Our Lauren leaves mark on Euro stage
SIX months on from their last game, Ulster Rugby are back in action tomorrow and star centre Stuart Mccloskey believes this could be the best squad he’s ever been a part of.
The 28-year-old made his debut in 2014 but senses that this group, boosted by potential debutants Ian Madigan and Alby Mathewson, is one with real potential.
“If it’s not the best team I’ve been a part of it’s very close,” said the man who will start at inside centre against Connacht at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow afternoon (4.30pm kick-off).
“We do a lot of things well. It’s the most cohesive we’ve been, as a group I think we get on the best that we ever have.
“That speaks a lot for the spirit and I think that shows on the pitch in how hard we work and in that fight-for-every-inch attitude that Dan (Mcfarland) has tried to instil in us over the past two years.
“We’re a better team than we were last year.
“Last year, making a quarter-final in Europe and the semi in the PRO14, it’s about taking the next step this year.”
Ulster need to win one of two games in the PRO14’S restart to be sure of their place in the end-of-season play-offs that begin on September 12, although would also be in the last-four should Glasgow fail to beat Edinburgh this afternoon in Murrayfield.
NORTHERN Ireland international Lauren Wade marked her full debut for Glasgow City with a stunning goal, but she was unable to help the Scottish champions pull off a Women’s Champions League quarter-final shock against German giants Wolfsburg as they crashed out 9-1.
The Germans — who have won the competition twice and been runners-up on two further occasions in the last seven years — took a 4-0 half-time lead in San Sebastian before adding a fifth 10 minutes into the second half.
Wade — who had made just a single appearance for the club before lockdown in March — pulled a goal back with a superb finish when she beat the Wolfsburg goalkeeper with a sweeping left-foot lob from the corner of the penalty area.
The sublime finish on her Champions League debut was Wade’s first goal since joining from Icelandic side Throttur Reykjavik in February.
Wolfsburg captain Pernille Harder scored four goals and Ingrid Syrstad Engen (2) and Felicitas Rauch were also on target before own goals from Leanne Ross and Jenna Clark secured the comfortable win.
The part-time Scottish side, in their first game for five months, couldn’t compete with their world-class opponents who have a £10m budget.