Celtic League
It is nice to be top of the Celtic League but we are keeping things in perspective. We are not even one third of the way through the competition and none of the sides are at full strength yet.”
Ulster soared to the top of the Celtic League with a five-try blitz of Edinburgh Rugby – but coach Alan Solomons insists the serious business of the tournament is still to come.
And with Cardiff Blues travelling to Ravenhill on Friday night, Solomons is also wary of a side that has recently hit form.
Cardiff Blues are a very good side and with players like Ben Evans and Craig Quinnell bringing great experience to the team it will be a very tough game for us, said Solomons.
The Blues had a huge win over the Ospreys at the weekend. The Ospreys are a quality team and that win will have done a power of good for the confidence of the Blues. We know they will be really up for the challenge.
It is nice to be top of the Celtic League but we are keeping things in perspective. We are not even one third of the way through the competition and none of the sides are at full strength yet.
We are keeping our feet firmly on the ground – the tournament is very much still in its ascendancy at this stage. We are happy with where we are and with the fact that the youngsters have all had plenty of opportunities but this competition has a long, long way to run.
But the manner of the victory over Edinburgh Rugby, including denying the free-scoring Scots a try, did satisfy Solomons.
I was very pleased for the guys – it was one of those days when it ended up with most things going for us, he said.
We gave away too many penalties and made too many mistakes in the first half but we were much, much better after the break. We dominated possession and scored some very good tries – it was a great result for us.
But we haven’t had a game in the Celtic League yet where we have felt we have been totally on top – we know there are no easy games in this tournament.
Celtic League Fixtures.
Friday, 31st October.
7.05: N-S Ospreys v Connacht, St Helens, David Changleng – (S) BBC/TG4
7.30: Glasgow v Leinster Lions, Hughenden, Nigel Owens (W)
7.30: Munster v Celtic Warriors, Thomond Park.
7.30: Ulster v Cardiff Blues, Ravenhill, Martin Changleng (S).
Saturday, 1st November.
2.30: Llanelli Scarlets v The Borders, Racecourse Ground, David Keane (I)
6.00: Gwent Dragons v Edinburgh, Rodney Parade, Olan Trevor (I)
TEAM SELECTIONS
Leinster V Glasgow Rugby.
Date: Friday 31st October, 2003
Kick-Off: 7.30pm
Venue: Hughenden, Glasgow.
Leinster.
15: Gordon D’Arcy
14: John McWeeney
13: James Downey
12: David Quinlan
11: Gary Brown
10: Matthew Leek
9: Brian O’Meara
1: Emmett Byrne
2: Gavin Hickie
3: Peter Coyle
4: Aidan Kearney
5: Ben Gissing
6: Niall Breslin
7: Shane Jennings capt
8: Des Dillon
Replacements:
16: Niall Treston
17: David Blaney
18: Ciaran Potts
19: Niall Ronan
20: Brian O’Riordan
21: Peter McKenna
22: Daragh O’Shea.
Ulster v Cardiff Blues.
Date: Friday October 31st 2003.
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Venue: Ravenhill, Belfast.
Ulster.
15: Bryn Cunningham
14: James Topping
13: Ryan Constable
12: Shane Stewart
11: Tyrone Howe
10: Adam Larkin,
9: Kieran Campbell
1: Bryan Young
2: Matt Sexton
3: Rod Moore
4: Matt Mustchin
5: Matt McCullough
6: Andy Ward capt
7: Neil Best
8: Tony McWhirter.
Replacements
16: Paul Shields
17: Ronnie McCormack
18: Rowan Frost
19: Roger Wilson
20: Reece Spee
21: Seamus Mallon
22: Scott Young