Ulster v Scarlets, Ravenhill, 7.45pm: Defeats smart but the nature of those setbacks determines the severity and for how long. Losing to Leicester at Welford Road is hardly a crime, nor is finishing second best to reigning European champions Toulon but what will rankle with Neil Doak and his players is that they didn't properly represent the quality within the squad.
The Irish province gift wrapped the Tigers a rollicking start in the opening round before showing character in salvaging a losing bonus point but Ulster were pretty toothless and flattered by the final margin against Toulon in front of their own supporters.
The mathematics of potential qualification for the knock-out stages are incidental from an Ulster perspective to the point of irrelevancy. There are so many items on that to-do list and even if they did manage to win their next four matches, they’ll need outside assistance.
The sentiments expressed by Ireland and Ulster wing Tommy Bowe were understandable when he said: “Everyone talks about needing 20 points to qualify and certainly in the past that might have been the case, but this year I think that there are a few teams who could qualify with a total just short of that. “We know we have a massive task ahead but we are excited about the next two weeks. When people write us off that is a good motivation for us.”
Players need a goal and to focus positively but even Bowe won’t be thinking past the process of performance. If Ulster can rectify those shortcomings then there’s every chance that they’ll begin the journey briskly.
The return of Ruan Pienaar is a massive fillip as time and again in the past, when his team has been faltering, the Springbok has come up with the big play or penalty kick to nudge them over the finishing line. He is a player who takes responsibility, no matter what the pressure.
He gives the team direction in decision-making terms too. Dan Tuohy’s recovery from injury is also timely, not least from a personal perspective. Abrasive and athletic it’ll be interesting to see how he matches up against Jake Ball. The Scarlets’ secondrow performed very capably for Wales during the November Test series.
Tuohy’s drive to get back into contention for the national squad starts with this match. Alan O’Connor was conspicuously effective in Munster and his presence on the bench should guarantee the integrity of Touhy’s performance. The backrow is bristling with power and athleticism.
Familiar positions
There is a more harmonious appearance to the backline with Stuart Olding and Louis Ludik reverting to the more familiar positions of centre and fullback respectively. Stuart McCloskey is unfortunate to lose out but there’s no doubt he’ll add value when introduced. Ulster’s intent must be to maximise the time that wings, Bowe and
Craig Gilroy
, get in possession.
The Scarlets welcome back their international contingent. The report cards for tighthead prop Samson Lee and Ball would have been littered with praise, so too feisty fullback Liam Williams.
The Welsh side are in a better position than their hosts having already beaten the Tigers, and they’ll be tantalised by the notion that a victory in Belfast would give them huge momentum going into the return game in west Wales. These teams have met six times in Europe with Ulster managing just a single win, a record that should change for the better tonight, provided they get the pitch of the performance right from the opening whistle.
ULSTER: L Ludik; T Bowe, D Cave, S Olding, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, R Pienaar; C Black, R Best (capt), W Herbst; D Tuohy, F Van Der Merwe; R Diack, R Wilson, N Williams. Replacements: R Herring, A Warwick, D Fitzpatrick, A O'Connor, C Ross, P Marshall, S McCloskey, M Allen.
SCARLETS: L Williams; H Robinson, R King, S Williams (capt), M Tagicakibau; R Priestland, A Davies; R Evans, E Phillips, S Lee; J Ball, J Snyman; A Shingler, J Davies, R Pitman. Replacements: K Myhill, P John, R Jones, G Earle, L Rawlins, R Williams, S Shingler, G Owen.
Verdict: Ulster to win.
