Centre confusion weakens the case for defence

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Ulster’s defensive frailties have been well documented over the festive period and they are only ten league tries shy of equalling last season’s tries conceded total.

The defensive system has come under intense scrutiny and Les Kiss is bearing the brunt of the vocal criticism but does the problem have a much more straightforward solution?

Ulster, for quite a few years now, have had depth at centre to the extent where is the envy of the other provinces. This season we have seen Ulster’s centre partnership chop and change with seven combinations being used.

Only four times have Ulster retained the same pairing – Stuart McCloskey and Tommy Bowe lined up in weeks one and two against the Cheetahs and Treviso and again in weeks 12 and 13 against Dragons and Harlequins. McCloskey partnered Luke Marshall in the back to back matches against Connacht and Wasps in weeks six and seven. Darren Cave formed a partnership with McCloskey for the winter matches against Munster and Leinster this month.

Injuries do play a factor in the . . .

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