Ulster vs Saracens: Preview

Ulster vs Toulouse

On a weekend that gives us some of the best match ups in European rugby, Ulster vs Toulouse may just be the match of the round. Two teams with real European pedigree, both Toulouse and Ulster will know that nothing less than a win will be considered a success at Kingspan Park on Friday night.

It’s been a difficult start to this year’s Champions Cup for all of the Irish Provinces, and Ulster are no exception. Having their first match against Oyyonax cancelled, their pool opener came against Saracens at home. Having battled well for the first half, Ulster were blown away by the pace and skill of the Saracens play, and ended up being handed a heavy home defeat. That puts Ulster at real danger of bombing out of the competition early, and a second home defeat would surely spell the end of their campaign.

Ulster will no doubt be boosted by the return of captain Rory Best, who returns having sat out last weekend’s victory over Edinburgh. Iain Henderson has been ruled out for up to six months with a knee injury, meaning Alan O’Connor will start in the second row, alongside Franco Van Der Merwe. In the backs, Stuart McCloskey partners Luke Marshall in midfield.

Toulouse are in a similar position to the Ulstermen, albeit a slightly better one. There heavy opening day defeat to Saracens left them chasing qualification from the off, but a win against Oyyonax in round two put them back on track. They have continued to improve since then and currently sit third in an ultra-competitive Top14 competition.

They travel to the north of Ireland with plenty of ballast up front, with the like of Census Johnston, Yoann Maestri, Thierry Dusautoir and Louis Picamoles all in from the start. Behind the scrum there is familiar class in Luke McAlister at out-half. He will look to ignite the exciting backs outside him, with the likes of Gael Fickou at 13 and record European try scorer Vincent Clerc on the wing.