Saints to prove bigger test for Ulster as chance to end 15-year for silverware awaits

Stuart McCloskey of Ulster kicks past James Lang of Harlequins during the European Rugby Challenge Cup Round of 16 match. Photo: Matt Impey/Sportsfile

Cian Tracey Twitter Email

April 10 2021 02:30 AM

Not that they will be shouting it from the rooftops but, privately at least, Ulster will be looking at the Challenge Cup as an ideal chance to end the club’s long 15-year wait for silverware.

Granted, it may not be Europe’s premier trophy that is on offer, yet if Ulster can manoeuvre their way through three more games in the competition, it would have a hugely positive effect on Dan McFarland’s men heading into next season.

Standing in their way of a place in the last four is a Northampton side, who will pose much more of a threat than that of their English rivals Harlequins last week, as Ulster steamrolled them with ease.

The northern province return to England this evening full of confidence, as they seek another big performance that will all start up front.

Unlike Quins, who sit one place above Saints in fourth place of the Premiership table, Northampton have named a strong team, which sees nine changes from last weekend.

Despite the likes of Dan Biggar and Lewis Ludlam being recalled, Ulster will hope that their unchanged side will be able to find much more of a rhythm.

Given how this quarter-final is likely to be won and lost up front, Iain Henderson and Marcell Coetzee are major absentees, so McFarland needs a big performance from his pack.

If the forwards can set the platform, the Ulster back-line, particularly the back-three, is littered with explosive potential.

Stuart McCloskey will have a key role to play in getting Michael Lowry, Jacob Stockdale and Robert Baloucoune into the game.

McCloskey feels he is hitting form at just the right time.

“Performance-wise, this season for myself started a bit slowly. I think I’m playing pretty good stuff now in the last four or five games which is good coming into the business end of the season,” the Ireland centre said.

“I don’t know if it’s desperation but I’d really love to win one (trophy). Obviously it was not the trophy we were aiming for at the start of the year, but we took stock and it’s a new goal for us and we’ll be trying our best to win it.

“We were good in the league this year, we feel like we’ve got a lot of talent in the squad, there are a lot of good teams still in it but we feel we might have the edge.

“It’s probably up for grabs between about four of us so don’t know about us being favourites but we’re right there anyway.”

That feeling will be shared across the board in the Ulster squad and although they face a stern test against a rejuvenated Northampton side, they will back themselves to take the next step in their quest to end their trophy-less spell.

Verdict: Ulster

Northampton Saints – T Freeman; O Sleightholme, R Hutchinson, P Francis, T Naiyaravoro; D Biggar, A Mitchell; A Waller (co-capt), S Matavesi, P Hill; D Ribbans, A Coles; N Isiekwe, L Ludlam (co-capt), T Harrison. Reps: M Haywood, N Auterac, E Painter, A Moon, T Wood, T James, A Tuala, F Dingwall.

Ulster – M Lowry; R Baloucoune, J Hume, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; B Burns, J Cooney; E O’Sullivan, R Herring, M Moore; A O’Connor, K Treadwell; S Reidy, J Murphy (capt), N Timoney. Reps: J Andrew, A Warwick, T O’Toole, M Rea, G Jones, A Mathewson, I Madigan, E McIlroy.

Ref – A Ruiz (France)

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