Connacht v Ulster. Sat 14th April, Sportsground (kick off 5.15pm)

Ulster Team to play Connacht, Sat 14th April, Sportsground (kick off 5.15pm):

(15-9): S Terblanche; I Whitten, N Spence, P Jackson, A D'Arcy; I Humphreys, P Marshall;
(1-8): P McAllister,N Brady (capt), T Court, L Stevenson, N McComb, M McComish, W Faloon, R Diack;
Replacements (16-23): A Kyriacou, C Black, A Macklin, I Henderson, A Birch, R Pienaar, C Gilroy, M Allen

Unavailable due to injury:
Jared Payne (Achilles), Chris Cochrane (foot), Tim Barker (back), Simon Danielli (hamstring)

A great chance for some of the fringe players to put their hands up for possible squad places in the HC Semi Final.

Connacht XV to face Ulster

15 Gavin Duffy (C)
14 Tiernan O’Halloran
13 Kyle Tonetti
12 Henry Fa’afili
11 Fetu’u Vainikolo
10 Miah Nikora
09 Frank Murphy

01 Brett Wilkinson
02 Ethienne Reynecke
03 Ronan Loughney
04 Michael Swift
05 Mike McCarthy
06 John Muldoon
07 Ray Ofisa
08 George Naoupu

Replacements
16 Adrian Flavin
17 Denis Buckley
18 Rodney Ah You
19 Mick Kearney
20 Johnny O’Connor
21 Paul O’Donohoe
22 Matthew Jarvis
23 Eoin Griffin

No Niall O'Connor or Mark McCrea.

It will be a rested team I would imagine but a team that could still go out there and win.
But Connacht are good side now, so I am not expecting a bonus point, it would be lovely though. My guess would be:-

1)Court
2)Brady
3)Fitzpatrick
4)Muller (C)
5)Stevenson
6)Wannenburg
7)Faloon
8)Diack
9)P. Marshall
10)Humphreys
11)Gilroy
12)Wallace
13)Spence
14) Ian Whitten
15)D'Arcy

Huge game. You heading down Rava?

I'd go with something like:

15 D'arcy
14 Trimble
13 Spence
12 Whitten
11 Stefan Terblanche
10 IHumph
9 Paul Marshall
8 Robbie Diack
6 Chris Henry (C)
7 Willie Faloon
5 Dan Tuohy
4 Lewis Stevenson
3 Adam Macklin
2 Andy Kyricou
1 Paddy McAllister

Bench: Tom Court, Nigel Brady, Declan Fitzpatrick, Johann Muller, Pedrie Wannenburg, Ruan Pienaar, Paddy Jackson, Conor Gaston

I think Court will be rested or at most have a cameo off the bench. The poor guy was spent on Sunday. He could hardly get off the turf to celebrate after the final whistle.

Still tired after the 60m solo try he scored the other week probably .

I quite like Rodders team with a couple of exceptions.

Deccie Fitz for Macklin (we need him up to speed if big John is banned). Happy with either mind you
Brady for Kyriacou
Luke Marshall for Whitten (1 will be here next year. give him his preferred position)
Whitten for Terblanche (He's 37 ffs)

Standulstermen wrote:Luke Marshall for Whitten (1 will be here next year. give him his preferred position)Whitten for Terblanche (He's 37 ffs)

Good shout. Surprised there how short we are on wingers actually with Danielli out.

I'd rest Tuohy too.

Biggest tackle count of anyone on Sunday.

Thought about that Mrs P but then he didn't play the week before.

I'd be inclined to play Tuohy and leave out Muller, who probably isn't quite as fit or physical as Tuohy.

With Barker out we don't have alot of options there.

Paddy McAllister
Andi Kyriacou
Declan Fitzpatrick,
Lewis Stevenson
Dan Tuohy
Mike McComish
Robbie Diack
Willie Faloon
Paul Marshall
Ian Humphreys (c)
Conor Gaston
Luke Marshall
Nevin Spence
Ian Whitten
Adam D'Arcy

Replacements: Calum Black Adam Macklin, Nigel Brady, Neil McComb, Pedrie Wannenburg, Ian Porter, Paddy Jackson, Paddy Wallace,

I have no problem with seeing Neil McComb in the 22 though. Perfectly good option for us!

Rava that looks like a Ravens team.

However it's the one I'd put out as well, rest nearly everyone. Then play 1st 15 v Leinster.

Kingshu wrote:Rava that looks like a Ravens team.

However it's the one I'd put out as well, rest nearly everyone. Then play 1st 15 v Leinster.

Leinster are likely to put out a weak team, its the one game where i think we should be resting players. Connacht is going to be tough. If we lose the semi we won't be happy that we didnt even try to keep ourselves in contention in the Rabo.

Clive I think that side are well capable of getting the win in Galway.
Tis only a suggestion though. McLaughlin said earlier that they will assess the recovery of the players before making decisions. I fully expect a smattering of the first choice players to be starting.

Clive get a grip of yourself man! We aren't going to lose no SF! If we do the world will end!!

Team news; Nigel Brady to captain the side in Connacht.

https://youtu.be/A3gkMOxFzgs?t=45s

That means Chris Henry, Johann Muller, Rory Best and Paddy Wallace are probably not playing.

Whats going on, where is everyone?

Brain McLaughlin has named a massive squad, and he explains its down to player fatigue...

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/10386.php

Could he pull the same trick he did away against Leinster? We know Brady is captain already.

I don't think it will be as severe as Leinster but you are probably correct about the main guys that will be missing.

If Brady is captain then its likely no one who played against Munster will start.

Is Kyricou still in the dog house?

Maybe, but i expect a return to the bench at least.

Normally these Cornerflag interviews are with some of the guys who are in the team. This week it was Brady, Faloon and Humphreys. Safe bet to think all three will start.

I believe that In Darcy, Whitten, Spence, Marshall, Faloon. We don't weaken considerably. But then after that our lack of depth starts to tell. I hope we don't just dismiss the Rabo as unimportant completely...

Newsletter are reporting that Court will play Tighthead. (IRFU also want him to play there)
They are also reporting that Jackson will start at 12 along with Nevin Spence. Surprising choice if true. Luke Marshall either hasn't impressed in training or the current management don't think he's good enough.

McAllister, Brady, Court
Tuohy, Stevenson
McComish/McComb, Faloon, Diack
Marshall, Humphreys
Jackson, Spence
Gilroy, Terblanche & D'Arcy.

It could be they are just wary of his fitness. He didn't play/train for 4 months until January but I agree it is a strange call. Court at TH for Edinburgh then so

I reckon they just really want to get paddy J game time and leaving out Humph as well as Paddy Wallace would just be too weak. Its strange, but glad to see Jackson getting game time.

Not sure we'll win this match with that team.

(15-9): S Terblanche; I Whitten, N Spence, P Jackson, A D'Arcy; I Humphreys, P Marshall;
(1-8): P McAllister,N Brady (capt), T Court, L Stevenson, N McComb, M McComish, W Faloon, R Diack;
Replacements (16-23): A Kyriacou, C Black, A Macklin, I Henderson, A Birch, R Pienaar, C Gilroy, M Allen

I'll tell you one guy who isn't up in arms about Ulster changing head coaches; Luke Marshall!

He's had Spence moved to 12 ahead of him, and now Jackson. Whats the guy got to do to get a game?!

Connacht XV to face Ulster

15 Gavin Duffy (C)
14 Tiernan O’Halloran
13 Kyle Tonetti
12 Henry Fa’afili
11 Fetu’u Vainikolo
10 Miah Nikora
09 Frank Murphy

01 Brett Wilkinson
02 Ethienne Reynecke
03 Ronan Loughney
04 Michael Swift
05 Mike McCarthy
06 John Muldoon
07 Ray Ofisa
08 George Naoupu

Replacements
16 Adrian Flavin
17 Denis Buckley
18 Rodney Ah You
19 Mick Kearney
20 Johnny O’Connor
21 Paul O’Donohoe
22 Matthew Jarvis
23 Eoin Griffin

No Niall O'Connor or Mark McCrea.

Is there an issue with Marshall though? A bit worried at this stage. He should be a vitally important player in ulsters future provided his attitude is right

I'm assuming Marshall can't be fit?

Looking forward to seeing Jackson at 12 but it seems odd that we have a 10 at 12 and a 12 at 14.

I'd imagine there'll be a bit off a shuffle in the second half with Jackson moving to 10 alongside Pienaar.

Are we vulnerable defensively at 10/12?

I fancy Connacht to win this one unfortunately .

Hard one to figure Stand. He has been playing regularly for his club since January and as far as I know there are no injury concerns.

I agree with Notch, he'll be standing at the gates waiting for Anscombe to arrive.

There's rumblings on UAFC that Marshall will be helping Ballymena this weekend, as they need to win.

Is that team good enough to win away to Connacht? I don't think so. We don't have the player numbers to compete on two fronts, though. Fine in the backs - but our backrow is not good. And that's a good Connacht equivalent.

I do agree with Court at TH. I reckon he'll play against Edinburgh. But Macklin or Fitzpatrick need to get a couple of run-outs, just in case.

Aye, Don. Fitzpatrick would be a worry. I would have thought if he was fit then he would have been on the bench.

I'm still going for a narrow win though. SUFTUM

My concern about Court at TH is that we are asking him to do it 6 days after he gave his all for 80 mins in Thomond. I really hope it goes well for him there or we could have problems.

Are we seriously going to put Ballymena ahead of a possible Ulster play-off place? They may be happy to let Ballymena have him this weekend, but if they thought he was our best option he'd definitely be going to Galway.

It's frustrating for me because I really rate Luke Marshall. Hopefully this frustration makes him a better player in the long run. There's a new coach coming in so pre-season next year is going to be a great chance for a whole variety of players to out their hands up. I'm excited just thinking about next year.

MrsP, I doubt Court will play more than 40/50 minutes. I was surprised at his inclusion too. Rava, do you remember hearing in pre-season Fitzpatrick being made to do extra fitness? God knows how fit he is now after being out injured for the best part of five months!

I suspect Whitten could be called in to cover the 10/12 channel. Jackson at 12 is certainly a curveball. Backrow looks worryingly weak. Really hope we announce a new name soon.

I'm not happy about this selection. Leinster is the game to rest players not this one. Shooting ourselves in the foot. Lose this and the HC is the be all and end all...

Fitzpatrick I don't think will be an option given that he isn't featuring this weekend. Court will get 40 mins I suspect with Macklin getting significant gametime

I wouldn't be resting players for the last home game of the season. I suspect nearly a full team for that one with bringing some guys off early

No, clive, this is definitely the game to rest players. You think we can recover better in six days? Or two weeks?

This weekend off for extended recovery, next weekend a warm up game for the semi final.

Not really clive, every game now is a must win and Leinster will send a strong side to Ravenhill.

After the ferocity of last weekend we had to rotate big time here but there are some odd calls.

I don't believe for one second that Ballymena has taken precedence over this game. If Marshall was seen as the best option at 12 he'd be playing here.

Clearly something has happened that he's slipped way down the pecking order since last season. He's either not fit or the coaches aren't happy with something.

I reckon there is an element of trying to give Jackson some game time with a view to develop him for next season and wanting to rest Ruan and Paddy. No doubt its strange but I do trust that there is a good reason for it all.

Also glad that it looks like Paddy McAllister will get to start a HC Semi, good for his development!

Heres Leinster team for this weekend.
Isa Nacewa; David Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Gordon D'Arcy, Fionn Carr; Ian Madigan, Isaac Boss; Heinke van der Merwe, Sean Cronin, Nathan White, Damian Browne, Devin Toner, Rhys Ruddock, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip (capt).

I guess a fair chunk of them must be more physically fit and superior to our players then, since our lads need a rest so bad?

I know leinster had an extra day, but I believe the leinster game will be easier than this connacht game. The team is TOO weak.

In fairness, I'm no expert, I don't know how much that kind of match takes out of our players, I'm happy to be told I'm wrong.

But it seems to me that that is selection from a club thats not bothered about the Rabo any more...

clivemcl wrote:Heres Leinster team for this weekend.
Isa Nacewa; David Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Gordon D'Arcy, Fionn Carr; Ian Madigan, Isaac Boss; Heinke van der Merwe, Sean Cronin, Nathan White, Damian Browne, Devin Toner, Rhys Ruddock, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip (capt).

I guess a fair chunk of them must be more physically fit and superior to our players then, since our lads need a rest so bad?

Clive that team only has 3 starters from the Blues game, which was much easier than ours.

They will be full strength at Ravenhill and if we're not they will hammer us.

We have to beat both Connacht and Leinster to stay in Rabo contention.

I very much doubt that Marshall would choose to start for Ballymena over starting for Ulster, which he hasn't had many chances to do all season. In fact it would be pretty ridiculous if that were true (which I very highly doubt it is).

Clive, we are going to rest players for at least one of the games before the semi final. The management must believe that the team selected can do a job against Connacht before bringing the 'First' team back to beat Leinster....

Rodders, does a win v edinburgh not guarantee leinster a home semi? Why would they send full strength to ravers?

I didnt actually check, but I'm surprised only three of those leinster players started their QF. My bad.

clivemcl wrote:Heres Leinster team for this weekend.
Isa Nacewa; David Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Gordon D'Arcy, Fionn Carr; Ian Madigan, Isaac Boss; Heinke van der Merwe, Sean Cronin, Nathan White, Damian Browne, Devin Toner, Rhys Ruddock, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip (capt).

I guess a fair chunk of them must be more physically fit and superior to our players then, since our lads need a rest so bad?

I know leinster had an extra day, but I believe the leinster game will be easier than this connacht game. The team is TOO weak.

In fairness, I'm no expert, I don't know how much that kind of match takes out of our players, I'm happy to be told I'm wrong.

But it seems to me that that is selection from a club thats not bothered about the Rabo any more...

Clive, Leinster have 3 starters from their HEC game starting in that team. Same as Ulster. The difference is Leinster have great strength in depth, so they can compete in both competitions better than most. I think it is a bit silly to say Ulster are not bothered about the Rabo anymore. It is clear though that the HEC is and should be our priority, and the players do need rested after the Munster game. But we aren't throwing this game away, I think the players are going to play their hearts out after seeing the seniors win over Munster.

clivemcl wrote:Rodders, does a win v edinburgh not guarantee leinster a home semi? Why would they send full strength to ravers?

Because they'll want to put their full side out before the HEC SF. So do we.

There's no way the lads who tackled themselves into the ground last week should be sent out against Connacht in Galway.

This is probably the most physical and toughest fixture we could have faced this week and I think if we come away with the win here it will be one of our best results of the season.

I haven't seen either the Leinster v Blues match nor the stats from it but I would be astonished if that match was any where near as attritional as our match.

I suspect that gane in Thomond is as physically demanding a match as most of our lads have ever played. Have you seen the tackle count?

That added to the shorter recovery means our lads are definately in more need of a break than the Leinster lads. It has no baring on fitness levels at all.

MrsP wrote:I haven't seen either the Leinster v Blues match nor the stats from it but I would be astonished if that match was any where near as attritional as our match.

I suspect that gane in Thomond is as physically demanding a match as most of our lads have ever played. Have you seen the tackle count?

That added to the shorter recovery means our lads are definately in more need of a break than the Leinster lads. It has no baring on fitness levels at all.

Mrs P Leinster were about the only team on the pitch last week if you watch some of their tries it was training ground stuff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j4h_SCK-gQ