Ulster Rugby vs Oyonnax

ARTICLE BY RICHARD MULLIGAN SPORTS EDITOR & RUGBY CORRESPONDENT, NEWS LETTER @R_MULLIGAN1

DOMESTIC RUGBY UPDATE

DOMESTIC RUGBY UPDATE

Let’s tip our hats to Banbridge and City of Derry. They have continued their impressive All Ireland League campaigns into 2016 and are in strong positions to push on for promotion.

Banbridge’s recent home win over UCC saw them open up a six point gap at the top of Ulster Bank Division 2A. Daniel Soper has his side showing some consistent form and playing an attractive brand of rugby, which will hopefully continue through the six remaining games. The Rifle Park men have worked hard in recent years to build their squad and it is great to see their youth section producing talent now playing at senior level. It reflects the hard work put in by many volunteers and it is good to see it being rewarded. Of course the club has added another feather to its cap with this week’s confirmation that member, Rory Best, is the new captain of Ulster ahead of the forthcoming RBS Six Nations Championship. Rory is a stalwart of the club and recently, while there with my own son playing mini rugby, Rory along with brother, Simon, were standing in the heavy rain watching their own sons playing. Rory had just played for Ulster the previous evening. It takes a special person to lead Ireland, but Rory Best has many qualities, some of them unseen and unheard! I am sure everyone will wish him and the Ireland team all the best as they bid to win a third straight Six Nations title.

Staying in Division 2A, Malone just cannot seem to get a decent run going, but they remain in the chase for the playoffs (for teams finishing second, third and fourth). Queen’s also have lacked consistency and back-to-back defeats by Banbridge pre-Christmas knocked them back a little, although they two can still make a serious push for the promotion play-offs. Moving to the other side of the Province and to the North West where City of Derry, like Banbridge, are flying their flag strongly in Ulster Bank Division 2B. Coach Terry McMaster has his charges fired up to achieve success this season, clearly signalled by the heavy defeat they inflicted on Highfield in their recent game at Judges Road. That win has seen Derry stay in top spot and move 13 points clear! It can be easy to get complacent in such a position, but McMaster will be taking no nonsense from his troops and they are firm favourites to secure the automatic promotion place. Armagh’s see-saw season has seen them balancing between the top and bottom half of the table, but Brian McLaughlin and Alex McCloy will be determined for a strong final run-in that could push the Orchard County (continued overleaf)

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