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

First topic message reminder :

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.

3 hours man... can't wait.

Tommy to bag a few on his return?

Ignoring for now, any emotional issue, speaking purely about the teams form to date - I would want to see some improvement in the attack of the backline. Will be very interesting to see if the centre partnership allows that.

Perhaps Jackson should be looking to put the Blues under pressure with kicks for Tommy to chase. Perhaps a wee cross-field inside the Blues 22?

ok.. now i'm getting carried away.

Can't see us scoring four tries unless Cardiff have a shocker in terms of defence. We've one winger in his first game of the season, one winger who has only one start, a centre partnership that's playing together for the first time ever, Darren Cave starting in an unfamiliar role at 12 and Jackson is yet to really get the backline moving.

Think we'll squeak past them though.

I think it'll definately be close - the Blues scrum may creak a bit, but they have reinforcements to bring on, so that can improve - they have a very competitive backrow and quite an exciting back line with Tovey, Robinson, Fish and Roberts - and James is usually quite clinical if you point him in the right direction and don't ask him to do anything complicated like catch or pass.

Ulster could shade it, but then we have no idea how they'll play (men possessed or very distracted)

Taking Patchell out of the limelight??

No chance, the kid needs rugby, and gametime at this level, he should get it while he's playing well. Taking him out at this stage will do nothing but slow his progress.

I'm not getting carried away, he is nowhere near a wales shirt (after 2 competitive games) but IMO while he's playing well he deserves to keep hold of the Blues shirt.

That said I am looking forward to seeing how Tovey goes, and I expect the Blues to take this comfortably enough.

Well without seeing the Blues lineup properly!

clivemcl wrote:Tommy to bag a few on his return?

Of course, mun! Cause I'll be there egging him on!

Seriously, I reckon Ulster will just edge ahead in the final score. I hope it's a good match for crowd and players though, and just a generally great night all round.

Just getting my stuff together to leave the house for the game!!

SUFTUM!!

Need help with watching this, is it on iplayer? Doesn't appear to be.

BBC NI, should be on red button?

thanks.

SUFTUM

Am really excited now, gutted I can't make it there...

COME ON THE BLUES!!!

I hope my lads are not as emotional about tonight as I am.

Very emotional night. Mixed feelings. Come on lads!

It's strange MrsP, you don't want them calm, and emotionless, but you want them cool enough to think straight too.

It's a very tricky game tonight, and you wouldn't take anything from Ulster if they just can't get their heads straight!!!

Good luck Ulster, wherever I am I'll be doing my minute silence.

SUFTUM.

Cave drops from the off, I hope he gets over that quick.

I don't know why but I have the feeling the Ulster mindset will be fragile

Thanks lads.

Really don't give a fig about the result. Just want them to be able to get over this hurdle of the first game.

WillyG

Llloyd Williams what are you doing???!!!!

We do look unfocused. I'm sure we will grow into the game though.

I think just purely getting focused on rugby is the best thing for these men.

I mean, we are making all sorts of unforced errors. That was lucky he knocked that on. We're not all there, not yet anyway.

Ulster are all over the shop early on, the longer this game goes on the better equipped they'll be IMO

Tom James looking extremely sharp this season though

Silly mistake from Trimble, not the only guy doing it though

I'll tell you what; we'd want to improve or we'll be in serious trouble on the scoreboard.

At least our scrum is doing well.

Notch, it'll take them a few more mins but they'll get there

Who's the Ulster 9 guys?

First points; crucial moment for us.

It's Paul Marshall.

Oh dear... here we go

That could and should be yellow, surely we had the overlap?

Marshall? Who's he?

This is the prob when you get a bit shaky at scrum time, it takes twice as much effort to prove your scrum is strong again, but teams target you more and more.

Fillise gotta go!

Big carry from Big Nick Williams here please!

Allen pinged for offside??? Well ref has to go by the letter of the law I suppose

Are we getting penalised because a badly injured player didn't get back in time?

Those 3 points are hard to swallow, very unlucky.

That can't be right?

Off side because you can't walk?

That's the kind of decision that separates the good referees from the bad referees, poor.

Notch he does turn to face the Blues player mind...

Said perfectly by comentator though, by the letter of the law correct, by the spirit of the game very very poor!

Tom James is sharp, but a few times he's cut us up and then missed the easy pass which would have had us in serious trouble.

Tom James mun!!!!!

He does everything but give the ball for the try, he is big quick and very strong, but the guy has no rugby brain at all!!!

Nick Williams has got to be the most frustrating player out there...

MMC no chance, Tom James is just as bad

He's always looking for the Sonny Bill offload in one hand- be patient man! Use your size and present it, we'll get quick ball off it.

Usual weaknesses from the Blues (scrum and Tom James' awareness). Good game though and good advert for the Rabo.

Court has just bought that pen off the ref... The Blues scrum isn't all that bad but they get the rough end now for being weak end of last season

See now knowing Fillisse can't get caught again Court has just bored straight in on him!!!

Thats a BS try, Robinson tackles the lock, holds his leg while he gets back up and plays on!!!

The no.6 looked as if he was tackled then but he got back up and carried on going forward?should have been a penalty. Ulster's forwards dominating and creating lots of space for their backs.