Ulster Rugby vs Connacht & Munster

ROD NAWN

It's the midst of the Yuletide and New Year holiday season, it’s a time for unseemly indulgence, and for rugby’s faithful the gifts tumble endlessly on. NOW TUCK INTO INTER-PRO FESTIVE FARE show his old club how he has flourished up North to become, surely, an essential part of Ulster’s future and that of Ireland under Andy Farrell?

On the first big Kingspan Friday evening of what will hopefully be a rewarding 2020 Ulster takes on an old and distinguished foe in Munster. Though there may be a perception that Thomond Park’s squad is in a period of transition under Johann van Graan many would be delighted with ‘change’ if, as is the case, the shown his qualities and he’d surely love to be involved against his former club? For Munster surely Fermanagh-born Ireland centre, Chris Farrell might be forgiven if he was to impress against Ulster for whom he made his senior representative debut seven years ago? Those games, though close at hand, are still to come. It’s a cliché at this point in the calendar to afford some time and space for reflection, and Ulster’s 2019 has been one from which much can be positively taken. Though while Dan McFarland is in charge the mantra of ‘improvement, excellence, hard work and character’ is one which is judged effective not instantly or daily in terms of silverware. Players and fans can attest to the improvements in individuals’ skills and the side’s consistent address of old weaknesses and its cementing of proven qualities. In the Guinness Pro 14 Leinster strides ahead in Conference A but Ulster leads the chase and has demonstrated already in this calendar year that the RDS outfit’s standards are those within reach at Kingspan. In a competitive league losses at a restructured, Ruan Pienaar-inspired Cheetahs and nail-bitingly at Thomond Park won’t have been ‘accepted’, but home wins over Cardiff, Zebre, Scarlets were emphatic. The Champions Cup campaigns of 2018/19 and this season have also been more in keeping team sat atop Pro 14’s Conference B! Bill Johnston has arrived in Belfast and

The pre-Christmas trip to formidable Leinster was but the appetiser for a much-needed breeze of fresh air in the face, moderate rehydration and the mandatory display of clothing gifts which were, in the main, offered with affection if not always incorporating an eye for the practical and discreet! It’s that time of the year when all is just a little ‘too much’, but for Ulster’s steadfast supporters the visits on successive Fridays – if in different years! – are sporting presents to be unwrapped heartily and the contents to sate the most sophisticated rugby appetite. First up in Belfast is Connacht, on a fine Guinness Pro 14 run and sitting – like Ulster is in its division – second in Conference B. Five wins, and reverses only at Scarlets in August and against Leinster last month, indicate that Head Coach Andy Friend has reshaped the club without losing the character which brought it a Pro 14 title a few short seasons ago. Handily placed too in the Champions Cup group and following a pre-festive win over Gloucester this is a team of real substance, viewing the next few years with genuine optimism. Ulster Head Coach Dan McFarland spent the greater part of his playing and coaching career in Galway, fondly recalls his time there, but he’s made it clear that one of the Christmas presents he most desires is a win over his former club. The post-Christmas trip to Kingspan Stadium is one cheerfully embraced, whether short or long, and on this last weekend of 2019 it is Connacht which offers its tasty best as the second course of an Inter-Provincial triple-header. John Cooney was arguably Ulster’s best performer of the last few seasons, modest and professional though he is, he too would like to

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