Match Preview: Snow Chance
By Ed Scott
December 17 2010
This weekend we welcome Ulster Rugby to the Rec in the return leg of our Heineken Cup double header.
I predicted last week that our away game was a 'must win' game. Foolishly I was of course not taking into account the heroics of Aironi who pulled off one of the wins of the tournament by beating Biarritz at home. Not only does this throw the group wide open, but it also means that progress in the competition is still in our own hands. We can talk about the challenge of beating Biarritz away at a later date, firstly we need to put in a performance on Saturday.
Let's face facts, Ulster weren't exactly firing on all cylinders last Saturday. They battled hard up front, but (bar one memorable break) didn't really look threatening behind the scrum. The tries scored by both teams could only really be described as fortuitous at best. The bottom line is, you can't win rugby games without the ball and we spent far too much time without it. Essentially the game was lost up front where we came second best in most categories, particularly the scrum. The front five need to really turn it around this weekend to give us any chance of victory. Lots of criticism has been heaped upon Flats (often justified) and some on Classy's performance. We do need to remember that a scrum is an eight man effort, and he did also win a couple of penalties as well as giving quite a few away. It simply mystifies us all that someone (Haagy) can't help him remove his binding errors.
Class is often not the player we love without Butch outside him, but at the same time, it's always easier to look good at scrum half when you're getting an arm chair ride courtesy of your pack. He simply doesn't have that right now and it must effect his confidence no knowing how (or if!) the ball is going to come to him. Essentially, unless we sort out what is happening in the front five, we are going to have a very short lived experience in this years competition.
Team selection this discussion this week centres around whether Butch and LAW are going to be fit. I think the difference they would both bring to the team would be considerable. I think their names on the team sheet would allow us all to breathe a minor sigh of relief. Hape should return so perhaps Vesty will drop to the bench will OB1 at 10 if Butch isn't available.
I am convinced that we just need one decent win to turn this current run of defeats and poor performances around. Let's get in voice and spread some Christmas cheer at the Rec this weekend. Now, we just need mother nature to hold on to that snow, and we might just be able to change things this weekend.