Munster v Ulster

First topic message reminder :

Well what a difference a few days make. Leinster stroll past Munster in Thomond, Ulster cruise past Airioni and now definitely fancy their chances on Sunday and rightly so.

My Munster team if players available would be

1. Wian Du Preez
2. Mike Sheery
3. BJ
4. DOC1
5. POC
6. DR
7. POM
8. Coughlan
9. Murray
10. ROG
11. ZEBO
12. Maifi
13. Earls
14. Hurley
15. Jones

Pretty much picks itself bar hooker and back row. Line out was just so bad that Varley has to pay the price. May not have been all his fault but Sherry has been knocking on the door and deserves a shot at this level.

DOC2 had a solid game but I think the partnership of POC and DOC should stand us well. DR to the back row.

Rodders Ulster team

15 Terblanche
14 Trimble
13 Cave
12 Wallace
11 Gilroy
10 IHumph
9 Pienaar
8 Wannenburg
6 Diack
7 Henry
5 Touhy
4 Muller
3 Afoa
2 Best
1 Court

Is anybody going to a public house or other hostelry in Béal Feirste to watch this one? I take it it's on in the Errigle etc?

Thomond wrote:Stu Barnes has backed Ulster to win, since Northampton destroyed the Munster pack and Ulster's is stronger. He might have forgotten the score in that game.

Spoiler:

Aw flip! Barnes is ALWAYS wrong!

Can't wait for the game. I've got to be honest the closer the game comes the less confident I am. Really fancied this when the tie was drawn but with O'Connell there I can see Munster firing on all cylinders, especially after last weeks damp squib against Leinster.

I'm convinced this is the best Ulster side I've seen and they are stronger mentally than last season but will that be enough??

dum dum dum.......

Don Alfonso wrote:Is anybody going to a public house or other hostelry in Béal Feirste to watch this one? I take it it's on in the Errigle etc?

Don, they are big screening it in the Europa Hotel.

I'm sure StandUlsterman is showing it in the Taphouse

Is Brian hearing good news?

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/heineken-cup/is-brian-hearing-good-news-16140956.html

Rallying cry from MRSC

http://www.mrsc.ie/News_Detail.aspx?rowid=64075

I think we all probably knew Ferris would be named today and a final decision made on Sunday. Common sense really.

Saw that on Facebook Rava. I don't think the phrase 'stand up and fight' is very kosher. That could easily happen.

The pressure just ramped up a bit - T-Bowe is out of the summer tour. Time for Zebo/ Gilroy/ Cave to try staking a claim.

Big opportunities for Zebo and Gilroy! Pure excited, almost giddy! Who will steal the show I wonder?

Poor old POC cut a sad figure last night on BBCNI. Looked like a man heading for the gallows.

I think the big question is.........

Can Munsters foreign legion front row keep the scrum up long enough for TOL to work out his left from his right?.......

Tuohy and Ferris play

Spence on the bench

Has it been announced Geoff?

Is Whitten injured or is Spence just preferred?

BBC radio are reporting the fantastic news that Ferris is starting!

absolutely embarassing sometimes.

Is Ferris fit though? It isn't really good news if he is starting and isn't actually fit..

roddersm wrote:Poor old POC cut a sad figure last night on BBCNI. Looked like a man heading for the gallows.

I think the big question is.........

Can Munsters foreign legion front row keep the scrum up long enough for TOL to work out his left from his right?.......

Yeah its really exciting to have Munster play a touring South African team....

Rory, Brian McLaughlin said yesterday Ferris would be named regardless with the decision on his fitness waiting as late as sunday morning. The fact hes named means nothing.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Is Ferris fit though? It isn't really good news if he is starting and isn't actually fit..

Ferris will start. According to Donnacha Ryan on Munster TV Ferris will be fine as he has a high pain treshold.

He may have a high pain threshold, but that isn't that reassuring. It will be a waste if he wrecks himself more.

Ferris will start

Spence preferred to Whitten

Well I'm happy Spence gets on the bench!

Artful_Dodger wrote:

Croyman wrote:
hmm Munster a bit like Man U - done it so open it seems to kick in automatically - big challenge for Ulster to pull it all together - but if they are going to ever do it this is the sort of occasion they need to step up to

Ever going to do it?

They did it in 1999 buddy.

Man Utd treble?

Munster team:
15 F Jones;
14 D Hurley,
13 K Earls,
12 L Mafi,
11 S Zebo;
10 R O’Gara,
9 C Murray;
1 W du Preez,
2 M Sherry,
3 BJ Botha;
4 D Ryan,
5 P O’Connell;
6 P O’Mahony,
7 T O’Donnell,
8 J Coughlan.

Replacements: D Varley, M Horan, S Archer, D O’Callaghan, D Wallace, T O’Leary, I Keatley, J Murphy.

Tommy O'Donnell & Mike Sherry getting their first Heineken Cup starts.
No one should worry about Axel taking over as head coach. He is well able to make the calls (DOC is on the bench).

Munster team:

Munster:
F Jones
D Hurley
K Earls
L Mafi
S Zebo
R O’Gara
C Murray

W du Preez
M Sherry
BJ Botha
D Ryan
P O’Connell
P O’Mahony
T O’Donnell
J Coughlan

Replacements: D Varley, M Horan, S Archer, D O’Callaghan, D Wallace, T O’Leary, I Keatley, J Murphy.

Just beat me to it sin

Interesting to see O'Donnell get the thumbs up.. he played well the last few matches I seen him, but apart from that I don't know a whole lot about him. Is he one for the future?

Artful_Dodger wrote:Just beat me to it sin

Lets hope we do the same on Sunday

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Interesting to see O'Donnell get the thumbs up.. he played well the last few matches I seen him, but apart from that I don't know a whole lot about him. Is he one for the future?

He played in the '07 u-20s Grand Slam team. He started the game against France (David Pollock was moved to 8). Not sure if he will be a top international, but he will be a good Heineken Cup player.

Very happy with that Munster have I have to say.

I think that its a good team with a good bench. The return of Hurley, O'Connell, Murray, Wallace and Ryan will be massive boosts to the team. Thats a vital group of players.

Nice to see Sherry getting the nod.

red_stag wrote:Very happy with that Munster have I have to say.

I think that its a good team with a good bench. The return of Hurley, O'Connell, Murray, Wallace and Ryan will be massive boosts to the team. Thats a vital group of players.

Feeling much more positive with this team. TOD has shown well the last few games and wont weaken the team.....

Also I like the look of our Bench more in terms of strength in depth and game changers....

The more I think about it the more pleased I am that Sherry is starting. Same with O'Donnell.

Its reminiscent of the 2008 campaign when Shaun Payne, Anthony Foley and Peter Stringer made way for Hurley, Ryan and O'Leary.

Stag, what are your thoughts on O'Donnell? Since everyone is obsessing over the natural 7s for Ireland, is he an option?

Varley was very poor last weekend but he will be a good option for the last 20 - 30 minutes.....

His try was very good the other week also.

Rory, he is an option. I've seen him play a lot of AIL rugby.

He's not Brussow or Pocock but he is a good link man probably a more effective 7 than Sean O'Brien or Peter O'Mahony but not as good a player as they are.

So glad Sherry has taken over Varley. Think Varley is hugely overrated and not even rated that highly.

On the upside at the end of the game when he comes on he is the kinda guy who should so well in a more open game

Pete I think Sherry was just on the cusp of over taking Varley a few months ago but injury postponed it.

He is better at scrummaging and better in the loose.

Great team, delighted that Sherry is starting. Delighted Wallace on the bench. Delighted POC, DR, Hurley Murray all starting.

This is as good as team as we could have picked. Cant wait for the game now.

Come on Munster

You have no idea how disappointed I am that Varley, O'Callaghan and O'Leary aren't starting! You've got rid of a lot of the weak links in your side.

It's going to be nerve shreddingly close, all out war and there's nothing much between the sides on paper. Bring it on.

My take: http://www.sportpulse.net/content/heineken-cup-quarter-final-preview-munster-v-ulster-3232


I don't think I'm as bad as Hugh Farrelly.

Also I probably won't be online for the game so those looking for links, you would be best off going to eirebilly, Cari or the Artful Dodger, who I've supplied before.

Not forgotten Thomond - I'll be here tomorrow for anyone who needs a link provided there are any

If you are short of a link for HC rugby after I've dealt with you then the internet will have exploded.

You the man Thomond!

Didn't actually realise that was your article. Great job sir

You will notice that it wasn't an indo article by the fact that there isn't a total "hatred" towards Ulster. There is some though.

Munster turn over the Leinster academy in their own back yard. What a start to the weekend. This is will give everybody a massive lift.

COME ON MUNSTER

Ulster fans (and Munster fans not from Limerick)

Here is a guide to Limerick you may find helpful.

Bars, Restaurants, Things to Do etc.

http://redstagrugby.blogspot.com/2012/04/guide-to-limerick-erc-quarter-finals.html

Good guide Stag. Chocolat is a a good spot. I'm also going to throw down Gasworks which is €18 for a 3 course meal it's on O'Connell street and I think it is close to Chocolat.