HEINEKEN CUP: Ulster v HarlequinsLITTLE TO see here. Barring a major collapse from Harlequins and a miracle from Stade Français (which remains a possibility), Pool Four looks well and truly cooked. Ulster lost their opening two matches to the aforementioned, so they are merely along for the ride at this point.
“They are playing for a quarter-final place,” said Matt Williams. “They have everything to play for and we have nothing to lose. For our guys it’s about pride, we want to make up for the defeat against Edinburgh and make qualification as hard as possible for Quins. They beat us early in the season (42-21) and now we are coming back at them.
“We have a lot of injury and sickness in camp, but I feel that the starting line-up is strong and quick enough to take on Quins, and put them through their paces. We need to make sure that we have great players throughout the squad so that when we are hit by injury worries we are not hit too hard.
“Mentally the guys are really up for the match, they have given it their best all week and I am happy we are ready.”
From an Irish perspective, Declan Kidney will be keeping an eye on the Ulster backline – namely Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace, Ian Humphreys and Isaac Boss – who can all play themselves into the Six Nations squad, while the seemingly unstoppable upward curve of flanker Stephen Ferris will be presented with the rampaging Nick Easter.
If, some would say when, Ferris puts the England number eight on his back, it will only add to an already big-game reputation in a Lions year.
The form of Harlequins’ Cork-born tighthead prop Mike Ross will also be closely monitored as a potential successor to John Hayes.
Kieron Dawson comes into the backrow as David Pollack’s education continues, but from the bench this week, while Ryan Caldwell is named at lock ahead of Matt McCullough.
Despite winning every pool match, the visitors don’t have the cut of champions. Sure, they have an excellent halfback partnership in Danny Care and former All Black Nick Evans, while Ugo Monye is a quality finisher, but not much else screams world class.
A bit more consistency and Ulster would still be in the mix, but their season took off only in November. A trip to Paris next week might only have minor repercussions if Stade don’t get a bonus point in Llanelli.
Harlequins have everything to play for and Ulster have nothing to lose, said Matt Williams.
In fact, they can lose the match, and probably will.
ULSTER:C Schifcofske; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, S Danielli; I Humphreys, I Boss; T Court, R Best (capt), BJ Botha; E O'Donoghue, R Caldwell; S Ferris, K Dawson, C Henry. Replacements: N Brady, J Fitzpatrick, M McCullough, D Pollock, P Marshall, P Steinmetz, B Cunningham.
HARLEQUINS:M Brown; T Williams, G Tiesi, J Turner-Hall, U Monye; N Evans, D Care; C Jones, C Brooker, M Ross; J Percival, G Robson; C Robshaw, W Skinner (capt), N Easter. Replacements: A Croall, M Ambert, J Evans, T Guest, A Gomarsall, C Malone, E Taione.
Referee:Romain Poite (France).
