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

70/30 and we have a deal........

I'm expecting Zebo to bag another, show Trimble or Gilroy, he is better than them. Zeeee-bo, whoaaaaaaaa-ohhh

Stag if Munster play as they did against Northampton I fully believe we will win. I thought the performance at the weekend was worrying at times but it gives them a lot to work on (would rather that than a facile win against a lesser team).

If we match Ulster physically then I also believe we will win.

Thats the spirit DOD. You going to the match.

Ferris Update from Ulster Management: "Scan this morning has revealed there is no bone damage to Stephen's ankle, however there is significant ligament and muscle injury - he remains doubtful for the weekend at this stage"

Be a big loss not just for his ball carrying skills but his physicality and intensity are second to none and can be a game changer

Does anybody think the 1.30 early kick off on a Sunday will have any impact on the game / atmosphere or is there too much at stake for this to matter one iotto.

A rip roaring lets get at them atmosphere can only help. A tense nervy atmosphere will feed Ulster and help them grow in confidence.

Am I reading to much into this???

Blue, early games are always worse for atmosphere. Night games are just better for making some noise. It shouldn't have too much impact on the game itself. Both teams are capable of moving the ball if they want to and it should be dry on Sunday.

red_stag wrote:Thats the spirit DOD. You going to the match.

As BM said a kickoff on Easter Sunday at lunchtime doesnt do me or lots of people any favours...in fact its going to be a battle to get to the pub to see it.....

in fact I havent worked out my strategy for that yet!!!!

BlueMuff wrote:Does anybody think the 1.30 early kick off on a Sunday will have any impact on the game

Not me I'm usually bolloxed on two pints anyways......

Doesn't sound good about Ferris, sounds like he'll be out for a few weeks .

I think Blue has hit on something. Early Sunday kickoffs are by thier very nature quieter to start. Ulster could use that to their advantage.

Bad news on Ferris.

Munster are missing Dennis Leamy, so I think the loss of Ferris, evens things out.

Thomond wrote:Munster are missing Dennis Leamy, so I think the loss of Ferris, evens things out.

But Denis Leamy has more Ireland caps, more Heineken Cup winners medals, more Heineken Cup wins and more Ireland wins than Stephen Ferris.

According to my rugby top trumps trading cards he is better than Ferris so Ulster are STILL massive favourites.

Maybe we'll just agree thats it's the first game ever both teams are underdogs.

Now that decided lets look at the possible match ups

1. Wian Du Preez/Court, Court, Since the 6 nations has anyone noticed that Court has had a face like Thunder, he really is trying to prove himself after the critism in the press, will really look to put a marker down in this game. normally he looks a socialable person, now I'd be scared to be near him.

2. Mike Sheery/Best Best no argument

3. BJ/Afoa Bj in the scrum Afoa in the loose, it's a tough one I'll say draw but I think they would love to get one up on their replacement, Draw

4. DOC1/Touhy intresting one this, I'll say DOC edges this but close,


5. POC/Muller PoC Muller is as important to Ulster as Poc to Munster whoever wins this battle will be important

6. DR/Ferris Ferris if he plays

7. POM/Henry Not sure how POM been going Henry has been good think Henry was closer to national team Draw

8. Coughlan/Wannenburg Wannenberg he rarley lets Ulster down Coughlan in form Draw I say

Lock and back row are really close calls, and will have a big say on the game, who ever wins these battles will win the game

9. Murray/Pienaar Pienaar. Murray is a good player and learning quickly, however Pienaar has already learnt and is one of the best. This may be the one position where Ulster have a player with more big game experience than Munster.

10. ROG/IHumph ROG for his consistancy. Both have weak defences and are moved to wing when defending so we're even on that. Rog is will punish any penelty decisions and keep the board ticking over Hump blows hot and Cold, if hot can be masterful, however when was th elast time he blew hot in a big game?

11. ZEBO/Gilroy Zebo, he's been in a rich vein of form, Gilroy maybe not showing all his promise yet.

12. Maifi/Wallace Wallace has been playing great stuff recently, should have been the Irish 12 in 6 nations.

13. Earls /Cave Earls got the 13 shirt for Ireland and did well, Cave will be looking to impress if he has designs on the 13 shirt as well.

14. Hurley/Trimble Trimble for me, not been at his best but has been very good still

15. Jones/Terblanche Both are good and playing well I'll say draw

Munster 5 Ulster 6 Draw 4

Stag, Leamy being injured is really more equivalent to Mike McComish being injured...

Think it's about 95% certain he won't start. Can't see how he'll be fit with ligament damage in his ankle.

I've sort of accepted that since Friday. Which is annoying, because he's played 10 games for us this year. I think of him as an Ireland player. Any Ulster games he's fit for are a bonus.

Its unfortunate Notch because for the second season running hes played a massive role in the group stages, only to miss out come the QF.

In hindsight it was foolish to risk him against Aironi .

Gusher said on the commnetary for the Aironi game that it was Ferris' fourth Pro12 game...

Don, I am clearly taking the pish. Leamy isn't a starter for Munster anymore.

Rodders he had to play realistically at the weekend.

He rolled his ankle. Could have happened in training, getting out of the shower... unlucky for a player who deserves some good luck with injuries but thats how it goes. Wannenburg to 6 and Diack to 8 please.

Stag - as, clearly, was I.

Faloon for me, I think, rather than Diack.

i think 130pm on Easter Sunday will negate home advantage to an extent.

Very early, relatively sober crowd. I wonder will Ian Paisley make an appearance in the freestate to read from the book on the holiest of holy days.

its a real pity that crazy scheduling of games is trying to take the fun out of games in particular at international level. thank god we are on at 530pm on Saturday. Good 4 hours drinking before.

I'll be alright as i am bringing my favourite traveling drinks with me on the way down to Limerick - 'car beers'

Ferris latest Tweet?

"There is life in the old dog yet..."

industrial-strength mind games going on.

Has anyone tried tracking down yer man mr Miyagi or does his magic only work on knees.

BlueMuff wrote:Does anybody think the 1.30 early kick off on a Sunday will have any impact on the game / atmosphere or is there too much at stake for this to matter one iotto.

A rip roaring lets get at them atmosphere can only help. A tense nervy atmosphere will feed Ulster and help them grow in confidence.

Am I reading to much into this???

Blue,
At times like this, Munster fans should just have an early liquid breakfast to loosen the vocals. Ye lads are ligind at that.

Jayz goys, in a heap this morn. Think I'll make do with a Munster breakfast, roysh."

What's that Ross?

Its like... scratching moy balls and throwing a drop a water over moy face"

This game will miss 1F so much. I wanted so badly to see him play in this one. Made for him. He was on fire. If Munster get POC fit, it really gives them an edge imo.

McLaughlin is just copying the GAA method. Am sure Ferris will be fit and raring to go next Sun.

Apparently all 3 Munster intls are cleared for training. No news on wally or Hurley yet.

Wallace only has a few minutes against Aironi so even if hes fit will he play any part in the game? maybe on the bench?

I think Ferris will play! Ulster are giving us doom and gloom, yet Ferris is tweeting with a sparkle in his eye... Some heavy strapping, prescription painkillers and the thought of running over ROG will get him on to the pitch!

In keeping with the mood of the article where you're fighting over the underdog tag - Ulster are useless and probably shouldn't bother to turn up.

Personally I don't think we need Ferris for this one. I'd rather he sat it out if he's not 100%.

There could be bigger games ahead .....

Confident rodders? Nothing like some good old Northern positivity

I'm quietly confident DOD..... as heavy underdogs we haven't much to lose in this one...

Not confident with Ferris out - the difference he makes to us is huge, Diack is just nowhere near the same quality.

I'm not sure how likely it is that this is a bluff, but when Ferris walked off at the weekend, there was no limp, he didnt even appear to be stepping lightly on that ankle. Maybe its wishful thinking, but I'm hoping its not as bad as they are letting on.

I'd say there's no bluff. Ferris will be out. Its a huge blow but I think we can manage if other players step up to the plate.

Hells bells where's Geoff when you need him? Of all the weeks to go awol!

BBC are saying Ferris unlikley to play,

But how often have we heard things like this only for the player to recover enough and play at the last minute, really disrupts Munsters plans as they need to practise 2 gameplans, one facing Ferris one not facing Ferris.

Or are we Ulste fans just hopeing that this is all smoke and mirrors as we struggle to believe that Ferris mipe not play.

Golden wrote:Wallace only has a few minutes against Aironi so even if hes fit will he play any part in the game? maybe on the bench?

Golden he played 40 minutes for Munster A and 40 minutes against Aironi. If he managed 60 minutes against Leinster I'd be happy to start him but I'd still have him on the bench if fit now.

Talking to some heavy duty Munster people after the game on Saturday. They reckon he has played his last game. Pity if true. Great player. Great guy.

David Wallace is a legend. Hope he recovers and makes it back......

in two weeks time......

I'm engaging in the same wishful thinking as Clive re: Ferris... He walked off, he has no broken bones, no ligaments are torn (described as damaged), surely strapping/ painkillers and match-day adrenaline will see him through.

Also, Geoff had been quiet - perhaps sworn to secrecy - or perhaps he just has a life outside 606v2...

Nah damaged ligament is fairly serious and won't heal in a week. Two or 3 maybe.

Ferris is out lads. Chillax though.... this one will be the paddy Wallace show

I would 'Love It If We Beat Them' (Kevin Keegan style).

Even more would I love it if Paddy Wallace destroyed them.

Kingshu wrote:
10. ROG/IHumph ROG for his consistancy. Both have weak defences and are moved to wing when defending so we're even on that. Rog is will punish any penelty decisions and keep the board ticking over Hump blows hot and Cold, if hot can be masterful, however when was th elast time he blew hot in a big game?

Not true. O'Gara is not moved to the wing. In fact, O'Gara was Munster's 2nd top tackler after Mick O'Driscoll at the weekend with 14 tackles made (missing none).

Sin é wrote:

Kingshu wrote:
10. ROG/IHumph ROG for his consistancy. Both have weak defences and are moved to wing when defending so we're even on that. Rog is will punish any penelty decisions and keep the board ticking over Hump blows hot and Cold, if hot can be masterful, however when was th elast time he blew hot in a big game?

Not true. O'Gara is not moved to the wing. In fact, O'Gara was Munster's 2nd top tackler after Mick O'Driscoll at the weekend with 14 tackles made (missing none).

What about when Jennings bounced him on the halfway line? The only reason that would not count as a missed tackle was because another player came in to help.

I agree he never shirks tackles though like iHumph does. Has the bottle but always goes to high, and in fairness to him will never have the power.

Sin é wrote:

Kingshu wrote:
10. ROG/IHumph ROG for his consistancy. Both have weak defences and are moved to wing when defending so we're even on that. Rog is will punish any penelty decisions and keep the board ticking over Hump blows hot and Cold, if hot can be masterful, however when was th elast time he blew hot in a big game?

Not true. O'Gara is not moved to the wing. In fact, O'Gara was Munster's 2nd top tackler after Mick O'Driscoll at the weekend with 14 tackles made (missing none).

O Gara never makes tackles on his own. The truth is, he is not physically able to. This is why when he is exposed, you have at least one other player there to ensure he doesn't get completely busted. Apparently he wants to play until he's 38??

I hope he has medical / life assurance....

I'd say, unfortunately, that Ferris is doubtful - having done ankle ligaments myself, you do untold damage if you don't rest it early on (a mistake I made and which I'm still paying for despite all the physio I have had). Can't believe that the upstanding sons of Ulster would tell porkies about that anyway. Even Munster, who are known to put out a bit of disinformation from time to time, have said that POC, Ryan & Murray will more than likely play.

Looking forward to how BJ responds to his old friends and team mates. This will be personal for him.

As an aside (and since its a Munster-Ulster thread), the story about Sean Dougall, formerly of the Ulster Academy, who is coming to Munster next season is that he is a Scotsman, brought up in England and played under age for the Exiles. Spent 2 years in the Ulster academy and picked up a serious injury which had him out for about 2 years. Went home to England and started playing for Rotherham and has been doing very well there since, often captaining the team. He is an Openside.

BoyneRFC wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Kingshu wrote:
10. ROG/IHumph ROG for his consistancy. Both have weak defences and are moved to wing when defending so we're even on that. Rog is will punish any penelty decisions and keep the board ticking over Hump blows hot and Cold, if hot can be masterful, however when was th elast time he blew hot in a big game?

Not true. O'Gara is not moved to the wing. In fact, O'Gara was Munster's 2nd top tackler after Mick O'Driscoll at the weekend with 14 tackles made (missing none).

O Gara never makes tackles on his own. The truth is, he is not physically able to. This is why when he is exposed, you have at least one other player there to ensure he doesn't get completely busted. Apparently he wants to play until he's 38??

I hope he has medical / life assurance....

Is that you ASLS/Boyne from 606? Welcome

Most outhalfs would struggle on their own downing one of Jamie Heaslip, Sean O'Brien, Stephen Ferris or any backrower (or indeed monstrous midfields that are around now). I wonder is that why Ireland are big into the choke tackle

If you reread the post that I responded to, you will note that there is a claim made that he is moved out to the wing like Humphreys. He isn't.

And apparently (according to Brian O'Driscoll in Irish Times today), ROG was really fed up with being asked "when he was going to retire" (as is Brian O'Driscoll fed up with the same question). ROG was just trying to give an answer to stop the question.

Wee interview from trimble ahead of the wwekend if anyone wants something to read.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/10350.php

Boyne is that you sir????!