RUGBY:STEPHEN FERRIS' seemingly constant battle with injury returned this week when he damaged his leg in training and, as a result, will miss today's seminal return fixture against Bath.
After 20 carries and 15 line breaks in the narrow 22-18 victory at Ravenhill, the loss of the Ireland flanker may well prove the difference this afternoon.
Aironi flung Pool Four into chaos last weekend by defeating Biarritz but regardless of that result Brian McLaughlin’s men must justify the serious financial investment made in their squad by repeating last season’s victory at the Rec.
That is a problem in itself. Bath will feel they could have won in Belfast last week, only for a litany of errors, while their professional pride will struggle to even contemplate a team beating them consecutively in their own back garden. Biarritz’s slip-up in Italy also provided them with an, albeit slim, qualification lifeline.
“Without a doubt if we want to go through to the next stage then we have to win this match,” said Bath’s defence and skills coach Brad Davis.
“We will go out there and put in a performance that everyone can be proud of.
“Everyone is waiting for that big win. Looking back to Ravenhill what you saw from the squad was loads of character, despite us not playing the best rugby we are capable of.
“If we didn’t have that then we would have been turned over by Ulster by a much larger amount of points. The guys made over 170 tackles in the match and possession shows it was 70-30 against us and we were still in the game right at the end.
“If we can tidy up our unforced errors when we have the ball in hand and get an equal share of possession we can cause problems with some clean line breaks and if we are a little more clinical then we can finish them off.”
The Ulster backrow is radically altered as a result of the Ferris injury, with Pedrie Wannenburg switched to the blindside flank, Robbie Diack returning at number eight and Willie Faloon given another opportunity to bring his pilfering skills to the fore.
Chris Henry’s demotion to the bench is mildly surprising but the presumption is Faloon will be afforded the opportunity to compare his nuisance levels with the master of annoyance himself, England captain Lewis Moody.
In the continued absence of Ireland A centre Darren Cave, Nevin Spence continues his education at this level.
In contrast, Bath are strengthened by the long overdue return of Butch James after the World Cup winning outhalf was injured on Springbok duty last summer.
Natural attackers like Shontayne Hape, Olly Barkley and, particularly, Matt Banahan should benefit from James’ return.
Outgoing captain Luke Watson is still out as the old warhorse Danny Grewcock, now 38, makes his 200th appearance for Bath in a fixture he was previously sent off in for stamping on Ferris.
Bath have plenty of grievances today, while Ulster seem to be missing too many inspirational home-grown leaders while the big-money signing of Ruan Pienaar has yet to reap the returns expected at scrumhalf.
He will surely relish the opportunity to outclass fellow countryman Michael Claassens here.
The Sky Sports cameras should ensure the game goes ahead as scheduled with The Rec groundsman yesterday stating the pitch is playable despite the freezing conditions.
ULSTER: A DArcy; A Trimble, N Spence, P Wallace, S Danielli; I Humphreys, R Pienaar; T Court, N Brady, BJ Botha; J Muller (capt), D Tuohy; P Wannenburg, W Faloon, R Diack. Replacements: A Kyriacou, P McAllister, B Young, T Barker, C Henry, P Marshall, I Whitten, J Smith.
BATH: J Cuthbert; M Carraro, O Barkley, S Hape, M Banahan; Butch James, M Claassens (capt); D Flatman, L Mears, D Wilson; S Hooper, D Grewcock; A Beattie, L Moody, S Taylor. Replacements: P Dixon, David Barnes, D Bell, I F Lobbe, B Skirving, M McMillan, S Vesty, N Abendanon.
Referee: P Gauzere (France).
Betting: Bath (-7) 10/11; Ulster (+7) 5/6.
Verdict: Bath to win, Ulster to take a bonus point.
