[tag=image]data:image/jpeg;base64,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[/tag][tag=content]Out with the old and in with the new!
As we bit 2014 adieu and usher in 2015, I am hoping that the changing of the times will also mark a change in our fortunes too – a change that we badly need considering our recent run of results. Injuries have played their part, but we are still searching for our first decent performance since the Glasgow game back in September, and it is becoming more and more frustrating to watch as a fan.
Even last week was less than impressive despite us being on the right side of the result. We had the majority of possession and territory yet we still seemed determined to throw the game away and we were lucky to hold on in the end. For a side that is supposedly one of the challengers for a top four place come the end of the season, our performances have been that of a team that are in mid-table – at best.
So perhaps a trip to the RDS Arena isn’t exactly the greatest way to kick off the New Year. Leinster aren’t in great form either – even though they have been winning games recently they, like us, have looked less than impressive in the process and last week’s 28-13 reverse in Thomond Park highlighted some major chinks in the usually reliable Leinster armour. It’s safe to say they are no longer the feared side that they were under Joe Schmidt.
Unsurprisingly the “O’Connor Out” brigade have already arrived in force, regardless of the fact that he did lead them to the Pro12 title last season. A stuttering start to their domestic defence has left them in fifth place and a few less than convincing performances in Europe has frustrated fans, who are unsure where a good outing is going to come from.
Sound familiar?
This game is vital for both teams for the same reason. Should we win, and become the first team to inflict a defeat on Leinster at the RDS since March 2013, we will propel ourselves right back into the play-off mix, while also pushing Leinster further adrift of the top four. On the flipside, if Leinster continue their fine home form then they will overtake us in the Pro12 standings and will put further pressure on Neil Doak.
Don’t forget, we have already lost to Munster and the Ospreys in previous weeks, and should we go down tomorrow then it will mark three successive defeats to play-off rivals – not exactly an enviable record it has to be said. A win would really lift the mood around Ravenhill and with no European commitments left, arguably you could say we should really be targeting this game as a big win in the context of our season.
Matt O’Connor has made five changes to the team that lost to Munster last weekend, with four of them being rested internationals. Fergus McFadden returns from injury to start on the wing in the only change to the backs. Up front, Jack McGrath and Mike Ross return to form a new prop pairing, while in the second row Devin Toner comes in for Kane Douglas. Jamie Heaslip captains the side from number eight on his return, with promising youngster Jack Conan moving to blindside flanker. Ben Te’o is named among the replacements on his return from injury.
Four changes for Neil Doak which include the returns of Ruan Pienaar, Tommy Bowe and Rory Best to the starting line-up. Peter Nelson switches to full-back to accommodate Bowe on the wing, while Pienaar replaces Paul Marshall at scrum-half. Stuart Olding is also promoted to start at inside centre with Luke Marshall on the bench. Best is the sole change in the forwards coming in at hooker ahead of Rob Herring, with Roger Wilson recovering from injury to start at number eight once more.
This week is one of get the win at all costs. While it would be nice to see us actually perform well for once, I would more than happily take the scrappiest win imaginable, and I’m sure the majority of fans would as well. We cannot afford to lose any more ground to the Ospreys and Glasgow otherwise we will be facing the difficult task of playing catch up in the second half of this season.
Anyway, Happy New Year to you all. And Baggy, stay away from my job will you?
Leinster Rugby vs. Ulster Rugby
Saturday 3rd January, 14:40
RDS Arena
Guinness PRO12 – Round 12
Live on Sky Sports 1 and BBC2 NI
LEINSTER RUGBY
15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Fergus McFadden, 13. Luke Fitzgerald, 12. Gordon D’Arcy, 11. Dave Kearney, 10. Ian Madigan, 9. Isaac Boss; 1. Jack McGrath, 2. Richardt Strauss, 3. Mike Ross, 4. Devin Toner, 5. Mike McCarthy, 6. Jack Conan, 7. Shane Jennings, 8. Jamie Heaslip (capt.).
16. Sean Cronin, 17. Michael Bent, 18. Tadhg Furlong, 19. Kane Douglas, 20. Jordi Murphy, 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Jimmy Gopperth, 23. Ben Te’o.
ULSTER RUGBY
15. Peter Nelson, 14. Tommy Bowe, 13. Darren Cave, 12. Stuart Olding, 11. Craig Gilroy, 10. Paddy Jackson, 9. Ruan Pienaar; 1. Callum Black, 2. Rory Best (capt.), 3. Wiehahn Herbst, 4. Dan Tuohy, 5. Franco van der Merwe, 6. Robbie Diack, 7. Clive Ross, 8. Roger Wilson.
16. Rob Herring, 17. Andrew Warwick, 18. Bronson Ross, 19. Alan O’Connor, 20. Sean Reidy, 21. Paul Marshall, 22. Ian Humphreys, 23. Luke Marshall.
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 35th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Eddie Hogan-O’Connell, Mark Connolly (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU)
TMO: Jude Quinn (IRFU)[/tag]
Match Preview: Leinster Rugby v Ulster Rugby
Moderator: Moderators