Time to stand up
So, it happened.
Stade Francais finally left Ravenhill with the points in the back pockets of their pink shorts.
The media was awash all week with the fact that Stade have never before left Ravenhill with a victory. Perhaps in some ways, it fuelled unfathomable hope with Ulster fans. Realistically, however, it was expected that Stade would leave with the points.
A lot has always been made about Ulster’s ability to cause upsets against the ‘big’ teams at Ravenhill. We’ve watched the men in White stuff Toulouse and Leicester and witnessed David Humphreys almost single-handedly sack Wasps. We’ve saw the grit and passion (and the occasional moment of genius) that pulled Ulster through previous encounters with the Parisians but this time was always going to be that one bridge too far.
In October 2006, when Ulster hit Toulouse for 30 points, they rode pretty atop the Magners League with an impressive attack of first phase ball. In 2003/2004, when Ulster trounced Leicester, Ulster finished second in the Celtic League and had both the best attack and defence in the league that season. Even in 2004/2005 season, when Ulster beat both Stade and Gloucester at Ravenhill, Ulster ended with a proud defence that bettered all but the top three, despite a lowly finish in the league.
The facts are that when you look at so many of the great Ravenhill nights in the Heineken Cup, they correspond to something notably good about an Ulster side and, this time around, such goodness wasn’t found in abundance. While there have been plenty of positives to take from the four previous defeats out of five previous games, this was not a team in the same position as the ones that put 42 points past Wasps or the team that put 33 points past Leicester. It was a team low on confidence and with a very poor attacking record.
That’s not to say that the 22 men in white on the Ravenhill turf didn’t perform with pride and heart. There are certainly plenty of positives that came from a 16 point defeat. Not least that Ulster spent 20 minutes of the game camped in the Stade Francais 22. 20 minutes of sustained pressure, while disappointing that it didn’t lead to at least three points, is more than Ulster have managed in recent memory. The fact that Ryan Caldwell appeared to have grounded the ball for a try somewhere in this melee is a matter for discussion. Ulster should have left with points but the pressure and relative composure stand in glaring contrast to what we’ve witnessed recently.
Sadly, the lack of ideas, once Ulster broke into the Stade 22 is symptomatic of problems that have plagued this team for much longer than just this season. It brought back memories of Ulster being camped in Llanelli’s 22 either side of half time back in the 2006/2007 Heineken Cup. If Ulster have reached the level of October 2006, however, every single one of the 10,000 fans at Ravenhill on Saturday should be happy.
Individually, Paddy Wallace has surely played himself into contention for the Ireland 12 shirt for the upcoming Autumn Internationals and beyond. His try, only the seventh that Stade have conceded in eight matches this season, added a little glitter to a performance that was gritty at the right times. Seeing Wallace getting involved in a ruck was a rare phenomenon but it shows the physicality that he’s added to his game in recent times.
Caldwell, too, showed us all exactly why he is one of the great hopes of Irish rugby, while Ed O’Donoghue continued to show why he is more than just a squad signing. All in all, the pack fronted up well and were a match for a Stade team chocked full of talent. The backrow was quiet but effective, while Tom Court continued his challenge for at least a bench spot in one of the big AI’s. The truth is that Ulster’s front row is easily the best attribute and how well it held up against a Stade front row of Roncero, Szarzewski and Attoub shows that it is now a real weapon.
Andrew Trimble again looked all at sea on the wing and appeared to totally lack the confidence to come in and make the tackle. The lack of serious options in the back three is reaching almost crisis. Trimble isn’t a winger but, especially with Schifcofske now on the injury list, it is where he’ll have to stay for a while at least. It’s becoming more and more apparent that Trimble isn’t comfortable on the wing. He’s making up the shortage of numbers in the back three right now and it is doing neither Ulster, nor Andrew Trimble, any favours.
Isaac Boss still seems a little sluggish around the base. With Cillian Willis inside, Niall O’Connor showed what he’s really made of. Boss is still assuming too much himself and now really needs to concentrate on his own game. With Willis on the park, the half-backs looked alive and more dangerous. Boss does not need to protect O’Connor and his continued insistence on doing so is to the detriment of his own game and Ulster’s attacking threat. Willis may not meet Boss’ quality of pass but he must now be considered as a serious alternative, if for nothing else but to change the direction of a very predictable and slow attack.
This was, by far, the best and most complete performance from an Ulster side in a long time. With a little time, a little variation in attack and, perhaps, a little more ability out wide, things will turn around. With this kind of heart and passion for the shirt, almost anything can happen. Stade Francais, the best club team in the world on current form, however, were just a step too far.
The Archipelago’s picks:
15. Bryn Cunningham
14. Mark McCrea
13. Darren Cave
12. Paddy Wallace
11. Andrew Trimble
10. Niall O’Connor
9. Cillian Willis
1. Tom Court
2. Rory Best
3. BJ Botha
4. Ed O’Donoghue
5. Ryan Caldwell
6. Stephen Ferris
7. David Pollock
8. Robbie Diack
16. Nigel Brady
17. Justin Fitzpatrick
18. Carlo Del Fava
19. Kieron Dawson
20. Isaac Boss
21. Timoci Nagusa
22. Paul Steinmetz
The Archipelago
