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monolith which was really transformed into one of
the most spectacular attacking units when Vern
Cotter arrived as Head Coach in 2006.
‘The Underdogs’ won a second European
Challenge Cup in 2007, but triumph in the
Heineken and Champions Cup has been denied
twice by fierce rivals Toulon, in 2013 and 2015.
This season Azema and his captain, Daniel
Chouly, the superb French breakaway, have made
clear that dominance in Europe is a priority, but
Ulster too has realistic ambitions in that regard
and the next week will probably decide which is
in the best position to qualify from a group which
includes a Bordeaux-Bégles outfit also chasing
domestic glory, and the fast-improving Exeter
Chiefs.
The players who will be most familiar to Ulster
fans will be scrum-half Morgan Parra, whose
place-kicking can prove lethal, prop Thomas
Domingo, out-half Camille Lopez and, of course,
the brilliant centre Wesley Fofana. But it’s a star-
laden panel, with England internationals David
Strettle and Nick Abendanon vital cogs in the
long-term project at Clermont.
But Ulster is in a much better place this week,
and not just because the trip to Cardiff was a
winning one: Wiehahn Herbst has extended his
deal until 2019 and he’ll hope to stay injury-free
and prove what a quality-tighthead prop he is
and why he was lured from The Sharks in Super
Rugby two years ago.
Henry, Henderson, Sean Reidy and Best would
embellish any pack, and it’s to them and the
younger, eager forwards around them that we’ll
look for the platform for what would be a critical
win.
Behind the scrum Paddy Jackson’s authoritative
autumn form for Ireland will surely give his half-
back partner Pienaar the space to let loose an
attacking armoury of exciting, combative and
committed styles: hopefully Andrew Trimble can
take his place on a wing, and Luke Marshall,
McCloskey, Darren Cave, Louis Ludik, Tommy
Bowe, Craig Gilroy, Piutau and Jacob Stockdale
offer superlative choices to Les Kiss and Head
Coach Neil Doak.
There was much gloom at Ulster’s Champions
Cup prospects after the first two games
in October, the defeat in Bordeaux was
characterised by a lack of concentration and
poor decision-making, while the one-point victory
at home over the Chiefs is not a match that will
live long in the memory apart from its dramatic
denouement when Jackson’s drop goal proved
decisive.
All coaches, all players, properly say that they
cannot depend on others, they can only look after
their own roles in the side, but on Sunday I’m sure
many will be hoping that at Sandy Lane, Exeter
can undermine Bordeaux-Bégles – preferably in a
low-scoring game.
Clermont have extracted maximum points from its
two outings so far, and scored eleven tries: Ulster
has the firepower and the discipline over the
next eight days to totally transform the pool, and
realistically aim for a place in the quarter-finals in
the New Year.
European nights – and European lunchtimes,
remember Stade Francais succumbing in
1999? – are very special occasions in Belfast.
With many injury worries resolved, the form of
players reassuringly on ‘the up’, there is every
reason to raise the rook at Kingspan Stadium this
afternoon.
The supporters relish the challenges from
afar, and they know that their favourites are
traditionally successful in front of their own fans,
very definitely ‘the 16th man!’
Appreciate the visitors for their achievements and
their qualities, but don’t for one second imagine
that they are here to easily collect another win.
They won’t, at this moment they will be acutely
aware of the Ulster record on the pitch and on the
terraces and in the stands.
Make Saturday very special – by urging Ulster to a
lunchtime Champions Cup rugby feast!
ARTICLE BY ROD NAWN
FREELANCE JOURNALIST
AND SPORTS ENTHUSIAST
@RODNAWN1