Undoubtedly, Ulster were hard done by with the TMO influenced decision not to award Reid's try on the scoreboard. But the main reason for their defeat was their inability to take the opportunities they created in the final quarter. A major part of that failing was the relative lack of impact from their bench.
Apart from their young hooker Tom Stewart, the subs they rolled out had a noticeably negative effect on their performance. Scrum, maul and line-out efficency reduced sharply and they became unable to maintain territorial pressure on their opponents.
This is a problem that McFarland must solve if the Red Hand are to progress in the Heineken Cup or even maintain their URC challenge as we approach the play-offs. Admittedly, they will have reinforcements from their international contingent but their that group be sufficient? Now is the time when the strength and smarts of the Coaching Group are going to have to prove their mettle. Each row of the pack must be capable of delivering a competent standard for 80 minutes, not just 50 or 60 minutes. The backline ripples with potential but 10-minute cameos are insufficient. The players and units must produce the goods and beat the opponents they face.
Of particular concern is the physicality of the commitment of the half-backs. John Cooney played like a player trying to get through 70 minutes without physical confrontation. That's impossible against the teams they will face over the next 8 weeks. Likewise with Billy Burns, intellectual input is not enough without the necessary blood and guts.
Ulster have the skills and spirit in their Squad. Now's the time to use both.
Stewart was very good alright. I’ve been impressed every time I’ve seen him and I don’t think it’ll be long before he’s repeating his 20’s performances at pro level. Hooker is a strong position for Ireland at the moment but there’s a huge drop off after the first three and any injuries create a problem, so it’s good timing that he seems to be breaking through now.
16. Guillaume Cramont, 17. Cyril Baille, 18. Charlie Faumuina, 19. Richie Arnold, 20. Anthony Jelonch, 21. Alban Placines, 22. Martin Page Relo, 23. Sofiane Guitoune,
Ulster team to play Toulouse, Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 First Leg, Saturday 9 April at Le Stadium, 3.15pm kick-off (UK / IRE time), live on BT Sport, beIN Sports, FR2:
(15-9) Mike Lowry, Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Ben Moxham, Billy Burns, John Cooney;
(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Iain Henderson (Capt.), Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: Brad Roberts, Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Jordi Murphy, Nathan Doak, Luke Marshall, Rob Lyttle.
Toulouse have been in awful form for the last couple of months and were pathetic against Wasps in January so it wasn’t just down to the players they were missing during the 6N.
I think they’ll be too good for Ulster in the end but there’s a real opportunity for Ulster to rattle them I think.
If there's a team you'd back to waist a gilt edged opportunity, it's Ulster
Ruddock's tackle stats consistently too low for me to be taken seriously as a Six Nations blindside..... Ruddock's defensive stats don't stack up. - All Blacks Nil, Jan 15th, 2014
England A 8 - 14 Ireland A, 25th Jan 2014 Ruddock(c) 19/2 Tackles
