Ulster Team Talk Thread IV... Go On My Henderson...

Don't feel too forlorn about that, in all honesty. McNabney and Carson worked really hard and were physical - Carson looked better against the Bulls at altitude than I ever thought he did for the U20s. Humphreys has a nice pass and his hanging kick to allow us to reclaim the final restart was excellent. Irvine is a big lad. Stockdale maybe getting some confidence back? McCormick didn't look out of place, although he does seem small? Tough watch at times but there were definitely some positives there from our youngsters.

I think it's under the "one player giving away multiple penalties" rule. Nothing specific to the scrum.

Back row for me is Izzy, McCann and Timoney with Reffel and McNabney on the bench (Izzy providing second row cover). Hendy and Sheridan in the row. Herring at hooker. No idea who starts at prop!

Cooney at 9 with Morgan at 10 (although Humphreys's cameo today was definitely interesting), McCloskey and a fit Hume in the midfield (Moore until Hume returns), Stockdale at 11, McIlroy at 15 and I'm torn between Lowry and Kok at 14.

Forgotten about Baloucoune already, Bilston?

Glad to have Postlethwaite back although, in all honesty, Carson was a pleasant surprise at the weekend. The player we need back most is Wilson, however.

Ulster Rugby v Connacht Rugby, Saturday 12th October, 8pm, Kingspan Stadium (Live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, Premier Sports and TG4)

(1-8) Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (C), Kieran Treadwell, David McCann, Sean Reffell, Nick Timoney;

(15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, John Cooney

Replacements: James McCormick, Callum Reid, Corrie Barrett, Alan O’Connor, Marcus Rea, Nathan Doak, Ben Carson, Mike Lowry.

Emerging Ireland forwards could of made a big difference

McNabney must be injured, because with no McCloskey or Izzy we are short of big atheltic ball carriers. Hendy, McCann and Timoney can obviously do a job but the other have pace and power, the three above are more one or the other IMO.

Jude will need a big big game against Bundee and will have to get go forward, I wonder if we will see Kok coming off his wing to attack the Connacht midfield.

It's a strong Connacht team as well.

Andy Brace did everything for them down there in the corner except kick the conversion there.

Joke of a decision - just decided he’d seen Mack instigate it, rather than using the TMO to actually check.

No replay on TV or didn’t appear to be reviewed. Actually thought he was concussed earlier in the game also.

That game could have been a hell of a lot more convincing with McNabey, Izzy, Sheridan, Wilson & McCluskey.

Another get out of jail game! Shame Murphy couldn’t get his other son over to play 9.

So Henderson and Moore definitely out for Friday.

McCloskey, Postlethwaite and McIlroy to be monitored during the week.

Eric O'Sullivan might be back.

Still no Herring, Stewart, Flannery, Baloucoune, Hume.

Well be in serious trouble if neither of McCloskey or Postlethwaite make it.

According to the42, Stewart won't be back until December/Christmas.

Ulster v Ospreys, Friday 18th October, BKT United Rugby Championship, Round 5, Kingspan Stadium, 7.35pm. (Live on Premier Sports, URC.tv and BBC Sounds)

(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (C), Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, David McCann;

(15-9) Mike Lowry, Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Aidan Morgan, John Cooney.

Replacements: Tadgh McElroy, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, Nathan Doak, James Humphreys, Jude Postlethwaite.

Ospreys

15. Jack Walsh, 14. Dan Kasende, 13. Evardi Boshoff, 12. Owen Williams, 11. Keelan Giles, 10. Dan Edwards, 9. Kieran Hardy, 1. Gareth Thomas, 2. Sam Parry, 3. Ben Warren, 4. Will Greatbanks, 5. Lewis Jones, 6. Lewis Lloyd, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Morgan Morris ©

16. Ethan Lewis, 17. Garyn Phillips, 18. Math Iowerth-Scott, 19. Rhys Thomas*, 20. Dan Gemine*, 21. Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22. Tom Florence, 23. Max Nagy

*Ospreys Debut

Very glad to see Izzy and Sherry back. Timoney obviously being rested. Interesting that Rea Sr is on the bench rather than McNabney, Crothers or even McLoughlin. If we manage to get four tries, get Morgan off and let Humphreys have a crack.

Yeah - Murphy is just joining the Academy and Humphreys is on either a development or senior deal.

24-7 up but we look poor.

Can't figure out what game plan Murphy is trying to implement this season.