'We owe the Stormers one': Ulster star sends warning to semifinal opponents

SPOTLIGHT: Revenge is in the air as Ulster make their way to Cape Town to face the Stormers in a United Rugby Championship semifinal.

The last time these two teams met was back in March with the Stormers coming out on top with a 23-20 win at Cape Town Stadium.

However, there was some controversy surrounding that result. A crucial call two minutes from full-time denied Ulster what they thought was a match-winning try

After that game, Ulster boss Dan McFarland questioned the match officials’ decision and said his team had “won that game”.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s semifinal, Ulster centre James Hume said that result is still firmly on their minds.

“I think we owe the Stormers one from the way the game ended the last time,” Hume told Irish media after his team’s 36-17 quarterfinal win over Munster.

“I wasn’t playing in that game, but we didn’t take it too well.

“So going over there it might be a different gameplan in the conditions as it will probably be warmer out there.”

Ulster are looking to end a 16-year trophy drought and there is plenty of belief in their squad ahead of their match against the Stormers and a possible URC Final.

“We’ll take it in our stride. I don’t think we really mentioned ‘let’s go on and win this thing’ because basically at the start of the season our goal is to win the URC and the Heineken Cup [Champions Cup],” said Hume.

“Obviously, we were knocked out of the Heineken Cup so our sole focus is now on the URC and I do believe we can go on and win it.

“But it is just taking the games in our stride.”

Hume was the man-of-the-match in that win over Munster, and McFarland has plenty of praise for his young centre.

“His defence is world-class, as a centre,” said the head coach.

“Again, I don’t say that very often. As an outside centre, it’s one of the most difficult positions to defend on the field.

“Don’t get me wrong, he still makes mistakes, because he’s a young fella.

“His ability to make plays out there is really excellent.”

Source: Belfast News Letter & Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ)

Exquisite 👌@Rob_Baloucoune #URC https://t.co/X49f1v136G pic.twitter.com/siNx9qnrog

— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) June 5, 2022