Resurgent Ulster ready for final shot

It has been a long thirteen years for Ulster since they beat French side Colomiers to clinch the Heineken Cup. That 21-6 victory at Lansdowne Road in 1999 saw them become the first Irish side to claim the trophy, but since then Ireland’s Northernmost rugby province has had to watch southern neighbours Leinster and Munster surpass them in both domestic and European competition. This year, however, is a different story as the Ulstermen find themselves heading to Dublin to face Edinburgh in this year’s semi-final. Fans of Brian McLaughlin’s team are delighted with the chance of setting up a final showdown with either reigning champions Leinster or French heavy weights Clermont Auvergne.
A resurgent Ulster have had an excellent tournament, with their stunning display to defeat Munster at the fortress of Thomond Park in the quarter finals a particular highlight. It is the culmination of a steady rebuilding process for the team over the past few seasons. Like most of Europe’s top sides a substantial foreign contingent has aided their progress. South African players provide the nucleus of this with Ruan Pienaar, who joined the club in 2010 proving particularly effective at scrum half and also with the boot. Fellow countryman and skipper Johan Muller meanwhile is a strong presence in the pack alongside another Springbok in Pedrie Wannenberg. Sadly Ulster will be without New Zealand’s World Cup winning prop John Afoa, after he was cited for a dangerous tackle in the win over Munster and suspended for the semi-final.
It is not all about foreign imports, however, with Ireland and Lions star Stephen Ferris being instrumental alongside the ferocious Chris Henry in the back row. The backs meanwhile are a constant threat, with Andrew Trimble recovering well from injury to join young Craig Gilroy, a player who looks to have a bright future for both club and country. Indeed, Mclaughlin has been pleased with his home grown players alongside the clubs formidable foreign contingent. He was openly disappointed earlier this season that the likes of flanker Henry and second row Dan Tuohy were not given more of an opportunity for Ireland during the Six Nations, and opinion that was vindicated as Ireland’s ageing squad struggled to replicate their performances of recent years.
They will not have an easy path to the final, however, as they must face an Edinburgh side buoyant after defeating Toulouse in front of a Scottish club record crowd of 37,000 at Murrayfield earlier this month. The Gunners lie 11th in the Euro Pro 12 but have upped their game in European competition, proving to be a shining light in what has been a grim year for Scottish rugby after a winless Six Nations Championship. David Denton has continued his fine international form in the pack while Greig Laidlaw has been excellent at stand-off. Dutch flyer Tim Visser has also been a real asset on the wing and is looking to make his international debut for Scotland this summer when he will qualify on residency grounds.
Ulster will have to be at the top of their game to overcome Edinburgh in what promises to be a mouth-watering encounter.