The second interpro of the season is upon us, a trip to the Kingspan to face Ulster is ahead in URC round 4. Connacht so far this season have a bit of rhythm to the first three games. Starting fast, scoring some wonderful tries, and looking in control, to then around the fifteen to twenty minute mark the train going of the track. Last week compound errors along, with back to back penalties gave the Scarlets position and territory. The yellow to Bundee cost 14 points. That wasn’t the first time this season that wobble happened, and you would hope it isn’t becoming a habit at this stage.
But Connacht fans will need to look at the positives, in a game that would have been lost last season they ground out a win last week. When needed they were able to come up with big moments in defence, get into good positions on the pitch, and escape with the four points on the table.
Upfront a creeping injury profile would be a worry if it wasnt for the performances of those coming in and picking up the mantle. Cian Prendergast had to go off early after a failed HIA vs Scarlets, but Paul Boyle’s performance was key in getting over the line. He has been rewarded with a start at 8 this week. Its a big pack build to bring the fight to Ulster, and an unchanged front row is god to see. Joe Joyce and Josh Murphy are paired together in the second row, they will bring a physical presence, and as long as Josh doesn’t start to get a reputation for giving away penalties his impact can continue. Sean O’Brien comes in for his first start, he will add weight and that presence at the breakdown that will slow down Ulster defensively and give good clean ball to the attack.
Jack Carty pulled the strings well last week, his kicking game is well documented but it somehow feels like it comes as a surprise to many and as such is fairly underestimated. That said, with the 6:2 split on the bench the flexibility of Cathal Forde is favoured as Josh Ioane returns after injury. Bundee moves in to 12, and will ask big questions of Postlethwaite with the injury to Stuart McCloskey. Piers O’Conor is clearly performing well in training, as well as on the pitch as he moves to 13 to keep him playing as Bolton returns to the wing. I would like to see more from Santi as if he plays to his ability him alongside Mack could cause all the headaches in the world for defences.
It’s another week where the team feels familiar, no large scale changes so should bring a coherent performance. Connacht need to improve in some key areas from the earlier rounds, the drop off after the fast start has been too big. Cutting out the previously mentioned errors is a must. The defensive system seems OK but there’s too many missed tackles at play for my liking at the moment even if the scramble after is reducing some of the harm. With the Connacht attack doing pretty well – third overall in the URC for points scored, joint fourth for tries scored, and entries to the opposition 22. Stats like these show Connacht are playing in the right areas and are in the main making it pay.
Ulster have come of a difficult two weeks in South Africa. Travelling to the Lions and the Bulls is a difficult tour. Playing at altitude two weeks in a row is tough going. I don’t think they got the points from those two games that they would have wanted, especially not getting any bonus points last week. Seeing Stockdale perform as well as he did was a reminder that Ulster will be a dangerous prospect no matter their form, or if they are still finding their feet under an new coaching ticket. The Ulster scrum won’t be as poor at home especially given the rotation of the pack over the past 2 weeks, and they have quality individuals who can take a game by the scruff of the neck.
There’s no love lost between these two teams, especially listening to the press this week. So expect fireworks on the pitch, in what will be a tough but tight affair. If Connacht can keep up the momentum they should be leaving Belfast with points. How many points that will be is the question?
Ulster Team
(1-8) Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (C), Kieran Treadwell, David McCann, Sean Reffell, Nick Timoney;
(15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, John Cooney.
Replacements: James McCormick, Callum Reid, Corrie Barrett, Alan O’Connor, Marcus Rea, Nathan Doak, Ben Carson, Mike Lowry.
Kingspan Stadium, Belfast – KO 20.00 IRE & UK / 21.00 ITA & SA
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU, 98th league game)
AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU) AR 2: Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU)
TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU)
Live on: BBC NI, TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
THE 2ND ROW 