Will the real Ulster please stand up?
I don't know exactly how Brian McLaughlin and his coaching team feel about the season so far, but from where I have been sitting, it has been something of a topsy-turvy start as Ulster have alternated between exhilarating and exasperating.
A woefully flat performance against the Dragons brought a tough response from Ulster's new coach with a few P45s brandished, resulting in a great win against the Ospreys, thanks to a display of guts and sheer bloody-mindedness.
Onward and upward?
Well, it was just that for the opening half hour against Edinburgh, last year's Magners runners up. What a joy to see Ulster's latest Lion, Stephen Ferris in majestic form, and his early try sent the fans at a new-look Ravenhill into raptures. And when Clinton Schifcofske got Ulster's second try, we all thought that it was done and dusted.
Ian Humphreys' shortcomings with the boot cost Ulster dear as the ever-reliable Chris Paterson popped them over from all angles, and there was a lot of head shaking as a great chance to secure valuable league points, especially at home, went a-begging.
Ferris, incidentally, was pretty explicit when it came to his assessment of how the game was lost, Should he have been as openly critical of Humphreys' failure to kick the goals that might have nailed a win?
Games against Connacht have become doubly significant, given Heineken Cup qualification is dependent on Magners League performances. So last Friday's win in Galway was crucial.
More inventive with ball in hand, thanks in no small part to the return of Paddy Wallace at inside centre, Ulster were far too creative for Connacht and, with a strong set piece, McLaughlin's men deserved their bonus point win.
Oh, and let's not forget that Ian Humphreys, who varied his game very cleverly, kicked a couple of vital penalties!
But, can they maintain that momentum when they play the Scarlets at Ravenhill on Friday night?
The Scarlets won in Belfast a year ago, and look a better side than last season, despite their three losses to date.
With the Heineken Cup opener against Bath at Ravenhill coming up, McLaughlin has a few interesting selection decisions to make, given that he has serious options in certain positions.
Does he go for Brian Young or Tom Court at loose-head prop? If Ryan Caldwell is fit again, should he displace either Ed O'Donoghue or Dan Tuohy? Assuming Stephen Ferris will come straight back in, will it be Chris Henry or Robbie Diack at number eight? Wallace or Ian Whitten at 12, Bryn Cunningham or Schifcofske at 15, and should there be a starting place for Andrew Trimble?
Roll on Friday!
You can hear commentator Jim Neilly's coverage of Ulster v Scarlets live on BBC Radio Ulster medium wave and the BBC Sport website, kick-off is at 1905 BST.
Hello, I'm Jim Neilly and I have been covering Ulster and Irish rugby for the BBC for 30 years. I also cover boxing for BBC Television.
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The most pleasing aspect of Ulsters' performances to date is their workrate particularly in defence which, in contrast to last season, should make them a more difficult team to break down. Brian Mcloughlin and his coaching team have really got them playing for the shirt and provided this remains the case the fans will back them to the hilt.
The point about Steven Ferris is well made - he may have been 'factually' correct in what he intimated regarding Humphreys kicking on the night but not 'politically' so. Such comments should be made behind closed doors or not at all!! Humphreys and the rest of the team stepped up against Connacht which was the correct example to set. More of the same versus Scarlets on Friday will do very nicely.
C'mon Ulster.
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Apart from the woeful showing against the Dragons, it's been a bright start, with some very exciting back play. Nagusa and Schifcofske finally bedding in and showing a little form, new young players like Whitten and Faloon stepping up well, while Danielli, Ferris and Wallace continue where they left off last year. If the likes of Boss and Trimble keep moving towards their previous form we may finally have a chance of prgressing past the Heiny group stages.
The main issue is whether the talented Humphreys, like his older brother can start to show some degree consistency as he ages. Nial O'Connors confidence seemed to take a big hit last year and Wallace is a much better centre than O/H. so a lot rides on Humphreys producing the goods week in week out.
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I agree with previous comments. Ulster are now playing with skill, committment and passion bar the Dragons game and the last 25 mins against Edinburgh. There is no doubt the new coaching team should take credit for this.
This has now instilled a firm confidence and belief in all aspects of our game which I hope will set us up for the Heineken Cup.
The only weakness is kicking.
Ian is playing GREAT at out half and must remain in that position, Paddy Wallace is much better in the centre.
Let Clinton take the kicks and take that area of responsibility away from Ian.(remember '99?)
Oh... one other thing.... consistency .... hopefully we will put that one to bed tonight against the Scarlets!!!
SUFTU
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I think that the performance against the Scarlets was the best for quite a while although still with room for improvement.
Ian Humphries benifits from the experiance of Paddy Wallace outside him, a great performance from Andrew Trimble and best of all Willy Faloon was a revelation. if he can keep that sort of performance week in week out that will do me.
Verdict excellent!!!
Bring on Bath.
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