Ulster v Munster Friday 14th Sept. Discussion Thread

[Rava]

First topic message reminder :

Ulster XV & replacements to face Munster, RaboDirect PRO12, Friday 14th September, Ravenhill (7.05pm):
(15-9): J Payne; A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, M Allen; P Jackson, P Marshall;
(1-8): T Court, N Brady, J Afoa, J Muller (c), L Stevenson, S Ferris, S Doyle, N Williams;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, D Fitzpatrick, N McComb, M McComish, M Heaney, P Nelson, C Gilroy.

Ulster Ravens team and replacements to face Munster A, Friday 14th September, Deramore, Park, Belfast (kick off 3pm):
(15-9):Ricky Andrew, Chris Colvin, Stuart McCloskey, Nevin Spence, Chris Cochrane; Niall O’Connor, Blane McIlroy;
(1-8): Richard Lutton, Niall Annett, Conor Carey, Alan O’Connor, Dan Tuohy, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry (c), Sean O’Connell;
Replacements (16-23): John Burns, Michael Cromie, Glenn Sinnamon, James Simpson, Neil Faloon, Scott Gibson, Ritchie McMaster, Michael McCauley.

Munster: Denis Hurley; Doug Howlett Capt., Casey Laulala, James Downey, Luke O’Dea; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; Dave Kilcoyne, Damien Varley, BJ Botha; Donncha O’Callaghan, Billy Holland; Dave O’Callaghan, Sean Dougall, James Coughlan. Replacements: Mike Sherry, Marcus Horan, Stephen Archer, Dave Foley, Tommy O’Donnell, Conor Murray, Ronan O’Gara, Keith Earls.

Munster A: Sean Scanlon; Ronan O’Mahony, Danny Barnes, JJ Hanrahan, Ivan Dineen; Scott Deasy, Peter Stringer; James Cronin, Sean Henry, Christy Condon; Philip Donnellan, Brian Hayes; Niall Ronan, Barry O’Mahony, Paddy Butler. Replacements: Duncan Casey, Kevin Griffin, Alan Cotter, Cathal O’Flaherty, Shane Buckley, Cathal Sheridan, Corey Hircock, Cian Bohane.

[Sin é]

crickey, big ask of Dave Kilcoyne! No other surprises really.

Interesting to see that JJ is at 12 for the A's. Looks like Penney is going to go the Dan Carter route of bringing him through!

[rodders]

15) Jared Payne/Denis Hurley
14) Craig Gilroy/Doug Howlett
13) Darren Cave/Casey Laulala
12) Luke Marshall/James Downey
11) Andrew Trimble/Luke O’Dea
10) Paddy Jackson/Ian Keatley
9) Paul Marshall/Duncan Williams

1) Tom Court/ Kilcoyne
2) Rob Herring/Damien Varley
3) John Afoa/BJ Botha
4) Johann Muller/Donncha O’Callaghan
5) Lewis Stevenson/Billy Holland
6) Stephen Ferris/Dave O’Callaghan
7) Sean Doyle/Sean Dougall
8)Nick Williams/James Coughlan

If that Ulster teams is right, I have to say that I think the Ulster team looks stronger, and with home advantage Ulster would be favourites. Mind you Munster were favourites last year in H-cup game....

I'd say theres not much in it Kingshu, but with home advantage we really need a result here if we want to mount a serious title challenge.

This is a good test for both sides to see where they are under their new coaching regimes.

I think we should have the edge in the pack but thats not a bad Munster backline. This could go either way.

[Notch]

Stephen Ferris talks about his Ulster career.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/10766.php

I feel emotional! Hope he's saving an absolutely massive game for his 100th cap.

[Pot Hale]

Just discovered that I have to be in Belfast on Friday afternoon.

Anyone know if there'd still be tickets knocking about?

[Don Alfonso]

Hope so - I just learned I can go myself!

[Don Alfonso]

Stephen Ferris talks about his Ulster career.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/10766.php

I feel emotional! Hope he's saving an absolutely massive game for his 100th cap.

As they described him in the commentary for the Munster HEC game, the "soul" of the Ulster team.

On a tangent, they advertised for a new media person a month or so ago. The URTV clips are now notably better, with cutaways, dolly shots, nice lighting etc. I wondered if that Kingofthehill guy got the job, and us now in the "inner sanctum".

[geoff998rugby]

Just discovered that I have to be in Belfast on Friday afternoon.

Anyone know if there'd still be tickets knocking about?

There are but I would no chance paying on the gate just in case.

Contact the club now and arrange something - you can buy in advance and pick up before the match

[rodders]

Yeah you can just book online and collect at the gate.

[Don Alfonso]

Anyone going to the Ravens match? We'll have a fairly poor team out, I'd say - missing Best, McAllister, Henderson, Diack, Wilson, Pienaar, Wallace and Bowe has a knock-on effect. Also a number of our fringe players will be playing the Munster U20s at Deramore Park, is that right? So we won't see Farrell, Olding or Joyce.

Apparently Deccie Fitzpatrick is carrying a knock to his knee - Macklin might be Afoa's back-up.

Also, anyone have a spare Terrace tcket?

[red_stag]

Looking forward to the games. Think the Munster A team has a few nice combos.

I like the 9, 10, 12, 13 of Stringer, Deasy, Hanrahan and Barnes which IMO is good enough for a Rabo match. Similarly its a good backrow with Niall Ronan and Paddy Butler. Ivan Dineen (who scored the winning try against Ulster in Ravenhill in 2010) is on the wing. He's similar to Ian Whitten.

[Rava]

Looking forward to the games. Think the Munster A team has a few nice combos.

I like the 9, 10, 12, 13 of Stringer, Deasy, Hanrahan and Barnes which IMO is good enough for a Rabo match. Similarly its a good backrow with Niall Ronan and Paddy Butler. Ivan Dineen (who scored the winning try against Ulster in Ravenhill in 2010) is on the wing. He's similar to Ian Whitten.

Very much so.

I do fear we will be seriously less experienced than you lot.

[rodders]

Grand so one win a piece, every one is happy .

[LondonTiger]

Munster's back row, LHP and second lock are new names to me. what are they like? wil lMunster's pack be strong enough to give what looks a decent back line enough ball?

[red_stag]

London Tiger, a quick overview.

Looshead: Dave Kilcoyne: Personally Im not convinced. However, and it especially applies to props, with solid gametime he could do a decent job. Has done well enough at A level so far.

Lock: Billy Holland: A very likeable team player. Has shown excellent captaincy for the Munster A team in the past and at 26 has still lots left in him. A good squad player to have.

Sean Dougall: Dave O'Callaghan: A blindside who can also cover second row he is a good player. Showed superb handling to feed a blind inside pass for a try last week. Very young only 22 years old.

Openside: Sean Dougall. A gem of a signing so far. He is a 22 year old who was in the Ulster Academy before playing in the Championship in England for a few years. Munster picked him up and he has played in all our preseason and league games so far. Has had a very good start to the season.

Number 8: James Coughlan: An older player who broke into the Musnter squad in his late 20s. He has done very well in Heineken Cup and RaboDirect matches in the past. I think he is on the down though with the likes of Stander, O'Mahony, O'Callaghan, Dougall and Butler all coming through.

[LondonTiger]

Thanks stag.

[clivemcl]

Interesting. Diack misses out completly and Gilroy drops to the bench with Allen keeping his spot!

[clivemcl]

Also, Brady replacing Herring. Is this just to rest him? Brady on way out. I assumed he wouldne start unless there was an injury crisis.

Strong team all the same.

[rodders]

Can you post the team clive?

[geoff998rugby]

(15-9): J Payne; A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, M Allen; P Jackson, P Marshall;
(1-8): T Court, N Brady, J Afoa, J Muller (c), L Stevenson, S Ferris, S Doyle, N Williams;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, D Fitzpatrick, N McComb, M McComish, M Heaney, P Nelson, C Gilroy.

Why pick Allen and drop Gilroy - I don't get it.
He has decided Henry and Tuohy will benefit more from a full game with the Ravens.
Hell of a compliment to Mccormish and McComb and it is deserved.
Brady just getting game time

[clivemcl]

(15-9): J Payne; A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, M Allen; P Jackson, P Marshall;
(1-8): T Court, N Brady, J Afoa, J Muller (c), L Stevenson, S Ferris, S Doyle, N Williams;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, D Fitzpatrick, N McComb, M McComish, M Heaney, P Nelson, C Gilroy.

[rodders]

Nice one clive ..... and there you have it Rava Trims starts in the 14 jersey, rather than 11.

Significant in terms of where Bowe will play? Or maybe Gilroy isn't full fit and Anscombe didn't want to switch Allen to the right?

What odds that BBCNI will award Stevie Ferris MOTM on his 100th cap?...

[geoff998rugby]

Brady is just getting game time because, with Best, injured it makes sense to give him game time.
I would expect Annett to come through, instead of Brady, towards the end of the season.

[Artful_Dodger]

Hmmmm....

[rodders]

Geoff, what's your thoughts that Bowe may play 13 this season, with Gilroy and Trimble on the wings?

[geoff998rugby]

Bowe has expressed an interest. My guess is he will get a few try outs towards the end of the season but Bowe at 13 will not part of our plan for this.

Cave is still considered the best 13 at the club and I can't see that changing

Also Tommy will, largely, want to stick to the wing this year in order to boost his Lions prospects - competion for the back three is fairly stong

[rodders]

OK thanks Geoff.

Any word on Paddy Wallace?

[geoff998rugby]

Paddy will not be back till October.

To be honest if Luke Marshall maintains form I can see his starting the HC games in October

[Don Alfonso]

Couple of thoughts -

Thought Gilroy showed real sparkle against the Ospreys - bemused at him going to the bench.

What happens if Jacko is injured?

Fair play to McComish and McComb. Pleased to see Nelson there as well.

[geoff998rugby]

Just notice Nelson on the bench - that suggest to me Payne might be covering 10 - interesting

[Don Alfonso]

Has the Ravens team been announced?

[clivemcl]

Fair play Don, hadn't thought of that. only one there with 10 experience is L Marshall as far as i know.

Also, glad to see Nelson!

[rodders]

Luke Marshall covering 10?

[Notch]

Michael Allen is an interesting call. I think it's rotation.

Niall O'Connor is gone, even from the bench. Peter Nelson is cover at 10, or Luke Marshall.

[Notch]

Possible that the call is Diack and O'Connor could use the gametime with Ulster Ravens. They'll be starting as well as Niall Annett and Adam Macklin and a few others.

[clivemcl]

Considering to date, Anscombe has used his bench. I can't see this as being a case of taking a risk and hoping for the best. I would say not only does Anscombe have a ten cover in mind, he probably intends to take a look at that option in the last ten or so.

(Unless of course the match is tight and winnable)

[Don Alfonso]

Thought Diack was still injured?

Still looking out for a terrace ticket, btw...

[Don Alfonso]

I read an interview with Anscombe last weekend, I think, in which he talked about fighting for selection when he was a player. He was a back-rower, but wasn’t the biggest player, nor the most talented. But what he brought to the table was work, work, work. He was always fighting to be on the team, and sometimes that determination saw him trump more talented team-mates. I suspect that is being reflected in his selection (alongside other issues such as the Irish player management system).

Also, I don’t think Anscombe views his bench as injury cover. I’d say, tired legs, last fifteen, he will maybe unleash Nelson and Gilroy. I think holding Gilroy back is playing in dangerous territory, though.

Whatever else, he’s prepared to reward performances with brave selection decisions.

[Pete330v2]

Going to Ravers at long last and what a game to be going to. Two powerful team selections = one hell of a match we hope. Hopefully I'll bump into some of the regs here. I take it you're going Notch?

[geoff998rugby]

Daick didn't train early in the week so probably wil lnot play for the Ravens
No way Nelson is covering 10 - its Marshall or Payne

Terrace is sold out - 9,500+ tickets sold to date.

Very tempted to take a half day and go to the Ravens match

[rodders]

I think Anscome has come here and given each player a clean slate and is giving everyone a chance to prove themselves. He said as much but actions speak louder than words.

Gilroy got a game last week and now Trimble gets the nod to show what he can do. Competition is fierce in a lot of positions this year which can only drive us on to a new level.

He seems like a no compromise character, Anscombe, its his way or the high way... so there will be winners and losers from his arrival. Right now it is intreging to watch the selections to see where things are going as we move towards the HEC pool stages.

So far it looks like Anscombe isn't afraid of leaving established players out or influenced much by reputations, which is a very good thing imo. Too many coaches, particularly in ireland, are too afraid of leaving out big names and taking risks in case it comes back to bite them.

[Notch]

Going to Ravers at long last and what a game to be going to. Two powerful team selections = one hell of a match we hope. Hopefully I'll bump into some of the regs here. I take it you're going Notch?

Yep, will be at the game. It's the evening after my final submission for my Masters. So I might fall asleep at it... even though I'm in a standing area of the ground

[Pete330v2]

Going to Ravers at long last and what a game to be going to. Two powerful team selections = one hell of a match we hope. Hopefully I'll bump into some of the regs here. I take it you're going Notch?

Yep, will be at the game. It's the evening after my final submission for my Masters. So I might fall asleep at it... even though I'm in a standing area of the ground

I might fall asleep at it myself so we'll be easily spotted. I do hope it's a lively affair

I would have thought L.Marshall would be used at out-half, I've never seen Payne play there but anyone'd be a vast improvement on NOC

[Don Alfonso]

Ulster Ravens team and replacements to face Munster A, Friday 14th September, Deramore, Park, Belfast (kick off 3pm):

(15-9):Ricky Andrew, Chris Colvin, Stuart McCloskey, Nevin Spence, Chris Cochrane; Niall O’Connor, Blane McIlroy;

(1-8): Richard Lutton, Niall Annett, Conor Carey, Alan O’Connor, Dan Tuohy, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry (c), Sean O’Connell;

Replacements (16-23): John Burns, Michael Cromie, Glenn Sinnamon, James Simpson, Neil Faloon, Scott Gibson, Ritchie McMaster, Michael McCauley.


Hendo at six. Spence at twelve. Alan O'connor formerly of the Leinster parish (or townland of you prefer)?

[red_stag]

A very strong A team - Annett, Tuohy, Henderson, Henry, Spence, O'Connor - this is going to be a great A match.

[Don Alfonso]

Spence at 12 = not good.

[Rava]

Stag, are we decided that we are going to the A game?

[geoff998rugby]

Spence and Henderson back from injury - excellent.

Diack and D'Arcy will make next week so only -

Wilson, Best and Walalce to go injury wise - slowly the squad builds

[red_stag]

Stag, are we decided that we are going to the A game?

Up to you pal. Depends on where it is taking place, how we are for time, what the alternatives are and I dare say what the weather is like.

[geoff998rugby]

Deramore 3pm.

I'll probably put my head out the window and decide around 1pm

[Rava]

Stag, are we decided that we are going to the A game?

Up to you pal. Depends on where it is taking place, how we are for time, what the alternatives are and I dare say what the weather is like.

We could just go straight to the hotel room

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