Preview Thread -RaboDirect Pro12 Final - RDS, 25th May, 1645 - live on RTE2/TG4/BBCNI

jacothelad

awec wrote: »

If yous know what it is why the lack of wearing it? :P

What's with this sombrero thing? Explain the joke!

From the old song. "South of the border, down Mexico way."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZYPa6tI43Q

Tox56

Leinster to lay their Rabo final hoodoo to rest?

[Deleted User] wrote: »

So annoying that this is on a bank holiday (UK). Meant that it was cheaper for me to fly home and attend both finals last weekend than it was to get flights and tickets for this one!

Will be nervously watching on BBC NI cursing those biased commentators!

(probably the least biased ones about, but when it's "them" vs "us" it's a different bag of tricks)

Ah they're pretty bad but when you're only serving one isolated area you're allowed to be, RTE on the other hand have an obligation to be more impartial... but let's just say that isn't always the case

Grimebox

Just to get everyone in the mood :pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aydRR1paro

Tox56

Tox56 wrote: »

Ah they're pretty bad but when you're only serving one isolated area you're allowed to be, RTE on the other hand have an obligation to be more impartial... but let's just say that isn't always the case

I have found them excellent this season tbh.

Have really enjoyed the BBC NI coverage.

jacothelad

Tox56 wrote: »

Ah they're pretty bad but when you're only serving one isolated area you're allowed to be, RTE on the other hand have an obligation to be more impartial... but let's just say that isn't always the case

I take it this is a joke......

jamiedav2011

jacothelad wrote: »

I take it this is a joke......

The obligation part or the impartiality part?
Because they certainly have an obligation compared to BBCNI for eg.

.ak

Grimebox wrote: »

Just to get everyone in the mood :pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aydRR1paro

Actually, suddenly I just remembered why it could be so important SOB plays...

bilston

Leinster to lay their Rabo final hoodoo to rest?

John Afoa will start at tighthead in the only change to the Ulster team that defeated the Scarlets a fortnight ago for tomorrow's RaboDirect PRO12 Final against Leinster at the RDS (kick off 16.45).

The All Black prop missed the Play Off with a hamstring strain but has been passed fit for the end-of-season finale.
Afoa will join this summer’s Ireland captain, Rory Best, and Tom Court in the front row, while Ulster Captain, Johann Muller, continues his partnership with Dan Tuohy in the second-row. Robbie Diack and Chris Henry start either side of the scrum with the RaboDirect PRO12 Players’ Player of the Year, Nick Williams, selected at Number 8.

Ruan Pienaar starts at scrumhalf, with Paddy Jackson named at outhalf. 20 year-old Stuart Olding partners Darren Cave in midfield with British and Irish Lions winger, Tommy Bowe, joining Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne in the back three.

Commenting on his selection, Ulster Head Coach, Mark Anscombe, said: ‘It’s great to be able to welcome John back into the starting line-up. John and players like Ruan (Pienaar) and Johann (Muller) have been part of World Cup winning squads. When the big moments come, they are cool heads under pressure and you can’t put a price on that. When you put them together with our Ireland internationals and our excellent young players like Stuart Olding then you have a great mix.

‘However, Leinster are a quality team and we have a huge amount of respect for them. They will ask a lot of questions of us and we will have to play at our very best to beat them.

‘This is a massive match, a local derby and it is an occasion that everyone at Ulster is looking forward to. In recent seasons Ulster have been the bridesmaids too often. We have done our learning – it’s now time to step up and to prove that we are good enough.’

Ulster XV and replacements to face Leinster, RaboDirect PRO12 Final, RDS, Saturday 25th May 2013 (kick off 16.45);

(15-9): J Payne, A Trimble, D Cave, S Olding, T Bowe, P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (C), D Tuohy, R Diack, C Henry, N Williams;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, D Fitzpatrick, I Henderson, M McComish, P Marshall, M Allen, P Nelson.

SUFTU

awec

AFOA! AFOA! AFOA!

thomond2006

Leinster to lay their Rabo final hoodoo to rest?

That's huge for Ulster. An impressive pack with Henderson to come on.

bilston

Leinster to lay their Rabo final hoodoo to rest?

What a few months it has been for Stuart Olding. At the start of the season he was helping Ulster win the U20 Inter Pros and playing for Belfast Harlequins in the AIL, 9 months later he's preparing to play in the Pro 12 final with a tour with the senior Irish squad around the corner. Obviously a combination of injuries and sadly tragedy have worked in his favour but in a way he's been the find of the season in Irish rugby, certainly him and Henshaw anyway, the reason being that only real anoraks had heard of him at the start of the season. I hope he builds on his fast growing reputation tomorrow.

pc7

So fricken nervous and excited about this one I'm hoping the noise levels are unreal!!! Its going to be carnage, this will be my first live Ulster game as couldn't make the last home one. From all reports the banter should be good. Any of their games I've watched on tv the fans seem excellent.

.ak

The only chink I can see in that team is the backs on the bench. Allen and Nelson are fine players, with Allen especially has a lovely jink in his step, but at this level they may be found wanting. I think Ulster will be hoping for a solid 80 minute performance from their backline. Other than that it's a super squad. I'd defo say better than the one that took to field in Twickenham last year.

bilston

Leinster to lay their Rabo final hoodoo to rest?

thomond2006 wrote: »

That's huge for Ulster. An impressive pack with Henderson to come on.

Henderson stands out a mile on our bench, Marshall offers something different too (not always in a good way) and Herring, Black and Allen all have something to give if needed but in truth the bench is an area where I think Leinster will have an obvious edge.

They'll have Cronin, Toner/Roux, Jennings/Ruddock/Ryan, and maybe even Madigan depending on the selection.

decisions

Now I'm worried, that's a very strong Ulster side.

Tox56

Leinster to lay their Rabo final hoodoo to rest?

Afoa fit could be the difference. Healy handled him very well in Twickenham but I think Ross has gone backwards since then, and if Ross is in trouble Healy will have a huge job trying to contain Afoa

chris85

decisions wrote: »

Now I'm worried, that's a very strong Ulster side.

Impressive Ulster side but the bench isnt as strong as Leinster will have

vkid

Leinster to lay their Rabo final hoodoo to rest?

Impressive side. Would like to see Ulster win tbh..

decisions

chris85 wrote: »

Impressive Ulster side but the bench isnt as strong as Leinster will have

But they are coming into this fresh, in the last 15min that's going to count.

bilston

Leinster to lay their Rabo final hoodoo to rest?

.ak wrote: »

The only chink I can see in that team is the backs on the bench. Allen and Nelson are fine players, with Allen especially has a lovely jink in his step, but at this level they may be found wanting. I think Ulster will be hoping for a solid 80 minute performance from their backline. Other than that it's a super squad. I'd defo say better than the one that took to field in Twickenham last year.

Actually that's given me the idea to compare and contrast Ulster 2012 with Ulster 2013

15 Terblanche vs Payne
14 Trimble vs Trimble
13 Cave vs Cave
12 Wallace vs Olding
11 Gilroy vs Bowe
10 Jackson vs Jackson
9 Pienaar vs Pienaar
1 Court vs Court
2 Best vs Best
3 Afoa vs Afoa
4 Muller vs Muller
5 Tuohy vs Tuohy
6 Ferris vs Diack
7 Henry vs Henry
8 Wannenberg vs Williams

The only place we're weaker is probably at 12 and even then I've no concerns about Olding, however Wallace was great for us last season. I'd even go so far as to say we're stronger at 6 because Fez wasn't fit in the final last year, plus Diack and Henderson give us more line-out options. Bowe is better than Gilroy and Payne is better than Terblanche.

Most crucially though Jackson is a year more experienced and despite the criticism he's got on an Ireland level he's been good for Ulster this year with the odd exception, as you'd expect from a 21 year old out half. I certainly don't expect him to implode tomorrow. Besides he'll have a point to prove, but then so will the entire squad.

IIRC Henry wasn't fully fit last year either and for all the talk of Jackson etc etc Ulster were schooled at the breakdown in the HEC final. That's what we've got to get right tomorrow and why I await with intrigue as to the make up of the Leinster back row.

trouttrout

SOB out according to Sinead Kissane

colster

LEINSTER:
15: Rob Kearney
14: Fergus McFadden
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Ian Madigan
11: Isa Nacewa
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss
1: Cian Healy
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Devin Toner
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:
16: Sean Cronin
17: Jack McGrath
18: Jamie Hagan
19: Quinn Roux
20: Rhys Ruddock
21: John Cooney
22: Andrew Goodman
23: Andrew Conway

trouttrout

Would have Godman instead of Madigan

Hippo

I hope Ferg's fully fit. Much will depend on how fit Afoa really is.

Tox56

Leinster to lay their Rabo final hoodoo to rest?

trouttrout wrote: »

Would have Godman instead of Madigan

Too late now I think, needed to start last week to have a chance. Madigan has been OK beside BOD, but he's no Olding at 12

irishbucsfan

No mad Joe selections there. Pretty much the strongest side possible.

The IRFU have ruined him already!

Eponymous

molloyjh wrote: »

Class....and so it begins.

Are there many going with the sombrero look? I know a couple of lads who always do for the Ulster games. Was wondering how widespread it would be....

Sombrero and Poncho on standby. The sombrero is huuuuge! Poncho is pretty close to Ulster colours though.

.ak

Eponymous wrote: »

Sombrero and Poncho on standby. The sombrero is huuuuge! Poncho is pretty close to Ulster colours though.

Throw it in the wash with some blue dye!

bilston

Leinster to lay their Rabo final hoodoo to rest?

chris85 wrote: »

Impressive Ulster side but the bench isnt as strong as Leinster will have

I'd have agreed with you 10 minutes ago but looking at it I think the benches are pretty even.

ULSTER
Herring
Black
Fitzpatrick
Henderson
McComish
Marshall
Allen
Nelson

LEINSTER
Cronin
McGrath
Hagan
Roux
Ruddock
Cooney
Goodman
Conway

As ak says it's the outside backs where Leinster might have an edge, but even then Goodman and Allen can't really be compared and while I'd definitely take Conway over Nelson at the moment Nelson will be a very good player and has serious gas if called upon.

Props are much of a muchness but if Fitzpatrick stays fit then I think I'd take Ulster props over Leinster's. Ruddock is definitely better than McComish but then I'd say the same for Marshall over Cooney but of course Marshall could just as easily lose Ulster the game as win it so there are caveats there too.

Closer than I initially thought anyway.

.ak

colster wrote: »

REPLACEMENTS:
16: Sean Cronin
17: Jack McGrath
18: Jamie Hagan
19: Quinn Roux
20: Rhys Ruddock
21: John Cooney
22: Andrew Goodman
23: Andrew Conway

Funny. If you had asked me if that's a strong bench at the begining of the season I'd had said no way! But now? It's very strong. I'd go as so far as to say that all 3 front rowers are pushing the incumbents for starting spots, and are better attacking scrummagers. Roux? Well, he'll help the scrum if he comes on, not much more than that. Ruddock has become an absolute beast lately so he's always gonna be a decent impact sub. Goodman proved how much he can boss a tiring midfield last week, and Conway will no doubt be looking to impress one last time in a blue shirt and finish on a high.

leakyboots

Afoa is in

leakyboots

I'd have had Conway over McF is Ferg is unfit. Tasty signing for us.

Should be a cracking game, best of luck to both sides

Hersheys

So friggin excited!

Cormic

I am really looking forward to this game...

I am not worried like I was for the Amlin final as I did not know what to expect from Stade. Ulster on the other hand are well known. Should be cracking game no matter what.

Love the banter on this thread. Keep up the good work all.

Larbre34

Yeah the Leinster team has that comfortable old pair of slippers feel about it, that said my comfortable old slippers are pretty skanky.

Same starting back row as first grand final 4 seasons ago, 4 backs out of 7 the same and overall 11 out of 23. Maybe that just indicates typical turnover of a squad, but the Ulster team just screams dynamic, we will miss O'Brien big time.

Should be a cracker....!

Tox56

Leinster to lay their Rabo final hoodoo to rest?

Yeah initially thought we looked a bit weak but there's 5 Lions in that starting team, there's enough quality there. We will miss SOB enormously though

Quint2010

SOB being out is a huge loss but if he isn't fit no point. I wonder how long Afoa will last? He cant be 100%.

thebaz

good solid leinster team - hopefully they can give Schmidt a deserved silverware , as a thank you for all the joy he has brought to leinster rugby. thank you Joe.

Honey-ec

I cannot believe I'm missing this match.

Would it be a defriendable offence if I skipped my friend's wedding to go?

dub_skav

Honey-ec wrote: »

I cannot believe I'm missing this match.

Would it be a defriendable offence if I skipped my friend's wedding to go?

A proper friend would be insisting you watch it and send text updates

Edit: Well actually a proper friend wouldn't have their wedding on finals day

prospect

Honey-ec wrote: »

I cannot believe I'm missing this match.

Would it be a defriendable offence if I skipped my friend's wedding to go?

I missed Ireland's Grand Slam winning game against Wales to attend a 'Friends' wedding.


Friends can be so frikken inconsiderate.


C'mon Leinster !!!

Garseys

Pity about SO'B being out. Heaslip will be upping his game again (if anything goes of Leinsters performances in the absence of the Tullow Tank).

Afoa being in for Ulster is a big bonus for them, though I wonder will he be 100% and if he's not Leinster will exploit it.
Gonna be a close match. C'mon Leinster!

Buer

Honey-ec wrote: »

I cannot believe I'm missing this match.

Would it be a defriendable offence if I skipped my friend's wedding to go?

It's a defriendable offence to have your wedding on the same day as major sporting events! They'll learn quickly when everyone keeps disappearing during the meal/speeches/first dance etc. due to the Pro12 and CL finals tomorrow. They'll seriously regret not checking the sporting schedule, I would think!

totallegend

Honey-ec wrote: »

I cannot believe I'm missing this match.

Would it be a defriendable offence if I skipped my friend's wedding to go?

4.45 is usually that bit of the wedding in between the ceremony and dinner when you're just standing round chatting. If you slip out to the bar and watch the game, would it be the worst thing?

Buer

Going to be a close match, whatever side takes their opportunities will win. Ulster side looks very strong on paper. It will be interesting to see if the presence of BOD and Sexton shuts down their back line more effectively than has been managed this season. If I had to put money on it, Leinster by a single score.

Regardless, I'll take comfort in the fact that the Ulster lads are just wannabe Leinster players anyway.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/6728.php

Honey-ec

totallegend wrote: »

4.45 is usually that bit of the wedding in between the ceremony and dinner when you're just standing round chatting. If you slip out to the bar and watch the game, would it be the worst thing?

It's a civil wedding and the ceremony is at 5

pc7

Honey-ec wrote: »

It's a civil wedding and the ceremony is at 5

You look very unwell to me, I'd say it will reach its most contagious at 5pm to 7pm, suggestion lots of beverages between that time watching the game, then a miraculous recovery to make the rest of the wedding to hopefully celebrate the Leinster win wedding.

awec

Honey-ec wrote: »

It's a civil wedding and the ceremony is at 5

I'm gutted to be missing it too.

You know you were on TV at the Stade game, yea?

Just sayin' like, if you tell your mate you are sick she might see you on the TV.

Killser

This is gonna be deadly - really lookin forward. Gotta be in Wicklow till 4.00, hopefully be out early and speeding driving at motorway speed to make kick off at home in Mullingar.

COYBIB !!!!

Will miss Seanie, but Jamie tends to have big games when SOB is out!

Leinster by a couple

dub_skav

Honey-ec wrote: »

It's a civil wedding and the ceremony is at 5

That sounds highly suspicious, registrars don't work on weekends.

Is it one of those actually married on Friday, fake service on Saturday deals?

Edit to say: Well that was the case a few years ago anyway, may have changed