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

I've only really seen highlights of Ulster this season, but is Morgan's passing a bit laboured? I'd expect a bit slicker at this level.

Is Humphrey's tackling any better than David's and Ian's?

Stockdale is probably the form wing at the moment and although many think his time has past, our wing depth is poor at the moment so I’d be surprised not to see him in a wider squad.

Izzy keeps improving and the coaches were obviously keen on him given he traveled for the SA series. You can tell by the effort he gives across the pitch and the way he’s hitting players on the gain line that he’s pushing himself and probably senses that caps are there for the taking.

I’m doubtful Wilson gets called up, probably too soon for him even as ‘development player’ - surely Aungier is the next man up?

McCann has been great but it’s a competitive position. Mind you if he does manage a call up ahead of Hodnett the mods should ban me immediately because my victory laps will be unbearable.

I think McCann has out-performed Timoney, Hodnett, Kendellan, Penny etc but Farrell has so far shown no interest. It is a ferociously competitive area, though, back-row.

I'm not 100% on Hendo at this stage, to be honest.

So O'Toole, Herring, Henderson, Izuchwukwu, Timoney, McCloskey and Stockdale make the cut for Ireland. Nothing too surprising. Izzy will hopefully make his debut and Stockdale should get one or two caps. If Herring is fit he'll be in the 23, although he has a lack of gametime behind him which isn't ideal.

I didn't think McCann would make the squad because he plays in a stacked position, but I wonder if McCann will ever make it or what is it that he has to do to get ahead of Prendergast (I'm a big fan in fairness). Even Alex Kendellan is getting recognition as well while McCann will be kicking his heels over the next few weeks. Is McCann going to be Ulster's Jack O'Donoghue?

Cardiff v Ulster, Saturday 26 October, 7.35pm, Cardiff Arms Park, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 6 (Live on Premier Sports, URC.tv)

(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (C), Kieran Treadwell, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, David McCann;

(15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Werner Kok, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Mike Lowry, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak.

Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, Ben Carson, Ben Moxham.

Interesting that McCann stays at Number eight while Timoney shifts to blindside. Nick is quite possibly first choice cover for Van Der Flier in November, so I wonder if that's what that's about. That must be a first choice back row in terms of personnel.

Start for Doak - hopefully he brings the energy and speed he had off the bench against the Ospreys. Wasn't sure Postlethwaite has played 13 in a while, but that's a strong centre partnership. Sheridan must be on the bench for impact - at this point, he's been outperforming Treadwell for a while. Glad to see Wilson and Carson there as well.

That's the spirit!

In fairness to Carson for all his doubters, he's been good considering his limited senior experience.

James McCormick setting a good baseline for young players also, injuries have helped his exposure. But can't fault him so far. Has he leap frogged Andrew?

Strong back row, if McNabey was fit, who benches?

The fact that McNabney was playing for Armagh last week probably answers your question.

Great second try

Yeah Cardiff kept drifting, yellow card was obvious there.

Henderson gone off?

Enjoyable half, more of the same please

Typical Ulster. Put it up to them and collapse.