Abusy week in the life of Ulster Rugby. One win, one loss and top flight European Rugby secured for another year. Well that's a relief, but if we do not improve dramatically on these two showings we aren't going to trouble many in the Heineken Cup next year.
Ulster were a shambles against a poor Munster. With a couple of breaks we were 14 - 3 up at half time and looking set for a bonus point. Unfortunately there was no foundation to Ulster's play and with Munster dominating the lines out Ulster struggled to score again in the second half.
Too often Ulster looked for the glory ball rather than head down and drive and too often their handling let them down when under pressure.
Mick O'Driscoll enjoyed rich pickings in the lines out.
Thankfully Ulster's defence was good and one of the few exciting passages of play was the defensive display close to the Ulster line just after Caldwell got sin binned. The incessant tackling and eventual turn over was reminiscent of the Ulster of two years ago and this passage deserved the applause of the crowd.
The facts remain, however, that Ulster should have put 40 past this Munster side who lacked an attacking edge and Williams had the good sense not to sugarcoat this win with his comments:
"It is not often that Munster do not turn up, but they did not turn up on this occasion and we should have trounced them and earned a bonus point.
"We were hugely unprofessional at times and what we did at the lineout was unacceptable.
"We have still got a bit of a job to do with this young side, who have to learn to be professional.
"I thought we let ourselves down by our own standards. We wanted to play attractive rugby and when we did we looked ok, but our backs did not get enough quality ball."
The FRU Man of the Match for this match goes to Matt McCullough.
So, fair enough, sometimes you have to take a scrappy win and move on and with results going for us Heineken Cup participation was assured before the Glasgow game.
Fitzy drives under and up, popping the Glasgow tighthead for the third time. Unfortunately the referee failed to notice.
That was fortunate because the game against Glasgow showed just how far we have slipped in the last 24 months when games against Glasgow used to be home bankers. In fact, games against most sides were home bankers.
In those days we were a hard working, well organised side that showed occasional flashes of brilliance. Unfortunately In this game we looked clumsy, disorganised and showed occasional flashes of ineptitude.
Ironically, our set pieces performed much better than they did against Munster. The lines out where much improved and Fitzy was taking his tighthead for flying lessons in the scrums, much as he did with the much vaunted Buckley in the Munster match.
Two games in four days may account for some of the issues and as Williams said the team did keep trying, gaining a bonus point by scoring four tries of our own. However letting a team like Glasgow run through us without setting a hand on them was hard to watch.
It's been a long, frustrating season for players and supporters alike and even with the freshening up of the playing squad it's looking like a season of consolidation next year. Me, I'll be happy with a well organised and hardworking side again. Let's hope we don't try to be better than we are!
The FRU Man of the Match for this game goes to Justin Fitzpatrick who was well organised and hardworking throughout.
Out and about after the game we spotted these remarkable couples.
Ulster's number one fan (left) had been keeping it quiet that his younger brother, Tim, was in fact a referee from Wales of all places. After this touching reunion it was remarked upon how similar their cheeky grins were!
Not to be outdone Ulster's other number one fan (right) took this opportunity to wish Kieran all the best for next year at Connacht. After this touching farewell it was remarked upon how similar their cheeky grins were!
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Meet The Lanzas
If you've been following our blogs and the UAFC message board you'll be aware that a touring side from Lanzarote are due to arrive on our shores in approximately 10 days time.
The boys form the island in the sun will be playing an Invitational Select side on Saturday 17th May at Larne Rugby Club. They will also be carrying out a cultural tour of Belfast on Friday 16th.
The FRU have supplied this handy cut out and keep guide to the tourists so you can introduce yourself should you meet any of them in Belfast's many bars and clubs museums and galleries!
Jose Mickey Joe Maño
Zaragoza, mainland Spain.
Very Civil Engineer. Plays at No. 7, so no surprise that his favourite player is Neil Best, of whom he says: “He very strong tackling, and not have scared of other peoples, above all the English. That is good, no?”
Leroy Heatley
Larne, Northern Ireland.
Sells dream homes in the sun. Still playing, but less & less. “To me, one of the most exciting players to watch is Isaac Boss – he can turn a game around just like that. Tommy Cooper was also an influence in my life …”
Pedro Abogado Soriano
Zaragoza, mainland Spain.
Company Solicitor. Plays on the wing, and greatly admires the speedy Tommy Bowe: “He runs so very very fast – it is pity he will be going to play in the west of England”
Simon Carver
Undisclosed, England.
Country Squire. Forwards coach. "I'm looking forward to meeting Steve Williams even though he's Welsh. If things work out I may get him a job on my estate!"
Tim Avan Spittle
Keeps himself busy running a bar and a dive school in Playa Blanca, which explains his rubber fetish, but we reckon that actually came first. He also speaks fluid Spanish and says of his favourite Ulster player, fellow second row forward, Justin Harrison, “that’s the sort of lad you want on your team, cos if the handbags start swinging, he’s big enough for me to hide behind”. The Peter Pan of Lanzarote Rugby is looking forward to celebrating his 40th birthday whilst on tour & hopes plenty of Ulster supporters join him for a beer or twelve. If you see him just yell “Get them in, Spits” – worth a try, even though his selective hearing will probably kick in at that moment.
The Sanchez Brothers
José & Javier, 2nd rowers who love their rugby as much as their cooking.
Originally from the orange capital of Europe, Seville, these 2 not only run a construction company (thank you Insuvillas for your continued sponsorship!), but they also own a bar & restaurant in Lanzarote’s capital. “Ooolster the best!” was in their first English lesson, but they made their own minds up when agreeing that “solo un F en Ferris es el player for us.”
Polo Del Castillo.
Madrid, mainland Spain.
Part time Air Traffic Controller full time windsurfer. Crunching tackler in the centre & says of a certain Ulster hooker: “Rory Best really has big ‘cojones’ when playing for Ireland also & I would like to see more of him as Capitano. Sorry, roger that Zulu 3, clear for take off. Yes, as I say, Best is Best.”
Seabass Dogo Achaval.
Mendoza, Argentina.
May be a ferocious little terrier on the pitch, but as gentle as a lamb off it. “I hope the Guinness is better in Ireland, and I am asking for help from up above” he whispered at the recent fund raising night. “I love my Ulster shirt and the big forward guy, Justin Fitzeverywhere is so good, I copy his beard”.
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Rugby on TV
Tuesday 6th May
19:30 Dragons v Ospreys Magners League S4C (19:25-21:30)
Friday 9th May
18:00 Bulls v Brumbies Super 14 Sky Sports 3 (18:00-20:00)
19:10 Dragons v Leinster Magners League Setanta Ireland (18:55-21:15) Setanta Sports 2 (18:55-21:15) BBC2W (19:00 - 21:00)
20:00 Biarritz v Clermont Top 14 British Eurosport 2 (20:00-21:45)
Saturday 10th May
08:30 Highlanders v Blues Super 14 Sky Sports 2 (08:30-10:30)
10:30 Reds v Crusaders Super 14 Sky Sports 2 (10:30-12:30)
14:30 TBC Guinness Premiership Sky Sports 2 (14:30-17:30) Sky Sports HD2 (14:30-17:30)
17:00 Munster v Glasgow Magners League Setanta Ireland (16:30-19:15) Setanta Sports 2 (16:30-19:15)
17:30 Scarlets v Edinburgh Magners League S4C (from 17:10)
18:00 Stormers v Waratahs Super 14 Sky Sports 3 (18:00-20:00)