TOP 14 LEADERS CLERMONT arrive locked and loaded, with their usual array of stars ready to punish any Ulster weaknesses in Belfast.
Wesley Fofana looked utterly rejuvenated in France’s November Test series, while the class of the likes of Morgan Parra, Nick Abendanon, Damien Chouly and Remi Lamerat is well known.
Wesley Fofana is in excellent form. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
David Strettle is enjoying an Indian summer at the age of 33, while number eight Peceli Yato and replacement wing Alivereti Raka provide the more youthful Fijian dynamism.
This is an imposing Clermont team that Franck Azéma and Jono Gibbes have brought to the Kingspan for an encounter that looks like being decisive in Ulster’s aim of reaching the knock-out stages of the Champions Cup.
The opening rounds of this competition saw Les Kiss’ men wobble. First, they gave up a 13-9 lead with 10 minutes remaining against Bordeaux to lose 28-13.
A week later in Belfast, it took a late Paddy Jackson drop goal – followed by a Gareth Steenson effort going just wide – to give Ulster their first four points in Pool 5. Lose against Clermont today and progression from this group looks like being a truly uphill task.
Though the Clermont XV is impressive, there are reasons for Ulster to be optimistic, particularly with Ireland internationals Rory Best and Paddy Jackson returning to start.
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Best is riding the crest of a wave after captaining Ireland to victories over New Zealand and Australia last month and Jackson will look to bring more of that national team momentum back into the mix after he featured extensively in the November series too.
The injuries to Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne, the latter out for at least three months after kidney surgery, are real blows to Kiss, although again it is up front where he may have more concerns.
Paddy Jackson was the winner for Ulster last time in Europe. Presseye / Darren Kidd/INPHO
Presseye / Darren Kidd/INPHO / Darren Kidd/INPHO
With Charles Piutau and Ireland internationals Tommy Bowe, Luke Marshall and Stuart McCloskey starting outside halfbacks Ruan Pienaar and Paddy Jackson, this Ulster backline possesses as much firepower as ever.
Franco van der Merwe is missing in the second row, however, with Peter Browne and Robbie Diack instead making up what is a relatively light but mobile second row. Chris Henry’s nous was obvious in last weekend’s Pro12 win over Cardiff, and he will be an important presence if Ulster are to impose themselves on Clermont.
As is always the case, Kingspan Stadium will be rocking. The Belfast stadium is home to an incredibly impressive support base.
Kiss will have stressed to his players that those followers deserve greater reward for their loyalty, and with ex-player Stephen Ferris having questioned Ulster’s culture again this week on Newstalk’s Off the Ball – wondering if some of the non-Ulster players understand what it means to represent the province – they shouldn’t be short of aggression.
It would be a surprise for Ulster to turn their back on their preference for a high-tempo attacking blueprint, particularly with that mobile pack selection, and Kiss will expect to see Jackson bring greater fluidity to the phase-play attack from out-half.
Best, who continues to grow as a captain, will demand a vicious performance from his pack as Ulster attempt to ensure that they travel to France next week with their prospects of a quarter-final well and truly alive.
Ulster:
15. Charles Piutau
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Luke Marshall
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Louis Ludik
10. Paddy Jackson
9. Ruan Pienaar
1. Kyle McCall
2. Rory Best (captain)
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Peter Browne
5. Robbie Diack
6. Iain Henderson
7. Chris Henry
8. Sean Reidy
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring
17. Andy Warwick
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Kieran Treadwell
20. Clive Ross
21. Paul Marshall
22. Darren Cave
23. Jacob Stockdale
Clermont:
15. Scott Spedding
14. David Strettle
13. Remi Lamerat
12. Wesley Fofana
11. Nick Abendanon
10. Camille Lopez
9. Morgan Parra
1. Raphael Chaume
2. Benjamin Kayser
3. Davit Zirakashvili
4. Flip van der Merwe
5. Sébastien Vahaamahina
6. Damien Chouly (captain)
7. Alexandre Lapandry
8. Peceli Yato
Ulster must step up European effort with dynamic Clermont in Belfast
Ulster v Clermont, Champions Cup Pool 5
Kingspan Stadium, KO 1pm, Sky Sports 2
TOP 14 LEADERS CLERMONT arrive locked and loaded, with their usual array of stars ready to punish any Ulster weaknesses in Belfast.
Wesley Fofana looked utterly rejuvenated in France’s November Test series, while the class of the likes of Morgan Parra, Nick Abendanon, Damien Chouly and Remi Lamerat is well known.
David Strettle is enjoying an Indian summer at the age of 33, while number eight Peceli Yato and replacement wing Alivereti Raka provide the more youthful Fijian dynamism.
This is an imposing Clermont team that Franck Azéma and Jono Gibbes have brought to the Kingspan for an encounter that looks like being decisive in Ulster’s aim of reaching the knock-out stages of the Champions Cup.
The opening rounds of this competition saw Les Kiss’ men wobble. First, they gave up a 13-9 lead with 10 minutes remaining against Bordeaux to lose 28-13.
A week later in Belfast, it took a late Paddy Jackson drop goal – followed by a Gareth Steenson effort going just wide – to give Ulster their first four points in Pool 5. Lose against Clermont today and progression from this group looks like being a truly uphill task.
Though the Clermont XV is impressive, there are reasons for Ulster to be optimistic, particularly with Ireland internationals Rory Best and Paddy Jackson returning to start.
Best is riding the crest of a wave after captaining Ireland to victories over New Zealand and Australia last month and Jackson will look to bring more of that national team momentum back into the mix after he featured extensively in the November series too.
The injuries to Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne, the latter out for at least three months after kidney surgery, are real blows to Kiss, although again it is up front where he may have more concerns.
With Charles Piutau and Ireland internationals Tommy Bowe, Luke Marshall and Stuart McCloskey starting outside halfbacks Ruan Pienaar and Paddy Jackson, this Ulster backline possesses as much firepower as ever.
Franco van der Merwe is missing in the second row, however, with Peter Browne and Robbie Diack instead making up what is a relatively light but mobile second row. Chris Henry’s nous was obvious in last weekend’s Pro12 win over Cardiff, and he will be an important presence if Ulster are to impose themselves on Clermont.
As is always the case, Kingspan Stadium will be rocking. The Belfast stadium is home to an incredibly impressive support base.
Kiss will have stressed to his players that those followers deserve greater reward for their loyalty, and with ex-player Stephen Ferris having questioned Ulster’s culture again this week on Newstalk’s Off the Ball – wondering if some of the non-Ulster players understand what it means to represent the province – they shouldn’t be short of aggression.
It would be a surprise for Ulster to turn their back on their preference for a high-tempo attacking blueprint, particularly with that mobile pack selection, and Kiss will expect to see Jackson bring greater fluidity to the phase-play attack from out-half.
Best, who continues to grow as a captain, will demand a vicious performance from his pack as Ulster attempt to ensure that they travel to France next week with their prospects of a quarter-final well and truly alive.
Ulster:
15. Charles Piutau
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Luke Marshall
12. Stuart McCloskey
11. Louis Ludik
10. Paddy Jackson
9. Ruan Pienaar
1. Kyle McCall
2. Rory Best (captain)
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Peter Browne
5. Robbie Diack
6. Iain Henderson
7. Chris Henry
8. Sean Reidy
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring
17. Andy Warwick
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Kieran Treadwell
20. Clive Ross
21. Paul Marshall
22. Darren Cave
23. Jacob Stockdale
Clermont:
15. Scott Spedding
14. David Strettle
13. Remi Lamerat
12. Wesley Fofana
11. Nick Abendanon
10. Camille Lopez
9. Morgan Parra
1. Raphael Chaume
2. Benjamin Kayser
3. Davit Zirakashvili
4. Flip van der Merwe
5. Sébastien Vahaamahina
6. Damien Chouly (captain)
7. Alexandre Lapandry
8. Peceli Yato
Replacements:
16. Yohan Beheregaray
17. Etienne Falgoux
18. Clement Ric
19. Sitaleki Timani
20. Camille Gerondeau
21. Ludovic Radosavljevic
22. Benson Stanley
23. Alivereti Raka
Referee: Wayne Barnes [RFU].
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