Despite the injury concerns regarding Luke Marshall (finger), Dan Tuohy (calf – again), Payne (groin) and D’Arcy (ankle), Ulster are in rude health. Here’s why.
We Beat Leinster! For a long time, victories against the D4 crowd have been as rare as a free-kick for a crooked feed, so this was one to be savoured and a REAL monkey off our back. The Ulster pack was outstanding, with Court to the fore, personally letting Michael Bent know what it felt like at Twickenham last March. The Taranaki tight-head has yet to convince us that Greg Feek can add prop scout to his CV but we should give him the benefit of the doubt until he has a lock with more grunt than Toner packing down behind him. Afoa had a grand night of it too on the opposite side of the scrum although Church’s tribulations, combined with those of his Kiwi stablemate, made for tough viewing for Ireland fans, even those of northern origin.
Nick the Brick, aka the Human Wrecking Ball, Nick Williams has been churning out man of the match performances for fun (Munster types must be scratching their heads wondering who the blazes this doppleganger of the fella that they had on their books is). Strong against Leinster, he took the game away from the Scarlets with 15 minutes of barely believable physicality and skill at the start of the second half. His try from the 5 yard tap was essence of Williams, but the devastating rumble to puncture the Scarlets midfield and magnificent offload to Rob Herring, who then put Diack in under the posts, was world class – Sonny Bill couldn’t have done any better. More of that please next Friday.
The Gilroy Effect. Many scribblers have suggested that Trimble has raised his game since Gilroy pilfered his Ireland jersey. Now, the international recognition of the young flyer is a good thing and not before time; and the general competition for places at Ulster is very healthy. But Trimble has been outstanding in the white of Ulster for a very long time and has just continued his excellent form. His defence is excellent, bordering on brutal at times. He has scored two match-breaking intercept tries (Newport and Llanelli) and nearly did it again before setting up Williams’ try against Leinster – it’s clearly no fluke. He’s solid under the high ball and an excellent chaser of Pienaar’s box-kicks. But his best moment of the season was this stunning try against the Scarlets. Enjoy.
The Kids Are Alright. Apart from the continued good form of Luke Marshall, probably the most pleasing aspect of the three festive fixtures was the impact of the bench. It was especially callow against Munster yet Heaney, Olding, Andrew, Birch and Annett all performed strongly when they came on. Annett in particular has had a fine Christmas. His accuracy out of touch, a surprisingly uncommon trait for hookers these days, was very impressive at Thomond Park, and equally good against the Scarlets this week - all of Ulster’s last 3 tries were launched from exquisite line-out ball from his throws. While we’re at it, Robbie Diack’s emergence as the go-to lineout catcher for Ulster, in the absence of Johann Muller, is worthy of note. He has developed into a certainty for Ulster’s HEC squad and may just be in line to experience the room service at Carton House.
So we Ulster fans can reflect on a very good 2012 and have plenty to be optimistic about. Anscombe and his charges keep reminding us that nothing’s won yet, but this team has the makings of something special: not many sides can boast 3 owners of RWC winner’s medals (hat-tip to Demented Mole) and the home-grown talent is maturing nicely. Let’s hope they can turn early season form into silverware, even if just the thought of a Nevin Spence tribute at the Aviva in May makes me blub. RIP big man.
