Match Thread: Ulster Rugby v Llanelli Scarlets, Rabo SF, Friday 10th May 2013 19:45

awec

|
Back line | Back line
Jared Payne | Liam Williams
Andrew Trimble | George North
Darren Cave | Jonathan Davies
Stuart Olding | Scott Williams
Tommy Bowe | Andy Fenby
Paddy Jackson | Rhys Priestland
Ruan Pienaar | Aled Davies
Forwards | Forwards
Tom Court | Phil John
Rory Best | Ken Owens
Declan Fitzpatrick | Samson Lee
Johann Muller | George Earle
Dan Tuohy | Joe Snyman
Robbie Diack | Aaron Shingler
Chris Henry | Josh Turnbull
Nick Williams | Rob McCuskter
Replacements | Replacements
Rob Herring | Emyr Phillips
Callum Black | Rhodri Jones
Ricky Lutton | Jacobie Adriaanse
Iain Henderson | Jake Ball
Mike McComish | Sione Timani
Paul Marshall | Gareth Davies
Mike Allen | Owen Williams
Peter Nelson | Gareth Owen

Ulster, the 2012/2013 Rabo table toppers take on fourth place finishers Llanelli Scarlets in the first semi final of the year at Ravenhill. Jared Payne will hopefully put in a cracking performance on the back of his new 3 year deal, while Nick Williams plays his first match since picking up both the Rabo and IRUPA player of the season awards. It would be great to see the big man back to his boshing best.

Overall a strong team named by Ulster but noticeable absentees are John Afoa and Craig Gilroy.

Tommy Bowe will be up against fellow Lion George North in what is the only Lions match up of the game.

Prediction: Ulster by 5+

CatFromHue

McCuskter, Aled Davies, Preistland, and Scott Williams v Nick Williams, Pienaar, Jackson, and Olding.

It doesn't look too good for Lanelli at the 8, 9, 10, and 12 axis.

I'm surprised Priestland is playing this as he's been out for so long.

thomond2006

Given Scarlets' result last week and the quality of both sides in general, you'd have to back Ulster nine times out of ten to win this.

Scarlets have to Saffers in the second row for bulk but that backrow looks a bit lightweight. I'd expect Ulster to dominate there.
Afoa out is a massive loss but the scrum should still be ok. Ken Owens is overrated IMO and a poor thrower, Muller can get to him.

Big risk throwing Priestland in there who hasn't started a match since 2012 and hasn't played well for a lot longer than that.

awec

Hopefully Fitzpatrick can last 60 minutes.

bilston

Thanks awec. Can't make it tonight which is disappointing but there you go. Last game in front of the old stand as well which is poignant given it's been up since 1924. Its seen a lot of great players over the years from Ulster and elsewhere. Let's hope it witnesses one more Ulster victory this evening.

The key for Ulster is to start well. I have visions of an early George North try killing the atmosphere. If we start well and our pack gets on top as they should and get a 10 point lead then we will be in business.

eyeball kid

is this just on the bbc or are rte showing as well? i would expect ulster to win this one. also, where is gilroy? injured?

I am pie

Gilroy is injured, scandalous speculation as to how and with who he picked up his injuries can be found in the Ulster thread. Lucky lad. Anyway, he´s not available tonight. No harm having trimble bringing a bit of bulk to counter North.

P_1

eyeball kid wrote: »

is this just on the bbc or are rte showing as well? i would expect ulster to win this one. also, where is gilroy? injured?

Tis on RTE2 aswell

eyeball kid

I am pie wrote: »

Gilroy is injured, scandalous speculation as to how and with who he picked up his injuries can be found in the Ulster thread. Lucky lad. Anyway, he´s not available tonight. No harm having trimble bringing a bit of bulk to counter North.

Off to check out the ulster thread then!

awec

Gimme a U!

eyeball kid

awec wrote: »

Gimme a U!

UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

Take your pick.

yimrsg

Priestland's out.

conormccarthy92

Priestland is ruled out ...

decisions

No prisland. Is that good or bad for ulster?

*Priestland

CIARAN_BOYLE

SUFTUM

Hopefully today is day one of a good weekend for Irish rugby. Two Irish sides in the final please.

Not really happy with Diack ahead of Henderson or McComish on the bench.

Disappointed that Afoa isn't fit but you can't do better than Fitzpatrick as a backup if he is fit and manages to stay fit through the game.

trouttrout

Was going to go to the gym but I've decided to hop on the couch and watch this instead, damn rugby keeping me unfit!

errlloyd

Is Rolland being played over the PA?

trouttrout

Liam Williams, wonder how many off the ball incidents he'll be involved in tonight

trouttrout

If Davies had better hands he'd be dangerous

jamiedav2011

Scarlets have not got a snowballs chance in hell of winning this.

awec

Bit smelly so far.

Great atmosphere though.

vienne86

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Scarlets have not got a snowballs chance in hell of winning this.

Agreed. They're coughing up too many penalties.

CIARAN_BOYLE

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

SUFTUM

Hopefully today is day one of a good weekend for Irish rugby. Two Irish sides in the final please.

Not really happy with Diack ahead of Henderson or McComish on the bench.

Disappointed that Afoa isn't fit but you can't do better than Fitzpatrick as a backup if he is fit and manages to stay fit through the game.

best player in an Ulster jersey over the last 8 weekends!

Tuohy is the lucky one to be on the pitch ahead of Henderson I think. Anyway, the bench will be important this evening.

its_phil

WTF was that Cave?

jamiedav2011

Wow, Trimble's kicking is poor.

Grimebox

Strange knock-on from paddy jackson. He just spilled the ball forward when he was about to pass

trouttrout

trouttrout wrote: »

Liam Williams, wonder how many off the ball incidents he'll be involved in tonight

One completely unnecessary follow through ruck cleanout of best so far

awec

Owen Williams runs in to the hulk and finds out its a bad idea

Payne is just so dangerous

awec

And that's what Payne gives you. Lethal.

trouttrout

trouttrout wrote: »

Liam Williams, wonder how many off the ball incidents he'll be involved in tonight

Another shoving contest that he took way to far with Trimble.

Red for Liam Williams.

Easy


poor from Rolland there.

errlloyd

What the hell happened there.

awec

How can he avoid a red there.

trouttrout

and now he's going to be sent off. He's clearly hated by every Ulster player too

biscuits22

How was that not red?

conormccarthy92

trouttrout wrote: »

Liam Williams, wonder how many off the ball incidents he'll be involved in tonight

:rolleyes:

jamiedav2011

Trimble no saint there, but Williams is pure dirt.

awec

Fcuk off ref. Outrageous.

decisions

Williams is such a dirty player, talented but dirty. Should have been a red.

Trimble Yellow, Williams Red imo.

Strange to not penalise the last offence too.

trouttrout

Williams is a disgrace, I don't say this lightly but the game would be better off if he wasn't playing week in week out on television. They guy is constantly involved in off the ball digs/mouthing and he's a very bad role model for any young kids watching the game

errlloyd

This game is going to go mental...

Tom Court diving on the player there, lovely to hear the BBC NI commentator giving out about the homer call by Rolland there!

Spudmonkey

Officials missing everything here.

Pudsy33

Trimble threw the first punch, but Williams went overboard. Ref probably didn't see him connecting and thought a yellow was appropriate.

its_phil

Clearly a trip and a yellow there

trouttrout

Big Nick having a stormer!

awec

Hope Williams gets flattened in a tackle.

neilmulvey

rolland having a shocker