Match Thread: Ulster v Connacht Fri 23/12/16 19.30 BBC NI/SS2

b.gud

After 2 weeks of European competition, where both teams won at home and lost away without picking up an lbp, we return to the Pro12 for the 1st interpro of the Christmas season.

Connacht are, unsurprisingly, plagued with injuries and Ulster have blown hot and cold so far this season this game still has the potential to be a cracker though with class all the way through the Ulster backline and Connacht a team that love to play a wide expansive game from 1-15 if the weather is good this could be a thrilling match.

Ravenhill is always a tough place to go for away teams and Connacht know this more than most having to go back as far as 1960 to find their last win in the home of Ulster rugby. After beating Ulster in Galway for the 1st time under Lam will this finally be the game where Connacht finally break the Ravenhill hoodo?*

Ulster| position| Connacht
Charles Piutau|

15

|Tiernan O'Halloran
Louis Ludik|

14

|Niyi Adeolokun
Luke Marshall|

13

|Rory Parata
Stuart McCloskey|

12

|Danie Poolamn
Jacob Stockdale|

11

|Matt Healy
Paddy Jackson|

10

|Jack Carty
Ruan Pienaar|

9

|Kieran Marmion
Andrew Warick|

1

|Denis Buckley
Rory Best|

2

|David Heffernan
Rodney Ah You|

3

|Finlay Bealham
Kieran Treadwell|

4

|Quin Roux
Iain Henderson|

5

|James Cannon
Clive Ross|

6

|Sean O'Brien
Chris Henry|

7

|Nepia Fox-Matamua
Roger Wilson|

8

|John Muldoon
Replacements
Rob Herring|

16

|Shane Delahunt
Callum Black|

17

|Tom McCartney
Wiehaan Herbst|

18

|JP Cooney
Franco Van Der Merwe|

19

|Ultan Dillane
Sean Reify|

20

|Eoin McKeon
Paul Marshall|

21

|Caolin Blade
Darren Cave|

22

|Ciaran Gaffney
Tommy Bowe|

23

|Naulia Dawai


*probaly not

Stheno

You forgot the time

We need a sticky template for match threads

b.gud

Stheno wrote: »

You forgot the time

We need a sticky template for match threads

Was thinking it was missing something alright. Maybe one of the mods can fix that

awec

Since 1960. :cool:

Buer

Ulster team named.

Piutau, Ludik, Marshall, McCloskey, Stockdale, Jackson, Pienaar, Wilson, Henry, Ross, Henderson, Treadwell, Ah You, Best, Warwick

Herring, Black, Herbst, VDM, Reidy, Marshall, Cave, Bowe.

Decent impact off the bench.

FACECUTTR

Bit hard to see past an Ulster win with all the history but you never know. I never thought we would be Pro 12 champs either so I'm going with my heart and say Connacht win.

Buer

FACECUTTR wrote: »

Bit hard to see past an Ulster win with all the history but you never know. I never thought we would be Pro 12 champs either so I'm going with my heart and say Connacht win.

Don't think the front five will have Connacht concerned at all. Will be a tight enough game but Ulster should be able to open up that Connacht midfield.

Has Poolman ever played 12 before?

jacothelad

It's a beautiful day here at the moment. Blazing sunshine and not too cold. However, there are ferocious winds forecast for tomorrow around game time. Speeds of 70 mph here and up to 90 further North in the Western Isles. There may well be considerable travel disruption although the main inland routes will be fine unless there is heavy rain to accompany the wind. Anyone coming up from Connacht should be aware of this and leave extra time for the journey.

It will however have a serious impact on the quality of the game. It's a real pity as given normal conditions it would likely be a fine effort.

FACECUTTR

Buer wrote: »

Don't think the front five will have Connacht concerned at all. Will be a tight enough game but Ulster should be able to open up that Connacht midfield.

Has Poolman ever played 12 before?

I think he did in his first season with us. Apparently he has played there recently with the eagles. Aki is out until Feb. We are in bother in the centre

ClanofLams

Buer wrote: »

Don't think the front five will have Connacht concerned at all. Will be a tight enough game but Ulster should be able to open up that Connacht midfield.

Has Poolman ever played 12 before?

Yeah a few weeks ago for eagles and he actually played centre a good bit for Connacht a few seasons back, can't remember if it was mainly 12 or 13.

awec

awec

Buer wrote: »

Ulster team named.

Piutau, Ludik, Marshall, McCloskey, Stockdale, Jackson, Pienaar, Wilson, Henry, Ross, Henderson, Treadwell, Ah You, Best, Warwick

Herring, Black, Herbst, VDM, Reidy, Marshall, Cave, Bowe.

Decent impact off the bench.

That's a good team, pretty much first choice. Will be interesting to see what sort of team we name next week so.

I was chatting to Pat Lam at a function the other night. Much bigger in person, very broad shouldered.

Anyway, he has a great sense of humour. Was telling jokes all night, had everyone there rolling in the aisles.

I noted down a few of the best ones:

"Why did the South African scrum half go to France... DAVID NUCIFORA OUT"

"How do you make an Ulsterman cry... give 3 year contracts to Neil Doak and Allen Clarke"

"Why did Paul Marshall cross the road... he saw an option to tap and go and couldn't resist"

"What's white red and has terrible decision making and wears a 9 on their jersey... not Ruan Pienaar lol"

"My daughter wanted the Barbie and Friends box set from Santa. It comes with 8 different types of barbies. I said, sure just come upto Ravenhill and watch the Ulster pack... trolololo"

connemara man

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I was chatting to Pat Lam at a function the other night. Much bigger in person, very broad shouldered.

Anyway, he has a great sense of humour. Was telling jokes all night, had everyone there rolling in the aisles.

I noted down a few of the best ones:

"Why did the South African scrum half go to France... DAVID NUCIFORA OUT"

"How do you make an Ulsterman cry... give 3 year contracts to Neil Doak and Allen Clarke"

"Why did Paul Marshall cross the road... he saw an option to tap and go and couldn't resist"

"What's white red and has terrible decision making and wears a 9 on their jersey... not Ruan Pienaar lol"

"My daughter wanted the Barbie and Friends box set from Santa. It comes with 8 different types of barbies. I said, sure just come upto Ravenhill and watch the Ulster pack... trolololo"

All the while Les kiss is after releasing a statement that the most popular song in Connacht is the Communards don't leave me this way

Diabhal Beag

21 injuries is almost as impressive as it is fetal position tears-inducing.

wp_rathead

Ciaran FCUKING Gaffney!!
Hell yeah!!

(sucks about Bundee though)

Edit: also Tom covering LH on bench I see

awec

Deleted User wrote: »

I was chatting to Pat Lam at a function the other night. Much bigger in person, very broad shouldered.

Anyway, he has a great sense of humour. Was telling jokes all night, had everyone there rolling in the aisles.

I noted down a few of the best ones:

"Why did the South African scrum half go to France... DAVID NUCIFORA OUT"

"How do you make an Ulsterman cry... give 3 year contracts to Neil Doak and Allen Clarke"

"Why did Paul Marshall cross the road... he saw an option to tap and go and couldn't resist"

"What's white red and has terrible decision making and wears a 9 on their jersey... not Ruan Pienaar lol"

"My daughter wanted the Barbie and Friends box set from Santa. It comes with 8 different types of barbies. I said, sure just come upto Ravenhill and watch the Ulster pack... trolololo"

Bazzo

Apparently on top of everything else there's also been a bout of sickness in the squad and the named Connacht team haven't even trained together this week. Can't see this going well unfortunately.

connachta

Don't know if I'm more worried about Poolman/Parata at centre or happier to have guessed 16/17/18 (sub front-row).
Ulster team is decent
We'll get two or three pen at scrumtime, before the bench gets hammered.
44-6  for Ulster would be my bet

ClanofLams

connachta wrote: »

Don't know if I'm more worried about Poolman/Parata at centre or happier to have guessed 16/17/18 (sub front-row).
Ulster team is decent
We'll get two or three pen at scrumtime, before the bench gets hammered.
44-6  for Ulster would be my bet

So today is ultra pessimistic Connachta!!

FACECUTTR

connachta wrote: »

Don't know if I'm more worried about Poolman/Parata at centre or happier to have guessed 16/17/18 (sub front-row).
Ulster team is decent
We'll get two or three pen at scrumtime, before the bench gets hammered.
44-6  for Ulster would be my bet

Our starting front row is well capable of playing 80 if needed. Centre scares me but in Pat we trust.

jacothelad

Buer wrote: »

Ulster team named.

Piutau, Ludik, Marshall, McCloskey, Stockdale, Jackson, Pienaar, Wilson, Henry, Ross, Henderson, Treadwell, Ah You, Best, Warwick

Herring, Black, Herbst, VDM, Reidy, Marshall, Cave, Bowe.

Decent impact off the bench.

awec wrote: »

That's a good team, pretty much first choice. Will be interesting to see what sort of team we name next week so.

" pretty much first choice. " It's early in the day to be drunk....:D

Piutau, Ludik, Marshall, McCloskey, Stockdale, Jackson, Pienaar, Wilson, Henry, Ross, Henderson, Treadwell, Ah You, Best, Warwick

The ones in bold are first choices in the named positions and may be starters but the rest are by no means first choice.

Given a fully fit and available squad, the ones below would likely start. In fact Connacht have more first choice players in their starting line up than Ulster.

Piutau, Trimble, Payne, Olding, Bowe, Jackson, Pienaar, Henderson, Henry, Coetzee, Van der Merwe, Browne, McCall, Best, Herbst

That's not to rubbish guys like Ludik, McCloskey and Marshall etc and Treadwell looks to have plenty about him but Rodders starting at loose head is daft when Black is available. It will also be interesting to see how Warwick copes with Buckley. It's as if someone is channelling BRian McLaughlin when making this selection. A tight head at loosehead and a loosehead at tight head. ffs. Why not in their normal spots. Wilson is done. Time for the P45.



Still I think Storm Barbara will screw it up no matter who plays. The team that uses the wind best will win. Up the jumper stuff with judicious kicking will likely pay dividends if it's as bad as forecast. Looking at all sources I think the worst will be through by mid-afternoon and winds will be breezy with gust up to 40 mph during the game.

"Rain moving east through the morning, briefly heavy in places. Clearer with showers in the afternoon and evening. Windy with gales along east coast, and perhaps the north coast later. Maximum Temperature 10 °C."

Neil3030

This will be good experience for the Connacht midfield that will take over when Bundee buys out the final two years of his contract to rejoin Robbie at Leinster.

Bazzo

jacothelad wrote: »

That's not to rubbish guys like Ludik, McCloskey and Marshall etc and Treadwell looks to have plenty about him but Rodders starting at loose head is daft when Black is available. It will also be interesting to see how Warwick copes with Buckley. It's as if someone is channelling BRian McLaughlin when making this selection. A tight head at loosehead and a loosehead at tight head.

As far as I can see Warwick is playing loosehead and Rodney tighthead?

I think awec meant first choice available team too, as in they're not fielding a weakened side.

b.gud

Rodney v Buckley in the scrum will be a really interesting battle

awec

Bazzo wrote: »

As far as I can see Warwick is playing loosehead and Rodney tighthead?

I think awec meant first choice available team too, as in they're not fielding a weakened side.

Yes, I mean from the players available we are not really resting anyone except for Bowe.

connachta

Neil3030 wrote: »

This will be good experience for the Connacht midfield that will take over when Bundee buys out the final two years of his contract to rejoin Robbie at Leinster.

You mean Robbie back in Galway in two season to pair with Bundee again eh?

connachta

I based my opinion on the fact poolman was a winger and missed his only game as centre against Exeter 2 years ago. I really would like he re-signs, playing him few minutes as late emergency cover, and now out of position wasn't a great gift IMO.

BUT I've just seen he has bulked-up a lot, 102 kg is decent for an inside centre, and as you said he prepared the conversion with Eagles... Maybe it will be a pleasant surprise. We need him or Robb to be such a one for Toulouse anyway...

FACECUTTR

b.gud wrote: »

Rodney v Buckley in the scrum will be a really interesting battle

Could be a bad night for Rodders if Buckley is dominant early on. Buckleys scrummaging has not been as impressive as it was before his injury in my opinion.

ClanofLams

connachta wrote: »

I based my opinion on the fact poolman was a winger and missed his only game as centre against Exeter 2 years ago. I really would like he re-signs, playing him few minutes as late emergency cover, and now out of position wasn't a great gift IMO.

BUT I've just seen he has bulked-up a lot, 102 kg is decent for an inside centre, and as you said he prepared the conversion with Eagles... Maybe it will be a pleasant surprise. We need him or Robb to be such a one for Toulouse anyway...

Poolman played centre a fair bit in the past, I'd say he has 15+ games for Connacht there albeit he was usually 13 I think.

connachta

FACECUTTR wrote: »

b.gud wrote: »

Rodney v Buckley in the scrum will be a really interesting battle

Could be a bad night for Rodders if Buckley is dominant early on. Buckleys scrummaging has not been as impressive as it was before his injury in my opinion.

He destroyed Irish international Martin Moore, who's ahead of AhYou in the picking order.
I think SOB + Heffernan + Roux will make us more powerful than ever for ball-carrying
Cannon will call the lineout
Nepia was so busy against Wasps
Marmion in fire
Carty's confidence boosted
Parata is a good tackler
Back-3 all-international
I was (like Aki) over-reacting earlier
24-11 Ulster

evil_seed

Give it a few more hours and Connachta will have it as a draw. Then a few more and we're winning the game. Someone is on boards on a bar stool :pac:

Robbo

Snifter?

b.gud

evil_seed wrote: »

Give it a few more hours and Connachta will have it as a draw. Then a few more and we're winning the game. Someone is on boards on a bar stool :pac:

By closing time it'll be Connacht by 50 points and having signed Jackson and Piutau as injury cover

connachta

Jackson and Piutau out,

b.gud wrote: »

evil_seed wrote: »

Give it a few more hours and Connachta will have it as a draw. Then a few more and we're winning the game. Someone is on boards on a bar stool :pac:

By closing time it'll be Connacht by 50 points and having signed Jackson and Piutau as injury cover

Jackson and Piutau out indeed I would say draw.
But they are not, and clearly with what I said above, I'll keep my 24-11

bilston

awec wrote: »

Bazzo wrote: »

As far as I can see Warwick is playing loosehead and Rodney tighthead?

I think awec meant first choice available team too, as in they're not fielding a weakened side.

Yes, I mean from the players available we are not really resting anyone except for Bowe.

Strange one to rest Bowe just as he is starting to hit a bit of form. Not that I'm sorry to see Stockdale start.

launish116

bilston wrote: »

awec wrote: »

Bazzo wrote: »

As far as I can see Warwick is playing loosehead and Rodney tighthead?

I think awec meant first choice available team too, as in they're not fielding a weakened side.

Yes, I mean from the players available we are not really resting anyone except for Bowe.

Strange one to rest Bowe just as he is starting to hit a bit of form. Not that I'm sorry to see Stockdale start.

Looked like Bowe's nose took a pretty big bang last week

b.gud

I'm a bit surprised that awec hasn't given out about Henderson being played in the second row, which is obviously his best position

awec

b.gud wrote: »

I'm a bit surprised that awec hasn't given out about Henderson being played in the second row, which is obviously his best position

Me? Give out?

irishbucsfan

There's really not enough bite to this thread.

Connacht fans, isn't this the same Ulster team that stole your prize possession Rodney Ah You, a much-loved member of the Galway community? Shouldn't you guys be furious? Isn't this a chance for some revenge?!

Ulster fans, isn't this the same Connacht team that sold you a bill of goods in sending up rubbish tight-head Dave Ah You, the man responsible for a 20% increase in Ulster fry prices in Belfast? Isn't it time to teach them a lesson?!

FACECUTTR

irishbucsfan wrote: »

There's really not enough bite to this thread.

Connacht fans, isn't this the same Ulster team that stole your prize possession Rodney Ah You, a much-loved member of the Galway community? Shouldn't you guys be furious? Isn't this a chance for some revenge?!

Ulster fans, isn't this the same Connacht team that sold you a bill of goods in sending up rubbish tight-head Dave Ah You, the man responsible for a 20% increase in Ulster fry prices in Belfast? Isn't it time to teach them a lesson?!

Letting Rodney go to Ulster was a thank you for sending us Niall O'Connor way back when.
You are welcome Ulster......

ClanofLams

Apparently the weather is really awful in Belfast at the moment. Considering that and that a forwards dominated game is probably Connachts best hope of a result, it might be a good idea to limit ambition tonight. Clear lines when needed and try to take Ulster on in the scrum and lineout. 6-2 split means plenty of forwards to come on too, albeit scrum is gonna be weakened with any prop changes.

jacothelad

ClanofLams wrote: »

Apparently the weather is really awful in Belfast at the moment. Considering that and that a forwards dominated game is probably Connachts best hope of a result, it might be a good idea to limit ambition tonight. Clear lines when needed and try to take Ulster on in the scrum and lineout. 6-2 split means plenty of forwards to come on too, albeit scrum is gonna be weakened with any prop changes.

The weather at the moment is really nice. Calm (ish), warm and not raining. It must be the eye of the storm.

ClanofLams

jacothelad wrote: »

The weather at the moment is really nice. Calm (ish), warm and not raining. It must be the eye of the storm.

Oh right, I read elsewhere something about how bad the storm was but I guess they were being sarcastic if it's like that at the moment.

pickarooney

ClanofLams wrote: »

Apparently the weather is really awful in Belfast at the moment. Considering that and that a forwards dominated game is probably Connachts best hope of a result, it might be a good idea to limit ambition tonight. Clear lines when needed and try to take Ulster on in the scrum and lineout. 6-2 split means plenty of forwards to come on too, albeit scrum is gonna be weakened with any prop changes.

Clearing their lines by running with the ball until the danger has passed?

ClanofLams

pickarooney wrote: »

Clearing their lines by running with the ball until the danger has passed?

What? Sorry if I wasn't clear, I meant Connacht shouldn't be as ambitious as normal from their own 22. Play a little more of the old school mid 2000s Connacht style

jacothelad

ClanofLams wrote: »

Oh right, I read elsewhere something about how bad the storm was but I guess they were being sarcastic if it's like that at the moment.

Give it an hour and it could be like the end of the world...:D

So I was just chatting to Les Kiss there this morning in PC World. Sound lad, smaller in person but his facial hair is much more perfectly manicured than it comes across on the telly.

Anyway, Les was telling me that it was him that introduced Pat Lam to the owners of Bristol Rugby, Les said "Yeah Bristol were onto me if I knew any good coaches that might be on the look out. I knew Pat had another year left on his contract but everytime I see him he's giving out about having to put on this "I love Connacht" act and also that Muldoon is starting to weird him out a bit. Apparently John has taken to just showing up at Pat's house with mad ideas about how Connacht rugby can help the province recover economically. He pitched the idea of the "Connacht Rugby international Atlantic Acquarium" and had a 41 slide presentation that Pat's entire family had to sit through one Monday evening. The final straw was when John came over to Pat the day after the Pro12 final with adoption papers asking to become part of the Lam family. Pat decided at that point that he was making like a tree so the Bristol job couldn't have come at a better time."

Les also went onto say that while with the National setup Robbie Henshaw had asked him for some career advice and Les said just "follow your heart" meaning for him to go with his gut. He forgot the Robbie is completely literal like that chap from Guardians of the Galaxy so instead he ended up following his misses to Dublin to play for Leinster.

I asked Les if there was anything else he wanted to say, and he said no other than the entire Ulster squad had a sit down during the week to discuss how much better Rob Kearney was to Tiernan. He said it was unanimous.

Anyway lads, looking forward to a nice friendly game tonight!

Stheno

[Deleted User] wrote: »

So I was just chatting to Les Kiss there this morning in PC World. Sound lad, smaller in person but his facial hair is much more perfectly manicured than it comes across on the telly.

Anyway, Les was telling me that it was him that introduced Pat Lam to the owners of Bristol Rugby, Les said "Yeah Bristol were onto me if I knew any good coaches that might be on the look out. I knew Pat had another year left on his contract but everytime I see him he's giving out about having to put on this "I love Connacht" act and also that Muldoon is starting to weird him out a bit. Apparently John has taken to just showing up at Pat's house with mad ideas about how Connacht rugby can help the province recover economically. He pitched the idea of the "Connacht Rugby international Atlantic Acquarium" and had a 41 slide presentation that Pat's entire family had to sit through one Monday evening. The final straw was when John came over to Pat the day after the Pro12 final with adoption papers asking to become part of the Lam family. Pat decided at that point that he was making like a tree so the Bristol job couldn't have come at a better time."

Les also went onto say that while with the National setup Robbie Henshaw had asked him for some career advice and Les said just "follow your heart" meaning for him to go with his gut. He forgot the Robbie is completely literal like that chap from Guardians of the Galaxy so instead he ended up following his misses to Dublin to play for Leinster.

I asked Les if there was anything else he wanted to say, and he said no other than the entire Ulster squad had a sit down during the week to discuss how much better Rob Kearney was to Tiernan. He said it was unanimous.

Anyway lads, looking forward to a nice friendly game tonight!

You do get around

Utah_Saint

ClanofLams wrote: »

Apparently the weather is really awful in Belfast at the moment. Considering that and that a forwards dominated game is probably Connachts best hope of a result, it might be a good idea to limit ambition tonight. Clear lines when needed and try to take Ulster on in the scrum and lineout. 6-2 split means plenty of forwards to come on too, albeit scrum is gonna be weakened with any prop changes.

was awful about 1hour ago.  Seems a little calmer now.  Feels like the calm before some more storm...
I am about 2mile from Ravenspan...

wp_rathead

Kinda funny how it's the same Ulster that discarded Finlay Bealham and Conor Carey, and then take Rodney :P

Edit : meant be a reply to IBF