Ulster vs Ospreys

First topic message reminder :

Game on Friday, another sell-out crowd, but like everyone else we're scrabbling around with the Six Nations and injuries, trying to make ends meet. Declan Fitzpatrick, Rory Best, Chris Henry, Iain Henderson, Paddy Jackson and Craig Gilroy are all with the national side. John Afoa and Jared Payne are on leave to ensure they stay fresh on the home straight of the season. And Adam Macklin, Paddy McAllister, Stephen Ferris, Nick Williams, Roger Wilson, Tommy Bowe, Chris Farrell, Peter Nelson and Adam D'Arcy are all still injured.

Selection is further complicated by the news that Darren Cave and Andrew Trimble have been called into the Ireland squad as cover for Earls and D'Arcy- they are included here but aren't likely to be released from tacklebag duty until Thursday.

Forwards (14)

Nigel Brady, Rob Herring, Niall Annett, Callum Black, Ricky Lutton, Andrew Warwick, Tom Court, Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy, Neil McComb, Johann Muller, Mike McComish Robbie Diack, Ali Birch.

Backs (11)

Ruan Pienaar, Paul Marshall, Niall O’Connor, Stuart Olding, Paddy Wallace, Luke Marshall, Darren Cave, Michael Allen, Andrew Trimble, Chris Cochrane, Ricky Andrew.

There is some good news- Johann Muller, Dan Tuohy and Luke Marshall are back and available for selection. But it's a squad with no recognised tighthead, only 3 recognised backrows and only one recognised fullback. Of the props, it is to be hoped Tom Court stays at loosehead- the joke of trying him at 3 is testament to how we will fail to get the best out of him in that position and would further damage his international chances. Of the 4 looseheads in the squad the burden will probably fall on Richard Lutton to wear the 3 shirt with 21 year-old Prop/Hooker Andrew Warwick covering for him on the bench.

I would move the hard-grafting Neil McComb to the blindside flanker as a lineout option and a ball carrier, given how light we are in the backrow. With Jackson missing at 10, it's a good opportunity to look at Stuart Olding outside Ruan Pienaar and Luke Marshall to come off the bench.

Notchs XV;

1. Tom Court
2. Nigel Brady
3. Richard Lutton
4. Johann Muller (c)
5. Dan Tuohy
6. Neil McComb
7. Mike McComish
8. Robbie Diack
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Stuart Olding
11. Andrew Trimble
12. Paddy Wallace
13. Darren Cave
14. Michael Allen
15. Ricky Andrew

16. Rob Herring 17. Andrew Warwick 18. Callum Black 19. Lewis Stevenson 20. Ali Birch 21. Paul Marshall 22. Luke Marshall 23. Chris Cochrane.

IanBru wrote:Did I just hear that right? Ryan Bevington an 'outside bet' for the Lions?

I didn't know they used crystal meth as drinking water at BBC Wales...

In fairness, he should be Wales' second choice behind James. He should be on the bench this weekend

Shanklin still having a go at Martyn's kicking.

Blues 3 - 6 Leinster

Wales, what are you drunk Bevington 2nd choice???? I'd say 3rd behind James and Gill!

thebluesmancometh wrote:Wales, what are you drunk Bevington 2nd choice???? I'd say 3rd behind James and Gill!

Gill has been injured recently and not played much.

I have been very impressed with Bevington recently, I would not be surprised if he was starting for Wales in a few years.

Neil

The way I saw it was he was in the ruck and struggling for footing, but thats the difficulty the IRB have given the refs, you see it as he's not in the ruck, I see it as just rucking, the ref went with you but couldve pinged any player rucking in the 10 mins before for anything theyve done also.

Leinster have been playing with 14 men for 8 minutes, and have scored 3pt to the Blues 0.

wales606 wrote:In fairness, he should be Wales' second choice behind James. He should be on the bench this weekend

I definitely agree with that.

I suppose my point was that, regardless of actual form (presumably that's Howley's sole selection criterion...), if a player isn't playing international rugby he's not likely to get picked for the Lions.

I don't think he will be on the Lions tour.

3 - 9 Leinster

Blues 3 - 16 Leinster

Wales

I watched Gill play a few weeks ago, infact he played V Edinburgh too!!!

Alybong's coming on!!!

Blues 3 - 23 Leinster

Good grief... that's a drubbing for the Blues.

Scarlets up 12-8 against Connacht.

Oh another chance lost to a DG attempt.

9-6 at 51 minutes.

Morgs equalizes with a penalty.

9-9 at 53 minutes.

Phil Davies will be hiding behind his bar style hinged board (again) tonight. He and Rob Howley should join forces to produce a wonder coaching team, maybe Holley can back them up too!!!

When are the prem coaches who show some nous for the game going to get their chances, similarly to players we are trying to groom a very certain few coaches through to int standard as quick as possible, whats wrong with highlighting succes before making decisions???

Herring hasn't done well in lineouts today

Dragons 6-14 Treviso

Pienaar off....shoulder injury I think.

Ah I hope thats not too serious for Pienaar, Herring did not have a good night hopefully Annett will show us the form he has showed when brought on so far.

I was amazed that Evans resigned for the Dragons recently, he was on of the few receiving offers. Although he doesn't want to leave Newport, he definately shouldve explored his options, he should be in the Wales squad, but today it seems you have to promote your reputation not perform well!!!

Argh no, Ulster on the attack and playing advantage.

Well played Ricky Andrew, he does look a real threat from Fullback. Oh going for Corner need to make this work no Ulster

I wouldn't be surprised if Ulster manage to get through here, great O's defence mind.

And the O's discipline lets us down again. Yellow...

A lot of pressure by Ulster, they need points from this

Terrible penalty decision, clear clear penalty for the O's

And a Yellow Card! What the...?!

12-9 at 64 minutes.

Was the right man binned?

Oh schitt! Break by Marshall.

Second man, over the ball, Ulster player holding on - and the second man gets a YC.

Cruel for the O's they have been the better team so far.

What a dire decision that is, match winning for Ulster but such a bad call, Allen assists at best, never holds the player and is carded for not releasing?!?!?!?!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOO BEVINGTON!!!!!

What a fecking try for a no.1!!!

You know what I am not a Bevington fan, but he has been very good toinight and who the f**k does he think he is supporting like that and scoring????

wales606 wrote:

IanBru wrote:Did I just hear that right? Ryan Bevington an 'outside bet' for the Lions?

I didn't know they used crystal meth as drinking water at BBC Wales...

In fairness, he should be Wales' second choice behind James. He should be on the bench this weekend

Actually I take it all back.

That try was THE BALLS!!

HAHAHA

Bevington runs it in from 20m out!

Excellent try, brilliant interlinking.

Well deserved for the O's

That's why Bevington should be 2nd choice for Wales - outstanding support for a prop forward.

Great try

What a try for a blydi front rower from 40 metres and with 14 men.

12-16 at 67 minutes after conversion.

Com'on lads!

No harm to ScrumV but surely we'd rather see the rugby than listen to Phil Steele!

Fotuali's box kicking has been awful - he has been saved by some good O's catching - but not this time

OK, so this game's suddenly come alive. Ulster on the attack now.

I am still in shock, that athletisism reminds me of a young Jenkins, outpacing all around him and beating a back or 2 to the punch before finishing from 25 metres

MrsP wrote:Com'on lads!

No harm to ScrumV but surely we'd rather see the rugby than listen to Phil Steele!

Haven't you got BBC NornIron on MrsP? Apparently Tommy was on there. He doesn't love the Welsh anymore...

What a try from the prop also don't know if anyone's listening to red button commentary but damn they were going mental at it! Great to hear

He was he was talking at half time about his injury say he should be back April say he hear 2 snaps and thought that was the end of his season at the time

GLove - Is Rick O'Shea on there? He's really funny sometimes.

Should be a good try for Ulster coming here...

Bevington is full of beans now, flying up on everyone!!

neilthom7 wrote:He was he was talking at half time about his injury say he should be back April say he hear 2 snaps and thought that was the end of his season at the time

Awh my poor boy. That sounds hoo-rendous.

Jebus Ulster...finish yer dinner will ya! Great O's defence.

Alun Wyn Jones to the bench for Wales vs Italy?

He has had a good 30 minutes of intense rugby tonight - especially down to 14.

Some excellent O's desperate defence.

Turnover! Penalty...went down well with the locals...

Allen back on. Well done O's not conceding a penalty.

Fantastic defence and a bit of endeavor wins the O's a penalty.

Risky stuff, but they are doing it well - they deserve a win.

Back to 15 too

Jason Tovey with a try

Blues 8 - 23 Leinster

Can't believe we didn't score, let it get to scrappy and that let them in and then makes it hard for ref to know whats going on too. Poor by us our backs look tired.