Friday Night Lights

Ulster's achievements have seen a dramatic improvement since 2010, in both the Heineken Cup and Celtic League, culminating in reaching the Heineken Cup Final in 2012, and the Pro12 final a year later, but losing both to Leinster, although they seem in a better place than their Dublin rivals now, if last Sunday was anything to go by. The ranking of the Irish provinces is perhaps an interesting sub-text at the moment, with Connacht taking an unexpected place at the Pro12 summit just ahead of Munster, Leinster and Ulster within the top five. Ulster have won four of their seven games in the Pro12, collecting four try bonus points, including one in a 32-28 loss at Munster, where they conceded five tries, meaning that they have only conceded four tries across the other six matches. 

 

The history between the clubs runs deep as Mark McCall was in the Ulster squad for their most famous triumph, as they lifted the Heineken Cup in 1999 with a 21-6 win over Colomiers at Lansdowne Road. He then coached the club to the 2006 Celtic League title. 2013 and 2014 saw the clubs meet in Quarter Finals, firstly at Twickenham, after plans to temporarily expand Allianz Park came to nothing. A converted Will Fraser try, and a trio of Owen Farrell penalties, replied to by a pair of Ruen Pienaar penalties made it 16-6 at the break. Chris Ashton's try after the break and some strong defending was enough for a 27-16 win. Fast forward a year and Saracens travelled to Belfast this time. After five minutes, full back Jared Payne saw a straight red for challenging Alex Goode in the air, reigniting the debate about sanctions for dangerous aerial play, but despite a fine solo try by Ashton, the hosts led 9-5 at the break. A string of misses from Owen Farrell kept a spirited Ulster in the game, although the lead was stretched to 17-9 through further tries from Mouritz Botha and another for Ashton. However, two late Paddy Jackson penalties closed the gap to 17-15, and the game closed with the hosts hammering the Sarries line but ultimately thwarted. 

 

With eight first team regulars involved in Ireland's ultimately disappointing World Cup campaign, the Pro12 games so far have seen quite a variety of selections, not helped by the injuries to full back Payne. prolific winger Tommy Bowe, and lock Iain Henderson, who was arguably his side's form player at RWC2015. The match will be an interesting contrast as Ulster have not played in two weeks due to the postponement of their trip to Oyonnax, so will be well-rested, but also, perhaps, lacking in match sharpness. It seems likely that they will field the same intended XV on Friday. This would see Academy product Peter Nelson at full back, with a dangerous wing combination of Ulster's record try scorer Andrew Trimble and Craig Gilroy, both of whom are challenging for a return to the full international set-up after some impressive displays so far, whilst the centre partnership combines Darren Cave and Luke Marshall, who are two more players on the fringe of the Ireland side. The match reunites the first choice half back pairing of Paddy Jackson at fly half and South African scrum half Pienaar, the latter who has clearly been one of the province's best ever signings, and offers an additional kicking option, as he closes in on 100 appearances for the Ulstermen. He started the RWC2015 defeat to Japan before being dropped to the bench and then reappearing for the Bronze Final win over Argentina at Stratford. Forwards-wise, Kyle McCall only made his senior debut at loosehead against Newport Gwent Dragons in the last Pro12 game, but captain Rory Best needs no introduction at hooker after a solid World Cup for Ireland, whilst another local product, Ricky Lutton, is at tighthead. Into the second row, and Dan Tuohy, on the fringes of the Ireland side, teams up with South African Franco van der Merwe, whilst the back row consists of Ireland qualified Robbie Diack and Chris Henry, completed by Kiwi Nick Williams at number 8.

 

In practice, particularly if the weather continues to be unsettled, we could see a similar game to the win at Northampton, where Saracens will look to win the battle up front, as they did against Toulouse, against a team strong in defence and in the maul, and kick for territory to keep the ball away from a home backline which has been in good form this campaign. Hence, there is unlikely to be the luxury of "easing off" at the lineout or scrum as last week. At the time of writing Saracens have not confirmed their line-up, and it is hard to see many obvious changes, although Goode seems likely to continue at full back, with Ashton and Chris Wyles on the wings and a revised centre partnership of Marcelo Bosch and Brad Barritt, with Charlie Hodgson and Richard Wigglesworth in the half backs. Up front, the trio of Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Petrus du Plessis should remain, as should George Kruis and Maro Itoje at lock. Michael Rhodes, Will Fraser and Billy Vunipola may form the back row again.