Friday 24 May 2013
Standing 6ft 1in, weighing 18st 6lb and impressively fast over the ground for a man of those imposing dimensions, Ulster prop Paddy McAllister dreams of a one-to-one meeting with an opposition back — ideally out in the open.
It is just horrible when it happens. You spend the pre-season talking up the forthcoming campaign and getting busy in bolstering your squad and then when it gets serious you’re turned over 32-9 in the first game.
Tim Barker in, Lewis Stevenson on the bench for tomorrow afternoon’s Stadio Zaffanella RaboDirect Pro12 joust with Aironi (2pm).
Following last season’s injury nightmare, Darren Cave is back to playing the sort of rugby which earned him two Ireland caps in May 2009.
Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin refuses to dwell on his side’s 100 per cent record against Aironi.
Ulster’s new signing Jared Payne was due to catch up with some well-earned rest today after touching down in Belfast last night following his long haul trip from New Zealand.
Darren Cave’s restoration to full fitness at what is euphemistically known as ‘the business end of the season’ could not be more timely.
Brian McLaughlin does not need to be reminded that Ulster have not beaten a fellow-Irish province in this season’s Magners League.
Ulster know exactly what is required if they are to qualify for the Magners League play-off stage; they must win their remaining two matches — at home to Connacht on Friday night and away to the Dragons on May 6.
David Humphreys, who captained Ulster when they won rugby’s European Cup 12 years ago, wants the Class of 2011 to exorcise the ghost of 1999 by carving out a niche for themselves in the province’s sports folklore.
Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin’s one-year contract extension sends out a strong and clear message at a critical juncture of the season.
Ulster’s twice-capped Irish international lock, Dan Tuohy, is delighted to be back playing at what he calls “the business end of the season”
Ulster have swooped to sign All Blacks prop John Afoa.
Ulster 23 Aironi 10: It may not have been Ulster’s best performance of the season.
Tom Court says a number of his Irish international team-mates are beginning to take Ulster a lot more seriously than before.
Johann Muller already is so much part of the Ulster set-up that it is hard to believe he is still in his first season.
For some, Ulster’s schizophrenic display against Benetton Treviso on Friday night appears to have raised as many questions as it provided answers.
Brian McLaughlin seldom deviates from his ‘one game at a time’ mindset.
Springboks flanker Pedrie Wannenburg may be missing the 34C temperatures his fellow South Africans currently are enjoying.
Although ultimately well beaten by Munster, Ulster have taken much heart from the fact that they outplayed the Magners League leaders in the first half of Saturday night’s battle — and from having remained in the hunt until the final minutes despite being under almost non-stop pressure after the interval.
Hangover star takes 87-year-old to premiere
It hasn't always been a bed of roses
George Best was the finest footballer of them all, according to England World Cup winner Ian Callaghan.
They know each other inside-out as a result of having squared up so often in the past. As well as having gone head to head on such a regular basis, most of the protagonists are Irish training camp regulars. In addition, many of them have been Test match colleagues.
Justin Tipuric hopes Sam Warburton's selection as British and Irish Lions captain will not harm his chances of earning a Test spot against Australia.
Newcastle moved a step closer to a return to the Aviva Premiership after claiming a nine-point lead over Bedford in the first leg of their Championship final, with fly-half Jimmy Gopperth doing most of the damage.
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