[tag=image]data:image/jpeg;base64,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[/tag][tag=content]With the rather abrupt news yesterday that Les Kiss may be leaving us in October rather than next May as we all thought, we head into our second Pro12 game against Zebre.
As much as you may want me to focus on Kiss and all the rumours surrounding his apparent premature departure, there is no point in focussing on what is currently a maybe and instead focus on our present rugby situation which is something of a conundrum that even the greatest Countdown contestants would have trouble with deciphering.
On a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon in the valleys of Llanelli, two sides battled to an absolutely remarkable 32-all draw at the Parc y Scarlets, kicking off Sky’s Pro12 coverage with a bang. What the game lacked in defensive ability, it more than made up for in attacking nuance, tries, and dodgy refereeing decisions which didn’t surprise us all too much, though still had us scratching our heads. Can anyone that isn’t a bald referee provide me with a coherent argument for why Louis Ludik’s try was ruled out?
Nevertheless, it was fantastic to see Stuart Olding revelling in a competitive environment once more and proving what we missed last season – his quick feet had the Scarlets defence on the back foot all afternoon and he was unlucky to miss out on the man of the match award, although in fairness to Rory Pitman, he was a beast at number eight.
But last week’s draw will do a lot more for our confidence than a decent win would have done. As I said in midweek, the phrase “backs against the wall” doesn’t even do our comeback justice – fourteen points the deficit with ten minutes to play and somehow we found the strength and the will, spearheaded by the superb Nick Williams and Andrew Trimble, to claw back our hosts and return to Belfast with three valuable points. Indeed, had the Gibbon given us the penalty we deserved at the end for offside we could’ve had all five.
Enough about the referee, what’s done is done and we head into tomorrow night’s game with that confidence in abundance. We have Rory Best back leading the line, Paddy Jackson ready to spring back into action off the bench and a Kingspan crowd that will be hungry for its first taste of competitive action of the 2014-15 season too.
In some ways it is something of an anti-climax that tomorrow’s opposition are not of a higher standard. No offence to Zebre of course, but nobody will try and disguise them as world beaters and last week’s defeat to the Cardiff Blues proves that they are easily beatable even when they are competing for every scrap.
For once I am going to echo BaggyTrousers and say that this should be a five pointer regardless of the circumstances. Too often we’ve seen our rivals handily dismantle the Italians while at the same time we’ve limped past them with a few points to spare, and this season we need to amend that. Zebre are ten points to be taken, and any side that doesn’t have to look at themselves and ask questions. Unsurprisingly, like Baggy, I therefore believe Mark Anscombe has a lot to answer for.
The side that Les Kiss believes will be the first to take all five points from Zebre features eight changes to that which started against the Scarlets, with Rory Best returning to captain the side from hooker. Andrew Warwick joins him in the front row in place of Callum Black while Franco van der Merwe is demoted to the bench with Lewis Stevenson taking his place. Nick Williams is also preferred to Roger Wilson at the back of the scrum. In the backs, Ricky Andrew replaces Louis Ludik at full-back, Andrew Trimble makes the step up from the bench to the wing, Luke Marshall comes in for Stuart Olding at inside centre and he is partnered by Darren Cave who replaces the injured Jared Payne at outside centre.
Zebre’s side sees nine changes to that which played the Cardiff Blues, with one Bergamasco dropping out and another coming in. Mirco’s place in the back line is taken by Giulio Bisegni while Mauro replaces Samuela Vunisa in the back row. Elsewhere, David Odiete and Giulio Toniolatti form a new wing partnership while exciting fly-half Kelly Haimona is brought in for Luciano Orquera. Andrea de Marchi comes in at loosehead while it is an all-changed second row with Andries Ferreira and George Biagi given the start. Filippo Cristiano replaces his namesake Filippo Ferrarini at openside flanker with Dries van Schalkwyk shifting to number eight.
It’s always a special night when our home campaign kicks off again, and I for one am looking forward to it very much. Hopefully it will be a case of five points and a perfect way to start our Kingspan record for 2014-15, however I would like to remind everyone that we do have the unenviable record of losing to Treviso at home without picking up even a losing bonus point.
So always guard against complacency…
Ulster Rugby vs. Zebre
Friday 12th September, 19:35
Kingspan Stadium
Guinness Pro12 – Round 2
Live on BBC2 NI
ULSTER RUGBY
15. Ricky Andrew, 14. Andrew Trimble, 13. Darren Cave, 12. Luke Marshall, 11. Craig Gilroy, 10. Ian Humphreys, 9. Paul Marshall; 1. Andrew Warwick, 2. Rory Best (capt.), 3. Wiehahn Herbst, 4. Lewis Stevenson, 5. Dan Tuohy, 6. Robbie Diack, 7. Chris Henry, 8. Nick Williams.
16. Rob Herring, 17. Ruaidhri Murphy, 18. Bronson Ross, 19. Franco van der Merwe, 20. Roger Wilson, 21. Michael Heaney, 22. Stuart Olding, 23. Louis Ludik.
ZEBRE
15. Hennie Daniller, 14. David Odiete, 13. Giulio Bisegni, 12. Gonzalo Garcia (capt.), 11. Giulio Toniolatti, 10. Kelly Haimona, 9. Brendon Leonard; 1. Andrea de Marchi, 2. Andrea Manici, 3. Dario Chistolini, 4. Andries Ferreira, 5. George Biagi, 6. Mauro Bergamasco, 7. Filippo Cristiano, 8. Dries van Schalkwyk.
16. Oliviero Fabiano, 17. Andrea Lovotti, 18. Luciano Leibson, 19. Valerio Bernabo, 20. Quintin Geldenhuys, 21. Samuela Vunisa, 22. Guglielmo Palazzani, 23. Edoardo Pavadani.
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 42nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Peter Fitzgibbon, John Carvill (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU)
TMO: Marshall Kilgore (IRFU)[/tag]
Match Preview: Ulster Rugby vs. Zebre
Moderator: Moderators