Head coach Dan McFarland says that Ulster will have to be “on the money next week” if they are to make the final of the first ever United Rugby Championship.
But as he prepares his side to face the Stormers for the second time this season, the Englishman will certainly be feeling more than confident of a win after the manner of his side’s win over Munster in last Friday night’s quarter-final at the Kingspan Stadium.
Johann van Grann’s side had already claimed the scalp of Ulster twice this season and only five weeks ago his side left Belfast with a seven-point win.
But there was to be no denying the Ulstermen this time round as McFarland’s side produced one of their most devastating performances of the season as they cruised to an unexpected 19-point win.
Ulster’s game is built upon quick ball but it was quick thinking from James Hume that led to the opening score of the game after nine minutes.
While a number of players from both sides became embroiled in some handbags after Ulster were awarded a penalty, Player of the Match Hume took matters into his own hands and his quick tap penalty found John Cooney who duly celebrated his 100th Ulster cap with the first try of the evening.
Hume also had a hand in Ulster’s second try of the night. His quick pass to Robert Baloucoune was as deadly as it was subtle and instrumental in setting up Stewart Moore for the first of his two tries of the night.
And he didn’t let up in the second either.
His break in midfield set up Nick Timoney for a try in the 42nd minute before crossing the line himself on the hour mark.
It came as no surprise that afterwards McFarland was waxing lyrically of another top display from his young outside centre.
“We all know what his footwork is like. His ability to beat defenders is excellent. He’s so strong on the ball as well and he’s got great acceleration.”
While Hume’s attacking talent has been the talk of Irish rugby this season, McFarland picked out one aspect of the 23-year-old's game for special praise.
“His defence is world class for a centre and I don’t say that very often.
“It is world class!
“Outside centre is one of the most difficult positions to defend on the field.
“Don’t get me wrong, he still makes mistakes because he’s a young fella but in terms of his ability to make plays out there it’s really excellent.”
But the praise came with a warning as McFarland still notes that Hume has a lot of work to do before he can take his game to the next level.
“The area of his game he needs to work on is his distribution skills and his ability to move the ball.
“We have people like Mikey Lowry, Jacob Stockdale, Will Addison, Robert Baloucoune, Ethan McIlroy - countless wingers with pace out there. But we need to get the ball to them and other teams know that.
“They want to try to shut down the space on them and Munster tried it today.
“And it needs the ability to able to move the ball, hold your feet, understand timing, understand how the opposition are coming at you (and obviously good passing to you) and he did that today.
“That try (Moore’s first try) today was off the back of a series of really good passes but his was the critical one,” said McFarland.
Ulster will now travel to the Stormers for next Saturday’s semi-final hoping to avenge last March’s controversial 23-20 defeat.
