Ulster Rugby vs Harlequins

Gustard has a real treasure trove of hookers from which to select, and the man in possession is the 23-year-old Samoan Elia Elia, while last weekend the plaudits swarmed over the display of No.8 Alex Dombrandt, just 22 and already inked into the England back-row of relatively imminent vintage. Italian international centre Michele Campagnaro has been key to the good work of the last month, and, with Care and out-half Marcus Smith, poses an innovative attacking line down either side of scrum or ruck. It’s going to be a raucous afternoon at Kingspan Stadium, and if the weather is fair and the ground firm there will be some energy-sapping – and that’s just for fans! – preference to wear the ‘underdog’ tag and will most certainly be looking to claim the spoils, and those wearing the team colours in the seats and on the terraces will crave that elusive bonus point! Harlequins, you’re very welcome visitors to Belfast, but Ulster has real designs on Pool 3 success so you may have to wait to ‘Stoop’ to even consider conquering this particular team next weekend. and free-running play to admire. Ulster has long since outgrown its

Today’s distinguished opposition will be paid great respect, and its clear and present dangers to Ulster hopes will have been examined all this week in meticulous but rewarding preparation. Harlequins are known for their attacking flair, and Gustard hasn’t diminished that instinct but – like McFarland, Dwayne Peel, Jared Payne, Roddy Grant and Dan Soper in the home coaching box – has added that consistent hard-edged defensive element right though the team. There are players we have all long admired in the panel this afternoon, and scrum-half Danny Care’s contest with the multi-skilled John Cooney will be one for spectators to relish. Two classy, international operators who have a healthy regard for each other, but with a competitive streak which will not easily be diluted. At flanker, former England skipper Chris Robshaw must still be in England, but has he and his breakaway partners encountered a back-row with the ball-carrying, physical gifts of Coetzee, Murphy, Sean Reidy or Nick Timoney? Rob Herring and Marty Moore oœer Quins an Irish threat in the front-row, and Gustard will be keen that his English and Lions prop Kyle Sinckler is fit to take his place. In the last 18 months he is arguably the most improved prop in the world, and with the unmistakable Joe Marler on the other side of the front row that is another compelling, feisty contest. Stuart McCloskey, who demonstrated that amongst an already admirable set of gifts he is fleet of thought and now of boot, will probably be in tandem with the rejuvenated Luke Marshall, and it’s a midfield with a very obvious creative yet unyielding core. Louis Ludik, international wings Craig Gilroy and Jacob Stockdale and perhaps Robert Baloucoune are prolific try-scorers, but more defensively and physically assured by the game.

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