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In another era – even in this – Gareth would have
been a genuine asset in Ulster, but who could
fail to be impressed and admiring of how he has
carved out such a fine career outside Ireland when
he might, quite realistically, hoped to climb the
representative ladder.
His individual contest tonight with Paddy Jackson
will be one of the most important in deciding the
outcome, while Ian Whitten – capped by Ireland
when at Ulster – returns to his old stomping ground
now most regularly used as a physically-imposing
and try-scoring winger.
The visitors also have England’s free-running
and elusive Henry Slade in the ranks, and it was
when he shifted into midfield when Steenson
was restored at out-half that the Chiefs began
a successful Premiership run, and he too is one
Ulster will have plans to mute.
Up front Scottish hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie,
props Moray Low and Thomas Francis, lock Geoff
Parling and the force of nature which is No.8
Thomas Waldrom all have impeccable international
credentials, and it is part of Baxter’s achievement
at Sandy Lane that he has assembled such an
experienced spine to his pack.
So, the Chiefs don’t lack ability and have always
been renowned for character, but following the
defeat to Clermont there will be lingering doubts
about the side’s resilience against top-flight
opposition, and Ulster must prove that it falls into
that latter category tonight in front of another huge
crowd at Kingspan Stadium.
Kiss will certainly hope that he can select a match
day squad to put those vital first ‘scores on the
doors’ in the Champions Cup, and he’s always
insisted that to mount serious assaults on the
league and Cup a large and fit squad is essential.
Injury updates from HQ fall regularly into the inbox,
but slowly but surely players are returning. Charles
Piutau, that exceptional recruit this season, is
involved tonight, and Tommy Bowe has played on
two successive weekends and will be anxious to
force his way into the starting line-up.
Jared Payne has been the epitome of calm and
intelligence wherever he’s played in recent weeks,
and his ability to spot space and run attacking lines
will be a real concern for Exeter, while the three-
quarter line will hopefully have a more settled look
after the recent ‘knocks’ to Darren Cave, Stuart
McCloskey, Stuart Olding and Luke Marshall.
Key to Ulster’s good start to the season has been
the regular presence of Ruan Pienaar at scrum-half,
and though he suffered an injury in Bordeaux he’ll
hopefully be fit to provide that unique array of rugby
gifts which will be sorely missed in the white jersey
when he reluctantly takes his leave next summer.
His partnership with Jackson has matured into one
of the best half-back pairings in the game and he’ll
be very keen to light a fuse to his team’s ambitions
in Europe.
It’s a truism but all games are decided up front,
so with a contingent which includes Rory Best,
Rodney Ah You, Franco van der Merwe, Sean
Reidy and the indefatigable Iain Henderson a solid
core is ready to meet the Chiefs’ familiar energy
with composure and steely determination in the set
piece.
The coaches will demand that the number
of unforced errors which have lately scarred
performances against Connacht and Bordeaux will
be at a premium, for confidence flows when the
stream of mistakes is stemmed. At its best Ulster
is the most attractive and unremitting of attacking
units, with the forwards and backs this year often
combining in thrilling waves of passing and support
which have had the fans consistently on their toes.
Doak, Allen Clarke, Joe Barakat and Kiss will
emphasis, properly, that players and supporters
need to show patience, particularly in the early
stages of this evening’s game, but once a rhythm
has been established, and an authority up front
exercised, then Ulster’s chances of showing off its
attacking flair – and demonstrating its increasingly
impressive defence – will grow.
The firepower of Gilroy, Trimble, Piutau, Pienaar,
Bowe, the creative thrust of Payne, Luke Marshall
and the highly-talented bench, would test any
opposition, and after the disappointment of last
weekend in France players and supporters will
have one aim: to throw down a gauntlet to the other
sides in the competition and start afresh in Europe.
Realistically Ulster must thread its way through the
pool stages aiming for a win in every game, and
intent on maximising its try-count and conceding
little. A win was within touching distance last
Sunday, and there will have been regrets and some
fierce self-criticism of how it was squandered,
and how even a losing bonus point was discarded
carelessly.
But tonight the home dressing room chat won’t
be about what might have been, but what will and
can be achieved against an Exeter side with an
excellent squad and a young coach who will be
acutely aware of the threats posed by every part of
the Ulster fifteen.
A ‘must win’, yes, and the home team needs and
will get the support from the Kingspan terraces
and stands it needs and deserves to kick start the
Champions Cup journey this season and return
to consistently attractive and entertaining winning
ways.