21
ULSTER
RUGBY
The weekend’s biggest game is a top-of-the-table clash
between an ambitious, trophy-hungry Ulster and the
brightest jewel in Scotland’s rather fading rugby crown.
Glasgow Warriors is a club that is bucking the rather
unfortunate trend at home, in a few short years
becoming PRO12 and European contenders while
Edinburgh struggles, the club structures are in transition,
and the international side seemingly in sharp decline.
The building process at the Warriors’ tight, often
intimidating Scotstoun base, has been purposeful and
single-minded, and for the success which has come
Glasgow’s way the credit in huge part must go to a Head
Coach of real enterprise, imagination and extraordinary
experience.
Gregor Townsend would have been a go-to name in any
era as a player, and his 82 international ‘caps’ evidence
of a talent which saw him fill key roles in the Scottish
backline for a decade. At out-half, as a free-running
creative centre, or as a full-back with a solid defence but
an instinct for attack Townsend was a star, respected by
his peers across the world.
His career in the professional game reads like a trip
around the rugby planet, starting in the mid-nineties with
the rugby ‘academy’ in Northampton, then there was a
successful spell in the no-nonsense French game, first
with Brive, then with Castres, before signing for Natal
Sharks and Montpellier, short stints back home with the
now-defunct Borders in its different guises sandwiched
in between his stays in the two hemispheres.
His leggy athleticism, his shrewd rugby brain, elevated
Townsend into a pantheon of truly great players, and as
a Lion his CV just gathered more and more accolades
until his retirement and instant recruitment into the
Scottish coaching set-up with primary responsibility
for the backline. His reputation survived a tumultuous
period at Murrayfield and players like the Lamont
brothers, Chris Cusiter and Chris Paterson hugely
benefitted from his tutelage.
Just over two years ago, though, the Scottish Rugby
Union decided that he could best be employed in
developing the Glasgow side into a real force, the
country’s flailing efforts at breathing life into regional
clubs apparently only diluting an already depleted pool
of talent.
With a decisiveness which surprised some brought up
on his expansive, often intelligently high-risk playing
career, Townsend assessed his playing and coaching
resources in the second city, strengthened in all those
areas, his own reputation attracting ‘names’ who’d
previously struggled as the game in Scotland continued
to create muddle and confusion on and off the pitch.
Almost instantly the Warriors confirmed their intent
with a PRO12 final appearance, a feat repeated last
year, and a scan of the squad today proves the quality
Townsend showed as a player is being mirrored in those
he now guides. Stuart Hogg – who might have been in
a white jersey this evening had rumoured negotiations
last year taken a particular turn – is a full-back coveted
throughout Europe, while Tommy Seymour’s rise to
international status after he left Belfast three years ago
is a consequence of having the confidence of his coach
and his team-mates.
The much-travelled Euan Murray, another Lion, is still a
prop forward of the top rank, while out-half Duncan Weir,
locks Jonny Gray and captain Ali Kellock are Scottish
internationals upon whom the fans are investing faith for
the future. Sean Lamont is a force of nature in midfield
and is his country’s second most-decorated player of all
time.
Townsend has bolstered his squad from around the
world, to maintain a genuinely Scottish core but unafraid
to include the best talent from around the world.
Canadian Daniel Tailliferre Hauman van der Merwe was
already at Scotstown when the new coach took the
reins, but he has flourished further and is now the club’s
all-time record try-scorer. With Seymour – who scored
twice in the six-try win last week in Treviso – he provides
a threat from the flanks, but what Ulster supporter would
swap the prolific Andrew Trimble or Tommy Bowe?
It promises to be a wonderful match-up.
Ulster got back on track with an intelligent if hardly
spectacular defeat of Edinburgh last weekend, that
Scottish team arriving at Kingspan with a clear plan to
strangle home enterprise at birth. For 30 minutes it made
for sorry viewing, but a bonus point win was secured by
playing to strengths and there was something to smile
about in the displays of centre Stuart McCloskey and
Hughes Insurance Academy lock, Alan O’Connor.
So third-placed Ulster meet the table-toppers this
evening, at the end of the first phase of Guinness PRO12
fixtures. Les Kiss, Neil Doak, Jonny Bell and Allen Clarke
will want the team to signal its readiness to find an extra
gear. Their first and only priority today is a win over the
Warriors, and a performance of cohesion, power, pace
and concentration.
Europe can wait, first let Gregor Townsend experience
a rare downside to his tenure with the Warriors.
These are two sides bristling with experience and
proven talent, it should be a thriller.
INTO BATTLE WITH
THE WARRIORS
This evening, with autumn visibly and chillingly here, we will see
Kingspan Stadium thunderingly brought to life.
Article by
Rod Nawn
Freelance Journalist
and Sports Enthusiast
@RODNAWN1
