Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FRANCE CLEARED IN HIA REVIEW
Ulster ace Andrew says it’s now a must win situation at province
HOOKER John Andrew accepts he’s treading into must win territory as Ulster prepare to face a revitalised Edinburgh in the Guinness Pro14.
A victory in Belfast tomorrow night would bolster the province’s hopes of pipping the Scots, who lie three points below in Conference B, to the knockout stages.
With Leinster and Scarlets also meeting the following day at the RDS, it’s a golden chance to edge closer to the top two and a possible home quarter-final.
A defeat, however, and it will be the visitors counting the positives and looking down on Ulster with six games of the regular campaign to play.
Andrew said: “We’re sitting third in our conference, so we know every game is a must win for us.
“All the top sides have to play each other, but we’re just taking it one week at a time.
“Our sole focus is Edinburgh and then we’ll look towards the next game and see where that leads us.”
Like most observers, Andrew believes the Scots are a different proposition under new head coach Richard Cockerill who was appointed last summer.
Since the start of October, Edinburgh won 12 of its 15 outings in all competitions and climbed their way into contention for the knockout stages of the Pro14.
To suggest they’ll pose a few more questions than the Southern Kings, who were thumped 59-10 at the Kingspan last weekend, is an understatement.
Andrew said: “Obviously (Richard) Cockerill has come in and given them a bit of a lift. I think they’ve won something like 80 per cent of their games.
“They are a well drilled team and playing very well and they’ve always had a really good attitude when they come over here. They are physical, want to hit you back and do all the right things.
“We didn’t leave any stone unturned against the Kings and we’re doing the same this week for Edinburgh.”
Andrew, who won his 39th Ulster cap against the Kings, is relishing the prospect of more game time in the weeks ahead with Rory Best on Six Nations duty.
He said: “Every person training wants to be starting and if you’re not starting, you want to be in the 23. Every opportunity you get you’ve got to try and make it a selection headache for the coaches.”
decision to check out French half-backs Matthieu Jalibert and Antoine Dupont (left) after both had suffered knee injuries in the 15-13 victory for Ireland at the Stade de France. After the game France boss Jacques Brunel stressed that the tests were ordered by the independent doctor at the game and that Les Bleus had no control over the situation. O’driscoll claimed the situation was “nothing short of a disgrace” but in a statement released last night the Six Nations said: “There was no evidence of anyone within the FFR seeking to gain a competitive advantage.” The review was completed by a panel of four that included Dr Jon Patricios, a medical doctor and a member of World Rugby’s independent concussion advisory group from South Africa.