Simon Zebo predicts big season for ‘quality operator’ Baloucoune — if Ulster can keep him fit

Simon Zebo predicts “super valued” Rob Baloucoune will play a crucial role in Ulster’s bid to recover from last season’s disappointing URC campaign.

Baloucoune (29) re-established himself with Ulster last term and was Ireland’s breakout player in the Six Nations.

But an elbow injury during the championship forced him out of action until returning as the province’s stand-out operator in their final game of the season, the Challenge Cup final loss to Montpellier.

He also started for Ireland against New Zealand in the summer after a hamstring issue.

Zebo believes that continuity has been central to the Enniskillen winger’s evolution into an important player at provincial and Test level.

“I’ve been super impressed with him,” said the former Munster and Ireland star.

“It’s been great to see him getting game time with Ulster and consistency, being fit and healthy and available for selection.

”It really had a knock-on effect then with his Irish development and where he’s at now as one of the best wingers in the Six Nations. He’s just a quality operator.

“There’s just that bit of excitement, that real proper finisher speed on the edge. That’s something I thought we’d been missing both in the provinces and internationally for a while.

”That speed has also altered the way opponents defend Ulster.

“With Baloucoune on the wing, defences must respect the space outside them, creating opportunities elsewhere in the backline.

“That’s why I think he’s been so important, why his form has gone through the roof,” Zebo stressed.

“He probably feels super valued because there’s a big difference when you have that speed in the back line.”

While hoping that Baloucoune can continue to improve, the former Munster ace predicted that Ulster face a big challenge in terms of finding the consistency needed to make the URC play-offs this term - and return to the Champons Cup.

Richie Murphy’s squad failed to make the top eight last term, although they did make it to that Challenge Cup decider.

“They definitely need to be more consistent in their performances and probably have a bit more variety in their game plan as well,” Zebo said.

He felt Ulster became “a little bit stuck in the mud” during periods.

Injuries to key players contributed to the decline, but he believes the province must find ways to remain competitive when their strongest line-up is unavailable.

“Every squad does it,” said Zebo.

“You miss certain key players at key moments in a season and that can have a knock-on effect.

”All of a sudden, at the start of the season, everybody’s flying high in Ulster and then the wheels fall off a little bit

“For a club of Ulster’s stature, missing the top eight was a serious failure, Zebo added, even in an increasingly competitive competition.

“Not making the top eight should massively hurt a proud club like Ulster,” he said. “That’s a very, very poor season.”

Overall Zebo expects Ulster to challenge but only if they diversify their approach and keep their leading players fit.

“The hunt is real for the top eight,” he said.

“Ulster need to vary their game a little bit and make sure they keep their key bodies fit, because they’ll need them.”

Simon Zebo is part of the Premier Sports team bringing every game live from the BKT United Rugby Championship throughout the season.