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

molloyjh

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!

|

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

awec

C'MON ULSTER!

West Terrace here too.

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

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

CatFromHue

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

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

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.

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

bilston

justsomebloke wrote: »

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.

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.

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?

CatFromHue

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

awec

The awec Harp express is about to head north.

ALLEZ LES BLANCS!

Logie-1

Good luck to everyone travelling to the game, enjoy.

SUFTUM:)

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....

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

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.

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.

thomond2006

Macken in for Fitzgerald. I kid ye not.

rockbeast

thomond2006 wrote: »

Macken in for Fitzgerald. I kid ye not.

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

ssaye2

thomond2006 wrote: »

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.

Tox56

thomond2006 wrote: »

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

ssaye2

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

Teferi

Hang up the boots Luke.

cloneslad

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

I dislike Donal Lenihan

BBDBB

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

cloneslad

connemara man wrote: »

I dislike Donal Lenihan

Someone calm this man down

Lenin Skynard

That song was hilarious.

cloneslad

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

BBDBB

I thought the milf dance troop was the highlight tbh

Superbus

thomond2006 wrote: »

Macken in for Fitzgerald. I kid ye not.

ssaye2

Looks great both stadium and weather

C'MON Leinster

Grimebox

Madigan down like a sack of spuds

ssaye2

Healy Smash

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.

Mahatma Geansai

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

ssaye2

Healy scrum
Boom

Irlandczyk

Jesus, Healy absolutely minced that Ulster scrum there!

Taco Corp

massive scrum from Healy.

dregin

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

Swan Curry

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

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

Smallest doesn't necessarily mean weakest.

ssaye2

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

Mahatma Geansai

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

ssaye2

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

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

ssaye2

Ruddock is immense

Grimebox

Left off for Kearney