Ulster vs Dragons; Kingspan Park. Live TV ar TG 4 and BBC 2NI

Losty Dublin

Ulster: L Ludik; C Gilroy, D Cave, S Olding, J Stockdale; I Humphreys, R Pienaar; C Black, R Herring (capt), R Lutton; A O'Connor, P Browne; R Diack, S Reidy, R Wilson.

Replacements (16-23): J Andrew, K McCall, B Ross, C Ross, N Williams, P Marshall, P Jackson, R Scholes.

Dragons: C Meyer, A Hewitt, A Hughes, A Warren, H Amos, A O'Brien, C Davies; P Price, E Dee, B Harris, M Screech, R Landman (c), B White, N Cudd, E Jackson.

Replacements (16-23): R Buckley, B Stankovich, S Knight, C Hill, J Benjamin, S Pretorius, G R Jones, N Scott.

A win in this rearranged game could see Ulster go on top of the Pro 12 tonight against the Newport Gwent Dragons. In spite of the weekends international, the home team field rather a strong team that's boosted with the return of Pienaar and Paddy Jackson, the latter confined to the bench just in case along with in form winger Rory Scholes who nurses a slight thigh strain.

The visitors are bereft of several of their regular first choicers as well. The return of Welsh 3/4 Hallam Amos from the panel for Dublin ensures the last 5/8 line that beat Leinster at home last week but a new half back partnership and several changes in the pack may be asking a little too much for an away win.

My verdict is a bonus point win for Ulster, 35-18.

Buer

Really looking forward to seeing how Stockdale gets on as well as Olding's continued return. Ulster really should have far too much on the field and off the bench to win this comfortably.

Whilst discussing this game, well done Irish rugby for managing to schedule the kick off in this game and the U20 6N game for precisely the same time. I'm sure the television stations would have been more than happy to move one of the games forward/backwards by 40 minutes to allow people to watch the majority of both as well as increasing their own audience.

The fact that it's Irish vs Welsh teams in both fixtures makes it even more moronic.

Digifriendly

Buer wrote: »

Really looking forward to seeing how Stockdale gets on as well as Olding's continued return. Ulster really should have far too much on the field and off the bench to win this comfortably.

Whilst discussing this game, well done Irish rugby for managing to schedule the kick off in this game and the U20 6N game for precisely the same time. I'm sure the television stations would have been more than happy to move one of the games forward/backwards by 40 minutes to allow people to watch the majority of both as well as increasing their own audience.

The fact that it's Irish vs Welsh teams in both fixtures makes it even more moronic.

I tend to agree as next week Wales Under 20's game vs Scotland is scheduled for 6.30pm and Scarlets vs Edinburgh for 8.15pm. I well remember a number of years ago going to Ulster vs Cardiff at Ravenhill on a Friday night for a 9.00pm KO to suit television!

bilston

There is a wee rumour on uafc that McCloskey will be replacing Scholes on the bench.

Losty Dublin

Buer wrote: »

Really looking forward to seeing how Stockdale gets on as well as Olding's continued return. Ulster really should have far too much on the field and off the bench to win this comfortably.

Whilst discussing this game, well done Irish rugby for managing to schedule the kick off in this game and the U20 6N game for precisely the same time. I'm sure the television stations would have been more than happy to move one of the games forward/backwards by 40 minutes to allow people to watch the majority of both as well as increasing their own audience.

The fact that it's Irish vs Welsh teams in both fixtures makes it even more moronic.

Tonight's game is a rearranged fixture and free dates aren't too plentiful so you take what you get, to some extent. One of the Pro 12 games early in the year was moved to 6PM to avoid a clash and there was still people giving out

Besides that, I'm not in tonight and and am recording both games so it doesn't affect me :pac:

awec

Can't wait for this, we should win comfortably.

Buer

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Tonight's game is a rearranged fixture and free dates aren't too plentiful so you take what you get, to some extent. One of the Pro 12 games early in the year was moved to 6PM to avoid a clash and there was still people giving out

Dates are fine. U20 games are always on a Friday night as are the vast majority of Ulster home games. There's nothing to stop the powers that be scheduling one game for 7.05pm and the second for 7.45pm, though.

Both are after 7pm and offer adequate time for supporters to get to the ground. It would also allow viewers at home to watch all of one game and about 50 minutes of the other. As it stands, it's one or the other with no middle ground.

It seems to be very poor planning on the part of the authorities.

bilston

awec wrote: »

Can't wait for this, we should win comfortably.

I'm not ashamed to say I'm looking forward to this more than the Ireland game at the minute (although I'm sure I'll come round - there is a nice vid of Tim Peake on the Space Station previewing the 6Ns on the BBC website which may get your juices flowing a bit). Anyway I digress, as Buer says it will be good to get a good look at Jacob Stockdale and hopefully we see a bit of Olding magic. I'd love to see a midfield of Jackson, McCloskey (if the rumours are true) and Olding in the second half.

The question is can the pack front up. I'm a bit worried about the set piece, especially given it is pishing out of the Heavens up here at the minute.

The Black Stags

Buer wrote: »

Really looking forward to seeing how Stockdale gets on as well as Olding's continued return. Ulster really should have far too much on the field and off the bench to win this comfortably.

Whilst discussing this game, well done Irish rugby for managing to schedule the kick off in this game and the U20 6N game for precisely the same time. I'm sure the television stations would have been more than happy to move one of the games forward/backwards by 40 minutes to allow people to watch the majority of both as well as increasing their own audience.

The fact that it's Irish vs Welsh teams in both fixtures makes it even more moronic.

Agreed - also going to miss the Sharks vs Toulon.

Bazzo

Did I just see McCloskey out on the pitch there wearing a bib?

Sinbad_NI

Got to be the biggest game of the weekend. C'mon Ulster.

BBDBB

The weekend starts here. Can't wait

vienne86

Lively start from Dragons! 3 points to the good already.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Possibility of seeing McCloskey alongside Olding tonight? Maybe?

awec

Bazzo wrote: »

Did I just see McCloskey out on the pitch there wearing a bib?

Yes released to bench for Ulster

bilston

Olding reminds me of BOD, first the burst of,pace to get through the tackle and then the wee grubber. Just a joy to watch.

BBDBB

Lovely take by gilroy

vienne86

Hewitt has some wheels. How many Ulster players did he get past there?

Sinbad_NI

Great counter attack by Dragons. Deserves a try.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Poor tackle from Stockdale in the middle of that.

vienne86

Wow - what a conversion. 0-10 .....wasn't expecting this!

BBDBB

Good try

Sinbad_NI

Feck me Stockdale is HUGE.

Scythica

I love how much Olding gets over the gainline despite 'lack of bulk'. Just seems to hit defenders weak side always

vienne86

Ah lovely try by Reidy!

Sinbad_NI

That was a great show of patience in that build up to the try. Good work by Reidy to finish as well.

awec

More like it!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Nice kick from iHumph!

BBDBB

At last they get something for all that possession. Nice finish by reidy

vienne86

Entertaining stuff!

errlloyd

I've been impressed with Reidy.

Utah_Saint

Ffs lutton...one man penalty machine

BBDBB

Lovely enterprise shown by both sides. Great game for the neutral. Absolute murder for you Ulster lads

Utah_Saint

Stockdale doing his best McCloskey impression

Sinbad_NI

Entertaining match so far.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Great tackle from Stockdale there.

BBDBB

Dragons seem to be better organised & patient in defence. Ulster seem stretched and lose shape by comparison

vienne86

Can iHump not pass?

awec

vienne86 wrote: »

Can iHump not pass?

Can't do anything. He's an empty shirt.

Utah_Saint

Get Jackson on, he's not gonna see any action with Ireland so why rest him?

vienne86

awec wrote: »

Can't do anything. He's an empty shirt.

He seems good a passing to empty spaces.

BBDBB

Credit to the dragons. They've absorbed Ulster pressure and looked very dangerous in response. Ulster need to compete at the breakdown better to speed up the ball and allow their backs that little bit more space

Stheno

Who is ihumph and why?

mfceiling

vienne86 wrote: »

Can iHump not pass?

He can...He just chooses not to. Seriously if I was kiss I'd be in the changing room and when Ihumph walks in I'd give him the biggest boot in the hole.

Lot of missed tackles out there. Game is there to be won.

mfceiling

Stheno wrote: »

Who is ihumph and why?

Ian humphries...brother of David who was a former ireland out half.

Bazzo

Stheno wrote: »

Who is ihumph and why?

Brother of the famous David Humphreys. He was also a decent outhalf in his time but these days he's a bit past it.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

His twitter name is iHumph

wp_rathead

just saw the score 7-10
are ulster playing poorly or are Dragons playing very well

wp_rathead

just saw the score 7-10
are ulster playing poorly or are Dragons playing very well

vienne86

wp_rathead wrote: »

just saw the score 7-10
are ulster playing poorly or are Dragons playing very well

Dragons are playing very well.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Who is the guy in studio with Fez? He's got the best hybrid accent I've heard since Styliyan Petrov's Bulgarian/Glasgow accent.