Ulster vs Munster, Sat 2nd Jan 5:15pm, Eir Sport 1

thomond2006 · 01-01-2021 12:55pm #1

Ulster:
(15-9) Jacob Stockdale, Matt Faddes, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Ethan McIlroy, Billy Burns, John Cooney;
(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Kieran Treadwell, Sam Carter (Capt.), Matty Rea, David McCann, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Adam McBurney, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, David O’Connor, Marcell Coetzee, Nathan Doak, Ian Madigan, Ben Moxham.

Munster:
Shane Daly; Calvin Nash, Dan Goggin, Rory Scannell, Liam Coombes; Ben Healy, Craig Casey;
Liam O’Connor, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Fineen Wycherley, Billy Holland (c); Jack O’Donoghue, Chris Cloete, Jack O’Sullivan.

Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Dave Kilcoyne, Roman Salanoa, Thomas Ahern, Tommy O’Donnell, Nick McCarthy, Jack Crowley, Darren Sweetnam.

yerrahbah · 01-01-2021 1:09pm

So Munster sending a largely 2nd choice 15 whereas Ulster are close enough to full strength.

Big ask for Munster, McCloskey did a load of damage in this game last year

Kilcoyne, N.Scannell, L.Coombes, and Crowley all due to play for the first time this season

14 out of the starting 15 are "homegrown" players and all 23 are IQ

thomond2006 · 01-01-2021 1:21pm

I knew none of the frontline internationals would take part, but I thought it would be a stronger side. No Kleyn, Conway or JJ for example.

It's great to get Kilcoyne and Scannell back from injury. It's a big game for Scannell as his form wasn't great prior to his injury. KOB and Marshall have done well in his absence.

bilston · 01-01-2021 1:25pm

I make that 9 IQ players 24 or under in the Ulster 23?

Stockdale
McIlroy
Hume
McCann
Reid
McBurney
O'Toole
Doak
Moxham

launish116 · 01-01-2021 1:30pm

yerrahbah wrote: »

So Munster sending a largely 2nd choice 15 whereas Ulster are close enough to full strength.

Big ask for Munster, McCloskey did a load of damage in this game last year

Kilcoyne, N.Scannell, L.Coombes, and Crowley all due to play for the first time this season

14 out of the starting 15 are "homegrown" players and all 23 are IQ

Ulster have a lot of youth in the team.

If I was Munster I’d be wanting a Ulster win and keep fingers crossed for some magic next week. I’m sure Munster would prefer us than Leinster in the final.

Paul Smeenus · 01-01-2021 1:54pm

bilston wrote: »

I make that 9 IQ players 24 or under in the Ulster 23?

Stockdale
McIlroy
Hume
McCann
Reid
McBurney
O'Toole
Doak
Moxham

I think it's a fantastic mix. Some of our best players and internationals to try to get us over the line, Academy players McCann and McIlroy starting, two more Academy players (in badly-needed positions) potentially making debuts off the bench.

thomond2006 · 01-01-2021 2:11pm

All attention on next week as expected but getting the injured players back (N Scannell, Kilcoyne, Healy and L Coombes) is great. Kilcoyne's return is timely with Cronin out.

aloooof · 01-01-2021 3:10pm

Gav Coombes omission solidifying his place in the first choice 15, if there was any doubt. Well deserved given the season he’s had. I wonder could he feature in the 6N (maybe against Italy) at this rate?

thomond2006 · 01-01-2021 6:38pm

I don't think there's any question over Coombes spot in the backrow.

It's a big opportunity for Daly. The injury and Ireland callup have seen Mike Haley nail down the 15 shirt for the time being.

Jump_In_Jack · 01-01-2021 6:41pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

I don't think there's any question over Coombes spot in the backrow.

It's a big opportunity for Daly. The injury and Ireland callup have seen Mike Haley nail down the 15 shirt for the time being.

Daly should be targeting 13 anyway, not the back 3 IMO

Edit: wondering now what a 15 Scannell, 13 Daly, 12 Goggin could be like.

thomond2006 · 01-01-2021 7:59pm

Jump_In_Jack wrote: »

Daly should be targeting 13 anyway, not the back 3 IMO

Edit: wondering now what a 15 Scannell, 13 Daly, 12 Goggin could be like.

I think his best opportunity will be in the back three. Earls has maybe one season left after this one.

yerrahbah · 02-01-2021 12:42pm

I think McCloskey will be looking to test Healys shoulder at every opportunity

The 9-10-12 combination of Casey, Healy and Scannell will have their work cut out for them

shootermacg · 02-01-2021 1:33pm

If Munster actually wanted a chance of a win, they'd just have to add a bit of experience in the right areas, they haven't so I wouldn't expect to see them winning.

Very light in the back 5 pack-wise, which means Ulster will be looking to maul any chance they get. Very young back 3 too. Centre looks like another weak area that Ulster could exploit.

Starting Niall Scannell instead of off the bench also seems a bit bonkers to me. I'd only be looking to give him a 20 minute run out.

thomond2006 · 02-01-2021 1:35pm

Scannell was at the presser for the Leinster game so he was going to be involved. Add in an extra week's training and it's not a surprise to see him start.

shootermacg · 02-01-2021 1:41pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Scannell was at the presser for the Leinster game so he was going to be involved. Add in an extra week's training and it's not a surprise to see him start.

I saw the presser, doesn't make a difference to my opinion. He will be blowing hard after 5 minutes.

RugbyLover123 · 02-01-2021 6:14pm

Anyway of watching this live other then Eir? Coming up unavailable on Premier Sports

irishbucsfan · 02-01-2021 6:14pm

Interesting decision for Ulster not to start 15 Chris Farrell's on Eir Sport this week, after how well he did last week

Paul Weller · 02-01-2021 6:14pm

I hope that Healy & Casey have cracking games today...can't see is winning, but hopefully we keep it close

arsebiscuits1 · 02-01-2021 6:21pm

Starting Cloete is essentially a guarantee of penalty concessions.

The dude never learns

Dave_The_Sheep · 02-01-2021 6:23pm

Lovely score.

AlfaZen · 02-01-2021 6:24pm

Pass from Stockdale looked a touch forward

Buer · 02-01-2021 6:24pm

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

Lovely score.

Lovely, slick passing aside from Stockdale who owes Faddes a beer for gathering that pig of a pass.

budhabob · 02-01-2021 6:24pm

AlfaZen wrote: »

Pass from Stockdale looked a touch forward

thought the same myself but good move nonetheless

Dave_The_Sheep · 02-01-2021 6:33pm

Buer wrote: »

Lovely, slick passing aside from Stockdale who owes Faddes a beer for gathering that pig of a pass.

Agreed, and there was a second one later from Faddes in a similar position that was a rocket too. Soften it a bit.

Second lovely score for Ulster there.

launish116 · 02-01-2021 6:38pm

McIlroy looks very sharp

Kraftwerk · 02-01-2021 6:43pm

Billy Burns is a shrewd operator. No hesitation and always a threat.

razorblunt · 02-01-2021 6:44pm

That lineout prior to the Mcilroy break was ridiculously squint. Caught in an Ulster left hand.

02-01-2021 6:44pm

Absolutely no effort there to roll away - was so obvious.

Clegg · 02-01-2021 6:47pm

Really not a fan of Cloete. Good on the deck but every other aspect of his game is average.

razorblunt · 02-01-2021 6:50pm

Adamson is letting Ulster hold on to the ball for a long time at every ruck.

razorblunt · 02-01-2021 6:52pm

razorblunt wrote: »

Adamson is letting Ulster hold on to the ball for a long time at every ruck.

Timoney robs one after Munster release on the floor.

Paul Smeenus · 02-01-2021 6:57pm

Best young player on the pitch that half was McIlroy.

irishbucsfan · 02-01-2021 6:58pm

Munster got very lucky to be given that penalty at the end at the scrum, could have been even more behind

02-01-2021 6:58pm

"Tea or Coffee"

"No Robbo - I'm gonna have a pizza"

Did Ferris just announce a signing there?

Buer · 02-01-2021 6:59pm

Impressive physicality on both sides of the ball from the Ulster back line. Hammering into contact, making yards and tossing Munster backs out of rucks.

This is the best I've seen from Hume in some time.

OldRio · 02-01-2021 7:00pm

Robbo..... SHUT UP.

Burkie1203 · 02-01-2021 7:01pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

"Tea or Coffee"

"No Robbo - I'm gonna have a pizza"

Did Ferris just announce a signing there?

Meaning who?

awec · 02-01-2021 7:01pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Munster got very lucky to be given that penalty at the end at the scrum, could have been even more behind

I thought the first offence was that Scannell didn't hook it again.

Locke_Lamora · 02-01-2021 7:03pm

Munster making far too many basic errors and can't get a foot in the game. Still not over from them I feel, think they'll come out better in the second half. Back three and centre defence are particularly to blame.

Ulster going well, the backs looking dangerous with Burns being a standout, and the forwards are carrying with conviction. Would like to see them ruck faster, don't let Munster get a sniff of a turnover.

McIlroy has shown a bit of everything - good under the high ball, defended very well, carried down his line dangerously as well.

McCann has done ok, one carry made me think he can mix it at this level, but it's obviously not his main role. Don't think he's an openside at all, not quick enough or savy enough at the breakdown.

bilston · 02-01-2021 7:03pm

Very impressed by Ethan McIlroy in that half. Billy Burns going well too.

Still plenty in the game for Munster though.

irishbucsfan · 02-01-2021 7:03pm

awec wrote: »

I thought the first offence was that Scannell didn't hook it again.

Yeah. Munster were in trouble right across the front row there.

If they are still struggling on their own put in in the second half it’ll be a huge target for Ulster

02-01-2021 7:07pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Meaning who?

I didn't hear the name, Ferris said something along the lines of "did you hear xxxxx was coming up next season".

Sometimes the streams keep the sound on a little longer than the broadcasters do. They were chatting about what they were eating at half time. Ferris was having a pizza!

irishbucsfan · 02-01-2021 7:08pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I didn't hear the name, Ferris said something along the lines of "did you hear xxxxx was coming up next season".

Sometimes the streams keep the sound on a little longer than the broadcasters do. They were chatting about what they were eating at half time. Ferris was having a pizza!

Nucifora, I’m pretty sure he said

aloooof · 02-01-2021 7:09pm

Ulster comfortably better and a bit unlucky not to be further ahead. Billy Burns looking pretty sharp.

Robbo and Ferris fairly annoying on comms...

irishbucsfan · 02-01-2021 7:10pm

Robson is possibly the most annoying person this island has ever produced

irishbucsfan · 02-01-2021 7:11pm

Do you know the priest in the closet in father Ted who talks to himself. “What is your favourite humming noise”

That is Robson

SqueakyKneecap · 02-01-2021 7:12pm

That Hume is having a lovely match

razorblunt · 02-01-2021 7:13pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Robson is possibly the most annoying person this island has ever produced

Consistently too. At least we don’t have to hear about Jack McGrath’s Kevlar thumb 12 times over the 80 mins.

razorblunt · 02-01-2021 7:16pm

Adamson is just blind to rucks, JOS had to wrestle for an age to get a turnover and then there’s a cluster**** where he guesses scrum Ulster.

launish116 · 02-01-2021 7:19pm

Coetzee & Reid on

razorblunt · 02-01-2021 7:19pm

JOS is nowhere near the standard required.

Ulster vs Munster, Sat 2nd Jan 5:15pm, Eir Sport 1

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