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

They flew into Dublin the full week before the Leinster game, so they had plenty of time to get travel out of their system.

I was hugely disappointed with them on Saturday - as exciting as their attack can look in Johannesburg, i thought they looked utterly uninspired last Saturday night. Lost count of the amount of times they aimlessly kicked a box kick from a good attacking position inside Leinster's half.

A lot will depend on what players Munster have available, but if Beirne & Crowley are back (a big if on both fronts - Beirne was on the piss in Dublin last weekend with his leg in a brace - strange he wasn't in Galway), then I'd back Munster to win that game in Thomond.

Wondered this myself whether they were targeting Munster. I don't see how they can go from being battered, by what was 90% a Leinster 2nd team, to beating Munster, who have to win, in Thomond a week later, although I don't follow them at all really so unsure of the strength of the team they put out against Leinster.

Montpellier v Ulster Rugby

KICK OFF: 20:00

Referee Matthew Carley (Eng)

Assistant referee 1 Andrea Piardi (Ita)

Assistant referee 2 Craig Evans (Wal)

TMO Mike Adamson (Sco)

Tickets are probably about 20-25% overpriced.

However - I think a bit more could be done to promote Ulster Rugby matches. The interviewers said it themselves, do more corporate deals and more importantly get more kids/teenage groups through the door. I only see Ulster rugby matches promoted to existing fans. Give out free tickets to youth groups, soccer & GAA clubs across the 9 counties. Drive more interest. Its a great evening out, especially when the weather is forgiving.

9,000 or so I think. The atmosphere was great last weekend though.

The team is playing great rugby and are doing reasonably well so it is a bit disappointing that the crowds havent grown a bit more, but I think because of the 3 additional home play off matches non ST holders probably have had to pick and choose a bit with regards to the last two regular season matches. You're talking an average of £35 a ticket which isn't too bad, but if you're bringing the family it adds up a bit, especially if you were at the Exeter game and/or La Rochelle games.

https://ulster.rugby/content/ulster-rugby-announces-new-pouring-partnership-with-diageo-from-the-2026-27-season

This is the deal that I vagueposted about at the start of the season - I had heard from someone in the know that it was in the works. I had thought it was sponsorship, but apparently not. What are the odds of getting Talisker in the stadium?

Not sure about that at all. It's not a bad team, but still… enough for a win/2 points?

I’d have liked to see Ulster put out a stronger team. Don’t want them to end up in a Leinster 2023 situation the week before a final where they rested players in the semi final against Munster, lost, and then didn’t get it over the line in Europe.

Hume and Herring back is huge. Bell and Augustus need to be wrapped in cotton wool for Bilbao!!

Sorry FtD - no, I meant I wasn't sure at all that the selection was a good idea. I completely agree with your point that it's clear they're doubling down on Bilbao.

It's not a team like we sent down to Munster, but I worry we'll get nothing from teh game.

Baptism of fire for Willie de Klerk. Is Carson injured? Jude rested, McCloskey and Stewarty Moore out.

Is the 3 week confirmed

Henderson got 3 weeks