Ulster face trial in Toulon today

European Champions Cup Pool 3

As he experiences the plunging temperatures of his first winter in Ulster since arriving from South Africa, Franco van der Merwe would have envisaged a better scenario for this weekend’s trip to Toulon, but the lock has warned his side still need to give their all in tomorrow’s virtual dead rubber.

Three defeats in four games have shattered Ulster’s European hopes, but Van der Merwe knows that back-to-back champions Toulon have the capacity to add insult to injury in the south of France if Ulster do not arrive in the right frame of mind.

Ulster have made seven changes for their Champions Cup trip into the lions’ den of Stade Mayol today where champions Toulon lie in wait.

One can understand why head coach Neil Doak has not sent out his strongest side, particularly with Ulster more or less finished in Europe this season and instead concentrating on the Pro12.

However, Ireland’s Jared Payne starts his first game since he picked up a foot injury in his debut international during the November internationals. But the Kiwi-born star wears the number 15 jersey which many believe is his best position, and that allows Darren Cave to make his 150th appearance in midfield alongside Stuart Olding.

A fit-again Michael Allen comes on to the left wing with Louis Ludic moving to the right in place of Ireland duo Tommy Bowe and Craig Gilroy. At least Ruan Pienaar continues in the starting line-up starts alongside Paddy Jackson at half-back.

In the pack, there is a completely new front row with Andrew Warwick and Rob Herring alongside tight-head Branson Ross, who will be making his first start for the province. Clive Ross moves to the open side of the back row, with Mike McComish making a rare start alongside Roger Wilson at number eight.

Van der Merwe is back at lock alongside Alan O’Connor who replaces the injured Dan Tuohy. The Springbok is under no illusions regarding Ulster’s task against a Toulon squad hit by illness, but still able to feature most of their international-class starting line-up, from Leigh Halfpenny at full-back to number eight and captain Chris Masoe.

“We’re sort of mathematically out of the European Cup but if you’re off the beat this weekend, playing Toulon at home, they can make it a very long day for you,” said the 31-year-old former Super 12 star.

“It hasn’t gone the way we would like in Europe but, in the Pro12, we’re fifth and we have to get into the top four.

“For us, it’s still about getting that silverware and, it’s been a difficult season for us the last couple of games, but I definitely still think it’s possible. We’re definitely focusing on the Pro12, and we still have Munster and Leinster at the Kingspan Stadium, and the Glasgow game away, so there are big games to come.

“We have some good young players, and some older guys coming back as well, so somebody else will have to put up their hand.”

Ulster have missed most tackles in their pool — 64 in all. Add to that, and it could be an embarrassing scoreline. Toulon, on the other hand have produced the most turnovers (Stefan Armitage), rucks won, offloads (Maxine Mermoz) and completed most passes in the pool. It could be a long afternoon in the south of France for Doak’s boys.