Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
RUGBY UNION TIME WILL TELL
No8 relishing Vermeulen battle
ULSTER V BENETTON (7.35PM) NICK TIMONEY is relishing a “fight” to remain a key part of Ulster’s back row after the imminent arrival of South African Duane Vermeulen at the Kingspan Stadium.
World Cup winner Vermeulen (inset) is fully expected to grab the No8 shirt when he joins up with Dan Mcfarland’s squad after the Autumn international tests.
But while some pundits fear the Springbok’s arrival might disrupt Timoney’s recent progress at the Kingspan Stadium, the player himself is up for the scrap.
The 26-year-old was also quick to point out that while he has impressed in the white No8 shirt, he has also played at No6 and No7.
“Two of my last three competitive games have been at seven,” he said.
“With the back rowers we have, not just Vermeulen, it’s a fight every single week to play well and keep your place.
“Dan has certainly shown he’s willing to rotate and create a competitive environment and any back row unit at any club requires that.
“Vermeulen’s achievements certainly speak more than myself or the lads there, but it’s a case of him buying into that competition as well.
“It’s important to not make it seem that we’re relying on him to come in and do a job, more that we’re doing a job ourselves and he will add to that. That’s important to us.”
Timoney, who scored a try on his Ireland debut against the USA in July, has touched down for two tries in Ulster’s opening URC bonus point wins over Glasgow and Zebre.
But the versatile forward doesn’t expect an easy ride against a Benetton side who lifted the Rainbow Cup in June and have also got their campaign off to a flier with two straight wins.
“We have seen over the last four years they have been coming on leaps and bounds and in the last eight to 12 months, that has stepped up massively,” he said.
“They’re on a win streak of eight in their last nine or 10 games. We’re certainly not expecting an easy time.”
Rob Herring will win his 200th cap tonight, making him only the seventh Ulster player to hit the 200 milestone with the province. The other members of the ‘200 Club’ are Rory Best, Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Robbie Diack, Roger Wilson and Paul Marshall. ULSTER: Addison, Gilroy, Hume, Moore, Mcilroy, Burns, Doak; Warwick, Herring, O’toole, O’connor, Carter, Rea, Timoney, Mccann.