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Match Thread: Ulster Rugby vs Leinster Rugby, Ravenhill Fri 02nd May 19:30, RTE/BBCNI

  • 02-05-2014 11:39am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,767 ✭✭✭✭molloyjh


    logo-rabopro12.jpg

    Injuries, Form & The End Of The Season


    Leinster travel to Ravenhill tonight for the opening of Ulsters fully redeveloped stadium on top of the league and looking to stay there while Ulster look to cement their place in the top 4. Zebres win last night has all but guaranteed that Ulster will remain in the play-off places with Leinster, Glasgow and Munster. Ulster will want to get as good a draw as possible for the quarters, but with Glasgow 4 points clear of them in second with games against Treviso and Zebre to come it looks like the Ulstermen will have to settle for an away semi final. A trip to the RDS may suit Ulster better than a trip to Glasgow which are the 2 most likely options, but regardless Ulster will be keen to open the new Ravenhill with a win. For a side that had been going so well in both competitions earlier in the season the wheels have come off the wagon quite quickly and until yesterday were looking likely to fall outside of the play-off spots. I'm sure they'll be keen to return to their previous form.

    They are severely hampered by their injury list however which sees them field a much weakened front-row and a bench that wouldn't inspire huge confidence. The loss of the likes of Best, Afoa and Peinaar cannot be understated, but the loss of Fitzpatrick and Lutton has left them calling up 23 year old Warwick for his 3rd cap and only his first start at tight-head (after starting at loose a few weeks back). And then there's Ferris who seems to be Ulsters Luke Fitzgerald. That said their second row and back line in particular are seriously dangerous. Leinster will need to disrupt Ulsters ball wherever and however possible because we've seen the damage the likes of Bowe and Jackson can do when they link up effectively.

    Leinster on the other hand have named a very strong 23, 15 of which were capped in the 6 Nations. Their season has felt at times like it was stuttering along, and yet they still topped their pool in the HEC and are very much still in the drivers seat in the league. It's been a funny auld season for us Leinster supporters that way. MOC has continued to bamboozle fans with his selection policy at 10, but other than O'Brien and McFadden he has few, if any, injuries to worry about. Although I'll believe Fitzy is back only when I see him on the pitch and playing.

    Leinster will need to make a mess of Ulsters ball and keep the game as tight as possible for the first 60. Their strength today is on the bench and it will be in the final 20 that this game will be won, if it is to be won by Leinster. They need to ensure they cut out those basic errors we've been seeing far too much of this season to ensure that happens as this Ulster side, despite their injuries, are still a dangerous one. As a result I have 2 predictions; if Leinster execute things to a decent level of accuracy I see them winning it by 5, if not then I see Ulster winning by the same.

    I'd hoped to write a better write-up, but I'm short on time as I'm heading up to Belfast this afternoon. West Terrace for anyone else who's there....

    C'MON LEINSTER!

    Ulster.png
    |
    20.gif

    01: Tom Court|01: Cian Healy
    02: Rob Herring|02: Sean Cronin
    03: Andrew Warwick|03: Martin Moore
    04: Johann Muller CAPTAIN|04: Devin Toner
    05: Iain Henderson|05: Mike McCarthy
    06: Roger Wilson|06: Rhys Ruddock
    07: Chris Henry|07: Shane Jennings
    08: Nick Williams|08: Jamie Heaslip CAPTAIN
    |
    09: Paul Marshall|09: Isaac Boss
    10: Paddy Jackson|10: Ian Madigan
    11: Tommy Bowe|11: Dave Kearney
    12: Luke Marshall|12: Gordon D'arcy
    13: Jared Payne|13: Brian O'Driscoll
    14: Andrew Trimble|14: Zane Kirchner
    15: Ricky Andrew|15: Rob Kearney
    |
    16: Niall Annett|16: Richardt Strauss
    17: Callum Black|17: Jack McGrath
    18: Adam Macklin|18: Mike Ross
    19: Dan Tuohy|19: Leo Cullen
    20: Sean Doyle|20: Jordi Murphy
    21: Michael Heaney|21: Luke McGrath
    22: James McKinney|22: Jimmy Gopperth
    23: Darren Cave|23: Luke Fitzgerald


«13456713

Comments

  • Administrators Posts: 54,827 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭awec


    C'MON ULSTER!

    West Terrace here too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,407 ✭✭✭✭justsomebloke


    awec wrote: »
    C'MON MY MOCHA FRAPPE LATTE LOVING BRETHREN!

    FYP. We all know what you really meant and are just trying to keep up appearances ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,407 ✭✭✭✭justsomebloke


    God such a vital game for both teams. Going to be a nail biter and could easily go both ways. Really looking forward to this later.

    Hopefully we keep it close for the first 60 try and dominate the scrum and then try and utilise the bench for a win in the last 20


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,278 Mod ✭✭✭✭CatFromHue


    The subs bench for Leinster is a good bit stronger than Ulsters.

    The L.Marshall v D'arcy match up should be good.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,883 ✭✭✭shuffol


    Ospreys result last night should lessen the pressure on Ulster, should be decent conditions too so could be a very good game, this fixture usually is.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,407 ✭✭✭✭justsomebloke


    I really hope their wasn't 'influences' beyond Ulster's control behind the Payne at 13 switch. Seems an odd choice and could imbalance Ulster enough to benefit Leisnter


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,930 ✭✭✭✭bilston


    I really hope their wasn't 'influences' beyond Ulster's control behind the Payne at 13 switch. Seems an odd choice and could imbalance Ulster enough to benefit Leisnter

    It's a strange one, I'm not as opposed to Payne at 13 as some Ulster fans but at the same time why do it in this game!

    If nothing else it weakens us at Full Back, Ricky Andrew has improved a lot and is in decent nick but he is miles behind Payne at 15 and with Cave around we just seem to have deliberately handicapped ourselves here unnecessarily.

    Still I have liked the look of the Marshall/Payne midfield on the two or three occasions I've seen it so it will be interesting to see what may be Ireland's new midfield up against it's old one. Throw in PJ against Mads and there are some great head to heads behind the scrum.

    Last nights win for Zebre has given Ulster an unlikely boost and I'm not just as glum about tonight as I was earlier in the week but I reckon Leinster will take this by 5 points.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,668 ✭✭✭Mahatma Geansai


    Looking at the teams, it's Leinster's game to lose. The team chosen only strays from Leinster's first choice in the half backs. Ulster winning would make for an exciting final weekend though.


  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 3,096 Mod ✭✭✭✭ktulu123


    Heading up soon, hopefully a decent game with a nice Leinster win :P

    Edit: Ulster folk, i'm aiming for the Pirrie Park Gardens Park & Ride thing. That the best place to leave the car yeah?


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,278 Mod ✭✭✭✭CatFromHue


    Looking at the teams, it's Leinster's game to lose. The team chosen only strays from Leinster's first choice in the half backs. Ulster winning would make for an exciting final weekend though.

    If Ulster don't get at least a LBP tomorrow it'd be interesting last weekend as Ulster have either won or not got anything in Thomond over the last few seasons.

    Son you'd have Ospreys trying to get a TBP win against Connacht, Munster wanting a good win TBP if possible to try and get a home SF, and Ulster wanting to get at least a LBP to get into the SF.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,920 ✭✭✭✭stephen_n


    Slightly confident of a win here but it's Ulster in Ravenhill so it would have to be earned the hard way, can't see it being more than a score either way.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,930 ✭✭✭✭bilston


    ktulu123 wrote: »
    Heading up soon, hopefully a decent game with a nice Leinster win :P

    Edit: Ulster folk, i'm aiming for the Pirrie Park Gardens Park & Ride thing. That the best place to leave the car yeah?

    Never done it myself but Pirrie Park is very close, walkable even.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,930 ✭✭✭✭bilston


    CatFromHue wrote: »
    If Ulster don't get at least a LBP tomorrow it'd be interesting last weekend as Ulster have either won or not got anything in Thomond over the last few seasons.

    Son you'd have Ospreys trying to get a TBP win against Connacht, Munster wanting a good win TBP if possible to try and get a home SF, and Ulster wanting to get at least a LBP to get into the SF.

    Plus the battle to get into Europe.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,888 ✭✭✭Utah_Saint


    CatFromHue wrote: »
    The subs bench for Leinster is a good bit stronger than Ulsters.

    The L.Marshall v D'arcy match up should be good.

    tbh not really....its a former stepping wizard vs the bosh merchant...

    I hate to say it but ulster have turned him into JRoberts Jr


  • Subscribers Posts: 42,569 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    Leinster front three, both starting and reserve, will win penalties all night So game will be won by Leinster kicking.

    Ulster will out score Leinster in trys but will be left with a losing bonus point.


  • Administrators Posts: 54,827 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭awec


    The awec Harp express is about to head north.

    ALLEZ LES BLANCS!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 278 ✭✭Logie-1


    Good luck to everyone travelling to the game, enjoy.

    SUFTUM:)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 337 ✭✭ulster_Beef


    ktulu123 wrote: »
    Heading up soon, hopefully a decent game with a nice Leinster win :P

    Edit: Ulster folk, i'm aiming for the Pirrie Park Gardens Park & Ride thing. That the best place to leave the car yeah?

    Alexander Road is really close. Anywhere from there til along the Montgomery Road is good. Only a 5 min walk. Google map it on your phone if possible. You may see yellow lines for no parking but theyll only apply until 6 oclock so....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 337 ✭✭ulster_Beef


    Utah_Saint wrote: »
    tbh not really....its a former stepping wizard vs the bosh merchant...

    I hate to say it but ulster have turned him into JRoberts Jr

    I hate to admit it but I agree. Two words... Stuart Olding. I pray he comes back as fit/ fitter than before with everything healed etc etc


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,309 ✭✭✭former legend


    I'm going to predict an Ulster win here. The only clear area of advantage Leinster have in the starting XV is in the front-row so if Ulster can gain parity there, then home advantage could give them the edge. That said, the Leinster bench is immense so I'd hope that if the game is in the balance in the final quarter, we can swing it.

    I wouldn't freak out if we were limited to a losing BP though.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,415 ✭✭✭Swiwi.


    Cheers for the preview molloy! I wouldn't have minded going to the ground myself to watch the action. Rather than that Harp stuff, I can recommend the Whitewater range of beers, brewed in Kilkeel, Co Down. I guess I'll be watching the battle of the 10s and 13s, hardly a groundbreaking observation, but still.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Macken in for Fitzgerald. I kid ye not.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,548 ✭✭✭rockbeast


    Macken in for Fitzgerald. I kid ye not.

    Week/day/hour too soon this time?:(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,632 ✭✭✭ssaye2


    Macken in for Fitzgerald. I kid ye not.


    Beyond disappointing now, bloke needs to see a US specialist or something as its not happening here. Pissed off and so sorry for him.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,636 ✭✭✭✭Tox56


    Macken in for Fitzgerald. I kid ye not.

    ...seriously?

    Excuse me for a moment I think I hear crying down the hall...

    Starting to get really worried for his future, he's starting to follow the O'Malley route


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,632 ✭✭✭ssaye2


    Would have benched Reid, maybe not as versatile on bench as Macken but want him to finish top try scorer now


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,320 ✭✭✭Teferi


    Hang up the boots Luke.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,583 ✭✭✭cloneslad


    Leinster team have paid too much attention to some of the pavement kerbs around here.


    HwXelZl.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,773 ✭✭✭connemara man


    I dislike Donal Lenihan


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,899 ✭✭✭✭BBDBB


    great to see the legends being introduced and getting such a rousing reception


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,583 ✭✭✭cloneslad


    I dislike Donal Lenihan

    Someone calm this man down


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,970 ✭✭✭Lenin Skynard


    That song was hilarious.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,773 ✭✭✭connemara man


    cloneslad wrote: »
    Someone calm this man down

    My rant is in the Connacht thread.
    This should be a good match. I've really enjoyed watching Ulster play this year. I was sorry I couldn't get up for the Connacht match. Leinster have had this ability to "win ugly" and look like what they are trying to do is about to click. If Ulster are up by 7 with 20 to go id say they'll have enough to win. But Leinsters bench will nick it if it's tighter than that


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,899 ✭✭✭✭BBDBB


    I thought the milf dance troop was the highlight tbh


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,784 ✭✭✭Superbus


    Macken in for Fitzgerald. I kid ye not.

    zImu2my.gif


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,632 ✭✭✭ssaye2


    Looks great both stadium and weather

    C'MON Leinster


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,997 ✭✭✭Grimebox


    Madigan down like a sack of spuds


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,632 ✭✭✭ssaye2


    Healy Smash


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,431 ✭✭✭Redsoxfan


    Swiwi. wrote: »
    Rather than that Harp stuff, I can recommend the Whitewater range of beers, brewed in Kilkeel, Co Down.

    Hear hear. Try the Hilden Brewery and McGraths as well.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,668 ✭✭✭Mahatma Geansai


    Jaysus, Kearney smashed in the tackle by what might be the smallest player in the country.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,632 ✭✭✭ssaye2


    Healy scrum
    Boom


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 911 ✭✭✭Irlandczyk


    Jesus, Healy absolutely minced that Ulster scrum there!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,718 ✭✭✭Taco Corp


    massive scrum from Healy.


  • Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 6,525 Mod ✭✭✭✭dregin


    Already feeling sorry for Warwick. Very bad signs for the Ulster scrum early on.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,805 ✭✭✭Swan Curry


    Jaysus, Kearney smashed in the tackle by what might be the smallest player in the country.

    Smallest doesn't necessarily mean weakest.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,632 ✭✭✭ssaye2


    Sweet, lets try to keep them pinned and quiet the crowd or at least get them booing


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,668 ✭✭✭Mahatma Geansai


    Why wasn't experienced international TH and B&I Lion Tom Court considered for the TH Jersey?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,632 ✭✭✭ssaye2


    Why wasn't experienced international TH and B&I Lion Tom Court considered for the TH Jersey?


    Two posts two sarcastic/critical comments, do one


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,632 ✭✭✭ssaye2


    Ruddock is immense


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,997 ✭✭✭Grimebox


    Left off for Kearney


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