Ulster Rugby vs Ospreys

ARTICLE BY ROD NAWN FREELANCE JOURNALIST AND SPORTS ENTHUSIAST @RODNAWN1

still: and the fact is that the Ospreys blinked first, Ulster successfully negotiated a fixture at Scotstoun for the first time in six outings and took control of the table. What many coaches and players hope for is ‘M’, momentum: it breeds confidence, it helps develop cohesion and it is embraced by the entire squad so that when injuries or international calls intrude others step easily, confidently into the line-up. This evening at Kingspan there are some wonderful individual battles to watch, all conducted in the context of their respective teams. But who wouldn’t want to see Jackson pitch up against Biggar – with both of them perhaps harbouring serious Lions ambitions next summer - Webb against Pienaar, Henderson against Tipuric, Best challenged by Baldwin, Piutau’s brilliance set against Fiji’s Josh Matevesi midfield power? This evening’s game is one to get all rugby fans excited, two sides with excellent starts to the season and with a clear aspiration for the Guinness PRO12 title, come face-to-face just five weeks into the campaign. But though there will be some changes to those who’ll figure in the battle for a top four place come May it’s clear that, again, ‘the usual suspects’ will be involved. Glasgow will come back from their two reverses to date, Cardiff look a more determined proposition, and Leinster and Munster will mount serious threats to everyone. Expectations are high, and properly so, and this is an Ulster squad with what appears to be a much more resilient calm and authority on its evolving, attacking play. The Ospreys tonight offer a true test of just how well the Ulster team has developed and grown after a strong pre-season and some genuinely uplifting displays throughout September. It’s a match which promises tries aplenty, and the mesmerising talents each club can field supports the argument that the PRO12 is a competition to stand comparison with any other league in these islands. Kingspan Stadium will once again be packed, the stage set for the most important and potentially entertaining contest yet.

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