Leinster v Ulster 03/01/2015, 1440 - Sky Sports 1 & BBC

total former

Leinster
Zane Kirchner, Fergus McFadden, Luke Fitzgerald, Gordon D'Arcy, Dave Kearney, Ian Madigan, Isaac Boss, Jack McGrath, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Mike McCarthy, Jack Conan, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip (capt)

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Michael Bent, Tadhg Furlong, Kane Douglas, Jordi Murphy, Luke McGrath, Jimmy Gopperth, Ben Te'o


Ulster
Peter Nelson, Tommy Bowe, Darren Cave, Stuart Olding, Craig Gilroy, Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar, Callum Black, Rory Best (capt), Wiehahn Herbst, Dan Touhy, Franco van der Merve, Robbie Diack, Clive Ross, Roger Wilson

Replacements: R Herring, A Warwick, B Ross, A O’Connor, S Reidy, P Marshall, I Humphreys, L Marshall.

Round 12 of the league season and still neither team has found anything like its best form, so both sides will be looking for a win to boost their flagging season.

Despite their recent travails, Ulster could actually go second in the table with a bonus-point - that seems somewhat unlikely but Leinster's defence looked alarmingly leaky last week against Munster. For their part, Leinster will just be looking to climb back into the play-off spots, which they can do by denying Ulster a losing bonus point.

Ruan Pienaar and Paddy Jackson form what is, on paper, the best half-back pairing in Ireland, yet questions hang over Jackson's form and Pienaar's fitness, so they may not be firing on all cylinders. Opposite them, Isaac Boss will need to raise the tempo of his game while Ian Madigan gets only his third start at out-half this season. He'll be hoping to keep hold of his place in the national pecking order and outshining Jackson tomorrow would be a step in the right direction.

Elsewhere, both sides have named almost their strongest sides available as injury continues to ravage both sides.

In the absence of four internationally-capped blindside flankers, Jack Conan will start at 6 for the first time and will hopefully add some ball-carrying ballast to a Leinster side short on momentum. For that reason, it's somewhat surprising to see Richardt Strauss preferred to Sean Cronin, especially after Strauss looked off the pace against Munster. Fergus McFadden comes back into the team ahead of schedule after surgery on a thumb injury while Ben Te'o will hope to get his Leinster (and union) career back on track after his abortive debut in October.

For Ulster, probably the most eye-catching inclusion is Peter Nelson at full-back in the absence of Louis Ludik and Jared Payne. A very talented but very inexperienced player, this will be a big occasion for him. Likewise Clive Ross will be hoping for a big showing and to put one over on his big cousin. On the bench, Luke Marshall looks to take advantage of Stuart McCloskey's injury woes.

It's really hard to know how this will pan out given the inconsistency shown by both sides, but for all Leinster's problems, they remain very hard to beat at the RDS, where no-one has won since March 2013, I'm sure we all remember by whom though...


On paper, Leinster have the edge in the front and back rows so should be able to secure a platform. Ulster, again on paper, have more flair in their backline and a more controlling 9-10 axis, so if they can secure possession, it could be interesting.

The sold out signs went up on the RDS a few days ago so let's hope for a good atmosphere and a game to match.

Marius Mitrea takes the whistle. Forecast is for rain in the morning but clearing in the afternoon.

Paddy Power has Leinster as six point favourites.

Prediction: Leinster to win, Ulster to get a losing BP.

Radio coverage is live on RTE Radio 1. Highlights on TG4 tomorrow at 2300.

Zzippy

Love the poll options!

Expect Leinster to win this. Starting teams are fairly evenly matched, but the Leinster bench is much stronger and should have an impact in the second half. Leinster back row should have the edge and win more possession too.

thomond2006

The poll should be who we think awec is supporting tomorrow.

molloyjh

Zzippy wrote: »

Love the poll options!

Expect Leinster to win this. Starting teams are fairly evenly matched, but the Leinster bench is much stronger and should have an impact in the second half. Leinster back row should have the edge and win more possession too.

It's the game for making use of the bench, but the last few weeks there's been a few Leinster players riding pine for 80 mins. MOCs use of the bench has been Kidney-esque at times.

I really shouldn't make a prediction because every time I have over the last few weeks Leinster have fallen short of what I called.

vienne86

Ulster

I feel this should be a win for leinster but as is now normal, I am not overly confident.

vienne86

Ulster

I feel this should be a win for leinster but as is now normal, I am not overly confident.

bilston

It doesn't matter, our new Connacht overlords will shortly rule the world

I'm a bit more confident about Ulster's chances than normal at the RDS but that is because Leinster have been average this season as opposed to anything positive from Ulster.

I actually think there isn't much between the front rows and the tight 5s in general are very close but there is no mistaking Leinster have a significant edge in the back row. The half backs should in theory favour Ulster but with Ulster possibly going to struggle at the breakdown they may not have as big an influence as they would like. The backline combinations are intriguing. I machine Joe will be watching the following battles very closely...

Madigan v Jackson
D'Arcy v Olding
Fitzgerald v Cave
D.Kearney v Gilroy

Much to ponder on there for JS.

Heart says Ulster but the head says Leinster will edge it.

bilston

It doesn't matter, our new Connacht overlords will shortly rule the world

Big game for Peter Nelson, he has played well recently, personally I think he is more at home in the centre but his pace could be effective if he is given space by Leinster.

vienne86

Ulster

bilston wrote: »

Big game for Peter Nelson, he has played well recently, personally I think he is more at home in the centre but his pace could be effective if he is given space by Leinster.

I don't think I've ever seen him play. Good player by all accounts. Great opportunity for him.

Digifriendly

Game also live on BBC2 N1. Highlights on Saturday night on TG4.

bilston

It doesn't matter, our new Connacht overlords will shortly rule the world

vienne86 wrote: »

I don't think I've ever seen him play. Good player by all accounts. Great opportunity for him.

It's alleged he was treated very badly by a previous coach and that knocked the confidence out of him which has set him back a bit. He is very quick. Played out half and centre at school, has played across the backline for Ulster and the Ravens.

Edit - Said completely the opposite to what I meant to. Thanks awec!

awec

Ulster

bilston wrote: »

It's alleged he was treated very well by a previous coach and that knocked the confidence out of him which has set him back a bit. He is very quick. Played out half and centre at school, has played across the backline for Ulster and the Ravens.

Very badly you mean?

irishbucsfan

awec wrote: »

Very badly you mean?

I'd imagine he omitted the word "not"

sydthebeat

Ulster

Maybe he's a sado masochist. ...

bilston

It doesn't matter, our new Connacht overlords will shortly rule the world

awec wrote: »

Very badly you mean?

Oops

Bridge93

Ulster

Is he that little ginger fella? Looked decent when I saw him.

I'll put my neck on the line and say Leinster by 5

stephen_n

Leinster narrowly I'd imagine, really not much between the sides, the ulster pack won't bully Leinster as much as Munster did, hopefully Strauss's darts are a bit more accurate tmw than last week. Leinster by 5

SaveOurLyric

"It doesn't matter, our new Connacht overlords will shortly rule the world"

Pat Lam is moving to Leinster ????
Oh Yeh !

badknees

It doesn't matter, our new Connacht overlords will shortly rule the world

bilston wrote: »

It's alleged he was treated very badly by a previous coach and that knocked the confidence out of him which has set him back a bit. He is very quick. Played out half and centre at school, has played across the backline for Ulster and the Ravens.

Edit - Said completely the opposite to what I meant to. Thanks awec!

Aye I heard that allegation,seems to have come from someone who had a big downer on Anscombe.Funnily enough no one else seems to have been able to confirm it.Mind you Doak Bell and Clarke would not have been too far away if said incident ever took place.I have to confess though that when I mentioned the allegation re Nelson to some youth players at the club he was at they were hammering away immediately on their mobiles ,none of them seemed upset quite the opposite!the words arrogance and condescending were used, which impressed me no end in young folk such as them.Old buggers like me would have used quite fruitier language.I have played with players who were quite focused in their own mind but to put younger players off playing rugby because they have not been to a certain school or have certain skills is beyond me.

Hagz

Ulster

I have no idea what I just read.

bilston

It doesn't matter, our new Connacht overlords will shortly rule the world

Hagz wrote: »

I have no idea what I just read.

I think he is sayig Nelson got what was coming to him, but I may have comoletely misunderstood. It's late on a Friday night/Saturday morning so who knows.

badknees

It doesn't matter, our new Connacht overlords will shortly rule the world

Hagz wrote: »

I have no idea what I just read.

Aye some words had more than two syllables.

awec

Ulster

badknees wrote: »

Aye some words had more than two syllables.

Don't be a dick.

badknees

It doesn't matter, our new Connacht overlords will shortly rule the world

awec wrote: »

Don't be a dick.

Eh can you address the content of the post as opposed to being abusive.Moderators can sometimes be more of a dick than the posters.In my post I have tried to comment on the post as opposed to the poster, what I was posting I would admit in my initial post re Nelson was a bit cryptic but at least Bilston could see what I was getting at.Maybe there could be a rule where Moderators can be cited for being a chube.I have to admit though that I thought if someone was having a pop then it is fair enough to return the compliment.Or is there something else that is irritating you?

.ak

badknees wrote: »

Eh can you address the content of the post as opposed to being abusive.Moderators can sometimes be more of a dick than the posters.In my post I have tried to comment on the post as opposed to the poster, what I was posting I would admit in my initial post re Nelson was a bit cryptic but at least Bilston could see what I was getting at.Maybe there could be a rule where Moderators can be cited for being a chube.I have to admit though that I thought if someone was having a pop then it is fair enough to return the compliment.Or is there something else that is irritating you?

Do not respond/debate to mod warnings on thread. If you have an issue with what a mod has said then PM them.

ssaye2

Is it head to head or points difference if leinster beat ulster today by less than 7 putting both on 36
Who would be 4th?

total former

Ulster

ssaye2 wrote: »

Is it head to head or points difference if leinster beat ulster today by less than 7 putting both on 36
Who would be 4th?

Points difference so Leinster would have to win by 13 to move above them.

vienne86

Ulster

total former wrote: »

Points difference so Leinster would have to win by 13 to move above them.

Which would deny Ulster a losing bonus point, so Leinster would move ahead on points.

ulster_Beef

5 votes for Ulster.

Not sure if you lot are serious or if its a piss take ha.

Cant even see a LBP myself.

I would usually head down for this one and stay in the ghetto that is Dalkey but other important matters have arisen and will watch from the comfort of the sofa with the fire lit

sydthebeat

Ulster

Both teams have been crap this season, but possibly Ulster have been worse than Leinster.
However pienaar and Jackson are back and could click today. Both can play excellent positional rugby and will have Leinster pinned back and frustrated at all opportunities. On top of that, I think Ulsters centers are better than ours.

The only way Leinster will win will by a forward dog fight. If it's open and expansive I fear Ulster can do a number on us.

Leinster by less than 7

ulster_Beef

sydthebeat wrote: »

Both teams have been crap this season, but possibly Ulster have been worse than Leinster.
However pienaar and Jackson are back and could click today. Both can play excellent positional rugby and will have Leinster pinned back and frustrated at all opportunities. On top of that, I think Ulsters centers are better than ours.

The only way Leinster will win will by a forward dog fight. If it's open and expansive I fear Ulster can do a number on us.

Leinster by less than 7

Ulster have enough centres to supply all Provence's and some, and good/ great centres at that. We have too many and can see us offloading someone in the near future.

Jackson has went backwards of late due to injuries and he has never been the best place kicker, but yes; positional he is good.

Saint P hasnt been goal kicking as his legs been too sore still. He might not even be at 80% today. All in all, I wouldnt expect too much from them or Ulster in general. We are absolute tom kite with no direction or leadership on the field.

phog

ssaye2 wrote: »

Is it head to head or points difference if leinster beat ulster today by less than 7 putting both on 36
Who would be 4th?

From Pro12

number of matches won;
the difference between points for and points against;
the number of tries scored;
the most points scored;
the difference between tries for and tries against;
the fewest number of red cards received;
the fewest number of yellow cards received.

If Leinster win today and bith teams tie on league points then the next decider will be Points Difference.

This is why Connacht are ahead of Leinster on the table at the moment, they've won one more match but level on league points.

vienne86

Ulster

ulster_Beef wrote: »

Ulster have enough centres to supply all Provence's and some, and good/ great centres at that. We have too many and can see us offloading someone in the near future.

Jackson has went backwards of late due to injuries and he has never been the best place kicker, but yes; positional he is good.

Saint P hasnt been goal kicking as his legs been too sore still. He might not even be at 80% today. All in all, I wouldnt expect too much from them or Ulster in general. We are absolute tom kite with no direction or leadership on the field.

The last time Jackson played, when he picked up that injury to his arm, I thought he was looking more like his old self. It was a pity for him that he got injured and was sidelined again. It'll be interesting to seee how he goes today.

bilston

It doesn't matter, our new Connacht overlords will shortly rule the world

ulster_Beef wrote: »

5 votes for Ulster.

Not sure if you lot are serious or if its a piss take ha.

Cant even see a LBP myself.

I would usually head down for this one and stay in the ghetto that is Dalkey but other important matters have arisen and will watch from the comfort of the sofa with the fire lit

Nah I went for Ulster. Leinster are no great shakes either. Both sides are looking a bit stronger on paper now though.

1st dalkey dalkey

ulster_Beef wrote: »

5 votes for Ulster.

Not sure if you lot are serious or if its a piss take ha.

Cant even see a LBP myself.

I would usually head down for this one and stay in the ghetto that is Dalkey but other important matters have arisen and will watch from the comfort of the sofa with the fire lit

Thanks for the vote of confidence . Enjoy the afternoon in comfort.

Quint2010

ulster_Beef wrote: »

5 votes for Ulster.

Not sure if you lot are serious or if its a piss take ha.

Cant even see a LBP myself.

I would usually head down for this one and stay in the ghetto that is Dalkey but other important matters have arisen and will watch from the comfort of the sofa with the fire lit

Havent seen much of Ulster this year. Are they that bad? Because I tell you something-Leinster are no great shakes at the moment and if they were playing anyone in half decent form I would back Leinster to lose!

ulster_Beef

Quint2010 wrote: »

Havent seen much of Ulster this year. Are they that bad? Because I tell you something-Leinster are no great shakes at the moment and if they were playing anyone in half decent form I would back Leinster to lose!

We are actually that bad yes. Anyone who says otherwise is deluded. How we are so far up in the league is beyond me

ssaye2

No changes for either #LeinsterRugby or @UlsterRugby ahead of a 2.40pm kick off. #COYBIB pic.twitter.com/VJBzv5fUYZ

Losty Dublin

Honest to God, I can't see Leinster winning today. The only thing is, I can't see Ulster winning either

Scythica

Not sure if better suited to here or the Ulster thread but seems Henderson isn't completely broken which is handy!

Can't post a link (newbie) but there's a picture of him warming up at the RDS today.

Sangre

Is this just on sky then? Can't see it on bbc

Scythica

Sangre wrote: »

Is this just on sky then? Can't see it on bbc

Live on BBC2 NI and BBC sport website

Sangre

Scythica wrote: »

Live on BBC2 NI and BBC sport website

Thanks. Struggling to locate it from England though.

ulster_Beef

Sangre wrote: »

Thanks. Struggling to locate it from England though.

Do you have sky?

Dubron

Murphy playing 7?

Almost sure I just saw him wearing 7 in the dressing room.

Peregrine

Jennings out with a pulled hamstring, Murphy at 7.

total former

Ulster

Van der Flier on the bench

Scythica

IHumph out replaced by McComish....

Jackson better be ok!

Tox56

Ross like a beached whale there

Journeyman_1

Ulster

Lets go Leinster!!!!!!!!

Journeyman_1

Ulster

3 forward passes?

Edit: if they were actually flat they were fantastic!