Match Thread: Glasgow Warriors v Ulster Rugby Pro12 Semi Final 22/05/15 7:45

awec

|
Ludik |Hogg
Bowe | Seymour
Payne | Vernon
Cave | Horne
Gilroy | Matawalu
Jackson | Russell
Pienaar | Pyrgos
Black | Grant
Best | Brown
Lutton | de Klerk
Stevenson | Gray
Tuohy | Kellock
Henderson | Strauss
Henry | Fusaro
Wilson | Ashe
REPLACEMENTS | REPLACEMENTS
Herring | MacArthur
Warwick | Reid
Ross | Cusack
Diack | Nakarawa
Marshall | Weir
McCloskey | Lamont
Allen | van der Merwe

In a repeat of last week's fixture Ulster travel to Scotstoun to take on the Glasgow Warriors in the first of this years Pro 12 semi finals. Due to being practically assured of an away semi final after their result against Munster the Ulster coaching staff decided that last week would be used as an opportunity to try and rest some of their big name players ahead of this week's fixture.

Ulster have made 11 changes to their line up this week, with 10 international players coming in. In the backs the Pro 12 top try scorer and in form winger Craig Gilroy returns to a position that he is starting to make his own. Jared Payne and Darren Cave return to the centre, with Tommy Bowe taking up his usual spot on the right wing.

At half back the story is similar with Paul Marshall dropping to the bench and Ian Humphreys dropping out of the squad entirely. Paddy Jackson and Ruan Pienaar come back in to complete what is a very strong 9-15 for Ulster.

Rob Herring drops to the bench after he was cleared to play after his ridiculous, farcical and outright questionable citing from last week's fixture.

Franco van der Merwe's season looks to be over which will be a huge loss for Ulster. He has grown as the season progressed and has been pivotal in the pack for the province. Lewis Stevenson has retained his spot alongside Dan Tuohy, with Neil Doak preferring to utilise Henderson in his much more effective role of 6.

The forgotten man Ricky Lutton has retained his place at tighthead after the news that Herbst's season will be over. The front row will be an area of concern for Ulster and they will need to ensure they don't get beat up in the scrums.

For Glasgow the changes are much more subtle. Matawalu moves from scrum half to wing while Fraser Brown moves in to the hooker spot.

Ulster had the measure of Glasgow for the first 60 minutes last week, but in the end the fact Ulster had nothing to play for and Glasgow had everything to play for saw the scots run in 4 tries in the last 20 minutes. This game will be an entirely different proposition for Glasgow as they are coming up against something close to but not quite Ulster's first choice 15.

The Ulster men will look at this from the point of view that Glasgow showed their hand last week while Ulster kept their cards close.

Prediction

Surprisingly I feel somewhat optimistic about this game. Trends are there to be broken and a Pro 12 side has never won an away semi final. There is a first for everything.

Out of all the potential away semi finals (Munster, Glasgow and Ospreys) Ulster have landed in my opinion the best they could get.

I'm going to predict a very close game, but Ulster will come out on top by a score.

Stena Line were doing Larne to Cairnryan for 25 quid return for this game so it seems there will be plenty of Ulster fans in Glasgow to celebrate a win.

OldRio

Thanks for that. The front Row is of concern but should be a great match.

bilston

The front row is definitely where we are most vulnerable but to be fair Glasgow's strength lie elsewhere too.

The difference in quality between this week's backline and last weeks is significant. Glasgow will know this, but if Henderson, Henry and Wilson get an edge in the back row and our backs get quality possession and PJ/RP kick accurately from tee and hand then we'll win.

That said in Stuart Hogg, Glasgow have a player who can turn a game in an instant so he will need to be watched carefully.

phog

If Munster win tomorrow I think beating Glasgow in Ravenhill would be an easier task than beating Ulster there and of course tickets might be easier to pick up if it was Glasgow but having said all that I hope Ulster get through.

#SUFTUM

George Hook

Great write-up. I really hope our scrum holds this week and doesn't become a penalty machine for the opposition.

vienne86

Really looking forward to this. I would be quite optimistic about Ulster doing it this evening - C'mon Ulster!

bilston

vienne86 wrote: »

Really looking forward to this. I would be quite optimistic about Ulster doing it this evening - C'mon Ulster!

If we had Herbst and VDM I'd be more confident.

Dravokivich

Damn, not gonna have a chance to watch this. Best of luck to both teams.

vienne86

bilston wrote: »

If we had Herbst and VDM I'd be more confident.

Yep. Ulster have a great back line.....just hope they get chances.

Del.Monte

Hope Ulster stuff Glasgow tonight as we need an all-Irish Final.

total former

I'm looking forward to seeing the respective out-halves perform; I think Russell is a really good player and maybe somewhat under-rated here. From Jackson, I'd like to see an improved tactical kicking game to go with all those delicious passes.

Should be a cracking game, hopefully Ulster can get parity in the tight and take it from there.

bilston

total former wrote: »

I'm looking forward to seeing the respective out-halves perform; I think Russell is a really good player and maybe somewhat under-rated here. From Jackson, I'd like to see an improved tactical kicking game to go with all those delicious passes.

Should be a cracking game, hopefully Ulster can get parity in the tight and take it from there.

Finn Russell is very good. I'd just rather have Jackson in the Ulster team primarily because of his passing. But you're right the next thing he needs to improve is his kicking from hand. He has got much better at kicking to touch , but his garryowens aren't great, and from an Ireand POV that is pretty crucial.

CatFromHue

Only Toulouse have won in Glasgow this season and I think that'll still be the case tomorrow.

I think Glasgow will shade it overall.

bilston

CatFromHue wrote: »

Only Toulouse have won in Glasgow this season and I think that'll still be the case tomorrow.

I think Glasgow will shade it overall.

We'll get you to say something positive about Ulster yet Cat

mfceiling

This is winnable.

Dry track should mean less handling errors which should mean less scrums therefore less chance of us getting minced in the pack.

Hendo to have a stormer, RP to marshall the game and Gilroy to cross the whitewash on the way to a victory.

SUFTUM

Flipper22

Very tough one to call. I hope Ulster do it but I think Glasgow may just shade it. Really looking forward to it.

bilston

mfceiling wrote: »

This is winnable.

Dry track should mean less handling errors which should mean less scrums therefore less chance of us getting minced in the pack.

Hendo to have a stormer, RP to marshall the game and Gilroy to cross the whitewash on the way to a victory.

SUFTUM

I think tonight is Tommy's night...just a feeling...that's Tommy BOWE in case there is any doubt!

vienne86

Really rooting for Ulster tonight. That said, given the way Glasgow have performed the last couple of seasons, I don't think anyone could grudge them a place in the final.

bilston

vienne86 wrote: »

Really rooting for Ulster tonight. That said, given the way Glasgow have performed the last couple of seasons, I don't think anyone could grudge them a place in the final.

I can begrudge them!

awec

Nerves are wrecked. Come on Ulster!

awec

3 nil Ulster.

bilston

Just another day for Hendy

vienne86

Great start Ulster - Henderson excellent.

vienne86

That was great defence from Ulster. Both teams looking good - good game on the cards!

bilston

Good kick by Russell, good composure by Ulster to clear

clsmooth

What channel is it on?

Peregrine

3 all

BBC2 NI and TG4

bilston

clsmooth wrote: »

What channel is it on?

BBC2 NI or Sky Sports 3

vienne86

clsmooth wrote: »

What channel is it on?

I'm watching on Sky.

awec

Oh come on that was a yellow card. There was a gap you could have sailed the titanic through ffs.

bilston

Oooh that must have been close to a yellow

Edit - nah fair call

bilston

This is a very good start by Ulster.

awec

I'd love to know how referees decide which way a scrum penalty goes. Is it a guess? :pac:

BBDBB

Both sides committed
Fast pace
Ref encouraging the attacking team

I'm predicting a knife edge of a finish

bilston

First scrum and a penalty straight away to Glasgow.

Fireball07

Wow, that was a class kick from Hogg.

vienne86

Ye gods - what a kick from Hogg!

Peregrine

Nice kick

awec wrote: »

I'd love to know how referees decide which way a scrum penalty goes. Is it a guess? :pac:

Mental toss of a coin?

bilston

Good kick by Hogg

awec

Clancy's decision making is odd. There is no way Glasgow got 10 metres there.

Fireball07

Pity Nakarawa isn't fit, I love watching him play. Good news for Ulster though, I guess.

Fireball07

High-ish tackle on Gilroy there?

And should have been an Ulster line-out.

BBDBB

Lovely attack from Ulster

bilston

There is some pace to this game

Peregrine

Fireball07 wrote: »

High-ish tackle on Gilroy there?

I thought so too.

dregin

awec wrote: »

Clancy's decision making is odd. There is no way Glasgow got 10 metres there.

Does the 10 count if the player tackled isn't the one who took the tap?

awec

TRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Henry!!

Chris Henry on the wing. Brilliant

Fireball07

Lovely try.

ssaye2

Boom

Great from Pienaar to start the move to out wide.

vienne86

That was just a lovely try from Ulster - so well worked.