Now that the turkey-munching, present-giving and Shloer-drinking is out of the way, we have a game this Saturday, and boy is it a big one. The usual Christmas interprovincials are back again, and we travel to the RDS tomorrow for what is arguably the hardest away trip in the league – possibly in all of Europe. Of course, Leinster are the opponents, and having lost their last two matches to Northampton and Edinburgh, as well as falling a place in the league, our hosts will be desperate for a win.
That’s not to say we can’t win at the RDS though, as those who travelled down to Dublin last season (myself included) will happily remember. That day we showed great resolve to hold out on the line for that famous victory, and if we have any desire of doing the same thing this season then we will have to be in a similar frame of mind – Leinster will punish us if we are anything less than at our best tomorrow.
But losing Jonny Sexton, Isa Nacewa and possibly most important, Joe Schmidt, has hurt the Dubliners and there is a clear belief that we can win this match, despite the strength of our opponents. We’ve now lost just one match in our last twelve in all competitions and even though maybe the performances haven’t been as impressive as we would have liked, at least the results are going our way, and after losing our first two games of the season we’re now right back in the mix in the Pro12, and the only unbeaten side in the Heineken Cup. Things are looking up.
Therefore we must take confidence going into this match. Leinster will be favourites of course, so the pressure is off us – even though we’re a better side than we were a few seasons ago, we still seem to play better when we’re underdogs, and if we can keep up with Leinster going into the last few minutes then the introduction of Ruan Pienaar and Jared Payne off the bench could tip the scales in our favour.
Anscombe has elected to field an all-Irish starting fifteen with the aforementioned Pienaar and Payne on the bench. Anscombe has made nine changes to the team that played Zebre last weekend with Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave and Luke Marshall all returning from the international camp to start in the back line, while Paddy Jackson and Paul Marshall creating a new half-back partnership. Rob Herring and Declan Fitzpatrick come into the front row alongside Callum Black who retains his position at loosehead prop, while Dan Tuohy is in at lock in place of Johann Muller. There is a welcome return for Roger Wilson at number eight after injury.
Matt O’Connor has made six changes to the side that lost to Edinburgh last weekend with Sean O’Brien returning to the Leinster side at openside flanker. The Irish duo of Dave Kearney and Mike McCarthy return to the starting fifteen, while Jimmy Gopperth starts at fly-half in place of Ian Madigan. Brendan Macken starts at outside centre with Brian O’Driscoll rested, and Rhys Ruddock is promoted from the bench to blindside flanker with Kevin McLaughlin dropping out of the team altogether.
For those heading down to the game tomorrow, enjoy yourselves, make yourselves heard, and keep Standing Up For The Ulstermen during the entire game! There’s something about interprovincials that brings out the best in both fans, and the lads on the pitch will need our full support for the whole game, so sing loud and proud, and hopefully we’ll be heading back up the A1 with another four points in the bag.
At least there’s no #ourDS this year…
Leinster Rugby vs. Ulster Rugby
Saturday 28th December, 18:45
RDS Arena
RaboDirect Pro12 – Round 12
LEINSTER RUGBY
15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Dave Kearney, 13. Brendan Macken, 12. Noel Reid, 11. Luke Fitzgerald, 10. Jimmy Gopperth, 9. Isaac Boss; 1. Michael Bent, 2. Aaron Dundon, 3. Martin Moore, 4. Leo Cullen (c), 5. Mike McCarthy, 6. Rhys Ruddock, 7. Sean O’Brien, 8. Jordi Murphy.
16. James Tracy, 17. Mike Ross, 18. Jack O’Connell, 19. Tom Denton, 20. Dominic Ryan, 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Ian Madigan, 23. Darragh Fanning.
ULSTER RUGBY
15. Ricky Andrew, 14. Andrew Trimble, 13. Darren Cave, 12. Luke Marshall, 11. Craig Gilroy, 10. Paddy Jackson, 9. Paul Marshall; 1. Callum Black, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Declan Fitzpatrick, 4. Lewis Stevenson, 5. Dan Tuohy, 6. Robbie Diack (c), 7. Sean Doyle, 8. Roger Wilson.
16. Niall Annett, 17. Tom Court, 18. Ricky Lutton, 19. Neil McComb, 20. Mike McComish, 21. Ruan Pienaar, 22. Jared Payne, 23. Michael Allen.
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: Peter Fitzgibbon, Olly Hodges (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU)
TMO: Sean Flannery (IRFU)[/tag]