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Ulster vs. Leinster, Saturday 6th March, 19.35 (Eir Sport 1)

Dave_The_Sheep

Ulster

Leinster

Leinster will be happy - actually let me rephrase that - I'll be happy if Leinster can deny Ulster the TBP or get a LBP themselves. Lovely looking Ulster backline.

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molloyjh

If Ulster can't beat this Leinster team then not only does Ulster Rugby have problems, but so does Irish rugby. It absolutely shouldn't be the case that a province missing 28+ players can go away from home and win against another province unless that province is badly hit by absences as well. My (limited) knowledge of Ulster would suggest several guys missing, but no more than that. Would that be fair?

Paul Smeenus

And we'll see the most what the most successful offloading province can do against the least.

bilston

Leinster have more internationals on show than Ulster tomorrow, and the backs are 4 internationals each so maybe not the gap I initially thought in the backline

Paul Smeenus

McFarland is obviously looking for scrum dominance in the last twenty, as a platform to launch off at tired bodies. Especially if we can bring Lyttle on to finish an opportunity or two.

Squidgy Black

Reckon set piece will play a big part in this, if we can get dominance at the scrum and lineout it'll be a big advantage.

Backline's worrying, especially considering the 6-2 split and no backup 10.

Paul Smeenus

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

With the front rows I think the biggest disparity is in set piece vs open play ability.

EOS, Andrew and TOT all are superior to their opposite numbers in open play.

But when it comes to pushing and shoving, I'd take Byrne, Tracy and Bent all day.

I think Leinster will be going hard at the Ulster scrum. And hopefully will get some change

Snap.

Paul Smeenus

I really wish I could get along to see this one.

I'd five us a slight edge in the front row overall - definitely around the park, but there may be wobbles in the scrum.

arsebiscuits1

bilston wrote: »

Front Row is even steven
Leinster have a definite edge in the engine room and back row in terms of the collective, but a fully fit and firing Coetzee could partially negate that alone...however he may not be either!

Half backs are pretty even too

11 to 15 is clearly advantage Ulster

Not sure about the benches. Reidy, Matthewson, S.Moore and Lyttle are potential game changers for Ulster. The Leinster bench seems more callow, but Cronin, Murphy and Molony are good players and I thought Dunne was good that day he played in the A match a few weeks back, so maybe advantage Ulster there, but with the 6 2 split Leinster have more beef to come on.

Forwards win matches and Leinster have an edge there so Ulster will need a big performance to win.

With the front rows I think the biggest disparity is in set piece vs open play ability.

EOS, Andrew and TOT all are superior to their opposite numbers in open play.

But when it comes to pushing and shoving, I'd take Byrne, Tracy and Bent all day.

I think Leinster will be going hard at the Ulster scrum. And hopefully will get some change

bilston

Front Row is even steven
Leinster have a definite edge in the engine room and back row in terms of the collective, but a fully fit and firing Coetzee could partially negate that alone...however he may not be either!

Half backs are pretty even too

11 to 15 is clearly advantage Ulster

Not sure about the benches. Reidy, Matthewson, S.Moore and Lyttle are potential game changers for Ulster. The Leinster bench seems more callow, but Cronin, Murphy and Molony are good players and I thought Dunne was good that day he played in the A match a few weeks back, so maybe advantage Ulster there, but with the 6 2 split Leinster have more beef to come on.

Forwards win matches and Leinster have an edge there so Ulster will need a big performance to win.

Paul Smeenus

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

That I don't know.

But there have been mumblings about the quality of S&C this year at Leinster.

A lot of guys picking up injuries yes.

But a lot of guys picking up injuries having just returned from injury

I have to say there's been a lot of caution at Ravenhill with bringing lads back. It's been frustrating, but ultimately, for the players, good to see.

irishbucsfan

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

What the hell are youse doing with your young backs in training? Taking baseball bats to them?

Part of what makes the Leinster academy so great is that they don’t just gain skills to help them with their time as Leinster players, they are given time and resources to prepare them in life for whatever they may do if they don’t make it right away as a Leinster player.

For example if they have to go down to Munster and get broken by them

arsebiscuits1

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

What the hell are youse doing with your young backs in training? Taking baseball bats to them?

That I don't know.

But there have been mumblings about the quality of S&C this year at Leinster.

A lot of guys picking up injuries yes.

But a lot of guys picking up injuries having just returned from injury

salmocab

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

What the hell are youse doing with your young backs in training? Taking baseball bats to them?

Toughens them up in the long run

Paul Smeenus

What the hell are youse doing with your young backs in training? Taking baseball bats to them?

molloyjh

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

I think the subs will be the real difference.

Interesting that Leinster have gone for a 6-2 spilt and Ulster have held players like Reidy, Moore and Lyttle to spring off the bench.

We've gone 6-2 because we literally have no back left. It wasn't by choice at all. Apparently Hawkshaw is injured too so we are absolute bare bones.

arsebiscuits1

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

I think the subs will be the real difference.

Interesting that Leinster have gone for a 6-2 spilt and Ulster have held players like Reidy, Moore and Lyttle to spring off the bench.

Leinster it appears had literally no choice but to take a 6-2 split.

Although we've deployed it tactically a few times this season.

Tomorrow - we don't have a choice.

Only other fit back in the academy or senior squad is Hugh O'Sullivan

Paul Smeenus

I think the subs will be the real difference.

Interesting that Leinster have gone for a 6-2 spilt and Ulster have held players like Reidy, Moore and Lyttle to spring off the bench.

molloyjh

awec wrote: »

You think so?

O'Sullivan vs Byrne, I think there's no difference.
Andrew vs Tracy, there is no real difference.
O'Toole vs Bent, maybe marginally Bent
Toner is better than O'Connor, or he was at least
Treadwell vs Fardy, Fardy hasn't been amazing this year
Timoney v Ruddock no contest
Murphy v VDF, yea, VDF but not by a whole lot
Coetzee v Penny, no contest

I think it's fairly close.

I think we shade it, but it is close. Your backs are a distance better then too. So if your pack can get close enough to ours in terms of overall parity then you guys will win it.

arsebiscuits1

awec wrote: »

You think so?

O'Sullivan vs Byrne, I think there's no difference.
Andrew vs Tracy, there is no real difference.
O'Toole vs Bent, maybe marginally Bent
Toner is better than O'Connor, or he was at least
Treadwell vs Fardy, Fardy hasn't been amazing this year
Timoney v Ruddock no contest
Murphy v VDF, yea, VDF but not by a whole lot
Coetzee v Penny, no contest

I think it's fairly close.

There's not much in it but Leinster shade it. Especially with the units

Front row - Leinster
Second Row - Leinster
Back Row - Leinster but close

awec

sullivlo wrote: »

Leinster forwards are better than Ulsters.
Ulsters backs are better than Leinsters.

Strange that Nordi has the armband, doesn't it normally go to Al O'Connnor?

Heart says Leinster. Head says Ulster.

You think so?

O'Sullivan vs Byrne, I think there's no difference.
Andrew vs Tracy, there is no real difference.
O'Toole vs Bent, maybe marginally Bent
Toner is better than O'Connor, or he was at least
Treadwell vs Fardy, Fardy hasn't been amazing this year
Timoney v Ruddock no contest
Murphy v VDF, yea, VDF but not by a whole lot
Coetzee v Penny, no contest

I think it's fairly close.

arsebiscuits1

sullivlo wrote: »

Leinster forwards are better than Ulsters.
Ulsters backs are better than Leinsters.

Strange that Nordi has the armband, doesn't it normally go to Al O'Connnor?

Heart says Leinster. Head says Ulster.

Jordi captained for the last few games (or at least last week)

sullivlo

Leinster forwards are better than Ulsters.
Ulsters backs are better than Leinsters.

Strange that Nordi has the armband, doesn't it normally go to Al O'Connnor?

Heart says Leinster. Head says Ulster.