Over the past few years, Ulster have been one of the best-performing sides in Europe with a strong forward pack and a young flying backline.
However, after heartbreaking defeats in Europe and the URC last season which extended their trophy drought to 16 years, they seemed to have hit a rut.Β
The disappointment of last year has seemed to leak into the 2022/23 season which has seen their form dip in the Christmas period including many damaging results.Β
One of the many reasons form might have seen a stumble is the performances of former Gloucester Player Billy Burns.
However, since this season, his form has taken a slight dip with the attack falling short from its impressive heights in 2021/22.
Last season Ulster scored 21 tries in the Champions Cup and 59 tries in the URC and shone with Burns leading the stars of James Hume Robert Balcacoune and the whippet Michael Lowry in a flying attack.
However, despite scoring 10 tries in four matches, in their disappointing festive period, Burns struggled to unlock defences as the driving Maul become Ulster’s only real threat.
One of the most frustrating afternoons was against Sale Sharks where they were kept scoreless for the first time in the Champions Cup in a damaging 39-0 result.
In this disappointing game, the Ulster side made just 134 meters and failed to light up the AJ Bell Stadium.
Furthermore, Ulster looked equally as flat as they were dominated for 60 minutes in another loss this time 29-36 against La Rochelle.
Again the attack stumbled and was stifled against a dominated French defence and only beat eight defenders compared to La Rochelle who beat 20.
With three of their four tries set up from the driving maul, the Ulstermen can still score the points necessary however they have become reliant on the forwards to score the points.
This is a worrying sign if the lineout malfunctions as it did away to Benetton, where Ulster fell to their first loss to the Italian side since 2011, as they stumbled and failed to create anything.
This is a complete contrast to last season where the attack, which was beautifully controlled by Burns, scored some memorable tries most notably against Munster in the 2022 URC Quater -final.
If you compare the last two times Ulster played Munster in the URC at Kingspan there is a complete drop-off in the attacking presence.
In the QF, Ulster made 432 meters and beat 22 defenders six months later and Ulster despite all their talent look out of ideas with just 10 defenders beaten.
The lack of defences unlocked this season by Ulster is worrying for the Irish side as they rank 10th for defenders beaten and 13th for clean breaks.
The big question is‘ Is it just a slump or do they need a new fly-half to bring the sparks back into a once-flying attack?’
