Ulster can restore Ravenhill to unappealing cauldron

RUGBY:THE MANNER of defeats to Munster and Biarritz Olympique, spanning two different tournaments, should act as a galvanising factor mentally and physically as Ulster prepare for a brace of pivotal matches that will largely determine their Heineken Cup aspirations.

Uncharacteristically insipid displays in the game against Munster and post-interval in France have threatened to arrest the momentum Ulster generated in the early throes of the season.

Coach Brian McLaughlin will demand both perspiration and inspiration to ensure Ravenhill is restored to an unappealing cauldron for visiting teams: the home supporters take their lead from those on the pitch.

At a time when Ulster will look to senior players for leadership – Rory Best is out with a fractured cheekbone – it is a timely fillip to have former Springbok Johann Muller back in the team for the first time since suffering a neck injury against Cardiff.

Robbie Diack, recovering from an ankle injury, has been redirected to the Ravens team so Pedrie Wannenburg may start at number eight or perhaps mix and match with Chris Henry.

Arguably the biggest loss for the home side is the recurrence of the hamstring injury centre Darren Cave suffered. He is often the catalyst for his team’s more productive attacking gambits but Paddy Wallace’s return after a back strain is a plus. Nevin Spence is an excellent young prospect and it will be interesting to see how he copes with the challenge of shackling the 6ft 6in Matt Banahan, who forms an all England Test midfield with the New Zealand-born Shontayne Hape.

Indeed Bath have chosen a physically imposing backline that includes fullback Jack Cuthbert (22), a mere stripling beside Banahan at 6ft 5in. In pursuing brawn, the English club have elected to leave their leading points scorer, Olly Barkley, and England Saxons fullback, Nick Abendanon, on the bench.

There is plenty of pace in a backrow that includes Andy Beattie, England captain Lewis Moody and Scottish international Simon Taylor. Their clash with Ulster’s breakaway unit, spearheaded by the in-form Stephen Ferris, will have a big bearing on the outcome.

Last season the home side completed a double over today’s visitors, something Bath will not have forgotten or forgiven. If one team can eke out an advantage over the two games then they can continue to chase Biarritz home to pool honours: catching them is extremely unlikely.

Ulster’s set-piece must be rock solid and they’ll need Ian Humphreys to be at his effervescent best in general play and unerringly accurate with the boot if Ruan Pienaar foregoes the kicking duties. Bath’s season domestically is unravelling and they’ll target this tournament as a means of rediscovering some form.

ULSTER: A D’Arcy; A Trimble, N Spence, P Wallace, S Danielli; I Humphreys, R Pienaar; T Court, N Brady, BJ Botha; J Muller (capt), D Tuohy; S Ferris, C Henry, P Wannenburg. Replacements: A Kyriacou, B Young, P McAllister, T Barker, W Faloon, P Marshall, I Whitten, D McIlwaine.

BATH: J Cuthbert; M Carraro, M Banahan, S Hape, T Biggs; S Vesty, M Claassens [capt]; D Flatman, L Mears, D Wilson; S Hooper, D Grewcock; A Beattie, L Moody, S Taylor. Replacements: P Dixon, D Barnes, D Bell, I Fernadez Lobbe, B Skirving, M McMillan, O Barkley, N Abendanon.

Referee: Jerome Garces (France).

HC 2010-2011 Pool 4 results so far: Ulster 30 Aironi 6; Bath 11 Biarritz 12; Biarritz 35 Ulster 15; Aironi 6 Bath 22.

Leading points scorers: Ulster – Ruan Pienaar 16. Bath – Ollie Barkley 8.

Leading try scorers: Ulster – Andrew Trimble 2. Nick Abendanon 1.

Verdict: Ulster to win.