Ulster v. Llianelli Scarelts
Kingspan Stadium, Sat 6th 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!!!
