Ulster Rugby vs Edinburgh

ARTICLE BY ROD NAWN FREELANCE JOURNALIST AND SPORTS ENTHUSIAST @RODNAWN1

fascinating and compelling though this contest should be outright scoring chances may well be at a premium. Skipper Best has pledged his future to Kingspan and Ireland until 2018, at least, a signal that world-class players do see Ulster as competing at the highest level, and Ruan Pienaar has signalled he would welcome a protracted stay with the club. Director of Operations for the professional game, Bryn Cunningham has shrewdly tied down a clutch of younger players to long-terms deals, and there is much to savour for fans in the short, medium and longer term. Supporters should be buoyed by such significant off-the-field action, by the addition of Les Kiss to the coaching armoury, and the plethora of state-of-the-art developments which are enriching the experience of a visit to the stadium. And calmly assessing the mass of positives fans, which deserve reward for their steadfast attendance and understandably want to see tangible results in the form of silverware, must be as committed to the future as

are the players and management. Ulster’s strength, as it has grown into one of the most imaginative clubs of the professional era, has been an unique bond between those who pay and those who play – each needs the other when there are ‘blips’ and periods of transition. So let’s hope Edinburgh gets the warmest of welcomes on the pitch and from the stands and terraces this evening, and a sustained rousing support will most certainly give the hosts a helping hand. Alan Solomons goes about his business quietly and tends to avoid the spotlight, but many will appreciate the service he gave Ulster and he’ll deserve that acknowledgement tonight.

And Michael Allen and John Andress are key members of his Edinburgh squad and played a part in the four-try defeat of the Dragons last weekend, and they’ll want to get their chance tonight and will surely receive the applause for what they contributed in their time in the white shirt. So, a rugby match of importance is the focus for everyone, but for Ulster supporters this is a real chance to show their input. As two daunting months of fixtures beckon the challenges to the players and staff are obvious, and they will be faced with a confident smile when the fans who fill the stadium to capacity – many of whom travel so loyally across Europe to urge the side on – give colourful, vocal expression to ‘the cause’. It’s been a tricky few weeks, but we are fortunate that we have such high-class sporting entertainment to enjoyably distract and to fuel our spirits. It’s time to relish our good fortune and to reflect that with a noisy, electric atmosphere in a very special arena which still resonates to the special memories of a long history. A history which has shaped a future of such exciting anticipation.

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