Ulster Rugby vs Cardiff Blues

Article by Rod Nawn

Freelance Journalist and Sports Enthusiast @RODNAWN1

Defeat by the Dragons in Newport three weeks ago was a body blow to Doak who hoped his team would have joined Glasgow at the top of the table entering the next five games, Cup Finals all. Just four points separate second-placed Ulster from Leinster in fifth, and the sides meet at Kingspan Stadium next month, after a daunting trip to Galway, and in May Munster come to Belfast hoping to copper-fasten a play-off place. And on what could be a huge day for Ulster, the third weekend in May sees current leaders Glasgow await at Scotstoun. For Cardiff after tonight the Glasgow, the Scarlets, the Ospreys and Zebre complete its run-in, John and McIntosh probably targeting a top six finish, though inevitably a European Challenge Cup quarter-final win at the Dragons will vie for priority. So, what has been a fascinating, roller-coaster of a season enters a lengthy final phase, and for Ulster to extend its campaign and take another ‘tilt’ at the PRO12 title on 30 May there are five games, all with ‘must win’ stamped on them. The fans this evening will be as demanding as ever, but also as noisily appreciative of the team in white, and certainly one quality players and spectators alike must show is patience. One thing is certain, the joyous abandon of last weekend in Rome, Edinburgh and London would be spectacularly inappropriate at this defining stage of the PRO12 year. Rob Herring, Franco van der Merwe, Dan Tuohy and the rest of the pack know the first forty minutes tonight can set up a platform, but it won’t be easy, Cardiff may be under-performers but it is a side with a capacity and talent to defy the formbook. Make no mistake, as Ulster enters the final furlongs of the PRO12 race it must look to its pedigree, to its star names, yes, but primarily to its character and strengths as a team unit. If patience, resilience, authority and concentration are combined then the home side, and its fans, can truly give Cardiff the Blues!

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