Ulster Rugby vs Connacht

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And what a game to prepare us for the festive
break, Pat Lam’s champions returning to Belfast,
form and momentum restored, Ulster determined
to build on the encouraging, try-scoring signs of
recent weeks.
That victory in Cardiff three weeks ago harvested
five vital points, the Top Four was within touching
distance again, the tumble from the leadership
hopefully consigned to the past. Ruan Pienaar is
in his pomp, Charles Piutau is a force of nature,
Luke Marshall is in rumbustious try-scoring form,
Chris Henry is restored and fiery, a try-scoring and
creative Tommy Bowe looking the class act we
know him to be.
But Connacht return to Belfast hoping to repeat the
display of resilience and invention which claimed a
victory in February which was the platform for its
historic assault on the PRO12 title, and arguably
fatally undermined Ulster’s own aspirations for that
elusive prize.
And, incidentally, a very appropriate Christmas
gift to fans of rugby generally would be Gerry
Thornley’s excellent, hugely readable Front Up,
Rise Up: The official story of Connacht Rugby,
a story of a Province’s determination to survive
despite the plans of a few in real authority, and how
players, staff and supporters transformed the game
in the West.
Coach Pat Lam last year had a game plan, his
players carried it out superbly, and suddenly the
men from the West were serious contenders, no
longer fodder for the so-called ‘big cats’. Last
month Lam announced that he will move next year
to Bristol – how that man loves a challenge! – but it
has not diminished the fealty of his squad to him or
his methods: that win in the Champions Cup over
Wasps last week was testament to the character,
skill and steel which now is part of the Connacht
fabric.
Ulster go into this evening’s big game with much
to be pleased about over the last month, and still
much to digest in turning the undoubted world-
class quality of its set-up and of so many of its
players into silverware.
October and November were months when form
confidence and a sense of direction seemed to
desert a side which had surged early to the top of
the PRO12, managing its squad through a list of
injury casualties, which would have filled a series
of A&Es! Performances had often been functional,
embellished sometimes by fine individual
contributions, but the efficient harnessing of limited
resources yielded results and leadership of the
league.
Then along came a sequence of games with few
saving graces: a limp surrender in Edinburgh the
nadir just before the Autumn Internationals. A loss
in Connacht had exposed frailties, the home loss to
Munster lacked confidence on an emotional night
at Kingspan Stadium, and the Murrayfield reverse
on the first weekend of November had alarm bells
ringing.
There was a growing concern evident on the
terraces and in the stands; after the enforced break
for the internationals the key had to be found to
opening the inhibiting cage within which the real
Ulster had somehow managed to lock itself.
Zebre in Belfast seemed to offer the obvious
recuperative opposition, but the freezing weather
put an eleventh-hour stop to that for expectant fans
and players anxious and hungry to atone.
And so then to Cardiff three weeks ago, and
redemption of sorts; a five-try bonus point win on
a difficult artificial surface and there were smiles
of relief and sincere satisfaction on a group which
had clearly worked hard during the recess, come to
terms in part with some of the disruptions caused
by injuries and by international calls.
A week later, in the Champions Cup perhaps
we saw the Ulster in which we believe: five more
tries, and against France’s best side, Clermont
Auvergne at Kingspan, and more tellingly a
collective demonstration of high-class skills and of
profound character as well as marvellously telling
individual contributions from the imperious Pienaar,
the inventive, adventurous Paddy Jackson, the
genius that is Piutau, and the thunderous power
of a midfield which featured Luke Marshall, Stuart
McCloskey and Darren Cave.
Chris Henry’s return to a back row which included
Iain Henderson and Sean Reidy galvanised
the pack, as did the inclusion of the Ireland’s
inspirational, history-making captain Rory Best.
In a game which, for thrills, entertainment and
quality, this arena can barely hope to see again the
‘Clermont Experience’ will live long in the memory,
and will also provide long-term belief that Ulster
is on the march once more. Defeat in France last
European ambitions can be tucked away for a few weeks now after a roller-coaster
fortnight, and tonight Kingspan Stadium will echo to the roars of encouragement as
Connacht come calling in the Guinness PRO12.
WIN OR LOSE, LAM IS A WESTERN HERO
ROD NAWN