Ulster or Connacht

EdgarAllenPoo

Depending on how the rest of the Magners League pans out Connacht may be promoted at the expense of Ulster.


*Edit, poll should say who would YOU rather see in the heineken cup next year?

themont85

I'd prefer Connacht. It would be a massive boost to rugby in the west but I think Ulster will do it. Matt Williams has to be one of the most positive looking coaches around.

Podge_irl

I'd prefer Connacht, but realistically it will be Ulster. Connact blew their chance when they lost to Ulster at home, now with Williams in situ I imagine Ulster will quite comfortably finish as the third Irish province.

phog

Nothing against Ulster but I went for Connnacht, though I think they may missed their opportunity now - Ulster seems to have regrouped under Matt Williams. I suppose Connacht have a chance but it's looking less likely now.

zAbbo

Might not happen this year, but should next year.

Ulster are losing Wilson, Neil Best & Bowe.

il gatto

I said Connacht. Obviously, coming from Connacht may have swung my opinion somewhat:D. I think it'd be good for the other provinces to realise that they're no longer guaranteed automatic participation in the HEC. I doubt Leinster or Munster have much to worry about for the time being, but it shakes it up a bit.

galwayrush

It's a close call as to who will be on top, obviously i'm shouting for Connacht, but Ulster are starting to come good.

Sangre

While it would be a great boost to rugby in the west it could be a terrible blow to Ulster, a team in serious decline player wise. Hopefully the new setup will stop the rot though.

what say what?

lets be realistic, it will be ulster

i would love to see a situation where connacht win the european shield and we have all 4 provinces in the competition.

Sangre

tbh, i think winning the shield would be better for the game there. Great boost for fans and players. No point being in the HC if they get slung in a group of death and are hammered every game.

galwayrush

Bad night for us, perhaps both Connacht and aUlster can move up the table and qualify for the HL through the playoff with an Italian Side.

damnyanks

Is it that time of the year again ?

Same thing has happened every year (Ulster look like flaking out). Crazy to think they won the EC a few years ago. Would be nice to see all 4teams in it alright

buck65

A strong Ulster team is more beneficial to Ireland than a Connacht one. Ravenhill is an institution, great team up there Friday night proved it. Hard to imagine Connacht beating Toulouse. Remember Ulster won the European Cup!! Connacht are the poor cousin in provincial rugby. The IRFU in my eyes are responsible for putting them 5 years behind everyone else.
This thread is an insult to Ulster.

Crash

How is it an insult to the team who managed to put themselves in a position where it looked like they may get relegated from the HC? Ulster did win the EC, but they've been absolutely appalling as of late (Looks like a turnarounds on the cards though) while Connacht have been looking significantly better than they have in a fair while. I think its perfectly fair to speculate who or what may happen, though of course its looking quite unlikely now.

Ulstermell0

not qualifying would put ulster into a terrible tailspin resulting in more players leaving - but Connaught qualifying would not make them into any sort of european power. the end result would be two poor irish sides. sorry to Connaught fans but them getting in at the expense of Ulster would be awful for Irish rugby.

il gatto

Nobody's suggesting Ulster should be barred from entering the HEC. If they don't qualify, it will be as a result of their own performance. TBH, if they're not capable of finishing ahead of Connacht, they have have no right to be there. Having said that, they're a bigger club, witha better history, and it looks increasingly likely that they will pip Connacht for the third spot. If they do, good luck to them. I won't begrudge them their spot. And I'll be shouting for them as I do with every provincial taem.