Ulster vs Munster, Fri 3 Jan 7:05pm BBCNI/RTE

thomond2006

Munster:
Felix Jones; Andrew Conway, Casey Laulala, Ivan Dineen, Ronan O'Mahony; Ian Keatley, Cathal Sheridan;
Dave Kilcoyne, Damien Varley, Stephen Archer; Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell; Peter O'Mahony Capt., Tommy O'Donnell, James Coughlan.

Replacements: Duncan Casey, John Ryan, BJ Botha, Dave Foley, CJ Stander, Duncan Williams, Johnny Holland, Johne Murphy.

No Donnacha Ryan and no JJ in the 23! Holland isn't registered in the HEC squad and cannot be registered until after the pool stages so hopefully JJ isn't injured!

Ulster XV and replacements to face Munster, RaboDirect PRO12, Ravenhill, Friday 3rd January (kick off 19:05);

15 Jared Payne
14 Andrew Trimble
13 Darren Cave
12 Luke Marshall
11 Craig Gilroy
10 Paddy Jackson
9 Ruan Pienaar
1 Tom Court
2 Rob Herring
3 John Afoa
4 Iain Henderson
5 Dan Tuohy
6 Robbie Diack
7 Chris Henry
8 Roger Wilson

Bench - Niall Annett, Callum Black, Declan Fitzpatrick, Lewis Stevenson, Nick Williams, Sean Doyle, Paul Marshall, Mike Allen

Glass Prison 1214

Ulster 1-7

No Cronin as well, is he injured?

thomond2006

Glass Prison 1214 wrote: »

No Cronin as well, is he injured?

No full article as yet, I suppose we'll find out from that.

thomond2006

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/rugby/12571.php

So JJ and Earls expected to be ok for next week. Not a word on Donnacha Ryan which is strange. James Cronin could have played but he's rested.

Glass Prison 1214

Ulster 1-7

Any sign of the Ulster team?

.ak

Interesting. Strong 2nd row and backrow but not much else to shout about. Will be interesting to see the Ulster squad, I'd imagine on paper it'll look better as they'll be targeting this in a big way now.

gaius c

thomond2006 wrote: »

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/rugby/12571.php

So JJ and Earls expected to be ok for next week. Not a word on Donnacha Ryan which is strange. James Cronin could have played but he's rested.

He was spotted hobbling about in extreme pain after the Perpignan game, which makes you wonder how wise it was to pick him so soon after a long injury layoff.

bilston

Glass Prison 1214 wrote: »

Any sign of the Ulster team?

Ulster XV and replacements to face Munster, RaboDirect PRO12, Ravenhill, Friday 3rd January (kick off 19:05);

15 Jared Payne
14 Andrew Trimble
13 Darren Cave
12 Luke Marshall
11 Craig Gilroy
10 Paddy Jackson
9 Ruan Pienaar
1 Tom Court
2 Rob Herring
3 John Afoa
4 Iain Henderson
5 Dan Tuohy
6 Robbie Diack
7 Chris Henry
8 Roger Wilson

Bench - Niall Annett, Callum Black, Declan Fitzpatrick, Lewis Stevenson, Nick Williams, Sean Doyle, Paul Marshall, Mike Allen

.ak

As assumed Ulster are targeting this in a big way. Should be a cracker of a game. Williams to spring from the bench....

Glass Prison 1214

Ulster 1-7

bilston wrote: »

Ulster XV and replacements to face Munster, RaboDirect PRO12, Ravenhill, Friday 2nd January (kick off 19:05); J Payne, A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, C Gilroy, P Jackson, R Pienaar; (1-8): T Court, R Herring, J Afoa, I Henderson, D Tuohy, R Diack (Captain), C Henry, R Wilson; (16-23): N Annett, C Black, D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, N Williams, S Doyle, P Marshall, M Allen.

Very strong side from Ulster, I expect them to win this now.

Glass Prison 1214

Ulster 1-7

Delighted to see Henderson at second row, hopefully he can put in a big performance.

awec

Hendo at 4.

Now that's a team.

phog

thomond2006 wrote: »

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/rugby/12571.php

So JJ and Earls expected to be ok for next week. Not a word on Donnacha Ryan which is strange. James Cronin could have played but he's rested.

One of the papers has him as a doubt for the Edinburgh game.

Decent enough team for a trip to Ravenhill and good to see Keatley back.

phog

bilston wrote: »

Ulster XV and replacements to face Munster, RaboDirect PRO12, Ravenhill, Friday 3rd January (kick off 19:05);

15 Jared Payne
14 Andrew Trimble
13 Darren Cave
12 Luke Marshall
11 Craig Gilroy
10 Paddy Jackson
9 Ruan Pienaar
1 Tom Court
2 Rob Herring
3 John Afoa
4 Iain Henderson
5 Dan Tuohy
6 Robbie Diack
7 Chris Henry
8 Roger Wilson

Bench - Niall Annett, Callum Black, Declan Fitzpatrick, Lewis Stevenson, Nick Williams, Sean Doyle, Paul Marshall, Mike Allen

Only two backs on the bench, Ulster hoping to win this up front or lack of available backs?

Tox56

Is Muller injured? Great to see Henderson in the row, if he can stay there and perform how we all think he can he should be looking at a 6 Nations call-up. He does need to learn the specific details of the position though, I don't think he's spent that much time there in senior rugby

bilston

phog wrote: »

Only two backs on the bench, Ulster hoping to win this up front or lack of available backs?

Wallace, Olding, Farrell and Bowe are all injured and Andrew and arguably McIlwaine aren't good enough, Pienaar and Luke Marshall both cover 10, added to the fact we have three forwards returning from injury then I suppose it makes sense to go with an extra forward.

thomond2006

Glass Prison 1214 wrote: »

Very strong side from Ulster, I expect them to win this now.

Munster will do well to get a LBP, 9-15 is considerably stronger for Ulster. The scrum will be up against it as well.

bilston

Tox56 wrote: »

Is Muller injured? Great to see Henderson in the row, if he can stay there and perform how we all think he can he should be looking at a 6 Nations call-up. He does need to learn the specific details of the position though, I don't think he's spent that much time there in senior rugby

I'm not a scrummaging expert but someone suggested to me that as good as Hendo is the Ulster scrum isn't as effective when he is in the row. The person who made this point is very much an ardent advocate of the Henderson is a 6 and only a 6 camp so perhaps he is biased, but maybe it's something to keep an eye on.

jamiedav2011

That's a serious looking Ulster 23.
Only one winner here on paper, game is played on grass though!

mfceiling

Muller was the first name i noticed who's missing. Other than that it's a decent looking team.

Should really be targetting a comfortable home win tbh.

awec

It looks like we have the crosshairs trained on Munster for this.

a win please, and please please please no injuries.

Buer

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster will do well to get a LBP, 9-15 is considerably stronger for Ulster. The scrum will be up against it as well.

As it was last weekend; can't do much without the ball. I think it will be a one score game. Henry and Henderson cannot be near match fitness.

Tox56

bilston wrote: »

I'm not a scrummaging expert but someone suggested to me that as good as Hendo is the Ulster scrum isn't as effective when he is in the row. The person who made this point is very much an ardent advocate of the Henderson is a 6 and only a 6 camp so perhaps he is biased, but maybe it's something to keep an eye on.

With his obvious natural size and power it shouldn't take him too long to adjust, but he needs games to do that. If it's a problem now it won't be if he's given a good run of games there. My concern is that Ulster weren't doing that, and with Tuohy and Muller playing well I couldn't blame them looking at it from their POV

athtrasna

Mark McCafferty

.ak wrote: »

As assumed Ulster are targeting this in a big way. Should be a cracker of a game. Williams to spring from the bench....

There's a Williams on both benches. Here's hoping that's where they both stay :P

shuffol

bilston wrote: »

I'm not a scrummaging expert but someone suggested to me that as good as Hendo is the Ulster scrum isn't as effective when he is in the row. The person who made this point is very much an ardent advocate of the Henderson is a 6 and only a 6 camp so perhaps he is biased, but maybe it's something to keep an eye on.

I noticed the opposite last season tbh, seem to remember a couple of games where Henderson was behind Afoa and he took his opposite number to the cleaners, pretty sure one was against Leinster over christmas last year. Think the other might have been away to Castres.

gosullivan89

Munster > 7

Very strong Ulster team there. getting worried as a munster fan, but i think we can still win this.

Kayless

Munster 1-7

shuffol wrote: »

I noticed the opposite last season tbh, seem to remember a couple of games where Henderson was behind Afoa and he took his opposite number to the cleaners, pretty sure one was against Leinster over christmas last year. Think the other might have been away to Castres.

A man of Henderson's size pushing would be an advantage to any team.

Take Muller for example, he is 6 ft, 7 in - 17st, 9lb whereas Henderson is 6 ft, 7 in - 18st, 3lb

That's some add weight in the scrum that should give Ulster (and Ireland) an advantage when the other team are trying to hook the ball and on own scrums to hold the push.

Also Henderson is a very dynamic player and gets around the field well for a man of his size. Him and POC in the row for Ireland would be unreal.

CatFromHue

Strong pack from Munster, should be a tight game I think.

bilston

shuffol wrote: »

I noticed the opposite last season tbh, seem to remember a couple of games where Henderson was behind Afoa and he took his opposite number to the cleaners, pretty sure one was against Leinster over christmas last year. Think the other might have been away to Castres.

Well I hope you're right and the other guy is wrong!

bilston

CatFromHue wrote: »

Strong pack from Munster, should be a tight game I think.

This,

Munster are very strong from 4-8 so anyone who thinks Ulster are going to walk because they have a better backline are mistaken. Of course if the Ulster pack get on top then it could be tough for Munster but with DOC, POC and POM on board I don't see that happening.

Also the weather is a factor, the worst of tomorrow's storm will have passed by the time KO comes round but the pitch could be a quagmire and the wind will still have an effect on the match. This could be proper old skool Inter Provincial 10 man rugby, the problem for Munster though is that Ulster have a big advantage at 9 and a bit of an edge at 10 and home advantage helps of course with a baying Ravenhill crowd to keep Rolland honest.

Fireball07

That's pretty much Ulster's strongest team, when injuries are taken into account... and it is filled with quality.

Afoa back in the front row, Henderson lining out in the 2nd row, Henry back at 7.

And the backline! Much better at half-back, a very good centre partnership and a very dangerous back 3, with Payne just oozing class.



Munster just don't have the same type of quality out on the field. It's a pity... I would have loved to see Cronin/Varley/Botha start and really put it up to Ulster at scrum-time, I can't see Killer and Archer offering the same threat. Rest of the pack is very strong and probably better than their Ulster counterparts overall, but with Henderson and Henry back, it's a much more marginal thing. I can see Henry causing us nightmares.

As for our backs, I like the centre partnership. No Earls and no JJ though, in addition to the absence of Zebo and Murray really weakens us. Back 3 is okay, but nothing near the class of Ulster's. Conway and ROM do have pace though.




At Ravenhill, I can't see beyond an Ulster victory. Pity.

accidentprone1

Munster > 7

How much trouble are we in if Holland has to come in early in the game? I haven't seen anything of him to go by.

jamiedav2011

bilston wrote: »

This,

Munster are very strong from 4-8 so anyone who thinks Ulster are going to walk because they have a better backline are mistaken. Of course if the Ulster pack get on top then it could be tough for Munster but with DOC, POC and POM on board I don't see that happening.

Also the weather is a factor, the worst of tomorrow's storm will have passed by the time KO comes round but the pitch could be a quagmire and the wind will still have an effect on the match. This could be proper old skool Inter Provincial 10 man rugby, the problem for Munster though is that Ulster have a big advantage at 9 and a bit of an edge at 10 and home advantage helps of course with a baying Ravenhill crowd to keep Rolland honest.

Giggidy!

Fireball07

accidentprone1 wrote: »

How much trouble are we in if Holland has to come in early in the game? I haven't seen anything of him to go by.

Hard to judge, he's been given very limited appearances and he's looked okay but he's generally come on when we've been fairly comfortable and hasn't been able to make an impact really.


It would be far from ideal.

phog

accidentprone1 wrote: »

How much trouble are we in if Holland has to come in early in the game? I haven't seen anything of him to go by.

Imho, he'd do ok if he had Murray as his halfback partner and that would be for game management/support/encouragement as much as anything else but with two rookies of Holland and Sheridan at halfback then I'd be worried.

Suppose some of it would come down to is he on the front foot or back foot and how our forwards compete at scrumtime and the breakdown. It's not really a must win game so it wouldn't be the end of the world for him to have to try and manage this game. Obviously, would prefer to a tactical sub rather than an injury sub.

Mahatma Geansai

Munster with a small advantage up front outside of the scrum. Ulster with a huge advantage in the backs. Ulster need the win to stay in touch at the top, while a loss will only result in Munster losing their current 9 game winning streak.

Hopefully Munster continue with their winning ways, but it's a huge task.

finatron

Can't wait for this heading up tomorrow morning with 3 of my mates the Ulster team looks strong munsters need to keep thight to have any chance of a win.
I'm not too worried about the front row Munster scurm as been very good session and we can always spring BJ if things get bad.
The battle of the 7s should be good with sob out theres an Ireland spot up for grabs

gaius c

bilston wrote: »

This,

Munster are very strong from 4-8 so anyone who thinks Ulster are going to walk because they have a better backline are mistaken. Of course if the Ulster pack get on top then it could be tough for Munster but with DOC, POC and POM on board I don't see that happening.

Also the weather is a factor, the worst of tomorrow's storm will have passed by the time KO comes round but the pitch could be a quagmire and the wind will still have an effect on the match. This could be proper old skool Inter Provincial 10 man rugby, the problem for Munster though is that Ulster have a big advantage at 9 and a bit of an edge at 10 and home advantage helps of course with a baying Ravenhill crowd to keep Rolland honest.

I'm guessing that a certain amount of the posting here is mockers appeasement but it is a decent pack playing a pack who got mangled at the breakdown in their last game.

awec

gaius c wrote: »

I'm guessing that a certain amount of the posting here is mockers appeasement but it is a decent pack playing a pack who got mangled at the breakdown in their last game.

its not the same pack that got mangled though.

gaius c

awec wrote: »

its not the same pack that got mangled though.

Four changes yeah but I guess I don't rate Diack & Wilson as operators at the breakdown. Henry will make a big difference though.

phog

Our scrum haven't played as a unit yet this season. The closest they've come to being together was against Perpignan in Thomond Park. TOD played in the B&I cup that weekend.

jacothelad

Serious weather warnings issued for tomorrow. game may well be in doubt.

awec

If it's off I'll be raging. Don't want to make that trip for nothing.

My weather app thingy says 6 degrees, 39km/h winds and 50% chance of light rain. Fingers crossed!

jacothelad

awec wrote: »

If it's off I'll be raging. Don't want to make that trip for nothing.

My weather app thingy says 6 degrees, 39km/h winds and 50% chance of light rain. Fingers crossed!

S.W. Winds up to 80 m.p.h. forecast for the north Irish Sea. Not sure when but tomorrow some time plus major tide related flood warnings issued. Maybe we'll escape. I wouldn't bet on a complete escape though.

bilston

Think the worst of the weather will have passed by KO, wouldn't fancy the drive from Munster though!

Buer

jacothelad wrote: »

S.W. Winds up to 80 m.p.h. forecast.

That'd be the hot air coming from Limerick. :pac:

pappyodaniel

Ulster 1-7

Buer wrote: »

That'd be the hot air coming from Limerick. :pac:

Nah, it has more of a Corkonian twang to it

Swiwi.

awec wrote: »

It looks like we have the crosshairs trained on Munster for this.

a win please, and please please please no injuries.

If you're serious about silverware this year, this is a must-win, given it's a home game. From my point of view I'm glad it's on RTE and not TG4, don't speak a word of Rugby Gaelic.

pappyodaniel

Ulster 1-7

Off topic

It's my first time heading up to Ravenhill for a game. Any recommendations as to places to eat and a few good watering holes?

danthefan

Just looking at the teams you would have to think Ulster have the upper hand, though it's a decent Munster pack. Hope for the sake of Leinster's prospects of topping the league that Ulster win it.

awec

pappyodaniel wrote: »

Off topic

It's my first time heading up to Ravenhill for a game. Any recommendations as to places to eat and a few good watering holes?

Taxi's are cheap as chips in Belfast so there is no issue eating and drinking in the city centre and getting a taxi to the ground.

The Crown, Robinsons, The Kitchen, Whytes Tavern etc are all good in the city center.

All city centre pubs are good to be honest. If you find a pub go in.

And if you need a taxi just phone 028 90 333333. Fonacab - will get a taxi in like 30 seconds and city centre to the ground should cost ye only a few quid and unlike down here there is none of this 1 euro extra per passenger/bag crap.