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ULSTER
RUGBY
Article by
Rod Nawn
Freelance Journalist
and Sports Enthusiast
@RODNAWN1
what an all-round athlete he is, while Jared
Payne, yet another Ulsterman whose World
Cup hopes were bolstered hugely in the
Six Nations, added further quality to a side
in which the remarkable Chris Henry, the
indefatigable Darren Cave, the genius that is
Ruan Pienaar, brought the best out of a well-
drilled and inventive group of players.
Jackson and Madigan, Ludik and Rob
Kearney, Herbst and Healy, Van der Merwe
and Toner – all over the pitch this Spring
evening are match-ups to have the fans of
each side drooling.
Up in their eyries the coaches will be
examining every nuance of the opening
exchanges, and for Jonny Bell, on his ‘final
lap’ before he moves to England, there’ll be
an extra-special incentive to organise the
gifted Ulster backline as a potent attacking
force and a formidable defensive shield.
Bell, one of the most extravagantly gifted
centres of his generation, has served his
province well as a player and as a coach
and organiser of intelligence and invention:
for him a win tonight and a season-ending
PRO12 Final victory at Kingspan Stadium
would be the perfect parting gift.
This is a game to really whet the appetite,
a match in times of yore often decided the
make-up of the Ireland side in the New Year,
and this coming together has even more
significance and lustre.
It’s a sporting battle to savour, a sell-out
crowd providing an unique atmosphere to
this clash of domestic titans.
Sit back and enjoy, applaud and marvel. It’s
as good as that.