European Champions Cup Rugby (Ulster v Scarlets) PREVIEW

Ulster v. Llianelli Scarelts

Kingspan Stadium, Sat 6^th December 7.45pm

Ulster can be got at 150/1 to win this year’s European cup. According to Paddy, they have slim hopes of doing it. They sit bottom of their pool with 1 point after 2 games and a trip to France coming later down the line so the odds are understandable. Impossible though? Not entirely… At least Tommy Bowe doesn’t think so anyway.

“Everyone talks that we have had to hit 20 points in the past to qualify out of our group but this year I think there are going to be a few teams who don’t quite make that target and still qualify. We are still there, but we have a massive task ahead. Anyway, I’m off to sell some shoes” – Tommy Bowe

A valid point made by the Ulster winger who appears to be getting into a good run of form once again. Given the more competitive nature of this year’s competition, 20 points could well do it for Ulster. All well and good provided they can win their next 4 games then. (Scarlets home and away, Toulon away, Leicester at home).

They start with Scarlets in Ravenhill on Saturday. Scarlets too have hopes of qualifying from this group and are sitting in a better position to do so than Ulster. They’ve proven to be a dangerous side in the past and will look at this game as an opportunity to take Ulster out of the running completely. On their day, they could manage it alright, but fresh off a defeat from Connacht where they were nothing more than average, does not suggest that they will do it on Saturday.

Dan Touhy returns along with the much loved Springbok, Ruan Pieenar. Although not expected to start, I think he just might. His untold experience and ability is what Ulster are lacking in his absence. Ian Humphreys was flawless off the kicking tee for 79 minutes last week against Munster. Nobody in Ulster will hold it against him that he missed the chance to take a scalp from the men in Red. Ian Humphrey’s ability is questionable to say the least. He has and always will live in the shadow of his brother David. The sooner Ruan Pieenar gets back into the 9 or 10 shirt at Ulster, the sooner they can get back to the scintillating rugby they know they can play.

Rugby is a funny game though. Often the need to win a game can be enough even when you’re not hitting the heights you should be, and on Saturday, Ulster need to win more than ever. Gilroy, Bowe and Olding are all capable of delivering the big game tries as Ulster will look to take maximum points from this game and keep their slim hopes alive for another week. 150/1!!!