Leinster v Ulster Pro14 Final Sept 12th 7.35pm Build Up

awec wrote: »

If Clancy is refereeing this I will be very unhappy.

I hope we all get to witness salty ladyboy tears next weekend. It would be amazing. Crying into their prosecco, angrily munching on that smoked salmon, awkwardly playing with the collar of their pink dress shirts.

That is all sooooo 2012.

Oh, also.... we're going to beat you like a ginger stepchild.

Buer wrote: »

Ulster have been the number 2 province for a good while now. The results have supported that for the last 18 months.

They've had the better of the head to head games with Munster and, on the big stage, pushed Leinster all the way in Dublin.

There's no evidence to suggest Ulster aren't the second best province. They simply don't enjoy the same level of coverage and interest though so get glossed over.

Superfoods wrote: »

Leinster v Ulster proves that Ulster is now number 2 province in Ireland.

Both clubs still in HC so will be interesting how they prepare

I don't think there is much between the other 3. Even if it was true that one is clearly in 'second' place it doesn't mean diddly. I remember posting over a decade ago on the Ulster Forum that the decline of rugby in Ulster was virtually unstoppable once the 'politicians' (laughable, I know to dedscribe any of them as anything other than a waste of blood and organs) got hold of the education system in N.I. Those amateur fools destroyed the grammar schools to satisfy some bizarre loonytoon fake left wing ideology. It wasn't just this of course but it was a major part of the rugby life of the province. There have been a series of demographic upheavals, not least the huge exodus of students to G.B. who leave and never return. If it was possible for rugby to spread into Ulster schools which currently play GAA almost exclusively then things might start to get better. GAA and rugby aren't mutually exclusive and should be happy bedfellows.....

Former Former wrote: »

In fairness, it's less than 18 months ago that Munster were playing their third Champions Cup semi final in a row. It's less than 18 months ago that Ulster were conceding 50 points in a Pro14 semi final. Ulster were absolutely shocking for long periods last night and were even worse in the previous two games.

I'd say it's pretty close between them tbh. I don't think you can say Ulster are definitely better and have been for a while.

The difference in media coverage is probably down to the fact that most Ulster fans live in a different country.

Oh yeah. Like most Ulster supporters, I'm long past feeling properly aggrieved about the media coverage. I actually think it's a millstone round the Munster coaches' necks.

The "have been better for a while" has been over-egged, true. And Ulster have been up and down - very down before McFarland's arrival. But leaving that, and eighteen months, aside, we're in the Pro14 final and have a Euro QF coming up. Munster are finished for the season. Why wouldn't we say we are currently better? If being in knock-out games at the business end of two competitions against excellent opposition isn't an indicator of where we are as a team, what the hell are the criteria?

We were indeed poor for periods last night, but we all saw the previous semi-final on Friday, so let's not throw stones about rubbish recent performances. We scored three tries last night. Munster scored three points. And Leinster weren't very good eithet.

I feel for frustrated Munster fans. But even if you thought we were currently neck and neck, that alone is much more credit than we get in the media. We know the narratives. Munster are always capable of pulling it out of the bag, with a backs-to-the-wall performance of passion and grit, an attitude forged in the fires of Thomond by POC, ROG etc. Ulster should always be doing better, and when we've won a couple of decent games, it's "nOw it's TiMe foR Them tO DeLiveR".

It's reflective of media audiences, not how well the teams are actually playing, that's all. It's not really important. I reserve the right to give off about it occasionally, is all. And when people parrot those same sketchy cliches on a message board, they can expect to be asked about it.

I'm also aware I'm debating this with Leinster fans, not Munster fans.

Larmour will be in the absence of any further symptoms - I'd be pretty confidant of seeing him line out

Shame to be missing Furlong and Leavy still

It will be interesting to see what changes Ulster make. They were a far better side in the second half than they were for the first 40 minutes and that was in no small part owing to the changes they made. I imagine Moore and McGrath will come straight back in but the changes thereafter will be more interesting.

Will they throw caution to the wind and drop Cooney as form demands? AB looked a bit sluggish compared to the past but was still a clear upgrade.

Jordi Murphy made 13 tackles, missing none in the opening half but still looked underpowered. He carried 5 times for no ground made which isn't surprising at all. Reidy is a more effective and robust carrier. Murphy has more big game experience than most of the Ulster team combined though so I can see it being hard for them to pass him over for this.

Sam Carter is bringing nothing to the table. I don't see the point in persisting with him. The difference to the Ulster maul when Treadwell, Moore and McGrath were on was huge.

I don't think there's much Ulster can do outside of 9 aside from potentially moving Stockdale to the wing and he looked very comfortable at 15 against Leinster a fortnight ago so might remain there.

Clegg wrote: »

Leinster could go with a 6/2 split if they chose Frawley as their number 22. Can play 10, 12 and 15 at a pinch. Could cover for injury in a lot of different positions. Although I'm not sure how well that would play with Ross Byrne.

.

I honestly think there's a slight chance that Ross Byrne might start this one although I'd say it's probably 70/30 in favour of Sexton. I can see there being at least one surprise. Possibly Baird back into the starting side although that wouldn't be a particular surprise.

If I was looking for a left field selection, I'd say Ed Byrne to start.

Buer wrote: »

It will be interesting to see what changes Ulster make. They were a far better side in the second half than they were for the first 40 minutes and that was in no small part owing to the changes they made. I imagine Moore and McGrath will come straight back in but the changes thereafter will be more interesting.

Will they throw caution to the wind and drop Cooney as form demands? AB looked a bit sluggish compared to the past but was still a clear upgrade.

Jordi Murphy made 13 tackles, missing none in the opening half but still looked underpowered. He carried 5 times for no ground made which isn't surprising at all. Reidy is a more effective and robust carrier. Murphy has more big game experience than most of the Ulster team combined though so I can see it being hard for them to pass him over for this.

Sam Carter is bringing nothing to the table. I don't see the point in persisting with him. The difference to the Ulster maul when Treadwell, Moore and McGrath were on was huge.

I don't think there's much Ulster can do outside of 9 aside from potentially moving Stockdale to the wing and he looked very comfortable at 15 against Leinster a fortnight ago so might remain there.

For me Reidy and Treadwell start, and hopefully that means a lot of experience and calm off the bench when Murphy and Carter come on (and a warning to Carter that, if he doesn't sort it out, he could be fourth choice when Hendo comes back).

Cooney starts, with the understanding that McFarland won't hesitate to bin him if he doesn't get back to his old self.

My concern is, I don't want a toothless, "making up the numbers" bench. Maybe a bit of mix'n'match - O'Sullivan and Moore to start? Ludik has been a great, battling servant, but he's 30-odd and in his last season. But who's on the bench, if we start with Lyttle-Lowry-Stockdale? Gilroy? Faddes? Meh.

awec wrote: »

I'd be concerned with Lowry at full back tbh. He's just too small.

Fine when we have the ball, worrying when we don't.

I thought his defending was an improvement on Stockdale’s on Saturday night.