Cardiff Blues v Ulster Friday 17th February, Cardiff Arms Park (kick off 7.05pm):

First topic message reminder :

Ulster Match Day Squad to face Cardiff, Friday 17th February 2012, Cardiff Arms Park (kick-off 7.05pm)
(15-9): S Terblanche; C Gilroy, N Spence, P Wallace, I Whitten; I Humphreys, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, N Brady, J Afoa, L Stevenson, D Tuohy, C Henry (capt), W Faloon, R Diack;
Replacements (16-23): A Kyriacou, P McAllister, A Macklin, T Barker, M McComish, P Marshall, S Danielli, A D'Arcy

Unavailable due to injury: Jared Payne (achilles), Declan Fitzpatrick (neck), Darren Cave (foot), Pedrie Wannenburg (foot), Johann Muller (calf), Ali Birch (knee)

Cardiff XV: 15 Ben Blair 14 Richard Mustoe 13 Gavin Evans 12 Gavin Henson 11 Tom James 10 Dan Parks 9 Lloyd Williams 8 Xavier Rush 7 Josh Navidi 6 Michael Paterson 5 Paul Tito (c) 4 Cory Hill 3 Scott Andrews 2 Ryan Tyrell 1 John Yapp

Replacaments: 16 T Rhys Thomas 17 Nathan Trevett 18 Ryan Harford 19 Maama Molitika 20 Martyn Williams 21 Richie Rees 22 Ceri Sweeney 23 Chris Czekaj

It was all Penfro's fault Rava!

I think we should rename the region,

The Cardiff Blues who, despite the name and the fact that they play in Cardiff, (in the Cardiff Arms Park although they usually play in Cardiff City Stadium but they used to play in CAP and would like to return there again in the medium to long term) do not represent only the general Cardiff area but a much bigger bit of the Principality (oh no, I don't think that one is allowed either <doh>) of Wales than that but don't ask me which bit exactly because I haven't a clue but it must include "Ponty" as it has been mentioned in less than glowing terms.

Would that do?

I wish Ferris, Best, Muller and Trimble were playing.

And Wannenburg. Diack's gotten soft again.

Muller and Wannenburg both injured at the same time is a bit unfortunate.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I think I'll continue calling them Cardiff Blues, as that is what I've always known them as. As long as you stick Blues at the end of it, then is it alright?

Yes perfectly fine

Not very confident about this one. Back row weak, fully expect Paddy to be pretty rusty, leadership crucial away from home.

I am a bit more hopeful. We have to match them up front mind you. I do think with Pienaar, Humph, Wallace and Terblanche in the backs we should be looking to score some trys. Add to that Spence looking decent last week and gilroy/d'arcy we have the backs.

I think we could have cardiff in the front row but we really need our back 5 of the pack to stand up. Tuohy and Henry will be vital. If we can secure enough quick ball i fancy us.

MrsP wrote:I think we should rename the region,

The Cardiff Blues who, despite the name and the fact that they play in Cardiff, (in the Cardiff Arms Park although they usually play in Cardiff City Stadium but they used to play in CAP and would like to return there again in the medium to long term) do not represent only the general Cardiff area but a much bigger bit of the Principality (oh no, I don't think that one is allowed either <doh>) of Wales than that but don't ask me which bit exactly because I haven't a clue but it must include "Ponty" as it has been mentioned in less than glowing terms.

Would that do?

An almost perfect description MrsP and I like it, but may I suggest you also include the name of the rugby club that owns Cardiff Blues which is Cardiff RFC would you believe.
One hell of a coincidence I know, but that's the way it is.

Standulstermen wrote:I am a bit more hopeful. We have to match them up front mind you. I do think with Pienaar, Humph, Wallace and Terblanche in the backs we should be looking to score some trys. Add to that Spence looking decent last week and gilroy/d'arcy we have the backs.

I think we could have cardiff in the front row but we really need our back 5 of the pack to stand up. Tuohy and Henry will be vital. If we can secure enough quick ball i fancy us.

Ulster to win I reckon as Cardiff Blues have been mostly pants in the league.

Cymroglan wrote:Cardiff Blues play in this league

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4777185.stm

Cardiff play in this one.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4777221.stm

And both of these teams are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club.

You going to the Ulster game Cymroglan? Should be a good crowd on Friday. Wonder if Wales will release any Blues players.

Don't want to confuse things by raining on Cardiff Dave's parade but...

Surely they should change their name to: 'The region formerly known as Cardiff (Blues)'... and translate it into Welsh (local dialect) so that nobody outside the region could (or would want to) pronounce it. In that way they could activate phase two of their rebranding by simply using a squiggle that the crowd could then imitate with human pyramids and cheerleader gyrations. Finally when the squiggle became too embarrassing largely because a token fat bloke from Ponty fell off the pyramid on top of a cheerleader and it was discovered they were already both on the sick - the team would then just be know as 'THE region'. This would of course get up the noses of everyone else in Wales but hey for every winner there's three losers.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Cymroglan wrote:Cardiff Blues play in this league

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4777185.stm

Cardiff play in this one.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4777221.stm

And both of these teams are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club.

You going to the Ulster game Cymroglan? Should be a good crowd on Friday. Wonder if Wales will release any Blues players.

Should be a cracking game but when the 6N are on I don't travel down to watch the regions play,I probably wont even get to see the match unless I can find a place in Cyprus that will be showing it live
Me and the better half are flying out Thurs and back on the 24th staying overnight in Watford for the England v Wales match.

Cymroglan wrote:

Should be a cracking game but when the 6N are on I don't travel down to watch the regions play,I probably wont even get to see the match unless I can find a place in Cyprus that will be showing it live
Me and the better half are flying out Thurs and back on the 24th staying overnight in Watford for the England v Wales match.

Good choice.
A week in Cyprus followed by England v Wales sounds better than watching Ulster in the rain at CAP.

So who do we see winning the 13 shirt on Cave's return in the long run? Mr Cave or Mr Spence?

Exactly Ospreys, Dragons and Scarlets are unique names.

Blues is not and therefore clarity requires the use of the word Cardiff.

Call yourselves Cardipool or Pontyiff for clarity and inclusiveness sake

Feck forgot I'm in Dublin this weekend, will any bars be showing this?

I'm not normally one for studying league tables too often, but what i saw is somewhat interesting. Leinster (currently 1st) have scored almost 100 more points than Ulster (5th) so far this season. Thats rather shocking, but then you see than Ulster actually have scored more points than Ospreys Glasgow and Munster (2nd, 3rd, 4th).

So, leinster aside, is it fair to say that ulster do very well to score points but let ourselves down on defence? Or do we feel we have improved on that aspect since Christmas?

Some interesting Ulster comments re selection.

Birch was going to start but injury has prevented that - that can only have been at 7 instead of Faloon.

Wannenberg and Muller should be ready for next week.

Cave is on the mend but will not be ready for next week, not too far away - he will start a game in March though to get him ready for Munster.

I think our attack has improved out of sight since Pienaar returned in November. Don't think we'd scored 4 tries all season up until then.

Our defence is ok but could be better.

clivemcl wrote:I'm not normally one for studying league tables too often, but what i saw is somewhat interesting. Leinster (currently 1st) have scored almost 100 more points than Ulster (5th) so far this season. Thats rather shocking, but then you see than Ulster actually have scored more points than Ospreys Glasgow and Munster (2nd, 3rd, 4th).

So, leinster aside, is it fair to say that ulster do very well to score points but let ourselves down on defence? Or do we feel we have improved on that aspect since Christmas?

I feel we still tend to give away too many penalties in kickable areas. You just can't afford to do that against teams with prolific kickers.

roddersm wrote:Feck forgot I'm in Dublin this weekend, will any bars be showing this?

Doubt it seeing as Leinster are playing at the same time.

You can come to the RDS with me and watch some great live Rugby and I'll give you a DVD of the Ulster game on Saturday morning.

I'll even record the BBCNI commentary.

Just for comparison guys. Ulster Rugby 2nd best in attack, 7th in defence

BEST ATTACK (based on tries scored per game)

Leinster Rugby 2.42857143
Ulster Rugby 2.21428571
Cardiff Blues 2
Edinburgh Rugby 2
Munster Rugby 1.84615385
Benetton Treviso 1.71428571
Ospreys 1.57142857
Scarlets 1.28571429
Glasgow Warriors 1.21428571
Connacht Rugby 1.14285714
Aironi Rugby 1.07692308
Newport Gwent Dragons 0.92307692


BEST DEFENCE (based of tries conceded per game)
Ospreys 1
Scarlets 1.07142857
Glasgow Warriors 1.07142857
Munster Rugby 1.07692308
Leinster Rugby 1.42857143
Connacht Rugby 1.42857143
Ulster Rugby 1.64285714
Cardiff Blues 1.76923077
Newport Gwent Dragons 2
Benetton Treviso 2.07142857
Edinburgh Rugby 2.42857143
Aironi Rugby 2.53846154

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

roddersm wrote:Feck forgot I'm in Dublin this weekend, will any bars be showing this?

Doubt it seeing as Leinster are playing at the same time.

You can come to the RDS with me and watch some great live Rugby and I'll give you a DVD of the Ulster game on Saturday morning.

I'll even record the BBCNI commentary.

Actually might watch the Leinster game in the pub then and catch Ulster on IPlayer when I get home.

Any recomendations for a good pub in the city centre?

roddersm wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

roddersm wrote:Feck forgot I'm in Dublin this weekend, will any bars be showing this?

Doubt it seeing as Leinster are playing at the same time.

You can come to the RDS with me and watch some great live Rugby and I'll give you a DVD of the Ulster game on Saturday morning.

I'll even record the BBCNI commentary.

Actually might watch the Leinster game in the pub then and catch Ulster on IPlayer when I get home.

Any recomendations for a good pub in the city centre?

Sorry Rodders. I'm the wrong man for that one. I'm always going to say Kielys, and If you are going out that far (about 2 miles from town) Then you may as well go the extra few hundred yards to the RDS.

I would never find myself in town on a matchday, so I haven't a clue.

roddersm wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

roddersm wrote:Feck forgot I'm in Dublin this weekend, will any bars be showing this?

Doubt it seeing as Leinster are playing at the same time.

You can come to the RDS with me and watch some great live Rugby and I'll give you a DVD of the Ulster game on Saturday morning.

I'll even record the BBCNI commentary.

Actually might watch the Leinster game in the pub then and catch Ulster on IPlayer when I get home.

Any recomendations for a good pub in the city centre?

I recommend O’Neills on Suffolk street (about 1 min walk from the non-Stephen’s green end of Grafton Street). They will at least be showing the Leinster match, it’s good for a pint and there’s good nosh there too. But I’d say take Jen up on the offer and go to the match, I’ll see ya there for a

Tickets for the quarter final sorted!

Us too!

Don't tell clive though.

Mickado wrote:
I recommend O’Neills on Suffolk street (about 1 min walk from the non-Stephen’s green end of Grafton Street). They will at least be showing the Leinster match, it’s good for a pint and there’s good nosh there too. But I’d say take Jen up on the offer and go to the match, I’ll see ya there for a

Nice 1 Mick. Will have to speak to the boss... pretty busy on Friday but hmm... going to the game is a possibility, otherwise might just wander into O'Neills. Will there be tickets at the gate you think?

roddersm wrote:

Mickado wrote:
I recommend O’Neills on Suffolk street (about 1 min walk from the non-Stephen’s green end of Grafton Street). They will at least be showing the Leinster match, it’s good for a pint and there’s good nosh there too. But I’d say take Jen up on the offer and go to the match, I’ll see ya there for a

Nice 1 Mick. Will have to speak to the boss... pretty busy on Friday but hmm... going to the game is a possibility, otherwise might just wander into O'Neills. Will there be tickets at the gate you think?

Fockloads. Was half full last week. There's a ticketmaster van or 2 outside though. You can't actually pay in on the gate.

MrsP wrote:Us too!

Don't tell clive though.

I guess I blew any chance of any of yous buying one for me!

If I had an extra clive....

Mind you, when we decide to put on the 606V2 production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and I think we will someday, at least we won't have to audition for the part of the Child Catcher!

You're a nailed on cert for the role!

The Great Aukster wrote:Don't want to confuse things by raining on Cardiff Dave's parade but...

Surely they should change their name to: 'The region formerly known as Cardiff (Blues)'... and translate it into Welsh (local dialect) so that nobody outside the region could (or would want to) pronounce it. In that way they could activate phase two of their rebranding by simply using a squiggle that the crowd could then imitate with human pyramids and cheerleader gyrations. Finally when the squiggle became too embarrassing largely because a token fat bloke from Ponty fell off the pyramid on top of a cheerleader and it was discovered they were already both on the sick - the team would then just be know as 'THE region'. This would of course get up the noses of everyone else in Wales but hey for every winner there's three losers.

The problem is that almost nobody inside the region would be able to pronounce it as well!

How about calling them the "We're still clinging to professional club rugby blues"

Smirnoffpriest wrote:
How about calling them the "We're still clinging to professional club rugby blues"

The Stormy Monday Blues?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-B3bWwK_Bk

We should get Lewis Moody to sponsor us, we could call ourselves the Moody Blues then

Ulster Match Day Squad to face Cardiff, Friday 17th February 2012, Cardiff Arms Park (kick-off 7.05pm)
(15-9): S Terblanche; C Gilroy, N Spence, P Wallace, I Whitten; I Humphreys, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, N Brady, J Afoa, L Stevenson, D Tuohy, C Henry (capt), W Faloon, R Diack;
Replacements (16-23): A Kyriacou, P McAllister, A Macklin, T Barker, M McComish, P Marshall, S Danielli, A D'Arcy

Unavailable due to injury: Jared Payne (achilles), Declan Fitzpatrick (neck), Darren Cave (foot), Pedrie Wannenburg (foot), Johann Muller (calf), Ali Birch (knee)

Strong enough team. Delighted to see spence at 13. Not sure about whitten onthe wing over D'arcy or danielli but some decnt options there. Surprised kyriacou was dropped

As good a team as we can field. danielli really seem to have slipped down the pecking order. I have to say I did like Whitten on the wing earlier in the season, however.

Spence at 13

That must be the 2nd time this season he has got to play his position? Hope he really lays his claim on the 13 shirt for when Cave comes back. And wins

http://www.cardiffblues.com/rugby/5725.php

15 Ben Blair 14 Richard Mustoe 13 Gavin Evans 12 Gavin Henson 11 Tom James 10 Dan Parks
9 Lloyd Williams

8 Xavier Rush 7 Josh Navidi 6 Michael Paterson 5 Paul Tito (c) 4 Cory Hill 3 Scott Andrews 2 Ryan Tyrell 1 John Yapp

16 T Rhys Thomas 17 Nathan Trevett 18 Ryan Harford 19 Maama Molitika 20 Martyn Williams 21 Richie Rees 22 Ceri Sweeney 23 Chris Czekaj

Wallace v Henson will be an interesting battle I think.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:So who do we see winning the 13 shirt on Cave's return in the long run? Mr Cave or Mr Spence?

Rory thatll be an intriguing battle and could be huge for Irish rugby as a whole hopefully Spence will shine against the Blues and stake a claim for BODs place while hes injured

Well I honestly believe the two best 13s in Ireland are from Ulster

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Well I honestly believe the two best 13s in Ireland are from Ulster

I think Cave when fit has looked good and has potential be a top player, he runs some great lines has pace and is a poacher in the Ashton mold but he needs to stay fit

Spence hasnt looked as powerful this season maybe defences know what to expect from him now but last season he just looked like he could knock anyone out of the way

Good team- we desperately needed Henry back. I wonder if we can get a nudge on in the scrum with TC and Afoa in? You'd hope our tight five can win their battle even without Muller. Lineout was good last week, so a bit surprised to see Kyriacou rotated out.

marty2086 wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Well I honestly believe the two best 13s in Ireland are from Ulster

I think Cave when fit has looked good and has potential be a top player, he runs some great lines has pace and is a poacher in the Ashton mold but he needs to stay fit

Spence hasnt looked as powerful this season maybe defences know what to expect from him now but last season he just looked like he could knock anyone out of the way

Well he looked to be back to his rampaging best the other week against the dragons, and at 12. The reason he hasn't looked as powerful in the contact is because he has been used as a crash ball centre, and he just isn't that sort of player. At 13 he has much more space to work with, and Spence running full pace is not easy to stop. Hopefully we will get to see that tomorrow, as Wallace is the perfect 12 for Spence to play alongside.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Well I honestly believe the two best 13s in Ireland are from Ulster

Wash your mouth out! Top 3 are Leinster! And I'm not biased

BOD is past it, EOM isn't as good a tackler as Cave/Spence, and I'm guessing Macken is third? He hasn't got the awareness. If you count Fitz as a 13 I would maybe listen though I think he could be very good there.

Rory, might as well include Farrell and say top THREE are Ulster.

Isn't Farrell considered a 12? Or is he being looked at as a 13 now?

In my first post I called the backs exactly as they are selected, so I am awarding myself a wee pat on the back. I think that is a very strong line up. A bit surprised that Danielli made the bench. Maybe Marshall is still short of fitness.
Brady for Kyriacou is an interesting call. Stevenson and Barker are much the same really. A big performance is need from this group of forwards.

Rava wrote:In my first post I called the backs exactly as they are selected, so I am awarding myself a wee pat on the back. I think that is a very strong line up. A bit surprised that Danielli made the bench. Maybe Marshall is still short of fitness.
Brady for Kyriacou is an interesting call. Stevenson and Barker are much the same really. A big performance is need from this group of forwards.

Danielli looked a lot sharper in his brief apperance last week than he has in a long time maybe a big finish coming up for him at Ulster