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ARTICLE BY ROD NAWN
FREELANCE JOURNALIST
AND SPORTS ENTHUSIAST
@RODNAWN1
Frenchman felt he had no alternative but to
issue Payne with a red card.
What followed may have been forgotten
by some, for in the immediate aftermath of
Payne’s exit supporters’ hopes slumped.
But somehow, drawing on every ounce of
character and formidable skill, Ulster went in
at the break in the lead, and after 80 minutes
Saracens had prevailed by just two points.
It was an epic game with so many sub-plots
and twists and turns, but in the end Ulster’s
European journey was ended, Saracens
continued on its route.
Tonight two great clubs meet again, in a
Champions Cup Pool which surely does
qualify as ‘a group of death’. McCall’s side
took on Toulouse last Saturday at home
and impressed, but perhaps regretted not
securing a try bonus point. Ulster had hoped
to continue to banish its ‘awayday blues’ with
an encouraging win at tournament debutants
Oyannax but will be fresh and prepared fully
for a challenge from England’s best after
the aborted visit to France.
All over the Kingspan Stadium pitch
will be intriguing match-ups: Farrell
and Jackson, Trimble and Ashton,
Cave and Barritt, Best and Brits, Henry
and Burger, or any one of the Allianz Park
club’s glittering back row cast list.
And there’s a fascinating duel in the coaching
booths, with Head Coach Neil Doak
alongside Ulster’s new Director of Rugby,
Les Kiss, who makes his competitive bow at
home after protracted duty with Ireland. And
McCall is once again in charge of the visitors,
his tenure recently extended, and no wonder
given his achievements in a club environment
which is lavishly funded but which is
extraordinarily demanding.
His success is evidence – contrary to the glib
cliché - that good guys can finish first.
For this evening those filling every space at
Kingspan will he that, for once, Ulster takes
the spoils and provides a rare disappointment
for one of its favourite sons.
In a week which has reminded us of how
fleeting the most cherished and valuable
things in life can be, and how easily snuffed
out, we can all celebrate how fortunate we are
that in sport we have distractions and relief of
such passion and pride.