connacht v ulster Sat 25 Sep 19:30; TG4/BBCNI

outwest

this is the game of the season so far,

a win for either side will have a huge effect on their season

connacht will no doubt pick the same team,

big question is wether or not ruan penear is gonig to play,

connacht by 7, home team in great form

sickpuppy

Will be making first trip to the sports ground in 14 years last time played a match there.
Should be a cracking match two teams in very good form.
Id always be wary of having Connacht favourites againest one of the home provinces but they have momentum and coinfidence has to be high.

Slightly off topic are the pubs about town ok with wearing of jerseys Connacht ones obv.?

gally74

No problem with jerseys, bar Leinster ones , they come in for hoards of abuse

thomond2006

outwest wrote: »

this is the game of the season so far,

Yeah, until the following week. :pac:

a win for either side will have a huge effect on their season

Totally agree. The 'new' Connacht will be taken far more seriously if they can beat Ulster for the first time in 40+ years. Ulster hammered them twice last season so an improvement on last years' results should be expected from a Connacht point of view. 14 points from a possible 20 would be a brilliant return.

Ulster should fancy this. They are building momentum and the Edinburgh performance showed that they are close to playing very well. NOC has worked well for them at 10 and they have great strength in depth in the backrow with Ferris, Wannenburg, Diack and Henry all vying for places. It would be a hammer blow if they were to lose their long standing record over Connacht.

connacht will no doubt pick the same team,

Yup. They've no choice anyway with the injury list.

big question is wether or not ruan penear is gonig to play,

By all accounts he will be involved. Maybe won't start but should be at least on the bench.

connacht by 7, home team in great form

Ulster are in good form too. I can't call this. Really looking forward to it, intriguing contest indeed.

btw You should add TV Details to the thread title:
Sat 25 Sep 19:30; TG4/BBCNI

phog

Is this match sold out, I might head up. Would love to see them beat Ulster and put pressure on the other 3 Irish provinces for a H/Cup place.

thomond2006

I would head up bar money constraints.

Are they putting in temporary stands for this?

danthefan

outwest wrote: »

this is the game of the season so far,

In the context of the league as a whole, hardly. For Connacht it is maybe.

siltirocker

thomond2006 wrote: »

I would head up bar money constraints.

Are they putting in temporary stands for this?

Not at all. Never more than 4k for a Magner's game (excluding Munster two years ago).

Ulster will win this IMO as they don't take sh1t from Connacht. If Connacht are going to win this it'll be down to Messr Wilkinson & Co and Ian Keatley.

siltirocker

danthefan wrote: »

In the context of the league as a whole, hardly. For Connacht it is maybe.

What would be so far in your opinion as a matter of interest? Munster v Ospreys?

phog

siltirocker wrote: »

Ulster will win this IMO as they don't take sh1t from Connacht. If Connacht are going to win this it'll be down to Messr Wilkinson & Co and Ian Keatley.

Ulster should win it, especially, with all the money that the IRFU have pumped into their recent signings, I think the IRFU were worried last year when Connacht gave Ulster a fright.

thomond2006

phog wrote: »

Ulster should win it, especially, with all the money that the IRFU have pumped into their recent signings, I think the IRFU were worried last year when Connacht gave Ulster a fright.

Jesus it's bloody depressing if that's the reason they financed the Saffer buy-ins.

outwest

i think ulster will need a proper 10 to win the game.

the front row battle should be a cracker, im hoping caldwell recent form of not giving away pens ends in galway.

Goodluck2me

the most interesting part of this match in my opinion is the battle at #10 they are both playing for the 3rd choice Irish slot for the Nov Internationals.

I think Keatley has the lead and has been very effective and consistent so far, a big performance from Carr could be just what he needs too - spotlight match.

phog

thomond2006 wrote: »

Jesus it's bloody depressing if that's the reason they financed the Saffer buy-ins.

It may not have been the primary reason but I dont think for one minute that they would have been happy to see Connacht leapfrog Ulster last year, do you?

siltirocker

Goodluck2me wrote: »

the most interesting part of this match in my opinion is the battle at #10 they are both playing for the 3rd choice Irish slot for the Nov Internationals.

I think Keatley has the lead and has been very effective and consistent so far, a big performance from Carr could be just what he needs too - spotlight match.

I believe O'Connor's hit 16/25 and Keatley has 20/23 on the place kicking but O'Connor has that sweet drop goal last week and Keatley has already scored one of the tries of the season. I hope the half back battle determines thewinner on Saturday.

Blut2

siltirocker wrote: »

What would be so far in your opinion as a matter of interest? Munster v Ospreys?

Based on attendances and fan interest I'd imagine its got to be the Munster v Leinster games every year. I cant imagine many other ML games would have filled Croke Park.

siltirocker

Blut2 wrote: »

Based on attendances and fan interest I'd imagine its got to be the Munster v Leinster games every year. I cant imagine many other ML games would have filled Croke Park.

Yes that's the biggest spectacle of the past 3 or 4 years but of the first 4 weeks of the 2010/2011 Magner's League is what we're on about i.e this season so far.

Zzippy

Blut2 wrote: »

Based on attendances and fan interest I'd imagine its got to be the Munster v Leinster games every year. I cant imagine many other ML games would have filled Croke Park.

As siltirocker pointed out, its only the season so far that the OP referred to. But remind me, when did Leinster and Munster fill Croke Park for a Magners League game?

thomond2006

Zzippy wrote: »

As siltirocker pointed out, its only the season so far that the OP referred to. But remind me, when did Leinster and Munster fill Croke Park for a Magners League game?

Sure Munster have never played Leinster at Croke Park anyway.

Blut2

siltirocker wrote: »

Yes that's the biggest spectacle of the past 3 or 4 years but of the first 4 weeks of the 2010/2011 Magner's League is what we're on about i.e this season so far.

Oops, my apologies, I didnt notice that 'so far' at the end of the post last night. Even just accounting for games this season so far though I'd say either of Leinster vs Cardiff or Munster vs the Ospreys were bigger games.


Back on topic, with the way Ulster have been playing this season if I'm betting I'll probably go Ulster by 5 or so. Connacht have been playing well too but I just dont think they have the squad depth to keep it up.

outwest

that was the hcup not magners,

i said it was game of season so FAR

Digifriendly

Blut2 wrote: »

Oops, my apologies, I didnt notice that 'so far' at the end of the post last night. Even just accounting for games this season so far though I'd say either of Leinster vs Cardiff or Munster vs the Ospreys were bigger games.

Seriously?

Was that not for the Heineken Cup semi- final? See here for venues of last few ML encounters - http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0513/1224270278365.html

Blut2

Oooops, guess my memory isnt what it used to be. I'll edit that out to prevent this going further off topic.

fatguy2k1

phog wrote: »

Is this match sold out, I might head up. Would love to see them beat Ulster and put pressure on the other 3 Irish provinces for a H/Cup place.

tickets available online http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Connacht-Rugby-tickets/artist/952669
or
call into the office in the Sportsground. but get them online as i've cr@ploads to be doing this week

going to be a cracker of a game. missed the first game as i was on holiday so dying to see the lads back in action. It'll be a tough, brusing game and i'd love to see a Connacht win.

danthefan

siltirocker wrote: »

What would be so far in your opinion as a matter of interest? Munster v Ospreys?

Either that or Leinster/Cardiff, i.e. teams in the so called 'big 4' playing each other. Not the teams who finished 10th and 8th last season.

outwest

After last weekends victory over Edinburgh at Ravenhill Ulster will hope to continue their winning campaign as they travel to Galway.
Ulster's Head Coach Brian McLaughlin has named a 28 man squad ahead of this weekend's clash against Connacht in the Magners League on Saturday 25th September. The kickoff is at 7.30pm, Galway Sportsground.
ULSTER SQUAD FORWARDS

Tom Court
Paddy McAllister
Bryan Young
Chris Henry
Rory Best
BJ Botha
Andi Kyriacou
Tim Barker
Johann Muller
Ryan Caldwell
Willie Faloon
Nigel Brady
Robbie Diack
Stephen Ferris
Pedrie Wannenburg
Dan Tuohy

ULSTER SQUAD BACKS

Adam D'Arcy
David McIlwaine
Andrew Trimble
Paul Marshall
Ian Porter
Paul Emerick
Jamie Smith
Darren Cave
Ian Witten
Paddy Wallace
Ian Humphreys
Niall O'Connor

porterbelly

No Pienaar so, not surprised really, it would be tough for him to make his debut in a full blooded derby in the Sportsground. Dan Tuohy is back though which will be a big boost for them, although he has serious competition for a place with Muller, Barker and Caldwell all going well.

Possible Ulster team:

1 Botha
2 Best
3 Court
4 Muller
5 Barker
6 Ferris
7 Henry
8 Wannenburg
9 Marshall
10 O'Connor
11 Trimble
12 Wallace
13 Cave
14 Emerick
15 D'arcy


I'd say Connacht will be unchanged from the last 2 weeks

PhatPiggins

Wanneneburg is a penalty machine I'd stick with Diack myself. Marshal has played really well, easily the best of the Irish 9's, Pienaar may well start at 10 or on the bench next week.

When was the last time Connacht beat Ulster in Galway?

irishbucsfan

If Ulster play their best rugby they should win this. The Ulster team is too good to lose to that Connacht team, who are still not back to full strength. Its also too early in the season for Ulster to have fallen apart like they do every year.

It'll be interesting to see if Best and Henry play for Ulster. They'll make a big difference

outwest

The Connacht squad has been extended to 26 to allow a number of players time to recover from knocks sustained in training and against the Glasgow Warriors last weekend. The team was bolstered by the return to training this week of Johnny O’Connor, Brian Touhy and Eoin Griffin. O’Connor has been sidelined with a back injury and though not considered for selection yet his return to training marks a welcome relief to the Connacht Management whose back-row have been plagued by injury with captain John Muldoon and no. 8 Ezra Taylor both out of action. Griffin (hand) and Touhy (back) also returned to training and will look for inclusion in the coming weeks.
Gavin Duffy (back), Frank Murphy (foot), Fionn Carr (foot) and Jamie Hagan (back) all pulled up out of training today after carrying knocks from last Fridays win in Scotland and their progress will be monitored throughout the week to assess their availability for the weekend.

Forwards:
Ronan Loughney, Brett Wilkinson, Sean Cronin, Adrian Flavin, Rob Sweeney, Jamie Hagan, Andrew Browne, Dave Nolan, Michael Swift, Bernie Upton, Michael McCarthy, Ray Ofisa, Mike McComish, Shane Conneely
Backs:
Cillian Willis, Frank Murphy, Miah Nikora, Ian Keatley, Fionn Carr, Keith Matthews, Niva Taauso, Tiernan OHalloran, Aidan Wynne, Troy Nathan, Gavin Duffy, Darragh Fanning.

thomond2006

Carr a doubt? Oh dear.

outwest

positive thinking will result in positive effects, he be fine,

he can rest for the cardiff match

siltirocker

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Wanneneburg is a penalty machine I'd stick with Diack myself. Marshal has played really well, easily the best of the Irish 9's, Pienaar may well start at 10 or on the bench next week.

When was the last time Connacht beat Ulster in Galway?

2005. And away from home early 60's i believe.

EDIT: Get my facts straight.

Digifriendly

siltirocker wrote: »

2005. And away from home early 60's i believe.

EDIT: Get my facts straight.

Connacht last beat Ulster in Belfast in 1960 - interesting it was their 4th win on the trot at Ravenhill. IIRC their last win in Galway involved a real gem of a try by Matt Mostyn. Will another winger this time by the name of Carr prove to be a matchwinner on Saturday?

evil_seed

Team should be announced soon. I'm very tempted to go to elverys and see can I get the jersey today...

Tim_Murphy

evil_seed wrote: »

Team should be announced soon. I'm very tempted to go to elverys and see can I get the jersey today...

Won't be in shops for while but will be on sale at the Sportsground apparently:
http://www.connachtrugby.ie/2010092282292/replica-jersey-on-sale-this-weekend

evil_seed

I know that. Think I'll just get it at the sg instead. As usual team picks itself for Saturday. Any ulster team news?

outwest

15. Jamie Smith
14. Paul Emerick
13. Darren Cave
12. Ian Whitten
11. Andrew Trimble
10. Paddy Wallace
9. Paul Marshall

1. Bryan Young
2. Rory Best (capt)
3. Tom Court
4. Tim Barker
5. Ryan Caldwell
6. Stephen Ferris
7. Chris Henry
8. Pedrie Wannenburg

Replacements: Andi Kyriacou, BJ Botha, Paddy McAllister, Dan Tuohy, Willie Faloon, Ian Porter, Niall O'Connor, David McIlwaine.

connacht by more then 7, caldwell to hand pens to ian to kick.

thomond2006

Ulster:
Jamie Smith; Paul Emerick, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Andrew Trimble; Paddy Wallace, Paul Marshall;
Bryan Young, Rory Best (capt), Tom Court; Tim Barker, Ryan Caldwell; Stephen Ferris, Chris Henry, Pedrie Wannenburg.

Replacements: Andi Kyriacou, BJ Botha, Paddy McAllister, Dan Tuohy, Willie Faloon, Ian Porter, Niall O'Connor, David McIlwaine.

Paddy Wallace at 10 with Humphries not in the 23. NOC can feel hard done by IMO.

Ruan Pienaar not involved unfortunately.

I'd go Connacht by 3 points.

danthefan

iHumph still hasn't made a matchday squad this season.

Crash

Is he injured, or has he seriously pissed off McLaughlin / had a serious drop in form?

thomond2006

Crash wrote: »

Is he injured, or has he seriously pissed off McLaughlin / had a serious drop in form?

IIRC he started a pre-season game against Leeds I think, I remember it was live on the Beeb.

Dunno what's going on with him tbh.

Zzippy

Niall O'Connor v unlucky to miss out, AFAIK its on instructions of Kidney that Wallace be played at 10 this week. Looks like its bye bye to iHumph as far as playing for Ulster goes.
The collisions up front esp in the first half are going to decide this game, I'm v worried about their back row, and the FR at scrum time, but if we can get parity there, never mind dominance, we have a great chance of taking this one. I'd back our backs against most of theirs any day.

outwest

ian isnt as good as people think, a worse tackler then any other professional in ireland.

thomond2006

Zzippy wrote: »

AFAIK its on instructions of Kidney that Wallace be played at 10 this week.

Really? That seems odd.

Zzippy

thomond2006 wrote: »

Really? That seems odd.

According to an article in the Indo:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/magners-league/ulster-set-to-pack-a-punch-at-connacht-2348316.html

And having kicked 48 of the 78 Magners League points Ulster have scored to date, Niall O’Connor has a hard-to-refute case for another outing at number 10, but Paddy Wallace returns following his week off under Ireland’s programme designed to avoid burn-out and over-exposure in the countdown to New Zealand 2011.

And with Kidney continuing to regard the Ulsterman as being number three in the pecking order for the stand-off’s job — Leinster’s Jonathan Sexton and Munster’s Ronan O’Gara are the pair ahead of him — it is understood that the Irish boss will ask McLaughlin to play Wallace on Saturday .

If not then Wallace will line out alongside Darren Cave in midfield, which would be tough on Ian Whitten who had impressed in the centre last Friday night, capping it with a try.

thomond2006

He should be playing at 12 because at the moment he is a better option at 12 than D'Arcy.

Zzippy

thomond2006 wrote: »

He should be playing at 12 because at the moment he is a better option at 12 than D'Arcy.

Agreed, but I think Kidney sees him as a utility back and wants him given more gametime at 10, we all know how good he is at 12. Personally, I'm glad he's playing 10 against us for his first start of the season

thomond2006

Zzippy wrote: »

Agreed, but I think Kidney sees him as a utility back and wants him given more gametime at 10, we all know how good he is at 12. Personally, I'm glad he's playing 10 against us for his first start of the season

I bet Wallace is delighted about that. :pac:

Digifriendly

Zzippy wrote: »

Niall O'Connor v unlucky to miss out, AFAIK its on instructions of Kidney that Wallace be played at 10 this week. Looks like its bye bye to iHumph as far as playing for Ulster goes.
The collisions up front esp in the first half are going to decide this game, I'm v worried about their back row, and the FR at scrum time, but if we can get parity there, never mind dominance, we have a great chance of taking this one. I'd back our backs against most of theirs any day.

Agree with the battle re up front and with no Muller Connacht may well have the edge. With Ulster having 5 internationals in the back line I wouldn't say they're inferior to Connacht but will be fascinating all the same. Must say I think the Westerners with home advantage will edge this one.

danthefan

Zzippy wrote: »

Agreed, but I think Kidney sees him as a utility back and wants him given more gametime at 10, we all know how good he is at 12. Personally, I'm glad he's playing 10 against us for his first start of the season

Wallace? I don't think Kidney sees him like that at all. He's either tended to start for Ireland or be out of the 22, and if you think back to the France game in the 6N the entire backline had to be reshuffled to get him in at 12 when Kearney was injured (completely disastrous bench selection though tbf).