Ulster Rugby vs Connacht & Munster

with the standards expected of a club of Ulster’s standing, and currently that remarkable captain Iain Henderson has stirringly led his troops to ‘four-from-four’ – and, perhaps crucially, a try-bonus has already been harvested in that second-half demolition of Harlequins at The Stoop a fortnight ago. To come in the New Year, the new decade, is an important trip to Stade Michelin where Clermont Auvergne will seek revenge for Ulster’s predominantly comprehensive win in Belfast in November. But those supporters who can remember the ‘Noughties’ when a win away in France – a success away anywhere! – became a true psychological ‘block’ will travel and watch in genuine hope. A mean and aggressive defence, allied to a an astonishingly prolific attack on the counter and from the set-piece, means Ulster is no longer a ‘whipping boy’ for anyone. But – unlike the electorate – Europe can wait. McFarland has admitted negotiating the intense Inter-Provincial programme immediately before and after Christmas, then the trip to Leinster, means he must harness his playing resources cleverly. He’ll have some injuries to factor in, and he’ll hope the Ireland player management scheme won’t affect his plans to field a potentially winning side over the next fortnight. He’s as intelligent as those carefully-chosen words pre- and post-match indicate, and he’ll not overtly rage at the hand he’s dealt with injuries – even by the IRFU! – and he is acutely aware of his obligation to an Ulster fanbase he regards, seriously, as a bulwark to the positive ambition he clearly has for Ulster. His management and coaching team are perhaps the most harmonious in years, and it’s ‘his’. Dwayne Peel is an attack coach with a playing pedigree quickly being matched by his talents on the training paddock and in the team room. Roddy Grant was one of the most coveted forward coaches, and he chose Ulster: McFarland knew him well from his time at Glasgow and with Scotland and, in harness with an imaginative new Ulster Rugby CEO in Jonny Petrie – like Grant, McFarland, Peel and that most understated but forensic of analysts, Niall Malone – an international player Kingspan overflows with all the right administrative and coaching talents. Add skills coach Dan Soper to the ‘team’ and McFarland leads a formidable management. Soper was well-known in Ulster club and Schools rugby but his instant impact with senior players has been exceptional.

Forwards look even more comfortable and aware with ball-in-hand, imaginative in their processes but essentially responsible to themselves and to the team. Soper, like Peel, Grant and Malone, may scorn the limelight but their Head Coach – personally and professionally – trust and has regard for all hie lieutenants. This is a key change in previous seasons when it was clear there were some differences in approach in the coaching box, though to the credit of all they were not proclaimed. This group is a good ‘mix’, and with a cerebral boss in McFarland – though don’t underestimate his understanding of the gritty side of the game! – this expertise is used well, the individual coaches’ gifts employed accurately, and their own ambitions given positive encouragement. So, ‘Team Ulster’ appears a unit of unprecedented inclusiveness on and off the pitch, but the reality for the fans this holiday is that the green shirts of Connacht will be stout, relentless opposition. Then, in the wake of the New Year celebrations, there is the little matter of Munster, and what a game that could be! Ulster could, perhaps should, have won in Thomond Park in early November, and Luke Marshall, playing like the international centre he was before long-term injury, says the loss in Limerick grates with him. If he’s unleashed at Kingspan next Friday, his physical and creative make-up will be worth admission alone! Cooney versus Murray? Ulster fans have already made up their minds on that match-up at scrum-half! But it’s a big week for Ulster, but the recent ‘back catalogue’ is more than encouraging, indeed it inspires belief and conviction. The management and the players are at a critical stage of their season, for Ulster and for Ireland, though it’s their club which takes primacy this next month, be assured. The supports has been steadfast, invariably vocal and loyal, and now it becomes that much- vaunted ‘16th Man’, Spirits will be high this Christmas-tide, they might even be consumed in typical moderation, so the home dressing room will appreciate that unique ‘Roar’ of approval and encouragement. Hopefully Christmas was fully enjoyed, the New Year embraced with a smile, now translate all that good cheer towards the action on the Kingspan sward. Happy New Year, everyone!

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