Ulster stars on cusp of breakthrough

Celtic League: In recent years Munster have steadily been making their way to their promised land, while Leinster have mixed awe-inspiring brilliance with shocking disappointment.

Together the two provinces have dominated an Ireland squad that has won two Triple Crowns in three years. If Ulster or Connacht could emulate them, Eddie O'Sullivan might have a team capable of claiming a first Grand Slam since 1948.

During the November internationals O'Sullivan bolstered his squad with a couple of Ulstermen. Simon Best is now a fixture. Tommy Bowe will come again. Kieran Campbell, Neil Best, Rory Best and Matt McCullough failed to dislodge the regulars but garnered plenty of experience.

Andrew Trimble's impact in the calamitous battle of the Stade de France last February was significant. Not many players possess the vision or pace to run lines off Brian O'Driscoll. Trimble is a centre by trade but has so much natural ability O'Sullivan was able to employ him on the wing.

There are other Ulster players, two in particular, who are threatening to burst onto the international scene. One is the 20-year-old openside flanker Stephen Ferris. Bone-jarring in the tackle, Ferris is a magnet to the breakdown and for good measure has a socks-down, Josh Kronfield look about him.

When Ferris was excluded from the Churchill Cup squad it seemed O'Sullivan was giving the Ireland under-21 coach Mark McDermott an early Christmas present ahead of the upcoming World Cup in France. In fact, it turns out Ferris needed a period of recuperation.

"Stephen is okay for Friday but he must undergo an operation next week on a bone that needs removing from his ankle," explains Ulster coach Mark McCall.

The other breakthrough artist has actually been on the main stage before. Second-season syndrome lasted three years for Paddy Wallace. He was taken to the last World Cup as the third outhalf and was supposed to be the next genuine challenge to Ronan O'Gara. But before long he couldn't even make the Ulster bench.

Wallace attempted to decamp to Castres for a short-term contract but Ulster stymied the deal, forcing the 26-year-old back to AIL duty with Ballymena.

Then for the last Ravenhill game of this season, against the Borders, Wallace was handed the number 12 jersey. He performed as the perfect link between Humphreys and Trimble; the soft hands really caught the eye.

Last Friday he was repeating the trick in Llanelli. It was a dreadful night for rugby but Wallace's offloading out of the tackle was sublime.

"Hopefully he will go to the Churchill Cup and play at 10," says McCall. "But I think he has a future in the centre as well. He has every attribute required."

Ulster return to the Valleys tomorrow night to face the Ospreys. A draw and the title goes to Belfast. They must manage without the injured Simon Best, whose captaincy duties pass to Justin Harrison.

Worryingly, the most progressive Welsh franchise stand in their path. But Ulster know they can begin to step out of the blue and red shadows tomorrow night. They have yet to qualify for a European Cup quarter-final when the full complement of countries was involved and must do so to regain the respect of the rugby community.

"The goal this year was to get used to winning rugby matches, which we did," says McCall. "We've lost only four in the Celtic League. We've had a number of players break into the national squad, which is also hugely important for them to get experience of the top level."

Their day will come.