Leicester Tigers -v- Ulster; Welford Road; KO 6pm 19/11/11 Live on Sky Sports 1

LeeroyJones

LEICESTER TIGERS
15 Geordan Murphy (c)
14 Horacio Agulla
13 Matt Smith
12 Andy Forsyth
11 Alesana Tuilagi
10 Toby Flood
9 Sam Harrison

1 Marcos Ayerza
2 George Chuter
3 Dan Cole
4 Louis Deacon
5 Geoff Parling
6 Tom Croft
7 Julian Salvi
8 Thomas Waldrom

Replacements
16 Rob Hawkins
17 Boris Stankovich
18 Martin Castrogiovanni
19 George Skivington
20 Steve Mafi
21 Ben Youngs
22 Jeremy Staunton
23 Niall Morris

ULSTER
15 Simon Danielli
14 Andrew Trimble
13 Darren Cave
12 Nevin Spence
11 Craig Gilroy
10 Ian Humphreys
9 Paul Marshall

1 Tom Court
2 Rory Best
3 Declan Fitzpatrick
4 Johann Muller (c)
5 Dan Tuohy
6 Stephen Ferris
7 Chris Henry
8 Pedrie Wannenburg

Replacements
16 Nigel Brady
17 Paddy McAllister
18 Adam Macklin
19 Lewis Stevenson
20 Willie Faloon
21 Ian Porter
22 Paddy Jackson
23 Adam D'Arcy

CIARAN_BOYLE

Morris is unfortunate to drop out of the starting XV for Leicster imo

irishbucsfan

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Morris is unfortunate to drop out of the starting XV for Leicster imo

Very unfortunate that he's behind such quality players, but the future is very bright for him. At least Murphy's age surely means he'll be getting plenty of game time, plus it might be nice for him to learn off the bench for a while.

wixfjord

That Leicester team are by no means world beaters.
In saying that, they're at home and have a far stronger front row, so I think the'll have too much for the Ulstermen.
Distinctly average centre pairing for Leicester though!

irishbucsfan

Actually think this back row battle will be superb.

Croft, Salvi, Waldrom are all great players as are their Ulster equivalents. It'll be very interesting to see who can win the battle on the ground (I think Ulster have a slightly more mobile pack elsewhere so that will help).

GerM

If Ulster can get a losing BP, they're in business. Win their home games, 5 points in Italy (not an easy thing) and 3 home wins (with a BP against Aironi) will give them 20 points. Big ask to get losing bonus points in these places but if last week has galvanised them anything is possible. There's a lot of pedestrian players in the Leicester side. Nothing to fear for the northerners. Really looking forward to seeing their three quarters having a cut at Leicester.

Disappointed Morris didn't get a start but no shame being behind those lads. He has made good strides it would seem since he arrived. He's now undoubtedly ahead of Scott Hamilton who has a couple of NZ caps to his name. Good progress.

LeeroyJones

If Ulsters' front row can hold their own against what is a superior front row then I feel Ulster have more than enough for a LBP or perhaps sneak an away win.
Ulster should be confident in seeking at least parity in the lineouts and at the breakdown and I would fancy the Ulster backline to have a slight advantage over Leicester.
However it could well come down to a kicking battle and Leicester's scrum could force a few 3 pointers.

Fishooks12

I reckon Ulster could provide a shock here or at least a LBP

As someone else said, very average Leicester midfield

Podge_irl

It never ceases to amaze me just how many good teams Staunton manages to get himself involved in.

Flashdean

Being a Leicester fan i obviously dream of a 5 pointer tomorrow but not confident at all!! Think we edge the front 5 but an unexperienced centre partnership could be our downfall.
Forsyth is an exciting prospect and will replace Murphy at full back in a few years time all going well!

My prediction is a boring 15-6!! COME ON YOU TIGERS

PhatPiggins

Podge_irl wrote: »

It never ceases to amaze me just how many good teams Staunton manages to get himself involved in.

He's an 80% goal kicker

wixfjord

PhatPiggins wrote: »

He's an 80% goal kicker

In the premiership though!
A good few times he's bottled in a really big game and cost a team.
Wasps in the RDS, Leicester against LI and Bath I think it was in the Prem are good examples.
He wouldn't make the bench for Ulster, Leinster or Munster.

Podge_irl

PhatPiggins wrote: »

He's an 80% goal kicker

Ah I didn't really know that.

I actually quite like him as a player. He's flaky as all hell, but he's quite talented. He's certainly made the most of his limited talent in his career.

LeeroyJones

Flashdean wrote: »

Forsyth is an exciting prospect and will replace Murphy at full back in a few years time all going well!

Yea, great prospect... It will be nice to see him to see him nice

PhatPiggins

PhatPiggins wrote: »

He's an 80% goal kicker

and a 45% player.

profitius

Tough game for Ulster. The scrums could be the key. Leicester also have a powerful looking bench to come on. Still, Ulster are no mugs and they're capable of playing better than they did last week. Leicester by 6pts I reckon.

PhatPiggins

Flashdean wrote: »

Being a Leicester fan i obviously dream of a 5 pointer tomorrow but not confident at all!! Think we edge the front 5 but an unexperienced centre partnership could be our downfall.
Forsyth is an exciting prospect and will replace Murphy at full back in a few years time all going well!

My prediction is a boring 15-6!! COME ON YOU TIGERS

Is it just my lack of knowledge of some of the young guys or are Leicester getting a touch average in their old age? There's a lot of solid internationals in there but there's a fair few journeymen sneaking into the 22 these days.

I know Leicester were always about the 'sum of their parts' but they seem to be completely lacking any X factor this season. Some of thier leading men like Castro,Murphy and Tuilagi are a couple of years past their sell by date.

PhatPiggins

Deleted User wrote: »

and a 45% player.

No arguements there, but he's at the best team in England to hide his defficiencies i.e. pack goes out and kills everything, Stauto kicks the penalties and throws in the occassional tackle.

Flashdean

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Is it just my lack of knowledge of some of the young guys or are Leicester getting a touch average in their old age? There's a lot of solid internationals in there but there's a fair few journeymen sneaking into the 22 these days.

I know Leicester were always about the 'sum of their parts' but they seem to be completely lacking any X factor this season. Some of thier leading men like Castro,Murphy and Tuilagi are a couple of years past their sell by date.

Your completely right in saying that mate add players like chuter, deacon,hamilton and staunton to the list and it proves your point !

Its a worry down at welford rd this season and richard has started doing something about it with the likes of skivington,kitchener,twelvetree,forsyth,manu and morris coming into the team in last two years and its just a matter of mixing the old with the new im afraid! Exciting times though!

irishbucsfan

I think both teams are as good as each other. Leicester might edge it because of home advantage but it should be a seriously good game. Too bad it's on the same time as Connacht! I'll have to record it.

thomond2006

LeeroyJones wrote: »

Yea, great prospect... It will be nice to see him to see him nice

overshoot

6-3 ulster after 10mins
linky http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=133029&part=sports

ambid

Niall Morris on for Tigers after 17 minutes.

Kiwi_knock

Humphreys is kicking very well.

overshoot

lovly kick by humphreys from just in his own half, ulster lead 9-6. good physical match

profitius

Poite the muppet. Calling a forward pass against Ulster when it was level. Leicester get the scrum and then penalty. Ulster struggling in the scrums but looking good other than that.

totallegend

Cracking game so far, Ulster playing the better rugby but Leicester pinning them back in their own half very effectively.

Tuohy continuing his good form and Marshall is very impressive.

irishbucsfan

BAH Humphreys!

ironingbored

Some great work by Trimble there for tackle and kick.

totallegend

Think we need to see D'arcy to give Ulster some sort of a cutting edge.

irishbucsfan

HUMPHREYS!

ironingbored

Leicester turning the screw a little.

Ulster must hang on.

Kiwi_knock

Ulster deserve at least a losing bonus point

ironingbored

Try Leicester.

17-9 Leicester. Flood misses conv.

Spudmonkey

Doesn't look like Ulster will get anything from this.

irishbucsfan

Leicester were very good in the second half IMO.

Ulster should possibly have managed a LBP, but Leicester did well to deny it.

totallegend

Ulster deserved something from that.

Humphreys mixed the very good with the inexcusably bad and that was the difference in the end. A bit of creativity from Wallace might have helped, midfield was a bit one-dimensional.

Ulster need maximum points from Aironi and have to hope other results go their way.

irishbucsfan

I really don't think Spence is a 12. I know Jaco think he could be, but I just think he was limited there tonight.

jacothelad

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I really don't think Spence is a 12. I know Jaco think he could be, but I just think he was limited there tonight.

Yes. He didn't pull up any trees today although in defence he was good. BUT. He is playing to order as a crash ball 12. He is a far better player than that. Once again we suffered by playing Danielli at 15. He was somewhat to blame for being out of position for the try and was generally poor all night. When he is at 15 he adds even less in attack than usual. Humphreys failed touch penalty was embarrassing. That was the turning point when the defence had won a great penalty. Humphreys also missed his easiest kick of the night at goal.

shuffol

Only saw the first half but Tuohy impressed me again, hopefuly he keeps his form up till the 6N, would love to see what he could bring to the Irish pack. It'll be an interesting test of Kidneys selection policy. I imagine Kidney would loath to drop DOC given his experience and partnership with O'Connell but if he isnt starting the big games for Munster he really shouldnt be in the Irish side. It'll be a good indicator as to whether Kidney will be the right man to lead Ireland in whats likely to be a transitionary period for the national side.

irishbucsfan

jacothelad wrote: »

Yes. He didn't pull up any trees today although in defence he was good. BUT. He is playing to order as a crash ball 12. He is a far better player than that. Once again we suffered by playing Danielli at 15. He was somewhat to blame for being out of position for the try and was generally poor all night. When he is at 15 he adds even less in attack than usual. Humphreys failed touch penalty was embarrassing. That was the turning point when the defence had won a great penalty. Humphreys also missed his easiest kick of the night at goal.

I couldn't believe Humphs missed touch from there. It seems that he just has trouble staying focused. Some of his mistakes are baffling, he does things that a junior player would be disappointed with. I think Leicester scored very very soon after that as well.

Why isn't D'Arcy preferred to Danielli? Is it a squad seniority thing?

jacothelad

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I couldn't believe Humphs missed touch from there. It seems that he just has trouble staying focused. Some of his mistakes are baffling, he does things that a junior player would be disappointed with. I think Leicester scored very very soon after that as well.

Why isn't D'Arcy preferred to Danielli? Is it a squad seniority thing?

No, it's a selection stupidity thing. Akin to last year when NOC was selected for a run of games ahead of Humphreys. Let's face it, Ethel the Tea lady is a better 10 than NOC. I know it. You know it. Even Gaddafi knew it. I think his last words were, "God in heaven, not NOC at 10 against Toulouse".

Ethel the tea lady's shopping trolley is a better 15 than Danielli. It would certainly be faster. I know it. You know it. Even the drones on Sky commentary had the wit to mention it after yet another blunder. Apparently Brian Mclaughlin and his assorted untrained and unqualified dog circus have failed to realise what the whole rugby world realises. Danielli is the worst 15 in pro rugby in Ireland. DON'T SELECT THE POOR PHUQER AT 15. IF YOU NEED TO SELECT HIM, DO IT AT 11 OR 14 BUT FOR THE SAKE OF ALL RUGBY SANITY PICK ONE OF THE VERY GOOD FULL BACKS ON THE BOOKS. IT ONLY MAKES YOU LOOK EVEN MORE INEPT - IF THAT'S POSSIBLE.

GerM

POC

---

> Tuohy

---

> Glut of other players.

If he's not in our 22 come the 6N it will make no sense. Fantastic work rate. Good physicality. Solid line out. Great hands. Extremely mobile and sharp on his feet. In short, he is the only modern lock we have playing in the country and to a high standard. I know McCarthy is making a decent fist of it also but he's not quite in the same class. He would add a great dimension to our forward play.

wixfjord

Agreed, Tuohy is our version of Courtney Lawes or Gray imo.
Great athlete, lovely hands, power and pace, but may need another more experienced guy beside him.
Him and POC would be a great partnership imo, and it would allow POC to stop trying to carry so much ball.
Ryan and Tuohy would be too inexperienced though imo, which is why I'd have DOC/Cullen on the bench, but we know Kidney's man love for Ryan.

irishbucsfan

If Mike McCarthy is selected over Dan Tuohy I'll be very upset. McCarthy will be pushing 30 and realistically is not going to start regularly in the 6 Nations at any point in his career. Tuohy has much more upside and is a good bit younger. 2nd row squad for me should be POC, Tuohy, Toner, DOC/Ryan

shuffol

jacothelad wrote: »

No, it's a selection stupidity thing. Akin to last year when NOC was selected for a run of games ahead of Humphreys. Let's face it, Ethel the Tea lady is a better 10 than NOC. I know it. You know it. Even Gaddafi knew it. I think his last words were, "God in heaven, not NOC at 10 against Toulouse".

Ethel the tea lady's shopping trolley is a better 15 than Danielli. It would certainly be faster. I know it. You know it. Even the drones on Sky commentary had the wit to mention it after yet another blunder. Apparently Brian Mclaughlin and his assorted untrained and unqualified dog circus have failed to realise what the whole rugby world realises. Danielli is the worst 15 in pro rugby in Ireland. DON'T SELECT THE POOR PHUQER AT 15. IF YOU NEED TO SELECT HIM, DO IT AT 11 OR 14 BUT FOR THE SAKE OF ALL RUGBY SANITY PICK ONE OF THE VERY GOOD FULL BACKS ON THE BOOKS. IT ONLY MAKES YOU LOOK EVEN MORE INEPT - IF THAT'S POSSIBLE.

Maybe Gilroys worth a shot at 15? I know he'd a few games there for the u-20s. Can anybody explain to me why he's at 11 and Trimbles at 14, surely the other way round would be better.

jacothelad

shuffol wrote: »

Maybe Gilroys worth a shot at 15? I know he'd a few games there for the u-20s. Can anybody explain to me why he's at 11 and Trimbles at 14, surely the other way round would be better.

Gilroy has played 15 for Ireland U20s and is decent there but I would much rather select D'Arcy. Gaston is a very good fullback in the making as is Nelson and there are others.

It doesn't make much difference to either of them which side they play apparently. They both seem keen to roam the field to look for the ball. Given that Who? has obviously deemed that only the crash ball up the middle is the way to play rugby, it's the only chance they will have to see the ball.