FRIDAY’S WIN OVER Connacht marked the halfway point in Ulster’s Pro12 season. So it’s time to get the red biro out and run the rule over the campaign so far.
Overall record
Won 8. Lost 6. Drawn 1 (Fourth in Pro12, bottom of Champions cup pool).
High point
Unfortunately, most of the high points in Ulster’s season have come hand in hand with bad news too.
The 29 – 9 win over Glasgow Warriors in October showcased a stubborn and resolute Ulster outfit. Despite the early loss of Paddy Jackson and Andrew Trimble, they still proved themselves capable of striking at crucial times to thwart Gregor Townsend’s excellent side.
Though the thrilling try above came through the inimitable footwork of Craig Gilroy (on display again against Connacht), the fact that he was on the field in place of Trimble was to be a cost that Ulster would continue to count as the season wore on.
Low Point
In the driving rain at Parc Y Scarlets, the northern province slumped to their third defeat in four Champions Cup fixtures. After losing the opening two encounters in Pool 3, the December back-t0-back games were supposed to be the time Ulster battled back by putting 10 points on the board.
Try of the season so far
Tommy Bowe v Leicester. Just a fantastic example of what Ulster’s back-line are capable of with six of the seven getting hands on the ball after a shortened line-out allowed forwards to act as dummy runners.
Player of the season so far
Aside from chipping in with four tries, Tommy Bowe has also provided some invaluable continuity in an otherwise disrupted side.
More than that, he has reached kept an excellent standard of form in attack and defence, no easy feat when his club is struggling.
Breakthrough talent
Alan O’Connor. Second rows usually improve once they cross the 30-year mark. So it’s an unforgiving place for a young player to try and make their name while still in the academy.
That, however, is exactly what 22-year-old O’Connor has done this season. Seizing an opportunity with Dan Tuohy and Iain Henderson out injured, O’Connor has given Neil Doak plenty of reason to hope for the future of Ulster’s second row.
Playing style
Through departures and injury absences, Ulster’s tight five doesn’t pack quite the same punch as it has in recent seasons. With that platform shaking, the backline have understandably struggled to fire on all cylinders.
One other factor that may be contributing, though, is the early-season centre pairing. While Stuart McCloskey has been impressive individually, his natural game as an abrasive centre is a change of tack for Ulster after years with a converted 10 in the number 12 shirt.
One thing to work on in 2015
Getting the best out of Jared Payne. The elephant we didn’t mention in the above room was that before Payne suffered his foot injury against South Africa, his presence in the centre appeared to be hindering his side.
At a time where the Kiwi was struggling for form, he was persisted with in midfield while Darren Cave was asked to bide his time among the replacements.
As the above clip shows, Payne took little time to come alive again once he was returned to fullback. He has thrived in the number 13 jersey before and will again, but Ulster fans will want to see more balance between his time at fullback and the position Joe Schmidt prefers to see his compatriot in.
Marks out of 10? 5.
