Ulster hoping for more of the same

HEINEKEN CUP: BATH'S LATE game tactics of moving the ball around the park at Ravenhill last weekend prompted Ulster to take yesterday off as they face into a return trip to the Recreation Ground in the hope of keeping their Heineken Cup ambitions alive.

Lots of “sore bodies” but no major injury worries in the squad was the word from Belfast and with a run-out today and travel on Friday, Ulster are looking at this week largely as one of recovery as they seek to get out of their group for the first time since they beat Colomiers in the 1999 final.

“In that last 15 minutes, they (Bath) started throwing the ball around a bit and they stretched us in defence,” said South African Johann Muller. “There were a couple of tired bodies out there but I expect them to do that from the word go on Saturday. If the weather allows it, I think they’re going to stretch us a bit and play a little bit more rugby. But, at the end of the day, when you play more rugby there’s a chance that you can make more mistakes.

“Our defence has got to be right up there again and we have to play a bit better. At some stages we played some great rugby and at others we were quite poor.”

Ulster earned just their first win on English soil last season when they beat Bath 28-10 and have now played three and won three against them. If they win their next three matches in the pool, they have a very strong chance of qualifying through to the knockout stages.

“It’s a huge game for us,” said head coach Brian McLaughlin. “Last year we got our first win on English soil, but that’s history. It’s another game for us and the importance for us moving forward in this competition is immense.

“We have to go there and get a win. Last year it was smashing to win and there’s no doubt that it gave us great confidence for the rest of the season. But this is what it’s all about now and we need to make sure we do a job and come away with the points.”

McLaughlin has named an extended 28-man squad and the team will be named on Friday. After their home win few if any changes to the starting team are expected.

ULSTER (Forwards): T Court, D Fitzpatrick, P McAllister, B Young, BJ Botha, N Brady, A Kyriacou, T Barker, D Tuohy, J Muller, R Caldwell, W Faloon, P Wannenburg, S Ferris, C Henry, R Diack (backs) A DArcy, D McIlwaine, J Smith, S Danielli, A Trimble, P Wallace, N Spence, I Whitten, I Humphreys, N O’Connor, R Pienaar, P Marshall.

Rugby Fixtures

TOMORROW

Munster Senior Friendly: Nenagh Ormond v Thomond, Nenagh (7.30).

FRIDAY

Heineken Cup

Pool Two: Racing Metro 92 v Saracens, Stade de L’us Metro (9.00 local times/8.00 Irish). Pool Four: Biarritz Olympique v Aironi Rugby, (7.00 local time/6.00 Irish).

Amlin Challenge Cup: Pool One: Connacht Rugby v Harlequins, the Sportsground (7.00).

British and Irish Cup: Ulster v Moseley, Ravenhill (4.00).

SATURDAY

Heineken Cup

Pool Two: Leinster v ASM Clermont Auvergne, Aviva Stadium (5.45); Pool Three: Toulon v London Irish, Stade Felix-Mayol, (4.30 local time/3.30 Irish); Ospreys v Munster, Liberty Stadium (3.30); Pool Four: Bath Rugby v Ulster, The Rec (1.30); Pool Five: Benetton Treviso v Scarlets, Stade Comunale “Monigo” (2.30 local time/1.30 Irish); Pool Six: Toulouse v Glasgow Warriors, Stade Ernest-Wallon (2.30 local time/1.30 Irish).

Women’s Interprovincial Final: Leinster v Munster, Donnybrook (1:00).

SUNDAY

Heineken Cup

Pool One: Cardiff Blues v Northampton Saints, Cardiff City Stadium (3.00); Edinburgh v Castres Olympique, Murrayfield (2.00); Pool Five: Leicester Tigers v Perpignan, Welford Road (3.00); Pool Six: London Wasps v NG Dragons, Adams Park (1.00).

British and Irish Cup: Cornish Pirates v Leinster, Mennaye Field (2:00); Bristol Rugby v Munster, Memorial Stadium (3.00).

Munster Senior Cup; Final: Bruff v Garryowen, Thomond Park (2.30).