Ulster v Leinster, HC final build up thread!

Fishooks12

So here we are, the perfect outcome from an Irish perspective

Personally I can't see past Leinster at this stage but it's impossible to write of Ulster who seem to revel in the tag of under-dog

A great day for Irish rugby though regardless of the outcome !

Rickwellwood

Well done Leinster and Ulster - as a Connacht fan its a terrific outcome for us as well as we've another season of HC rugby to look forward to.

I'll be in Twickenham for the final - cant wait !!!!!!!!

Tox56

I think Leinster will be too slick and complete for Ulster, they aren't weak up front but can still play a similar game to Embra.

It's a one-off, but if Leinster can find a way to beat Clermont in France they can find a way to win this.

awec

I think we will surprise a lot of people.

CatFromHue

Henry and Afoa will make the Ulster team much stronger than yesterdays team against Edinburgh. On the other hand Ferris was in alot of visible pain with his knee yesterday.

Leinsters record against Ulster over the last few games isn't great reading for an Ulster fan, P5 L5.

Ulster do in a way have 3 weeks off before the final but that could work against them as Leinster as well.

Fishooks12

CatFromHue wrote: »

Henry and Afoa will make the Ulster team much stronger than yesterdays team against Edinburgh. On the other hand Ferris was in alot of visible pain with his knee yesterday.

Leinsters record against Ulster over the last few games isn't great reading for an Ulster fan, P5 L5.

For the sake of Irish rugby I hope he doesn't start given Fitzpatricks performance

CouchSmart

Can. Not. Wait.



vs

Tox56

Fishooks12 wrote: »

CatFromHue wrote: »

Henry and Afoa will make the Ulster team much stronger than yesterdays team against Edinburgh. On the other hand Ferris was in alot of visible pain with his knee yesterday.

Leinsters record against Ulster over the last few games isn't great reading for an Ulster fan, P5 L5.

For the sake of Irish rugby I hope he doesn't start given Fitzpatricks performance

Given what Afoa brings around the park their chances of winning are hugely improved with him starting. Ulster winning is of longer term benefit to Irish rugby.

CatFromHue

Fishooks12 wrote: »

For the sake of Irish rugby I hope he doesn't start given Fitzpatricks performance

Afoa will start, he offers much more around the pitch than Fitzpatrick in my opinion.

CoDy1

Would love to see Ulster win it.

Hippo

Tox56 wrote: »

Ulster winning is of longer term benefit to Irish rugby.

Why?

Quint2010

Has anyone tried to book match tickets yet? Keeps saying tcikets not available and then divert you to a site called "GET ME IN" who are charging fortunes for tickets

sock puppet

Both teams unbeaten in Heineken Cup finals!

Tox56

Hippo wrote: »

Tox56 wrote: »

Ulster winning is of longer term benefit to Irish rugby.

Why?

Is it not obvious? Inspire a generation, increase support and participation and create a third European heavyweight province.

totallegend

Quint2010 wrote: »

Has anyone tried to book match tickets yet? Keeps saying tcikets not available and then divert you to a site called "GET ME IN" who are charging fortunes for tickets

They'll make more available to the teams involved, there'll be no problem if you have a Leinster season ticket or know someone who does.

Quint2010

Early thoughts are Ulster will love being underdogs and it will be a very very tough match. But Leinster have shown such mental fortitude and focus by successfully carrying the burden of favouritism over the past two years that I dont think it will bother them unduly that they will be favourites for this either. It will be a brilliant occasion for irish rugby.

irishbucsfan

Really could go either way. It's a final. Impossible to predict.

One thing I predict is we'll all have a savage weekend in west london!

phog

totallegend wrote: »

They'll make more available to the teams involved, there'll be no problem if you have a Leinster season ticket or know someone who does.

What's held back? I thought they have reduced the number they hold for the finalists. Sponsors, players, branch oficials, etc all have to be looked after before the tickets reach the supporters.

I think this year will see an awful clamour for tickets. Usually, supporters from other teams will attend in small numbers but most pass on their tickets but any Munster or Connacht supporter that has a ticket will probably hold onto theirs for this game.

This is going to be a huge occasion, bigger than Lansdowne Rd 2006 and Croke Park 2009 and I'm jealous that Munster aren't there and I wont be there.

bilston

Leinster are pretty clear favourites and rightly so but then Munster were big favourites back in '09 in the semi final.

It's a one off game after all

Quint2010

Irish Times saying each club allocated just 7500 tickets

Blackheath

I got my tickets for the final

GerM

Quint2010 wrote: »

Irish Times saying each club allocated just 7500 tickets

Indeed but I would say a fair few Leinster fans have their tickets already and a good number of Ulster fans probably bought tickets after the win in Thomond. Have my flights, hotel and tickets since December.

A decent number of tickets will become available around the place now as supporters of teams that didn't make the final look to offload also.

lologram

GerM wrote: »

Indeed but I would say a fair few Leinster fans have their tickets already and a good number of Ulster fans probably bought tickets after the win in Thomond. Have my flights, hotel and tickets since December.

Have mine since the same. I'm glad it worked out this year, unlike in 2010 with that away semi in Toulouse. I had horrible visions of a repeat when I saw an away semi in France this year. Phew!

shuffol

Both sides evenly matched but the difference IMO will be Sexton and Kearney, but then Ulster have Pienaar...

ongarite

Got an email from Leinster Rugby. Going to be an open lottery for season ticket holders for the allocated tickets.

ambid

CatFromHue wrote: »

...Ulster do in a way have 3 weeks off before the final but that could work against them as Leinster as well.

Leinster have Dragons away and (probably) Glasgow at home. With due to respect to them, those fixtures won't be too taxing for this Leinster side as we'll see lots of rotation and the senior players will be in optimum condition for the final.

Given Leinster's ability to produce talent and Schmidt's extraordinary skill in squad rotation, I really don't see an advantage for Ulster there.

irishbucsfan

I reckon leinsters team next week willbe very different. Something like

McGrath, Cronin, Hagan, Browne, Toner, Ruddock, Ryan, Auva'a, Cooney, Madigan, Conway, McFadden, O'Malley, Kearney, Nacewa

IE as many changes as possible!

phog

Quint2010 wrote: »

Irish Times saying each club allocated just 7500 tickets

That's what i thought too, a few years ago each club got about 15,000 each, big drop but ERC just want to sell the tickets, which is tough on the finalists.

GerM wrote: »

Indeed but I would say a fair few Leinster fans have their tickets already and a good number of Ulster fans probably bought tickets after the win in Thomond. Have my flights, hotel and tickets since December.

A decent number of tickets will become available around the place now as supporters of teams that didn't make the final look to offload also.

Even then, I still think a lot of supporters wont get ickets as some esecially families wont travel without one and as I said before this will attract the neutral supporter, so neutral rugby fans that have tickets may hang onto theirs.

Edited to add: I've used Kilester travel for some away trips and they can usually source tickets and get them in groups if you so wish. Can be a bit more expensive but for the late bookers it's an option.

Conas

Leinster will be favourites, but they certainly won't be complacent going into this one. Ulster will be fired up, but even before the match starts there will be a lot of things to consider beforehand. People talk about Ferris and Pienaar being vital to Ulster's cause, but from looking at yesterday's match Chris Henry has been vital in their success so far. He was missed big time yesterday, and Edinburgh more than once carved Ulster open from the fringes of the breakdown. Falloon just isn't robust enough, so they'll need Henry back for the final if there win the battle at the breakdown.

Hippo

Tox56 wrote: »

Hippo wrote: »

Tox56 wrote: »

Ulster winning is of longer term benefit to Irish rugby.

Why?

Is it not obvious? Inspire a generation, increase support and participation and create a third European heavyweight province.

They've arguably already done that by reaching the final. It's surely better for Irish rugby in general if the team that has played the best rugby in Europe this season wins the trophy and in doing so points the way forward for the development of the national team's gameplan.

phog

Ticket news from the IRFU

P.C.

CatFromHue wrote: »

Ulster do in a way have 3 weeks off before the final but that could work against them as Leinster as well.

Ulster are playing Muster on Sturday 5th May at Thomond Park.
That will be a tough game, as Muster will not want to loose this one.
At the same time, Ulster can not afford to throw this game away, as throwing games could become a habit.

Then they have two weeks off, while Leinster are getting valuable game time.

Quint2010

It will be interesting to see how Scmidt plays the whole rotating thing between now and May 19th. Two matches between now and then. The reserves will be out next weekend but he may play a few of the first 15 agains The Dragons and the balance of the first 15 the following week. 3 weeks off is a long time and it will test Schmidt to see how he handled player management over the next 3 weeks

totallegend

bilston wrote: »

Leinster are pretty clear favourites and rightly so but then Munster were big favourites back in '09 in the semi final.

It's a one off game after all

Leinster are 1/4 to win and eight point favourites on the handicap with Paddy Power, if I was an Ulster fan I'd be lumping on that, crazy prices.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Basically I'd send the seconds out against Dragons, something like the below, then I would have the first team for the Rabo semi and the HEC Final.

VDM Cronin White

Toner Browne
McLaughlin Ruddock Ryan
Redden Madigan
McFadden EOM
Carr DKearney Conway

durkadurka

Quint2010 wrote: »

It will be interesting to see how Scmidt plays the whole rotating thing between now and May 19th. Two matches between now and then. The reserves will be out next weekend but he may play a few of the first 15 agains The Dragons and the balance of the first 15 the following week. 3 weeks off is a long time and it will test Schmidt to see how he handled player management over the next 3 weeks

I expect him to roughly copy what he did for the semi. Rest everyone for the meaningless dragons game. Most of the first team at home in the rabo semi. And most of then pulled off on 60 mins regardless of score. We have the depth to put Glasgow(?) away.

That smiley is unintentional btw and I can't get rid of it!

Fishooks12

totallegend wrote: »

Leinster are 1/4 to win and eight point favourites on the handicap with Paddy Power, if I was an Ulster fan I'd be lumping on that, crazy prices.

I'll be having a cut of Leinster -8

Can't see Ulster being within 8 points of them if they play to their capability

Tox56

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Basically I'd send the seconds out against Dragons, something like the below, then I would have the first team for the Rabo semi and the HEC Final.

VDM Cronin White

Toner Browne
McLaughlin Ruddock Ryan
Redden Madigan
McFadden EOM
Carr DKearney Conway

I'd have Boss starting not Reddan v Dragons, as Reddan is most likely starting in the first team.

I'd sub McLaughlin for Dragons and start for Heino Final. Jennings starting for Semi as that will be less intense, and he can be sprung from the bench in the final like last year, hopefully with similar effect.

ongarite

I reckon Leinster will play the A team next week for Dragons away game with Healy & Ross, Kearney & Isa rested and a mixed team for the semi against (Munster?)

durkadurka

Yeah it's a one off final though.

Also depends on how many of their best xv ulster can put out.

I reckon leinsters superior bench should see them home if it's tight in the last 20.

Quint2010

totallegend wrote: »

Leinster are 1/4 to win and eight point favourites on the handicap with Paddy Power, if I was an Ulster fan I'd be lumping on that, crazy prices.

Thats the bookies saying they expect Leinster to win by two scores. Ulster will be loving it

durkadurka

ongarite wrote: »

I reckon Leinster will play the A team next week for the last home game of the season and then mixed team for the Dragons away game with Healy & Ross, Kearney & Isa rested.

Ah you have that arse about tit!
It's dragons away next week then home semi the following week.

ongarite

durkadurka wrote: »

Ah you have that arse about tit!
It's dragons away next week then home semi the following week.

Yup, I've been celebrating so excuses!!

Quint2010

ongarite wrote: »

I reckon Leinster will play the A team next week for Dragons away game with Healy & Ross, Kearney & Isa rested and a mixed team for the semi against (Munster?)

The Dragons away is our only match left in regular season isn't it?

justsomebloke

It will be interesting to see who ulster send out against Munster, with no match the following week will they want people to get game time or not especially against a Munster team looking for revenge.

awec

Be surprised if Ferris plays against Munster anyway.

thomond2006

awec wrote: »

Be surprised if Ferris plays against Munster anyway.

The guy was hobbling after 5 minutes. Poor fella.

durkadurka

awec wrote: »

Be surprised if Ferris plays against Munster anyway.

Hell be in the freezer for the next fortnight

Monty Burnz

Tox56 wrote: »

Is it not obvious? Inspire a generation, increase support and participation and create a third European heavyweight province.

Didn't happen when they won a decade ago, so I don't see why it would happen now?

Tox56

Monty Burnz wrote: »

Tox56 wrote: »

Is it not obvious? Inspire a generation, increase support and participation and create a third European heavyweight province.

Didn't happen when they won a decade ago, so I don't see why it would happen now?

The English clubs not taking part always partly tainted that, but rugby in Ireland is astronomically more popular now than in 1999. Beating Leinster in a Heineken Cup final with all the publicity that would create nowadays would be huge for them.

Quint2010

I wonder will they be playing Ireland's call before the match?..:)