Ulster V Connacht Friday 22nd April @ 19.05 Ravenhill Live on BBC NI/TG4

seanin4711

Ulster v Connacht Preview
Tomorrow night sees Connacht travel to Ravenhill to take on an Ulster side chasing a play-off position. Eric Elwood welcomes back three centurions to the pack as Brett Wilkinson, John Muldoon and Michael Swift all return. In the backs, exciting 20 year old Eoin Griffin takes his place on the wing. Connacht's last win over Ulster was in the Sportsground back in December 2005,while the last meeting between the sides resulted in a thrilling 15-15 draw in the College Road venue. We have to go back as far as November 1960 for Connacht's last win in Ravenhill, a 51 year record that Eric Elwood's team will look to address tomorrow.

Ulster Coach Brian McLaughlin makes a number of changes to the side that lost to Leinster in the RDS last weekend. Prop Jerry Cronin makes his first start for the Northern Province as he replaces Sprinbok BJ Botha at tight-head. With Irish internationals Paddy Wallace and Andrew Trimble ruled out for the rest of the season, Simon Danielli and Darren Cave come into the back line. The other changes see Johann Muller and Willie Faloon come into the pack.


Hi all!
team news!

Ulster v Connacht, Ravenhill 22nd April, KO 7.05pm
Adam D'Arcy (15) Gavin Duffy
Craig Gilroy (14) Eoin Griffin
Darren Cave (13) Niva Ta'auso
Nevin Spence (12) Troy Nathan
Simon Danielli (11) Fionn Carr
Ian Humphreys (10) Ian Keatley
Ruan Pienaar (9) Frank Murphy
Pedrie Wanneberg (8) John Muldoon
Willie Faloon (7) Johnny O'Connor (c)
Chris Henry (6) Mike McCarthy
Dan Touhy (5) Bernie Upton
Johann Muller (4) Michael Swift
Jerry Cronin (3) Jamie Hagan
Rory Best (c) (2) Sean Cronin
Paddy McAllister (1) Brett Wilkinson

Andy Kyriacou (16) Adrian Flavin
Bryan Young (17) Ronan Loughney
Adam Macklin (18) Rodney Ah You
Tim Barker (19) Andrew Browne
Robbie Diack (20) Mike McComish
Paul Marshall (21) Cillian Willis
Ian Whitten (22) Miah Nikora
Conor Gaston (23) Tiernan O'Halloran

Forgive my optimism but I can see Connacht getting something out of this one if we go about it like we have been for the last half dozen games (aironi and blues aside).
NOt saying we are going to win by any stretch,but just put in the hard yards and you never know!


OH YEAH SWIFTY IS BACK!!!

overshoot

unless ulster have a hangover from their last 2 games i can see connacht getting anthing. playoffs at stake, cronin is playing for a contract, cave will be looking to put a marker down to spence & wallace after his lay off. McAllister should also be up for it with alfoa on his way & botha out (the door possibly being a blessing in desguise with his injuries this year... good luck munster)

PhatPiggins

overshoot wrote: »

unless ulster have a hangover from their last 2 games i can see connacht getting anthing. playoffs at stake, cronin is playing for a contract, cave will be looking to put a marker down to spence & wallace after his lay off. McAllister should also be up for it with alfoa on his way & botha out (the door possibly being a blessing in desguise with his injuries this year... good luck munster)

Never heard of Gerry Cronin, he any good?

Hiding for Connacht I'd say.

durkadurka

Ulster by ten I think. They totally need the win

freyners

cant see the walkover everyone seems to be expecting....connacht have the quality to cause a surprise..especially if ulster arent firing...losing bp id be happy with

phog

Dont know who I want to win, would normally shout for Connacht but Ulster need the win to get into the knock-out games and I want the 3 provinces there but I'll want Munster to win next week so that would 3 losses in the trot for Connacht and that's not good for them.

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Never heard of Gerry Cronin, he any good?

Hiding for Connacht I'd say.

Gerry is from Charleville I think and I think he lined out against Munster in a M/L game or "A" game during the season.

CIARAN_BOYLE

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Never heard of Gerry Cronin, he any good?

This is his debut in the first XV. He has made 10 appearances off the bench this season including against Leinster last week where he had an excellent period (it seemed like he really improved the scrum compared to Botha who he was replacing)

He is usually the fourth choice TH I think behind Botha, Fitzpatrick and Court both of whom are injured at the moment. He isn't contracted for next season and needs a big game to get into the squad for next year.

Digifriendly

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

This is his debut in the first XV. He has made 10 appearances off the bench this season including against Leinster last week where he had an excellent period (it seemed like he really improved the scrum compared to Botha who he was replacing)

He is usually the fourth choice TH I think behind Botha, Fitzpatrick and Court both of whom are injured at the moment. He isn't contracted for next season and needs a big game to get into the squad for next year.

Isn't he the brother of Connacht's Sean Cronin?

Digifriendly

freyners wrote: »

cant see the walkover everyone seems to be expecting....connacht have the quality to cause a surprise..especially if ulster arent firing...losing bp id be happy with

While Connacht have won just one away game in the ML (Glasgow) they could cause a shock if Ulster try to get ahead of themselves looking for BP from early on and play a loose game. They should concentrate on subduing the Connacht pack building up a reasonable lead and then go for the bp.

its_phil

Digifriendly wrote: »

Isn't he the brother of Connacht's Sean Cronin?

In the same way Brian and Mick O'Driscoll are.;)

Jerry's brother is Sam Cronin (who was playing/still is for UCC). They are from Mallow and Sean is from Limerick. So no..:pac:

freyners

Digifriendly wrote:

While Connacht have won just one away game in the ML (Glasgow) they could cause a shock if Ulster try to get ahead of themselves looking for BP from early on and play a loose game. They should concentrate on subduing the Connacht pack building up a reasonable lead and then go for the bp.

the whole only won one away game is slightly misleading...4 losing bps away from home, especially with near misses to Scarlets (35-33) Edinburgh (24-19) and dragons (17-16) where they really should have come away with more but lacked the ability to get the result. It is something that if they need to develop (and you can be guaranteed elwood will work on) that will make them more of a threat away from home.

Unfortunately the pragmatic side of me is showing today...while Connacht certainly have the ability to win this game (if our pack show up it will cause huge problems for ulster) I can see the lack of know-how showing again...losing bonus point to get them above Edinburgh would be a result.

jacothelad

phog wrote: »

Dont know who I want to win, would normally shout for Connacht but Ulster need the win to get into the kock-out games and I want the 3 provinces there but I'll want Munster to win next week so that would 3 losses in the trot for Connacht and that's not good for them.



Gerry is from Charleville I think and I think he lined out against Munster in a M/L game or "A" game during the season.

You might want to rephrase that phoggy.

LuckyGent88

That was such a slick try. Great off-load at the end by Cave.

CIARAN_BOYLE

will Ulster regret going for the lineout there where they could have taken 3 points come the end of the game

ambid

Why is Nathan taking the kicks to touch? Does he normally take them?

GerM

Ulster discipline all over the place. If they let Connacht get the scoreboard ticking over a little they'll find it very difficult to secure a bonus point. Early try has them well placed though.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Cave really ripped off Carr's ankle there, I hope Carr isn't too hurt

SomeFool

Muldoon did the hard work to get another penalty, still 7-3, Keatley miss.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Keatley missed a penalty there, Ulster 7, Connacht 3

Gilroy already looks so comfortable at this level.

Serious head on his shoulders

Cosmo Kramer

Connacht are killing Ulster up front but Ulster look like they could cut loose at any moment. Don't think Keatley will get much European game time at Munster on this display. Carr playing like a man with a point to prove.

SomeFool

Note to Troy: stop kicking!
great running from Keatley and Carr though

SomeFool

Great steal from JOC

Great game for a neutral. Connacht being really aggressive.

iHumph spots a great gap and puts D'Arcy away though

CIARAN_BOYLE

Quality try from D'arcy there, he did well there

Ulster 14 Connacht 3

Halway to the bonus point now

ambid

For both tried now Ulster have lined up backs to run against the Connacht front row. Tough on Connacht as they've played well this evening.

seanin4711

We have all the play for almost 10 mins and three passes Ulster run from their own 22 and score. Game over

seanin4711

seanin4711 wrote: »

We have all the play for almost 10 mins and three passes Ulster run from their own 22 and score. Game over

even 3 points on the board before halftime is grand for Connacht.

Just realised the referee used to coach me!

And opportunity for Keatley dead in front from 45m with no time left.

Nails it.

Half time 14 - 6

ambid

Great pen Keatley. He had lots to spare distance wise.

seanin4711

He does for a change
Typically we are beating them all over the pitch except on the scoreboard.
Par for the course.
Bradley on BBC ni.
Why are they playing better this year Michael?
Cost your not there .simple

its_phil

seanin4711 wrote: »

We have all the play for almost 10 mins and three passes Ulster run from their own 22 and score. Game over

Jeez it was only 11 points. Chill out and have a bit of faith in the lads.

razorblunt

Darren Cave looking impressive, is this his first game back from injury?
Andy Ward's accent is a Kiwi-Norn Iron mix tis gas!

omb0wyn5ehpij9

Both teams need to stop kicking the ball away in attacking positions!!!

@Ulster

@Ulster fans, Spence at 12, yay or nay?

I really don't think he fits there tbh. Remember watching himself Griffin and Macken at U20s, all of them 13s and every time one of them squeezed into 12 it deprived the 13 of ball. They've got that bit of selfishness that scores trys, but can hurt a team at 12 if they're not looking to move the ball enough.

Cave having a good game so far though.

porterbelly

CMON CONNACHT WERE BLOODY WELL THERE

Breakdown work is superb, Muldoon, Concrete, McCarthy flying.

Get the line up in defence on the outside, too much space at times for the Ulster backs. After a few phases we look clueless. Make the initial hard yards and fling the ball out to Carr, he's looking good tonight.

seanin4711

its_phil wrote: »

Jeez it was only 11 points. Chill out and have a bit of faith in the lads.

8 points too much for us in ravenhill
Realism

its_phil

BBC coverage is a breath of fresh air.So weird seeing Bradley though.Like seeing the teacher you had in secondary school a couple years later.Awkward

omb0wyn5ehpij9

seanin4711 wrote: »

8 points too much for us in ravenhill
Realism

8 points in Ravenhill shouldn't be too much, especially seeing as Ulster aren't playing great

BBC NI coverage of the ML games has been fantastic this year tbh. I'm not sure of the name of the commentator, but he's brilliantly objective and equally knowledgable and he also gets excited during the match. He's really very good.

irishbucsfan

its_phil wrote: »

BBC coverage is a breath of fresh air.So weird seeing Bradley though.Like seeing the teacher you had in secondary school a couple years later.Awkward

He is a bit weird lookin alright.

Ulster just seem to be more comfortable at home. Their defense is very good. I was impressed by Connacht though.

seanin4711

BDJW wrote: »

8 points in Ravenhill shouldn't be too much, especially seeing as Ulster aren't playing great

We usually capitulate away from home when the home team ups the gears in the second half.
Bradley for Ulster. Should have went a long time ago! !!
I hope I am wrong the defensive effort for us great but its the finishing is our Achilles heal.

RuggieBear

that was funny from bradley there, saying ERC instead of heineken cup...presume to not piss off magners

seanin4711

Like Rory mcilroy

JustinDee

That's me done with this game. I've seen less kicking in a soccer match. Poor.

seanin4711

seanin4711 wrote: »

Like Rory mcilroy

believe me, we'd all love one to be as big a supporter of our team as McIlroy is.

ugh, width of a post

its_phil

seanin4711 wrote: »

8 points too much for us in ravenhill
Realism

So was challenging for 7th place at the start of the season.;)

very harsh call there.

Keatley gets another go

seanin4711

Can't do the pressure kick at all,Nikora is the man there

SomeFool

Connacht staying in touch, 14-9

Jesus, it was like he aimed for the post again! 14-9

Seanín, you're awful negative.