Connaught take on Ulster
Connaught will face Ulster in an all-Ireland Magners League derby match on Saturday evening. The match will be a measure of how far Connaught have come this season.
Connaught will hope to match their performance away to Edinburgh last weekend. They won that game 19-17. Ruaridh Jackson scored a penalty and Graeme Morrison scored a try as Glasgow piled on the pressure in the early part of the match. Connaught replied
with a try of their own by Fionn Carr and Ian Keatley’s penalties kept the Irish side in the lead. Jackson’s penalties closed the gap, but a missed drop goal by the home side in injury time gave Connaught a famous win.
Connaught hadn’t won away from home in two years. Eric Elwood will hope his Connaught side can continue their fine form. They have always been competitive at home and have beaten a number of fancied sides this season.
Connaught easily beat the Gwent Dragons and were unlucky to lose away to the Scarlet’s losing 35-33. They did pick up a valuable bonus point in that game that has helped them to climb to 4th position in the league.
In Carr they have a strong midfielder who is always likely to gain yards and forward momentum. His knack of picking up tries will be the key in this game and throughout the whole season.
Out-half Keatley will also have to kick his points and keep Ulster back with his astute kicking game. Irish international Sean Cronin will also need to play well and his throw-ins could be the key.
Ulster should have a dominant line-out with their second row. However, Roger Wilson and Stephen Ferris are also capable of pressurising the line-out which will give Ulster a number of options to challenge Cronin’s throw.
Ulster have also started the season well. They have beaten Aironi in an away win and have also beaten the Ospreys and Edinburgh. The performance against Aironi was not good, but Ulster coach Brian McLauglin has been happy with the progress his side have
made and the performances have improved. Ulster are just one point behind the league leaders and are in second place
With Stephen Ferris back from his injury, Ulster have brought back a physicality that they have missed. The Irish international has been in fantastic form so far this season and he will be another key player in the match.
Ulster will believe they have the edge in the backs with Irish internationals Paddy Wallace and Andrew Trimble. Up front, Ulster should be able to build a platform to dominate possession and the Connaught pack will have to show the same endeavour and work
ethic as they did in their away win to Edinburgh.
Connaught are a different proposition in front of their home fans and Elwood will hope his side can upset the odds again by beating a well organised Ulster team that is packed full of internationals. If Connaught get off to a good start and Keatley kicks
his penalties, Connaught may get off to their best ever start in the Magners League.
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