HEC: Ulster V Castres, 8.00pm 12/10/2012 Ravenhill - TV : SS3

Can't believe no match thread!

Breaking news, Ferris doesn't make the game, McCormish starts with McComb onto the bench.

Ulster: J Payne; T Bowe, D Cave, P Wallace, A Trimble; P Jackson, P Marshall; T Court, R Best, J Afoa; J Muller (c), D Tuohy; I Henderson, M McComish, C Henry.
Replacements: R Herring, C Black, A Macklin, L Stevenson, R Pienaar, L Marshall, C Gilroy.

Castres: R Teulet; M Garvey, S Bai, D Kirkpatrick, M Andreu; P Bernard, T Lacrampe; Y Forestier, M Bonello, M Coetzee; M Rolland (c), R Capo Ortega; P Faasalele, Y Caballero, P Wannenburg.
Replacements: M-A Rallier, G Marmoiton, H Lazar, J Tekori, A Claassen, R Kockott, P Bonnefond, T Sanchou.

Ulster's pack will look to win the breakdown, and smash holes left right and centre in the Castre defence. 6 of the pack would be more than comfortable carrying ball in the tight, and we should see some serious bruising play setting up a pretty electric backline.

Payne has been lightning sharp since the season's start, and Ulster have wingers to burn as Gilroy, one of the most consistent young players in Ireland can only make the bench as two internationals in Bowe and Trimble earn their starts. Marshall and Pienaar also on the bench provide guile and creativity if called into the action, while Wallace and Cave have played enough games together at this stage to build the telepathy that we hope can see them both use their creativity to put several of Ulster's plays this year onto the HEC highlight reel.

Ulster are unbeaten in Ravenhill in the HEC in the previous 11 games, and I feel it will take a monumental effort from Castres to change this around. Could Pedrie Wannenburg, former fan favourite at Ulster fan favourite return and leave a mark that fans desperately want to avoid?

Glass Prison 1214

Whats wrong with Ferris?

GerM

I cannot see Fez making it to 30 at this stage. His body is hanging on by a thread.

With Castres playing tight rugby and a lack of real game breakers in the Ulster back row, I can see this game being a bit of a let down. Can only hope Jackson, Payne and Wallace can get enough ball to light it up.

damianmcr

Its not his knee. He has back spasms and they havent cleared up.

eyeball kid

Very disappointing not to have Ferris playing. He'll be a big loss. Hopefully they'll still do it.

Taco Corp

Wouldn't be the opening weekend of Heineken cup without Mark Robson!!

Swan Curry

I see why they call him Robocop.

Jared Payne is ****ing great

Swiwi

Dear Ulster,

Please give Jared Payne back to NZ.

Yours sincerely,

CIARAN_BOYLE

Deleted User wrote: »

Jared Payne is ****ing great

yep

Nice job by trimble to finish it off

Cpt_Blackbeard

Payne reminds me of Geordan Murphy at his peak. He just glides across the field.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Is the 5 second at the ruck rule thats in place in the rabo in place in the HEC or is it only being trialled in the rabo

Ulster looking to play rugby. That was a smashing line from Bowe.

Look pumped.

duckysauce

class try

jamiedav2011

Marshall looks Ireland quality on his performances so far this year.

Him and Reddan would be so much more effective than Murray.

Marshall has a head on his shoulders.

None of the other Irish scrum halves would've done that...

Deano7788

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Is the 5 second at the ruck rule thats in place in the rabo in place in the HEC or is it only being trialled in the rabo

It's in all tournaments this season

Hersheys

We had the 5 second rule once the ref called use it in our match last weekend - women's league.

Great performance from ulster at this early stage.

Swiwi

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Marshall looks Ireland quality on his performances so far this year.

Him and Reddan would be so much more effective than Murray.

Murray is too slow for my liking, I agree with you there.

Tox56

Ulster look so slick, great pack, great backline and great young prospects

That was vital from Castre there. Very good defence.

jamiedav2011

Tox56 wrote: »

Ulster look so slick, great pack, great backline and great young prospects

Slick is the word. Reminds me of some of the Leinster performances against the likes of Treviso last year so far. And Castres are no mugs.

Taco Corp

Deleted User wrote: »

Marshall has a head on his shoulders.

None of the other Irish scrum halves would've done that...

none of them could have done it either...

Cpt_Blackbeard

I've said it before, but I can see Ulster winning the HEC this year. Henderson looks much more intimidating with the shaved head.

Hersheys

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

I've said it before, but I can see Ulster winning the HEC this year. Henderson looks much more intimidating with the shaved head.

If Leinster can't do 3 in a row I'd like Ulster to do it. And I hope Uncle Deccie is watching and picks some of these Ulster lads for Ireland.

Quality finish.

chris85

So far all positive. Piercing in attack, solid in defence and forwards are showing their strength. A few penalties given away but hopefully this will sort itself out.

ThisRegard

It was a long time coming but nicely done in the end.

Bizarre kicking technique but like a bullet from his instep!

Podge_irl

That was a quality try from Castres. Still hard to see anything but a decisive Ulster victory though.

macslash

score??

Podge_irl

23 - 10

Deano7788

macslash wrote: »

score??

23-10 Ulster

macslash

macslash wrote: »

score??

23-10

Ulster lead with 90seconds left in first half.

CIARAN_BOYLE

macslash wrote: »

score??

Ulster lead 23-10 two tries for Ulster

duckysauce

good stuff from Ulster so far , pity Ferris is out .

macslash

Good stuff..looking good for them so!

eyeball kid

Henderson is looking pretty impressive. Is he only 20?

Marshalls try was very well taken. Nice intelligent play and he has some pace. Would love to see him getting a game in the AI's. He a lot different from the other SH's that are usually in the Ireland frame.

Hopefully Ulster keep it up for the second half and manage to get a bonus point. Every point will be vital in this pool.

ThisRegard

The half time breaks feel like they're twice as long than the pro 12 games.

ormond lad

eyeball kid wrote: »

Henderson is looking pretty impressive. Is he only 20?

Marshalls try was very well taken. Nice intelligent play and he has some pace. Would love to see him getting a game in the AI's. He a lot different from the other SH's that are usually in the Ireland frame.

Hopefully Ulster keep it up for the second half and manage to get a bonus point. Every point will be vital in this pool.

Yep. not 21 til early next year
Nice try for Marshall. only saw it on a stream that keeps falling down but marshall took try very well
Being totally honest i dont see Ulster having any issue in getting 4 trys

Can't wait to see this guy in 2 years time. Power and pace and the size of him!

Hersheys

Tampon in the nose for the castres player

jamiedav2011

Are you watching Deccie?

No, course you're ****ing not.

Sniping scrum half once again.

Lets at least think about playing this kind of game for Ireland Declan! Marshall needs to be a real bench option at the very least.

Hersheys

Stand up for Marshell!

Taco Corp

another try from Marshall

eyeball kid

3rd try. Second for Marshall.

Edit..Conversion missed. 28-10. 43 mins gone.

Hersheys

Carson Short Marinade wrote: »

Can't wait to see this guy in 2 years time. Power and pace and the size of him!

Some break from him in the lead up to the try!

Cpt_Blackbeard

Great try by the young lad. :rolleyes:

ThisRegard

eyeball kid wrote: »

Edit..Conversion missed. 28-10. 43 mins gone.

Did you see his kick from right on the try line during a training session the other day ?

Hersheys

ThisRegard wrote: »

eyeball kid wrote: »

Edit..Conversion missed. 28-10. 43 mins gone.

Did you see his kick from right on the try line during a training session the other day ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/19910510