Nathan Johns

So there's going to be moments for sure.

It's a fascinating dynamic.

I can't wait for it.

I'll continue my chat with Gordon after the break.

On Ulster's final against Montpellier, look, again, it seems to be a significant clash of styles.

Montpellier are very straightforward players.

mauling, a little bit of transition, but power game, Ulster, a bit more possession-based, look to, you know, face play, etc.

It looks like Robert Balikun's going to be back for Ulster, which on paper is a significant moment given the Six Nations he had.

How hard is it to come back after, what, two, three months off and throw yourself into a big game like that and perform?

Well, it's going to be to get entries into the game to get those points, isn't it?

Because again, if you're just going backwards and penalties at set-piece, penalties at malls, etc., all of a sudden, it's very, very hard to get a foothold in the game, isn't it?

So interesting.

So the game plan has to be go toe to toe, turn it into a basketball game.

If they come at you with a power game, you go at them with an expansive game.

You don't try and tighten up to take them on what they're good at.

You try and stretch the pitch and run around the park.

That's it for today.

My thanks to Gordon, as always, for his time.

This episode of The Counter-Rock was produced by John Casey.

The podcast is brought to you by The Irish Times in partnership with Oak Energy.