Ulster Vs Cardiff Blues Friday 28th September k/o 7.05

From an Ulster point of view, we may not get much chat on this one, thats fine and understandable. For those on both sides who want to discuss the game ahead, I feel they should be welcomed to do so.

Ulster are (understandably) taking a little longer to announce a squad for this one. I wonder if anyone has any info on whether there was training as per usual?

I imagine that the new guys and the older more experienced guys will play. Perhaps a few younger guys might be advised to sit it out for another week. I think all in all, there's a fairly Northern Irish attitude to get on with things. I think we will see a strong Ulster side. And I expect they will play well.

I want Cardiff fans to talk freely on here. You should be targeting a win (same as always), and not worrying about our team. I believe once the selected players hear that whistle, it will be business as usual.

Ulster centre Chris Farrell has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.


The 19 year old now requires surgery to repair the damage after sustaining the injury playing for Ulster U20s in the 18-9 win over Munster on Friday evening.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/10830.php

Quite a blow for young Farrell and for the squad as a whole. We are now starting to look a bit thin at outside centre.

We should be looking to win this given we're building some momentum and we want CAP to be a place where we can beat the teams we may struggle with when away at their ground. I would imagine a team similar to last week but look for Pretorious to come back in at 8 and maybe a shuffle in the front row as i don't think we know quite what our first choice front row is just yet.


Also, Cuthbert was taken off during the game against Trevisio after pulling up with a hamstring problem chasing back the interception. He looked unhappy when he was walking off but then he generally looks miserable when he's not scoring If it was just a pre-caution (as there has been no news on it) then i would expect him back in the side for Friday night.

I would go with this team for the blues:

1. Nathan Trevitt
2. Andy Kyriacou
3. Benoit Borrustt
4. Bradley Davies
5. Lou Reed
6. Josh Navidi
7. Sam Warburton
8. Andries Pretorious

9. Lloyd Williams
10. Rhys Patchell
11. Tom James
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Gavin Evans
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Dan Fish

16. Kristian Dacey
17. Campese Ma'afu
18. Scott Andrews
19. Macauley Cook
20. Rory Watts-Jones
21. Rob Lewis
22. Jason Tovey
23. Dafydd Hewitt

Pretty much the same team that started against Treviso and the same bench, with the exception of copeland being replaced by Pretorious. The scrum went well so i would see no need to tinker there unless there's injuries and Reed got through a lot of carrying work last week and i think he's more physical than Downes.

Lloyd Williams to start at 9, no clear outstanding 9 so stick with him for now but I do maintain that I would like to see Rob Lewis given a try.

Rava wrote:Quite a blow for young Farrell and for the squad as a whole. We are now starting to look a bit thin at outside centre.

There are worse places for Danny Barnes / Ivan Dinneen / Corey Hircock to spend a few months.

gcBlues - Did I just read you putting Gavin Evans in over Daf Hewitt? Can't argue with your squad, not too sure on the which half backs I woud start with (and if Pratchell starts would I go with Tovey at FB instead).

Rava, that bad news indeed. Not good for Farrell who was looking like a great prospect.

Might we see more weight behind arguments for either Payne or Bowe at 13 occassionally fascilitating Gilroy, Bowe and Trimble all in the same 15?

Normally I'd back us to take this one, but these are not normal circumstances. Result seems secondary to getting our collective minds away from mourning and back on rugby.

Our centre options are thin now. Sadly we've lost two great ball carriers in the centre in Spence and Farrell. We have Paddy Wallace, Luke Marshall, Darren Cave, Peter Nelson and Michael Allen. We're missing hard yards in the centre though, and Cave is likely to play some part with Ireland as will one of Marshall or Wallace.

Think there's a chance we might see Trimble moved back inside with Gilroy and Bowe on the wings? Just to have a strike runner in there. To be honest Stag, whilst what you say makes sense I doubt it will happen. It never happens.

Does Peter Nelson cover 13?

Yeah, he does. He played there in the U20 World Cup. He can in theory cover 10, 12, 13, 15 and I've seen him on the wing too.

I think he's best at fullback but if he can get experience at 13 all well and good.

He played there during the U20JWC and was MotM. Olding did a good job there as well. Payne there and D'Arcy/Nelson at fifteen is another option.

The RaboDirect PRO12 fourth round game between Zebre and Ulster, that was postponed following the tragic death of Nevin Spence, has been rescheduled for Sunday 18th November.


The game will kick-off at 3pm local time (2pm UK & Ireland) at the Stadio XXV Aprile in Parma, and will be available to BBC Northern Ireland viewers via the red button and online.

Surely second in line at 13 after cave must be Payne. He's simply the best 13 after Cave and most experience. Besides in the back three we have Trimble, Gilroy, Bowe, Darcy, Nelson, Allen.

I'd agree with that Clive given the circumstances, however Bowe at 13 wouldn't hurt at all on occasion.

Yeah, Payne would work but we'd miss his counterattacking and composure from 15. Payne really can carve teams to bits from the back as we saw against Munster.

We're playing Zebre the same weekend as Italy play New Zealand. They'll be very much weakened by that. We'll be missing a good few Ireland players but hopefully able to cope a bit better and still have a few really experienced NIQs out there...

Does anyone know why NOC didn't play for the Ravens against Munster A? I understand Ricky McMaster started - did NOC take a knock, or was Anscombe really, really fed up with him?

I'd imagined Farrell might be bumped up after we lost Spence - we really need someone else there now. If we lose Bowe, Trimble and Cave during the AI, we are really stretched thin.

Don, NOC suffered a dead leg apparently.

Oh, okay. I've gone from being very hopeful about this season to extremely concerned. I have to say. I think we need a midfield signing.

In terms of backs we have...

Blane McIlroy, Paul Marshall, Michael Heaney, Ruan Pienaar, Niall O'Connor, Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding, Paddy Wallace, Luke Marshall, Peter Nelson, Darren Cave, Michael Allen, Andrew Trimble, Tommy Bowe, Craig Gilroy, Chris Cochrane, Ricky Andrew, Adam D'Arcy, Jared Payne

I do feel we could use another 13 from somewhere but think we'll be able to name a full 23 every week without too much positional disruption. Besides Cave Allen, Trimble, Bowe, Payne, Olding and Nelson have all played 13.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/19712857?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

The squad need a win here to clear their minds and get us back on track after the tragedy that has affected all of us. We would of got 5 points against Zebre and be flying at the top of the table otherwise, time to put things right and send a message out to the rest of the league and Northampton for upcoming fixtures.

Any chance of Tommy making an appearance for Ulster? Well it would be nice if he turned up on my doorstep....

No idea, maybe. He might be available.

We're probably waiting on the Ireland training camp before naming our squad.

Notch wrote:No idea, maybe. He might be available.

We're probably waiting on the Ireland training camp before naming our squad.

I'll wait and see then...

SUFTUM!

ScarletSpiderman wrote:gcBlues - Did I just read you putting Gavin Evans in over Daf Hewitt? Can't argue with your squad, not too sure on the which half backs I woud start with (and if Pratchell starts would I go with Tovey at FB instead).

Yeah, he seems to have perked up since Phil has come in.

Cari wrote:Any chance of Tommy making an appearance for Ulster? Well it would be nice if he turned up on my doorstep....

There was a report in the local paper tonight that he would have been in the squad for last weeks game had it been played. There is a very good chance he will be in the squad.

The Beeb seem to be suggesting he will play a part and that Best is due back next week.

Rava wrote:

Cari wrote:Any chance of Tommy making an appearance for Ulster? Well it would be nice if he turned up on my doorstep....

There was a report in the local paper tonight that he would have been in the squad for last weeks game had it been played. There is a very good chance he will be in the squad.

oooh wooopdiedooo! I hope you're right. I'll be so chuffed watching his first game for Ulster in four years and near my gaff too! Can't wait...

What are our options at 12 after L. Marshall? I expect that everyone who is fit will be available for selection on Friday so It shouldn't really be an issue. When is Paddy due back?

Do you think we will maybe see the return of Whitten, next season?

Not sure what sort of a contract he signed at Chiefs, Kings. I'd be surprised to see him back so quickly, if at all.

By the way, did any of you see the Connacht game at the weekend. Willie Faloon was superb

Rava wrote:Not sure what sort of a contract he signed at Chiefs, Kings. I'd be surprised to see him back so quickly, if at all.

By the way, did any of you see the Connacht game at the weekend. Willie Faloon was superb

I suspect grief can have this affect on some people. Hardly a rule though. Not that I think its a case of strong emotion, more a case of it focusing the mind or something. Part of the reason why I don't entirely buy into the idea that the Spence tragedy will have a negative impact on the Ulster playing ability. Of course, if it did, I wouldn't blame anyone.

Rava wrote:Not sure what sort of a contract he signed at Chiefs, Kings. I'd be surprised to see him back so quickly, if at all.

By the way, did any of you see the Connacht game at the weekend. Willie Faloon was superb

I was thinking that too, but NOC managed to come back from Connacht ok, don't know if IRFU had a hand in it.

In all the emotion and grief of the last week, we haven't really touched upon the Ulster U20s winning the inter-provincial grand slam this year.

Notch wrote:In all the emotion and grief of the last week, we haven't really touched upon the Ulster U20s winning the inter-provincial grand slam this year.

Indeed Notch!

The futures bright, its red and white!

Any standouts?

SUFTUM!

Olding seemed to get quite a few plaudits. Ben Alexander as well.

It's been announced that there will be a minute's silence held before the game on friday and the blues will be wearing black arm bands in Nevin's memory.

clivemcl wrote:

Notch wrote:In all the emotion and grief of the last week, we haven't really touched upon the Ulster U20s winning the inter-provincial grand slam this year.

Indeed Notch!

The futures bright, its red and white!

Any standouts?

SUFTUM!

Young loosehead Caulfield with Ballymoney connections

Am tempted to go down to experience the CAP as the Scarlets are away - should be a good, if emotional, game. If I do go down I'll prob be singing SUFTUM again

Don Alfonso wrote:Olding seemed to get quite a few plaudits. Ben Alexander as well.

Has Stuart (Olding) been playing 10?

Aye

Smirnoffpriest wrote:Am tempted to go down to experience the CAP as the Scarlets are away - should be a good, if emotional, game. If I do go down I'll prob be singing SUFTUM again

Goodman, should be a good game, close one to call as well.

Good to see the Ulster-Scarlets rivalry, is one of respect as well.

Personally I think that we've built up a healthy rivalry with Scarlets over recent years, close games last minute wins, etc etc
Both teams building to get to the top, and as I see it the closer we both get to the top to more this rivalry will increase.

Lets be fair Scarlets could overtake Ospreys as Wales' best team, and Ulster may have already over taken Munster as Irelands 2nd best team, (no shame in Irelands 2nd best team as it could be argued to be 2nd best in Europe as well, and you have to get to 2nd best before you can challange for best.), and these 4 teams will be pushing each other hard over the season with Leinster to see who comes out on top.

I expect games between Ospreys, Leinster, Munster, Scarlets and Ulster to go a long way in deciding the league outcome this year.

Back on topic,

If I were Cardiff Blues, I would attack straight from the off, hard running, straight up the pitch, make first few minutes very physical for Ulster.

Personally I think that after the minutes silence, it will take us a little time to refocus on the game, minds will be elsewhere. In the first few minutes Cardiff should really really go all out to get a score and take advantage of this.
This may sound harsh but Cardiff, will be wanting to win the game and the events of last few weeks doesn't mean they will want to win it any less.

It's important that Muller has the team focased on rugby and nothing else when the first ball is kicked.

On one hand it will be tough for Ulster to have to travel away from home for this match.

On the other this could be just what they need. No emotional home crowd who serve as a reminder to whats happened.

Ulster Team!


Cari - Heeeerrrrrrreeeees Tommy!


(15-9): J Payne; T Bowe, M Allen, D Cave, A Trimble; P Jackson, P Marshall;
(1-8): T Court, N Brady, J Afoa, N McComb, D Tuohy, I Henderson, C Henry (c), N Williams;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, A Macklin, L Stevenson , M McComish, M Heaney, P Wallace, C Gilroy.

Allen in center is interesting.

Oh and just noticing Henderson. Good stuff!

Doyle dropping in favour?

No Johan????

I would have thought he was an essential this week of all weeks!

Very strong looking team with plenty more still to come back. Just noticed no Johann myself MrsP -

Never mind Allen in centre si interesting - McComb and Tuohy to start? Very interesting.

I woudl have thought Muller's leadership crucial.

Muller has taken a knock apparantly