Ulster Rugby vs Exeter Chiefs

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.

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