The Scarlets have big problems in the pack, but not so bad that they should be getting hammered by 40 points. Their defensive system is broken, and nothing get's done to fix it. Two quick passes, and every team can get on the outside of the on-rushing centres. It's a completely hit and miss defensive pattern, which offers zero backup if a tackle is missed or the ball gets outside the rush player. It's rugby suicide, and it's costing them every game.
I've said it a few times before and I'll say it again, it is unfair to blame the likes of North too much when they are getting barely any ball. North did well today with the little ball he saw. Unfortunately the ball he's given is simply shipped out to him behind the gainline, and he's got to somehow create something out of nothing. The same can be said for Jon Davies, who admittedly did more with his opportunities today. It's not good enough though, because the hard work is not being done by the forwards. Even when it is, Ald Thomas decided that that is the time to kick. Some were half decent, but was still kicking away quality ball.
It was the same story for Wales in the Autumn.
Sometimes a good team heads up against a superior beast with all guns blazing and walks away shell-shocked with 40 points scratched up on its hide. This **** happens. Bewailing a team's defensive system when it's only shipped two hammerings, both to the form teams in Europe at their homes, isn't exactly proportionate imo. Its clearly not amazing, or they'd have better than the 7th equal best defensive record in the league, but broken? It's not like Ulster actually scored any tries by getting on the outside. I mean, sure, they made some ground - but three tries from close range, two tries from line-breaks made fairly close to the break-down/set-piece. Personally I thought their rush defence was causing Ulster problems, even if we got the ball outside there were too many scrappy passes that checked momentum.
I'd have said the Scarlets main defensive problem was an inability to complete up front in the second half, both at the breakdown and in terms of using their own ball well, which simply gave Ulster too much good possession.
What have Ulster done to that unfit overweight Nick Williams who wasn't at all great for Munster, and turned him into one of the top 8's in the league?
Fairly little to be honest - this is mainly, as I understand it, Nick Williams focusing fully on playing the best rugby he can, which wasn't really seen at Munster due to a lax lifestyle. I'm guessing having Anscombe here helps, but its mainly Nick and all credit to him. Not sure how happy I'd be with him playing a really big game, he's got a bit of the flat-track bully around him, but what a bully he is.
Obviously very pleased with that. Most pleased with the way the youngsters who came on handled themselves. Heaney looked sharp, passed well, and I loved the way he simply shouldered his prop out the way to get the ball out quickly for the penalty try. Simple assertive scrum-half play. Annett, fears of him being underpowered for this level at least are fading fast, throwing has been nigh-flawless so far and he's got a really good pair of hands on him. First time too I've seen why Ricky Andrew is rated, some poor decisions on when to take it himself at times but he's got talent.
Other nice things are obviously Fat Nick, Stevenson now being the form lock in Ireland not called Mick McCarthy and Trimble continuing to be on really top form.
Only real downers are having three members of your HEC match day squad walk off before half-time, fingers very much crossed they pull through ok in the week.
edit: Just to reinforce my earlier point, and as a point of celebration for Ulster fans - that's the 5th score we've put down this season north of 40 points.
