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Leicester a retrouvé des ambitions pour son dernier match de poule en Ulster après sa victoire bonifiée vendredi dernier face aux Scarlets (40-22). Mais seul un succès en Irlande pourrait lui offrir une chance de poursuivre l'aventure. - 22/01/2015 14:58
Leicester Tigers travel to the Kingspan Stadium knowing they need maximum points from their final Pool 3 match to have any hope of reaching the Champions Cup quarter-final.
The Tigers looked dead and buried after losing to reigning champions Toulon in round four, but their bonus-point 40-23 win over the Scarlets last weekend has reignited their hopes. Director of rugby Richard Cockerill told his players they need 10 points from theri last two games to stand any chance of getting through and that was a great start.
Another maximum points victory over Ulster this weekend would move them to 18 points in the pool and in with a chance of making the knock-out stages for the 13th time in their history.
“The knock-out stages of Europe are where every team wants to be, you want to test yourself against the best so it would be huge for the club if we could qualify,” said Argentinean international prop Marcos Ayerza.
“We are full of confidence at the moment. It’s not been the best of pool stages because we have not been very consistent but when we have need to step up in Europe or in the Premiership we have performed well in the big games.
“We know that when we are firing on all cylinders then we can be one of the best teams in Europe. We can be the masters of our destiny in many ways if we go to Ulster and put in an excellent performance.”
Ulster’s European campaign may be over but they put a brave performance in against Toulon last weekend, despite conceding 60 points.
They managed to score four tries against the two-time champions and Argentina international Ayerza is not underestimating the challenge they face.
He added: “Ulster are an attacking side, not many sides will go to Toulon and score four tries.
“The Irish supporters are incredible and there will be a big atmosphere there despite them not being able to qualify. They will expect there side to finish on a high but we have to try and stop that.
“But Ravenhill is always a tough place to go, I really think there are not many tougher places in world rugby but we know what we have to do.”
Match Facts
- Ulster have won all three of their home meetings with Leicester, in fact all but one of the seven games between these two clubs have been won by the home side on the day.
- The last three meetings between the sides, all of which have been at the pool stage, have seen a losing bonus point claimed.
- Ulster are aiming to avoid losing a fifth loss this season, the last time this occurred was in 2007/08.
- Leicester have won 16 lineouts per game on average in the tournament, more than any other team.
Une très décevante défaite en Ulster (7-26) a mis un terme aux espoirs de Leicester de retrouver un quart de finale européen. L'Ulster
Centre Darren Cave ended Leicester Tigers hopes of Euro glory with his hat-trick of tries in Ulster’s victory in Belfast.
There was a try bonus point for good measure as the Ulsterman blew the English giants hopes of a European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final place out of the water in no uncertain manner.
The Tigers needed a bonus point win themselves to keep themselves in with any chance of qualification, but they failed to even win the game and Cave’s first half brace of tries put paid to any ambitions the Tigers had in Europe this season.
Ulster, who had won only one of their Pool 3 games, were a different proposition to the side which had struggled so badly in Europe during this campaign.
The home side also maintained their record of never having lost to Leicester at home to the English side.
Coach Richard Cockerill has implored his players throw the kitchen sink at Ulster to ensure they got a bonus point win.
But Ulster, who only had pride to play for, had other ideas and set their stall out early doors with their trademark physicality in defence and attack.
The Tigers lost key lineout general Geoff Parling when the lock limped off early on adding to England coach Stuart Lancaster’s second row injury problems.
Lancaster is already without Northampton’s Courtney Lawes ahead of the Six Nations due to injury and will be hoping Parling’s injury is not serious.
But Leicester’s hopes of starting with a bang were hit early on when they conceded a try to the home side.
Centre Cave crossed for a try in the corner after the Tigers defence buckled under the pressure exerted by Ulster after a series of attacks on the visitor’s line.
The Tigers had plenty of ball and territory against the Ulsterman but they failed to breach a formidable defensive effort by the home side.
Things went from bad to worse for the English giants when Cave crossed for is second try after a superb break by fly-half Ian Humphreys.
Cave ran in under the posts and Springbok scrum-half Ruan Pienaar converted to make it 12-0 at half-time to Ulster.
Cave crossed for his third try just after the break to add to the Tigers misery and to put paid to any hopes of Euro silverware.
Wing Craig Gilroy crossed for Ulster fourth bonus point try before Wing Adam Thompstone crossed for a consolation try for the Tigers.
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