The other game this weekend - Does anyone even care Ulster v Connacht Build Up thre

Burkie1203 · 18-08-2020 3:57pm #1

Ulster v Connacht. Build up starts here

18-08-2020 3:59pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Ulster v Connacht. Build up starts here

How could you be making threads at a time like this. THERE'S A PANDEMIC.

ec18 · 18-08-2020 3:59pm

no one cares

Zzippy · 18-08-2020 4:18pm

Should Ulster have to self isolate for 14 days? I think so. Connacht should get a walkover win here.

*in before "well that's the only way they'll get a win". Yes, awec, I'm looking at you &#55357;&#56841;

Paul Smeenus · 18-08-2020 4:22pm

Good luck to our Western brethren. A good, spirited game of passion and skill - a display of all that is best about the sport. That's what I expect.

Don't let those dirty boys in Blue and Red drag us down to their level.

Paul Smeenus · 18-08-2020 5:01pm

In all seriousness, I am pretty nervous. And I don't think it's about missing some key players - Hendo, Addison and Baloucuone are all starters, but I think we'll be manage without them. It's simply about not having seen Ulster play in so long, and not knowing what to expect.

bilston · 18-08-2020 5:13pm

Typical Ulster...haven't played in almost 6 months and are still wrecked by injuries to key players.

Paul Smeenus · 18-08-2020 5:28pm

bilston wrote: »

Typical Ulster...haven't played in almost 6 months and are still wrecked by injuries to key players.

Addison we've gotten used to playing without, anyway.

Baloucoune's a loss, but I'm more frustrated for him than Ulster - we still have Lyttle, Faddes or Gilroy can start.

Hendo's a massive absence, but Carter will be like a new signing. Time to see what he brings.

I'd be more concerned if we were missing Coetzee or Cooney (although I'm excited to see what Mathewson brings).

I suspect Marshall would be a huge loss as well - who steps in at 13 if he's out? Faddes? Marshall must have played more minutes than any other player last season bar perhaps Burns.

Burkie1203 · 18-08-2020 5:48pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

and not knowing what to expect.

Is that not the norm with Ulster .......

Paul Smeenus · 18-08-2020 6:03pm

Yes, but this season it had settled into "just how good will we be?" In previous years it had been anything from "have those fellas ever met before?" to "how the hell did they pull that off? Was that even on purpose?"

The Lost Sheep · 18-08-2020 6:55pm

bilston wrote: »

Typical Ulster...haven't played in almost 6 months and are still wrecked by injuries to key players.

Well we want these games to be as close to normal as possible so Ulster wrecked by key players being injured is normal...

Buer · 18-08-2020 7:36pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Yes, but this season it had settled into "just how good will we be?" In previous years it had been anything from "have those fellas ever met before?" to "how the hell did they pull that off? Was that even on purpose?"

Dangerous thinking there, Paul. It's not the losing that will get ya...it's the hope.

bilston · 18-08-2020 8:13pm

So what happens now that outdoor gatherings are restricted to 15 people?

Do the matches go ahead?

And if so how are the broadcast. I was listening to OTB last night and the were saying Eir Sport need 30 people at the game to broadcast it. Then you throw officials and coaching teams and you probably aren't far off 90-100 people.

FACECUTTR · 18-08-2020 8:18pm

bilston wrote: »

So what happens now that outdoor gatherings are restricted to 15 people?

Do the matches go ahead?

And if so how are the broadcast. I was listening to OTB last night and the were saying Eir Sport need 30 people at the game to broadcast it. Then you throw officials and coaching teams and you probably aren't far off 90-100 people.

The all wouldn't be in 1 group. They could have pods of up to 15 people in different locations. Probably the main reason the Aviva was picked.

connachta · 18-08-2020 10:41pm

It's not only about Ulster absences but Connacht having their main team, so able to beat anyone.

Except Roux and maybe O'Donnell if he proves good as he seems to be, we (based on last injury update) are full-strenght.

bilston · 18-08-2020 10:45pm

connachta wrote: »

It's not only about Ulster absences but Connacht having their main team, so able to beat anyone.

Except Roux and maybe O'Donnell if he proves good as he seems to be, we (based on last injury update) are full-strenght.

What does Connacht's first choice team look like this season?

OTB were saying at the weekend that there has been a bit of a turnover of players since Feb/Mar.

Diabhal Beag · 18-08-2020 11:00pm

bilston wrote: »

What does Connacht's first choice team look like this season?

OTB were saying at the weekend that there has been a bit of a turnover of players since Feb/Mar.

We've lost probably our two most consistent players of the past few years, Fainga'a and Godwin, since the lockdown. Then lads in the back 3 like Niyi and Leader are gone too.

Zzippy · 18-08-2020 11:05pm

bilston wrote: »

What does Connacht's first choice team look like this season?

OTB were saying at the weekend that there has been a bit of a turnover of players since Feb/Mar.

Buckley/McAllister
Heffernan
Beckham
Roux
Dillane
Masterson
Butler
SOB
Marmion/Blade
Carty
Healy
Aki
Robb/Farrell/DalyFarrellHealy
Porch
TOH

connachta · 18-08-2020 11:05pm

Would look kind of this

(only Roux/O'Donnell/SOB could have made it in the 23 at first IMO)

1. Denis Buckley
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Gavin Thornbury
6. Eoghan Masterson
7. Jarrad Butler
8. Paul Boyle
9. Kieran Marmion
10. Jack Carty
11. Matt Healy
12. Bundee Aki
13. Tom Farrell
14. John Porch
15. Tiernan O’Halloran

16. Shane Delahunt
17. Paddy McAllister
18. Dom Robertson McCoy
19. Cillian Gallagher
20. Conor Oliver
21. Caolin Blade
22. Conor Fitzgerald
23. Sam Arnold

18-08-2020 11:06pm

Pffft this thread isn't even getting a mention on twitter

connachta · 18-08-2020 11:18pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Pffft this thread isn't even getting a mention on twitter

You prefer the other thread

"A team you won't see again as everybody is absent with Ireland" VS "South Africa C" (after S-Af A -Sarries- and B -Sale-)

connemara man · 18-08-2020 11:19pm

Zzippy wrote: »

Buckley/McAllister
Heffernan
Beckham
Roux
Dillane
Masterson
Butler
SOB
Marmion/Blade
Carty
Healy
Aki
Robb/Farrell/DalyFarrellHealy
Porch
TOH

I didn't think Beckham had put on enough weight to play TH since retiring

Zzippy · 18-08-2020 11:55pm

connemara man wrote: »

I didn't think Beckham had put on enough weight to play TH since retiring

Damn autocorrect!

Paul Smeenus · 19-08-2020 12:14am

I say this to that Connacht team: pffft!

aloooof · 19-08-2020 9:18am

connachta wrote: »

16. Shane Delahunt
17. Paddy McAllister
18. Dom Robertson McCoy
19. Cillian Gallagher
20. Conor Oliver
21. Caolin Blade
22. Conor Fitzgerald
23. Sam Arnold

Fair to say the sub backs look stronger than the sub forwards?

connachta · 19-08-2020 9:38am

aloooof wrote: »

Fair to say the sub backs look stronger than the sub forwards?

More physical, less mobile

connachta · 19-08-2020 11:44am

So bad news, no Matt Healy, either De Buitlear, Wootton, or Sullivan on the wing
Good (great) news : SOB integrated into training!
Uncertainty (positive) : Roux not listed among the only 3 unavailable, maybe on the bench?

Paul Smeenus · 19-08-2020 12:24pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Pffft this thread isn't even getting a mention on twitter

Tiwtter? Please. Dan McFarland has given an interview to directly assuage my fears.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53825325

Paul Smeenus · 21-08-2020 12:06pm

Here we go.

https://twitter.com/UlsterRugby?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Ulster team to play Connacht, Guinness PRO14 Round 14, Sunday 23 August at Aviva Stadium (kick-off 4.30pm, live on Premier Sports & TG4):

(15-9) Jacob Stockdale, Craig Gilroy, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Louis Ludik, Billy Burns (Capt.), John Cooney;

(1-8) Jack McGrath, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Nick Timoney, Jordi Murphy, Marcell Coetzee.

Replacements: Adam McBurney, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Sam Carter, Matthew Rea, Alby Mathewson, Ian Madigan, Michael Lowry.

Interesting points: Burns captain. Carter and Rea maybe not quite ready to start after injuries. Stockdale at fullback. Hume ahead of Marshall? Gilroy ahead of Faddes.

bilston · 21-08-2020 1:06pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Here we go.

https://twitter.com/UlsterRugby?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Ulster team to play Connacht, Guinness PRO14 Round 14, Sunday 23 August at Aviva Stadium (kick-off 4.30pm, live on Premier Sports & TG4):

(15-9) Jacob Stockdale, Craig Gilroy, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Louis Ludik, Billy Burns (Capt.), John Cooney;

(1-8) Jack McGrath, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Nick Timoney, Jordi Murphy, Marcell Coetzee.

Replacements: Adam McBurney, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Sam Carter, Matthew Rea, Alby Mathewson, Ian Madigan, Michael Lowry.

Interesting points: Burns captain. Carter and Rea maybe not quite ready to start after injuries. Stockdale at fullback. Hume ahead of Marshall? Gilroy ahead of Faddes.

Poor Matt Faddes...it just hasn't worked out for him...yet bizarrely if you look at his try scoring rate it's really impressive.

I wonder if Hume over Marshall is a selection call. Every Ulster fan loves Luke, but his passing range let's him down, Hume on the other hand is an excellent passer. Then again he isnt at Marshall's level defensively. Maybe its rotation, but then are we really rotating after a 6 month break. We won't know until we hopefully play in the semi final.

Its a strong bench. Matthewson and Madigan make a big difference on that score.

b.gud · 21-08-2020 1:26pm

Connacht team

15. John Porch
14. Peter Sullivan
13. Tom Farrell
12. Bundee Aki
11. Alex Wootton
10. Jack Carty
9. Kieran Marmion
1. Denis Buckley
2. Dave Heffernan
3. Finlay Bealham
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Gavin Thornbury
6. Eoghan Masterson
7. Jarrad Butler (c)
8. Paul Boyle

16. Jonny Murphy
17. Jordan Duggan
18. Jack Aungier
19. Niall Murray
20. Conor Oliver
21. Stephen Kerins
22. Conor Dean
23. Tom Daly

Paul Smeenus · 21-08-2020 1:52pm

bilston wrote: »

Poor Matt Faddes...it just hasn't worked out for him...yet bizarrely if you look at his try scoring rate it's really impressive.

I wonder if Hume over Marshall is a selection call. Every Ulster fan loves Luke, but his passing range let's him down, Hume on the other hand is an excellent passer. Then again he isnt at Marshall's level defensively. Maybe its rotation, but then are we really rotating after a 6 month break. We won't know until we hopefully play in the semi final.

Its a strong bench. Matthewson and Madigan make a big difference on that score.

McFarland seems to trust Stockdale and Lowry at fullback and Hume at inside and outside centre, so Faddes' versatility doesn't give him the boost I imagined it would when he signed. Having said that, there's a touch of mix and match to this team, and I imagine next week will be the same.

That's a very strong bench for us - and a massive step up in our bench halfbacks.We should be able to do it.

ionadnapokot · 21-08-2020 2:14pm

Looking forward to seeing Hume. Has he played at 13 for Ulster before?
And Stockdale at FB again is very interesting. I wonder are they seriously considering him as a FB long term?
I really like Ludik at FB. Just a solid dependable FB

bilston · 21-08-2020 3:30pm

ionadnapokot wrote: »

Looking forward to seeing Hume. Has he played at 13 for Ulster before?
And Stockdale at FB again is very interesting. I wonder are they seriously considering him as a FB long term?
I really like Ludik at FB. Just a solid dependable FB

Think Hume has played 13, maybe in Italy a year or so ago. He's a very good player.

Stockdale was effective at 15 for Ulster in Europe. I like him there, he won't score as many tries, but thinking back to Quins away he created a couple for other players.

Wegians89 · 21-08-2020 3:34pm

Personally think Ireland should look into 11 lowe 15 stockdale 14 larmour, when lowe becomes available. Hopefully stockdale shines at 15 but starting from next week.

Connachts back three is very interesting. Wootton and Sullivan would be more physical wingers than what we’ve seen recently in Connacht

ionadnapokot · 21-08-2020 3:48pm

bilston wrote: »

Think Hume has played 13, maybe in Italy a year or so ago. He's a very good player.

Stockdale was effective at 15 for Ulster in Europe. I like him there, he won't score as many tries, but thinking back to Quins away he created a couple for other players.

Ok. & i think people were saying here that he's a decent passer.

Stockdale:
I've never been impressed with him in the air. Is that unfair?
Of course he also needs to improve defensively.

His best weapon is his flat out speed and those lovely left foot chip aheads.
I find it really strange that they want to relocate that threat from 11 to 15.

Paul Smeenus · 21-08-2020 4:16pm

There's never been an issue with his defence short of international level, and I think his frailties there are much exaggerated.

I would concur with you about being in the air, though - he's fine. Lowry is half his size and just as good; Ludik is more assured.

Paul Smeenus · 21-08-2020 4:17pm

As in - hes only "fine".

Scythica · 22-08-2020 8:29pm

Man i can't wait for this match tomorrow

FACECUTTR · 22-08-2020 9:21pm

Scythica wrote: »

Man i can't wait for this match tomorrow

It's like waiting for Christmas morning !!

Paul Smeenus · 23-08-2020 11:26am

So. Hors d'oeuvres done and dusted.

Time for the real rugby.

MarinersBlues · 23-08-2020 2:35pm

I hope they have enough booing recorded for the synthetic crowd noise.

They will need to have a few different tones and intensities of boo recorded to get the correct feel for an inter-pro.

Really looking forward to getting a good boo going after 5 months off, even if it is while I'm on the couch.

Burkie1203 · 23-08-2020 3:54pm

Connacht really ought to be disbanded or t least relocated to Wales for this.

https://twitter.com/Murray_Kinsella/status/1297544265174745088?s=19

FACECUTTR · 23-08-2020 3:55pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Connacht really ought to be disbanded or t least relocated to Wales for this.

https://twitter.com/Murray_Kinsella/status/1297544265174745088?s=19

Himself and Steff Evan's should be publicly flogged.

thomond2006 · 23-08-2020 4:01pm

Eir TV working today. Huzzah!

Diabhal Beag · 23-08-2020 4:23pm

Friendy casually catch loose kicks while doing a live interview with TG4 is the best

Clegg · 23-08-2020 4:24pm

Stockdale has had his share of dodgy barnets in recent times. He's gone the opposite way now and shaved it all off.

The Lost Sheep · 23-08-2020 4:26pm

Late Change for Ulster Rob Herring ruled out. Adam McBurney starts with John Andrew on the bench

thomond2006 · 23-08-2020 4:31pm

Fake crowd noise blaring during a supposed moment's silence.

Retire this **** Eir.

Bazzo · 23-08-2020 4:32pm

Bundee put on 6kg over lockdown, thought he was looking especially large from recent training photos.

launish116 · 23-08-2020 4:35pm

Bazzo wrote: »

Bundee put on 6kg over lockdown, thought he was looking especially large from recent training photos.

Marty Moore added some kgs by the look of it also!

The other game this weekend - Does anyone even care Ulster v Connacht Build Up thre

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