Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

Brewster

total former wrote: »

As one of the people who was full sure he would be banned, and is very surprised he wasn't, the bolded part is a bit annoying.

No-one wanted him banned, I simply thought he would be.

Do you see the distinction?

Total former, some posters were deliberately changing the facts of the what happened to suit their own arguments. The guy led with his arm, and this is what defence was based on, reading the wording of the judgement. People were too quick to jump on his case.

.ak

Hmm. I still don't think anyone wanted him banned though...

.. and that's coming from me, I was firmly in the wasn't-even-red-camp!

George Hook

.ak wrote: »

Hmm. I still don't think anyone wanted him banned though...

.. and that's coming from me, I was firmly in the wasn't-even-red-camp!

I think Peter O'Mahony was hopping he'd get a ban so he could keep telling Joe about it.:rolleyes:

case885

George Hook wrote:

I think Peter O'Mahony was hopping he'd get a ban so he could keep telling Joe about it.

That's just a ridiculously silly comment.

leakyboots

Very surprised at that judgement.

George Hook

case885 wrote: »

That's just a ridiculously silly comment.

It's meant to be a joke. Glad you found it funny. :pac:

case885

Hmm the roll eyes made it look like your serious, I'll have to fix my sarcastic metre

George Hook

case885 wrote: »

Hmm the roll eyes made it look like your serious, I'll have to fix my sarcastic metre

Haha, how could the rolled eyes make it seem serious, the smiliey is even called 'rolls eyes (sarcastic)'.

Anyway, great news for Hendo and hope the guys pick up a win at the weekend!

bilston

Interesting debate on UAFC about whether we send our strongest team to Glasgow or not.

The argument in favour of rotation is that even if we manage to win we will probably be away in the play off and that we are better off conserving the energy of our big players for that game.

The argument against rotation is obvious. Send our strongest team and hopefully win and hope Connacht or the Dragons do us a favour.

I prefer the second option but not because it increases our chances of a home semi final, but because if we do end up away from home what better way to go away than on the back of a win in Scotstoun.

I actually think Connacht could pull off a win against the Ospreys anyway, it's a massive game for the Westies. We'd look pretty stupid if Connacht and we have sent a weakened team to Glasgow.

That said I wouldn't be taking any stupid risks with players that are 75% fit. I'm thinking of Herbst, Wilson (although in his case he is either concussed or he isn't), Cave and Gilroy. Losing Herbst would be a big blow mind.

.ak

bilston wrote: »

Interesting debate on UAFC about whether we send our strongest team to Glasgow or not.

The argument in favour of rotation is that even if we manage to win we will probably be away in the play off and that we are better off conserving the energy of our big players for that game.

The argument against rotation is obvious. Send our strongest team and hopefully win and hope Connacht or the Dragons do us a favour.

I prefer the second option but not because it increases our chances of a home semi final, but because if we do end up away from home what better way to go away than on the back of a win in Scotstoun.

I actually think Connacht could pull off a win against the Ospreys anyway, it's a massive game for the Westies. We'd look pretty stupid if Connacht and we have sent a weakened team to Glasgow.

That said I wouldn't be taking any stupid risks with players that are 75% fit. I'm thinking of Herbst, Wilson (although in his case he is either concussed or he isn't), Cave and Gilroy. Losing Herbst would be a big blow mind.

If you win is there a potential you'll get 3rd and play Ospreys/Glasgow tho? That'd suit wouldn't it? Rather than Munster?

thomond2006

I have backed Munster to finish top. Don't you dare send your seconds to Glasgow.

bilston

thomond2006 wrote: »

I have backed Munster to finish top. Don't you dare send your seconds to Glasgow.

It's not what I would do but it's seems to be the most popular opinion on uafc, or at least it is the theory being peddled by those that speak the loudest.

torqtorq

Ulster Head Coach, Neil Doak, has made 12 changes to the side that drew with Munster at Kingspan Stadium for tomorrow afternoon’s Guinness PRO12 match against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun (kick off 15:00).

With a total of six players having picked up injuries last weekend and with the province already guaranteed a play off place, only Franco van der Merwe, Louis Ludik and Chris Henry are retained from the side that faced Munster, with Ireland Under20s centre, Sam Arnold, picked for his first start for the province.

Doak has selected a strong bench for the game with internationals Rory Best, Tommy Bowe, Ruan Pienaar, Paddy Jackson, Roger Wilson and Iain Henderson all named among the replacements.

Andrew Warwick is selected at loosehead and starts his first game since January, with Rob Herring playing his 70th game for Ulster at hooker. Emerging Ireland player, Ricky Lutton, starts his first game of the season at tighthead having recovered from the injuries that have restricted his involvement in the campaign so far.

Lewis Stevenson, who recently captained the Ravens against Munster A, starts in the second row alongside Franco van der Merwe, who runs out in his 27th game of the campaign and completes his first regular season for Ulster having played in all but one of the province’s matches.

Robbie Diack, who won his 150th cap for Ulster last weekend, starts at Number 8, with Clive Ross named at blindside and Chris Henry captaining the side from openside.

Paul Marshall plays his 22nd game of the season and starts at scrumhalf, while Ian Humphreys, who is currently third in the PRO12 Golden Boot standings, is selected at outhalf.

Stuart McCloskey, who was named BT Young Player of the Year at the recent Ulster Rugby Awards, is picked at inside centre, with Sam Arnold, who won Hughes Insurance Academy Player of the Year, starting his first game for Ulster at outside centre.

Michael Allen, who will play for Edinburgh next season, is selected on the left wing, with Rory Scholes named on the right and Louis Ludik continuing at fullback.

Props Kyle McCall and Bronson Ross join the six internationals on the replacements bench.

The game is live on Sky Sports 1, BBC Radio Ulster and RTE Radio.

Not available due to injury:

Callum Black – hamstring
Wiehahn Herbst – toe
Darren Cave – shoulder
Jared Payne – ankle
Dan Tuohy – hip
Peter Nelson – hamstring
Craig Gilroy – hamstring

Ulster team & replacements to play Glasgow Warriors, Guinness PRO12, Scotstoun, Saturday 16th May (15:00 kick off): (15-9): L Ludik; R Scholes, S Arnold, S McCloskey, M Allen, I Humphreys, P Marshall; (1-8): A Warwick, R Herring, R Lutton, L Stevenson, F van der Merwe, C Ross, C Henry (C), R Diack; Replacements (16-23): R Best, K McCall, B Ross, I Henderson, R Wilson, R Pienaar, P Jackson, T Bowe.

thomond2006

Ah lads. I had money on Munster finishing top. You's aren't helping.

awec

Interesting team selection. Didn't think Doak would be brave enough to select that sort of team.

CatFromHue

Sky will be fuming now!

postitnote

All part of Doak's master plan. Munster, certain that Glasgow will get 5 points, take their foot off the gas and save their players for an away semi.

Meanwhile, Glasgow, over confident and complacent, capitulate at the hands of Ulster (Ravens).

For precendent, see Munster v Ulster 2014.

Exciting to see a few ANOTHER new young centre getting a start.

I imagine Sky arent particularly happy with Ulster's team mind you.

thomond2006

That must be one of the strongest Ulster benches ever.

awec

15 Stuart Hogg,14 Tommy Seymour,13 Richie Vernon,12 Peter Horne,11 Sean Lamont,10 Finn Russell,9 Nikola Matawalu

1 Ryan Grant,2 Dougie Hall,3 Rossouw de Klerk,4 Jonny Gray,5 Alastair Kellock (Captain),6 Josh Strauss,7 Chris Fusaro,8 Adam Ashe

16 Pat MacArthur,17 Gordon Reid,18 Michael Cusack,19 Leone Nakarawa,20 Ryan Wilson,21 Henry Pyrgos,22 Duncan Weir,23 Peter Murchie


Oh dear! :pac:

Mahatma Geansai

Ugh. Disappointing to see Ulster content to give Glasgow what should be an easy win and potential TBP. It really harms Munster's chances, but on the bright-side, at least we won't meet each other in the semi.

mfceiling

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Ugh. Disappointing to see Ulster content to give Glasgow what should be an easy win and potential TBP. It really harms Munster's chances, but on the bright-side, at least we won't meet each other in the semi.

I remember posters mad that ulster sent a weakened side to play a game last season...remember how that game finished!!

.ak

I can see the Ulster 2nds causing an upset here. Just have feeling..

bilston

CatFromHue wrote: »

Sky will be fuming now!

Oh well.

bilston

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Ugh. Disappointing to see Ulster content to give Glasgow what should be an easy win and potential TBP. It really harms Munster's chances, but on the bright-side, at least we won't meet each other in the semi.

Short memory methinks

bilston

Not sure what to think of the selection. If we get hammered then it's a bad move. Personally I'd have gone as strong as possible without risking players with niggles. In fairnes that is maybe what he has done! Looking forward to aeeing McCloskey and Arnold together but whether they get the platform to play ball or not is another matter.

As a side note this probably isn't that far off what our team will look for the first quarter of next season so it will be interesting to see how they do together against one of the best teams in the league.

bilston

This can go one of two ways for Doak. We won't know which way until next weekend. However it is very possible we will be back at scotstoun next weekend.

OldRio

CatFromHue wrote: »

Sky will be fuming now!

'Excellent'

RobbieRuns

Best bench ever though !

bilston

RobbieRuns wrote: »

Best bench ever though !

That's the thing, if we are within a score with 20 to go then it is game on. As I said on the other thread 15 of this 23 were involved last weekend and most (if not all) of the others are injured...or at least are being treated as being injured...

blackdog1

bilston wrote: »

That's the thing, if we are within a score with 20 to go then it is game on. As I said on the other thread 15 of this 23 were involved last weekend and most (if not all) of the others are injured...or at least are being treated as being injured...

I think a lot of people are thinking this is a 2nd team but it's not really because of injury of that pack only herring ross and Stevenson won't be starting next week and possibly diack. Think ulster will be within 5 before calvary come on.

mogwai81

Are the rumours true about Sean O'Hagan returning to England?

bilston

The chat on UAFC about VDM's injury isn't pretty.

irishbucsfan

bilston wrote: »

The chat on UAFC about VDM's injury isn't pretty.

None of the talk over there is pretty!

bilston

irishbucsfan wrote: »

None of the talk over there is pretty!

True sir.

The word is an Achilles injury, similar to Payne's when he first arrived. He missed pretty much a whole season so if that's true that would be bad news...nay...sad news...hopefully it is just loose talk because Franco, while sometimes understated, has been really excellent for us.

jacothelad

Herbst out for the season. No Herbst. No tighthead. No scrum. No chance. You can't win a game without a scrum. Shows how short sighted UR were in only going for Dave 'Who?' Ryan as a cheap option. I suppose they didn't figure on Fitzpatrick retiring but shocking management altogether. No place in the Academy for Chris Taylor....stupidity. Bronson Ross is a trier but we all know he is not capable of operating at the highest level. fecked again by injury and inept organisation. Millions in the bank and the smallest squad stuffed with cardboard cut outs of real rugby players. Plenty of backs. No forwards worth a sheeite.

Jamie Hagan on short term loan? :eek:

thomond2006

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Jamie Hagan on short term loan? :eek:

Sean McCarthy needs game time.

jacothelad

Deleted User wrote: »

Jamie Hagan on short term loan? :eek:

Hasn't he played for leinster this season? Despite his physical advantages, he probably isn't any better than Lutton or Ross. Ulster's best fit tighthead is probably the second choice loose head.

blackdog1

bilston wrote: »

The chat on UAFC about VDM's injury isn't pretty.

He just fell over bringing up the defensive line. No one near him, freak injury

awec

No Herbst no hope.

RobbieRuns

Jamie Hagan would be a great option.

thomond2006

Could a player be signed at this late stage? I don't think that would be fair unless you cite safety issues regarding the tighthead position.

I'm not sure Hagan would/could be in any case.

He's played 4 games for Leinster this season (wiki says so anyway), so probably isn't allowed represent Ulster. He's also transitioning to Loose Head as far as I can remember.

I was just thinking out loud. And it's Monday.

phog

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm not sure Hagan would/could be in any case.

He's played 4 games for Leinster this season (wiki says so anyway), so probably isn't allowed represent Ulster. He's also transitioning to Loose Head as far as I can remember.

I was just thinking out loud. And it's Monday.

Didn't Munster/Connacht use the same player in the Pro12 a few years back? Iirc, a Munster player (cant remember who ) was loaned to Connacht but also featured for Munster.

thomond2006

Peter Borlase. Not your fault you don't remember him!

phog

phog wrote: »

Didn't Munster/Connacht use the same player in the Pro12 a few years back? Iirc, a Munster player (cant remember who ) was loaned to Connacht but also featured for Munster.

Cooney played for both Leinster and Connacht this season.

I think there is an issue though in that that Hagan is a LI player.

bilston

Once we got past the first couple of scrums Lutton did ok on Saturday. He will just have to do it again this weekend.

CatFromHue

thomond2006 wrote: »

Could a player be signed at this late stage? I don't think that would be fair unless you cite safety issues regarding the tighthead position.

Not according to the rules anyway

5.5. No player is eligible to play for a Team in the Guinness PRO12 if he transfers or is registered after the 20th March 2012 during the relevant season (although there is an exception for under 18 players in certain circumstances).

Digifriendly

Are BBC2 NI not showing the Ulster match on Friday night? This says they are http://www.pro12rugby.com/news/17379.php#Id3Sa32Jr64IHS8p.97 but EPG suggests otherwise.

phog

Herring has been cited for stamping in the Glasgow game