20. James Coughlan, 21. Peter Stringer, 22. Ronan O’Gara, 23. Felix Jones.

ULSTER

15. Adam D’Arcy, 14. Chris Cochrane, 13. Mike Allen, 12. Luke Marshall, 11. Craig Gilroy, 10. Niall O’Connor, 9. Paul Marshall; 1. Callum Black, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Adam Macklin, 4. Lewis Stevenson, 5. Neil McComb, 6. Mike McComish, 7. Robbie Diack, 8. Roger Wilson (c).

Subs: 16. Niall Annett, 17. Ricky Lutton, 18. Tom Court, 19. Alan O’Connor, 20. Ali Birch, 21. Michael Heaney, 22. Stuart Olding, 23. Ricky Andrew.

Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU)

Assistant referees: Dudley Phillips, Sean Gallagher (both IRFU)
Citing commissioner: Tom McCormack (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)