What the Papers Say 2013/2014

[Mac]

Monday 10th March 2014 .............Cont'd



Tommy Bowe made available for Ulster
Ireland wing will not feature in Six Nations title decider against France on Saturday

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt will not risk playing Tommy Bowe in Saturday’s Six Nations shootout with France and will instead make the winger available for Ulster duty.

After recovering from a long-term groin injury, Bowe played his first game for Ulster since November the Friday before last, marking his return with a brace of tries against the Newport Gwent Dragons.

He trained with the Ireland squad in the build-up to last weekend’s win over Italy and was again expected to join up with the international panel as they prepare to face France, leading to speculation that he may conceded force his way into the squad for Saturday’s title-decider.

However, team manager Mick Kearney told reporters this afternoon that Bowe would be released for Ulster’s Pro12 meeting with the Scarlets on Friday night. That match could also see Stephen Ferris make his long-awaited comeback from an ankle injury with the backrow forward expected to be named on the bench.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/i ... -1.1719226



Ireland resist the temptation to bring back Bowe for France clash
The Ulster wing will not be involved in the decisive final round fixture of the Six Nations.

IRELAND HEAD COACH Joe Schmidt will resist the temptation to bring Tommy Bowe into his match day squad for the Six Nations clash against France on Saturday.

The Ulster wing will instead play for Ulster in their Pro12 fixture against the Scarlets on Friday night as he continues his recovery of peak match fitness.

There had been some speculation that Schmidt would turn to Bowe’s proven ability for the high stakes encounter in Paris, but it appears Andrew Trimble and Dave Kearney will be retained out wide.

Meanwhile, Peter O’Mahony has made an “excellent” recovery from the hamstring strain that saw him held back from last weekend’s win over Italy, with the Munster captain expected to train fully this week.

The 24-year-old is almost certain to return to the number six jersey after Iain Henderson filled in there on Saturday.

Similarly, Cian Healy – who sustained a “knock to right ankle” while scoring a try against the Italians – should take a full part in training tomorrow at Carton House, according to Ireland team manager Mick Kearney.

Scrum-half Conor Murray’s “tummy bug” has settled and he will have no problems in completing the training schedule this week too. His half-back partner Jonny Sexton came through the Italy clash with no ill effects to his right thumb and although he continues to wear a bandage around the joint, is in no pain.

Ireland carried out individual player profiling of the French squad this morning, and will train as a squad at their Maynooth base tomorrow.

http://www.thescore.ie/ireland-france-i ... 0-Mar2014/



Tommy Bowe returns to Irish training camp ahead of showdown with France

Ulster winger, Tommy Bowe, will rejoin the Irish squad at Carton House on Monday morning as they prepare for their Championship showdown against France in Paris on Saturday.

The British Lion recently made his return to playing after a lengthy layoff with a groin injury, scoring two tries against Newport Gwent Dragons with Ulster in the RaboDirect PRO12.

It would not be expected that Bowe would be involved in the final game given that Ireland do not have any injury concerns in the three-quarter department.

He was training with the squad last week, but given he only has had 40 minutes playing time under his belt the Irish winger would be expected to start against Scarlets in the PRO12 on Friday night at Ravenhill

But head coach, Joe Schmidt, admitted it would be good for Bowe to be involved again and it was great to see him back playing.

Schmidt did confirm though that Cian Healy had suffered a knock to his ankle during the 46-7 win over Italy in the Aviva on Saturday.

Wins for Ireland, France and England ensure there remains a three-way tie at the top of the table for the championship with Ireland having a superior points difference .

Ireland need to defeat France in Paris for only the second time in 42 years to be in with a shout for the Six Nations Championship.

They will know exactly what the situation will be as England play Italy in Rome earlier on Super Saturday, needing a massive win against the Azurri.

Admitting the weight of history will sit against Ireland in Paris this weekend, Schmidt vowed his squad will not allow it to become a distraction.

“I guess you know it exists, it’s a bit like the milestone Brian O’Driscoll achieved today,” he said.

“It’s there, it sits in the ether, but it’s not the focus of what you do.

“We just build a game plan and a structure that we think can be successful.

“We’re pretty pragmatic, the history sits there and we’re conscious of it, but I don’t think it will be a distraction.

“We have progressed well through this championship and it comes down to one more game.”

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby ... -1-5924859



The Flip Side

Sun shines on Scarlets' Ulster preparations

Johan Snyman, Phil John and Kristian Phillips training in the sunshine ahead of this Friday night's big clash against Ulster

The Scarlets will travel to Belfast later this week for the rescheduled RaboDirect PRO12 fixture against third placed Ulster Rugby.

With the original fixture postponed a month ago due to weeks of rainfall the Scarlets are this week blessed with glorious sunshine as they prepare to take on Ulster at their revamped Ravenhill home.
Scarlets captain Rob McCusker is looking forward to the fixture after the disappointment of having the last game postponed just hours before the kick-off, he said: "After the emotional rollercoaster that was our last, water logged trip to Belfast, the time has finally come to get our hands on the Ulstermen.

"The challenge for us is to be able to back up recent performances, and keep this ball rolling. The next two weeks are as crucial as the last, and a win in Ravenhill will do wonders for us to kick things back off."

The Scarlets will travel to Scotstoun next week, Saturday 22nd March kick-off 6.30pm, to take on fifth placed Glasgow before returning home to Parc y Scarlets on Sunday 30th March, kick-off 2.05pm, for a Celtic clash against Connacht on Mother's Day.

http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/news/6606.php

[Mac]

Tuesday 11th March 2014



Tommy Bowe surplus to requirements

Changes to the Ireland backline that faces France in Paris on Saturday evening seem unlikely following Tommy Bowe’s release to Ulster. Bowe recently returned from three months on the sidelines following groin surgery, scoring two tries against the Dragons at Ravenhill. He tightened in that February 28th fixture but was still recalled to the Ireland camp in Carton House ahead of last weekend’s Italy match.

Having consulted with Ulster coach Mark Anscombe and perhaps factoring in Andrew Trimble’s excellent form of late, Joe Schmidt felt Bowe, despite 26 tries in 54 tests, was surplus to requirements for the Six Nations championship decider at Stade de France. The 30-year-old will instead feature against the Scarlets in Belfast on Friday.

That match should also mark the return to first team action for Stephen Ferris. The 28-year-old has not played rugby since November 2012 due to an ankle injury. Ferris did not play any part in yesterday’s A match against Leinster but should be used off the bench this weekend.

Conor Murray has also fully recovered from stomach bug that forced his withdrawal on Saturday after just 16 minutes. Despite Eoin Reddan’s performance, Murray is expected to regain the number nine jersey ahead of his fellow Limerick man.

At least one change in the Ireland pack looks certain with Munster captain Peter O’Mahony to come in for Iain Henderson at blindside flanker following an intensive two-week recovery period from the hamstring strain he sustained at Twickenham. “Peter O’Mahony has made an excellent recovery from his hamstring strain and is expected to train fully this week,” said Ireland manager Mick Kearney.

“Cian Healy took a knock on his right ankle scoring his try at the weekend. As a precaution he was put in a boot over night. We expect Cian will train tomorrow (Tuesday).”

Regular feature
Healy was replaced by Jack McGrath on 54 minutes but using his entire bench, or at least seven and certainly his frontrow reserves, has become a regular feature of the Schmidt coaching philosophy.

Healy was forced off the Lions tour last summer with an ankle injury and injured it again in December only to make a remarkable return from surgery in January. He has been heavily strapped on both ankles since his return. Dave Kilcoyne is next in line should Healy fail to reach match fitness.

Meanwhile, Seán O’Brien has spoken about his frustration with the length of time it took to reach an agreement with the IRFU over a new contract. At one stage last January O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip looked to be heading to French clubs but the union and both players respective agents eventually reached agreements.

“I was very honest from the word go where I wanted to be and where I wanted to get to,” said O’Brien. “It was drawn out for a couple of months.

“I think if the process was moved along a lot better and people were a lot more honest and open with each other it would be sorted a bit quicker.

“When people move the bar and are coming back with different answers and replies the whole time it is hard to get something sorted very quickly. But it is a process you have to take your time over.”

O’Brien, who turned down a chance to join European champions Toulon by signing a two-year contract to remain with Leinster, stated the situation did not hinder his performances although it did weigh heavily on him.

“It was on my mind all the time since it started. Deep down you are thinking about it at the back of your mind. You are not saying it to anybody, it’s in your own head. You try not let it affect your rugby.”

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/i ... -1.1719492



Tommy Bowe released back to Ulster from Ireland camp

Tommy Bowe runs in his second try of the night for Ulster in the PRO12 victory over Dragons at Ravenhill

Tommy Bowe will not be involved in Ireland’s crunch closing Six Nations game against France after being released back to the Ulster squad.

The wing scored two tries as made his return to action after nearly three months out while playing for Ulster against the Dragons on 28 February.

Bowe did train with Ireland last week but team manager Mick Kearney said on Monday he would not feature in Paris.

Peter O’Mahony is expected to be fit after missing the win over Italy.

O’Mahony was replaced by Ulster youngster Iain Henderson in Saturday’s 46-7 victory over the Italians but the Munster flanker is in line to return to Joe Schmidt’s side this weekend.

“Peter O’Mahony has made an excellent recovery from his hamstring strain and is expected to train fully this week,” said Kearney on Monday afternoon.

Kearney also reported that prop Cian Healy is expected to train on Tuesday after being forced off a knock early in the second half of Saturday’s game.

Healy sustained a knock to his ankle when scoring a try after the interval at the Aviva Stadium and was rested from training as a precaution on Monday.

Scrum-half Conor Murray is also expected to be available for selection after being replaced in the first half of Saturday’s game because of a stomach upset.

“As a precaution he (Healy) was put in a boot overnight. We expect Cian will train tomorrow and Conor Murray’s tummy bug has settled,” added the Ireland team manager.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby ... -1-5926859



Ulster Rugby goes classical ahead of Heineken Cup tie

With rugby fever running high across Ireland, Ulster Rugby have launched a rallying cry with an online video that sees the Ulster Orchestra give the club's most famous chant a classical spin.

Last weekend all eyes were on Ireland's match with Italy and Brian O'Driscoll's final home international appearance.

But on Sunday evening, Ulster released a video that sees Stand Up For The Ulstermen given the full orchestra treatment, as part of the club's '#showURsupport' social media campaign.

The video is the latest round in the social media battle with London club Saracens ahead of their meeting in the Heineken Cup quarter-final at Ravenhill on 5 April.

A fortnight ago, Saracens posted their own YouTube video encouraging fans to Make Ravenhill Home in the upcoming fixture.

Ulster and Saracens are already battling on social media ahead of 5 April's Heineken Cup quarter-final at Ravenhill.

In Ulster's effort, footage of the orchestra, playing in the Ulster Hall, is interspersed with scenes of people from across the nine counties singing their support, including The Voice star Andrea Begley.

The clip ends with Irish rugby legend Willie John McBride warning Saracens they'll be playing "the whole province of Ulster" when they come to Ravenhill next month.

Having also met in the quarter-finals of last year's competition, Ulster Rugby said these videos were the latest evidence of the two clubs' friendly rivalry.

"When we travelled to play Saracens last year, we launched a campaign to Make Twickenham Home," said Neil. "I think Saracens were responding to that with their own version this year.

Anthemic

"We wanted to do a video that really represented the whole province of Ulster and all nine counties. That's why we have shots from Malin Head to South Down.

"It's important to convey the excitement and pride of being an Ulster rugby follower across to the world. And, of course, get people behind the team for April's match."

The process required Belfast-based orchestrator Paul Campbell to create a bespoke arrangement of the tune, which is best known as Go West by The Village People.

Neil added: "We contacted the Ulster Orchestra five weeks ago about doing it. I thought they could just dash out the tune during a rehearsal because it's fairly simple. But an orchestra needs a proper arrangement. I was amazed by how complex the song now sounds. Paul and the orchestra have really taken it and turned it into something grand and anthemic."

Veronica Morris, head of external relations with the Ulster Orchestra, said they are delighted to be a part of it.

"We were contacted by Ulster about doing a video which would rally blow Saracens out of the water," she said.

"No one was obliged to be a part of it but, once the orchestra heard about it, everyone was beating down my door to get involved," she said. "Pretty much all our members turned up to do it and those who couldn't be there on the day were very disappointed.

On top

"The project came together very quickly. It was fortunate because our principal conductor JoAnn Faletta happened to be in town so was able to be a part of it. Paul did a great job with the score and it was a fantastic day.

"It's a bit corny but also a really nice version. For the orchestra, it was great to do something a bit different and change the perception of what an orchestra is about."

And what are the chances of the Ulster Orchestra making it to Ravenhill on match day to lead the crowd in some epic SUFTUM chants?

Veronica said the orchestra's members were "well up for it" while Neil said Ulster Rugby were happy to look at any possibilities of increasing the musical quality of Ravenhill's chanting.

Meanwhile in the pre-match social media battle, Ulster appear to have come out no top having garnered over 8,000 views in just one day compared to less than 1,500 in two weeks for Saracens effort.

However Ulster still have someway to go to overcome the latest rugby based viral video sensation - a thank you video to Brian O'Driscoll from young patients at Dublin's Temple Street Children's Hospital that has racked up almost 85,000 views since going online last Friday.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-26514609
Join the UAFC "discussion" - viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16984&start=270
Saracens view - http://www.rugbynetwork.net/boards/read ... 9,14632368

RAVENS..jpg (15.5 KiB) Viewed 4429 times

Ulster Ravens 10 v 31 Leinster 'A'
Leinster 'A' ran out comfortable 31-10 winners over Ulster Ravens in the spring sunshine at Deramore Park today with a strong second half performance as they scored 21 unanswered points...

Warming up for their British & Irish Cup quarter-final against Munster 'A' on Friday, April 4, Leinster 'A' played the slicker rugby in Belfast and outscored the hosts by four tries to one.
Ulster Ravens broke the deadlock on 16 minutes with a try from centre Michael Allen. He went over from close range after a sustained period of pressure in the Leinster 22 and out-half James McKinney converted.

Leinster 'A' hit back sevens minutes later with a try from Tom Daly, who started in the centre alongside Thomas Farrell.

Full-back Darren Hudson cut through the defensive line, breaking a couple of tackles before offloading for Daly to run in from five metres. Cathal Marsh added the conversion to tie things up at 7-all.

Leinster 'A' winger Sam Coghlan Murray then had a try disallowed for crossing as Girvan Dempsey's charges looked to pull ahead.

The visitors had young lock Gavin Thornbury yellow carded on 32 minutes and the Ravens regained the lead when McKinney slotted over the resulting penalty.

Leinster 'A' nearly added a second try when number 10 Marsh put a grubber kick behind the defence but Hudson knocked on as he tried to gather with the try-line in his sights.

Marsh made it 10 points apiece with the last kick of the first half, converting a penalty after the Ravens were caught offside in front of their posts.

Leinster 'A' began the second half in fine fettle, going ahead for the first time just two minutes after the restart.

Flanker Josh van der Flier broke from a scrum and put Coghlan Murray clear and the winger went over unopposed, but Marsh was wide with the conversion.

Marsh extended the lead with a 45th minute penalty but was wide of the target after the dominant Leinster 'A' scrum earned another opportunity.

Replacement Sam Windsor, who plays club rugby with Dublin University, kicked a penalty for Dempsey's side before they added two tries in the final six minutes.

The Ravens had hooker Kyle McCall sin-binned for hands in the ruck and Leinster 'A' took full advantage to add some gloss to the final scoreline.

Replacement prop Ed Byrne finished of a slick handling move for the province's third try after 74 minutes.

Bryan Byrne crashed through the home defence creating an overlap on the left wing, and Leo Auva'a and Quinn Roux moved the ball through the hands for Edward Byrne to finish in the corner but Windsor could not convert from a tight angle.

Ravens full-back Peter Nelson saved a try when he carried Farrell's grubber kick over his own try-line, however Leinster 'A' scored their final try from the resulting five-metre scrum.

The powerful Auva'a picked up at the base and crashed through two tackles to touch down and seal a runaway win.

ULSTER RAVENS SCORERS: M. Allen (1 try), J. McKinney (1 conversion and 1 penalty)

LEINSTER 'A' SCORERS: T. Daly (1 try), S. Coghlan Murray (1 try), E. Byrne (1 try), L. Auva'a (1 try), C. Marsh (1 conversion and 2 penalties), S. Windsor (1 penalty)

ULSTER RAVENS: D McIlwaine; A Lidell, R Andrew, M Allen, P Nelson; J McKinney, P Marshall; A Warwick, K McCall, A Macklin, A O'Connor, N McComb, C Joyce, M McComish, CAPTAIN, L Dow.

REPLACEMENTS: P Jackson, M Cromie, A Marica, M Campbell, J Atkinson, D Dass, D Shanahan, R McMaster.

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/news/11605.php#.Ux7KCsuPOP8

[Mac]

Tuesday 11th March 2014 ..........Cont'd

A video released by Ulster Rugby featuring Irish international Willie John McBride has received a tongue-in-cheek response from a rival team.

On Sunday, Ulster posted a video featuring the former international Willie John and the Ulster Orchestra performing Stand Up For The Ulstermen.

Last night however, London club Saracens released the same video altered to Stand Up For The Saracens.

The clubs meet in a Heineken Cup quarter-final at Ravenhill on 5 April.

Ulster's video, released last Sunday, is part of their #showURsupport social media campaign and has attracted over 16,000 views.

It features the Ulster Orchestra performing the song with footage of people from across the nine counties joining in.

It also includes Ulster and British & Irish Lions legend McBride, who says: "When you're playing Ulster at Ravenhill, you're not only playing the 15 players on the field - you're playing the whole province of Ulster."

On Monday night, Saracens reposted the same video with the song's vocals changed.

Mr McBride's line has also been altered to: "You're not playing the whole province, you're only playing 15 players, so you are."

The Saracens version currently has just over 2,300 views.

The videos are the latest in a social media rivalry between the two clubs.

Last year, Ulster campaigned for fans to Make Twickenham Home ahead of last year's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens.

Two weeks ago the London club released a video asking supporters to Make Ravenhill Home for the upcoming fixture.

However Ulster Rugby said their video, five weeks in the making, was not created in response to Saracens.

Neil Brittain, communications manager at Ulster Rugby, said: "Our video is about inspiring and motivating our fans from right across the nine counties of Ulster to get behind the team on 5 April."

Mr McBride said: "As far as I'm concerned, none of this video stuff really matters. The answer to it all will be on the field and on the scoreboard."

When contacted, Saracens said they had no comment.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-26527092



Ulster Rugby release fantastic version of their anthem, then Saracens cover it horribly

If there wasn’t already some bad blood between the teams, this will do it.

Ulster’s ‘Stand Up For The Ulster Men’ is one of the most famous rugby songs in the country. As the province builds up to the resumption of the Heineken Cup, they released a fantastic fan driven version of the song onto YouTube last night.

With some beautiful accompaniment by the Ulster Orchestra, the video not only sounds great, but looks great too, showcasing some of the best spots to visit in the province. It ends with some words of wisdom from Ulster legend Willie John McBride. Have a look for yourself at the class clip below.

ULSTER version HERE

If there wasn’t already some bad blood between the teams, this will do it.

Ulster’s ‘Stand Up For The Ulster Men’ is one of the most famous rugby songs in the country. As the province builds up to the resumption of the Heineken Cup, they released a fantastic fan driven version of the song onto YouTube last night.

With some beautiful accompaniment by the Ulster Orchestra, the video not only sounds great, but looks great too, showcasing some of the best spots to visit in the province. It ends with some words of wisdom from Ulster legend Willie John McBride. Have a look for yourself at the class clip below.

Today, their Heineken Cup quarter final opponents, and recent fierce rivals Saracens, have doctored the song and stuck it on their official YouTube channel.

It’s not good. Not good at all. Crudely overdubbing ‘Ulster men’ with ‘Saracens’ will anger some, while overdubbing the great Willie John McBride should anger the rest.

Puke Here

Things were always going to be spicy at Ravenhill on April 5 but we reckon this has added a little extra fuel to the fire.

http://www.joe.ie/rugby/heineken-cup/vi ... -horribly/



Preview: Ulster v Scarlets

This game was postponed from its original date of Valentines' night, 14th February, due to a waterlogged pitch.

Ulster have lost just once in the RaboDirect PRO12 since round 7 in early November: 6-19 to Leinster at the RDS on 28 December.
Ulster's only defeat at Ravenhill this season came in their first home match, 12-13 to Glasgow in the PRO12 on 13th September.

The only Welsh region to have won in Belfast in the last four seasons was the Ospreys in 2013.

Scarlets toppled league leading Munster last time out and have now won their last three PRO12 encounters, their best run for 12 months.

Scarlets have won two of their last three away games in all tournaments but have won on just one of their last seven visits to an Irish province: 24-21 against Connacht in November 2013.

Scarlets were victorious 17-9 when the two teams met at Parc y Scarlets in round 7, but the Welshmen have only once before achieved a season's double over the Ulstermen - in 2008/09.

The Scarlets have won on just two of their previous 13 visits to Ravenhill in all tournaments: 35-11 in the European Cup in January 2007, and 16-9 in the PRO12 in September 2008.

At Ravenhill Stadium, 7.05pm. Live on BBC NI
Referee: Neil Hennessy (WRU, 19th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Gary Conway, Gary Glennon (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Wayne Sheridan (IRFU)
TMO: Marshall Kilgore (IRFU)

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/14399.php

[Mac]

Wednesday 12th March 2014



Pro12: Ulster v Scarlets

Stephen Ferris could make his long-awaited return to action in Ulster's Pro12 encounter with the Scarlets at Ravenhill on Friday.

Former Lions flanker Ferris has been out of action since sustaining an ankle injury in November 2012.

However following a protracted period of rehabilitation, Ferris now appears on the brink of returning to the game.

Nick Williams is also expected to be involved in the Ulster squad following some recent disciplinary problems.

The 30-year-old has returned to training after an internal disciplinary process which followed an alleged unauthorised absence.

His future with the province had been thrown into doubt when he missed the recent Pro12 win over Treviso in Italy after returning to New Zealand.

The back-row forward was subsequently not considered for selection for the next Pro12 game against the Dragons.

Meanwhile, Scarlets head coach Simon Easterby hopes his side can carry their recent good form into the game.

The Scarlets have won their last three matches in the competition including an 18-13 win over second-placed Munster.

Easterby's side, who are sixth, are aiming to do the double over third-placed Ulster to keep their play-off hopes alive.

"We have to get something out of every game," said Easterby.

The Scarlets have seven games left in the Pro12.

They are 10 points behind fourth-placed Ospreys, who occupy the last play-off spot but have a game in hand.

"There's still 35 points up for grabs," says Easterby.

"We're going to have to work really hard to get into that top four but we've got a good run-in with four home games.

"If we can take points from the next two away games we'll certainly be well placed to challenge the top four."

In their last match the Scarlets became the only Welsh region to beat Munster in the Pro12 this season.

Easterby says the win has lifted his squad: "The challenge for us now is to back that up against Ulster."

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/26536194



Henry adamant the best is yet to come

Ulster flanker Chris Henry believes the best is still to come from him on the international stage despite starting Ireland's last four games.

Henry has been an ever-present for Ireland so far this year, making 12 tackles as Italy were brushed aside 46-7 last time out.
All this means that he is set to star in France for the first time in an Ireland shirt, having previously only travelled to Paris as a standby player.

The test that awaits him is certainly a difficult one, with Ireland having only beaten France in Paris once in 42 years.

But Henry, who helped Ulster finish runners-up in the RaboDirect PRO12 last season, is not about to shirk the challenge, adamant he can still improve under the bright international lights.

"Because I have got a run of games, yes, without a doubt I'm feeling very comfortable in that place. There is more to come from me," he said.

"There's a few things in my own game that I wasn't happy with. But, you always assess the games and improve.

"When you are playing around big players, it brings out the best in you as well. Hopefully if I can play again next week, it will be my best game yet.

"It's huge, I have travelled to Paris as a 25th man before, but never got to play.

"The atmosphere is intimidating. It is going to be a really hard game. Obviously playing away from home in Twickenham, we showed there we missed a few opportunities we didn't take and the game just got away from us.

"When you are playing the best teams, it is that one chance, that one opportunity that you create and you don't take."

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/144 ... yCL6cuPOP8



Williams to return for Ulster after exclusion

Ulster's Nick Williams could be back on board for some involvement in Friday night's rearranged PRO12 game with the Scarlets at Ravenhill (kick-off 7.05pm) following the conclusion of the disciplinary procedure which had excluded him from the side's last outing against the Dragons a fortnight ago.

The 30-year-old Kiwi was the focus of an internal probe at Ulster Rugby following what was alleged to be an unauthorised absence last month when the back-rower returned home to New Zealand.

Williams, who was voted PRO12 players' player of the year and Irish players' player when last season's domestic awards were handed out, was not with Mark Anscombe's squad for their narrow win in Treviso on February 23.

Though he returned to Ravenhill that week, he then found himself sidelined for the five-day turnaround required ahead of Ulster's following game which turned out to be the 38-8 thrashing of the Dragons.

His effective suspension had fuelled speculation that the Ravenhill favourite could well have been facing a ban, if not an early exit from Ulster's ranks.

But yesterday, Ulster Rugby issued a brief statement which seemed to draw a line under the issue and open the door to a hopefully fit-again Williams returning to playing duty.

Ulster Rugby's statement said: "Ulster back-row forward, Nick Williams, has returned to training following the conclusion of an internal disciplinary process.

"Ulster Rugby will be making no further comment on the matter."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 84633.html


The Flip Side


Munster win a confidence boost says Easterby

Scarlets take on Ulster at their revamped Ravenhill home this Friday evening in the re-arranged RaboDirect PRO12 fixture.

With the storms and torrential rain of a month ago, that caused the water-logged pitch at Ravenhill which led to the postponement of the game, now replaced by glorious Spring sunshine the Scarlets are ready to face the challenge head on.
The Scarlets travel to Belfast on the back of three wins from three in the RaboDirect PRO12, the most recent of those coming against Munster at Parc y Scarlets on St David's Day.

Scarlets Head Coach Simon Easterby said that the recent victories will serve as a confidence boost for the squad as they head into the final block of fixtures, he said: "I think it was an important result against Munster to keep us in touch with the top four and open up a gap below us."

"The players put a huge amount of effort into that training week and we prepared really well. We understood to a man how to beat Munster and certain things came off for us as well."

"The reward was not only getting the win but the performance was special. Munster haven't lost so many players this season to international call-ups and they were fairly strong when they came to the Parc."

Easterby admits that the squad will take heart from such a victory adding: "We played Munster at a good time when they're playing well. It's a confidence booster for us knowing that we can beat a team like that - the challenge for us now is to back that up against Ulster."

The 18-13 victory over Munster at Parc y Scarlets saw the Scarlets get within ten points of the Ospreys who are currently in fourth position and keeps the campaign alive as the competition heads into the home straight.

"We have to get something out of every game, there's still 35 points up for grabs. We're going to have to work really hard to get into that top four but we've got a good run-in with four home games. If we can take points from the next two away games we'll certainly be well placed to challenge the top four."

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/144 ... yA1zsuPOP8



Williams back training with Ulster non story......

Ulster number eight Nick Williams has returned to training following the conclusion of an internal disciplinary process.

The New Zealand native was investigated by the club after an unauthorised absence when he returned home.

"Ulster back-row forward, Nick Williams, has returned to training following the conclusion of an internal disciplinary process," read a club statement.

"Ulster Rugby will be making no further comment on the matter."

Williams has made a huge impact in Belfast since his switch from the now defunct Aironi in 2012.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 80,00.html



Ulster Rugby fans fuming after Saracens mock promotional video saluting their heroes .....Maureen Coleman

A row has erupted on social networking site Twitter after London-based team Saracens parodied a promotional film released by Ulster Rugby in the run-up to their Heineken Cup quarter-final next month.

The original video features the Ulster Orchestra performing Stand Up For The Ulster Men, the tune of which is The Village People's Go West.

The score was arranged and produced by Paul Campbell and the Ulster Orchestra's 50-strong performance was filmed in the Ulster Hall earlier this month.

The high-production video – made by Ulster Rugby's media partner Little Giant Films – also includes cameo appearances from the Civil Service mini rugby team, opera singer Richard Shaffrey and last year's Voice UK winner Andrea Begley, as well as random rugby fans, who join in the singing.

Footage of Ulster's countryside, from Malin Head in Donegal to the Giant's Causeway, provide the backdrop to the promotional film, while rugby legend Willie John McBride wraps it up with the stirring words: "Just remember, when you play Ulster at Ravenhill you are not only playing the 15 players on the field, you are playing the whole province of Ulster."

The film was posted on YouTube and was retweeted almost 400 times on Twitter with an accompanying message repeating McBride's fighting words.

But to the dismay of fans of the White Knights, Saracens responded with a spoof version of the film, with the chant changed to "Stand up for the Saracens".

McBride's words of support were also switched to: "Just remember, when you play Ulster at Ravenhill you are not playing the whole province, you're only playing 15 players, so you are."

The mocking video was posted on the London team's official website, prompting fans to take to Twitter to voice their anger.
One rugby fan said: "I have just unfollowed @Saracens. They already know why."

Another said: "Someone at Saracens should get sacked for this. Disrespectful."

A third tweeted: "Wow. Stay classy. Saracens."

However, the company behind the Ulster Rugby film said the Saracens parody had backfired and had lost them support in some quarters.

The man who directed the promotional video, Robin Morgan, said he was angry when he first saw the doctored version.

"I thought it was in very poor taste," he said. "To dub over Willie John McBride's words is sacrilege really. But a negative has turned into a positive now.

"Saracens' PR stunt has spectacularly backfired."

The Saracens parody has now been removed from YouTube but an official Stand Up for The Saracens video by Right Said Fred, uploaded four years ago, is still available.

Right Said Fred HERE Monkey see, Mon..............

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... 84495.html

[Mac]

Thursday 13th March 2014 ............Team News




Stephen Ferris on the bench for Ulster

Ulster back row forward, Stephen Ferris, has been named on the bench for tomorrow night’s RaboDirect PRO12 match against Scarlets at Ravenhill (kick off 19:05).

The Ireland international hasn’t played since suffering an ankle injury in November 2012 and after 16 months of rehabilitation will make a phased return to play over the coming weeks.

Roger Wilson will make his 150th appearance for the Province in the game and starts at blindside flanker.

The match will also see a first start for centre Stuart McCloskey who came on as a substitute in the win over Newport Gwent Dragons a fortnight ago.

Jared Payne starts the game at full back, with Tommy Bowe, who scored two tries on his return against Dragons, named on the right wing and Ireland Under 20s player, Rory Scholes, continuing on the left wing.

Man of the match from the Dragons game, Darren Cave, is selected alongside 21 year-old McCloskey.

Ruan Pienaar is selected at scrum-half, with Paddy Jackson, who has been released from international duty, named at outhalf.

In the pack, John Afoa returns to the starting XV where he joins Callum Black and Rob Herring in the front row.
Johann Muller starts in the second row and is partnered by Robbie Diack who starts at 5.

Sean Doyle starts at openside, with Wilson at blindside and Nick Williams named at Number 8.

Ferris is joined on the bench by forwards Niall Annett, Tom Court, Ricky Lutton and Lewis Stevenson, with Michael Heaney, Craig Gilroy and Ricky Andrew completing the match-day squad.

Ulster XV and replacements to face Scarlets, RaboDirect PRO12, Ravenhill, Friday (kick off 19:05) (15-9): J Payne, T Bowe, D Cave, S McCloskey, R Scholes, P Jackson, R Pienaar; (1-8): C Black, R Herring, J Afoa, J Muller (Captain), R Diack, R Wilson, S Doyle, N Williams; Replacements (16-23): N Annett, T Court, R Lutton, L Stevenson, S Ferris, M Heaney, C Gilroy, R Andrew.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... ster-.aspx



Roger Wilson is on a roll

Few men will reach 150 caps for Ulster, fewer still could do so having enjoyed a four-year stint in the Aviva Premiership, but when Roger Wilson runs out against Scarlets at Ravenhill tomorrow night he will be doing just that.

The impressive tally of appearances accrued either side of his time spent with Northampton Saints is, however, something that Wilson is keen to downplay.

Ahead of tomorrow's return to RaboDirect PRO12 action, the back-rower said: "I was away for four years and obviously a few of the boys have done it. Rory (Best) I think has 150, Trimby (Andrew Trimble) has way more than that and Paddy (Wallace) as well. For me it's just been good to get back in the mix and try and keep up with them.

"It's obviously a nice little milestone but it's maybe something I'll appreciate a bit more when I stop playing."

If it were not for injury, then many more of those 149 appearances to date would have come with Stephen Ferris alongside him in the back-row and Wilson is excited by the imminent return of the 2009 Grand Slam winner.

"It'll be brilliant to see him back and he'll certainly add a hell of a lot to the squad," said the one-time capped Ireland international.

"I've never seen anyone keep their discipline as well as he has in his rehabilitation over the last year and half.

"He'll get a huge reception when he does come back because he's a huge physical player on the pitch and a top lad off it."

While Wilson has been an unerringly reliable stalwart of late – he has played all 320 minutes of Ulster's last four games – the Six Nations has been a period of upheaval that he is happy to see draw to a conclusion. The 32-year-old reflected: "Our goal was to win the four out of four (during the international window) and if we win on Friday night that will be objective achieved.

"It's not an easy time, personally I'd prefer to play every week and just keep the momentum going.

"Two days before this game was the first time we've had a full session so it's a bit disruptive but our focus is in the right place and we're in the right frame of mind.

"Sometimes when you have time off it can be difficult. Sometimes when we come back we don't play that well so we need to make sure we perform this weekend."

A rescheduled game due to a water-logged pitch back on February 14, the game-in-hand offers Mark Anscombe's men a real opportunity to put pressure on Munster and Leinster above them in the table.

"Usually going into the mid-April period is normally when it starts to establish itself with who you're going to possibly play but there is still plenty of rugby to play and all we can do is win as many games as we can," said Wilson.

"Obviously we've hit a good roll at the minute and we want to keep that going."

Scarlets however, have found form themselves, as Munster found out earlier this month with an 18-13 defeat at Parc y Scarlets, while the reverse fixture back in November was one of Ulster's most disappointing outings of the campaign.

Wilson added: "They're in good form; I think they've won five on the trot we were told today. If you look at when we played them earlier in the year they duffed us up front and then we couldn't get a platform at all. We just didn't turn up on the day so we certainly have to go out and rectify that."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 88868.html



Preview: Ulster v Scarlets

Scarlets head coach Simon Easterby has made three changes to Friday's starting XV that will face Ulster in their rearranged RaboDirect PRO12 clash.

Gareth Maule returns to centre and Kirby Myhill and Jacobie Adriaanse pack down alongside veteran loosehead Phil John in their front-row.

It'll also be an historic evening for Scarlets' South African second-row duo George Earle and Johan Snyman as they both make their 50th regional appearance in what is a must win PRO12 game.

With three wins from three in the RaboDirect PRO12 in recent weeks Easterby went on to say that the squad has been buoyed by the recent victories and has given themselves the best chance in the final stages of the season.

"The players are really confident with three wins on the trot," he said.

"We have everything to play for. We've put ourselves in a bit of a difficult position in terms of the top four but we feel pretty confident at the moment with the run-in that we've got that we can go to places like Ulster and Glasgow and get the wins."

With only ten points separating the Scarlets and the Ospreys, who are currently in fourth position, the Scarlets have it all to play having already secured 13 points from 15 in the last three rounds.

"An early season inconsistency prevented us from getting closer to the top four," Easterby added.

"We collected five losing bonus points in games that we really should have won. We've started to win those games now and we've had three wins on the bounce; we still have 7 games and 35 points up for grabs."

Meanwhile, Ulster back-row Stephen Ferris has been named on the bench for the game at Ravenhill.

The Ireland international hasn't played since suffering an ankle injury in November 2012 and after 16 months of rehabilitation will make a phased return to play over the coming weeks.

Roger Wilson will make his 150th appearance for the Province in the game and starts at blindside flanker.

The match will also see a first start for centre Stuart McCloskey who came on as a substitute in the win over the Dragons a fortnight ago.

Jared Payne starts the game at full-back, with Tommy Bowe, who scored two tries on his return against Dragons, named on the right wing and Ireland U20s player, Rory Scholes, continuing on the left wing.

Man of the match from the Dragons game, Darren Cave, is selected alongside 21 year-old McCloskey.

Ruan Pienaar is selected at scrum-half, with Paddy Jackson, who has been released from international duty, named at fly-half.

In the pack, John Afoa returns to the starting XV where he joins Callum Black and Rob Herring in the front-row.

Johann Muller starts in the second row and is partnered by Robbie Diack who starts at lock while further back, Sean Doyle starts at openside, with Wilson at blindside and Nick Williams named at number eight.

Ferris is joined on the bench by forwards Niall Annett, Tom Court, Ricky Lutton and Lewis Stevenson, with Michael Heaney, Craig Gilroy and Ricky Andrew completing the matchday squad.

Form: Ulster havel lost just once in the RaboDirect PRO12 since Round 7 in early November: 6-19 to Leinster at the RDS on 28 December. Ulster's only defeat at Ravenhill this season came in their first home match, 12-13 to Glasgow in the PRO12 on 13th September. The only Welsh region to have won in Belfast in the last four seasons was the Ospreys in 2013. Scarlets toppled league leading Munster last time out and have now won their last three PRO12 encounters, their best run for 12 months. Scarlets have won two of their last three away games in all tournaments but have won on just one of their last seven visits to an Irish province: 24-21 against Connacht in November 2013. Scarlets were victorious 17-9 when the two teams met at Parc y Scarlets in round 7, but the Welshmen have only once before achieved a season's double over the Ulstermen - in 2008/09. The Scarlets have won on just two of their previous 13 visits to Ravenhill in all tournaments: 35-11 in the European Cup in January 2007, and 16-9 in the PRO12 in September 2008.

The teams:

Ulster: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Rory Scholes, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Sean Doyle, 6 Roger Wilson, 5 Robbie Diack, 4 Johann Muller (capt), 3 John Afoa, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Callum Black.
Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Tom Court, 18 Ricky Lutton, 19 Lewis Stevenson, 20 Stephen Ferris, 21 Michael Heaney, 22 Craig Gilroy, 23 Ricky Andrew.

Scarlets: 15 Jordan Williams, 14 Kristian Phillips, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Frazier Climo, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Rob McCusker (capt), 7 John Barclay, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Johan Snyman, 4 George Earle, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Kirby Myhill, 1 Phil John.
Replacements: 16 Darran Harris, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Shaun Hopkins, 19 Richard Kelly, 20 Sione Timani, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Josh Lewis, 23 Adam Warren.

Date: Friday, March 14
Kick-off: 19:05 GMT
Venue: Ravenhill
Referee: Neil Hennessy (WRU)
Assistant referees: Gary Conway (Ireland), Gary Glennon (Ireland)
Television match official: Marshall Kilgore (Ireland)
Assessor: Jack Young (Ireland)

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 83,00.html



No last tango in Paris for Paddy Jackson

EXCLUSIVE by Richard Mulligan

Outhalf Paddy Jackson will not be involved in Ireland’s Six Nations Championship decider against France in Paris on Saturday evening.

Instead, the Ulsterman will start for his Province in tomorrow night’s rearranged RaboDirect PRO12 match against Scarlets.

The News Letter understands Ireland coach, Joe Schmidt has instead opted to go with Leinster flyhalf, Ian Madigan on the bench.

Jackson has been on the bench for all of Ireland’s previous Six Nations games in this championship, understudy to Racing Metro’s Jonathan Sexton.

It is a harsh call on Ulsterman Jackson, particuarly as the Irish coach has been consistent in selection during the Six Nations.

Jackson played a full game for Ireland in the first Test match under Schmidt last November against Samoa, but then opted for Madigan on the bench in the games against Australia and New Zealand.

At that time Schmidt said Madigan gave cover to a number of positions from the bench.

Jackson appeared to have cemented himself as the Irish number two to Sexton having been involved in the previous Six Nations games.

But he only got 13 minutes in total against Scotland, Wales and England. Jackson did not put a foot wrong when he played 16 minutes in last weekend’s 46-7 win over Italy in Dublin which set up Saturday’s championship decider with the French in Paris. That makes it even harder to understand Schmidt’s decision not to involve him this weekend, unless he sees Madigan as offering more from the bench in what is expected to be a tight game with Les Bleus.

Ireland, England and France can all win the title going into the final weekend, the Irish having a superior points difference on the other two challengers, leaving them needing just a win to take the championship - unless England were to run riot and rack up a massive points haul in their clash with Italy in Rome.

Jackson will now start at outhalf for Ulster on Friday night in the PRO12 having been released back to his Province on Wednesday.

That is a massive boost for Ulster who face the Scarlets. Jackson will partner Ruan Pienaar with Michael Heaney on the bench after Paul Marshall was declared unavailable for selection.

Young Dungannon and Ulster Academy centre, Stuart McCloskey, will get his first competitive Ulster start having come off the bench in the win over NG Dragons a fortnight ago. He will partner Darren Cave in the midfield.

Tommy Bowe, Rory Scholes and Jared Payne will make up the back three.

Roger Wilson will make his 150th appearance for Ulster while Nick Williams is also available for selection following the outcome of an internal disciplinary hearing after he allegedly took leave without permission.

The big focus in the past week has been on the potential return to playing of backrow forward, Stephen Ferris. After a 15-month layoff, Ferris is expected to be named on the bench for Friday’s game and will get some game time.

Ireland and Ulster are due to announce their matchday squads at lunchtime on Thursday.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby ... -1-5933437


Backline duo ruled out, but Ulster remain hopeful on Stephen Ferris return

Ulster remained guarded on confirming if British Lion backrow forward, Stephen Ferris, would make his long awaited return to action after injury on Friday night against Scarlets in the PRO12.

However, scrumhalf Paul Marshall and centre, Luke Marshall, are both ruled out of the rearranged league match at Ravenhill.

Luke Marshall suffered concussion during the 46-7 win against Dragons two weeks ago and continues to follow the return to play protocols.

Paul Marshall was declared unavailable for selection on Wednesday although he had played in the Ulster Ravens 31-10 loss to Leinster on Monday.

But the main focus still remains on the possibility of Ferris making a return to playing after a 15-month lay-off through injury.

The News Letter revealed last week that Ferris may make his return via the replacements bench for the visit of the Scarlets even though a target of Edinburgh a week later had been set.

Yesterday, Ulster assistant coach, Neil Doak, would only say the medical team were continuing to work with the international blindside.

“Stephen has worked tremendously hard to get to where he is and it is hoped to see him playing soon.”

Ulster fans will be watching their social media feeds intensely on Thursday around noon when the matchday squad is announced to see if Ferris is included.

Nick Williams is now available for selection following the outcome of an internal disciplinary process.

Williams had appeared before a disciplinary panel after it was alleged he went absent without leave ahead of the away PRO12 match against Benetton Treviso.

The outcome of the disciplinary hearing was not disclosed publicly and Ulster would not make any further comment after issuing a two paragraph statement confirming Williams return to training on Tuesday following the disciplinary hearing.

Williams had already been training with his team mates since last Wednesday.

Stuart McCloskey is in line for his first competitive start with the Province having played off the bench in the victory over Dragons.

With Ruan Pienaar due to start at scrumhalf, James McKinney may get an opportunity at flyhalf.

Ulster lie third in the PRO12 table and need to secure another home win if they are to keep the pressure on top two, Leinster and Munster.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby ... -1-5932776


Payne set for fly-half as Ferris forced to wait

Ulster are poised to play Jared Payne at fly-half in tomorrow night's rearranged Pro12 clash with Scarlets at Ravenhill which will host a sell-out 14,000 crowd.

It was thought Springbok Ruan Pienaar would be at 10 with Paul Marshall as his half-back partner, but the Ireland scrum-half took a bit of a battering playing for the Ravens against Leinster 'A' on Monday night and is unlikely to be considered.

Ravens fly-half James McKinney is another option, but it looks certain that Payne, who played 20 minutes against the Dragons two weeks ago in the No 10 jersey, will start the game at half-back.

While Tommy Bowe will again start on the right wing, Friday's game may be one game too soon for flanker Stephen Ferris.

While Ferris has recovered from his ankle surgery, he has picked up niggles in training having been out of action for 15 months. Ulster coach Mark Anscombe, off sick this week, has yet to make up his mind whether to give Ferris a 10-minute blast from the bench, or wait until the following week away to Edinburgh.

Ulster's assistant coach Neil Doak said: "There is still a chance he may get a run on Friday but, more than likely, it is a match too soon." Meanwhile, the club confirmed that Nick Williams has returned to training following an internal disciplinary process.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/p ... 88403.html

OR..........


Ulster Rugby's Stephen Ferris is back in a jersey and set to end injury hell at Ravenhill

Stephen Ferris is back in an Ulster jersey and set to end his injury hell.

The former Lions flanker is poised to feature in Ulster's Pro12 encounter with the Scarlets at Ravenhill tomorrow.

Ferris (pictured) has been out of action since sustaining an ankle injury in November 2012 and is unlikely to start the game but his return to the bench will be a massive boost to Mark Anscombe's side.

Ulster have a Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens looming on April 5 and the return of Ferris will mark the end of a frustrating period of rehabilitation for the player. Scrum half Ruan Pienaar said: "I think everyone is excited. We have seen how hard he has worked and I think he is raring to go and I am really excited. Everyone will be cheering him on once he gets back on the pitch."

Ulster assistant coach Neil Doak said Ferris would be monitored in training and he admitted the medics were "obviously cautious".

"We're just playing it day by day," he said. "He hasn't played a lot of rugby in the last couple of seasons but he has been training really hard over the last wee while and they just want to make sure and that he is as close to 100% as possible."

Ferris isn't the only player on the comeback trail for Ulster. Nick Williams and John Afoa are also set to return for the third-placed side.

Neither of the New Zealanders have featured in Ulster's last two games — with Afoa home for family reasons and Williams having been effectively suspended after his trip back caused a ripple or two in-house.

Both were last involved in the narrow win over the Ospreys at the start of February so it is likely that they both may be named on the bench against the Welsh.

Williams’ future with the province had been thrown into doubt when he missed the recent Pro12 win over Treviso in Italy after returning to New Zealand.

The back-row forward was subsequently not considered for selection for the next Pro12 game against the Dragons.

The only major selection issue for Anscombe's starting side appears to be at out-half where, with Paddy Jackson expected to be with Ireland, the options are Pienaar, James McKinney and possibly even Jared Payne who filled in there in the latter stages of the |38-8 thumping of the Dragons two weeks ago.

With Pienaar believed to be starting at scrum-half it would appear that Anscombe's option is likely to be the wildcard that is Payne, particularly as McKinney is on duty with Malone on Saturday.

In the backline, Tommy Bowe — who scored twice on his comeback game against the Dragons and who was briefly with Ireland earlier this week — is expected to be one of the starting wingers with the superb Rory Scholes likely to get another run-out on the left flank which means Craig Gilroy is now on course to be benched.

Darren Cave is set to be at outside centre alongside Stuart McCloskey, who made his debut against the Dragons and gets the nod with Luke Marshall sidelined after another concussion.

Up front, Roger Wilson will be making his 150th appearance for his home province.

Wilson could well be one third of an unchanged starting back row which will include Robbie Diack and Sean Doyle.

“Everybody else is sitting with their feet up (this weekend),” Doak added, referring to tomorrow’s battle.

“And we've got a great chance with this extra game.

“We've got a nice window here but we're going to have to work hard to get the job done.”

The Scarlets have seven games left in the Pro12.

They are 10 points behind fourth-placed Ospreys, who occupy the last play-off spot but have a game in hand.

Scarlets head coach Simon Easterby said: “If we can take points from the next two away games we'll certainly be well placed to challenge the top four.”

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 88864.html



Henry demands more from himself

Ireland and Ulster back-row forward Chris Henry is determined to keep on improving in the green jersey, saying "there is more to come from me".

The 29-year-old has started all four games for his country so far in this season's Six Nations and should make it five against France this week.

But he is not getting ahead of himself as both he and Ireland look to enjoy a memorable night in Paris that could see them crowned champions.

"Because I have got a run of games, yes, without a doubt I'm feeling very comfortable in that place. There is more to come from me," Henry informed RaboDirectPRO12.com ahead of the key clash.

"There's a few things in my own game that I wasn't happy with. But, you always assess the games and improve.

"When you are playing around big players, it brings out the best in you as well. Hopefully if I can play again next week, it will be my best game yet.

"It's huge, I have travelled to Paris as a 25th man before, but never got to play.

"The atmosphere is intimidating. It is going to be a really hard game. Obviously playing away from home in Twickenham, we showed there we missed a few opportunities we didn't take and the game just got away from us.

"When you are playing the best teams, it is that one chance, that one opportunity that you create and you don't take."

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 85,00.html


The Flip Side

Scarlets looking to continue winning form in Ulster

George Earle and Johan Snyman will make their 50th regional appearance against Ulster on Friday

In the only RaboDirect PRO12 fixture of the weekend the Scarlets will take on third placed Ulster as the West Wales region looks to climb the table and edge ever closer to the top four play-off spot.

The West Wales region will be hoping to secure a second victory over the Irish province having already taken the spoils against Ulster at Parc y Scarlets when the two sides met in November.
In that 17-9 victory Scarlets' spark refused to be dampened despite the conditions, with the West Wales side enjoying sustained periods of pressure and putting together strong phases of play on the Ulster line - securing the majority of possession and territory.

Looking back to the victory over Ulster at the Parc Head Coach Simon Easterby said: "The conditions weren't great but we played the weather well. We out muscled them in some respects and that was a good performance from us. Set a bit of a template on how to play against Ulster who are at the moment playing really well.

"We'll have to be at that sort of level again to go to Ulster and secure a performance and a result. It hasn't always been happy hunting ground for us in recent years."

Head Coach Simon Easterby as made three changes to the starting XV that fronted up and secured an 18-13 victory over Munster at Parc y Scarlets earlier in the month with Gareth Maule returning to outside centre and Kirby Myhill and Jacobie Adriaanse packing down at front row alongside experienced loosehead prop Phil John.

It'll also be an historic evening for Scarlets' South African second row duo George Earle and Johan Snyman as they both make their 50th regional appearance in what is a must win clash against Ulster.

With three wins from three in the RaboDirect PRO12 in recent weeks Easterby went on to say that the squad has been buoyed by the recent victories and has given themselves the best chance in the final stages of the season, he said: "The players are really confident with three wins on the trot. We have everything to play for. We've put ourselves in a bit of a difficult position in terms of the top four but we feel pretty confident at the moment with the run-in that we've got that we can go to places like Ulster and Glasgow and get the wins."

With only ten points separating the Scarlets and the Ospreys, who are currently in fourth position, the Scarlets have it all to play having already secured 13 points from 15 in the last three rounds. Easterby went on to say: "An early season inconsistency prevented us from getting closer to the top four. We collected five losing bonus points in games that we really should have won. We've started to win those games now and we've had three wins on the bounce; we still have 7 games and 35 points up for grabs."

Scarlets team v Ulster, Friday 14th March kick-off 7.05pm at Ravenhill:

15 Jordan Williams, 14 Kristian Phillips, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Frazier Climo, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Phil John, 2 Kirby Myhill, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 4 George Earle, 5 Johan Snyman, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 John Barclay, 8 Rob McCusker ©

Replacements: Darran Harris, Rob Evans, Shaun Hopkins, Richard Kelly, Sione Timani, Aled Davies, Josh Lewis, Adam Warren

http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/rugby/6614.php



Prop Samson Lee left out of Scarlets squad for Pro 12 trip to Ulster

Samson Lee

The Scarlets have not included Welsh front-row duo Samson Lee and Emyr Phillips for their RaboDirect PRO12 clash against Ulster in Belfast on Friday night.

This is despite the pair not being included in Warren Gatland’s Wales side to face Scotland at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The absent duo two of three changes to the starting side that secured an 18-13 victory over Munster at Parc y Scarlets earlier in the month with hooker Kirby Myhill and South African prop Jacobie Adriaanse packing down at front row alongside experienced loosehead prop Phil John.

Gareth Maule returns at outside centre with Lions star Jonathan Davies on Wales duty. Maule lines up in a midfield alongside Aled Thomas who has been linked with a move to Gloucester for next season.

It’ll also be an historic evening for Scarlets’ South African second row duo George Earle and Johan Snyman as they both make their 50th regional appearances.

The rearranged match is the only league fixture of the weekend. The Scarlets, who have won their last three matches, will be hoping to secure a second victory over the Irish province having already taken the home spoils against Ulster last November.

“The players are really confident with three wins on the trot and we have everything to play for,” said head coach Simon Easterby.

“We’ve put ourselves in a bit of a difficult position in terms of the top four but we feel pretty confident at the moment with the run-in that we’ve got that we can go to places like Ulster and Glasgow and get the wins.”

With only 10 points separating the Scarlets and the Ospreys, who are currently in fourth position, the Scarlets have it all to play having already secured 13 points from15 in the last three rounds.

“An early season inconsistency prevented us from getting closer to the top four,” added Easterby.

“We collected five losing bonus points in games that we really should have won.

“We’ve started to win those games now and we’ve had three wins on the bounce. We still have seven games and 35 points up for grabs.”

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... ut-6810635

[Mac]

Friday 14th Mar 2014 ............Pro12 Match Day



Stephen Ferris will get huge welcome and Ulster Rugby can call on Paddy Jackson after Irish omission

He's back and no, we don’t mean Paddy Jackson’s somewhat unexpected return.

Rarely has a team announcement been waited on with such anticipation with the rumour mill cranking up all week that a certain Stephen Ferris would be named in Ulster's match day squad for tonight's meeting with the Scarlets (kick-off 7.05pm).

Few thought it could ever come to this after the 28-year-old encountered so many setbacks on the rocky road to recovery, but now, at last, and even after suffering a setback last week, there is something more than just lines telling us that the flanker is 'making progress, but not there yet' and a welcome departure from all the staple fare put out there since he was helped off the Ravenhill turf back in November 2012.

His agonised expression as he left the field that night against Edinburgh was only the beginning of what has been a complicated recovery from his ankle injury – one which has required three operations thanks to knee issues as well – and a journey which has taken the Ireland and Lions flanker into a seemingly endless and often bleak-looking attempt to get back.

But he has endured and come through the short-term contract extensions and all the stuff about moving to Japan. And just to have him togged out at Ravenhill again – though it is assumed he is to get limited game-time tonight off the bench – is sure to give the player, his team-mates and the paying public a huge lift

After having been through so much doubt and uncertainty – in fairness his team-mates have maintained throughout most of his period that Ferris has been fairly inspirational in terms of his, by necessity, lonely approach to recovering fitness and confidence – the relief at pulling on an Ulster jersey again and taking his place on the replacements' bench will doubtless be tempered with extreme tension at potentially playing again after 15 months away.

"To have him back again will be like having a new player around the place even though he's been here for so long," assistant coach Neil Doak said. "It will be a focal point and a boost for all," he added, which pretty much summed it all up.

Ferris has, in public, maintained his belief that this day would come and that, all things being equal, he may yet even be able to play some part in next month's huge Heineken Cup quarter-final by being added to the squad.

But that's all for later. He knows only too well how rapidly things can change and few in the game have suffered so much misfortune with injury as the Maghaberry man.

What he needs now is to get on the park, feel the pace and absorb the hits of a full-on game and hopefully get through it all and continue to build up some game-time.

And there are no guarantees of anything, whether it's a new deal or a place in Mark Anscombe's ultra-competitive back row. Yes, but just playing again and staying fit is what it is all about and expect an enormous reception for him tonight.

Of course, the last thing he needs is to let any of this inevitable hype take away from the fact that the side have a game to win tonight as they continue to pursue a top four finish in the PRO12.

With this being a rearranged fixture, from the one which had to be called off on St Valentine's night, third-placed Ulster need to keep pushing ahead of nearest rivals the Ospreys and Glasgow Warriors – the latter who have two games in hand.

Then we also have the shock of Paddy Jackson (pictured) then being unexpectedly dropped from Ireland's bench to start against the Scarlets.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt explained Jackson's omission for Ian Madigan – who can also cover centre, wing at full-back – as being essentially pragmatic.

"I guess it's been pretty combative; we're just starting to creak maybe a little bit and we just needed the coverage.

"It is certainly no disrespect for what Paddy has done – I think he's been great value so far. It's just Ian's ability to cover maybe midfield, full-back and the 10 spot. It's purely that."

Jackson's misfortune, though, could well turn out to be Ulster's opportunity as the 22-year-old – who has impressed with his cameos off Ireland's bench – is likely to be intent on letting Schmidt know that his call was hardly the correct one.

So extra motivation there for Jackson to put in a big performance, though hopefully the hurt will not detract from his focus of hooking up with Ruan Pienaar again just as he did so well for the Dragons clash two weeks ago.

Other notable calls have brought John Afoa and Nick Williams back with both starting tonight while Ricky Lutton makes way for Afoa and Roger Wilson, who wins his 150th Ulster cap tonight, is on the blindside flank.

This means that the versatile Robbie Diack finds himself having another outing in the second row alongside skipper Johann Muller.

The backline has only one change to the staring line-up from last time as Luke Marshall is sidelined with concussion, meaning that 21-year-old Stuart McCloskey – who replaced Marshall in the Dragons clash – gets his first start alongside the in-form Darren Cave with Tommy Bowe, two times try scorer on his return to playing last time out, Jared Payne and the youthful Rory Scholes all part of a potent looking attacking unit.

With Craig Gilroy returning to the match day squad for bench duty, the only other notable absentee is Paul Marshall who has been left out entirely with Michael Heaney taking his place alongside Niall Annett, Tom Court, Lutton, Lewis Stevenson, Ricky Andrew and a certain S Ferris as fellow Ulster replacements.

Hopefully, it will be a night to remember for the right reasons.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 91922.html



Stephen Ferris back in the frame for Ulster
The Lions and Ireland flanker has not played since an ankle injury in the 2012 season

Stephen Ferris may have been out of action since November 2012 but his place on the Ulster bench for tonight’s game against Scarlets at Ravenhill is an encouraging sign that the Ireland and Lions flanker is genuinely on the comeback from his long-term injury.

Ulster coach Mark Anscombe, who had Ferris for only a couple months when he first arrived in Ireland, is certain to give the 28-year-old game time against the Welsh side.

It marks the beginning of a phased return to play over the coming weeks and if all goes well with recuperation for such a problematic injury that it forced Ulster to put Ferris on a short-term contract, he could be looking at Heineken Cup participation. The province face English Premiership side Saracens in a home quarter-final match on April 5th.

It’s a cautious return after a hellish, rugby-free two seasons for Ferris, although, he has been training hard. Further down the road, Ireland have two Test matches in Argentina in the summer and three matches in November including Tests against South Africa and Australia.

Trip back
Ferris isn’t the only player on the comeback trail as number 8 Nick Williams and tighthead prop John Afoa are also making a return for third -placed Ulster. Neither of the New Zealanders featured in the last two games. Afoa returned home for family reasons and Williams was suspended after his trip back to New Zealand forced Ulster to publicly censure him with a one-match ban.

Paddy Jackson, possibly the most unfortunate player in the Irish squad, has been released back to the province for the match. He lines out at outhalf with Springbok Ruan Pienaar at scrumhalf.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/p ... -1.1724158



Stephen Ferris back on the bench for Ulster after injury layoff since November 2012
Great news for the Ireland international.

STEPHEN FERRIS RETURNS to the bench for Ulster for tomorrow night’s RaboDirect PRO12 match against Scarlets after injury layoff since November 2012.

The Ireland international hasn’t played since suffering an ankle injury in November 2012 and after months of rehabilitation will make a phased return to play over the coming weeks.

Roger Wilson will make his 150th appearance for Ulster in the game and starts at blindside flanker. The match will also see a first start for centre Stuart McCloskey who came on as a substitute in the win over Newport Gwent Dragons a fortnight ago.

But it’s the return of Ferris that is the main talking point after the blindside flanker has endured a tough time being out of action.

1F.png (43.43 KiB) Viewed 4053 times

Jared Payne starts the game at full back, with Tommy Bowe, who scored two tries on his return against Dragons, named on the right wing and Ireland Under 20s player, Rory Scholes, continuing on the left wing.

Man of the match from the Dragons game, Darren Cave, is selected alongside 21 year-old McCloskey. Ruan Pienaar is selected at scrum-half, with Paddy Jackson, who has been released from international duty, named at outhalf.

In the pack, John Afoa returns to the starting XV where he joins Callum Black and Rob Herring in the front row. Johann Muller starts in the second row and is partnered by Robbie Diack who starts at 5.

Sean Doyle starts at openside, with Wilson at blindside and Nick Williams named at Number 8.

Ferris is joined on the bench by forwards Niall Annett, Tom Court, Ricky Lutton and Lewis Stevenson, with Michael Heaney, Craig Gilroy and Ricky Andrew completing the match-day squad.

ULSTER: J Payne, T Bowe, D Cave, S McCloskey, R Scholes, P Jackson, R Pienaar; C Black, R Herring, J Afoa, J Muller (Captain), R Diack, R Wilson, S Doyle, N Williams;

Replacements: N Annett, T Court, R Lutton, L Stevenson, S Ferris, M Heaney, C Gilroy, R Andrew.

http://www.thescore.ie/stephen-ferris-u ... 6-Mar2014/



The Flip Side



Josh Turnbull looking to leave Parc y Scarlets with a flourish

JOSH Turnbull will be heading down the M4 to Cardiff this summer, but first he insists there is unfinished business in West Wales.

After seven years in Llanelli, the 26-year-old is moving on at the end of the season in a bid to re-ignite his international ambitions.

It was a tough decision for Turnbull to make.

Hailing from Newcastle Emlyn, he has made more than a century of appearances for his home region and was part of a young generation of players that came through the ranks together, many of whom are now regulars with Warren Gatland's Wales side.

And therein lies the reasoning behind Turnbull's move to the Blues. At times he has been a victim of his own versatility at Parc y Scarlets, slotting in at seven, eight and his preferred blindside role.

But with Aaron Shingler and current joint skipper Rob McCusker as competition for that No. 6 jersey, Turnbull couldn't be given any guarantees by Scarlets coach Simon Easterby and he felt his international ambitions were being hit as a result.

"It took me a long time to come to the decision about leaving somewhere that I have called home for the last seven years," admitted Turnbull, who starts at blindside in this evening's Pro12 clash with Ulster at Ravenhill.

"Six is where I want to play. I spoke to Simon (Easterby) about that and he said 'fair enough, we can't promise you that' and he was okay with my decision.

"This season I have played in all three positions, in fact I have played in all three for the last few years, but I really want to nail down one and, if I can do that, hopefully I can put myself forward for selection for national honours again.

"I haven't been involved (with Wales) since autumn 2012 and I really want to get back in there. I think playing in one position will help me do that and going to the Blues gives me an opportunity to play in one position — well that was what I was told when I spoke to Phil (Davies) anyway!"

Of course, with former Scarlets director of rugby Phil Davies having parted company with the Blues last month following a miserable run of defeats, Turnbull will have to wait to see who will be waiting in the coaching dug out at the Arms Park.

For now, his focus is purely on all things Scarlet, starting in the cauldron of Ravenhill.

"I can't comment on what's happened at the Blues this season. I am just concentrating on the rest of the season with the Scarlets and finishing with a bang," he added.

"You owe it to this club. The Scarlets still have a chance to make the play-offs and you want to be playing rugby to the best of your ability and putting your name forward for summer tours.

"For me personally, nothing changes, I will still be as committed as ever."

After three successive Pro12 victories, the Scarlets' hopes of matching last year's top-four finish have been rekindled, although with a Glasgow trip to follow tonight's rescheduled clash in Belfast, Turnbull knows the target is a testing one.

"We are in a pretty happy place having picked up 13 out of the last 15 points and it is important that we maintain that for the next couple of weeks. Ulster is going to be tough.

"But you have got to go hard at them, like the Ospreys did earlier in the season. You have got to try to nullify key players like Ruan Pienaar and Nick Williams. If we can keep those relatively quiet we can get on top and if we can do what we did against Munster with our forward pack and set a platform for our backs, we shouldn't have any issues."

The Scarlets have made three changes to their starting XV and have included Wales squad members Samson Lee and Emyr Phillips on the bench. The pair were due to fly out to Belfast this morning.

http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk ... story.html



Scarlets winger Climo believes the team are in a good place to take on Ulster

SCARLETS winger Frazier Climo says he believes the team are in a good place ahead of their tough challenge against Ulster today.

The Scarlets will meet Ulster at Ravenhill this evening.

There is a new sense of confidence amongst the squad after securing three wins from three in recent weeks the Scarlets are still aware that they have a lot of work to do starting with a tough challenge at Ravenhill.

Climo said: "It's definitely going to be a big match, we're going to have to be at our best. Not many teams go there and come away with points.

"We've trained really well and if we put all the things in place that we've practiced we'll give ourselves a good chance.

"Hopefully the weather stays like this and it'll be a good chance for us to spin the ball wide and have a real crack at them.”

Since his arrival on Welsh soil back in November 2013 New Zealander Climo has made 11 appearances for the Scarlets scoring three tries, against Connacht at the Sportsground and a brace against Benetton Treviso away from home, but admits things didn't come together as quickly as he would have liked.

"It's been great since I arrived back in November but it probably took me a little longer to settle in and feel comfortable on the wing over here, the last couple of games I'm starting to hit some form and get some confidence going.

"Winning games certainly helps on a Monday morning, the boys are in a better frame of mind. We're getting better and better each week in the last month or so. We're building confidence and there's a real sort of excitement around the group at the moment.”

The Scarlets will travel to Glasgow after their Ravenhill clash before returning to Parc y Scarlets for a Mother's Day fixture against Connacht.

Climo went on to say: "We can only concentrate on one game at a time at the moment, we can't get too far ahead of ourselves otherwise we'll let it slip.

"We've got some big games coming up against Ulster and Glasgow and if we can get points out of these two, we can set ourselves up for a strong run-in and give ourselves a good chance to get into that top four.

"We know how important this game is on the weekend to get four points, we're excited and looking forward to the challenge.”

http://www.carmarthenjournal.co.uk/Scar ... story.html


OTHER



Denis Leamy questions Schmidt selection
Reds legend claims coach's faith in Leinster fringe men could damage World Cup prospects

DENIS LEAMY has questioned Joe Schmidt's selection policy after the Ireland coach dropped Paddy Jackson from his squad for tomorrow's Six Nations title decider against France.

The former Ireland No 8 criticised the former Leinster coach's reliance on players from his old club who are not first choice at Heineken Cup level.

Jackson's replacement Ian Madigan has struggled for opportunities this season and has yet to feature in the Six Nations, but the coach believes his ability to cover more positions across the backline gives him the edge over the Ulsterman.

His inclusion is one of two changes to the match-day 23, with Peter O'Mahony's return from injury seeing Iain Henderson drop to the bench at the expense of Rhys Ruddock, who will travel as cover along with Connacht's Robbie Henshaw.

France have made four changes to their starting XV, with 19-year-old Toulouse sensation Gael Fickou named in the centre, Remi Tales brought in at out-half, Dimitri Szarzewski back at hooker and Louis Picamoles named at blindside.

Henderson is the only non-Leinster player on the Ireland bench and Leamy reckons that a number of Munster first-teamers such as Simon Zebo, Donnacha Ryan and Tommy O'Donnell – who was ruled out of the Italy game with injury – would be better options for the daunting trip to Paris.

"I think what rankles with Munster people – and I suspect some folk in Ulster – is that guys who aren't first choice in Leinster are still good enough for the national squad," Leamy writes in his Irish Independent column.

"I would have to disagree with some of the calls. Tommy O'Donnell lost his place on the bench, I think he is a better player than Jordi Murphy.

"I would argue that Donnacha Ryan brings more to the table than Rhys Ruddock and you just have to wonder what Simon Zebo – a Lion last summer – has to do to get back into the squad.

"Paddy Jackson has a more rounded game at the moment than Ian Madigan.

"The World Cup is just a year and a half away. The circle will need to be widened and not having done that in the Six Nations narrows the opportunities."

Leamy conceded that Schmidt's selections would be justified if Ireland win against France and claim a second title in five years even if he feels they will leave Ireland short in the long term.

"It would be the perfect start to Schmidt's reign," the Tipperary man writes. "It's long overdue, but I think their superiority will win through despite all the psychological baggage."

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/l ... 91421.html

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[Mac]

Saturday 15th Mar 2014

THE RESULT

ULSTER 26 : 13 SCARLETS


Balls !



Jackson inspires Ulster to bonus point win

Only a day after being dropped by Ireland, Paddy Jackson inspired Ulster to a 26-13 victory over the Scarlets at Ravenhill on Friday night to close the gap to just three points between them and the top two.

Two tries from Jackson along with a try from Tommy Bowe and a late score from prop Tom Court were enough to give Ulster the bonus point in a game which they were always the better team in, but they just could not convert it into the points to reflect it.

Although the Scarlets team featured just three changes to that which defeated Munster in Llanelli, their performance was not to the same quality and the loss dents their top four prospects considerably.

Ulster fans will also have been delighted to see the return of Stephen Ferris after fifteen months on the sidelines, however there will be concern for star scrum-half Ruan Pienaar who came off injured late in the game.

The hosts could have taken an early lead as Jared Payne made a scintillating break down the wing in the first minute and passed to Tommy Bowe, only for a superb covering tackle by Gareth Davies inches from the line, sparing the Scarlets’ early blushes.

The strong wind gusting into Ulster’s faces was playing a factor early in the game, so much so that the usually reliable Ruan Pienaar saw two penalties hook straight into touch, proving just how strong it really was.

Nevertheless, Ulster continued to press and after Jackson put a kick through, Scarlets fly-half Aled Thomas was unable to gather and Jackson stole in to grab the ball and get the first try of the evening, showing Ireland coach Joe Schmidt just what he was missing.

It took all of three minutes for Ulster to double that lead as a pre-planned move off the line-out worked to perfection with Jackson again breaking the line and passing inside to Tommy Bowe who had the simplest of jobs to place the ball under the sticks to make it 14-0.

You would have forgiven Ulster for thinking everything was coming up roses for them, however 25 minutes in loosehead prop Callum Black went down nursing what appeared to be a nasty injury and had to be taken off on a stretcher.

The break in play allowed the Scarlets to regroup and begin to gain some momentum with ex-Bath centre Olly Barkley getting them on the scoreboard with their first penalty of the evening 31 minutes in.

That momentum lasted no more than two minutes as Ulster scored their third try, this time Bowe turned provider for Jackson, the winger breaking the line and passing back inside to the fly-half, who brushed off one tackle and score under the posts.

The scores kept on coming and two minutes after that a turnover in midfield by the Scarlets allowed Gareth Davies to hack through and chase down his own kick, holding off the challenge of Ruan Pienaar to score the visitors’ opening try.

And with the last kick of the first half, Barkley had the chance to reduce the gap to nine points with a penalty, however he pulled it wide and the score remained 21-10, a reflection of Ulster’s attacking dominance.

After the break, Paddy Jackson continued his fine form, preventing Jordan Williams from scoring after the Welsh full-back made a clever break, and then managing to wriggle away from the oncoming defenders to win a penalty for the home side.

Up front it was Nick Williams, back after an internal suspension, who was doing all the damage with several more strong runs, however the visitors’ defence was still holding out, and refusing to yield the bonus point Ulster craved.

The Scarlets went from defence to attack and launched a strong attack of their own in the Ulster 22, but this time it was the home side’s turn to stand firm and deny the Welsh side a try as Jordan Williams was stopped just short and then sub Sione Timani knocked on.

Ruan Pienaar was then gifted two chances to get the first points of the second half with two penalties, one of which was in front of the posts, but he uncharacteristically hooked both wide of the uprights.

Instead it was the Scarlets who broke the second half duck as Barkley did what Pienaar couldn’t and slotted over a 61st minute penalty from in front of the posts to make the score 21-13.

Possibly the biggest cheer of the night came with the introduction of Stephen Ferris who replaced Nick Williams in the 62nd minute to make his first start for Ulster in fifteen months, and he made an instant impact, driving Kristian Phillips back twenty yards after the winger caught a high ball.

The game was getting scrappy heading into the final ten minutes, and neither side was making any real inroads into the opposition half with Ulster struggling to get any sort of meaningful possession as their unforced error count crept up.

There was a worrying sight for Ulster fans as Ruan Pienaar had to be helped off the field late on clutching his chest, a worrying sign ahead of next month’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens.

With several attempts at scoring the final try in the last five minutes, but no success, it looked like the bonus point was beyond Ulster. But a final attack in time added on saw Tom Court drive over the line and after a long deliberation, TMO Marshall Kilgore awarded the try to the delight of the Ulster faithful.

That final try handed Ulster the bonus point which thrusts them right back into the mix for a top two place with two away games against Edinburgh and Cardiff to navigate before coming back to Ravenhill for the Heineken Cup quarter-final.

http://wordinsport.com/index.php/jackso ... point-win/



Stephen Ferris’s return an added bonus in Ulster’s win over Scarlets
Backrow ends 16-month wait at Ravenhill as Tom Court’s late try proves crucial for homeside

Remember Me

Another bonus point win – though this time the fourth try arrived in the 80th minute – brought the required momentum to third-placed Ulster in this rearranged game. It was a night where there was much cheer to be had around Ravenhill with Stephen Ferris’s comeback off the bench.

However, this result was a much more tricky affair than the thumping win achieved over the Dragons two weeks ago and though Ferris - introduced in the 60th minute to make quite an impact on his first game back from the ankle injury picked up in November 2012 - made quite an impact, Ulster have new injury concerns after Ruan Pienaar and Callum Black left the action early.

Still, at least Paddy Jackson made himself prominent after being axed from Joe Schmidt’s bench and his man-of-the-match performance came off the back of two tries and the creation of Tommy Bowe’s touchdown - all three coming in a first half which saw Ulster lead 21-10 at the break.

The second half - despite the reception given to Ferris - was much more of an arm wrestle for Mark Anscombe’s squad and only in the last minute did Tom Court get the nod from the TMO for the bonus point on a performance which at times looked rather disjointed.

After managing to botch a first minute scoring opportunity when Jared Payne’s sublime break saw Bowe receive man and ball, Ulster - playing into a strong breeze - settled themselves courtesy of a Scarlets error when Aled Thomas lost the bounce of the ball from a speculative Paddy Jackson kick through.

The net result was Jackson collecting and touching down and Ruan Pienaar converting his 14th minute score. Three minutes later and Ulster struck again with lineout ball off the top ending up with Jackson getting through and feeding inside to Bowe who strolled in under the sticks.

Pienaar again converted and Ulster led 14-0 though the Scarlets cut this to 14-3 after Roger Wilson - making his 150th Ulster appearance - was penalised at a ruck and Olly Barkley did the needful.

Still, Ulster responded in the 33rd minute when Bowe burst through the porous Scarlets midfield and ran left before passing back inside to Jackson and gifted the out-half his try under the posts.

Pienaar’s conversion took it to 21-3 but Ulster then found themselves on the back foot for the rest of the half with Gareth Davies profiting from a kick and chase with Pienaar after the Scarlets turned Ulster over just outside their 22.

Barkley added the extras to take it to 21-10 but couldn’t kick a 40th minute penalty to end the half.

The first 10 minutes of the second half saw the Scarlets put some good approach work together only to lose the ball on the line after a half break from Jordan Williams was snuffed out by Robbie Diack.

Ulster survived and broke out to get a 50th minute penalty chance but Pienaar hit it wide and did so again five minutes later from a more difficult angle.

The Scarlets then had their turn after a penalty off a scrum and Barkley landed it to take it to 21-123 after 62 minutes just before Ferris made his long awaited comeback.

And though the flanker certainly made his presence felt, Ulster were unable to get over the Scarlets line until the last minute when, with tempers flaring,Tom Court barrelled over and was awarded the score by the TMO.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/p ... -1.1726057



Bonus-point win for Ulster

Ulster moved to within four points of RaboDirect PRO12 leaders Leinster after they defeated the Scarlets 26-13.

Tries from Tommy Bowe and Tom Court, along with a double from Paddy Jackson helped a resilient Ulster start the St Patrick's celebrations early.

The Welsh region hit back with a well-taken try from Gareth Davies to supplement the boot of Olly Barkley, but lacked the discipline and creativity to break down the home defence.

The visitors were competitive throughout, but looked bereft of ideas at times, and there is little doubt that Ulster were worthy winners to kick off what could be a seminal weekend for Irish rugby.

It was the hosts that made the superior start, and were nearly rewarded for their efforts on two minutes when Jared Payne sliced through a passive Scarlets' defence before putting Bowe away in the corner. Unfortunately for his side, the Irish winger fumbled with the line at his mercy.

The Welsh visitors weathered Ulster's early onslaught well, establishing some field position of their own through former England star Barkley, but failed to make any real inroads in the home 22.

It was Ulster, therefore, who regained ascendancy, and efficiently established a platform in the Scarlets half of the field. Thus it was the hosts that opened the scoring on 15 minutes when the Welsh full-back Jordan Williams lost control just yards from the try line.

A grateful Jackson swept up the stray ball and touched down unopposed. The fly-half's effort was converted by Pienaar to give the Belfast side a 7-0 lead.

Ulster doubled their advantage just two minutes later when Jackson fed Bowe to score under the posts. Naturally enough, Pienaar made no mistake with the simple conversion.

The Irish province was certainly dominating the opening quarter of the game, therefore. But their momentum was hindered somewhat on 23 minutes when loosehead Callum Black was carried off injured, to be replaced by Irish international, Court.

Barkley got his side on the scoreboard on 32 minutes when he coolly slotted a neat penalty to make it 14-3 to the Irishmen.

But the Scarlets' respite was short-lived. Another well-worked inter-change between Bowe and Jackson on 34 minutes saw the fly-half get over for his second try of the evening. Pienaaar duly added the extra points to make it 21-3 to his side.

Scrum=half Davies responded for the Welshmen on 36 minutes to narrow the deficit. Barkley again did the needful to reduce Ulster's lead to eleven. The Scarlets centre had another chance on the stroke of half time when the visitors were awarded a penalty, but failed to capitalise on the opportunity.

The visitors noticeably upped the tempo after the interval, but struggled to retain possession. The opening part of the half was rather fractured, with both teams struggling to achieve any real fluidity.

Ulster's attempts to close the game out were not helped by Pienaar missing two penalties, albeit difficult ones. Barkley reduced Ulster's lead further on 61 minutes to make it 21-13 to the hosts.

Irish blindside Stephen Ferris received a rapturous ovation a couple of minutes later, the flanker having returned following an 18-month absence through injury.

The Scarlets were much more competitive than they had been in the first half, but lacked a cutting edge.

Ulster similarly struggled to inject momentum into a performance that had become quite flat in the second half.

The inevitable introduction of the substitutes affected the impetus of a game that lacked any discernible continuity in any case.

The hosts had a couple of decent chances to kill off the Scarlets' resistance in the last ten minutes, but they were unable to finish them off.

The Scarlets were their own worst enemies at the end of the game, and suffered from poor indiscipline in the final few minutes.

The TMO thus ensured a perfect finish for the Belfast side when replacement Court got over the line from a few yards out. Jackson converted to seal a thoroughly deserved, if flawed victory for the Ravenhill club. Irish fans will hope that they have further cause for celebration before the weekend is over.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 06,00.html



Stephen Ferris back with a bang as Ulster grab bonus point win
It was not all good news for Ulster, Ruan Pienaar appeared to injure his arm in the 26 – 13 win.

ULSTER, IRELAND AND Lions flanker Stephen Ferris made a massive impact on his first appearance since suffering injury in November 2012.

The blindside was named on the bench for tonight’s re-arranged fixture with Llanelli Scarlets and was introduced with Ulster already leading 21 – 13 thanks to a first-half masterclass from Tommy Bowe and Paddy Jackson.

However, the Ravenhill crowd were given plenty of reason to roar despite a subdued second half as Ferris donned his scrumcap and joined the action in the 63rd minute.

He wasted no time in making his presence felt, replicating his World Cup 2011 tackle and drive on Will Genia as Gareth Davies took a high ball.

See 1F's Return HERE

Despite the long lay-off, Ferris looked sharp and spritely throughout and was central to Ulster securing a late bonus point, Tom Court rumbling over the line after Ferris had quick-tapped a five-metre penalty.

The injury news was not all good for Ulster, however, as Callum Black was stretchered off during the one-sided first half. And with three minutes remaining, scrum-half Ruan Pienaar looked to be in some discomfort as he held his arm.

The Springbok was replaced by Michael Heaney as Ulster chased the bonus point which leaves them just three points behind Munster in second place.

http://www.thescore.ie/stephen-ferris-r ... 3-Mar2014/


Paddy Jackson and Tommy Bowe ran riot for Ulster against Scarlets

PADDY JACKSON TOOK his omission from a Ireland’s trip to Paris like a champ.

Not only did he settle back into the Ulster side and helped them to a 21 -10 half-time lead over Llanelli in tonight’s rearranged fixture, he scored two tries and set up the other for Tommy Bowe.

Paddy 1 HERE

T-Bowe HERE

Paddy 2 HERE

'Lil Tom HERE

Now, repeat after me: ‘Must trust Joe, Must trust Joe….’

http://www.thescore.ie/jackson-bowe-try ... 6-Mar2014/



Ulster see off Scarlets at Ravenhill

The Ghost

Ulster consolidated third place in the RaboDirect PRO12 as they secured a deserved try scoring bonus point win over the Welsh visitors at Ravenhill on Friday night.

It was a tougher affair than slaying the Dragons a fortnight ago, Ulster scoring three tires in the first half to Scarlets’ one.

But the Welsh side were determined in the second half and got little at times for their efforts.

A try with the last play of the game from Ulster replacement prop, Tom Court, secured the five points for Ulster, closing the gap on second placed Munster to three points.

Ulster made a lively start and a blistering break from Jared Payne saw him tear down the right flank. He fed winger Tommy Bowe, but the British Lion knocked the ball forward when he was tackled firmly by Scarlets scrumhalf Gareth Davies.

Another backline move saw Ulster’s other winger, Rory Scholes, failed to hold a pass.

Scarlets did threaten for a spell, but it was the home side who were to finally break the deadlock when Paddy Jackson’s grubber kick gave visiting fullback, Jordan Williams all sorts of trouble, and when the ball bounced up Jackson seized the chance to snatch and go in for a try, converted by Ruan Pienaar after 14 minutes.

Three minutes later Jackson was again in the thick of it, this time turning provider with an inside pass to winger Bowe. Pienaar doubled the lead to 14-0.

Scarlets centre Olly Barkley kicked a penalty on 31 minutes, but two minutes after Ulster registered their third try, this time Bowe turning provider for Jackson to go in for his second of the evening Pienaar adding the extras.

Scarlets stemmed the flow with a try on 36 minutes through Davies, Barkley converting that but unable to add a penalty just on half time to leave Ulster 21-10 ahead.

In the second half Scarlets enjoyed a good start and went through the phases close to the Ulster line.

But a great steal from Sean Doyle at the feet of replacement Sione Timani turned things around and Ulster were on the attack again after a break by Pienaar.

However, the South African missed two long range penalty attempts on 51 and 54 minutes to leave the scoreline unchanged.

As Bartley teed up a penalty kick just around the hour mark, the Ulster crowd saw the sight they had waited for, Stephen Ferris removing his training top and make his return to playing after a 16-month injury layoff.

There was a still a match to be won and the Scarlets were in this contest although their precision was just worse than Ulster’s in the last quarter, with too many passes going to ground.

Ulster emptied the bench – although it was concerning to see Ruan Pienaar being helped off by the medics four minutes from the end.

Replacement Ricky Andrew almost got away on the left after a superb break by Stuart McCloskey, making his first start. Gilroy almost getting away on the left hand side.

But it was the pack who forced their way over after a quick tap penalty, replacement prop, Tom court going in for the bonus point securing try, confirmed by the TMO.

Jackson missed the touchline conversion, but it matter little as Ulster had secured another job done.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby ... -1-5938803



Ulster seal bonus point as Ferris makes long awaited return

Paddy Jackson scored two tries as Ulster racked up a second consecutive bonus-point win at Ravenhill against Welsh opposition with a 26-13 victory over Scarlets.

Jackson, who was back in action for his club after being dropped from Ireland's bench, touched down twice in the first half and Tommy Bowe and Tom Court also scored tries, while Ruan Pienaar kicked three conversions but then suffered an arm injury which could be a major worry for the Ulstermen.

The result bolstered Ulster's third-place spot in the RaboDirect Pro 12 and they would have been boosted by the return of Stephen Ferris, who made an impressive return following a long lay-off with injury when sprung from the bench on the hour mark for his first appearance since November 2012.

Scarlets, whose points on Friday night came from Gareth Davies' try and Olly Barkley's conversion and two penalties, still have play-off hopes despite the defeat.

Ulster - who beat Newport Gwent Dragons last time out - struck first in the 14th minute when Jackson kicked through and gratefully collected to score after Aled Thomas failed to pick the bounce of the ball.

Pienaar converted and did so three minutes later when, off a lineout, Jackson broke and fed inside for Bowe to touch down under the posts.

Barkley then landed a 31st-minute penalty to get the Scarlets going after Roger Wilson, making his 150th Ulster appearance, was penalised at the breakdown.

But Ulster immediately hit back as this time Bowe created Jackson's second try from a searing break and pass inside against the grain to put the fly-half under the posts.

Pienaar converted and at 21-3 the home side looked comfortable before Scarlets responded when Davies won a kick and chase from the Ulster 22, with Barkley converting.

The score remained 21-10 at half-time after Barkley missed a 40th-minute penalty effort.

The first 10 minutes of the second half saw the Scarlets put some good approach work together only to lose the ball on the line after a half break from Jordan Williams was snuffed out by Robbie Diack.

Ulster survived and broke out to get a 50th-minute penalty chance but Pienaar hit it wide, and he did so again later on from a more difficult angle.

The Scarlets then had their turn, winning a penalty off a scrum, and Barkley made no mistake to close the gap to eight points after 62 minutes - just before Ferris made his long-awaited comeback, having battled with an ankle injury for over a year.

And though the flanker certainly made his presence felt, Ulster were unable to get over the Scarlets line until the last minute when, with tempers flaring, Tom Court barrelled over and was awarded the score by the TMO.

Jackson - kicking in place of the departed Pienaar - failed to convert the valuable bonus-point try.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/r ... 94318.html



Stephen Ferris returns to Ravenhill turf as duo of Paddy Jackson and Tommy Bowe ensure win

"Pathfinder" Haircut

The Ulster duo of Paddy Jackson and Tommy Bowe ensured the home side a comfortable 26 - 13 win over the Scarlets as the powerhouse of Stephen Ferris returned to the turf at Ravenhill after more than a year away.

Tom Court made it the crucial four tries for Ulster, late in the last seconds to give the home side the bonus point.

Stephen Ferris joined Ulster in the second half of the RaboDirect Pro 12 - making an instant impression after more than 15 months away.

Ulster went into the second half 21 - 10 in front, following two stunning tries from Paddy Jackson and another from Tommy Bowe.

Jackson was the man to watch during a thundering 40 minutes - opening the scoring with a try in the 15th.

And just three minutes later, some great lines from the 22-year-old fired a strong pass to Tommy Bowe - giving Ulster a second.

Man of the match Paddy Jackson added Ulster's third try in the 34th, thanks to some stunning running from Bowe.

Ulster's Callum Black was forced out due to injury, with Tom Court coming on as his replacement.

A late try from the Scarlets' Gareth Davis, with a conversion from, Olly Barkley put the first points on the scoresheet for the Welsh side.

Scoring came late in the second, with a Barkley penalty for the Scarlets opening proceedings.

There was no scoring again until a last minute try from Ulster's Tom Court - securing the win and extra point.

Head coach Mark Anscombe said the side looked like "rockstars" in the first half.

He also welcomed Stephen Ferris' return.

"He is huge and a big part of Ulster. To see him after all the hard work he's been through," he said.

"The crowd love him. Hopefully the ankle pulls up well tomorrow."

Stephen Ferris made his Ulster comeback in the second half after suffering a host of setbacks on the rocky road to recovery.

The 28-year-old flanker rejoined the squad over a year after he was helped off the Ravenhill turf due to injury back in November 2012.

Ulster face Edinburgh at Murrayfield next Friday.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 94100.html


The Flip Side



Defensive lapses cost Scarlets dear in Belfast

THE Scarlets’ winning run was brought to an abrupt halt at Ravenhill as Ulster inflicted a major dent in their Pro12 play-off ambitions.

It was a frustrating return to Belfast for Simon Easterby’s side, who asked plenty of questions of the home side, but never recovered from conceding three first-half tries.

Again, scrum-half Gareth Davies was the shining light for the West Walians, adding another brilliant individual score to his impressive collection this season.

But the visitors’ early lapses cost them dear as Ulster cemented their position in the top four.

For a match rescheduled from a rain-soaked Valentine’s Day, the Scarlets had travelled with confidence on the back of three successive league victories.

But they lacked the defensive steel shown in the win over Munster last time out, particularly in the first half, and that allowed Ulster’s threatening back division to flourish with fly-half Paddy Jackson helping himself to a brace of tries, while old Ospreys nemesis Tommy Bowe also found his way to the try line.

The Scarlets fought back strongly after trailing 21-3 at one stage, but in the end they left with nothing, making their quest for a top-four spot a whole lot more difficult with just six matches remaining.

A strong-looking Ulster side, handily placed in third going into the match, welcomed back Ireland and Lions back-rower Stephen Ferris, with the dynamic forward coming off the bench for the final 20 minutes having been sidelined since November 2012 because of an ankle injury.

As for the Scarlets, head coach Simon Easterby made three changes from the Munster triumph with Wales squad members Samson Lee and Emyr Phillips having flown out on the day of the game to take their place among the replacements.

The Scarlets had the wind in their favour in the first half, but failed to make use of it.

The alarm bells were ringing early when, in the second minute, Kiwi full-back Jared Payne raced onto a miss pass and fed Bowe out wide. The Lions star looked like he would make the whitewash, but scrum-half Davies hared across field to make a try-saving tackle.

Ulster, though, were celebrating their first try after 15 minutes. Fly-half Aled Thomas looked to have an innocuous-looking kick through covered, but the ball bounced wickedly up out of his grasp and into the grateful arms of opposite number Jackson.

Pienaar added the conversion and was lining up the kicking tee again two minutes later.

Jackson, surprisingly left out of the Ireland squad for the Six Nations title decider in Paris, was this time the creator, cutting through the Scarlets midfield before passing inside to Bowe, who touched down under the posts.

The Scarlets responded with a fine attack which almost put Kristian Phillips away down the right, but the wing was pushed into touch just five yards out.

The visitors did get on the scoreboard eight minutes before half-time when centre Olly Barkley landed a penalty after a high tackle on Jacobie Adriaanse, which forced the South African prop to leave the field; Lee coming on in his place.

But normal service was resumed when Bowe cut through before feeding Jackson for his second try of the night.

The Scarlets, though, hit back just before the break thanks to another sparkling solo try from scrum-half Davies.

Flanker John Barclay stole possession at a ruck on halfway, but the rest was all down to Davies who kicked through then showed a superb turn of pace to outstrip Pienaar in the race to the touchdown. It was Davies’s eighth league try of the campaign and with Barkley adding the conversion the visitors trailed 21-10 at the interval.

It could have been closer, but Barkley missed a penalty with the final kick of the half.

The Scarlets enjoyed more of the game in the third quarter with the home crowd getting increasingly frustrated as Pienaar was awry with a couple of long-range penalty attempts.

Barkley reduced the lead to 21-13 on 61 minutes after the Scarlets scrum had won a penalty, but the visitors were unable to get into losing bonus point territory and instead it was Ulster who claimed the extra point in the last play of the game with a short-range try for replacement prop Tom Court.

http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk ... story.html


AND NOW THAT THE 6Ns IS NEARLY OVER .............. THE WAR RESUMES




Sky Sports in talks over future of European rugby
Managing director stresses need for compromise if new television deal is to be agreed

Sky Sports chief Barney Francis has warned that compromise will be need on all sides if a deal can be agreed on television rights for European club rugby.

The satellite broadcaster and rivals BT Sport have been in deadlock after signing separate but incompatible deals to cover European rugby.

The stalemate needs to be resolved before a new competition to replace the Heineken Cup can be agreed.

Francis, Sky Sports managing director, told the Sport Pro Live conference: “Conversations are ongoing. We are absolutely willing to take part in conversations that lead to a successful solution that is in the best interests of the game and for the fans.

“The game has had a difficult time, but it will take compromise from all parties.”

The most likely solution would be one where both broadcasters show the matches, as they do with Premier League football.

Sky and BT Sport remain fierce rivals however, especially after Sky lost out in the bidding to show football’s Champions League games from 2015-2018.

Francis said on that issue: “We put a value on that and if you don’t get it you move on and do something else.”

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/h ... -1.1725219



Sky Sports call for 'compromise' in talks over European rugby

Sky Sports chief Barney Francis has warned that compromise will be need on all sides if a deal can be agreed on television rights for European club rugby.

The satellite broadcaster and rivals BT Sport have been in deadlock after signing separate but incompatible deals to cover European rugby.

The stalemate needs to be resolved before a new competition to replace the Heineken Cup can be agreed.

Francis, Sky Sports managing director, told the Sport Pro Live conference: "Conversations are ongoing. We are absolutely willing to take part in conversations that lead to a successful solution that is in the best interests of the game and for the fans.

"The game has had a difficult time, but it will take compromise from all parties."

The most likely solution would be one where both broadcasters show the matches, as they do with Premier League football.

Sky and BT Sport remain fierce rivals however, especially after Sky lost out in the bidding to show football's Champions League games from 2015-2018.

Francis said on that issue: "We put a value on that and if you don't get it you move on and do something else."

http://www.independent.ie/sport/sky-spo ... 92420.html

[Mac]

Sunday 16th March 2014

THE ROUND-UP



Stephen Ferris tells Off the Ball about his return

Ulster man speaks about his comeback from a long injury layoff


Stephen Ferris made his return for Ulster last night, ending a long layoff with injury, and this afternoon he was on Off the Ball, appearing as part of our panel at the Guinness Storehouse.

Link - http://www.newstalk.ie/player/podcasts/ ... f_the_Ball




Anscombe gives Ferris hope of playing key role

While it may not have matched the volume of the Aviva Stadium's salute to the retiring Brian O'Driscoll against Italy last week, Ravenhill will rarely be as raucous as it was last night when crowd favourite Stephen Ferris finally ended his injury nightmare.

The 28-year-old hadn't featured since injuring an ankle back in November of 2012 and suffering a seemingly interminable litany of setbacks on his route back to action.

A popular figure within the squad and on the terraces, the 2009 British and Irish Lion is one of Ulster's bona fide stars and his emergence in the 62nd minute brought every spectator in attendance to their feet.

Jordan Williams, the impressive Scarlets full-back, was the first to feel the full force of the Ireland Grand Slam winner's frustration as the young Welshman, having claimed a high ball milliseconds prior, was driven back over 10 metres by the onrushing Ferris.

The flanker continued to play with little disregard for his own safety, thundering around the pitch and into contact, and it would be an unquantifiable boost to Ulster if his body can hold up for the rest of the season.

After the game, head coach Mark Anscombe reflected: "He's huge, he is a big part of Ulster. The script was written for him with that ball being put up and then making that big hit."

"It gives him a lot of confidence to get through 20 minutes and hopefully the ankle pulls up well tomorrow. There's a lot of rugby to go the rest of the year and he can have a big part in that."

By the time Ferris entered the fray, another returning Irish international had already put Ulster into a winning position.

Having been involved from the bench in each of Ireland's four Six Nations games to date, Paddy Jackson would no doubt have expected to spend last night in Paris preparing for Ireland's title decider against the French.

However, with Leinster's Ian Madigan surprisingly taking his place on the bench, the out-half was released.

After a quarter of an hour Jackson opened the scoring when his grubber through the Scarlets backline took a fortuitous bounce back into his hands for a score.

The nine-times capped international then turned creator when he burst through a gap in the Scarlets backline and offloaded for Tommy Bowe .

That combination was reversed soon after when Jackson ran an excellent inside line on the shoulder of Bowe and the wing's delicate pass allowed the former Methody pupil to canter through.

Jackson will travel to France today to be with the Ireland squad ahead of the clash with Philipe Saint-Andre's side; on the basis of last night, he is hugely unfortunate that it is not in a playing capacity.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 95028.html



Ferris' Ulster return has Anscombe purring

Ulster's Mark Anscombe paid tribute to Ravenhill's returning hero Stephen Ferris after he helped seal a bonus-point win over Scarlets on Friday night.

Ferris came off the bench in the second half for his first return to competitive action in 16 months as Ulster secured the 26-13 win.
Ferris' second-half appearance, his first since November 2012 due to an ankle injury, played a vital role in the fourth and final try as Tom Court burrowed over.

Earlier Anscombe's troops had cut their Welsh rivals to shreds in the first half as Paddy Jackson, released by Ireland, crossed twice and also laid on the third score for Tommy Bowe.

Gareth Davies' opportunist score kept the Welsh region interested but there was no doubting the star of night as Ferris' cameo after the interval received the biggest roar of the night.

"He is huge and a big part of Ulster. To see him after all the hard work he's been through," said Anscombe.

"The crowd love him. Hopefully the ankle pulls up well tomorrow."

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/144 ... yWUZ8uPOP8



Anscombe hails return of bubbly Ferris but admits Pienaar’s shoulder ‘dodgy’
The Ulster coach feels his returning flanker can play a big part in the business end of the season once he is properly eased back into play.

Watch 1F's Return Again HERE

ULSTER COACH MARK ANSCOMBE was delighted with the impressive comeback of flanker Stephen Ferris during his side’s 26-13 league win over Scarlets on Friday.

Ferris put 16 months of injury trouble behind him as he made an instant impact during his 27-minute second-half substitute’s appearance. He made a massive hit in his first play and should no signs of rustiness having been out of the game since picking up an ankle injury in November 2012.

Anscombe said, “Stephen’s pretty bubbly. 16 months to come back and I suppose the script was written for him to come back — his first play with the ball being put up in the air. He couldn’t have gotten a better script written if he had asked.”

“Credit it to him,” Anscombe added. “He’s had his ups and downs that you wouldn’t wish on any player. It shows the resilience of the guy to be able to hang in there and keep the confidence. He looked for work today, got keener and was bubbly. He’s bouncing so that’s great for everyone.

We’ve got to be patient. Don’t expect too much and don’t demand too much. Keep his feet on the ground. There’s a lot of rugby to be played this year and we want him to be part of it.”

Addressing the knock to his star scrum-half, Anscombe said, “Yeah, he’s looking a bit dodgy. That could be a week or two.” The Kiwi added that prop Callum Black [ankle sprain] may also be out of action until the end of the month.

http://www.thescore.ie/stephen-ferris-u ... 5-Mar2014/



Ulster’s bonus point success marred by injury worries to Black and Pienaar

Ulster’s bonus point victory in a 26-13 RaboDirect PRO12 success over Scarlets at Ravenhill last night was tainted slightly by injuries to Callum Black and Ruan Pienaar.

A try brace from Ireland outhalf, Paddy Jackson and one apiece from Tommy Bowe and Tom Court saw Ulster seal back-to-back wins and their 11th straight home success to consolidate third place in the standings.

While the main highlight for the fans was seeing the return of British Lion Stephen Ferris to action for the first time in 16 months, prop Black, who was stretchered off with a left leg injury in the first half, and scrumhalf Pienaar are major doubts for next week’s game away to Edinburgh.

Although the players have to be assessed over the weekend by the medical team, Ulster head coach, Mark Anscombe, admitted that Pienaar was looking a “bit dodgy” when he came off and it could be “a week or two” out.

“Callum was not looking too good either and could be in a similar situation. But it is a bit early to tell yet and we will just have to see what comes through the x-rays tomorrow morning (Saturday).

“As for Stephen, he is pretty bubbly after the game. To have gone through 16-months and come back, the script was almost written for him. He took a high ball when he came on and put a player on his back!”

In terms of the performance Anscombe said a bonus point win was probably more than they had expected.

“For 30-35 minutes we played some outstanding rugby and then we just got a bit loose. We just gave them a couple of soft points before the break and a little bit of habit we have created in the last few games is giving the opposition little sniffs to stay involved,” he said.

“We just got messy in that second half and forced it a bit. We made some bad decisions at certain times and it kept them in it.

“The fact is we got a bonus point win, we beat them. We had a pretty strong team out there at the end of the day, with guys coming back and so forth it is building that time together and getting confidence together again.

“That may just take a couple more games, but it is something for us to work for and build on.”

Man of the match, Paddy Jackson, showed no hangovers after being left off the Irish team to play in France today by turning in a fine performance, scoring two tries in the victory.

“That is the first 80 minutes I have had since the Leicester Tigers game so it was good to get the game time,” he said.

“I enjoyed every minute being down in Dublin and learned a lot, so I felt fairly comfortable out there.”

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby ... -1-5938938


PARIS IN THE SPRINGTIME.............



Henry eyes Irish World Cup glory

Ireland have no choice but to chase glory at Rugby World Cup 2015 after lifting the RBS 6 Nations title, according to flanker Chris Henry.

The Ulster loose-forward intends to use his breakthrough international tournament as a springboard for more regular Ireland recognition.

The 29-year-old seized the opportunity left by Sean O'Brien's season-ending shoulder injury to claim Ireland's openside berth throughout the Six Nations.

Brian O'Driscoll brought down 15 glittering years of international rugby as Ireland edged out France 22-20 in Paris to claim the Six Nations on points difference.

Iconic centre O'Driscoll stamped his authority in world rugby with a superlative hat-trick in Paris in 2000, and helped Ireland claim their first win in France in 14 years on his final international appearance.

And Henry admitted Ireland's class of 2014 will forever look back with pride on their part in O'Driscoll's 141st and final international turn.

"I think definitely we will look back and one day, say: 'I was there'," said Henry.

"I feel very privileged and honoured to be able to play in his last game, and to play so many games with him.

"It's a fantastic feeling to win it with his last day, but also very sad too.

"It's going to be strange when we go to the next camp and he's not going to be there, but unfortunately that's the way life is. Things have to move on and I'm just so privileged to be able to play with him."

While all Ireland will salute the passing of a modern great, Henry said Joe Schmidt's squad must not allow themselves to dwell on the memories.

Instead Henry has called on Ireland to start their build-up to next year's World Cup in England without delay.

"I think we have to capitalise on this now in terms of the World Cup," said Henry.

"We've got such a massive run-in to the World Cup now, that when we get together next we've got to focus on that.

"I feel a lot of us have improved individually in the last eight weeks under Joe, and that's what we need to keep doing. Because of the quality of player we have, there's no telling how far this team can go.

"I want to use it as a springboard for myself as well, personally. Every time I go out there I put pressure on myself. I've just loved every minute."

Henry's deft offload opened a half-gap for Johnny Sexton to scythe home for the fly-half's first of two tries in the edgy victory over France.

The combative flanker revealed he has worked hard to add a level of finesse to his renowned fiendish breakdown acumen.

"I just thought I needed to get it away, then Johnny did all the hard work," said Henry.

"The feeling overall is just incredible. I don't usually give one-handed offloads but I just thought we had the advantage, so I'm relieved it worked."

Hailing the impact of boss Joe Schmidt, Henry now wants Ireland to take advantage of the shrewd head coach's analytical approach in future.

"It gives you a lot of confidence because you know you're in excellent hands with his preparation and his attention to detail," said Henry.

"He's been incredible to deal with, you're on your toes and you have to know your stuff.

"But you want a coach that challenges you and we certainly are, all the time with Ireland under Joe.

"The pressure is on you to know your stuff. But once you do know all that, it gives you huge confidence to go out and do what he wants."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 97033.html



Jim Glennon's Player Ratings

Andrew Trimble 8.5
Outstanding. More than repaid faith shown in him. Fulfils a specific purpose and implemented to the absolute letter. Ultra hard working and hugely effective.

Rory Best 8
Great to watch; another excellent performance. Near faultless line-outs and a consistent asset in the loose. Defensively excellent – a remarkable warrior.

Chris Henry 8
Fitting that final act of game was his choke tackle. Strong number of weeks for Henry. Does what's required of him superbly and a constant worker in defence.

All Ratings - http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/s ... 96447.html



Out of 10: How Ireland rated

Andrew Trimble – 9
As strong as ever under the French re-starts in the opening half, and popped up in midfield to carry on occasion. Ran a perfect trailing line from deep for his try to put himself exactly where Murray expected to find him.

Worked tirelessly on kick chase as he always does, and has developed into one of Ireland’s key players thanks to his sheer determination. An absolute rock for Joe Schmidt’s side.

Rory Best – 8
As aggressive as ever at the breakdown, looking to get his hands on the ball or counter-ruck. Didn’t come up with steals, but that competition impeded the French. Made lots of the scrappy tackles around the fringes as is his habit.

Chris Henry – 9
Sublime flick out of the back of the hand for Sexton’s try after carrying strongly during the preceding phase play. Passed well from the back of the decoy mauls too, releasing Murray on his attacking arc. Conceded a penalty to allow France go 3-0 up early on, although he will have felt Walsh’s decision was harsh.

Bumped off by the powerful Bastareaud close to Ireland’s line with 20 minutes left, but instantly recovered his defensive bearings to get back to his feet. His development as an international player has been a real strength for Ireland this season.

Iain Henderson – 7
Bounded around the pitch with energy, exactly what Ireland needed to finish out the game, even if his individual contributions were not decisive. Will have been disappointed to get turned over in the 78th minute. Huge man and ball tackle on Chouly in the last minute to save the lost scrum.

http://www.thescore.ie/player-ratings-i ... 2-Mar2014/



Shane & ROG interview AAT

AAT.png (117.07 KiB) Viewed 10344 times

Link - http://www.rte.ie/sport/player/734/602565/



Chris Henry: Ireland must push on to World Cup

Ireland must chase glory at Rugby World Cup 2015 after lifting the Six Nations title, according to flanker Chris Henry.

Henry seized the opportunity left by Sean O'Brien's season-ending shoulder injury to claim Ireland's openside berth throughout the Six Nations.

And he called on Ireland to start their build-up to next year's World Cup in England without delay.

"I think we have to capitalise on this now in terms of the World Cup," said Henry. "We've got such a massive run-in to the World Cup now, that when we get together next we've got to focus on that.

"I feel a lot of us have improved individually in the last eight weeks under Joe [Schmidt], and that's what we need to keep doing. Because of the quality of player we have, there's no telling how far this team can go.

"I want to use it as a springboard for myself as well, personally. Every time I go out there I put pressure on myself. I've just loved every minute."

Henry's deft offload opened a half-gap for Johnny Sexton to scythe home for the fly-half's first of two tries in the edgy victory over France.

“I just thought I needed to get it away, then Johnny did all the hard work," said Henry. "The feeling overall is just incredible. I don't usually give one-handed offloads but I just thought we had the advantage, so I'm relieved it worked."

Hailing the impact of Schmidt, Henry now wants Ireland to take advantage of the shrewd head coach's analytical approach in future.

"It gives you a lot of confidence because you know you're in excellent hands with his preparation and his attention to detail," said Henry. "He's been incredible to deal with, you're on your toes and you have to know your stuff.

"But you want a coach that challenges you and we certainly are, all the time, with Ireland under Joe.

"The pressure is on you to know your stuff. But once you do know all that, it gives you huge confidence to go out and do what he wants."

Henry said Ireland's class of 2014 will forever look back with pride on their part in Brian O'Driscoll's 141st and final international turn.

"I think definitely we will look back and one day, say: 'I was there'," said Henry. "I feel very privileged and honoured to be able to play in his last game, and to play so many games with him.

"It's a fantastic feeling to win it with his last day, but also very sad too.

"It's going to be strange when we go to the next camp and he's not going to be there, but unfortunately that's the way life is. Things have to move on and I'm just so privileged to be able to play with him."

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/six-natio ... world-cup/















All the pictures - http://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1403156/

[Mac]

Sunday 16th Mar 2014

THE ROUND-UP CONT'D



Henry turns attention to RWC

Ireland flanker Chris Henry has turned his attention towards winning the Rugby World Cup after winning the 2014 Six Nations.

The openside has stepped in admirably for Sean O'Brien and was one of Ireland's star performers in a hard-working pack lead by Paul O'Connell throughout the tournament.

The 29-year-old now though has his mind on next year's global showpiece in England, with Ireland pooled with France and Italy and coming into some form under new head coach Joe Schmidt.

"I think we have to capitalise on this now in terms of the World Cup," said Henry.

"We've got such a massive run-in to the World Cup now, that when we get together next we've got to focus on that.

"I feel a lot of us have improved individually in the last eight weeks under Joe, and that's what we need to keep doing. Because of the quality of player we have, there's no telling how far this team can go.

"I want to use it as a springboard for myself as well, personally. Every time I go out there I put pressure on myself. I've just loved every minute."

Henry added that it had been a privilege to play in Brian O'Driscoll's final Test, with the 141-Test cap veteran retiring at the end of the season and winning his second Six Nations title.

"I think definitely we will look back and one day, say: 'I was there'," added Henry.

"I feel very privileged and honoured to be able to play in his last game, and to play so many games with him.

"It's a fantastic feeling to win it with his last day, but also very sad too.

"It's going to be strange when we go to the next camp and he's not going to be there, but unfortunately that's the way life is. Things have to move on and I'm just so privileged to be able to play with him."

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 88,00.html



Chris Henry targets biggest prize of all with Ireland
Ulster flanker ‘privileged’ to have played alongside departing Brian O’Driscoll

Ireland have no choice but to chase glory at Rugby World Cup 2015 after lifting the Six Nations title, according to flanker Chris Henry.

The Ulster loose-forward intends to use his breakthrough international tournament as a springboard for more regular Ireland recognition.

The 29-year-old seized the opportunity left by Seán O’Brien’s season-ending shoulder injury to claim Ireland’s openside berth throughout the Six Nations.

Brian O’Driscoll brought down 15 glittering years of international rugby as Ireland edged out France 22-20 in Paris to claim the Six Nations on points difference.

Iconic centre O’Driscoll stamped his authority in world rugby with a superlative hat-trick in Paris in 2000, and helped Ireland claim their first win in France in 14 years on his final international appearance. And Henry admitted Ireland’s class of 2014 will forever look back with pride on their part in O’Driscoll’s 141st and final international turn.

“I think definitely we will look back and one day, say: ‘I was there’,” said Henry. “I feel very privileged and honoured to be able to play in his last game, and to play so many games with him.

“It’s a fantastic feeling to win it with his last day, but also very sad too.

“It’s going to be strange when we go to the next camp and he’s not going to be there, but unfortunately that’s the way life is. Things have to move on and I’m just so privileged to be able to play with him.”

While all Ireland will salute the passing of a modern great, Henry said Joe Schmidt’s squad must not allow themselves to dwell on the memories. Instead, Henry has called on Ireland to start their build-up to next year’s World Cup in England without delay.

“I think we have to capitalise on this now in terms of the World Cup,” said Henry. “We’ve got such a massive run-in to the World Cup now, that when we get together next we’ve got to focus on that.

“I feel a lot of us have improved individually in the last eight weeks under Joe, and that’s what we need to keep doing. Because of the quality of player we have, there’s no telling how far this team can go. “I want to use it as a springboard for myself as well, personally. Every time I go out there I put pressure on myself. I’ve just loved every minute.”

Henry’s deft offload opened a half-gap for Johnny Sexton to scythe home for the fly-half’s first of two tries in the edgy victory over France. The combative flanker revealed he has worked hard to add a level of finesse to his renowned fiendish breakdown acumen.

“I just thought I needed to get it away, then Johnny did all the hard work,” said Henry. “The feeling overall is just incredible. I don’t usually give one-handed offloads but I just thought we had the advantage, so I’m relieved it worked.”

Hailing the impact of boss Joe Schmidt, Henry now wants Ireland to take advantage of the shrewd head coach’s analytical approach in future.

“It gives you a lot of confidence because you know you’re in excellent hands with his preparation and his attention to detail,” said Henry. “He’s been incredible to deal with, you’re on your toes and you have to know your stuff.

“But you want a coach that challenges you and we certainly are, all the time with Ireland under Joe. The pressure is on you to know your stuff. But once you do know all that, it gives you huge confidence to go out and do what he wants.”

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/i ... -1.1727260



Jackson proves his point

On Thursday afternoon, there was considerable shock not just in Ulster, but across the whole island of Ireland when Joe Schmidt announced that Ian Madigan would replace Paddy Jackson on the bench for today’s Six Nations decider against France.

Claiming the Leinsterman would make “more of an impact” than Jackson, it was a very harsh call on the 22-year old who had been Jonathan Sexton’s understudy for the previous four games in the Championship.

How would someone respond to that? In Jackson’s case he returned to Ulster and put in a man-of-the-match performance in the rescheduled game against the Scarlets, scoring two tries and setting up a third for Tommy Bowe.

If Joe Schmidt wanted a reaction he most certainly got it.

Nevertheless, Jackson refused to focus on Ireland after the game and instead on his personal performance, and his delight to play a full game for the first time in two months.

“It’s the first 80 minutes I’ve got since the Leicester game so the legs were a bit tired towards the end,” the fly-half laughed after the game. “But it was good to get the scores.”

Those scores ranged from the lucky to the brilliant as Jackson benefited from an Aled Thomas mistake to steal the ball for the first try, then he received an inside pass from Tommy Bowe and brushed off a challenge to score his second.

But the second try was the pick of the bunch as Jackson broke the defensive line on a pre-planned move and fed Bowe who scored one of the easier tries of his career under the posts, and Jackson was happy with his partnership with his international partner.

“That was straight off the training park,” he smiles. “The space wasn’t really supposed to be for me, but I happened to be there and it was a good push through from Tommy.

“It’s good to work on something during the week and it works in the game.”

Despite being dropped by Joe Schmidt for today’s game, Jackson claims he bears no grudges against the Ireland coach and that he is thankful for the time he has spent in Dublin with the Ireland squad.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute being down [at the Ireland camp] and I’ve learned a lot, so I felt pretty comfortable out there today.

“It was good to get the bonus point there at the end,” he adds.

Two tries and an assist in another bonus point victory for Ulster over Welsh opposition at Ravenhill will have been a pretty good consolation for Jackson, and now he can focus on the final portion of the season of the province.

Certainly it’s no understatement to say that Ireland’s loss was very much Ulster’s gain.

http://wordinsport.com/index.php/jackson-proves-point/

[Mac]

Tuesday 18th Mar 2014



Management team agree contract extensions

Ulster Rugby Assistant Coach, Neil Doak, Ulster Defence Coach, Jonny Bell and Ulster Analyst and Skills Coach, Niall Malone, have all agreed one year contract extensions with the Province.

With Mark Anscombe agreeing his own new contract extension last month, it means that Ulster will have an unchanged coaching team until at least the summer of 2015.

Ulster won all six of their Heineken Cup Pool games for the first time in the Provinces history and have won 11 out of 15 games in the RaboDirect PRO12 so far. Ulster boast the best defensive record of any side in the Heineken Cup this season and have conceded just 20 tries in 21 matches.

We caught up with the three coaches to ask about their new contract extensions:

Neil Doak

"I want to be involved in the success of Ulster Rugby. I have put a lot of work into it and I don’t want to leave with the work undone. We have laid some great foundations. We have a good team, a new stadium, excellent training facilities and now it’s about making sure that we take the next step and that we are competing for silverware in competitions from the grassroots right up to the top end of the game – we want to be successful and we want to be one of the top teams in Europe.

We have a little bit of unfinished business and hopefully over the next few months we will be in the mix for silverware. Moving into next season, we have a few players moving on but we still have a great squad. We have decent players coming in and the players that we have already are more than capable of competing in the competitions that we play in – so I am looking forward to that."

Jonny Bell

"It is an exciting time at Ravenhill. The stadium is almost completed and there is a real sense of anticipation about, not only about what is to come this season but what will happen in future seasons. It is great to be part of that.

As a player I was with the senior side for over a decade and following a spell teaching, I came into the coaching system with the Academy. I feel part of the furniture here. We have been in some dark places in the past with regards to where the team has been and now we are in a great place. To have been part of that transition and to be part of the success story that is Ulster Rugby is great.

We have aspirations – this is a great team and a great group of players and we want to go for silverware this year and to make sure that next season we are building on what we have achieved in this campaign."

Niall Malone

"It is a hard place to leave at the minute! I am very happy here and it was a very short conversation that I had about staying on. I hope the future is as good as it is at the moment because things are going pretty well at the minute.

In my role I am able to help plan and deliver coaching sessions so when I give the players the facts and numbers I can also give them the rugby perspective on the analysis.

We all get on well. There may not be 100% alignment on 100% of things but that is healthy. Alan Solomons once said to me when I started coaching that you should always coach with people you get on with first and worry about the rugby second. The rugby is obviously crucial and if you get things wrong it is pretty high stakes, but if it does go wrong you need to communicate together and to work as a team to find solutions. Coaching is fluid, people move about, but the fact that we all have so much history together really helps us."

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... ions-.aspx



Ferris, Ryan and Bowe in Schmidt’s thoughts as World Cup planning begins
The Ireland coach pointed out that he has just 10 games to get his Six Nations champions ready for next year’s rugby showcase.

JOE SCHMIDT ADMITS he was hoping to use more than 18 players as starters across the Six Nations campaign. The New Zealander is eager to broaden his squad but has pointed out that Ireland have just 10 Test matches to prepare for the 2015 World Cup.

Schmidt, speaking at a post-Six Nations media briefing at Lansdowne Road this morning, says his immediate goal will be reviewing a championship winning Six Nations campaign. He is, however, keen to reward a wider group of Irish players that were not on the pitch in Paris as a five-year wait for silverware was consigned to history.

On a Late Late Show appearance before the tournament began, Schmidt targeted a top two finish in the Six Nations and a place in the last four of the next World Cup. English players, such as Chris Robshaw and Danny Care, have spoken about winning the World Cup but Schmidt insisted success will not let his focus waiver.

“I’m a lot more short-term focused than that,” he said. “For me, the very short term is about reviewing and seeing what did go well for us. What did work well for us was the wider squad — the training atmosphere and the environment in camp was fantastic. Outside the starting 15, and the wider group of subs that came off the bench and made an impact, all those things were outstanding.

“The wider group, again, contributed massively. There’s a number of them that you’d mention but I’d probably leave someone out. Someone I would mention is Donnacha Ryan who came in for the last two weeks. He had one full game of rugby but took over running the opposition line-out preparation and was phenomenally good at it.”

Ireland will tour Argentina this summer for a two Test series. While established players such as Jonathan Sexton, Cian Healy and Gordon D’Arcy may be rested, Schmidt admitted he is struggling with the concept of leaving good players at home with a World Cup so close on the horizon.

He said, “You can calculate it that way [resting players] or you can calculate it that there are 10 Test matches in the lead-up to the World Cup. One of the things I found was I anticipated that we would have used, through attrition more than 18 starting players or 28, 29 players in total.

You push that forward for the next 10 Test matches, if you do start leaving players out, maybe you compromise that continuity you are starting to build.”

Schmidt added, “We do have teams that are well placed in the Heineken Cup and the Pro12 and we could have a number of players playing a lot of games at the end of the season and we may be better placed giving those guys a rest.

“There are guys who haven’t played a lot of rugby lately and are fresh — Stephen Ferris, Donnacha Ryan, Tommy Bowe, to name a few — that are just back. There will be some nice competition for places, hopefully, as well.”

http://www.thescore.ie/joe-schmidt-irel ... 2-Mar2014/



Jackson finds solace in title celebrations

Joe Schmidt insisted that Paddy Jackson be part of the extended matchday squad on Saturday despite leaving the Ulster out-half out of the 23 to play France in the Six Nations decider.

Schmidt said that Jackson would have started if Jonathan Sexton had not been available but he went with Ian Madigan on the bench because he felt he offered more cover.

Jackson was then released to play for Ulster on Friday night and scored two tries in a game for the province for the first time on his way to a man-of-the-match display in the win over Scarlets.

But he had little time to rest on his laurels as he flew to Paris on Saturday morning to link up with the Irish squad.

"It was a huge disappointment as I was involved in all of the games up to then, so it was tough. Joe spoke to me and I could understand the logic behind his decision," said Jackson.

Meanwhile, Ruan Pienaar will miss Ulster's Pro 12 clash with Edinburgh this weekend and that will greatly concern coach Mark Anscombe just over two weeks out from their Heineken Cup quarter-final meeting with Saracens.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/j ... 00602.html


Tony Ward: Payne a perfect fit to fill iconic No 13 shirt
Kiwi-born Ulster star can step into O'Driscoll shoes as Ireland look to kick on to next level

So, where to from here? I'll tell you where – back to reality, back to preparing for the next phase of the season for those who battled shoulder to shoulder in Paris when Leinster take on Munster at the Aviva at the end of the month.

Those same Irish 'all for one, one for all' heroes will resume hostilities when the Blues and Reds look to beat the leather out of each other.

That is the way of professional rugby. Job done, next job please.

But given what transpired over the past eight weeks – the agony of Twickenham to the ecstasy of Stade de France, the perfect farewell for the Great One and the hard-earned, richly deserved title of Six Nations champions – it has been some rollercoaster ride for Joe Schmidt, barely six months into the job.

It's easy to suggest now in the midst of all this euphoria that what happened post-2009 will not be allowed to happen again.

And, to be fair to Declan Kidney, the master-strategist behind our last Six Nations success, what he achieved five years ago was even greater than what the equally humble Schmidt and the class of 2014 have now.

To win four from five matches takes some doing but to make it the clean sweep is, for teams in this part of the world, second only to the World Cup itself.

For Schmidt, the objective next year will be the Grand Slam.

The tour to Argentina this summer will, I suspect, be used to bring through new players in a controlled and measured way.

It will not be a Wolfhounds squad, but a mix of old, established players and new blood.

Schmidt will surely rest those in need, or at least deserving, of a break – I am thinking specifically of some of those on Lions duty last summer.

There are plenty of promising players searching for exposure and increased game-time at the highest level.

But back to Saturday's high drama. Where this developing squad will benefit most outside of the title achievement itself is in challenging teams of the quality of the big five – New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, England and France.

No one outside that elite group has made it to any of the seven Webb Ellis Cup finals.

In the past few weeks, we lost a game at Twickenham we could have won (although on the day didn't deserve to) but won a game in Paris (fully deserved) we could have lost.

Such are the small margins at the highest level of the professional game.

TARGET

Turn the clock back further still to the New Zealand match in November. It is the scalp we want more than any other, and we should have put that growing record of embarrassment in the fixture to rest by claiming our first ever victory over All Blacks.

Schmidt's in-house target – which will be shared by John Plumtree and Les Kiss – extends, I suspect, beyond producing that consistent level of performance he espouses but also ensuring Ireland are in every game we play right to the death.

The Wallaby match apart, that mission has been accomplished thus far, even if the All Blacks and English proved a hurdle too high.

I do feel he has to trawl further in search of a three-quarter line equipped to challenge the pace, power and panache of the New Zealanders, Australians and, yes, even the South Africans.

I have mixed views on the residency requirements as they stand. I still feel at just three years it represents a passport of convenience to a Test career denied to emigrant players in their native land.

A five-year stint seems more appropriate but the IRB requirement is what it is.

Ulster's Jared Payne will soon join Richardt Strauss and Robbie Diack in competing for a place on this Irish team.

Payne is a class footballer who looks at this distance a near-perfect fit for Brian O'Driscoll.

That would be tough on Darren Cave, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart Olding, Luke Marshall, Fergus McFadden and every other wannabe eyeing up the midfield positions of the dynamic duo of Gordon D'Arcy and O'Driscoll.

D'Arcy has not offered the slightest hint at retirement – and there is no reason why he should. He still has a lot to offer in paving the way for his eventual successor.

We won't miss the beard, and the legs might tire, but the strength will stay, trust me.

Both Andrew Trimble and Dave Kearney have surpassed expectations throughout this campaign, and again on Saturday they delivered to order.

Trimble was for me and many others our stand-out performer, while Kearney continues to do so much right and so little wrong.

That doesn't just happen by chance. It is that innate football brain at work, that ability to decide when to make that 'man-and-ball' call, the type that saw Sebastien Vahaamahina held up at the death in Paris as the Six Nations title was sealed.

Both Trimble and Kearney the younger will be under immediate pressure for their places from a whole host of players.

Think Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Simon Zebo, Craig Gilroy and, of course, the versatile McFadden and you've got the drift.

For Schmidt, shifting from 24/7 at Leinster to clearly defined prolonged periods with Ireland has necessitated the biggest learning curve of all. But the man is a fast learner and, thanks to the IRFU's best work in years, he's ours for some time to come.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/s ... 00621.html



Ulster's fearless warriors played pivotal role .......Monday 17th

It somehow seemed appropriate that Chris Henry was right in the thick of it as Steve Walsh called time when Sebastien Vahaamahina was choke-tackled within striking distance of the Irish line in those frantically tense final moments.

With Sean O'Brien out injured, this campaign was Henry's chance to show what he can offer in his areas of expertise at the close exchanges of the breakdown and how he has risen to the challenge.

There has never been any doubt about his work-rate and this was again shown in Paris as he topped the tackle count with 15 officially recognised hits being made on Les Bleus. But he also carried with vigour and seemed to be a constant presence wherever the ball ended up which is pretty much part of the job desciption.

What hasn't been so well recognised, though, is his skills set, and his back-handed pass which helped carve out Jonathan Sexton's opening try was a marvel of confidence and precision.

It would seem that exposure to Joe Schmidt has further improved Henry's game as indeed has been the case with Andrew Trimble.

The winger's form in this campaign has been revelatory and he has amply demonstrated that he can do so much more at this level than merely kick-chase with accuracy.

And there he was at the Stade de France – probably not one of his favourite venues – putting himself about but then running a nice line off Conor Murray to score Ireland's second.

Indeed, he scampered through at the posts in a way not too dissimilar from a certain Brian O'Driscoll back in 2000 in hat-trick year and the previous win in Paris before Saturday's success.

And then early in the second half he popped up again and burst through in the lead-up to Sexton's second. Yes, he might have backed himself instead of giving O'Driscoll a bit of a man and ball pass, but it was still a fitting way to help Ireland push on at a vital time.

And not forgetting Rory Best. As a hugely experienced player, he knew it was important to lead by example and he did so with some strong scrummaging, lineout throwing and his usual presence at the breakdown.

His tackling was also notable with one chopping down of Maxime Medard defying the fact that this was a hooker stopping a winger. And not only did Best bring Medard to terra firma, he also managed to regain his feet and snap up the bobbling ball before anyone else could react.

Iain Henderson was introduced to the action from the bench just after the hour mark, when he came on for Peter O'Mahony, and he became centrally involved without much in the way of delay.

He was pinged late on as Ireland tried to run down the clock but was on hand in those desperate last minutes as the French came in waves and it was no surprise to find Henderson also involved in the choke-tackle which ended the contest and brought the title to Ireland.

All told, an effort well worth standing up for as we celebrate Ireland's Ulstermen.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 98620.html


Ruan Pienaar in fitness race for Ulster Rugby's Euro bid .........Monday 17th

Well it was all spoilt a little bit as with so much to celebrate as Stephen Ferris made his sizeable entrance, we had the sight of Ruan Pienaar heading in the other direction with a shoulder injury.

Pienaar's exit naturally heightened fears that he could be doubtful for the looming Heineken Cup quarter-final showdown with Saracens on April 5, though there was no official confirmation of the extent of his problem.

Still, there was much to be positive about in Ulster's latest Pro12 win. After all, Ulster's second consecutive bonus point win was their 11th straight home success of the season, in all competitions, and they are now heading in the right direction of an ultimate play-off place.

They are 12 points ahead of Glasgow in fifth spot – admittedly the Scots have two games in hand – but better still nine in front of the Ospreys in fourth and now a mere three behind Munster in second.

And Friday night's victory in this rearranged fixture has seen them come through the tricky Six Nations window, and the disruption of it all, along with the weather, in good shape as they begin preparations for two away games – Edinburgh on Friday and Cardiff the following Saturday – as the big European one against Saracens comes into direct view.

Their accuracy was not entirely on the money at a windy Ravenhill on Friday night, but the brace of tries from Paddy Jackson after his Ireland rejection plus a well-worked Tommy Bowe score put them pretty firmly in the driving seat to keep them unbeaten in the last seven games home and away.

They did struggle to put more points on the scoreboard after going 21-3 up after just over half an hour. Tom Court's bonus point try – their next score after Pienaar had missed two second half penalties and the Scarlets had scored 13 unanswered points – didn't arrive until the last minute.

But, they still took the maximum points and welcomed back Ferris who rewarded us all with a powerful display, doubtless heavily stacked with controlled frustration, while Craig Gilroy – also sprung from the bench – looked sharp as the game broke up.

Add to that notable efforts from Stuart McCloskey and Rory Scholes – one tackle by the latter saved a try – along with more good work from Jared Payne and a useful hit-out for Nick Williams and Ulster nearly came away with everything they would have required before the gradual returns of Rory Best, Andrew Trimble, Chris Henry and Iain Henderson from Six Nations duty along with Luke Marshall from his concussion-enforced rest.

But, as ever, their patchy moments on the pitch were overshadowed by the worrying loss of Pienaar and the earlier departure on a stretcher of prop Callum Black with an apparent ankle problem.

Court, though, was right to remain upbeat after Friday night's achievement.

"We set out in this four game segment to get four wins and to end up with 18 points, we've obviously surpassed what we had aimed to do," the try-scoring prop who came on for Black said.

"Even though the way we've played some of the games has been a bit scrappy, obviously the results are there.

"We just need to get more consistency and a bit more sharpness. This is probably our best international period, without having those players, for quite a long time," Court added about the consistently absent Best, Trimble, Henry.

"That was the focus this year to make sure there wasn't a bit of a lull with the international players being away and I think we've achieved that though the way we played the games maybe hasn't been that great we've got there in the end."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 98582.html



Consistent performer Andrew Trimble saves his best for Paris ........Monday 17th

Winger Andrew Trimble turned in a man of the match display for Ireland to finish a superb Six Nations championship in Paris for the Ulsterman.

Overlooked for last year’s campaign by former Irish coach, Declan Kidney, Trimble again found himself out in the cold for last November’s Test series in Dublin.

His form with Ulster in between November and the lead-in to this year’s Six Nations was top notch, not perhaps suffering the dips he had experienced in the past at the same corresponding figures.

He banised the memories and played a major role in seeing Ireland over the line as they defeated France in Paris 22-20 and secured a first Six Nations title since the Grand Slam winning team of 2009.

The 29-year-old was elated after the game and reflected on a solid campaign - and had it not been for the O’Driscoll factor in the close to thsi champinoship he might well have picked up the manof the match medal to go with his Championship medal.

Trimble said: “More often than not, I’ve underperformed for Ireland.

“I’ve been a bit fed up letting opportunities slip. This is definitely the high point of my career.”

Having reached his 50th cap prior to this championship over the summer on the North American tour, it had appeared prior to that he had falled behind Simon Zebo, Craig Gilroy and Keith Earls during the Kidney reign.

Trimble said advice from new Ireland coach Joe Schmidt helped rejuvenate his international career.

“I sat down with the likes of Joe and Mervyn Murphy, our video analyst, and went through some things,” he said.

“I’ve worked on little bits and pieces and finally it has all come together and to put it together with the Championship means the world to me.

“The hard work has paid off and it means so much.”

Trimble did not play in Ireland’s Autumn Tests, including the epic defeat by New Zealand, but he was already receiving encouragement from the new coach.

“Joe was ringing me regularly and keeping me involved and that was important.”

By the start of February, Schmidt had picked Trimble for Ireland’s opening Six Nations game against Scotland and he remained a permanent presence in the team for the remainder of the Championship.

His try in Saturday’s win, Ireland’s second of three in the Stade de France was his third touchdown of the Six Nations as he answered Schmidt’s faith in the best possible way.

“We’ve just put in eight weeks of really, really hard work, on the pitch and off the pitch,” added Trimble.

“It shows if you put in the hard work, and we’ve got the talent, the players and the coach, that we can get the results.”

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby ... -1-5940477


Ireland must chase World Cup glory insists Chris Henry ...........Monday 17th

Ireland have no choice but to chase glory at Rugby World Cup 2015 after lifting the RBS 6 Nations title, according to flanker Chris Henry.

The Ulster loose-forward intends to use his breakthrough international tournament as a springboard for more regular Ireland recognition.

The 29-year-old seized the opportunity left by Sean O’Brien’s season-ending shoulder injury to claim Ireland’s openside berth throughout the Six Nations.

Brian O’Driscoll brought down 15 glittering years of international rugby as Ireland edged out France 22-20 in Paris to claim the Six Nations on points difference.

Iconic centre O’Driscoll stamped his authority in world rugby with a superlative hat-trick in Paris in 2000, and helped Ireland claim their first win in France in 14 years on his final international appearance.

And Henry admitted Ireland’s class of 2014 will forever look back with pride on their part in O’Driscoll’s 141st and final international turn.

“I think definitely we will look back and one day, say: ‘I was there’,” said Henry.

“I feel very privileged and honoured to be able to play in his last game, and to play so many games with him.

“It’s a fantastic feeling to win it with his last day, but also very sad too.

“It’s going to be strange when we go to the next camp and he’s not going to be there, but unfortunately that’s the way life is. Things have to move on and I’m just so privileged to be able to play with him.”

While all Ireland will salute the passing of a modern great, Henry said Joe Schmidt’s squad must not allow themselves to dwell on the memories.

Instead Henry has called on Ireland to start their build-up to next year’s World Cup in England without delay.

“I think we have to capitalise on this now in terms of the World Cup,” said Henry.

“We’ve got such a massive run-in to the World Cup now, that when we get together next we’ve got to focus on that.

“I feel a lot of us have improved individually in the last eight weeks under Joe, and that’s what we need to keep doing. Because of the quality of player we have, there’s no telling how far this team can go.

“I want to use it as a springboard for myself as well, personally. Every time I go out there I put pressure on myself. I’ve just loved every minute.”

Henry’s deft offload opened a half-gap for Johnny Sexton to scythe home for the fly-half’s first of two tries in the edgy victory over France.

The combative flanker revealed he has worked hard to add a level of finesse to his renowned fiendish breakdown acumen.

“I just thought I needed to get it away, then Johnny did all the hard work,” said Henry.

“The feeling overall is just incredible. I don’t usually give one-handed offloads but I just thought we had the advantage, so I’m relieved it worked.”

Hailing the impact of boss Joe Schmidt, Henry now wants Ireland to take advantage of the shrewd head coach’s analytical approach in future.

“It gives you a lot of confidence because you know you’re in excellent hands with his preparation and his attention to detail,” said Henry.

“He’s been incredible to deal with, you’re on your toes and you have to know your stuff.

“But you want a coach that challenges you and we certainly are, all the time with Ireland under Joe.

“The pressure is on you to know your stuff. But once you do know all that, it gives you huge confidence to go out and do what he wants.”

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby ... -1-5940479



Chris Henry: ‘I think there’s a lot more to come from this group of players’ .........Monday 17th
Ireland’s openside flanker had an outstanding championship as he thrived under Joe Schmidt’s coaching.

THE MOST ENCOURAGING words to come from Ireland following Saturday night’s victory in Paris were those that suggested this year’s Six Nations triumph is only the beginning.

Captain Paul O’Connell and head coach Joe Schmidt both stressed that there is more in this Ireland squad, and even in players who haven’t been involved on the pitch in 2014. There is no wild and baseless confidence, but rather determination to continue the improvement.

Openside flanker Chris Henry serves ideally to encapsulate the sentiment. The 29-year-old has shown clear signs of progress under Schmidt’s coaching, and feels that there are further gains to be made, both individually and within the Irish group.

“We’ve got such a massive run-in to the World Cup. When we get to together, we’ve got to focus. I feel a lot of us have improved individually in the last few weeks under Joe. That’s what we needed to do and we need to keep improving, because of the quality of players we have.

There’s no telling how far this team can go. We’ve got a great squad of players and I really think this will be a springboard for us. What a feeling, we’ll enjoy this, but moving forward I think there’s a lot more to come from this group of players.”

Henry has developed into a more complete back row than ever before during this Six Nations campaign, with his flicked assist for Jonny Sexton’s first try on Saturday an example of that.

The Ulsterman was happy to relive a somewhat uncharacteristic moment.

“I sort of thought the dummy and go might work, but then I saw that they had it covered. I saw Jonny in space and I think we had advantage at that stage, so I just thought ‘I can get this away.’

“Jonny had to do all the hard work but it was nice to be a part of creating a try. The feeling overall is just incredible. You don’t [have time to think about a flick pass like that], it’s just something that comes naturally.

“I suppose I don’t usually give the one-handed offloads, but I said I’d try it there as we had the advantage. That’s why I went for it and I’m just relieved to have pulled it off.”

The only better feeling that winning in rugby is winning alongside friends. In that sense, Henry has been delighted to play alongside the impressive Andrew Trimble during this campaign.

“He’s such a strong runner. I’ve played with him since mini-rugby days and I just think he’s an amazing player. He always wins his aerial battle on kick chase and puts in those big hits.

“Then his running; he’s such a strong runner and I think he’s had a fantastic tournament. It’s always been a pleasure to play with him. He’s a great guy, a guy you know will dig in deep and put in the hard yards.

“It’s been a pleasure to play with the likes of Andrew, but the whole squad in general, I’ve enjoyed everyone’s company. I think that showed, everyone dug in deep when we had to.”

Henry himself has fitted into Schmidt’s international game plan with utter comfort, smashing rucks in attack, competing ferociously at the defensive breakdown, using his wrestling strength to grapple in the choke tackle and even adding those attacking flourishes when carrying.

The flanker is greatly enjoying the experience of working under Schmidt, being pushed to constantly improve. The Kiwi has earned utter trust from his players, who believe in his the effectiveness of his game plans.

It gives you a lot of confidence because you know if you execute the way Joe wants you to, there’s a good chance you’re going to be in the mix for the game. He’s been incredible to deal with.

“It’s been pretty intense with him and he’s sort of on your toes for you to know your stuff. But that’s what you want; you want a coach to challenge you and I think that’s been something that’s been really, really good for everyone involved.

“You come down to the camps and you’re challenged all the time. The pressure is on you to know your stuff, but once you get that knowledge, and know what he demands of you, you get confidence.”

http://www.thescore.ie/ireland-six-nati ... 5-Mar2014/



Home Rugby Irish Rugby Best Irish Players of the Six Nations

Best Forward:

It is hard to pick just one player in any of these categories, especially in the pack as Ireland’s front eight were so dominant in every game. Forwards coach John Plumtree will be justifiably proud of his work as he seemed to reenergise the Irish lineout and made the scrum one of the most dominant in the Championship.

To pick one best forward is tough, with Peter O’ Mahony propelling himself onto the international scene with some fine performances working hard on the ground and offering an added dimension to the lineout. Chris Henry filled the boots of Sean O’ Brien superbly and O’ Brien will be looking over his shoulder at Henry on his return. Cian Healy was at his storming best when needed, Paul O’ Connell was superb throughout and Jamie Heaslip put in some of his finest international performances since 2009.

However, the best forward award goes to Rory Best. His lineouts were excellent throughout the Championship. Out of 75 lineouts Ireland only lost five, which gives him an incredible 93% success rate, the best in the Championship. Many were worried about Best’s throwing especially after his poor form during the Lions tour but he was near faultless with his darts. Excellent in the loose as well, carrying hard when called upon, Best had a fine Championship.

Selection: Rory Best

Best Back:

This is another area where it is hard to single out just one player. Gordon D’Arcy found a return to his best form during this Championship, with Dave Kearney, like O’ Mahony announcing himself as a quality international test player. Rob Kearney had a superb Championship a rock under every high ball and counter attacking threat, while half backs Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton were instrumental for Ireland and going into the World Cup the performances of those two will be vital.

Although Brian O’ Driscoll may have been the man that dominated the headlines, Andrew Trimble had a fairytale of his own. Six months ago Trimble was way outside the circle and it looked like his international days were numbered. However, injuries to other players and some good form for Ulster were his saving grace as he was drafted into the team to play Scotland in the opener and has not been bothered since.

Trimble played with the sort of form at international level that he plays with a club level and he has reaped the benefits. Consistency was his greatest assist in the campaign as every week he played well and more importantly he worked incredibly hard for the team. He touched down in the opening game against Scotland and Italy before playing his best game against France where he scored Ireland’s second try and as Ronan O’ Gara said, the Ulsterman seemed to grow six feet out there.

Trimble’s second half break in the build-up Sexton’s second try was superb as he beat two men and he could have gone himself instead of passing to O’ Driscoll. His work-rate going backwards and his desire to get stuck in, is what Schmidt likes about Trimble and what makes him such an important assist. The statistics also show his skill going forward as he leads the charts with the most clean breaks (6). The medal around his neck is certainly deserved.

Selection: Andrew Trimble

Most Improved:

When the Irish team was announced for the first game of the Championship against Scotland, I was pleased with 14 of the 15 picks. Devin Toner lining out alongside Paul O’ Connell was, I felt, a mistake. I had yet to see the big man play to standard that made me think he was good enough to be an international test player. Fast forward two months, and there is a large slice of humble pie on my table.

Toner proved every last doubter wrong during this Six Nations campaign, and the faith shown in him by Joe Schmidt is thoroughly justified. In the lineout he was strong, as to be expected for a man of a height of 6’ 11’’, and he had the most lineout steals (3) of any Irish player. In the scrum he pulled his weight with O’ Connell in the engine room helping Ireland dominate at scrum time yet it was in the loose that he was most impressive. Every time he got to a ruck he cleaned out effectively and every time he was asked to carry he did with so with everything he had.

Against Italy, Toner led the carry count (18) with Jamie Heaslip, and never tried to hide away from a tackle having the second-highest tackle count (14) against England, one behind Chris Henry. His stamina was superb playing a full 80 minutes in all but the opener. Game after game, he proved his doubters wrong (and there were few more doubtful than me) and going forward it looks like the number 4 jersey is his to lose, rather than one he is trying to win.

Selection: Devin Toner

Player of the Championship:

There are a few players who could be named as our best in the Championship, and it would be hard to argue. Johnny Sexton was our focal point leading our try scoring with four, including two vital ones against France. Paul O’ Connell was our fearless leader, picking everyone up around him when things didn’t work out, and dominating rucks and mauls.

However, the best player award has to go to Brian O’ Driscoll. The man probably wouldn’t agree with it if you told him he was our best player as he said picking up two man of the match awards was farcical, but BOD showed he still has all the skills going forward and all the courage in the world while in defence. His 60 minutes against Italy were some of his finest rugby, displaying all his tricks and unlocking the Italy defence with three superb passes. So rarely has a player been able to write script as perfectly as O’ Driscoll has. He began his career by bursting onto the scene in Paris all those years ago, so how fitting that he ends it in the same place, as a champion.

His influence on this Ireland team cannot be replaced and there is no other man more deserving of all the praise and accolades than O’ Driscoll. It may be the sentimentalist in me that is giving O’ Driscoll Ireland’s player of the championship and people so often say there is no room for sentimentality in sport, but when it comes to BOD, the rules do not apply. As Joe Schmidt said “I’m sure we’ll get someone to fill his boots but their feet might be a bit smaller.”

http://punditarena.com/2014/03/18/best- ... x-nations/





Onset of a new European Cup moves significantly closer after Paris meeting ......Gerry T
In this and much else, such as financial share-out and format, PRL and the LNR have pretty much obtained everything they have demanded

The onset of a new European Cup, run by a combination of Premiership Rugby, the ligue nationale de rugby and the Welsh Regional Rugby along with the Six Nations, in place of the ERC-run Heineken Cup, has moved significantly closer following a meeting between most of the aforementioned parties in Paris yesterday.

All bar one or two of the six nations were represented at yesterday’s meeting. While it is understood that the Italian Federation, for one, may not have been represented, and thus ratification still awaits, it seems that broad agreement has been reached on two new competitions.

Nothing has been officially signed off, and a major stumbling block had been the conflicting TV deals which ERC and Premiership Rugby (PRL) had signed with Sky Sports and British Telecom, but it appears these two broadband and non-terrestrial rivals agreed a deal for shared coverage last Wednesday.

One other potential stumbling block could be the actual name of the tournament. PRL have registered the name the Champions Cup in June 2013, which was the title for their proposed breakaway Anglo-French tournament, and which the IRB has objected to. As a means of compromise, the new tournament could be called the European Rugby Champions Cup.

New umbrella
This will be the primary competition of two tournaments under the new umbrella organisation, which will seemingly be based in Neuchetal in Switzerland, and may or may not include some of the 20 or so staff in ERC’s Dublin headquarters.

It will feature 20 teams, the top six qualifying from the Premiership, Top 14 and Pro12 (which will include a guaranteed entry from each of the four competing countries), along with another place for the country which provides this season’s Heineken Cup winners. At the end of this season there will be a play-off between the seventh-placed teams in the Top 14 and the Premiership for the remaining place.

In this and much else, such as financial share-out and format, PRL and the LNR have pretty much obtained everything they have demanded while threatening legal action, and first a breakaway Anglo-French and then breakaway Anglo-Welsh competition.

The Anglo-French proposal broke down after the French Federation President Pierre Camus secured agreement with LNR over a new accord between the two French parties before the November international window which included their clubs’ participation in a Heineken Cup without the English clubs.

But this was scuppered when the Scottish RFU, whose Glasgow and Edinburgh sides are sponsored by BT, broke ranks and pulled out of that agreement.

There are no plans for any further meetings this week, although conceivably agreement could be reached without a full meeting, but with all parties likely to be in Dublin next week for other matters, agreement on the new European tournaments looks like being reached in the next couple of weeks.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/o ... -1.1728648



European Cup row resolved Chickens/Egg

WINNING the RaboDirect Pro12 looks set to gain extra importance this season as the champions will be one of just three seeds in next year's new-look top European competition.

Past European results are set to go out the window when the replacement for the Heineken Cup is launched, with only the winners of the Celtic/Italian competition, the English Premiership and the French Top 14 receiving a favourable draw.

The future of European club rugby looks set to be agreed in the coming days, with a six-year accord close to being finalised at a meeting in Paris yesterday.

The heads of an agreement on the new deal are believed to be in place and a new three-tier structure looks likely to replace the current format, with the deal set to be signed this week.

While Sky Sports and BT Sport are yet to reach a compromise on broadcasting rights, agreement is believed to be close.

The deal spells the end for Dublin-based company ERC, who have run the Heineken Cup until now, with a new holding company likely to be set up in Switzerland.

As expected, the top-tier competition will be reduced to 20 teams, and the Challenge Cup will be the same size. A third competition made up of teams from smaller nations will be run by European body FIRA, but the format has yet to be decided.

It means Connacht are highly unlikely to be in what is now known as the Heineken Cup next season, with the top seven from the Pro12 qualifying – but Ireland, Wales, Italy and Scotland are guaranteed at least one representative apiece.

The Premiership and Top 14 will get six places each, with the remaining place going down to a play-off between the seventh placed teams in those two leagues. That play-off system will be expanded to include two Pro12 sides next season.

The agreement looks likely to see the profits from the tournament split between the three leagues, with the Pro12 guaranteed €24m even if the total sum fails to reach €71m.

The competition could be moved forward as part of a re-alignment of the season, with the quarter-finals taking place before the Six Nations and the final in April.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/e ... 00613.html

[Mac]

Wednesday 19th Mar 2014



Rested stars fail to weaken Ulster hand

Ireland heroes Rory Best, Chris Henry and Andrew Trimble will rest up this week when Ulster travel to Murrayfield to face Edinburgh in a Pro12 clash on Friday night.

The trio, who played in all of Ireland's games in the march to Six Nations glory, get a deserved break to recharge their batteries before the real business end of the season starts.

However, Ulster will have Iain Henderson and Paddy Jackson available, while Luke Marshall will feature in the match-day squad after going through the rigorous protocols associated with concussion. With internationals Tommy Bowe and Craig Gilroy in the starting line-up, Ulster have a strong line-up available, even though star player Ruan Pienaar will be an absentee.

Pienaar trooped off the park in the final minutes of the victory over the Scarlets last Friday, but his shoulder injury is not too serious, and he could feature for the trip to the Cardiff Blues next week. Assistant coach Jonny Bell, who along with his Neil Doak signed a one-year extension to their current contracts last week, said that they will miss Pienaar, but the injury is not as bad as first feared.

"We would prefer that Ruan wasn't injured, but we have to manage him and hopefully he will be ready for next week – in a worst-case scenario to face Saracens after that," Bell said.

It will mean a rare start for Michael Heaney in the No 9 jersey as he gets the nod ahead of Paul Marshall. "It's a competitive arena behind Ruan and it will be interesting to see how he goes," said Bell, who added that Ireland's Six Nations odyssey should help the squad as a whole.

"The players that come back will have to realise that this is a very crucial period for us. There is a lot at stake over the next few weeks, but having worked for Joe Schmidt in recent weeks, they know that they cannot take the foot of the gas," said Bell, who is a little wary of what Edinburgh will offer under former Ulster head coach Alan Solomons.

"You have got to admire what Solly has done in one sense. He has got them working very hard defensively and much more abrasive and aggressive. It is going to be a tough one as Solly has history at Ulster, and he was not happy in the way they were defeated at Ravenhill in the first game. He will have Edinburgh really fired up and ready to come at us."

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/r ... 04769.html



Trimble, Best and Henry to miss out
Ireland heroes Andrew Trimble, Rory Best and Chris Henry will rest up this week when Ulster travel to Murrayfield to face Edinburgh in RaboDirect PRo12 clash on Friday night.

However, Ulster will have Iain Henderson and Paddy Jackson available while Luke Marshall will feature in the match-day squad after going through rigorous protocols following his most recent bout of concussion.

With internationals Tommy Bowe and Craig Gilroy in the starting line-up, Ulster will have a strong side for the trip, even though star player Ruan Pienaar will be an absentee due to a shoulder injury sustained against the Scarlets last weekend.

Assistant coach Jonny Bell, who along with his Neil Doak, signed a one-year extension to their current contracts last week, revealed the Pienaar’s injury is not as bad as was first feared.

“Obviously we would prefer that Ruan wasn’t injured, but we have to manage him and hopefully he will be ready for next week, and in a worse case scenario to face Saracens after that.”

It will mean a rare start for Michael Heaney in the number nine jersey as he gets the nod ahead of Paul Marshall to see what he can bring to the party.

“Michael will come in and get a bit of a run-out. It’s a competitive arena behind Ruan and it will be interesting to see how he goes,” said Bell, who is convinced that Ireland’s Six Nations heroics should help the squad.

“The players that will come back from international period will have to realise that this is a crucial period for us. There is a lot at stake over the next few weeks, but having worked for Joe Schmidt in recent weeks, they know that they cannot take the foot of the gas. The Ireland experience will be good for them and the rest of the squad as they know they will have to be on the money.”

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugb ... 62446.html


Ireland have been planning BOD succession for nine months
Joe Schmidt has been building Ireland’s new dynasty of outside centres to replace Brian O’Driscoll for nine months.

Head coach Schmidt said Ireland have tried to “bleed as much as we can” out of iconic centre O’Driscoll in his final moments on the international scene.

Schmidt wants to keep O’Driscoll close to the national set-up until the 35-year-old retires fully in the summer, following his 141st and final Test as Ireland saw off France 22-20 to claim the RBS 6 Nations title.

Leinster stalwart O’Driscoll has already mentored Robbie Henshaw and Darren Cave in the Ireland squad, and Schmidt believes Ulster’s Jared Payne will be a definite contender.

New Zealand-born Payne qualifies through residency in November, and Schmidt admitted the 28-year-old will be in immediate international contention.

“To be honest the search for his successors started when I got the job, and he and I sat down,” said Schmidt.

“There were pretty clear parameters about how long he would be available.

“We’ve been doing that for the last nine months really, because we knew this day was coming.

“We’ve tried to bleed him dry over the last six months, in camp sitting down with Robbie Henshaw and Darren Cave, talking through things as we’ve done them. We’ve tried to bleed as much as we can out of him.

“We’ve certainly been watching players, and I think both Robbie and Darren have profited from the time they spent working with Brian. One of the real success stories as a group was how much those players brought.

“We’d be delighted if Brian stayed reasonably close to the group, because of the character he is as well as the on-field intelligence he brings to the group.

“I guess that depends a little on Sadie and Amy (O’Driscoll’s daughter and wife) and other commitments he might have beyond the end of the season.

“I know right now his full focus will probably just be recuperating for a couple of weeks, then targeting several massive games coming up for his province.”

Schmidt said “class player” Payne will do battle with the likes of Luke Fitzgerald, Fergus McFadden, Henshaw and Cave in the long-term fight for Ireland’s now-vacant 13 shirt.

“Robbie Henshaw was almost whistled in every week during the tournament, because we were very much patched together at points and certainly for that last game,” said Schmidt.

“There were some players who were starting to creak, as I said.

“There are a few players who didn’t manage to finish training that week.

“It did make preparation a little difficult, but those players knew they would be physically able to play, as long as we managed them carefully during the week.

“And thankfully that was the case.

“Robbie and Darren have been involved there.

“Guys like Luke Fitzgerald who might play there a bit for Leinster, and came on and did a good job there against the All Blacks considering he hadn’t had a lot of time at centre.

“Those sorts of guys, we’ll obviously keep an eye on as well.

“And Jared Payne would definitely be another guy in the frame. He’s a class player, an experienced player and he has a natural intuition on the field.

“He’s a very good decision-maker on the field, he tends to be able to avoid the first tackle or beat the first tackle. He’s a little bit flexible in where he plays on the field, he’s played on the edge or at full-back.”

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugb ... 62457.html



Paris heroics just reward for Andrew Trimble’s nine-year journey of discovery
The Ulster winger will take some shifting from Joe Schmidt’s starting XV after a superb Six Nations.

AS PART OF our research on the 56-cap midfield partnership of Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll, it came as a bit of a surprise to see Andrew Trimble’s first Ireland cap came in the 13 jersey, way back in 2005. The Ulster man, now firmly ensconced as Ireland’s right winger, was one of the many players to keep O’Driscoll’s jersey warm before stepping aside when he returned.

In his 49 Test caps, before Joe Schmidt’s arrival, Trimble played 13 times in the Irish midfield and came off the bench, against the USA, at fullback in the 2011 World Cup. A veteran of the international scene, the 29-year-old was rarely afforded a consistent run in the green jersey.

Much as Simon Zebo and Tommy Bowe must have felt in recent weeks, Trimble’s provincial form did not always coincide with a call-up to the Irish team. While there may be a snap tendency to criticises Declan Kidney for not eeking out enough of Trimble’s innate talent, the winger readily admits he under-performed in the green jersey for many years. He is now working under a coach that has rewarded him for embracing the team ethic and working within the Irish game-plan.

Asked what coaching techniques he used to bring out the winger’s potential, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said, “To be honest, Andrew Trimble got the best out of himself. He worked really hard. The three of us [Irish coaching staff] are privileged to have a group that get the best out of themselves.

“I know I’ve said it before but it is, genuinely, a player-driven environment and an incredibly supportive one too.”

Trimble performed well in each of Ireland’s five, championship-defining games. He showed up in the right place at the right time to puncture Scotland, was supreme in the air, and harrying on the ground, against Wales. England’s back three outshone their Irish counterparts at Twickenham but the winger was close to a first half score and pitched into an almighty battle when needed. He showed up on the left wing to get another, vital try at home to Italy and raced in a fine score at Stade de France.

French Try HERE

During the championship — aside from his four tries — Trimble made six clean breaks and beat 12 defenders. He averaged 61 metres gained. His aerial commitment — either winning balls or putting off the opponent — was impressive and he put in some big tackles in defensive mode.

It all could have been different for Trimble had Bowe [or Keith Earls] returned from injury to feature in any of Ulster’s RaboDirect Pro12 games ahead of schedule. Instead, Bowe scored two tries on his comeback against Dragons but was restricted to training runs with Trimble & co. at Carton House. The summer tour to Argentina may prove an opening for the likes of Bowe and Earls to show Schmidt they can work to his plans. Trimble will surely be on the phone to Schmidt telling him he is willing and able to delay his holiday plans for the Tests against Los Pumas.

http://www.thescore.ie/ireland-six-nati ... 6-Mar2014/


Jared Payne ‘definitely another guy in the frame’ to replace BOD
The Ulster back is expected to sign up for the Irish cause ahead of the Autumn internationals.

JOE SCHMIDT SAYS the search for Brian O’Driscoll’s successor began as soon as he took over as Ireland’s head coach. The New Zealander, today, named four players that could possibly fill the breach now that O’Driscoll has retired from international.

“[The search] started when I got the job and he and I sat down,” said Schmidt. “There were pretty clear parameters about how long he would be available. We’ve certainly been watching players. I think Robbie Henshaw and Darren Cave profited from the time they spent [in camp].”

Schmidt revealed Henshaw was on the verge of being ‘whistled in’ for almost every one of Ireland’s Six Nations matches as the regulars’ fitness levels were stretched to their limits. The Kiwi did not forget the unfortunate, injured Luke Fitzgerald who, he felt, did a fine job as O’Driscoll’s outside centre replacement for the final 25 minutes of last November’s match against New Zealand.

“We’ve been doing that for the last nine months really, because we knew this day was coming,” Schmidt added.

Schmidt did not mention Jared Payne immediately but was happy to chat about his fellow Kiwi, who will become Irish qualified in time for the Autumn internationals, when his credentials were brought up. “Jared would definitely be another guy in the frame. He’s a class player, an experienced player and he has a natural intuition on the field.

He’s a very good decision-maker on-field, he tends to be able to avoid the first tackle or beat the first tackle. He’s a little bit flexible in where he plays on the field, he’s played on the edge [wing] or at full-back. He’s obviously played a lot of full-back as Ulster tend to use Cave and Luke Marshall in the midfield.”

The former Leinster coach remarked that both he and assistant coach Les Kiss were trying to bleed O’Driscoll dry for attacking and defensive tips over the past six months. “Having [Brian] in camp, sitting down with Robbie and Darren, talking through things as we’ve done them,” he said. “So we’ve tried to bleed as much as we can out of him.”

Henshaw tackles Cave during a Pro12 match this season.

Schmidt continued, “We’d be delighted if Brian stayed reasonably close to the group, because of the character he is as well as the on-field intelligence he brings to the group. I guess that depends a little on Sadie and Amy [O'Driscoll's daughter and wife] and other commitments he might have beyond the end of the season.

“I know right now his full focus will probably just be recuperating for a couple of weeks, then targeting some massive games coming up for his province.”

http://www.thescore.ie/joe-schmidt-jare ... 6-Mar2014/


Whiff

Unsung Heroes

How appropriate that the winning act in Ireland’s victorious Six Nations campaign was a turnover by Chris Henry and Devin Toner - previously unheralded guys who were given an opportunity by Joe Schmidt and swam at this level. Henry epitomises the new Ireland – where players sacrifice all for the team. Ireland won this championship because they were the best team – the Irish collective was built on the commitment to excellence of the new coaching ticket, and every player in the squad bought into it entirely.

It’s becoming hackneyed to talk of Ireland’s “unsung heroes” (how many times do you get sung before you can’t be unsung any more?) and this usually refers to the consistent excellence of the likes of Devin Toner, Chris Henry, Dave Kearney and Andrew Trimble. They are the contingent who Schmidt brought into the first team from the fringes of the squad, often ahead of more championed alternatives, and generated much heat for doing so. Let’s look at them:
Toner has found himself the target of derision and doubt many times in his career. Despite accumulating 100+ Leinster caps, his elevation to the XV was perceived to be Leinster-centrism from Joe Schmidt. Yet he was the surprise package of the November series and he looked of international standard. In recent years, he has improved year on year and this is no different. Yet, the perception was (and is) that if Ryan and McCarthy were fully fit, Toner would be nowhere near the XV, but he ends as one of Ireland’s players of the series. He has been a key man in adding grunt to a light pack, and will be hard to shift.
Henry – soldiering away at Ulster and one of the most influential players at HEC level for a few years now. Yet he is 29 and plays in a position where we are stacked. But Schmidt saw something he liked (at Leinster, where he devised his HEC2012 final gameplan around nullifying Henry’s influence) and he was in. He was the workhorse of the backrow trio, tackled himself to a standstill (we are too lazy to add up, but we expect him to be Ireland’s #1 tackler over the series). It’s easy to say he will make way for O’Brien and Ferris if and when they are back, but he has been one of Ireland’s players of the series, for his consistency, and was especially effective in the away games
Dave Kearney and, especially, Trimble – perceived as 5th and 6th best wingers at the start of the season (at best) – even now, most people would pick a fully fit Tommy Bowe over both, but they’ve done little wrong, and Trimble was Ireland’s best player in their win in Paris. Sure, Simon Zebo is more electric, no doubt about it, but read the below from Trimble in November, when he was outside the circle (H/T the Mole) – does this describe Simon Zebo? What about Luke Fitzgerald, Keith Earls or Tommy Bowe? Hard to know, but Andrew Trimble, after 50 caps, looks here to stay:

“I’m more conscious now of the type of winger that Joe is looking for. He’s looking for someone who is accurate, who is physically dominant, who knows their role inside out and performs a lot of small areas of the game very, very well … He demands so much from his players. Joe isn’t overly concerned about a winger that breaks a gain-line and scores tries from halfway. He looks for a winger who does the simple stuff very well, presents the ball at ruck time accurately all the time, accuracy in kick-chase and reception. Every little thing. He has to do everything to make the team tick.”


This is the new Ireland – the players are selected on their ability to execute the coach’s gameplan – and the team is paramount. No Ireland player was as explosive or as individually influential as Danny Care, Mike Brown or Joe Launchbury, but it isn’t those guys who are champions. Ireland had few noticable weaknesses, unlike the other championship contenders. England struggled any time their backup scrum-half was on the pitch, and would surely have won the Grand Slam had hand-flapping Lee ‘Rock Lobster’ Dickson not been introduced in Paris, and their 10-12 axis managed to create the grand total of one try in five games for two flying wingers. Wales had a weak collection of half-backs and an inflexible gameplan, and France a court jester of a coach, poor backups and a generally unfit pack.

Casting your mind back to how low Ireland had sunk this time 12 months ago is illuminating – beaten up in Rome, with a coach long since past his sell-by date and with a distinctly un-fortress-like fortress. The new ticket has brought a unified direction and purpose, a commitment to being the best, confidence, and a newly-loved team with an atmospheric home ground. Miracle worker? Well, it’s amazing what some strong leadership and a new direction will do – Ireland are a team that mirror their coach’s personality on the field.

Think about who was Ireland’s player of the championship, and there’s no obvious choice. Every player, from 1-23, contributed something. After two games, we’d have picked O’Mahony, but he had quiet games in Twickers and Le Stade and missed Italy. Henry? Certainly up there for consistency. Trimble? As important as anyone. O’Connell? Manic, and another brilliant leader, but quiet in Twickenham. Sexton? Got the Bernhardt Langers with him kicks in Paris, but scored four tries, and at crucial moments. BOD? Rolled back the years. But Jamie Heaslip would be our choice because he was among the top performers in all five games and had a huge all-round impact and influence (see Workrate by Henry, C.) – but we wouldn’t argue with any of the above. If anyone out there still doesn’t see what Healsip’s value to the team is, well, they’re not worth listening to.

That consistency and collective drive was the most impressive turnaround. Ireland have a quite magnificent coach, a squad of intelligent and skillful young men, and some big guns to come back. There is no reason why, with the RWC15 draw we have, we shouldn’t be putting ourselves up there with England as the main threat to BNZ and the Boks next autumn. And while Ireland didn’t win a Grand Slam, there is a certain satisfaction to be derived from winning the championship on points difference. Ireland have finished level on points with the champions in the recent past, but always came out second best on this metric. Not this time, though, and the real differentiator between Ireland’s and England’s points differential was the thorough beating we handed out to Wales, which everyone can feel happy about. And the key reason England didn’t thrash Wales as well was consistently giving away kickable penalties to keep Wales in the game - something we happily avoided all tournament. George Hook and others may lament the rules, but Ireland weren’t top of the log by accident.

To briefly talk about the game itself, it was torture. France turned up in a big way – Maxime Machenaud was class, Picamoles, Bastareaud unstoppable and the back three threatened with every touch. Ireland were superb for the middle 40 minutes, but the final 20 were horrible. We eked out a 9 point lead after 55 minutes, but wilted under the pressure of the French desire and our own poor execution. Only a poor place kick from Doussain, prime butchery of a simple pass from Pape and a lucky scrum call right at the end got us over the line. It was the game was the best of the tournament and for pure bloody-mindedness, we just about deserved it. Some of the highlights:
The Sexton try in the second half. A spectacular break from Trimble and a brilliant piece of play from BOD – realising he wasn’t getting in, he plotted a path to recycle and we got in right under the posts. POC’s super-fast pick and drive from the ruck was a classic example of a huge carry for small gain – it crucially kept the momentum going. And after seeing the way Sexton shanked the conversion, touching down under the posts was the winning of the game
Mike Ross destroying Thomas Domingo – Ross had an average year up to the Six Nations but has been totemic. Perhaps he just needed a bit of time to get to grips with the new scrum dynamics. Seeing off a man like Domingo before halftime is one for the headstone. Poor old Rosser remains totally undervalued – by ourselves as much as anyone else. We wanted to see more of Marty Moore, but after the last ten minutes in Paris it’s clear just how far the young man has to go to get to Ross’ venerated level.
Dreamboat getting pedantic with the TMO right at end about whether it was forward out of Pape’s hands. With Super Forward Pass-a-Rama Rugby in his DNA, he really, really wanted to give the try. Triminjus, in his despair, said to no-one in particular “Come on man!”
Brice Dulin. Despite us being on the receiving end, a vintage full-back display from the little Frenchman. With him and Willie le Roux, little guys at 15 are back in vogue
Our favourite: the touching moment on the field after the game as Rog and Shaggy talked with Andrew Trimble about his journey from international outcast to golden boy. The delight of the two retirees to see the “real Andrew Trimble” was palpable and the honesty with which Trimble discussed his struggles was captivating. The obvious delight the Leinsterman and Munsterman had for the Ulsterman was a joy to watch – you sensed McGurk was about to interrupt and ruin the moment, but thankfully he didn’t

However, it would be remiss not to point out that Ireland could still be an awful lot better at closing out tight, crucial matches. We certainly couldn’t be accused of showing composure in the final ten minutes, and, in many ways, we were worse than in the BNZ game in November. Courage, determination, incredible will to win; we ticked all of that, but not composure. We’ve earned a tag of being chokers down the years and here, once again, we choked at least a little bit. In Paul O’Connell’s pitch-side interview post-game, he was furious about how we finished and mentioned it more than once - this is another positive. In 2009 in Wales we stopped playing rugby in the final 20 minutes and lost our discipline, but somehow still won. Here we stopped playing rugby, repeatedly kicking the ball to the French back three who were comfortable in finding ways to return it for profit, but maintained our discipline, at least until our scrum collapsed. Maybe we’re getting there by degrees. On this occasion it was enough to win. The curious thing is that the provinces are all good closer-outers, with Munster regarded as world beaters in clutch situations. But as we said in our pre-match post, the weight of history can be as hard to beat as the opponent.

Finally, what is there left to say about Brian O’Driscoll that hasn’t already been said? The curious thing was that there was more BOD-related fanfare for his second-last match than his last, but that’s because there was a championship on the line which was the main media focus, and that’s exactly how he would have wanted it.

We are the champions, my friends. Enjoy it.

http://whiffofcordite.com/


THE FLIP SIDE



Saracens No 8 Vunipola eyes Ulster return

Saracens are optimistic that their England No 8 Billy Vunipola will recover from his ankle injury in time for the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Ulster in Belfast on April 5.

The 21-year-old damaged ligaments in his right ankle against Ireland and was forced to miss the last two RBS 6 Nations matches. At the time, there was no indication of the likely recovery period, but his club expect Vunipola (right) to be absent for a further two to three weeks.

More..... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... rmont.html

[Mac]

Wednesday 19th Mar 2014 ..........Cont'd



Coach Bell believes Ulster will be at full-strength for Heineken clash

Back on stage: Stephen Ferris is fit again in time for the Saracens battle

Ulster defence coach Jonathan Bell is confident that Ruan Pienaar will be available for the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens in two and a half weeks time.

The South African scrum-half – arguably Ulster's most influential player – suffered a shoulder injury against Scarlets at the weekend, immediately leading to fears that he would miss that April 5 clash.

But Bell, who has just agreed an Ulster contract extension, was upbeat about the Springbok's prospects.

"The medical staff are looking after him," Bell said.

"Whether he's available prior to Saracens remains to be seen.

"He isn't playing this weekend, but worst case scenario is that if he misses the next two he will be available against Saracens.

"He's being well looked after. I've just seen him and he's in there getting treatment all the time. He's in a pretty positive place and the medical staff are pretty confident.

"I don't have a crystal ball but all the feedback is good."

With Stephen Ferris set to build on the 20-minute run he got against the Scarlets, to say nothing of Tommy Bowe having returned in such good form after an absence of three months, Ulster should be able to field a formidable side against Saracens if Bell is right about Pienaar.

"Stevie is the big news at the minute – outside the Six Nations there hasn't been a bigger story. He's like a new signing for us," Bell said.

"Realistically he's been out for 18 months. So you're getting a player who has been thoroughly through the mill and, as a result, now more than ever appreciates what it takes and what it is to be part of this.

"It was close to being lost for him, you know, so he's excited and we're all excited for him.

"He came on last week and immediately you saw the impact he made.

"He's training really well, but from our perspective it's about managing him.

"He hasn't played much rugby in 18 months so we can't just throw him in there.

"The medical staff and the coaching staff must make sure that he's managed progressively.

"I don't think I'm speaking out of turn in saying that there were genuinely big question marks over whether or not he could get back and it tells you a lot about him that he's getting there.

"He has worked incredibly hard despite having had some real down days.

"To come back from injury – and I know about it – is hard because those bad days just keep knocking you down to the point where psychologically you begin to wonder is it worth it?

"He's had to fight through some really dark days and although Jonny Davis has been instrumental in helping him get back to fitness, ultimately it's been down to the player.

"It's great having that support, but in the end it comes down to you having to do it.

"You've got to have the desire to get back, you've got to want it.

"Nobody else can give you that hunger. Bottom line is that it's up to you.

"Stevie has shown that desire and I hope it leads to a really, really successful time for him personally."

Regarding his personal situation in agreeing a contract extension he said: "Obviously I'm delighted. This is a very good place to be at the minute.

"Ulster have come through some pretty dark times in the past, but more recently there has been a gradual upward curve and it's fantastic to be part of an organisation that has real ambition and real drive in wanting success."

But he qualified that by adding: "While I'm excited to be part of that, and although we've been on an upward curve, it has to lead somewhere.

"We want that to be silverware.

"We missed out narrowly last year with the Rabo and we've been close in Europe, so we're a team that is at that level now. And when you get to that level, the expectation grows and grows."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 05127.html



Preview: Edinburgh v Ulster

Edinburgh Rugby's 31-25 victory over Ospreys at Meggetland in round 16 ended a three match losing run.

Edinburgh have won four of their last five RaboDirect PRO12 fixtures at Murrayfield.

The Scotsmen have won their last three home games against Irish provinces in all competitions.

Ulster Rugby have won their last seven matches in all tournaments since their loss to Leinster at the RDS in round 11 of the PRO12.

Ulster have secured bonus point victories in their last two PRO12 games, over Dragons and Scarlets.

The last four matches between the two sides in the PRO12 have all been won by the home side on the day whilst the Ulstermen's most recent victory at Edinburgh came in January 2012.
Friday 21st March
At Murrayfield, 7.45pm.

Referee: John Lacey (IRFU, 33rd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Neil Paterson, Bob Nevins (both SRU)
Citing Commissioner: John Kirk (SRU)

Form.png (49.54 KiB) Viewed 9949 times

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/14472.php



Payne could replace BOD - Schmidt

Ireland boss Joe Schmidt has revealed that Ulster utility back Jared Payne will be a contender to replace retired centre Brian O'Driscoll.

New Zealander Payne becomes eligible to play for Ireland through residency in November.

The 28-year-old is primarily a full-back but has played several games at outside centre for Ulster recently.

"Jared Payne would definitely be one of the guys in the frame - he is a class player," Schmidt told the BBC.

He added that Payne would be in immediate international contention when he qualifies and would do battle with the likes of Luke Fitzgerald, Fergus McFadden, Robbie Henshaw and Darren Cave for Ireland's number 13 jersey.

Payne joined Ulster from the Auckland-based Blues as a recognised full-back but also had experience as a centre and wing.

"Jared is an experienced player and has a natural intuition on the field," said Schmidt.

"He is a good decision-maker, he tends to be able to avoid the first tackle or beat the first tackle.

"He is a little bit flexible in where he plays on the field, he's played on the edge or at full-back."

Schmidt said finding a replacement for O'Driscoll is a project he has been working on since he started his coaching tenure last year.

"We have certainly been watching players, and I think both Robbie and Darren have profited from the time they spent working with Brian," he explained..

"One of the real success stories as a group was how much those players brought.

"We would be delighted if Brian stayed reasonably close to the group, because of the character he is as well as the on-field intelligence he brings to the group."

Schmidt, meanwhile, feels that Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton will see out his two-year Racing Metro contract despite speculation that the Irish Rugby Football Union could try to bring him back to Ireland after this season.

"If Johnny were to come back it would be great, but one of the problems with that is that Johnny is pretty much a man of his word," said Schmidt.

"He's committed to Racing, and it would be pretty hard to see him coming out of there. I can't see it."

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 92,00.html



Ulster: Path to the Quarters

Ulster Rugby were the only club to make it six wins from six in the pool campaign which qualified them for the 2014 quarter-finals as top seeds. That 100 per cent record booked them a home tie against Saracens at Ravenhill. Here's how they reached the last eight.

Vids - http://www.ercrugby.com/matchdaytv?play=media&id=17901


OTHER



€70 million per season Top 14 TV rights deal facing legal threat
BeIN Sport are reportedly unhappy with the process that led to Canal+ agreeing a new five-year deal with the LNR.

THE BATTLE FOR the Top 14 TV rights may not be over, despite Canal+ having signed a five-year deal with the Ligue Nationale de Rugby [LNR] in January.

The Qatari-owned BeIN Sport have contacted the Autorité de la concurrence [France's national competition regulator] with their legal concerns over the manner in which rival channel Canal+ were awarded the rights, according to financial newspaper Les Echoes.

Last December, the LNR announced that they would put the Top 14 rights out to tender, apparently signalling the end of their 20 year relationship with Canal+. That move had came in the wake of Canal+ making an offer of €65 million per season to hang onto their exclusive deal.

The LNR turned down that offer, with the intention of drawing BeIN Sport into a bidding war as figures in the region of €100 million were mentioned by the influential characters such as Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal.

However, that situation failed to materialise as the LNR last month interrupted their own invitation to tender and accepted Canal+’s improved offer of €335 million over the course of the next five season. BeIN Sport feel that the process did not allow “impartial and fair competition” to take place and have now called upon the Autorité de la concurrence to investigate.

C’est compliqué

The matter is complicated by the fact that Canal+ and BeIN Sport are also direct rivals for the rights to French football’s Ligue 1.

In fact, the former channel has lodged their own complaint with the Autorité de la concurrence over that issue, ahead of an anticipated call for offers for the rights to France’s top-tier league for the years 2016 to 2020.

Canal+ are scheduled to screen Ligue 1 until June 2016, and president Bertrand Meheut told Le Figaro that the Ligue de Football Professionnel’s timing in opening up the bidding process is “unacceptable.”

Meheut says Canal+ want to enjoy their deal until 2016 “peacefully” and claims not to understand the haste in sealing any future contracts.

http://www.thescore.ie/top-14-tv-rights ... 6-Mar2014/


Sick of Flappy Bird? Try Flappy BOD
http://www.thescore.ie/flappy-bod-wishb ... 9-Mar2014/

[Mac]

Thursday 20th Mar 2014



International glory gives Best new drive to fill gaps in his Ulster medal collection

RORY Best is on a hat-trick. A member of the 2013 Lions who returned from Australia in July as series winners, the Ulster hooker was also a key player in Ireland's glorious Six Nations triumph.

Now his sights are set on ending Ulster's eight-year trophy famine. His native province is in the hunt for the Heineken Cup and Pro12 honours, and while either would do, he would prefer to cap a roller-coaster 12 months by winning both.

"It hasn't been a bad year," Best says, with a hint of understatement. "Obviously there have been a few lows along the way, but it's a team sport which means that when you get a low you can spread it out amongst every one. But there's nothing quite like the highs when you win things and when things go your way. The atmosphere in that (Ireland) dressing-room after the game on Saturday night was incredible. We'd given everything and we'd got the reward for doing that.

"To finally lift a trophy having been involved in every game is very, very special. I haven't lifted many bits of silverware in my life. I've lifted more in the past six or eight months, whatever it is, than in my entire career up to that point so it has been a fairly good year from that point of view."

But while he can list successes with Ireland and the Lions, there is a gap in his collection. And in Best's heart of hearts, he knows that will not be filled until Ulster, too, have a trophy and medals to show for their endeavours.

There was discernible hunger and urgency in his voice when he said: "It would be nice if we could get another one or two this season. It's going to be a phenomenal ask, but I think the big thing from our point of view is that until you win something you don't know just how good that feels. Now that some of us have had a taste of that, we want more of it."

Best was a member of the Ulster side who won the then Celtic League in 2006, since when they have not managed to land a trophy.

"There aren't many people left from that," he reflects. "It was a different time and it wasn't as tough to win things then as it is now. The fact that Ulster's last trophy was such a long time ago really brings it home and makes you realise just how hard it is to win silverware nowadays."

If the past has taught him anything, it is that rewards do not come cheaply. They go to those whose desire to succeed has been underwritten by their willingness to give everything.


"Winning really does come down to the last seconds, literally. You saw that on Saturday in Paris," says Best, who clocked up his 150th appearance for Ulster on January 18 at Welford Road where they beat Aviva Premiership champions Leicester Tigers 22-19 for a six-out-of-six pool-stage record.

Driven to attain the goal of a home quarter-final, that night saw Ulster fight like their lives depended on it. No one fought harder than the most-capped hooker in the history of Irish rugby. "It comes down to how deep you're willing to dig to make sure that you get yourself across the line. Maybe that's something, from an Ulster point of view, we haven't been aware of or fully appreciated," he reasons.

And then, in an interesting observation, Best adds: "Maybe we thought we were putting our bodies on the line, or getting across the line, when actually we weren't.

"But this season I have noticed a big difference in us. In the Montpellier and Leicester games, we went to another level. Then it was a case of people who had given everything being trailed off the pitch exhausted. That's something that maybe in the past wasn't always the case. When you look back to that Pro12 final last year, did we give ourselves to the point of exhaustion to make sure we won that game? Maybe. But maybe not.

"But now we've got a bit more of a taste for it (winning)," he continues. "The likes of Chris (Henry) and Andrew (Trimble) know what it's like to play in five (Six Nations) games. Chris was trailed off in every game in pieces after giving everything and you can see the scars from it.

"Now we've won the Six Nations, we have a bit of a feel for what it's going to take to win the European Cup. That's probably going to be harder because whereas it (Six Nations) is five international games, you have to go through nine to win the European Cup.

"So it's going to be a massive challenge and there's no point hiding away from that. It's a massive goal for us and it's a massive goal for me personally to win the European Cup before I retire."

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/i ... 09243.html



Sean Doyle plans to keep making the most of his opportunities in Ulster backrow

With a star studded back row when opportunity knocks at Ulster you have to grasp it with both hands and Sean Doyle has certainly do that in Chris Henry’s absence but he knows if he lets his performance drop over the two weeks he may not be involved.

“It’s been good to just get back in good form after missing last year through injury,” said Doyle.

“It takes a bit of a run of games to get back into good form and if you’re not getting a run of games, then you’ve one opportunity and if you don’t take it you’re out.

“Had a bit of an opportunity at the start of the year but I wasn’t at my best and I had to wait for the chance to earn my spot with another crack and I did that and thankfully I’ve stayed in the mix since.

“A couple of injuries and I’ve managed to stay in the squad and then with Chrissie being away with the Six Nations Mark said ‘it’s an opportunity and there are six to eight games you could play.”

“But unless you’re playing well that’s all it’s going to be an opportunity and you might only get one and I’ve been playing every game like it’s my last and that’s what you’ve got to do so far it’s been really good for me.”

“To be involved in Saracens would be really great and you don’t get too many home quarter-finals to play in in the Heineken Cup, that would be something to have on your resume.”

“But for me it’s one week at a time, it is in the back of your mind that Sarries is coming up but unless I play this week it won’t matter as I won’t even be thought about for selection.”

While the Australian has enjoyed a prolonged run at openside side flanker he ended up on the wing in the bonus wing over the Dragons.

“I’ll take whatever I can get, I’ve played in the backs when I was 20-odd so it’s not massively unfamiliar but that wasn’t professional rugby.

“If I was fresh I think I’d have gone a bit better and maybe would have caught JP’s (Jared Payne’s) ball but I was absolutely busted and I was blowing big time.

“Mike McComish came on and when I saw him warming up I thought ‘brilliant, I’m going to get a rest as I was done as my calves were cramping up but then he just came on and said ‘right you’re on the wing.

“I thought he was joking, but it was like a bit of a rest because wingers have it easy, they just sit out there and I was getting cold out there.

“It was good that we could have a joke about it and that we were up in the game and comfortable in the game.

“McComish ended up on the other wing at one stage, we both hit a ruck and I said right let’s shuffle this back round but he said, no mate I’m on the wing so we both had a laugh.” These things happen and you have to adapt and overcome.”

Ulster scored three tries in the first half against the Scarlets last week but had to wait until the last minute to seal the bonus point and Doyle has emphasised the importance of an 80 minute performance at Edinburgh.

“When you look back at the game, we scored three quick ones and it’s pretty hard to maintain your game-plan and go about things the way would if you hadn’t scored those three tries because you sort of think we’re just going to smash them and put them away here.”

“If they get a penalty or something it just gives them that bit of belief to get back into the game. If you have your foot on the throat and you let it off it can be a bit of a nightmare to wait until the 80th minute to get a bonus point.

“You go to panic stations where if we’d just looked and stuck with your systems and your game-plan we would probably have got that bonus in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

“When we play at Ravenhill we don’t want anybody to beat us here and we try and take that mentality away with us, but whoever you’re playing has that same mentality about their home ground and I think that puts an extra few per cent in each player you’re playing against.

“I don’t think it’s a case of us just not playing as well as we do at home, last year we were actually playing better away from home, I think it’s just the mentality of the opposition in front of their fans.

“This week we want to go over and do a job on them, we want the four points if not five.

“We’ve had back to back home games so we’ve now got to do that away. It’s not so much on our minds that we’ve got two away games.”

Doyle doesn’t feel the role of the openside hasn’t changed between the northern and southern hemisphere.

“It’s maybe just a bit of a personal preference as here there’s a big focus on chop-tackling. It works well for me as I’m not the biggest.

“I try to be quicker and more mobile than the rest and just get up there to chop them down, I think it works well for our defensive pattern as well as we need to be really good and strong on the ball so it doesn’t matter who chops them down.

“It’s personal preference what you look for in a seven, for me it’s chop tackles.”

Doyle got one game with Stephen Ferris last season and he was happy to see the Irish international back on the pitch.

“I got a game with him last year, Munster at home in round two or three I think.

“It was good, having him back and his first touch, I couldn’t keep up with him and he was driving the bloke back quicker than I could catch up with him.

“That’s Stephen Ferris, we knew he still had it in him I thought he might have been a bit more rusty than that but he came out and tore the place to pieces.

“It’s a privilege to play with him he’s an unbelievable player and a top bloke as well.”

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby ... -1-5948194


Until later.............

[OneMore]

That's a good interview with Doyle.

"...it was like a bit of a rest because wingers have it easy, they just sit out there and I was getting cold out there."

That made me laugh. Pretty honest regarding the failure to kill off the Scarlets too.

Doyle has been very good, and his impact has been increasing with each game in Henry's absence. I can't see anything barring injury allowing him to be involved in the quarter final squad, but if he was, I don't think he'd let us down.

[Mac]

Thursday 20th Mar 2014 .........CONT'D



Stephen Ferris to start against Edinburgh

Good to be back !

Stephen Ferris will start for Ulster against Edinburgh at Murrayfield tomorrow night (kick off 19:45) as one of six changes and one positional switch to the team that beat Scarlets at Ravenhill last weekend.

Ferris played 20 minutes against the Welsh region and is selected at blindside as he continues his phased return to play from the ankle injury he suffered in November 2012.

Jared Payne is selected at fullback, with Tommy Bowe, who has scored three tries in two matches since his own return from injury, picked on the right wing.

Craig Gilroy is named on the left wing, in place of Rory Scholes, with Darren Cave named at outside-centre and Luke Marshall returning to the starting XV at inside-centre having recovered from a head injury.

Paddy Jackson starts at outhalf with Michael Heaney named at scrum-half in place of the injured Ruan Pienaar.

Tom Court is selected at loosehead alongside Rob Herring and John Afoa in the front row.

Johann Muller captains Ulster from the second row where he is joined by Iain Henderson, who was a second half substitute for Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations win over France.

Ferris is joined in the back row by Roger Wilson who moves from blindside to Number 8, with Sean Doyle continuing at openside.

Ireland lock, Dan Tuohy, is named as a substitute having recovered from the broken arm that he sustained playing for the international side against Wales.

Hughes Insurance Ulster Academy loosehead prop, Andrew Warwick, is also named as a replacement. The 23 year-old will make his first appearance for Ulster if called upon.

Joining Tuohy and Warwick on the bench are forwards Niall Annett, Ricky Lutton, Nick Williams and Robbie Diack and backs Paul Marshall and Stuart McCloskey.

The game isn’t being shown on TV, but live radio coverage is available via BBC Radio Ulster with radio commentary streamed on the BBC Sport NI website.

Ulster XV and replacements to face Edinburgh, RaboDirect PRO12, Murrayfield, Friday (kick off 19:45) (15-9): J Payne, T Bowe, D Cave, L Marshall, C Gilroy, P Jackson, M Heaney; (1-8): T Court, R Herring, J Afoa, J Muller (Captain), I Henderson, S Ferris, S Doyle, R Wilson; Replacements (16-23): N Annett, A Warwick, R Lutton, D Tuohy, N Williams, R Diack, P Marshall, S McCloskey.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... urgh-.aspx



Preview: Edinburgh v Ulster

Stephen Ferris continues his much-anticipated comeback for Ulster with a starting berth for Friday's PRO12 clash with Edinburgh.

Ferris played 20 minutes against the Scarlets last week and is selected at blindside flanker as he continues his phased return to play from the ankle injury he suffered in November 2012.

Jared Payne is selected at full-back, with Tommy Bowe, who has scored three tries in two matches since his own return from injury, picked on the right wing.

Craig Gilroy is named on the left wing, in place of Rory Scholes, with Darren Cave named at outside centre and Luke Marshall returning to the starting lineup at inside centre having recovered from a head injury.

Paddy Jackson starts at fly-half with Michael Heaney named at scrum-half in place of the injured Ruan Pienaar.

Tom Court is selected at loosehead alongside Rob Herring and John Afoa in the front row.

Johann Muller captains Ulster from the second row where he is joined by Iain Henderson, who was a second half substitute for Ireland in the Six Nations win over France.

Ferris is joined in the back row by Roger Wilson who moves from blindside to number eight, with Sean Doyle continuing at openside.

Ireland lock, Dan Tuohy, is named as a substitute having recovered from the broken arm that he sustained playing for the international side against Wales.

Hughes Insurance Ulster Academy loosehead prop, Andrew Warwick, is also named as a replacement. The 23 year-old will make his first appearance for Ulster if called upon.

Joining Tuohy and Warwick on the bench are forwards Niall Annett, Ricky Lutton, Nick Williams and Robbie Diack and backs Paul Marshall and Stuart McCloskey.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh head coach Head coach Alan Solomons has made three personnel changes to his team named for the Murrayfield clash.

The club have won five of their last six PRO12 fixtures at home, including notable scalps of Leinster and Ospreys, however the Ulstermen's 41-17 win at Ravenhill in November will still be fresh in the memory of the Murrayfield men.

While believing the club have continued to make progress this season, Solomons was under no illusions about the enormity of the task presented by the unbeaten Heineken Cup quarter-finalists.

"Ulster are probably one of the top three or four teams in Europe, there's no question about that," said Solomons.

"It's a great challenge for us. We feel that, as a group, we have improved as the season has gone on, and look forward to the kind of challenges presented by the top teams.

"We looked forward to Ospreys and got the result because we delivered a good performance.

"The same thing applies to this game, however I would say that Ulster are stronger than the Ospreys and will therefore require an even better performance from the players."

The club are without rested international trio David Denton, Matt Scott and Greig Laidlaw, but welcome the inclusion of props Willem Nel and Alasdair Dickinson - the latter returning from Scotland's Six Nations campaign - in an otherwise unchanged forward pack.

The third personnel change sees Tom Brown take a place on the wing, having recovered from the thigh strain that kept him out of the Ospreys match.

His inclusion allows Jack Cuthbert to return to his favoured full-back position, while trialist Carl Bezuidenhout will orchestrate the backline from stand-off.

The back division is completed by scrum-half Grayson Hart, who scored a brace in his last appearance, centres Andries Strauss and Sam Beard - another scorer last time out - and wing Dougie Fife, who makes his first outing as a capped internationalist after his Scotland debut last weekend.

The personnel changes mean Wicus Blaauw, Harry Leonard and elite development prop Ewan McQuillin - the latter who could make his debut if brought into the fray - are selected on the bench, while Nick De Luca begins his return from a head knock as a replacement.

Form: Edinburgh Rugby's 31-25 victory over Ospreys at Meggetland in round 16 ended a three match losing run. Edinburgh have won four of their last five PRO12 fixtures at Murrayfield.

The Scotsmen have won their last three home games against Irish provinces in all competitions.

Ulster Rugby have won their last seven matches in all tournaments since their loss to Leinster at the RDS in round 11 of the PRO12.

Ulster have secured bonus point victories in their last two PRO12 games, over Dragons and Scarlets.

The last four matches between the two sides in the PRO12 have all been won by the home side on the day whilst the Ulstermen's most recent victory at Edinburgh came in January 2012.

The teams:

Edinburgh: 15 Jack Cuthbert, 14 Dougie Fife, 13 Sam Beard, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Tom Brown, 10 Carl Bezuidenhout, 9 Grayson Hart, 8 Cornell du Preez, 7 Roddy Grant, 6 Mike Coman (c), 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 WP Nel, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Al Dickinson
Replacements: 16 James Hilterbrand, 17 Wicus Blauw, 18 Ewan McQuillin, 19 Ollie Atkins, 20 Tomas Leonardi, 21 Sean Kennedy, 22 Harry Leonard, 23 Nick De Luca

Ulster: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Michael Heaney, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Sean Doyle, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Iain Henderson, 4 Johann Muller (c), 3 John Afoa, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Tom Court
Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Andrew Warwick, 18 Ricky Lutton 19 Dan Tuohy, 20 Nick Williams, 21 Robbie Diack, 22 Paul Marshall, 23 Stuart McCloskey

Date: Friday 21st March
Venue: Murrayfield
Kick-off: 1945 (local & GMT)
Referee: John Lacey (Ire)
Assistant referees: Neil Paterson, Bob Nevins (both Sco)

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 12,00.html



Fit-again Stephen Ferris to make first Ulster start since 2012
Meanwhile, Luke Marshall has recovered from concussion and is named at inside centre.

IRELAND INTERNATIONAL FLANKER Stephen Ferris has been named in Ulster’s starting XV for the clash with Edinburgh in the RaboDirect Pro12 at Murrayfield tomorrow night [KO 7.45pm].

The 28-year-old appeared off the bench in impressive fashion during last weekend’s 26-13 victory over the Scarlets, his first on-pitch involvement for the province in 16 months, having suffered with a long-term ankle problem. His last start for the province came in November 2012 against Edinburgh.

The sight of Ferris’ name at blindside flanker for tomorrow night’s clash offers encouragement for those hoping to see the explosive back row return to full fitness and his stunning international form of 2012.

There is further positive news as Luke Marshall is selected at inside centre, having recovered from the concussion he sustained against the Dragons at the end of February.

Elsewhere, Tommy Bowe is on the right wing, making up an exciting back three with Jared Payne and Craig Gilroy. Darren Cave partners Marshall in midfield, while Paddy Jackson and Michael Heaney are the halfbacks.

Ferris is joined in the back row by Sean Doyle and Roger Wilson, with Johann Muller and Iain Henderson – who excelled off the bench in Paris last weekend – named as the locks. A front row of Tom Court, Rob Herring and John Afoa offers experience and power.

Off the bench, academy loosehead prop Andrew Warwick could make his Ulster debut, while Nick Williams, Paul Marshall and Robbie Diack offer real impact.

http://www.thescore.ie/stephen-ferris-u ... 9-Mar2014/



Doyle aiming to give Anscombe Euro headache

It was all so bizarre that it might yet feature as a trivia question.

So, if you're ever asked to name the Ulster backline which finished the game in last month's 38-8 whipping of the Dragons then you might want to be armed with the knowledge that Jared Payne was out-half while the two wingers were both, well, forwards.

With Tommy Bowe's comeback only lasting a notable 40 minutes, injuries felling Luke Marshall and Rory Scholes, Paddy Jackson being subbed after an hour and Ruan Pienaar also departing late on, it all meant that starting flanker Sean Doyle had to be shunted out to one flank while replacement back rower Mike McComish also had to be deployed on the opposite wing.

Doyle, at least, took it all in his stride and was well up for banter when asked if he now hoped to get a run-out at full-back for tomorrow night's game at Edinburgh.

"Actually it was like a bit of a rest because wingers have it easy," he says with a smile.

"They just sit out there and I was actually getting cold," he adds, which might be part of the reason he missed out on getting his second try of the night, the first one having come while playing in his more familiar position.

"If I was fresh I think I'd have gone a bit better and maybe would have caught JP's (Jared Payne's) ball but I was absolutely busted.

"In fact, Mike McComish came on and when I saw him I thought 'brilliant, I'm going to get a rest' as I was done and my calves were cramping up but then he just came on and said 'you're on the wing'.

"I thought he was joking," laughs the 24-year-old. "At one stage, we both hit a ruck and I said 'right let's shuffle this back round' but he said, 'no mate I'm actually on the other wing' so we both had a laugh about that."

Joking aside, Doyle is enjoying a decent run in the starting side and tomorrow will be his fifth straight game though, of course, this has all been made possible due to Chris Henry's absence at the Six Nations.

"Yes, with Chrissie (Henry) being away, Mark (Anscombe) said 'it's an opportunity and there are six to eight games you could play.' But unless you're playing well that's all it's going to be, an opportunity and you might only get one. I've been playing every game like it's my last and that's what you've got to do," says Doyle.

With Henry on course to be in Ulster's starting side for April 5's Heineken Cup quarter-final with Saracens, Friday's game is vitally important for Doyle to ensure he makes a powerful statement.

"To be involved (in the Heineken Cup clash with Saracens) would be something.

"It is in the back of your mind that Sarries (Saracens) is coming up but unless I really play this week it won't matter as I won't even be thought about for selection," he says with candour of his chances of nailing a bench place.

Inevitably, the conversation turns to Stephen Ferris and his eye-catching comeback off the bench last week in the win over the Scarlets. Doyle mentions that even though he actually did play alongside the Ireland and Lions flanker before, in the result over Munster back in September 2012, the impact Ferris made even surprised Doyle such was its ferocity.

"It was good, having him back and his first touch, well, he was driving the bloke back quicker than I could catch up with him.

"That's Stephen Ferris. I thought he would be rusty but he tore the place to pieces."

Doyle knows he needs to do something similar tomorrow night.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 09632.html



Pro12: Edinburgh v Ulster (Fri)

Stephen Ferris will make his first start in 17 months in Ulster's Pro12 game against Edinburgh on Friday.

Ferris made his long-awaited comeback to action off the bench in last weekend's win over the Scarlets.

Edinburgh are without rested Scotland trio David Denton, Matt Scott and Greig Laidlaw but are able to recall props Willem Nel and Alasdair Dickinson.

Tom Brown returns on the wing after a thigh strain, allowing Jack Cuthbert to revert to full-back.

Carl Bezuidenhout switches to fly-half, partnered by scrum-half Grayson Hart, who scored two tries on his last outing.

Scotland centre Nick De Luca begins his return from a head knock as a replacement.

For the visitors, Luke Marshall and Craig Gilroy return with Michael Heaney taking over from injured Ruan Pienaar at scrum-half.

Tom Court replaces injured Callum Black at prop while Iain Henderson and Ferris displace from Robbie Diack and Nick Williams in the pack.

Henderson is named in the second row after coming on as a replacement in Ireland's Six Nations win over France last weekend.

With Ferris and Sean Doyle occupying the flanker berths, Roger Wilson switches to number eight with Williams dropping to a replacements bench which also includes Diack, Paul Marshall and fit-again Dan Tuohy.

Lock Tuohy has been out of action since sustaining a broken arm in Ireland's Six Nations win over Wales in February.

Luke Marshall replaces Stuart McCloskey at centre with another Ireland international Gilroy taking over from Rory Scholes on the wing.

Pienaar was not considered for selection after sustaining a shoulder injury in the win over the Scarlets although he is expected to be fit for the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens on 5 April.

Paul Marshall has usually deputised for Pienaar in recent seasons but he has to be content with a place on the bench as Mark Anscombe opts for Heaney at scrum-half.

Ulster Academy loose-head prop Andrew Warwick, 23, could be in line for his debut after being named in the replacements.

Edinburgh, who sit eighth in the table, have won five of their last six league fixtures at home but they were hammered 41-17 by Ulster at Ravenhill in November.

"Ulster are probably one of the top three or four teams in Europe, there's no question about that," said head coach Alan Solomons.

"It's a great challenge for us. We feel that, as a group, we have improved as the season has gone on, and look forward to the kind of challenges presented by the top teams.

"We looked forward to Ospreys and got the result because we delivered a good performance.

"The same thing applies to this game, however I would say that Ulster are stronger than the Ospreys and will therefore require an even better performance from the players."

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/26666851



Best targets Ulster glory

Rory Best wants to add a RaboDirect PRO12 and a European Cup to his resume before he retires from professional rugby.

The Ulster hooker was a member of the British and Irish Lions squad that claimed a series victory over Australia last summer, while he was a key member of the Ireland panel that clinched the RBS Six Nations title last weekend.

In between, Best had to come back from the broken arm he suffered during Ireland’s narrow loss to New Zealand in November but he admits the highs have far outweighed the lows.

“It hasn’t been a bad year. Obviously there have been a few lows along the way, but it’s a team sport which means when you get a low you can spread it out amongst everyone,” Best explained.

“But there’s nothing quite like the highs when you win things and when things go your way. The atmosphere in that dressing-room after the game on Saturday night was incredible. We’d given everything and we’d got the reward for doing that.

“To finally lift a trophy having been involved in every game is very, very special. I haven’t lifted many bits of silverware in my life. I’ve lifted more in the past six or eight months, whatever it is, than in my entire career up to that point so it has been a fairly good from that point of view.”

Although he was part of the Ulster side who won the Celtic League in 2006, the eight-year wait for a trophy is something Best is eager to address and now that he has a taste for silverware he is determined to deliver domestic and European success to the province.

“The likes of Chris Henry and Andrew Trimble know what it’s like to play in five (Six Nations) games,” he is quoted as saying in the Irish Independent. “Chris was trailed off in every game in pieces after giving everything and you can see the scars from it.

“Now we’ve won the Six Nations, we have a bit of a feel for what it’s going to take to win the European Cup. That’s probably goig to be harder because whereas it (Six Nations) is five international games, you have to go through nine to win the European Cup.

“So it’s going to be a massive challenge and there’s no point hiding away from that. It’s a massive goal for me personally to win the European Cup before I retire.”

http://www.setanta.com/ie/best-targets-ulster-glory/


THE FLIP SIDE

Team named for Murrayfield return

Head coach Alan Solomons has made three personnel changes to the Edinburgh Rugby team named to face Ulster at Murrayfield Stadium tomorrow night (kick-off 7.45pm).

The club have won five of their last six RaboDirect PRO12 fixtures at home, including notable scalps of Leinster and Ospreys, however the Ulstermen’s 41-17 win at Ravenhill in November will still be fresh in memory of the Murrayfield men.

While believing the club have continued to make progress this season, Solomons was under no illusions about the enormity of the task presented by the unbeaten Heineken Cup quarter-finalists.

He said: “Ulster are probably one of the top three or four teams in Europe, there’s no question about that.

It’s a great challenge for us. We feel that, as a group, we have improved as the season has gone on, and look forward to the kind of challenges presented by the top teams.
- - Head coach Alan Solomons

“We looked forward to Ospreys and got the result because we delivered a good performance.

“The same thing applies to this game, however I would say that Ulster are stronger than the Ospreys and will therefore require an even better performance from the players.”

Team selection...

The club are without rested international trio David Denton, Matt Scott and Greig Laidlaw, but welcome the inclusion of props Willem Nel and Alasdair Dickinson – the latter returning from Scotland’s RBS 6 Nations campaign – in an otherwise unchanged forward pack.

The third personnel change sees Tom Brown take a place on the wing having recovered from the thigh strain that kept him out of the Ospreys match.

His inclusion allows Jack Cuthbert to return to his favoured full-back position, while trialist Carl Bezuidenhout will orchestrate the backline from stand-off.

The back division is completed by scrum-half Grayson Hart, who scored a brace in his last appearance, centres Andries Strauss and Sam Beard – another scorer last time out – and wing Dougie Fife, who makes his first outing as a capped internationalist after his Scotland debut last weekend.

The personnel changes mean Wicus Blaauw, Harry Leonard and elite development prop Ewan McQuillin are selected - who could make his debut if brought into the fray - are selected on the bench, while Nick De Luca begins his return from a head knock as a replacement.

Solomons added: “Tom [Brown] has been playing well for us recently and would have started against Ospreys were it not for an injury picked up mid-week.

“His return means we can get a look at Carl [Bezuidenhout] at fly-half and see what he can do for us in that position while he’s on trial here.

The rest of the team is largely the same. Overall I thought they played well against the Ospreys and deserve to be rewarded.”

Speaking on the inclusion of EDP prop McQuillin, Solomons added: “This is a good chance for a young Scottish player in a very important position to get some game time.

“He has made good advancements since his involvement in the professional squad and this is a great opportunity for the young Gala man.”

http://www.edinburghrugby.org/news/14/0 ... eld-return