ULSTER GO INTO their evening clash with Leicester Tigers fully aware of what they need to do to secure that much sought home quarter-final — win.
The Ulster backline is shorn of Tommy Bowe’s attacking talents but is otherwise strong. Mark Anscombe’s men have scored 16 tries in five matches [second only to Saracens] and have had almost as many TMO decisions go against them.
Adam D’Arcy will be watching the Pool 5 encounter from his new home in Bristol and believes his former side have what it takes to secure a last eight game at Ravenhill. The fullback, now with Championship side Bristol Rugby, featured in Ulster’s two Heineken Cup clashes with the Tigers in 2011/12. D’Arcy appeared off the bench in a 20-9 reversal at Welford Road and again in the 41-7 romp at Ravenhill that proved sweet revenge en route to the Heineken Cup final.
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“It’s a very tough place to go and win,” says D’Arcy of the Tigers lair. “Ulster will be looking to put in their best performance of the season to get the victory. From what I’ve seen on TV, the new stadium [at Ravenhill] looks fantastic. They will be desperate to get a quarter final match there.”
Payne and D’Arcy congratulate Andrew Trimble on his try against Leinster in December 2012. INPHO/Presseye/Darren Kidd
D’Arcy played 54 games for Ulster in his three-year stay at the province. His final season was curtailed by knee and ankle injuries but, luckily for Anscombe, Jared Payne was fit and raring to go from August 2012 to this very day. The New Zealander overcame knee issues of his own to impress at fullback last season. He has also impressed at outside centre and has been tipped as a possible replacement for the retiring Brian O’Driscoll once he becomes Irish qualified later this year.
D’Arcy told TheScore.ie: “Jared is an absolutely quality player. He had a tough first season but has proved just how good he is over the past two years. He is a naturally attacking player who reads the game extremely well.
“He has done a job for Ulster and I have no doubt that he would do the same for Ireland, if and when he gets the call-up.”
*TheScore.ie will be liveblogging all the action from Welford Road from 5:30pm today.
Like rugby? Follow TheScore.ie’s dedicated Twitter account @rugby_ie >
Jared Payne tipped to give Ulster the winning edge in Leicester
ULSTER GO INTO their evening clash with Leicester Tigers fully aware of what they need to do to secure that much sought home quarter-final — win.
The Ulster backline is shorn of Tommy Bowe’s attacking talents but is otherwise strong. Mark Anscombe’s men have scored 16 tries in five matches [second only to Saracens] and have had almost as many TMO decisions go against them.
Adam D’Arcy will be watching the Pool 5 encounter from his new home in Bristol and believes his former side have what it takes to secure a last eight game at Ravenhill. The fullback, now with Championship side Bristol Rugby, featured in Ulster’s two Heineken Cup clashes with the Tigers in 2011/12. D’Arcy appeared off the bench in a 20-9 reversal at Welford Road and again in the 41-7 romp at Ravenhill that proved sweet revenge en route to the Heineken Cup final.
“It’s a very tough place to go and win,” says D’Arcy of the Tigers lair. “Ulster will be looking to put in their best performance of the season to get the victory. From what I’ve seen on TV, the new stadium [at Ravenhill] looks fantastic. They will be desperate to get a quarter final match there.”
D’Arcy played 54 games for Ulster in his three-year stay at the province. His final season was curtailed by knee and ankle injuries but, luckily for Anscombe, Jared Payne was fit and raring to go from August 2012 to this very day. The New Zealander overcame knee issues of his own to impress at fullback last season. He has also impressed at outside centre and has been tipped as a possible replacement for the retiring Brian O’Driscoll once he becomes Irish qualified later this year.
D’Arcy told TheScore.ie: “Jared is an absolutely quality player. He had a tough first season but has proved just how good he is over the past two years. He is a naturally attacking player who reads the game extremely well.
“He has done a job for Ulster and I have no doubt that he would do the same for Ireland, if and when he gets the call-up.”
*TheScore.ie will be liveblogging all the action from Welford Road from 5:30pm today.
Like rugby? Follow TheScore.ie’s dedicated Twitter account @rugby_ie >
Ulster aiming to take the next Heineken Cup step against Tigers
Leicester v Ulster: 3 key battles to decide who earns a home quarter-final
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Adam D'Arcy European Rugby Champions Cup fullback HCup Homeward Bound Ireland jared payne Quarter-Final Rugby Leicester Tigers Ulster