Ulster Rugby vs Zebre

GETTING THE ITALIAN JOB DONE It wouldn’t make convincing reading to claim that Ulster’s recent performances – and results – have guaranteed a thrilling climax to the PRO12 season and a place in the play-offs.

contingent, and Louis Ludik, Paul Marshall, Ian Humphreys, Scholes, Craig Gilroy, the all-action Herring, Wiehahn Herbst, O’Connor, Roger Wilson and many others took up the cudgels impressively to create stunning moments in the league and in Europe. And so much of this without Best, Payne, Tommy Bowe, Darren Cave, Chris Henry, Jackson and the formidable force of nature that is Iain Henderson. That Payne, Henry, Bowe and Henderson should literally limp out of the World Cup, too many with long-term and complex injuries, was certainly not something any coaching team could anticipate. But resources were managed well, the very certain quality and depth of the squad mined shrewdly, and Jacob Stockdale, Sammy Arnold, Dave Shanahan, Stephen Mulholland and a few other newer faces contributed when they were seamlessly integrated. Then there was the good news of January: the return after two horrendous injuries of that silkily talented Stuart Olding to give him, the panel and the fans who recognise a rugby jewel, the big boost and refreshing injection of renewed ambition. It’s only realistic to acknowledge that Ulster, despite the very clear success in developing young players who’ll star in the future, has negotiated this season well. Yes, there have been roller-coaster phases, but given the immense difficulties in terms of never being in a position of selecting from a full and healthy squad, the next few months, and the six remaining PRO12 fixtures should excite, not provoke any doom-mongering. On Monday, there was real cause for all with Ulster Rugby at heart to feel the heart beat a little faster with expectation. While Dan Tuohy, Herbst and Willie Faloon won’t appear in the white jersey imminently there is much better news of two iconic crowd favourites. Bowe, twice a Lion and a talismanic figure for Ulster and Ireland, is making good progress from a very serious ligament injury picked up at the World Cup. Henderson, who has played just three times for Ulster this season, is also being linked with a return to action for what could be the decisive matches in the ‘regular’ PRO12 campaign. Knowing that Kiss and Doak will quietly hope that their options are about to be dramatically improved,

The defeat to the Scarlets in Belfast a fortnight ago, then last Sunday’s late collapse to Cardiff, have combined to strengthen those who fear their side is in danger of sliding out of contention for the league trophy – and even missing out on crucial Champions Cup qualification. Last month the Dragons and Glasgow were beaten at Kingspan Stadium to see Ulster go top-of-the- table for the first time this campaign. The Scarlets’ visit ended that brief reign, setting the pace in a congested race for those all-important top four semi-finals. But it would also be far too pessimistic to see the last two results, and the admittedly ‘scratchy’ performances over the last several weeks, as typical of what the squad is capable of. Les Kiss and Head Coach Neil Doak have never sought refuge from criticism in the unprecedented scale of injuries which have blighted the team – and the individual players – all season. Nor has the call from Ireland been claimed as denying Ulster of key players at a vital time, rather has the regular selection of Rory Best, Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne – and now the elevation into the green jersey of centre Stuart McCloskey – been viewed as a cause for real celebration of the proper acknowledgment for some very special Ulster rugby footballers. But if the coaches have refused to blame absentees for the rather erratic form of late, it is entirely reasonable for supporters to be asked to consider some of the very real problems the squad has faced. There have been tumultuous games to celebrate, not least the wins over Toulouse home and away, that other European masterclass at Kingspan against Oyonnax, and important, well- managed victories over the Ospreys and a rugged, dogged Edinburgh to pick but a few. As the year turned the omens were very, very good, the displays in Europe and the consistency in the PRO12 had lifted fans’ spirits, and the form of players like Rory Scholes, McCloskey, Kyle McCall, Rob Herring, Franco van der Merwe, Nick Williams, Sean Reidy, Nick Williams, Paddy Jackson, the peerless Ruan Pienaar surely pointed towards a successful and thrilling pursuit of silverware. But do remember that when on a ‘high’ it was achieved early in the season without our World Cup

ROD NAWN

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