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who might or might not be released for club duty
only join the Kingspan training itinerary late in the
preparations.
It’s not just coincidence that the wonderful, truly
admirable position into which Pat Lam has guided
Connacht at the top end of the PRO12 has been
relatively unmarked by the requirements of Joe
Schmidt and his management team.
Would Ulster swap with the Westerners? No, of
course not, because the fans have thrilled to the
side providing spectacular moments and games
courtesy of quality players who have earned and
deserved the invitation to the international table.
The announcement last week of the imminent
arrival of Springbok back-rower Marcell Coetzee
fulfilled Kiss’s promise that only the best would be
joining the squad as the quest to realise a vision
beyond the immediate expectations is pursued
by the team headed by Operations Director Bryn
Cunningham.
The visitors to Kingspan Stadium this Sunday
afternoon have been confronted by many of the
factors related to Six Nations’ calls which – to
the mature credit of Kiss and Wayne Pivac – are
never used as an easy explanation of sub-par
performances.
For Ulster fans, who do have very high expectations
and have shown patience in the restructuring not
just of a team but of a stadium and professional
club structure the envy of Europe, the focus will
always be on urging the players towards success.
And perhaps next month, when panels are restored
and some players make such welcome returns to
the fray, the entertainment quotient will rise.
But it’s probable that the capture of an end-of-
season Guinness PRO12 semi-final spot, and
the real belief that a trophy is within touching
distance after one of the most competitive league
campaigns for years, will help to draw the best
out of what is an exceptional group of players and
coaches.
For those whose conviction might be fading, or
concern growing, just look at how well the last
few weeks have been negotiated in terms of
results. There is another big finale to the season in
prospect.
Believe!
ARTICLE BY ROD NAWN
FREELANCE JOURNALIST
AND SPORTS ENTHUSIAST
@RODNAWN1