As first runs of the brand new season go, Ulster head coach Dan McFarland had loads of causes to be content material after watching his aspect emerge 31-12 winners over Exeter on Friday evening. From spectacular new signings to returning previous faces, it was an evening to whet the urge for food for the brand new marketing campaign which begins on September 17 with the go to of Connacht to Belfast for a URC-opening interpro.
HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
Some new arrivals made a superb first impression towards the Chiefs. Within the early going, Jake Flannery actually caught the attention together with his diverse kicking recreation, establishing Rob Lyttle’s strive with an arrowed cross-field kick. Ulster’s depth at out-half has felt in a state of flux for the higher a part of a decade now and if former Munster man Flannery can put some real stress on Billy Burns this season Ulster’s squad might be all the higher for it.
Half-back companion Michael McDonald, the official man of the match, appeared sharp too and the pair had the hosts enjoying with extra rhythm than they discovered after the flip with a crew containing extra acquainted faces.
In the meantime Sean Reffell, signed from Saracens, got here as marketed in his first 40 minutes of motion. His excessive work-rate was rewarded with an attention-grabbing turnover too and with a couple of back-rowers absent he seems to be primed to make an early affect within the aspect when issues get extra critical in two weeks’ time.
BACK AT IT
For all the brand new faces on present – in addition to the aforementioned trio, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Shea O’Brien and Frank Bradshaw-Ryan all began the sport – it was essentially the most high-profile participant on present who hogged all the headlines.
Jacob Stockdale emerged as a half-time substitute after 343 days on the sidelines. Most frustratingly for the Irish star, the ankle harm he sustained in URC was not initially considered critical earlier than finally requiring surgical procedure within the new 12 months that ended his 2021-22 earlier than it had ever actually begun.
He actually appeared hungry to be again at it on Friday, shortly giving enthusiastic kick chase and searching sharp when he did come down with the ball.
The capper on the return, although, got here within the 79th minute when, regardless of being rivalled by a effective end from Rob Lyttle, he scored what was actually one of the best obtained strive of the night.
SHORT AND SWEET
Given the passing potential of James Hume in midfield, and the pace of the likes of Robert Baloucoune out vast, it's maybe solely pure that Ulster are a aspect who search to place width on the ball shortly.
It was attention-grabbing then to see an attacking wrinkle clearly labored upon in pre-season on this pleasant. Each Ian Madigan’s and Luke Marshall’s scores had been the product of midfielders operating exhausting brief traces with actual goal and solely a miscommunication prevented the same rating for Cormac Izuchukwu.
In the hunt for a extra incisive assault this 12 months, this might show a fruitful variation.
BEST IN CLASS
In previous years, such fixtures have featured the likes of Aaron Sexton and Nathan Doak at a time once they had been nonetheless pupils at Bangor Grammar and Wallace Excessive respectively. Rory Telfer is somewhat additional down the observe, however solely simply.
Having left Coleraine Grammar solely this summer time, the first-year Academy man was by far the youngest participant on present, however nonetheless caught the attention with one run.
Well side-stepping his means up the sphere from nicely inside his personal territory, the back-three participant beat no fewer than 5 defenders earlier than offloading into visitors. He's undoubtedly one to observe for the long run.
TREATMENT TABLE
Having basically named two separate groups, Dan McFarland famous afterwards that his panel for this primary hit-out was basically made up of all who had been out there.
With those that returned match from Eire’s tour of New Zealand having been again in coaching for under two weeks, the pinnacle coach is coping with a sizeable sufficient absentee listing contemplating that previous to Friday his aspect had not taken the sphere in nearly three months.
Six squad gamers had been listed on final week’s harm report along with internationals James Hume and Iain Henderson who had summer time surgical procedure. To then see Aaron Sexton, Greg Jones and Marcus Rea all depart for HIAs was then an unwelcome growth.
In higher information, McFarland revealed afterwards that Robert Baloucoune ought to play some half towards Glasgow this week within the last tune-up.
On Will Addison, nonetheless working his means again from the horrific damaged leg he sustained within the early going final season, McFarland added a return can be “somewhat longer.”