Are Ulster genuine contenders?
Ulster for the Heineken Cup? Now there's a thought! But let's not lose the run of ourselves just yet.
While Friday's over Bath evoked a lot of European memories, it was merely one step in the right direction.
I can fully understand the numerous fans who said to me in the immediate aftermath at Ravenhill, "We should have got a bonus point!"
But, I am sure, Brian McLoughlin and his coaching team would have settled, especially at just 10-6 up at the interval, for a win, irrespective of how it was achieved.
Too many penalties conceded in the first half by kept in the game, though most of them could be attributed to hyper-enthusiasm on the part of an Ulster side brimming with confidence, self-belief and togetherness.
But what impressed me most, apart from a great defence and splendid tactical awareness from Ian Humphreys (pictured above), was the way in which a lighter Ulster pack gradually got the better of a bulky Bath eight in one of the best forward displays in the Heineken Cup for a few seasons.
How did you rate Ulster's display? Are they genuine contenders in Pool Four?
Irish coach Declan Kidney was a more than interested observer at Ravenhill on Friday, so who do you think will have impressed him with a view to the forthcoming November internationals and the Ireland 'A' games against Tonga and the Argentinian Jaguars?
Ferris, Wallace and Court were in the Grand Slam squad, but will Kidney be looking at guys like Humphreys, Trimble, Caldwell, Boss and the impressive Kyriacou who is Irish qualified?
So it is off to Murrayfield now and payback time against an Edinburgh side that has lost three in a row - two Magners and one Heineken.
It has been a while since Ulster won three competitive fixtures on the bounce and the last time Ulster won in a European clash in Edinburgh was almost 11 years ago when David Humphreys' side went on to win the tournament!
Is it winnable at Scottish rugby's HQ? Of course it is.
Finally, the upset of the opening weekend of the Heineken Cup?
going down at home to is up there, as is defeat at
But the prize goes to for a remarkable 9-8 win over the French champions , giving Italian rugby one of its brightest moments since European competition began.
Congratulazioni Treviso!
Hello, I'm Jim Neilly and I have been covering Ulster and Irish rugby for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ for 30 years. I also cover boxing for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Television.
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