Ulster Team Talk Thread IV... Go On My Henderson...

The Belfast Telegraph Rugby correspondent dropped a name in the weekly Ulster podcast last week.

It was in the context of a question "who will replace Duane Vermuelen" and his answer was that he thinks Ulster will sign am overseas player "like" Jasper Wiese.

Maybe it means nothing. But it did make me sit up and take notice when he dropped the name!

Connors would be a good signing if he stays fit. Although I'd have thought he still has opportunities at Leinster.

Burns played quite well last week. He attacked the space and got his backline moving. I think he gets a lot of criticism that is unfair.

Treadwell is playing superb rugby. Cooney may be the best place kicker in Ireland.

Henderson will miss out this week as will Cooney, imo.

Couple of points amongst all the usual stuff at the season ticket holders' Q&A.

No-one's in denial about Ulster's issues with winning games under pressure - a sports psychologist has been brought in for the first time on a permanent basis.

Replay agisnt the Sharks is likely at the end of February. Apparently SA are looking at organising a national camp them, so they may also be missing international players.

Ulster team to play Sale Sharks, Heineken Champions Cup Round 1, Sunday 11 December at AJ Bell Stadium (KO 1pm), live on BT Sport.

(15-9): Mike Lowry, Ethan McIlroy, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak;

(1-8): Andy Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Eric O’Sullivan, Marty Moore, Sam Carter, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan, Stewart Moore, Ben Moxham.

Glad to see Stewart back from his HIA. Don't understand Moxham over Lyttle, but other than that,hard to argue with that team.

No Hendo, ugh! Gonna be a tough one. I think Ulster can win this.

That's a lot of Boks. Is there no limits on foreign lads in the premiership?

The Champions Cup has been destroyed by its organisers. It's such a shame. The group formst is a total shambles.

Bring back 6 groups of 4 and Sky Sports please.

This formst is just awful.

Anyway, as for the match, I'm not really confident to be honest. That second half last week is still tough to get over as a supporter. Hopefully the players are more resilient than I am.

Totally agree about the format. The previous one was much better. Pools now are too large and unwieldy. As regards BT or Sky its a toss up as present coverage is pretty good.

Also how can this be a European competition when S. African teams are participating?

Honestly I don't really mind the saffers being in it, but before today I had no idea what the format was or how many games we play. I'm surprised by how little i'm looking forward to it (and I'm going to the game) but I might contribute that to being deflated from that joke of a rugby game that took place in dublin last week.

Hopefully once the rugby actually kicks off in an hour it'll be business as usual.

I suppose I want a Leinster win for the good of irish rugby, but I reckon I'll be smiling like a kid on christmas if they lose. Nice to start things off with a win-win situation before freezing my ass off while Ulster embarrass me again.

They were in the airport the same time as me and I made it across. Only landed at 1am after a 4.5 hour delay.

Ulster managed 20-30 seconds of possession at least (progress!)....and then concede a 50/22 from it.

That's ref for Warwick as well. Head on head contact and Tuilagi sparked out immediately.

Not even a yellow card last this week apparently.

Its not even a penalty...right decision.

They would probably make a mess of that as well