FOR JUST THE third time ever, but also the third time in four years, Ulster won a European Cup fixture in France. Their victims this time were four-time Heineken Cup champs Toulouse who struggled to cope with the smooth, swift and incisive wide attacks unleashed by Les Kiss’ back-line.
While Ruan Pienaar was awarded man of the match, Paddy Jackson orchestrated the attack with Luke Marshall and Andrew Trimble also got on the score-sheet, the performance of Stuart McCloskey once again was impossible to ignore.
The Bangor Bulldozer put in 15 tackles in defence, but his real strength is going forward, which he did 10 times to gain 70 metres for his side. His ability to break the line and drag in two or three defenders to help put him down was never more devastating than in the lead-up to Trimble’s trademark finish.
McCloskey is still uncapped for Ireland despite some incredible performances in his short career, but Midi Olympique certainly recognised his abilities, naming him alongside Ruan Pienaar in their team of the week.
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Now, there’s plenty wrong with the XV: Poor Joe Launchbury’s name didn’t make it through in tact and Dan Cole got wedged in there despite suffering a torrid time from James Cronin.
Still, good to get an uncapped Irishman into the spotlight.
