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ARTICLE BY ROD NAWN
FREELANCE JOURNALIST
AND SPORTS ENTHUSIAST
@RODNAWN1
From Ulster’s perspective the injuries to Ian
Humphreys and Sam Windsor were inopportune,
but Peter Nelson has demonstrated his range of
talents by slotting in comfortably at out-half, and
there’s a chance that Humphreys may be able to
play some part tonight.
Similarly, Andrew Trimble’s disappointment at
missing out so cruelly on World Cup selection
was compounded by another injury setback, and
his coach will be delighted he’s returned to full
training.
Doak has been enthusiastic about the addition
of Joe Barakat to the coaching team, and the
engaging Austrialian is making a real impression
with his particular examination of the collision
area, and those ‘new pair of eyes’ will prove
invaluable as the season progresses.
The defeat at the early table-topping Scarlets was
not what the team and management wanted, of
course, but just three points separates Ulster from
the leaders, and after this evening’s clash – which
is the sole focus just now – the team will return to
action in a fortnight in Edinburgh before Cardiff
visits Kingspan Stadium, before visits to Limerick
and to the Dragons.
That block of successive games offers continuity
and by early November the squad will have
been thoroughly extended and with the depth of
talent at Kingspan the target will be to contend
for the top of the table and to be in prime form
and health for the exacting opening exchanges
in the Champions Cup – first in France against
Oyannax on 14 November followed six days later
by the renewal of the rivalry with English kingpins
Saracens.
Those are indeed for another day, but what a
tasty table of rugby feasts stretch out from this
evening’s primary concern – the Guinness PRO12.
Ulster will be quite properly concentrating on its
performance and on stepping back on to the
winning track.
But wouldn’t it be great for all who love and are
excited by rugby to roar home Ulster tonight as a
palate-teasing starter before Ireland’s World Cup
date with the Italian national side on Sunday?
We’d all like a pizza that!