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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.
ROD NAWN
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
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,