Mexico Vs Ulster ultimate epic super build up thread.

Sabre0001

Had a dream last night that Ulster win...but I don't see it happening.

sydthebeat

leinster gone from -15 this morning to -13 after word of sexton probably not playing.

thomond2006

thomond2006 wrote: »

Awec complains about the officials 2/7

I'm changing this to 1/100000000 as I'll go broke otherwise.

Paul Smeenus

sydthebeat wrote: »

leinster gone from -15 this morning to -13 after word of sexton probably not playing.

Wow. I would have gone the other way, but okay.

Dial Hard

Anyone any idea what's up with Sexton? Nothing seems to be doing the rounds other than the Indo article.

God I miss my mole in UCD.

awec

O'Sullivan,
Best,
Moore,
Henderson,
Treadwell,
Timoney,
Murphy,
Coetzee,
Cooney,
Burns,
Stockdale,
McCloskey,
Cave,
Baloucoune,
Lowry

Herring,
Warwick,
Herbst,
O'Connor,
Reidy,
Shanahan,
Marshall,
Kernohan

Clegg

Having seen that team; Leinster by 20.

Clegg

Leinster by 30.

15. Jordan Larmour (33)
14. Adam Byrne (50)
13. Garry Ringrose (60)
12. Rory O’Loughlin (58)
11. Dave Kearney (132)
10. Ross Byrne (65)
9. Luke McGrath (107)
1. Cian Healy (202)
2. Seán Cronin (167)
3. Tadhg Furlong (96)
4. Scott Fardy (38)
5. James Ryan (26)
6. Rhys Ruddock (157) CAPTAIN
7. Seán O’Brien (122)
8. Jack Conan (84)

16. James Tracy (87)
17. Ed Byrne (39)
18. Andrew Porter (49)
19. Mick Kearney (49)
20. Dan Leavy (62)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (68)
22. Noel Reid (118)
23. Rob Kearney (205)

thomond2006

Ambush alert!

joseywhales

It's not what I would call a champions cup winning backline from leinster but we should have enough

Henry Ford III

Super Rob on the bench????

troyzer

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Super Rob on the bench????

This^

That's a pretty huge:

Former Former

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Super Rob on the bench????

Sure it's only Ulster.

Sexton, Kearney, Leavy being kept in bubble wrap for the big one against Treviso next week.

Clegg

H2H

Healy v O'Sullivan: Adv Leinster
Cronin v Best: Adv Leinster
Furlong v Moore: Adv Leinster
Fardy v Henderson: Adv Leinster
Ryan v Treadwell: Adv Leinster
Ruddock v Timoney: Adv Leinster
SoB v Murphy: Adv Leinster
Conan v Coetzee: Adv Leinster
McGrath v Cooney: Adv Leinster
Byrne v Burns: Adv Leinster
Kearney v Stockdale: Adv Leinster
RoL v McCloskey: Adv Leinster
Ringrose v Cave: LOL
Byrne v Balacoune: Adv Leinster
Larmour v Lowry: Adv Leinster

joseywhales

Clegg wrote: »

H2H

Healy v O'Sullivan: Adv Leinster
Cronin v Best: Adv Leinster
Furlong v Moore: Adv Leinster
Fardy v Henderson: Adv Leinster
Ryan v Treadwell: Adv Leinster
Ruddock v Timoney: Adv Leinster
SoB v Murphy: Adv Leinster
Conan v Coetzee: Adv Leinster
McGrath v Cooney: Adv Leinster
Byrne v Burns: Adv Leinster
Kearney v Stockdale: Adv Leinster
RoL v McCloskey: Adv Leinster
Ringrose v Cave: LOL
Byrne v Balacoune: Adv Leinster
Larmour v Lowry: Adv Leinster

:pac:

scott1974

No Jack on the bench, pretty much means he's off at the end of the season...

Henry Ford III

Clegg wrote: »

H2H

Healy v O'Sullivan: Adv Leinster
Cronin v Best: Adv Ulster
Furlong v Moore: Adv Leinster
Fardy v Henderson: Even
Ryan v Treadwell: Adv Leinster
Ruddock v Timoney: Adv Leinster
SoB v Murphy: TBA
Conan v Coetzee: Even
McGrath v Cooney: Even
Byrne v Burns: Adv Leinster
Kearney v Stockdale: Adv Ulster
RoL v McCloskey: Even
Ringrose v Cave: LOL
Byrne v Balacoune: Adv Leinster
Larmour v Lowry: Adv Leinster

It's closer than you think.

dub_skav

I had just been thinking, Ulster LOL, all week.

But looking at that team, Ulster are actually pretty strong across the board.

Still think Leinster have enough to win well, but I won't be as blasé as I thought heading to Lansdowne tomorrow.

molloyjh

Do any of the other provinces have injuries as a result of the 6Ns or is it just us? That’s terrible luck if that’s the case. Losing Toner is a double blow as our best line out operator and forcing Lowe out of the picture. VDF is arguably our best 7 at the moment given SOBs form and Leavys fitness. Sexton is our best player. Henshaw our best 12. They are pretty big losses as it is. To be the only ones who have any seems mad.

Clegg

joseywhales wrote: »

It's not what I would call a champions cup winning backline from leinster but we should have enough

It's the same backline that took to the field against Toulouse at the RDS. It's not a headline grabber but they're went pretty well that day. I think the coaching is to such a high standard that players can just drop in and play well, provided the pack is up to snuff of course.

bilston

molloyjh wrote: »

Do any of the other provinces have injuries as a result of the 6Ns or is it just us? That’s terrible luck if that’s the case. Losing Toner is a double blow as our best line out operator and forcing Lowe out of the picture. VDF is arguably our best 7 at the moment given SOBs form and Leavys fitness. Sexton is our best player. Henshaw our best 12. They are pretty big losses as it is. To be the only ones who have any seems mad.

Well when you have an ex Leinster coach continually picking out of form Leinster players for Ireland then you will pick up more injuries than everyone else

molloyjh

bilston wrote: »

Well when you have an ex Leinster coach continually picking out of form Leinster players for Ireland then you will pick up more injuries than everyone else

Why? Are the other provinces lads taking them out? :pac:

I've heard from two people now that Kearney's form is on the wane a bit and he isn't hitting markers in training this season despite being fit. I'm not sure he makes the world cup at this stage but it's a tough one as there is a lot of rugby IQ locked up in that headspace of his.

On the flip side he's an 'on field' coach for Leinster and Ireland, meant to be completely unselfish when it comes to giving advice to competitors for the 15 shirt. Complete team player.

Apparently Reid is struggling for fitness also and was a late inclusion, not sure where that leaves Tomane to be honest.

molloyjh

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I've heard from two people now that Kearney's form is on the wane a bit and he isn't hitting markers in training this season despite being fit. I'm not sure he makes the world cup at this stage but it's a tough one as there is a lot of rugby IQ locked up in that headspace of his.

On the flip side he's an 'on field' coach for Leinster and Ireland, meant to be completely unselfish when it comes to giving advice to competitors for the 15 shirt. Complete team player.

Apparently Reid is struggling for fitness also and was a late inclusion, not sure where that leaves Tomane to be honest.

Reid is covering 10 as much as anywhere else so his selection has no real bearing on Tomane. It was either Reid or Frawley. Tomane is behind Rob, which is fair enough. I’d also have Ferg and Daly up there ahead of him too.

bilston

molloyjh wrote: »

Why? Are the other provinces lads taking them out? :pac:

Maybe that's why Jonny keeps getting injured. The other players are taking him out at training for being a gnarly fecker

Clegg

Both of Leinster's wings are handy in the air. With Ross Byrne playing I can see us targeting Ulster's back three a fair bit.

If we get the advantage up front I really want to see us targeting Cave's outside shoulder. He's still a technically fine centre but he's never been the fastest. A 33 year old BoD was burning him on the outside 7 years ago. Create a bit of space against him and he's in trouble.

troyzer

Who's doing the Mexico Vs North Korea match thread?

launish116

Clegg wrote: »

Both of Leinster's wings are handy in the air. With Ross Byrne playing I can see us targeting Ulster's back three a fair bit.

If we get the advantage up front I really want to see us targeting Cave's outside shoulder. He's still a technically fine centre but he's never been the fastest. A 33 year old BoD was burning him on the outside 7 years ago. Create a bit of space against him and he's in trouble.

Sadly in agreement with this also around Cave, that's our chink!

Though I think you're under estimating Stockdale and especially Baloucoune!

stephen_n

launish116 wrote: »

Sadly in agreement with this also around Cave, that's our chink!

Though I think you're under estimating Stockdale and especially Baloucoune!

Think it’s more Byrne against Lowry that we’d be targeting. Though having said that Stockdale has looked shakey under the high ball sometimes too.

Buer

I would expect us to target Lowry in the air but certainly not their wingers. Neither are amazing fielders but both are solid as well as being 6'3" and 6'4" respectively.

But we'll need to be tight on our kicking. I wouldn't want to give any one of their back three turnover ball in space. I imagine the approach will be to pull Baloucoune out of position a little and look to put a ball in behind him to field and looking to isolate Lowry in the air.

The Ulster team looks about as good as it can. They'll come with everything they've got for the first 30 minutes. Leinster will need to contain their energy for that period and arm wrestle territory until Ulster crack.

In some ways I'd almost prefer Byrne to be starting at 10 than Sexton. I think defensively he's more robust in terms of surviving what McCloskey is going to bring to the match.

From the way Cullen was talking it sounded like Sexton could almost have played but it's impossible to see him sitting out a game like this if he was fit. I've no issue with Byrne playing because Sexton has been all over the place at times but we've no cover.

Shame for things to go this way for Jack McGrath after his contribution to Leinster over the years. Massively disappointed to see him leaving.

stl.ire

“And all across south Dublin, from the corridors of private schools to the lunch rooms of investment banks an old, long forgotton feeling reemerged ... fear that Ulster could actually do them”

Kevski

stl.ire wrote: »

“And all across south Dublin, from the corridors of private schools to the lunch rooms of investment banks an old, long forgotton feeling reemerged ... fear that Ulster could actually do them”

Have you been writing this fan fiction for long? :pac:

stl.ire

Buer wrote: »

I would expect us to target Lowry in the air but certainly not their wingers. Neither are amazing fielders but both are solid as well as being 6'3" and 6'4" respectively.

But we'll need to be tight on our kicking. I wouldn't want to give any one of their back three turnover ball in space. I imagine the approach will be to pull Baloucoune out of position a little and look to put a ball in behind him to field and looking to isolate Lowry in the air.

The counterattacking threat of Ulsters back 3 is greater than Leinster’s. Its one of the few areas Ulster could have an advantage so I can’t see Leinster launching a lot of up and unders.

I’d imagine Leinster will go after Ulster’s defensive line with big ball carriers to stretch the line and pull the wingers in. Then short kicks could be deadly - especially with just how inexperienced Ulsters back 3 are.

stl.ire

George Delicious Rant wrote: »

I've no issue with Byrne playing because Sexton has been all over the place at times but we've no cover.

Did something happen to Carbery?

Clegg

stl.ire wrote: »

Did something happen to Carbery?

Came down with a fatal case of bog rot.

stl.ire

stl.ire wrote: »

Did something happen to Carbery?

Never heard of him.

Buer

stl.ire wrote: »

The counterattacking threat of Ulsters back 3 is greater than Leinster’s. Its one of the few areas Ulster could have an advantage so I can’t see Leinster launching a lot of up and unders.

I’d imagine Leinster will go after Ulster’s defensive line with big ball carriers to stretch the line and pull the wingers in. Then short kicks could be deadly - especially with just how inexperienced Ulsters back 3 are.

I wouldn't see them going with up and unders too much either (although Byrne is excellent at chasing and fielding box kicks). I was more thinking of the attacking cross kick which Byrne is so adept at. He has nailed it multiple times to both Byrne and DK this season. We'll only go for that when we have Ulster stretched and the opportunity is there.

Jimmy 3 times

Clegg wrote: »

Came down with a fatal case of bog rot.

12 County army my bollix

lbc2019

Clegg wrote: »

Came down with a fatal case of bog rot.

Proof that Leinster is D4centeic Irelands largest bog- Bog Of Allen is in Leinster- Kildare and Offaly

joseywhales

I am enthusiastic about the sheer battering that leinster backrow can dish out, looking forward to seeing one last big season from Seanie before he departs, himself and Ruddock have been playing together for a long time.

troyzer

lbc2019 wrote: »

Proof that Leinster is D4centeic Irelands largest bog- Bog Of Allen is in Leinster- Kildare and Offaly

Typical, the culchies can't even best us at being culchies.

molloyjh

molloyjh wrote: »

Reid is covering 10 as much as anywhere else so his selection has no real bearing on Tomane

Of course you are correct, complete brain fart by me!

Dave_The_Sheep

George Delicious Rant wrote: »

Shame for things to go this way for Jack McGrath after his contribution to Leinster over the years. Massively disappointed to see him leaving.

Bit out of the loop the last week or two. Is it official yet?

troyzer

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

Bit out of the loop the last week or two. Is it official yet?

No but the rumours have reached fever pitch.

Dave_The_Sheep

Cheers. We can still hope so.

shootermacg

Regardless of who wins it will be a win for the queen. BVSWB!

swiwi_

If you should see a ruggedly handsome rogue sporting a Monthey Rugby shirt and a Leinster beanie (basically supreme understated class), give him a warm Leinster/Ulster/Lunster/random Connacht supporter welcome and say “Welcome home to Ireland Swiwi”.

Paul Smeenus

So... Money where mouth is - Leinster win, and a bit more comfortably than some on here think.

Ulster are on an exciting, upward trajectory, and we haven't looked as coherent as this in about three years. But it's too early in our renaissance (fingers crossed) and today might just put our play back into some real perspective.

It's a shock to find myself saying this but, hand on heart, I'd be more confident if Sexton had started today. Leinster can lose players and replace them with players of the calibre of Fardy and Ross Byrne. We can't. I'm a massive Cave fan, but the lovable rogue's done. Addison, Marshall (had this game not been his first back), Ludik, Hume would all be prererable, maybe even an out of position Curtis. I also doubt Henderson is fully fit.

However, I'm really looking forward to it. According to Addison, McFarland has added another motto to the Ulster crest, to nestle in beside "fight for every inch". "Don't die wondering." With that mentality, I expect a couple of howlers from our young backline, but as long as we see some good rugby as well, I'm down with that. And I think we will.

PhlegmyMoses

Looking forward to this game now. Should be a cracker. Normally up in the nosebleeds in the Aviva but have a decent seat for this one so should be a good one