Ulster vs. Leinster, Saturday 6th March, 19.35 (Eir Sport 1)

Paul Smeenus

All this joviality aside, I am really looking forward to this. Should be a cracking weekend of interpros. Everyone has something other than pride to fight for (even if it's uphill for us and Connacht).

Although that is just the Irish teams. Have to wonder how much other teams' supporters have enjoyed this season.

Paul Smeenus

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

"World class" isn't about things as trivial as performances and ability.

It's a state of mind.

Touche, sir. Touche.

Dave_The_Sheep

This is honestly some sickening behaviour for a match thread.

The real victim of Leinster's domanance in the Pro-whatever-it-is-now. No niggle, no bite. We need someone to really get the sparks flying.

Venjur, you're up. No pressure, man.

Paul Smeenus

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

This is honestly some sickening behaviour for a match thread.

The real victim of Leinster's domanance in the Pro-whatever-it-is-now. No niggle, no bite. We need someone to really get the sparks flying.

Venjur, you're up. No pressure, man.

Shut up, Dave. Your team's rubbish.

Dave_The_Sheep

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Shut up, Dave. Your team's rubbish.

My team's rubbish does what?

I'll tell you what my team's rubbish does. It goes to play for ... *checks notes* ... Ulster.

And our players have nicer hair than yours do.

Paul Smeenus

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

My team's rubbish does what?

I'll tell you what my team's rubbish does. It goes to play for ... *checks notes* ... Ulster.

And our players have nicer hair than yours do.

Whatever about the relative strength of the teams and whose aging players go where, there is simply NO WAY your team has nicer hair.

We took Jordi, an HEC level coiffured backrow while at Leinster, and gave him an above international class hair cut. Andrew, Baloucoune - you just don't match up. Gibson-Park alone ruins any claim you might have.

Ulster are miles out on top of the hair league.

You are better than Munster, who are, of course, last (i'm looking at you, Healy, Casey and Snyman).

Paul Smeenus

Bradley Roberts sez: Go home, Dave, you're drunk.

Dave_The_Sheep

Magnificent.

arsebiscuits1

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Whatever about the relative strength of the teams and whose aging players go where, there is simply NO WAY your team has nicer hair.

We took Jordi, an HEC level coiffured backrow while at Leinster, and gave him an above international class hair cut. Andrew, Baloucoune - you just don't match up. Gibson-Park alone ruins any claim you might have.

Ulster are miles out on top of the hair league.

You are better than Munster, who are, of course, last (i'm looking at you, Healy, Casey and Snyman).

Are you positive about this?

Squidgy Black

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Whatever about the relative strength of the teams and whose aging players go where, there is simply NO WAY your team has nicer hair.

We took Jordi, an HEC level coiffured backrow while at Leinster, and gave him an above international class hair cut. Andrew, Baloucoune - you just don't match up. Gibson-Park alone ruins any claim you might have.

Ulster are miles out on top of the hair league.

You are better than Munster, who are, of course, last (i'm looking at you, Healy, Casey and Snyman).

Pffft Ulster forwards and their feminine outside back hairstyles.

Devin Toner, Rhys Ruddock, Ed Byrne, Scott Fardy, all REAL mens haircuts with their receding hairlines showing their experience and dominance.

Paul Smeenus

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Are you positive about this?

As befits a a member of the best offloading team in the league, I see a man at home with self-expression and freedom. Unafraid of being judged, even though he is ginger.

You wouldn't get a non-regulation haircut like that on any of the St Michael's clones playing for the Blue Automatons.

Paul Smeenus

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Pffft Ulster forwards and their feminine outside back hairstyles.

Devin Toner, Rhys Ruddock, Ed Byrne, Scott Fardy, all REAL mens haircuts with their receding hairlines showing their experience and dominance.

Might lift this for myself.

bayern

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

As befits a a member of the best offloading team in the league, I see a man at home with self-expression and freedom. Unafraid of being judged, even though he is ginger.

You wouldn't get a non-regulation haircut like that on any of the St Michael's clones playing for the Blue Automatons.

I see another south african.

Paul Smeenus

bayern wrote: »

I see another south african.

Oil is to vinegar as Bayern is to joy.

Paul Smeenus

Apologies, Bayern.

I just feel your time is best spent cloistered somewhere typing out exhaustive lists of young talent, forensically researched except for all the youngsters from Ulster that you have "forgotten".

Dubinusa

I would expect Ulster to win. They are more settled. Reintroducing Ruddock and both Byrne's could unsettle Leinster. I also think Ulster have an advantage in the engine room. Treadwell and O'Connor have been very good, imo. J.O.B back to his original position! I don't worry about him, he's appears to be a natural wherever he plays. I think Madigan is a key for Ulster. If he's poor, Ulster will struggle.
This should be a hell of a good match. Lots of lads looking to get into the national set up. Massive opportunity for T.O.T, Stockdale and I think Jordi. For Leinster, a big outing for Ruddock, VDF and RB, to give AF something to ponder.
Max O'Reilly obviously has to perform and he is so young and inexperienced. A big chance for him also.

Former Former Former

Surprised to see Leinster are favourites for this. Ulster look the stronger side and have home advantage, and the Leinster bench is the least experienced we've ever put out I'd say.

Paul Smeenus

Former Former Former wrote: »

Surprised to see Leinster are favourites for this. Ulster look the stronger side and have home advantage, and the Leinster bench is the least experienced we've ever put out I'd say.

I think we (Ulster) should be favourites as well, but has home advantage meant less this season with no crowds? Have the bookies treated it as such? Don't really have a sense of it.

Former Former Former

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

I think we (Ulster) should be favourites as well, but has home advantage meant less this season with no crowds? Have the bookies treated it as such? Don't really have a sense of it.

The Leinster lads will be unsettled knowing they won't be able to get a decent coffee and avocado smash after the game. Crucial.

Paul Smeenus

Former Former Former wrote: »

The Leinster lads will be unsettled knowing they won't be able to get a decent coffee and avocado smash after the game. Crucial.

They're gonna wait til they've swapped jerseys and then head off into Belfast and try to get the Covid vaccine instead, before heading back down the M1.

Buer

Former Former Former wrote: »

The Leinster lads will be unsettled knowing they won't be able to get a decent coffee and avocado smash after the game. Crucial.

Yes but what about the team in blue?

arsebiscuits1

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

They're gonna wait til they've swapped jerseys and then head off into Belfast and try to get the Covid vaccine instead, before heading back down the M1.

Do you reckon the Ulster lads will be swapping jerseys with the Leinster lads at full time to remind themselves of better times?

Paul Smeenus

Buer wrote: »

Yes but what about the team in blue?

The Blue Automatons? Leo will just put them back in their boxes, put the boxes in the truck and take them up to the Leinster rugby warehouse. Leave them charging overnight off the mains.

He'll be disappointed about the loss, but glad he didn't see any worrying signs of creativity.

mfceiling

bayern wrote: »

I see another south african.

Scarra moosh, scarra moosh, can you do the fan dango.

degsie

Match be more like.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kG9j5Io6yw

ongarite

Cronin ruled out with back injury with Dan Sheehan coming into match squad

bayern

Sean Cronin has been ruled out with a back injury and is replaced on the bench by Dan Sheehan.

Thrashssacre

Lads i wanted to be the first to let yous know, sean Cronin is injured.

thomond2006

I don't know if ye heard, but Sean Cronin is out. Can anyone confirm?

Former Former Former

I think Cronin's impact will be crucial tonight.

Boscoirl

Can’t believe Sean Cronin isn’t getting a game. Cullen is a joke. Time for a new coach I think. Declan Kidney wouldn’t over look him like this.

pickarooney

So our very last remaining senior player is now on the bench?

Anyone know where I can watch Sheehan's cameo? If I have to sit through the rest of the match I'm OK with that also

bayern

Hugh O'Sullivan only senior player who is available not in 23 man squad.

mfceiling

I've Cronin down as first try scorer.

Fingers crossed.

thomond2006

mfceiling wrote: »

I've Cronin down as first try scorer.

Fingers crossed.

Absolute cert, since I haven't seen confirmation that Sean Cronin isn't playing.

I could be wrong but I feel in recollection that Cronin has a very good try scoring record against Ulster...

Akrasia

What number is Cronin playing in tonight?

mfceiling

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I could be wrong but I feel in recollection that Cronin has a very good try scoring record against Ulster...

That's why I have him down as first try scorer.

mfceiling

mfceiling wrote: »

That's why I have him down as first try scorer.

I didn't bet on first try scorer, but I got good odds on how many pages the match thread would go before awec carded a Leinster fan...!

mfceiling

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I didn't bet on first try scorer, but I got good odds on how many pages the match thread would go before awec carded a Leinster fan...!

7?

Nice for Ulster to be able to start their first choice outhalf.

mfceiling

mfceiling wrote: »

7?

Working on it...

Is that Baloucoune's first game back? Great to see - hope he picks up where he left off.

thomond2006

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Is that Baloucoune's first game back? Great to see - hope he picks up where he left off.

He played 40 minutes last week.

theVersatile

Silly penalty from Cooney

Clegg

Luke McGrath just forced a knock on from Coetzee in the tackle.

ElisaAtWar

A refresher in Frank Murphy, as if anyone would wish it

Akrasia

Seen yellows given for less

Clegg

Yellow for that?

Harsh.

Morathi

That's an horrendous decision.