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ULSTER
RUGBY
The Welsh club, so steeped in rugby lore, arrives at
Kingspan Stadium buoyed by maintaining its unbeaten
home record with last week’s high-scoring draw with
Munster.
Head Coach Wayne Pivac has seen his team move slowly
into the top half of the PRO12 league table, and real lustre
would be added to more consistent form recently with an
away win over an Ulster side handily placed to challenge
for the leadership with a victory tonight.
These two famous clubs opened their campaigns with
a free-flowing, try-laden 32-32 draw at Parc y Scarlets in
August, and since then each claimed home wins in the
European Champions Cup. Those games were played
within a week in December, and effectively knocked
each other out of contention for a knock-out spot in the
competition.
That meant Pivac and his counterpart Neil Doak had the
Guinness PRO12 upon which to concentrate fully, and
if the expectation levels were higher here in Belfast the
Llanelli side knew that with a gifted, young squad, a good
late ‘run’ in the league, and some confidence-building
performances in the Anglo-Welsh LV Cup, the hopes of a
real trophy challenge next season could be cemented.
So this last weekend in February – as fans relish the
fascinating third round of Six Nations clashes over the
weekend – the palate of Ulster and Scarlets supporters
would be beautifully prepared with vital PRO12 points.
The internationals, of course, mean that both squads are
being mined deeply in search of a win, and with Jared
Payne, Tommy Bowe, Rory Best and Iain Henderson
almost certain to be involved against England in Dublin
on Sunday, Ulster might appear to be hardest hit by calls.
But the Scarlets’ superb winger Liam Williams has forced
himself into the starting line-up against France, Samson
Lee is restored to a first-choice front row, and the hugely
talented Scott Williams is on the Welsh bench as three-
quarter cover, and out-half Rhys Priestland’s presence on
the touchline will be a reminder to Dan Biggar that the No.
10 jersey is very much still up-for-grabs.
Doak has quietly, impressively, fashioned a bonus point
home win over Treviso, and a gritty, characterful victory
in Edinburgh last weekend as the Six Nations demands
demonstrate so starkly how clubs must have not numbers
for a squad, but quality performers.
Steven Shingler showed at out-half for the Scarlets
against Munster that his boot can be a huge influence,
and Hadleigh Parkes and Kristian Phillips would be
certain starters at most clubs.
And in the lineout, were the visitors will hope for at least
parity, that setpiece ambition will be bolstered by the
availability of Wales lock Jake Ball, determined to instantly
reclaim his spot in the national side.
And the evidence over recent weeks for Ulster fans is that
any doubts about the talent in the group of current players
have been dispelled, unwise speculation in the media
swept away. Doak, Jonny Bell – and how disappointing
but understandable that the defence coach is leaving in
May to develop his career – Niall Malone and Allen Clarke
have painstakingly stuck by their squad, and been repaid
in spades.
A drop into the fringe of the Top Four proved but a ’blip’,
now Glasgow has Ulster at its shoulder in the title race.
Mike McComish has taken his chance in the back row
with some barnstorming and intelligent displays at flanker,
embellished by the creation and scoring of vital tries.
Craig Gilroy, the indomitable Darren Cave, Luke Marshall,
Rob Herring and skipper Roger Wilson have shown
why they are in Ireland’s current plans with outstanding,
skilful and passionate displays as the PRO12 pursuit is
maintained, the accelerator pressed still further. And there
are heartening signs that Nick Williams is rediscovering
confidence, and Ruan Pienaar and Wiehahn Herbst have
been simply world-class.
Doak and his aides will – like Pivac – have thought long
and hard about the make-up and tactics of the team
this evening, but it’s a ‘given’ that with the league’s best
defensive record and a proven attacking armoury to build
on a win will be the initial target, anything better literally a
bonus.
It should be another packed Kingspan for what is
genuinely one of the season’s most important games for
Ulster, while for the Scarlets it will be an opportunity to
confirm its own growing self-belief and send a signal to
the rest in Europe that the famous, much-admired club is
back on the march.
Each of the three previous clashes this season between
the clubs have been very different but always riveting
affairs, and though it’s the players who must carry through
the game plans there is an intriguing contest of wills and
guile on the respective coaching panels.
Pivac is a Kiwi with a proven track record in developing
players and instilling organisation and allying that to the
flair at his disposal. Neil Doak may be younger but he’s
as thoughtful and innovative a rugby brain anywhere in
the PRO12, and he has a wondrous patience which has
served him well as he trusted his squad to overcome very
different challenges.
What he will want is overt intent this evening, energy,
pace, power and skill channelled with discipline for the 80
minutes and more required to set the pace again at the
top of the table.
Murrayfield showed character, but the transgressions
which meant just 13 men finished that game, defending
a minute lead with wonderful purpose, will have been
more than noted. There will have been a strict dictat that
all involved must put themselves ‘on the line’ – not the
touchline!
As we enter the closing, nerve-jangling final furlongs
towards the climax of the PRO12 this evening has the
potential to be defining for both clubs.
Enjoy the combat, applaud the application.
FAMILIARITY WILL BREED INTENT
FOR the fourth time this season Ulster and the Scarlets will meet this evening,
and as in every contest so far there is much at stake.