Ulster's Line-up and Madigan's Delight to be Back in the Squad.

Ulster, once again, despite injuries, have fielded a strong and capable team for their European clash with Northampton Saints. Whilst Ulster are missing a swath of important players, there’s a few returns and selections I’d love to discuss because they may just play a big role.

The first is the couple of players returning from injury. Both Robert Baloucoune and Stewart Moore find themselves in the starting team after returning from injury. Baloucoune brings a cutting edge to the backline, where Ulster looked to be lacking last weekend. He consistently gets the go forward and is really a man for the opposition to keep an eye on and be cautious of; the more players like that on the team, the better. The other returning player is Stewart Moore, who could also prove crucial. With Stewart McCloskey and Luke Marshall both still out injured, Stewart Moore is Ulster’s only experienced replacement. Moore has proven himself dangerous in attack, and whilst he’s a very different kind of 12, he fits in well with Hume and keeps the midfield moving. Speaking of Hume, after his replacement during last weeks game against Munster and after Soper explaining he wasn’t “particularly hopeful” about his availability, thankfully he’s managed to shrug off any injury and find himself fit and starting this weekend. Cooney, who Soper was also referring to, isn’t so lucky and appears to be out with a calf injury. Welsh international, Bradley Roberts, found himself back in training this week after a foot injury but hasn’t made his way into the match day 15. Likely due to the last remnants of the injury and competition from the experienced John Andrew.

Another inclusion this week that could prove crucial, in light of last weeks loss, is Ian Madigan in the replacements. As I said in my article covering the Munster game, I really felt that once Cooney was replaced due to injury, they lacked direction and game management. Ian Madigan is the man who can steer the ship and keep Ulster ticking over when they’ve taken the lead and find themselves in a promising position. He is of international pedigree and has proven himself time and time again to be essential in the closing stages of tough games with great leadership and confident kicks in the red minutes. It’s not going to be an easy game against a strong Northampton side, but if Ulster can start strong, I know Madigan can guide them to a winning finish.

I reached out to Madigan via Twitter and asked just how it feels being included in the match day 23 after quite some time out. “Delighted” he said of his spot in the squad, “and hoping for a big second half of the season”, I’m sure, both for himself and the team. I think it’s safe to say that now that he’s back in the squad, Madigan will do everything he can to ensure more appearances in the big string of games to come.

Another point of strength for the Ulster squad is in the front row. Ulster see their first choice Moore, Herring and Warwick take up the 1, 2 and 3 shirts. It certainly says something for Ulster’s squad depth that the tackle machine, Tom O’Toole is on the bench. What an incredibly impactful player to be able to bring on at halftime or beyond.

In the second row, there’s no surprise that Captain Alan O’Connor rightly retains his starting spot. However, Kieran Treadwell works his way into the starting 15, with Sam Carter moving onto the bench. Of course, we can only speculate, but after last week's performance this has to be put down to his incredibly abrasive running and aggressive tackling. Whilst his aggression saw him on the receiving end of a yellow card, that sort of enforcer-type play is critical from the second row. I also feel that Sam Carter is a fantastic power replacement. O’Connor, likely to play the 80 minutes, allows for the number 5 shirt to be used tactically. An early shunt of power and abrasion from Treadwell would make way for a slightly more tactical stint from Carter. The former Wallaby lacks no experience and comes into the squad as not just a big second row, but a definite rugby thinker, like the Ulster talisman, Henderson.

Maybe Ulster fans have gotten used to a less than full power squad; maybe Ulster have developed their squad depth to such a great extent; either way, it seems Ulster have a chance. Admittedly Northampton have a full squad lead by B&I Lion, Courtney Lawes, but Ulster seem their most comfortable as the underdogs for better or worse.