McLaughlin ‘hopeful’ Humphreys will be fit

ONLY two days to go until the game that will make or break Ulster’s season and coach Brian McLaughlin is still unsure if he will be able to avail of the services of regular out-half Ian Humphries.

The number 10 continued his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury picked up against Edinburgh and yesterday played no part in collective training. However, McLaughlin is hopeful he will hit the paddock today but admits its is a case of wait and see.

“He had a scan earlier in the week that showed no damage,” McLaughlin explained ahead of Friday’s Heineken Cup visit by Leicester Tigers to Ravenhill.

“From that point of view, we’re hopeful he’ll be fit. Hopeful, that’s all I can say at the minute really.”

Such uncertainly late in the day may be far from ideal, but there is a theory Ulster would not necessarily suffer unduly should Humphreys miss out against a side for whom he featured in three European ties and would know him well.

Scrum-half Ruan Pienaar is more than capable of slotting into his place, even if he has yet to start there this season, while fellow number nine Paul Marshall is mining a rich vein of form and ready-made to fill any void.

McLaughlin’s only other injury worry ahead of Friday’s sold-out Pool 4 game had been South African Pedrie Wannenburg but the flanker trained yesterday despite taking a bang on his foot last week and is “A-okay” according to his coach.

Ulster approach the tournament’s resumption on top of the pool but with a trip to Clermont Auvergne following on from the clash with the Tigers, all of whom have genuine hopes of finishing on top.

As ever with the Heineken Cup come January, the ability to deny opponents points is every bit as important as the need to rack up one’s own. Ulster know that more than most after their failure to pick up a losing consolation in the 20-9 Welford Road defeat last November.

“When you look at the table, not getting a [losing] bonus point at Leicester was absolutely devastating for us,” said Chris Henry.

“Walking off the pitch, we knew. We have been affected in the past by not getting those points so this game will define our season in Europe.

“Clermont will obviously be a massive task but the job in hand is to get the four points this week and if we can do that then we are putting ourselves in the right position going into that last game in France.”