Ulster vs Leinster – Heineken Cup Preview

BY SOCIAL PUNDIT: Well, this is it. This afternoon Twickenham will host an Irish invasion, as the Emerald Isle’s top two provinces (hi Munster fans) go head to head in the tournament’s first ever all-Irish final, although the next doesn’t seem too far away by now. This is a high-water mark of Irish rugby, but it is being achieved by two teams that still appear to be below their peak, and you get the feeling it could get even higher.

In the blue corner are Leinster, two times European rugby champions, seeking to become the only team to win back-to-back Heineken Cups since Leicester Tigers and also complete a European-domestic double, in what would be their third victory in four years, surely nailing on their status as one of the greatest Heineken Cup teams ever.

And in the white corner are Ulster, seeking to win for the first time this millennium and recent winners of sweet fanny adams. Uhm…

The first question any preview has to answer is ‘Can Ulster win this and is there any way Leinster can be stopped’, so great is the disparity in recent results between the two teams. Well, maybe my bias is misleading me, but the men from Ravenhill aren’t as far away as it may appear. It’s some challenge for only fifteen men to take on but it can be done and Ulster are an increasingly formidable team in their own right, although there’s no doubt that if both sides play to their best, Leinster simply have more about them.

Leinster have more about them than most mind. Joe Schmidt walked in on Cheika’s half-completed project and has turned them into probably the most complete side in Europe. People often remark most on their handling ability and lines, but their defence is incredible, their kicking game very strong, their set-pieces solid. When you look at the ferocity with which their backs hit tackles and the ease with which their forwards offload, you see a team who have blurred the distinction between forward and back as much as any other. They are masters of the fifteen man game and all the options it offers. They are masters of defence too, and the counter-rucking that the backs do is a large part of what makes them so difficult to score against. There’s been a list of injury worries since their slightly cagey victory over Glasgow in the ProDirect 12 semi-final, but thanks to the recuperative powers of cup finals Leinster will walk out at virtually full strength. Given Leinster’s strength in depth though, a few injuries was far from the end of the world for them. It also gives them, assuming all is well, a formidable bench containing six internationals.

Against this, Ulster have an up-hill struggle, if not up-mountain. But after the colossal defensive display they found to unseat Munster at Thomond Park, a performance that was more remarkable for the desire and mental resilience on show than any level of athletic and technical prowess, it’s not impossible. While its true the results card makes for bad reading, it won’t be registering much in Ulster minds, as it’s very rare for the provinces to meet 1st XV to 1st XV. Even last year’s playoff semi-final defeat saw Ulster much reduced with injury, starting with Stephen Ferris. Few men make as much difference to their side as Ferris and his mutant-esque levels of physicality and after very sparing use in recent weeks, he should be fit and raring to go. He’ll be the totem of an all-international pack that has asserted themselves recently as the equal of any in Europe with an abrupt abrasiveness. The set-piece is nigh flawless, it is rammed full with heavyweight carriers, and with Chris Henry back, it offers a fair bit of ruck disruption too. In the backs, Ruan Pienaar carries as much importance as Ferris up front, where so far he has turned in nerveless displays as general and goal-kicker in this tournament. He will probably first and foremost look to dictate territory before unleashing his back-line, but that does not mean the Ulster back-line should be overlooked. It has shown a few killer touches off its own this season, particularly when it links up with its mobile pack in a manner fairly reminiscent of their southern cousins. It may not have quite the same cachet as Leinster’s levy of Lions, but it is filled with talented players who yearn to show that they can be put in the same bracket.

Yearning is an appropriate word for Ulster’s emotional state right now, if anything a little mild. Years of struggle, of living as close to Connacht as to Munster and Leinster, has put an indelible mark on a senior core of players who have lived and breathed for a jersey that is a childhood ambition. It is a subject that has dominated interviews, an emotion that seemed to be made solid flesh at Thomond Park. In a game that will be decided as much by the mind as the body, properly channelled, this bellicose hunger will be a considerable weapon. In captain Johannes Muller, the perennial understudy to Victor Matfield who Andy Goode described as the best leader he’d seen other than Johnson, Ulster have one of the best possible men to do the channelling. Yet opposite him in the lineout will be a man nearly as well-respected for his leadership skills, Leo Cullen. Next to him is Brad Thorn, implacably bent on another trophy. And buzzing around in the backline like a pitbull on steroids will be Brian O’Driscoll. They will keep the desire levels ramped as high as possible. A surfeit of final experience would seem to point to Leinster, but Ulster aren’t short of players who’ve been in a big game or two. No advantage can really be seen at this point in the mental states of the players.

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Dublin to become European capital of rugby 2013

Dublin is in line for a major economic boost next year when the Irish capital becomes the epicentre of European club rugby with the staging of both the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup finals in May 2013.

Tournament organisers, ERC, announced today (14 May, 2012) that the RDS will be the venue for the Amlin Challenge Cup final on Friday, 17 May, 2013 with the Heineken Cup showpiece going ahead the following day at the Aviva Stadium.

Research following the Cardiff 2011 finals showed that the economic impact to the Welsh capital from the 83,000 fans who attended the games amounted to €30 million (euro).

Speaking at the event today Leo Varadkar, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport said: “I am delighted to be here today and I’m really looking forward to Dublin being transformed into the European Capital of Rugby next year.  Only last week we officially launched the Gathering Ireland 2013, which encourages everyone with an Irish connection to return home next year.  I believe next year’s Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup Final will provide a real festival feel during The Gathering, and will be a great addition to our events calendar for The Gathering for next year.”

The research also demonstrated that over 84% of fans who attended the finals were from outside Wales with 61% staying at least one night in the host city, while those who attended both finals stayed even longer.

With both 2013 finals being played in close proximity, up to 70,000 supporters will have the opportunity to visit the city and savour what has become an unmissable weekend festival of European club rugby.

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Ian Humphreys set to join London Irish from Ulster

Ian Humphreys has signed a three year deal with London Irish and will join the club for pre-season training in the summer.

The Ulster fly half, who has made 81 appearances scoring 617 points, is currently preparing for the Heineken Cup final where Ulster will take on Leinster at Twickenham on May 19th. Humphreys has played a pivotal role in the province’s Heineken Cup campaign thus far.

Ian has previous experience of playing Premiership Rugby following his spell with Leicester Tigers between 2005 and 2008. He re-joined Ulster from Leicester Tigers in 2008 having previously played for the Irish province at U21 level where he captained the side during the 2002/03 season. He has also represented Ireland at U19, U21 and A level, and captained the Irish side at the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in Hong Kong in March 2005. He made his Ireland A debut against England Saxons at Ravenhill in 2007.

London Irish director of rugby, Brian Smith said: “It is fantastic to have Ian on board for the next three seasons. He will bring with him a wealth of experience and leadership qualities. He is a constant threat with ball in hand and has a great ability to create space for his outside backs. He also has a fantastic kicking game. When I was previously at the club we tried to recruit Ian and Tomás O’Leary, now we have a pair of Irish half backs as good as any in Europe.”

Commenting on his decision to join the Exiles Ian said: “I’m very excited to be joining London Irish. They play an attractive style of rugby that I am looking forward to being involved in. My immediate focus however is with Ulster as we prepare for the Heineken Cup final.”

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An All-Irish Final in the HEC

THE 2012 HEINEKEN CUP FINAL

The 17th Heineken Cup final, to be played at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, 19 May (17.00) will be between Leinster Rugby and Ulster Rugby.

There are only a few hundred tickets remaining of the 55,000 tickets made available for public sale. Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk/heinekencupfinal or call UK 0044 844 847 1530 or International 0044 208 616 5111

Both clubs will receive an allocation of 7,500 tickets for their own supporters. Details of club distribution will shortly be available on ercrugby.com

Leinster Rugby will be bidding to win an unprecedented three Heineken Cup titles in four years and become only the second club to win back-to-back titles. Leicester Tigers (2001 and 2002) are the only club so far to successfully defend their title

Ulster Rugby, the 1999 champions, will be bidding to become only the sixth club to win two or more titles

It will be the fifth one-nation final – but the first all-Irish final. There have been three all-French finals and one all-English final

The all-Irish final means Ireland will have an additional place in the 2012/13 tournament with Connacht Rugby joining Leinster Rugby, Munster Rugby and Ulster Rugby

THE 2012 HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINALS

SUNDAY, 29 APRIL

ASM Clermont Auvergne 15 Leinster Rugby 19
HT: 12-6 Att: 32,397
ASM Clermont Auvergne: L Byrne (R King 20); S Sivivatu, A Rougerie [capt], W Fofana, J Malzieu (J Buttin 13); B James, M Parra; L Faure (V Debaty 48), B Kayser (T Paulo 63), D Zirakashvili (D Kotze 58), J Cudmore, N Hines (J Pierre 56), J Bonnaire (E Vermeulen 60-67), A Lapandry, E Vermeulen (J Bardy 55)
Scorer: Penalty: B James 5
Leinster Rugby: R Kearney; I Nacewa, B O’Driscoll, G D’Arcy, L Fitzgerald (F McFadden 63); J Sexton, I Boss (E Reddan 53); C Healy (H Van der Merwe 55), R Strauss (S Cronin 63), M Ross, L Cullen [capt], B Thorn, S O’Brien, S Jennings (K McLaughlin 63), J Heaslip
Scorers: Try: C Healy; Conversion: J Sexton; Penalty: J Sexton 3; Drop Goal: R Kearney
Heineken Man of the Match: Rob Kearney (Leinster Rugby)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

SATURDAY, 28 APRIL

Ulster Rugby 22 Edinburgh Rugby 19
HT: 13-9 Att: 45,147
Ulster Rugby: S Terblanche; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar; T Court (P McAllister 78), R Best, D Fitzpatrick (A Macklin 65), J Muller (capt), D Tuohy, S Ferris (L Stevenson 78), W Faloon (R Diack 73), P Wannenburg
Scorers: Try: P Wannenburg; Con: R Pienaar; Pens: R Pienaar 5
Yellow Card: S Terblanche 29

Edinburgh Rugby: T Brown; L Jones (J Thompson 70), N De Luca, M Scott, T Visser; G Laidlaw (capt), M Blair; A Jacobsen (K Traynor 78), R Ford, G Cross (J Gilding 73), G Gilchrist (S Turnbull 78), S Cox, D Denton, R Rennie (R Grant 56), N Talei
Scorers: Try: J Thompson; Con: G Laidlaw; Pens: G Laidlaw 4
Heineken Man of the Match: Ruan Pienaar (Ulster Rugby)
Referee: Romain Poite (France)

British & Irish Cup semi-final preview

Cornish Pirates will travel to Cross Keys for the second semi-final in the British & Irish Cup. (C) Brian TempestThree of the four home nations are represented in this year’s British & Irish Cup semi-finals, with competition newcomers Cross Keys flying the flag for Wales against English outfit Cornish Pirates (pictured), while Leinster and Munster kick off the weekend with an all-Irish tie at the RDS.

Friday evening’s semi-final sees the ‘A’ sides of Irish provinces clash for only the sixth time at this level of rugby. Munster marginally have the better head-to-head record over the last decade by three wins to two, including victory in the last meeting: 19-7 at Donnybrook on September 12, 2010.

Munster A have only been beaten once in seven outings this season, their only defeat coming against Cornish Pirates, 10-6 on November 11, 2011.

Leinster are bidding for a first-ever appearance in the final having progressed to this stage with a comprehensive 32-0 home win against Pontypridd in the quarter-finals.

A second final appearance in three years awaits Pirates if they can get past Cross Keys in Saturday’s semi-final at Pandy Park. Pirates are the only team in the line-up to have won all four of their pool matches, securing their path to the semi-finals with a win over fellow Championship contenders Nottingham.

But Cross Keys have impressed in their first season, finishing top of Pool 2 just one point ahead of Munster ‘A’ before victory against Welsh Premiership rivals Llanelli saw them through to the last four.

Pirates go into the fixture having won back-to-back games against Rotherham in the Championship play-offs, while Cross Keys have lost two of their last three games in the Welsh Premiership to sit fifth in the table.

British & Irish Cup semi-finals

  • Leinster ‘A’ v Munster ‘A’, Friday April 6, KO 1800
  • Cross Keys v Cornish Pirates, Saturday April 7, KO 1500

British & Irish Cup Final, April 28

The winner of Semi-final 1 will host the winner of Semi-final 2, meaning that for the first time in the competition’s history, an Irish team will stage the British & Irish Cup final