Rip-Roarer In Ravenhill

“We’re at our best when we are pushing hard, Sunday will be a tough encounter but we’re well prepared and are looking forward to having a team of Leicester’s calibre visit Ravenhill.”
So said a diplomatic Ulster captain Andy Ward after his side had been named for the Heineken Cup clash with Leicester Tigers on Sunday (1pm).

Coach Alan Solomons has named an unchanged line-up from that originally selected last week to play against Leinster with Shane Stewart returning from the bout of illness that forced him out of that game and Adam Larkin making way.

Solomons is acutely aware that his side must improve on that performance and he says his side must, “start the match on Sundaythe same way they finished against Leinster last .” week.”

If indeed they do, it will be a reprise of the Celtic Cup final when they blew Edinburgh away in the opening half, soaking up early pressure and making the most of theri every incursion into the Edinburgh half.

That game was, to all intents and purposes, over by half-time and when the ‘home’ side did make their come-back to get within a score of the lead, Ulster stood and were counted and the numbers more than stacked up.

If Leicester stop to look at what has gone before them at Ravenhill, they can start quaking in their boots round about now. Most recently, Stade Francais – with a win over the Tigers in Paris under their belts – and before them, Northampton Saints, Biarritz, Cardiff and London Wasps, have all gone the same route in Belfast and on Sunday with their magnificent crowd behind them, Ulster can get their quarter-final aspirations right back on track with another famous victory.

Ulster:
15 – Paddy Wallace
14 – James Topping
13 – Shane Stewart
12 – Paul Steinmetz
11 – Tyrone Howe
10 – David Humphreys
9 – Neil Doak
1 – Robbie Kempson
2 – Matt Sexton
3 – Simon Best
4 – Rowan Frost
5 – Matt Mustchin
6 – Andy Ward Captain
7 – Neil Best
8 – Roger Wilson

Replacements:
16 – Rod Moore
17 – Paul Shields
18 – Matt McCullough,
19 – Warren Brosnihan,br> 20 – Kieran Campbell
21 – Adam Larkin
22 – Bryn Cunningham

Referee: Joel Jutge.