Ulster vs Leinster – Heineken Cup Preview

Posted on May 19, 2012 in Heineken Cup, Leinster, Social Pundit, Ulster

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 1^st XV to 1^st 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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Titans bolster their squad

Posted on May 18, 2012 in Rotherham Titans

Titans Rugby have added two further recruits to their squad for the upcoming 2012-13 RFU Championship season.

Joining the Clifton Lane based side are fly half James McKinney from Ulster and back-rower Alex Rieder from local rivals Leeds Carnegie.

James McKinney at 21 years-old is a hot prospect with a good pedigree, having represented Ireland at the Junior World Championships in 2010 and 2011. During the 2010 tour, McKinney demonstrated his kicking accuracy with an impressive 83% strike rate.

McKinney also had a notable schools career, playing fly half for Campbell College and representing Ulster and Irish Schools.

McKinney is a talented youngster who signed a development contract with Ulster in 2011-12 after coming through their Academy ranks. He’s an elusive runner who reads the game well and his ability with the boot, both out of hand and at the posts, are sure to make him an important player in the Championship next term.

Alex Rieder swaps West for South Yorkshire as he looks to progress his career with Titans Rugby. The Kendal born 20 years-old back rower is 6’ 3” and approaching 16 stone and he’s expected to bring lots of pace and power to the Titans back row.

Rieder joined Leeds Carnegie in 2009 from North Ribblesdale and has represented Yorkshire from U15 to U20 levels. He won the County Championship with North Ribblesdale and the Yorkshire Cup with Leeds Carnegie.

Simon Danielli Announces Retirement

Posted on May 10, 2012 in Scotland, Ulster

Ulster Rugby today confirmed that Simon Danielli has decided to retire from rugby due to a back injury which has plagued the winger throughout this last season

Simon joined Ulster at the start of the 2007/08 season from The Borders and has subsequently been capped 78 times by Ulster, scoring 26 tries.

Born in Edinburgh and educated at Cheltenham College and Oxford University where he studied Philosophy and Theology, Simon played in two victorious ‘blues’ matches

From Oxford he signed a full-time contract with Bath and within 2 years had made his full International debut for Scotland against Italy in 2003, ahead of the start of the World Cup. He has gone on to be capped 32 times by his country, playing in two World Cups and scoring 8 tries.

“Having been advised that I am no longer able to achieve the level of fitness required to play professional rugby, It is with great sadness that I announce my retirement from the game.” Simon commented

“I feel privileged to have been playing for over a decade and have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a professional rugby player, particularly my last five years here at Ulster”

“I would like to thank everyone who has helped me throughout my time here, to all the players, coaches, other members of staff and not least the fantastic supporters at Ulster that rival anywhere else in Europe, creating an atmosphere that has given me many special lifelong memories”

“I wish the boys the very best of luck for the biggest of games next week and long into the future, the club is well on the path to becoming a leading force in European rugby and I will be in the stands cheering them towards this for years to come”

O’Connell & Varley doubtful for Ospreys clash

Posted on May 8, 2012 in Munster

Paul O’Connell and Damien Varley are rated unlikely to feature in the RaboDirect PRO12 semi-final clash with Ospreys having sustained injury in the game last night against Ulster.

O’Connell departed the scene in the 55th minute with a knee injury while Varley, having replaced Mikle Sherry in the 45th minute, sustained an ankle injury with just two minutes of play remaining.

Medical examination this morning showed Varley had suffered an ankle sprain but O’Connell will need to see a specialist later in the week to determine the exact nature of his injury. Both have been ruled out or Both are considered doubtful for Munster’s semi final next Friday.

However news of Ronan O’Gara is that he’s expected to resume training this week with a view to being in consideration for the Ospreys game as is Ian Keatley who missed the Ulster game after sustaining a knock in training last Thursday.

Ian Humphreys set to join London Irish from Ulster

Posted on May 8, 2012 in London Irish, 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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