RUGBY HEINEKEN CUP POOL FOUR: ULSTER v BATH:IF THE Magners League can be credibly seen as comparable to the Premiership in terms of preparation for the Heineken Cup then Ulster go into their first European match in many years in good fettle. A blip at the start of the season against Dragons, followed by three wins from the next four matches and now second place on the table behind European Champions Leinster, takes Brian McLaughlin's squad to an unusual position of confidence and momentum.
To claim that, as Bath arrive, suggests there has been a serious mind shift and upwards surge in the Ulster squad since the former RBAI teacher took over the helm at Ravenhill Road.
Ulster have always been a team that thrives on confidence and even as recently as four or five years ago, when they played at Ravenhill, the fortress mentality kicked in. That is no more, although McLaughlin and stand-in captain Paddy Wallace now feel the team is getting back to the feeling that it once again belongs.
This is heady stuff for the 1999 champions, who have had just 14 Heineken Cup wins and one draw in their last 36 matches.
McLaughlin has changed only one player from the side that beat Scarlets 45-24 last week. Andy Kyiacou comes in for Nigel Brady at hooker.
Scottish winger Simon Danielli also makes a return but he has not been able to unseat Andrew Trimble or Timoci Nagusa and takes a place on the bench.
“It’s an opportunity to see how far we have travelled,” said McLaughlin. “It is a great opportunity for our players to go out and show just how capable they are. I think that when I first sat down with all of the players we agreed that we had to get more consistent and we’re not getting carried away by the way we’ve started the season.”
Bath arrive having won their last Heineken Cup the year before Ulster did but are hopeful of doing better than last season’s quarter-final. But they have had a slow start to the season and are outside, but within touching distance of, the top four in the Premiership. They have talents running right through the side from fullback Nick Abendanon to hooker Lee Mears and lock Danny Grewcock.
An early test for the home side no doubt. But one that, for the first time in some years, they may pass.
ULSTER:C Schifcofske; T Nagusa, D Cave, P Wallace (capt), A Trimble; I Humphreys, I Boss; T Court, A Kyriacou, B Botha, E O'Donoghue, R Caldwell, S Ferris, W Faloon, R Diack. Replacements: N Brady, B Young, D Fitzpatrick, N McComb, C Henry, P Marshall, I Whitten, S Danielli
BATH:N Abendanon; J Maddock, M Carraro, S Hape, M Banahan; R Davis, M Claassens (capt); D Flatman, L Mears, D Bell, S Hooper, D Grewcock, A Beattie, J Salvi, J Fa'amatuainu. Replacements: P Dixon, D Barnes, A Jarvis, P Short, B Skirving, S Bemand, N Little, J Cuthbert.
Referee:James Jones (Wales).
Venue:Ravenhill
Kick-off: 7.30
Verdict:Home win.
