Advertisement
©INPHO/Presseye/Darren Kidd
Ravenhill

Heineken Cup: 3 key battles if Ulster want a bonus point from The Warriors

We know the star names will perform, the pressure is on Ulster’s young guns.

AT RAVENHILL TONIGHT Ulster will look to the experienced heads.

The three incredible talents from the southern hemisphere – John Afoa, Ruan Pienaar and Jared Payne – will have their usual telling influence and Ulster will win.

However, Glasgow are a tough nut to crack open.

The reverse fixture in Scotstoun was one to forget and on the opening night of the Pro12 season Ravenhill watched an 18-10 win, two points tighter again.

The Warriors, while workman-like all over the field, possess strength in area where Mark Anscombe trusts in the inexperienced.

So, to touch down four times tonight, Ravenhill will have to look to the home-grown supporting cast to step up and make the invaluable inches toward a five-point win.

Iain Henderson v Ali Kellock

To our knowledge, this is Iain Henderson’s first outing as a tight-head side lock. His debut in the number ’5′ shirt could hardly come against a more imposing opponent. Kellock is not only a powerful, seasoned international, he is a contender for a  Lions Test jersey if Paul O’Connell fails to pull through.

Henderson, still just 20, has proven himself adept in both the second and the back row of the scrum, but it will be a tall order to compete with the 120 kilo Scot. Ulster’s line-out has been shaky at best of late, so it will be interesting to see what Rory Best comes up with to paper over the cracks.

Paddy Jackson v Duncan Weir

Two 21-year-old number 10s. The stocky figure of Weir has become a familiar sight at this stage, helped by his big left boot and a consistency from placed kicks.

The latter is what has evaded Jackson most in the past month, but the pressure on him will again be eased by Pienaar again taking control of the kicking tee.

With the ball in hand, Jackson has proved a superb facilitator for the scything lines being taken by (amongst others) Payne and Darren Cave and his improving sense of game-management will once again be aided by the presence of the Springbok to one side and Paddy Wallace to the other.

Craig Gilroy v Sean Maitland

Another 21-year-old Ulster star and a direct match-up to really whet the appetite. Sean Maitland was a rising star among many stars at Canterbury Crusaders, his decision to move lock, stock and barrel the northern hemisphere is a major coup for Scottish Rugby.

Gilroy has passed pretty close to every test set for him, so he has no reason to fear Maitland. However, the former Super 15 man should by now be fully settled into life as a Warrior after two 80-minute outings against Edinburgh – yielding one try.

Oh, it’s on!

’Callaghan: Munster intent on restoring pride among support

Rob ready to make instant impact