Ulster Rugby vs Stormers Preview
Ulster Rugby and the DHL Stormers clash in a game that could have huge knockout stage ramifications on Friday, 28th March at 7:35 pm. Just one point separates the sides, with Ulster in eighth and the Stormers in seventh. Both are bidding for a third straight victory in the URC.
Ulster will welcome back several players from the Six Nations this week and look to have their squad back at full strength. The Stormers have been excellent in defence and are hoping that will carry them through to the knockout stages. Who will leave the Kingspan Stadium with an all-important victory on Friday evening?
Ulster Rugby vs Stormers Predictions
Score Prediction: Ulster 24-26 Stormers
Our rugby prediction is for the Stormers to leave Belfast with the victory on Friday. Given Ulster’s home advantage, we expect them to put up a strong challenge. However, the physical superiority of the Stormers and the depth in their squad could see them edge out Ulster in a close contest. The Stormers will come away from Kingspan Stadium with a narrow victory, but we expect Ulster to push them to the limit.
The Stormers will look to play an expansive game, using their physicality and speed to break down Ulster’s defence. Their forwards will move the ball from the ruck quickly while their backs will look to stretch Ulster’s defence with fast, wide-running play. If they can gain territory through tactical kicking, particularly from Mannie Libbok, they will put pressure on Ulster and force mistakes.
The Stormers’ physical dominance in contact will also be crucial. If they can win the battle at the ruck and maul, they will gain momentum and create opportunities for their backs to attack. Their counter-attacking game is also one to watch, with Leolin Zas capable of turning any turnover into a try-scoring opportunity.
Defensively, Ulster will need to be disciplined and aggressive. The Stormers thrive on quick ball, so slowing down the ruck and disrupting their attack will be key. Ulster must also shut down the Stormers’ dangerous backline, with Libbok adept at orchestrating his team’s attacking moves.
Players To Watch
This will be a very tight game, and both teams will need huge performances from their key players. Often in games like this, the international stars shine brightest. Ulster has some of the best Irish rugby players in their squad, just as the Stormers have some of South Africa’s finest. It will require a team performance to secure a win this weekend, but a couple of men will be integral to their team’s hopes in this game.
- Nick Timoney (Flanker, Ulster): Ulster’s forward pack will be key in this match, and Nick Timoney’s leadership and breakdown skills will be critical in ensuring Ulster’s forwards get quick ball. His tireless work rate and ability to disrupt the Stormers’ attack will make him a pivotal figure in the game.
- Leolin Zas (Wing, Stormers): Leolin Zas is one of the most exciting wingers in the competition. He has outstanding pace and finishing ability, with only three players scoring more tries in the URC this term. If the Stormers’ backs can create space for him, Zas is more than capable of finishing off moves. His ability to exploit gaps and finish in the corner could be a game-changer. Players like Zas know exactly how long a rugby pitch is, something Ulster will find very hard to manage.
Ulster Rugby vs Stormers Betting Tips
- Full-Time Result – Stormers To Win: The Stormers have been excellent in defence this season, and that will carry them through this game. They have allowed six fewer tries than Ulster, and that will be a difference maker. They are the favourites for this game and can pull off the victory away from home. We like a bet on the Stormers, which is worth 3/5.
- Winning Margin – Stormers 1-7: This is a good way to increase the odds on the match result. This will be a very tight game between two sides in similar form this season. Three of Ulster’s previous four games have been separated by no more than four points and no more than seven for the Stormers. Bet on the Stormers to win by 1-7 points, worth 12/5 with our online betting site.
- Handicap – Ulster +3: This is a good bet to make to cover yourself from the result. Anyone betting on the handicap can back Ulster to cover +3 at 17/20. Ulster are the underdogs in this game, but little separates them from their opponents in the table. We are predicting a tight game and think the Ulstermen can cover +3 if they fail to win this game.
- Try Scorers – Leolin Zas: Leolin Zas has been one of the best players in the league this season. The winger has shown incredible pace and power, breaking forward to score important tries. He will be needed here, and the URC betting markets will favour him to come up big. We are backing the South African to add to his six tries this season.
Ulster Rugby vs Stormers Head-To-Head and Key Stats
These sides last met in March last year. A tense, low-scoring affair saw last-minute drama decide the spoils. Evan Roos’ late try helped the Stormers secure a 13-7 victory over Ulster in a tense URC clash in South Africa. Ulster led 7-0 at halftime thanks to Nick Timoney’s converted try, but the Stormers mounted a second-half comeback.
Manie Libbok’s penalty reduced the deficit before Roos crossed for the decisive try, which Libbok converted and added a penalty to seal the win. Ulster had chances, with John Cooney missing a penalty and a yellow card to Dave McCann, offering the Stormers an opportunity they capitalised on.
Ulster last played on March 22nd when they met the Dragons in South Wales. The Ulstermen kept their United Rugby Championship playoff hopes alive with a 34-30 bonus point win at Rodney Parade. Trailing 24-14 at halftime, Ulster mounted a strong second-half comeback, scoring three tries.
Rob Herring’s second try brought them within striking distance, and a turnover try from Scott Wilson gave them the lead. Despite a late penalty miss from the Dragons, Ulster sealed the victory with a John Cooney penalty in the final minutes. The win keeps Ulster’s playoff ambitions on track, while the Dragons’ efforts fell short.
Scorers for Ulster
- Try Scorers: James Hume, Rob Herring x2, Scott Wilson,
- Conversions: Nathan Doak x3, John Cooney
- Penalties: John Cooney x2
The Stormers also travelled to Wales on March 22nd when they faced the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets. John Dobson’s side held strong for a 29-17 win in a thrilling encounter. The Stormers raced into a 12-0 lead with tries from Ben Loader and Deon Fourie, but Scarlets responded with a try from Ellis Mee, narrowing the gap to 15-7 at halftime.
Despite being down to 14 men, Scarlets fought back with a well-worked try from Ioan Nicholas early in the second half. However, Stormers regained control with a try from Leolin Zas, and a late penalty from Warrick Gelant halted Scarlets’ momentum. In the final moments, Andre-Hugo Venter sealed the win with a try, securing a vital bonus-point victory for the Stormers.
Scorers For Stormers
- Try Scorers: Ben Loader, Deon Fourie, Leolin Zas, Andre-Hugo Venter
- Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu x3
- Penalties: Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Team Form
This is crunch time for Ulster and the Stormers, who are flirting around the outskirts of the URC quarter-final places. Both sides enter this game in similar form, with just one point separating them in the United Rugby Championship table. Ulster will be happy to welcome back several players from Six Nations duty after a week of rest.
Ulster have been inconsistent in the URC this season. They had some excellent results but tripped up in games they should have won, with losses to Zebre and Benetton. The Ulstermen have shown the ability to grind out results, but their form against top sides and unexpected defeats have left fans sweating over their position in the knockout stages. The return of some key players after the Six Nations should leave them looking a far stronger outfit, though. The break may have done the rest of the team a world of good.
The Stormers’ form has been very similar to Ulster’s this season. The South African side has put on great performances against teams like the Vodacom Bulls recently. However, they are still recovering after a poor start to the URC campaign. Nevertheless, their defence has shone, and only five teams have conceded fewer tries than them this term. They currently sit in eighth place, the last available position for the knockout stages, but only one point separates them from Ulster. Every game from now until the end of the regular season is massive for John Dobson’s team.
