Ulster v Glasgow (Friday 19.05) Discussion Thread

[Rava]

First topic message reminder :

Ulster XV & replacements to play Glasgow, RaboDirect PRO12, Fri 31st August (7.05pm), Ravenhill

(15-9): J Payne; M Allen, C Farrell, L Marshall, C Gilroy; P Jackson, M Heaney;

(1-8): C Black, R Herring, J Afoa, J Muller (c), L Stevenson, R Diack, S Doyle, N Williams.

Replacements (16-23): N Brady, T Court, D Fitzpatrick, N McComb, M McComish, P Marshall, N O'Connor, D Cave.

Glasgow team is out:

15. Peter Murchie
14. Tommy Seymour
13. Alex Dunbar
12. Graeme Morrison
11. Sean Lamont
10. Duncan Weir
9. Henry Pyrgos

8. Ryan Wilson
7. Chris Fusaro
6. Rob Harley
5. Al Kellock (c)
4. Tom Ryder
3. Mike Cusack
2. Finlay Gillies
1. Gordon Reid

Replacements:
Dougie Hall, Moray Low, Ryan Grant, James Eddie, John Barclay, Chris Cusiter, Ruaridh Jackson, Peter Horne.

[Cari]

Sort of MrsP, I've changed the words to "Lie down for Tommy Bowe..." which also fits

I hope that you'll be putting the bunting out in January when I visit. Looking forward to seeing T. going native and meeting the locals. I've picked the mid-January Heino match.

[Rava]

Well I hope you know which team to cheer for Cari!

Have you been practising?

"Stand uuuuuuup for the UlllstermenUlllstermAn ......"

Fixed that for you.

[Cari]

Well I hope you know which team to cheer for Cari!

You'd better hope Tommy remembers which players he should be offloading to as well!

[MrsP]

Sort of MrsP, I've changed the words to "Lie down for Tommy Bowe..." which also fits

I hope that you'll be putting the bunting out in January when I visit. Looking forward to seeing T. going native and meeting the locals. I've picked the mid-January Heino match.

The rematch with Glasgow?

RDW! You will never get it out of your head. And the daft stadium music actually impaired the home fans from being able to do justice to our anthem!

[Cari]

Yeah it's the home game during the weekend of the 11th. Will be there for a few days mind exploring Belfast...very excited!

[MrsP]

Exciting indeed!

At least we should be playing our best squad for an HEC game, injury allowing!

Have you organised anything?

[Cari]

Time off work...I start booking the hotel/flight from Friday. If it's anything like my Dublin trip was (and I think it'll come a close second at least) it'll be awesome with little organisation!

Sorry for hijacking the thread there...carry on...Ulster v Glasgae...

[Notch]

Targeting the Ospreys game for his first appearance in an Ulster shirt for four years apparently.

Bonza! Cause I'm going to that one!

Hope he starts for you next week then. But he may be used a sub at first.

[Rava]

It's my thread. I'll allow it

[MrsP]

Opening ceremony for Paralympics starting!

Later!

[neilthom7]

Rava are you trying to do an Ospreys playing Payne at 16? Yeah Rava you are right about Birch though he had quite the headache after it and as for DTH I imagine the commentators pleaded for him to not appear so they wouldn't have to say his name over and over again, it's a bit of a mouthful lol

[Notch]

Interestingly it seems like Tom Court, Paul Marshall and Darren Cave will be looking at places on the bench for this one. Nobody just walks back in. Reputations left at the door.

I like it.

[Jenifer McLadyboy]

Interestingly it seems like Tom Court, Paul Marshall and Darren Cave will be looking at places on the bench for this one. Nobody just walks back in. Reputations left at the door.

I like it.

Could it not be that they are just being eased back in? Because they are behind in their preseason?

[geoff998rugby]

Interestingly it seems like Tom Court, Paul Marshall and Darren Cave will be looking at places on the bench for this one. Nobody just walks back in. Reputations left at the door.

I like it.

I think Cave will start but the other 2 will be on the bench. Cave's ability to organize the defensive line will be vital.
Poor Farrell could lose out completely but his time will come

[George Carlin]

Glasgow will be extremely grateful if Cave doesn't start.

[geoff998rugby]

Anscombe has confirmed that Henderson is out till October

Mind you he also said Rory would be avaialble for late September which is interesting when Rory told me he wouldn't make it till October

[RuggerRadge2611]

Morrison at 12? I really though we were past this sort of thing

Would have loved to have seen Dunbar at 12 with Lamont at 13 or perhaps even Jackson at 12 with Dunbar at 13.

Morrison is just not a competent enough distributor to play at 12 in proffesional rugby.

[Pat_Mustard]

Dunbar at 12 with any of Lamont, DTH or Byron at 13 would be fine for me. Would also prefer Nathan ahead of Morrison but I get the feeling Townsend is still experimenting with combinations at the moment, hopefully it's not a sign of how the season will go.

[geoff998rugby]

Shows how much I know Farrell starts Cave on the bench

Mind you got the rest of the team right.

So Gilroy is the old man of the half backs and threes - that is one hell of a statement. From 9 to 14 I suspect this is our youngest lineup ever !

[WillyGilly]

Christ on a bike that's a young line up.

[geoff998rugby]

Interestingly it seems like Tom Court, Paul Marshall and Darren Cave will be looking at places on the bench for this one. Nobody just walks back in. Reputations left at the door.

I like it.

Could it not be that they are just being eased back in? Because they are behind in their preseason?

They are behind and I suspect you are bang on

[funnyExiledScot]

Will be fascinating to see how the Ulster children get on against grizzled on veterans like Morrison, Lamont and Seymour, a real contrast in team selection.

Personally I think Ulster will be a bit too quick and speedy for Glasgow on this occassion, although my only query to my own prediction is whether Harley, Fusaro and Wilson will be able to win the breakdown battle. Fusaro's performance will be key. If the weather is grim then it certainly plays into the hands of big old lumps like Morrison and Lamont.

[geoff998rugby]

Seymour - a grizzled veteran.

Sure he is someone who couldn't cut it with us

Hope that doesn't come back to haunt me

[funnyExiledScot]

Compared to your side he's the grandfather of rugby!!

Seymour has had a good pre-season by all accounts, and I actually rate him pretty highly. A good direct runner and picks good lines. Flat speed not hugely impressive and had can drift in and out of games, but I'm not bothered that he's considered by you lot as an Ulster reject. Hopefully he'll turn up with a point to prove.....

[Notch]

I don't consider him an Ulster reject and he's not either- he could have stayed, but he wanted gametime.

If he had stayed he would probably be starting for Ulster in this game given the number of players missing. I was disappointed when he left as I rate him as a good Pro12 level player.

[geoff998rugby]

He would not have been offered a contract - it was probably him or Cochrane for a development contract. At Glasgow he had the chance of a full contract, at Ulster he did not.

I agree a decent enough player - it was just with Bowe, Trimble, Gilroy he know the writing was on the wall.

[geoff998rugby]

Just checked on the age of those 6 players

2 born in Nov 1990 - Allen, Hearney
2 born in Match 1991 - Marshall, Gilroy
1 born in Jan 1992 - Jackson
1 born in March 1993 - Farrell

[neilthom7]

Wow im over the hill at 23 lol

[Notch]

This is such a massive game for us. Must-win.

[Rava]

This is such a massive game for us. Must-win.

Bit of an understatement, aren't they all and especially the home ones!!
Actually it's the first time for a while I feel confident about a game against Glasgow. This looks the best prepared Ulster side for a new season ever. Anscombe has resisted doing what others have done in the past - i.e. bringing back the Internationals just because they are available. The guys he has kept faith with will reward that faith.

SUFTUM

[neilthom7]

I just can't wait wait for the new season to begin again, just 1 more day and I'm on the way to Ravers again. Good times. I think we will do it tomorrow too, Anscombe has got a really good squad mentality going and I think Rava is right I think the boys are better prepared now than ever before. SUFTUM

[Notch]

Seriously, last season we lost two home games out of fourteen. That wasn't good enough. Disappointing to lose to Leinster but the loss to Treviso was exceptionally sub-par. This season we should be aiming to go unbeaten at home in both league and Cup!

Certainly can't slip up in our first match. Certainly the standards we need to set don't allow us to do that. And yet, our long, long list of missing players leaves us at a big disadvantage to a relatively first choice Glasgow.

I believe we will win tomorrow but it could be hairy if 9-13 don't click. We really need our tight five to dominate.

[MrsP]

Wow!

That back line won the Schools Cup just a few years ago!

Okay, so Michael Allen played in the centre and Payne, Marshall and Farrell weren't there but it is still pretty amazing, no?

[neilthom7]

The difference could come down to the experienced guys coming off the bench with about 20 to go. Cave, O'Connor and Marshall could be key.

[Notch]

Cave, O'Connor and Marshall could be key.

No harm to Niall. But he's not a game breaking sub. Maybe if we need to kick the corners and play territory he can make an impact. Think Glasgow have a stronger bench because the other two will be rusty.

[Don Alfonso]

The difference could come down to the experienced guys coming off the bench with about 20 to go. Cave, O'Connor and Marshall could be key.

I know I sound like a broken record, but have you seen Glasgow's bench?

[cp10]

The difference could come down to the experienced guys coming off the bench with about 20 to go. Cave, O'Connor and Marshall could be key.

I know I sound like a broken record, but have you seen Glasgow's bench?

Seven Scottish Internationals and 2 Scotland 7s on the bench. Weak bench!

[Cari]

Targeting the Ospreys game for his first appearance in an Ulster shirt for four years apparently.

Bonza! Cause I'm going to that one!

Hope he starts for you next week then. But he may be used a sub at first.

I don't mind. As long as he gets at least five minutes off the bench. He'll get a lovley reception if he does anyway

[neilthom7]

What I mean by that is they are more experienced and if it is tight and we need to play tactically, those guys could make the difference between our young guys getting overrun and us holding on.

[Rava]

I would let them read this before they start. Might just be the incentive they need

http://whiffofcordite.com/2012/08/30/201213-season-preview-ulster/

[neilthom7]

Oh yes i'm sure that would do it Rava.

[Notch]

It's funny. WoC says "it’s hard to imagine Ulster could survive long stretches while relying on the likes of Black, Diack, Williams and O’Connor."

But Black, Diack and Williams were arguably our three most impressive players in pre-season. They are all staking an early claim to put pressure on the likes of Court and Wilson for starting places on the Heineken Cup team already.

[Notch]

What I find bizarre in these previews is how underrated Williams, Diack and Jackson are. It doesn't stack up with what I've seen of them as players.

I understand Diack has been underperforming, but he's a majorly talented player who seems to have finally cracked bringing the physicality he has to the table. I understand Williams did poorly at Munster, but he was a key man and consistent try scorer at Aironi and is the perfect impact sub. He's unbelievably hard to stop from close range. I understand Jackson had a poor Heineken Cup final, but he's also the most highly rated U20s outhalf since Ronan O'Gara and has a very cool, collected personality.

They may all play badly, but there's a much better chance of them making a big contribution this season. I would not be uncomfortable with any one of them starting in Heineken Cup games so I'm baffled why so many people seem these as liabilities in the Pro12

[Rory_Gallagher]

Diack has been frustrating in the past, but I really think he could be a different player this season. He seems to have totally changed his attitude. It seems as if he is aiming for a starting place and no less, as he should be, rather than just accepting that he isn't first choice. Nor should he, he hasn't even lived up to his potential yet IMO.

As for Black, I think last season he looked promising too. I hope his form continues, he seems like a very hard working player. What age is he?

[Rava]

Notch I usually find WoC a good read but this time I think the article has been written without much thought or up to date information.
As I said in the comments it's like it was written two months ago before the Pre-season started.

[Rory_Gallagher]

There are a few articles I have read recently predicting a pretty average or poor season for Ulster. I agree with you though Rava, there doesn't seem to be much thought actually put into them. Over the course of the summer I have begun to feel very optimistic about Ulster and what Anscombe is doing with the team. Not to mention the young guys stepping up and taking their chances. Our depth looks much better now.

[Don Alfonso]

I posted a link in the other Ulster thread to a Bele Tele interview with Diack. Sounds like he's drawn a line in the sand. Says he wants to prove himself and actually sounds a bit shamefaced.

Some players capture the imagination, maybe with a standout performance, and some don't. And the ones that don't, as they quietly improve, no-one cares bar the fans from their own province.

The other thing is, in the Irish media, a dozen blistering performances in the Rabo, or a couple in the HEC will be disregarded if a players does poorly in an inter-pro against Munster or Leinster. Just the way the media works.

[theshanker]

Anyone have a link to stream the match on my iPad am currently on hols in Italy would love to watch or even listen if commentary is on radio ulster.

[WillyGilly]

T minus 6 hours. Back line has an average age younger than me. Utterly terrifying how much potential there is. Just hope this isn't a step too quick.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

BBC Alba are showing it live gents (and non-Gents)

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