Province boosted by return of McCloskey and Herring for Treviso battle
WITH Ireland taking on Italy in Chicago later in the day, Ulster’s own tussle with Italian opposition on Saturday may feel like something of an antipasto, but there is no denying its importance to the northern province.
While the Test stars are away, there’s a chance for Ulster to make hay in the Guinness PRO14, and two good results in November, starting with this visit to Benetton, would see them consolidate their place in Conference B’s top three by the time thoughts turn to Christmas.
With their opponents contributing 12 players to the Test match later in the day, Ulster themselves have been boosted by the return of two of their international contingent.
Jacob Stockdale, John Cooney, Jordi Murphy and Will Addison are all hoping to be involved at Soldier Field, while Rory Best and Iain Henderson have the weekend off, but Rob Herring and Stuart McCloskey will instead be with the province.
Their availability is a considerable boost for Ulster, who look sure to be without the injured Craig Gilroy, although both Mike Lowry and Robert Baloucoune are battling to be included after their own knocks.
Dwayne Peel is wary of the opposition’s threat.
“I think when you go into Benetton, they are real strong,” said the attack coach. “They lost last week to Leinster but they hadn’t lost at home before that.
“I think it was the 80th minute Scarlets beat them, and Edinburgh — I think they should have won that game if it wasn’t for a missed conversion.
“So it is going to be a tough ask this week.
“They have a stronger squad and they are playing good rugby, they have good coaches and it is a tough place to go,” he added.
Reviews of his side’s performance in last week’s bonus-point win over Dragons were decidedly mixed, with defence coach Jared Payne the most outspoken.
“I think on reflection, and we obviously watched the game, the best way to describe it is an okay performance,” he said.
“We think that there are elements of the game we need to improve upon but, from my perspective, I think the positives are that we went out and we finished some good play. I think that we got a bonus point win so we have to be happy.
“There are always going to be elements that we are unhappy with. Yeah, it was a flat performance and there is more in us.
“Overall it was a bonus point win, so we are relatively happy with that and the boys have trained well this week and responded well. We’ve a bit of energy now going to Treviso.”
One area of selection to keep an eye on is in the second row.
Both Pete Browne and Jean Deysel have retired, while Matty Rea is suspended and Henderson with Ireland. Without exposing a youngster, there is little choice but to hope Kieran Treadwell and Alan O’Connor stay injury free.
“It’s different on the wing to the second row when you’re 19 or 20,” added Peel. “It’s a different ball game, the physicality of the game now. There’s a lot of young guys coming through but they’re a work in progress. We’ve got what we’ve got at the moment.”