Match Thread - Ulster v La Rochelle, Ravenhill, 13/01/18 1pm

awec · 13-01-2018 1:42pm #1

Ulster

(15-9): C Piutau; C Gilroy, L Ludik, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; C Lealiifano, J Cooney;
(1-8): C Black, R Best (captain), R Ah You, A O'Connor, I Henderson, M Rea, S Reidy, N Timoney;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, K McCall, R Kane, K Treadwell, C Henry, D Shanahan, J McPhillips, D Cave.

La Rochelle

15. Kini Murimurivalu; 14. Gabriel Lacroix, 13. Geoffrey Doumayrou, 12. Pierre Aguillon, 11. Vincent Rattez; 10. Jérémy Sinzelle, 9. Alexi Bales; 1. Dany Priso, 2. Pierre Bourgarit, 3. Uini Atonio, 4. Jason Eaton, 5. Mathieu Tanguy, 6. Botia Veivuke, 7. Kevin Gourdon, 8. Victor Vito

16. Jean-Charles Orioli, 17. Vincent Pelo, 18. Mohamed Boughanmi, 19. Gregory Lamboley, 20. Afa Amosa, 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow, 22. Benjamin Nobles, 23. Paul Jordaan

La Rochelle are the visitors to Ravenhill today in what is probably the biggest game for Ulster in a number of years. La Rochelle's defeat at Wasps put Ulster back in contention to top their pool, albeit with an incredibly difficult two matches that they must both win.

Ulster's performance must be taken up a large number of notches above what we've seen in previous weeks if they are to avoid an embarrassing defeat here. The squad selection contains 21 Irish Qualified players which must be one of the highest for the province in a European game for a number of years, with academy duo Matty Rea and Nick Timoney given the nod in the back row.

Prediction

My heart says a narrow win for Ulster, my head says a defeat. The 1 point spread is very generous.

[Deleted User] · 13-01-2018 1:45pm

Ulster to win by 3.

prawnsambo · 13-01-2018 1:45pm

Good luck Ulster. Hope the yo-yo is on the upward path for this one.

Sephiral · 13-01-2018 1:50pm

Hard to believe they are going into a crunch European game with Rodney anchoring the scrum.

Expecting a high scoring game. Ulster only stand a chance if their back three light it up today.

Bridge93 · 13-01-2018 2:03pm

That was a forward pass

Interested Observer · 13-01-2018 2:03pm

Bridge93 wrote: »

That was a forward pass

Yes thought so too

Clegg · 13-01-2018 2:04pm

Christ LR should've been in there.

What an utterly terrifying side.

awec · 13-01-2018 2:07pm

This is going to be a long afternoon

connachta · 13-01-2018 2:09pm

La rochelle are the most complete team I've ever seen...

Scythica · 13-01-2018 2:10pm

Their attack coach is something else

Scythica · 13-01-2018 2:13pm

Ulster do seem up to it, but I'm not sure if we can make enough of an impact to make much sway

Bridge93 · 13-01-2018 2:14pm

Any team that continually picks a waste of space at tighthead has it coming

bilston · 13-01-2018 2:14pm

Quite happy we've kept it to 3 so far

razorblunt · 13-01-2018 2:15pm

Fans seem nervy enough, completely understandable.

Bridge93 · 13-01-2018 2:16pm

Idiotic series of play

Clegg · 13-01-2018 2:18pm

Ulster are killing themselves with indiscipline. One lineout pen to lose territory and another right after to go down a further 3 points.

thomond2006 · 13-01-2018 2:19pm

Ulster's discipline is killing them. La Rochelle will be happy to kick the 3s away from home.

Edit: Snap Clegg! :pac:

Clegg · 13-01-2018 2:21pm

Ulster can't get beyond the gain line. Actually getting hit miles behind it.

awec · 13-01-2018 2:21pm

It’s insane how backwards we are going

thomond2006 · 13-01-2018 2:22pm

There should be no TV cameras in the dressing room when an injured player is being consoled.

MJohnston · 13-01-2018 2:23pm

CL making a lot of dodgy passes and fumbles.

Sephiral · 13-01-2018 2:24pm

Great press from La Rochelle, but iodiotic from Ulster. Either play for Territory or attack around the fringes to commit defenders. Going two out and retreating ten yards every time is moronic.

awec · 13-01-2018 2:24pm

That’s never a yellow. Not even a penalty for me.

Scythica · 13-01-2018 2:25pm

what's better, holding in and go backwards or kick it and let them run at us?

both prospects are horrifying

thomond2006 · 13-01-2018 2:25pm

This is quite impressive from La Rochelle so far. For a team that has shown incredible flair this season they are well up for a physical dogfight as well.

thomond2006 · 13-01-2018 2:25pm

Ulster bailed out with the penalty reversal and card. This could be a big turning point, Ulster have to take advantage.

Sephiral · 13-01-2018 2:25pm

Strictness of the new rules probably causing that mistake. Surely refs should be allowed some flexibility for stuff like that.

razorblunt · 13-01-2018 2:26pm

That’s pathetic play acting from Piatau, the player never changed his line.

accensi0n · 13-01-2018 2:26pm

Seriously harsh yellow

Podge_irl · 13-01-2018 2:26pm

awec wrote: »

That’s never a yellow. Not even a penalty for me.

Where the hell was the LR 23 supposed to go?

AdamD · 13-01-2018 2:27pm

Hardly even a pen, what was he supposed to do?

Match Thread - Ulster v La Rochelle, Ravenhill, 13/01/18 1pm

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