Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

GerM

McComb in a bit of bother here. Strapping him into stretcher, securing head and neck it appears. He looked to have caught a stray head or elbow to the side of the head. Went down like a rock. Serious team of medics with him on field. Hopefully just a precautionary action.

jacothelad

GerM wrote: »

McComb in a bit of bother here. Strapping him into stretcher, securing head and neck it appears. He looked to have caught a stray head or elbow to the side of the head. Went down like a rock. Serious team of medics with him on field. Hopefully just a precautionary action.

McComish. Taken out off the ball - maybe accidental maybe not. McComb is on the bench.

GerM

jacothelad wrote: »

McComish. Taken out off the ball - maybe accidental maybe not. McComb is on the bench.

Doh.

Think the knock to the head was accidental. The reason it happened appeared not to be. Edinburgh player looked to give an Ulster player a shove off the ball and one of them clocked McComish as they stumbled back.

CatFromHue

I watched it back in slow motion and it's still hard to see what happened. It looked like someone ran into him, it could have been Marshall who hit him with his head!

CIARAN_BOYLE

penalty try, try bp

lologram

6th BP in 8 games? Very good team those Ulster lads

Big Nelly

lologram wrote: »

6th BP in 8 games? Very good team those Ulster lads

Once Pinaar is on pitch

jacothelad

Try Cochrane.

jacothelad

Adam Macklin on. Luke Marshall on.

Macklin destroys the Edinburgh scrum

jacothelad

Tim Visser scores.

jacothelad

McComish O.K. Hit by an Ulster player - Paul Marshall.

CatFromHue

They just showed the McComish incident again. In the lineout an Edinburgh player pushed Marshall who went flying backwards. His head smashed straight into McComish's face and he went down.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Humphries try

Big Nelly

When is Visser available for Scotland?

jacothelad

Great Try by Humphreys.

phog

Great result from Ravenhill, lots of tries too. Will help the PD if it comes down to it in deciding a playoff position.

irishbucsfan

Jesus I can't wait for the heineken cup

ongarite

Ulster are going to give Munster some game based on the form they are in.

jacothelad

Ulster's defence this season has been very poor. Conceded 29 tries. a lot more than any of the other top 7 sides. 10 more than Munster for example. They have scored more than anyone - 40 but I think 11 of those have been in 2 games against Edinburgh.

Looking at the table it will be need luck if Ulster make the top 4. They have to overtake Glasgow or Os while hoping the Blues or Scarlets have a poor end of season.

Cardiff are 6 behind with two games in hand.
Scarlets are 1 point behind
Glasgow are one ahead.
Ospreys are two ahead.
Munster are two ahead with two games in hand so they will make it along with Leinster.


Leinster 17 63
Ospreys 17 49
Munster 15 47
Warriors 17 47
Ulster 17 46
Scarlets 17 45
Blues 15 40
Treviso 16 28
Dragons 15 25
Connacht 17 24
Edinburgh 17 23
Aironi 16 15

phog

jacothelad wrote: »

They have scored more than anyone - 40 but I think 11 of those have been in 2 games against Edinburgh.

That's impressive, I was looking at the table the other night and I thought Leinster well well out of front with the Tries For must have missed out on you sneaking up on the blindside.

jacothelad

Ulster run in.

Treviso away................... 4 points? You would like to think.
Ulster have Airoini at home. 5 points?
Away to Connacht............. 4 points? They usually win here.

If they feck over any of these 3 they are done.

The make or break games should be:

Ulster home to Leinster. 20th April........maybe 1 point going on recent history. One win and one draw over the years doesn't fill me with faith in a home win, nice as it would be. Week before the ERC semi. I suppose this could make a difference. Grasping at straws a bit. If Leinster are in the semis, as they should be, they might want a full dress rehearsal but more likely they should rest a few. BOD could be back which would be great. So if Ulster can milk a bit more out of this game they have a chance of a play off place. It's time Ulster got rid of the bunny in the headlights attitude against them.

Ulster away to Munster.......0?



Ulster will likely, if things go as they usually do, end up with 60 points. I don't think that will be enough. If they get anything out of the Leinster game they might end up on 63 points I suppose. Anything at Munster would be a surprise.

Conspiring to shoot themselves in the foot by losing away to Glasgow when they had 75% territory and possession and losing at home to Treviso have probably cost them a top 4 place.

CIARAN_BOYLE

jacothelad wrote: »

Ulster run in.

Treviso away................... 4 points? You would like to think.
Ulster have Airoini at home. 5 points?
Away to Connacht............. 4 points? They usually win here.

If they feck over any of these 3 they are done.

The make or break games should be:

Ulster home to Leinster. 20th April........maybe 1 point going on recent history. One win and one draw over the years doesn't fill me with faith in a home win, nice as it would be. Week before the ERC semi. I suppose this could make a difference. Grasping at straws a bit. If Leinster are in the semis, as they should be, they might want a full dress rehearsal but more likely they should rest a few. BOD could be back which would be great. So if Ulster can milk a bit more out of this game they have a chance of a play off place. It's time Ulster got rid of the bunny in the headlights attitude against them.

Ulster away to Munster.......0?



Ulster will likely, if things go as they usually do, end up with 60 points. I don't think that will be enough. If they get anything out of the Leinster game they might end up on 63 points I suppose. Anything at Munster would be a surprise.

Conspiring to shoot themselves in the foot by losing away to Glasgow when they had 75% territory and possession and losing at home to Treviso have probably cost them a top 4 place.

If Leinster are in the ERC semi and have first place in the league wrapped up I can imagine Leinster resting loads of players in the Ulster match ahead of a potential four weeks of cup semi-finals and finals

jacothelad

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

If Leinster are in the ERC semi and have first place in the league wrapped up I can imagine Leinster resting loads of players in the Ulster match ahead of a potential four weeks of cup semi-finals and finals

I know but it would not be good for the league or fair on the other sides. Unless of course Ulster are also in the semis.

Tox56

jacothelad wrote: »

I know but it would not be good for the league or fair on the other sides. Unless of course Ulster are also in the semis.

That would be true, but then again, what else can you expect?

durkadurka

If ulster get past Munster they should put every last ounce into the HEC and ignore the rabo.

jacothelad

durkadurka wrote: »

If ulster get past Munster they should put every last ounce into the HEC and ignore the rabo.

I think they would find it impossible to do otherwise. I also think, being realistic, that that possibility, while very seductive, actually won't happen because while the starting players for Ulster are good, the second echelon aren't just good enough. If we were to lose Afoa, for example, we'd be screwed at tight head. Once the 'reserves' enter the fray, the control and accuracy drops considerably.

bilston

The other thing is that I think we'll a full strength Treviso minus Best, Ferris and Trimble. That won't be easy.

We need to win our next 3 and then win one of the Leinster or Munster games. This is why the Cardiff defeat was a bit of a blow. In saying that if we're at full strength for both matches I think we can win of those games, plus Leinster will have 1st seed wrapped up by the time we play them so whether you agree with it or not they'll rest some of their players. BOD might play that one though to get him game time and any team with BOD is very strong.

jacothelad

bilston wrote: »

The other thing is that I think we'll a full strength Treviso minus Best, Ferris and Trimble. That won't be easy.

We need to win our next 3 and then win one of the Leinster or Munster games. This is why the Cardiff defeat was a bit of a blow. In saying that if we're at full strength for both matches I think we can win of those games, plus Leinster will have 1st seed wrapped up by the time we play them so whether you agree with it or not they'll rest some of their players. BOD might play that one though to get him game time and any team with BOD is very strong.

Bonjour Bils. On the go early today. No beer last night?

bilston

jacothelad wrote: »

Bonjour Bils. On the go early today. No beer last night?

I'm on the go early everyday Jaco. Having a six month old makes sure of that, it also means I've been a lot more sober recently too. The odds are short nf me being a mess in Limerick.

jacothelad

bilston wrote: »

I'm on the go early everyday Jaco. Having a six month old makes sure of that, it also means I've been a lot more sober recently too. The odds are short nf me being a mess in Limerick.

Out of training. Don't drink stout then.

jacothelad

Cardiff, Scarlets, Glasgow and Ulster. Run In. Possible permutations based on form and history.
Glasgow currently on 47 points
Aironi (h) 5
Cardiff (h) 4
Munster (a) 0
Treviso (a) 4
Connacht (h) 4

Total = 64

Blues currently on 44 points
Treviso (a) 4
Scarlets (h) 4
Glasgow (a) 1
Ospreys (h) 4
Edinburgh (h) 4
Scarlets (a) 1
Total = 62 points

Scarlets currently on 45 points
Cardiff (a) 1
Edinburgh (a) 4
Aironi (a) 5
Munster (h) 1
Cardiff (h) 4

Total = 60 points

Ulster currently on 46 points
Treviso (a) 4
Aironi (h) 5
Connacht (a) 4
Leinster (h) 4
Munster (a) 0

Total – 62 points

durkadurka

Are you conceding first and second to Len/mun?

And what about the ospreys?

irishbucsfan

durkadurka wrote: »

Are you conceding first and second to Len/mun?

And what about the ospreys?

I'm guessing he's saying Leinster/Munster/Spreys/Glasgow.

But then he wasn't too optimistic about ulster making the h cup quarter final either!

CIARAN_BOYLE

durkadurka wrote: »

Are you conceding first and second to Len/mun?

And what about the ospreys?

I think he is conceding 1/2/3 to Leinster/Munster/Ospreys and just looking at the fight for the last play off spot

Ospreys currently on 49 points
Leinster A 0
Treviso H 5
Blues A 1
Dragons H 4
Aironi A 4

Total 63 points

Its very much game on from here on in and is likely to be decided by bps imo

jacothelad

durkadurka wrote: »

Are you conceding first and second to Len/mun?

And what about the ospreys?

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I'm guessing he's saying Leinster/Munster/Spreys/Glasgow.

But then he wasn't too optimistic about ulster making the h cup quarter final either!

Are you conceding first and second to Len/mun?

It would be a brave man who would think that they could be caught by Ulster. Leinster are 17 points ahead already with a max of 25 available. Ulster would need them all to decide to retire en mass and select a team of girl guides instead. ( Even then I wouldn't bet on a 5 pointer. Maybe SOB has a sister. :eek:)

I'm saying that L, M and Os have 1,2,3 pretty much theirs to lose. I can't see L or M being overtaken. Even when the seconds play at less than their best they win - like Munster blind-siding the Dragons last night. Terrible game, great result.

O's losing to Glasgow was a blow to Ulster but - hey ho. If it was all totally predictable who would watch it?

With the Os having this position
On ..............49 points
Leinster A 0
Treviso H 5
Blues A 1
Dragons H 4
Aironi A 5
Total............ 64

Given Leinster's position and the loss of the Irish players on 23rd march v. the Os it is possible for the Ospreys to get something from the game.
However, I think they'll end up on 64 points. It could come down to the losing bonus they unjustly were awarded by a blind TMO at Ravenhill. If one of the other teams ends up on 63 with better, wins, points, tries etc I'm sure they will be furious.

I suppose it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Ulster could sneak a losing bonus point at Thomond but that is a rarity I think. If we could and all other results go our way, that would give us 63 but still may not be enough.

Even the away game at Treviso isn't a shoe in by any stretch of the imagination. Without Ferris, Best, Trimble and Court the job is more difficult. If we are also without Wannenberg it seems a lot less likely. Hopefully, Muller and Cave will be fit by then (and by that time Deccie will be giving BOD a run out so Trimble might be back. :D:D)

Glasgow's run in appears the easiest. Blues have a game in hand. I wouldn't be surprised if Glasgow get 4th but we'll just have to see. The Welsh regions could knock lumps out of each others chances I suppose.

If we extrapolate the final positions on the basis of how the season has progressed so far, this is how the teams would finish.
Leinster .....81
Munster......70
Ospreys......64
Glasgow......61
Blues..........60
Ulster.........59
Scarlets......58.

Ulster going walkabout during the RWC really tore a huge whole in our season as far as the league is concerned.

The incalculable factor is the Heineken Cup and how it might affect things.

"he wasn't too optimistic about ulster making the h cup quarter final either!"

No, I wasn't given the group we had and no one else was either. Most of us were resigned to hoping the team would play well. Leicester aren't in the same class as in previous years. Even so, daft selections and injuries cost us at Welford Road.

Who would have predicted Edinburgh to win their group never mind Ulster humping the Tigers by 40 points? Only a crazed loon possibly.

Wexfordboy89

Big Nelly wrote: »

When is Visser available for Scotland?

I think he becomes available in the summer not sure when tho

irishbucsfan

Wexfordboy89 wrote: »

Big Nelly wrote: »

When is Visser available for Scotland?

I think he becomes available in the summer not sure when tho

Not sure of the exact date, but I know that he becomes elligible between Scotlands first and second summer test. So hell more than likely be on that tour

bilston

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I'm guessing he's saying Leinster/Munster/Spreys/Glasgow.

But then he wasn't too optimistic about ulster making the h cup quarter final either!

Jaco is always the glass half empty man when it comes to Ulster! At least he's never disapointed!

questforfit

I get a sneaking feeling that this Ulster team will blow away Munster.

I wouldn't want to be facing Dan Tuohy in his next game.

He's gonna tear up trees.

Ireland's loss Ulster's gain...

Fireball07

questforfit wrote: »

I get a sneaking feeling that this Ulster team will blow away Munster.

Blow away?

chris_d

please give stevie a rest now decco.

GerM

questforfit wrote: »

I get a sneaking feeling that this Ulster team will blow away Munster.

Don't know about blow them away but they're going to be a serious proposition. The way the chips are falling, the Ulster side have a good run of games with the majority of their players getting plenty of time together. They're also getting a serious dose of bitterness building up with the blind eye being turned to them by the Irish set up. Tuohy, Marshall and Henry are going to be desperate to put a marker down. Ferris, Court, Trimble and Best will slot in with ease. They're good professionals and will need no motivation. Throw in Afoa, Wallace, Muller and Pienaar and it's a serious team.

If POC starts, I'd be confident of Munster doing it. If he doesn't it's on a knife edge.

PhatPiggins

Which Ulster turns up? Flakey as hell Ulster in the ML or consistent Ulster in the HC?

I'm not that worried about Ulster to be honest, even without POC. I know I'll get a rake of 'never count your chickens' and 'you're over confident' replies but Ulster have a poor record at TP and to be honest bar their performance in Clermont thye've been largely pants away from Ravenhill.

Sorry Jaco I don't mean to offend.

Hype710

I've been a big fan of Dan Tuohy since he joined Ulster a few seasons back. Has all the ingredients of a modern day second row: Secures good lineout ball, tackles aggresively, great ball carrier, deft hands and has real pace. Is there some part of his game that is missing that has him behind Ryan, O' Callaghan and McCarthy that I haven't noticed or is it just that Kidney has something against bringing through Ulster players?

Big Nelly

Hype710 wrote: »

I've been a big fan of Dan Tuohy since he joined Ulster a few seasons back. Has all the ingredients of a modern day second row: Secures good lineout ball, tackles aggresively, great ball carrier, deft hands and has real pace. Is there some part of his game that is missing that has him behind Ryan, O' Callaghan and McCarthy that I haven't noticed or is it just that Kidney has something against bringing through Ulster players?

Kidney I would say!!!

I am pie

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Which Ulster turns up? Flakey as hell Ulster in the ML or consistent Ulster in the HC?

I'm not that worried about Ulster to be honest, even without POC. I know I'll get a rake of 'never count your chickens' and 'you're over confident' replies but Ulster have a poor record at TP and to be honest bar their performance in Clermont thye've been largely pants away from Ravenhill.

Sorry Jaco I don't mean to offend.

We'll have that printed out and put up on the wall as our team talk : )

jacothelad

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Which Ulster turns up? Flakey as hell Ulster in the ML or consistent Ulster in the HC?

I'm not that worried about Ulster to be honest, even without POC. I know I'll get a rake of 'never count your chickens' and 'you're over confident' replies but Ulster have a poor record at TP and to be honest bar their performance in Clermont thye've been largely pants away from Ravenhill.

Sorry Jaco I don't mean to offend.

No offence taken. Your opinion is perfectly reasonable. Most teams have a poor record at Thomond. I think Clermont was the nearest Ulster have been to a full team this season. Even at Clermont we had Whitten at 13.

If we have.
1. Court / McAllister
2. Best / Kyriacou
3. Afoa / Macklin
4. Muller
5. Tuohy / Stevenson
6. Ferris
7. Henry / Faloon
8. Wannenberg
9. Pienaar / Marshall
10. Humphreys
11. Gilroy
12. Mincer / Spence
13. Cave
14. Trimble
15. Terblanche / D'Arcy

Then we won't be disgraced. Who knows, maybe Humphreys will bring his usually hidden A game.

jacothelad

On the subject of Tuohy, it really is a close call between him and McCarthy. Why would Deccie want a second row like Tuohy who is heavier, faster and more skilled in open play than the others? Ho obviously doesn't think those traits are important. In the loose, he prefers second rows who lurch forward a meter and fall over their own feet facing the wrong way.

I have to say that my heart sank when he called up TOL. It was however just a reflex action. If however, O'Leary starts the game I'm not even going to watch it. I can just about stick his ignorance of Tuohy. Not his embrace of his mate - again. TOL is o.k. - just about. I'm actually going to be on Holiday in the Beara peninsula so I have other options.

jamieh

Tommy Bowe just tweeted that he has signed for Ulster - starting next season!