[tag=image]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/e ... y_logo.jpg[/tag][tag=content]As much as I want to forget the horrors of last Saturday, I feel it must be mentioned, at least in despatches.
That we left with a point from Parma is a miracle in itself. The manner with which we went about our game was abysmal, whether we had been reduced to fourteen men or not, and I don’t think anybody would have argued had we left Italy with nothing to show for our horrendously sub-standard efforts. On the flipside, fair play to Zebre – their first win over an Irish province, one which they managed to achieve by simply being less poor than their opposition. Another step up the Pro12 ladder.
Now admittedly, Declan Fitzpatrick’s sending off didn’t help matters in any way of course, and whether he was provoked or not is for each individual to personally discern, but I will agree with most on here – his reaction was unprofessional and, as a result, he misses this week’s game to stew on his own stupidity.
Speaking of this week’s game, it’s an intriguing one due to the time it comes at.
As has been debated in great length this week, we are now slowly approaching the commencement of the Rugby Champions’ Cup, or the Super Duper Cup as it is satirically nicknamed here, as well as a very important Pro12 match against Glasgow in a week. The question is with what will be two incredibly physical encounters against Leicester and Toulon coming up as well as that incredibly tough clash against Glasgow, what mindset will we be in tomorrow?
Now I’d like to hope we are out to redeem ourselves. Defeat last week is up there with one of our most embarrassing moments as a professional organisation and not only do we need to get back on the winning trail in the Pro12, but we also need to send out a much-needed message to the rest of Europe. Have we had a decent performance yet this season? No, and we’re very much overdue one.
That will hopefully come against an Edinburgh side who haven’t got off to the greatest start, even by their own admissions. True, they stormed Fortress Thomond and managed to escape with all four points, but since then losses to Connacht at home and the Ospreys away have taken the gloss of their superb win in Limerick, while a last minute draw at Murrayfield against the Scarlets has done nothing to improve the mood in the Scottish capital, especially since their neighbours in Glasgow sit in a lofty second place.
Obviously though, they do still pose problems, as Munster found out. Tim Visser, as we all know, is a lethal finisher when given a chance while Tom Heathcote has provided some stability at 10. And do the names John Andress and Alan Solomons ring a bell for anyone here? The former Ulstermen will return to ‘Spanners this weekend and what better way to cap off their return than to continue their unbeaten run in Ireland?
The policy of rotation may have failed us last week, but another ten changes shows that Kiss is showing faith in it regardless. Louis Ludik and Andrew Trimble return to the back three alongside Tommy Bowe, with Jared Payne forming another new centre partnership with Stuart McCloskey. Paul Marshall is recalled at scrum-half to partner Paddy Jackson. It is a brand new front row as Ruaidhri Murphy gets his first competitive start for Ulster at loosehead, with captain Rory Best and Wiehahn Herbst completing the front division. Alan O’Connor is brought in to make his first start at lock, joining Franco van der Merwe, while Robbie Diack and Chris Henry return to the back row. Roger Wilson shifts position to anchor the scrum at number eight.
Alan Solomons’ side features four changes to the team that drew 20-20 with the Scarlets last Friday. The only change in the backs sees last week’s game saver Phil Burleigh promoted to starting fly-half at the expense of Tom Heathcote. In the front row, Academy prop Rory Sutherland is given his first start of the season at loosehead due to Alasdair Dickinson’s absence, while Grant Gilchrist and Roddy Grant are recalled to the starting line-up at lock and openside flanker respectively. Captain Mike Coman returns from injury at blindside flanker.
This is the first of two successive Scottish clashes and should we win this then we’ll be perfectly set up to head into a difficult run of games, even with our loss at the Stadio XXV Aprille. Remarkably we still sit in third in the Pro12 table, so it’s time to get back on the bandwagon and into the winning fashion before the visit of Glasgow, and the Sky cameras with them.
We don’t want egg on our faces again.
Ulster Rugby vs. Edinburgh Rugby
Friday 3rd October, 19:35
Kingspan Stadium
Guinness Pro12 – Round 5
Live on BBC2 NI and BBC ALBA
ULSTER RUGBY
15. Louis Ludik, 14. Andrew Trimble, 13. Jared Payne, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. Tommy Bowe, 10. Paddy Jackson, 9. Paul Marshall; 1. Ruaidhri Murphy, 2. Rory Best (capt.), 3. Wiehahn Herbst, 4. Alan O’Connor, 5. Franco van der Merwe, 6. Robbie Diack, 7. Chris Henry, 8. Roger Wilson.
16. Rob Herring, 17. Andrew Warwick, 18. Bronson Ross, 19. Lewis Stevenson, 20. Nick Williams, 21. Michael Heaney, 22. Stuart Olding, 23. Darren Cave.
EDINBURGH RUGBY
15. Greig Tonks, 14. Jack Cuthbert, 13. Sam Beard, 12. Andries Strauss, 11. Tim Visser, 10. Phil Burleigh, 9. Sean Kennedy; 1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Ross Ford, 3. John Andress, 4. Anton Bresler, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Mike Coman (capt.), 7. Roddy Grant, 8. Cornell du Preez.
16. James Hilterbrand, 17. Allan Dell, 18. Willem Nel, 19. Ollie Atkins, 20. Tomas Leonardi, 21. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22. Tom Heathcote, 23. Nick McLennan.
Referee: Claudio Blessano (FIR, 7th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Leo Colgan, Brian MacNeice (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eddie Walsh (IRFU)
TMO: Marshall Kilgore (IRFU)[/tag]
Match Preview: Ulster Rugby vs. Edinburgh Rugby
Moderator: Moderators
