Connacht vs Ulster, 21st September

Connacht

15. Gavin Duffy
14. Fionn Carr
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Eoin Griffin
11. Matt Healy
10. Dan Parks
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Brett Wilkinson
2. Jason Harris-Wright
3. Nathan White
4. Michael Swift (captain)
5. Craig Clarke
6. Jake Heenan
7. Willie Faloon
8. John Muldoon

Replacements:

16. Sean Henry
17. Rodney Ah You
18. Ronan Loughney
19. Aly Muldowney
20. George Naoupu*
21. Paul O’Donohoe
22. Craig Ronaldson
23. Danie Poolman

Ulster

15. Jared Payne
14. David McIlwaine
13. Darren Cave
12. Luke Marshall
11. Michael Allen
10. Paddy Jackson
9. Ian Porter

1. Tom Court
2. Rob Herring
3. Declan Fitzpatrick
4. Johann Muller (c)
5. Iain Henderson
6. Roger Wilson
7. Chris Henry
8. Nick Williams

16. Niall Annett
17. Kyle McCall
18. Ricky Lutton
19. Lewis Stevenson
20. Robbie Diack
21. Paul Marshall
22. James McKinney
23. Craig Gilroy

Should be an exciting contest.
This game will be a good indicator of where Connacht really are. Nikorah out is a big blow for them, very good player imo, really made that backline moving unlike Parks...

Will be great to see how Clarke goes if he is playing.

Can't see the logic in dropping Doyle for Diack. Drop him for Henry and have Diack benching sure but essentially we are playing both our flankers out of position. Like the team aside from that. Hendo in the row makes me happy

Does Tuohy really deserve to be dropped? Didn't seem to be doing that badly to me.

Really hope that Clarke gets on and shows what he can do - the man's an animal.

I'm not certain Tuohy should be dropped but has he been better than muller? Would we have conceded that try with muller on the pitch? I don't know

Tuohy doesn't deserve to be dropped. This would surely be rotation, not dropping.

You say Wilson is out of position but he played better at 6 than anyone else has this season! Still not sure about Tuohy not being there (surely off the bench if nothing else?) but not concerned about the backrow. If thats the pack, the back five is pretty much crammed full of as many ball carriers as possible except for Tuohy. Thats why I can't believe Tuohy won't be involved at all. Having said that, Henderson was very good when he came on and if they want to give Henderson a start to look at him ahead of the HEC it makes more sense for him to come in for Tuohy than the lineout general Muller.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/defence-coach-jonathan-bell-says-alarm-bells-not-ringing-in-ulster-yet-1.1532409?page=2

Jonny Bell hinting that Gilroy will feature and Henderson is in line for a starting place. I think Wilson and Williams should definitely continue as 6 and 8, so that would mean lock. I also think Chris Henry doesn't deserve to be back in the starting line-up.

Notch wrote:Tuohy doesn't deserve to be dropped. This would surely be rotation, not dropping.

You say Wilson is out of position but he played better at 6 than anyone else has this season! Still not sure about Tuohy not being there (surely off the bench if nothing else?) but not concerned about the backrow. If thats the pack, the back five is pretty much crammed full of as many ball carriers as possible except for Tuohy. Thats why I can't believe Tuohy won't be involved at all. Having said that, Henderson was very good when he came on and if they want to give Henderson a start to look at him ahead of the HEC it makes more sense for him to come in for Tuohy than the lineout general Muller.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/defence-coach-jonathan-bell-says-alarm-bells-not-ringing-in-ulster-yet-1.1532409?page=2

Jonny Bell hinting that Gilroy will feature and Henderson is in line for a starting place. I think Wilson and Williams should definitely continue as 6 and 8, so that would mean lock. I also think Chris Henry doesn't deserve to be back in the starting line-up.

Wilson looked fantastic at 6, I agree, keep him there and see if he can continue producing those sort of performances. He was very physical and abrasive, and a great ball carrying option that we have missed when Hendy hasn't been starting at 6.

http://www.connachtrugby.ie/2013092083503/clarke-named-for-first-derby-clash

Connacht line-up v Ulster

15. Gavin Duffy
14. Fionn Carr
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Eoin Griffin
11. Matt Healy
10. Dan Parks
9. Kieran Marmion

1. Brett Wilkinson
2. Jason Harris-Wright
3. Nathan White
4. Michael Swift (captain)
5. Craig Clarke
6. Jake Heenan
7. Willie Faloon
8. John Muldoon

Replacements:

16. Sean Henry
17. Rodney Ah You
18. Ronan Loughney
19. Aly Muldowney
20. George Naoupu*
21. Paul O’Donohoe
22. Craig Ronaldson
23. Danie Poolman

Unavailable / Injured: Denis Buckley, Conor Finn, Eoin McKeon, Shane Layden, Tadhg Leader, Dave McSharry, Miah Nikora, James So’oialo, Kyle Tonetti, and Marcus Walsh

The fact that Connacht have named two opensides makes me nervous enough. Teams that have targeted our breakdown have caused us a lot of problems recently.

It's a small backrow though notch. Wilson tidied up a lot of our breakdown last week and if Henry can produce his form following a bit of a kick up the arse I think our size could be important.

Ulster continue to rotate;

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/latest/2013/09/ulster-team-to-face-connacht/

This week Callum Black, Dan Tuohy and Sean Doyle drop out of the squad. Court gets his first start of the campaign at loosehead, Henderson is in at lock and Chris Henry starts. Craig Gilroy is back! Off the bench.

The three forwards who miss out entirely all did well last week- this is rotation, not dropping. It's slightly perturbing when we desperately need a win but if this sharing the load can avoid us running out of steam in January like we did last year it'll be good long term. If we don't get a result this week we'd have to ask why Black and Tuohy- two of our best performing forwards- aren't there all the same...

Standulstermen wrote:It's a small backrow though notch. Wilson tidied up a lot of our breakdown last week and if Henry can produce his form following a bit of a kick up the arse I think our size could be important.

Yes. We have a lot of power players in our team. Hopefully too much for Connacht to handle when we get down into their 22.

To be honest I am really happy with that team. The pack looks like it is starting to take shape as well, that is fairly close to first choice.

This is one of Luke's last chances to show he is the best 12 in Ulster, before Stuart comes back. This is a big game for him.

Yeah I am more than happy with that selection. That pack should be more than enough for the Westies and our backline will be much better than against Glasgow. They have had their full quota of buttered digits for the season. I am at least confident about this one, it's one we simply must win and all involved, both from Ulster and Connacht know it. An epic match for a saturday evening coming up I hope.

Connacht seem to be sticking with Henshaw at 13,did anyone hear how he got on v Cardiff.I'm hoping he can become a viable option at international level some day.

I hope he will be pushing hard on Jarod Payne's Ireland 13 jersey next year.

Will Payne be considered 13 for Ireland if he is Ulsters first choice 15 though?

I think he's a shoe, boot, clog and plimsol in.

Who else?

Standulstermen wrote:Will Payne be considered 13 for Ireland if he is Ulsters first choice 15 though?

he's only 15 because we are without Trimble Bowe and Gilroy atm. They will be our back three with payne at 13. You heard it here first.

I would be delighted to see Jared as irelands next 13 don't get me wrong but unlike Clive I don't see Ulster shifting him to 13 over Cave/Farrell/Olding. Unless of course Nelson can come through but I think we are a bit off that yet

Also wbich of Trimble Gilroy and Bowe would play FB?

It would have to be Gilroy of those 3 but I think we are a bit off that yet

Standulstermen wrote:It would have to be Gilroy of those 3 but I think we are a bit off that yet

I agree. I was just asking Clive as it was his plan.

So Ulster are now the only team not to have won a game yet with the two Italian sides getting off the mark- lose and we will be rock bottom of the table. On the other hand a decent win will probably bring us into the Top 6.

This really does already feel like a massive game in the context of our season.

In many ways though, this has been a good night. Don't want Munster and Leinster to get too much of a head start on us. We can reel them in a bit with a win tomorrow.

Glasgow are off to a flyer and will be hard to stop.

Pressure will be ramped up though. We will be bottom without a win. Only winless team in the league.

I'm feeling pretty positive about getting this win.

Its not a bad match for Ulster to have under the current circumstances. Connacht have a very poor record against us. I think we will win by about 10 points.

We can't possibly play like we did last week and not score a few tries... right? I mean last week was a bit of a freak, we should have had about 20 more points.

Notch wrote:We can't possibly play like we did last week and not score a few tries... right? I mean last week was a bit of a freak, we should have had about 20 more points.

I agree. I have a fair few friends who watch the odd ulster game on telly if theres nowt else to do. I've listened to them this week saying 'Ulster were awful last week'. I can't be bothered educating them, but their few is far too one dimensional and black and white.

We were two ball catches away from an extra 14 potential points. That would have made the feeling among the fans completely different (obviously).

But seriously - two ridiculous and freak failures to catch balls right in front of you.

I think we were doing something right to create the chances we did against a very good Glasgow defence, and i don't believe that level of poor ball skills will be seen again this season.

So yea... if I were Connacht I'd be nervous.

Well there's no guarantees there- I think Michael Allen faded in the spotlight. A few chances he had, he bottled. Luke Marshall, no idea how he didn't catch that ball.

Are you serious? A forward to tackle Parks a few yards from the line and he doesn't stop him?

Are you serious Ulster? Come on!

How on earth did Fitzpatrick not complete that tackle? Awful!

Matt Healy very impressive so far.

This has been poor from Ulster, but Henderson is having a great game at least!

Tom Court really isn't coping with the new rules at the scrum well at all. His height now really counts against him.

A pretty poor performance from Ulster so far!!

Gilroy on. C'mon Ulster!!

That was unfortunate there when Henderson decided to flick the ball up!

Come on Paddy!!!

SUPERB TRY!!!!!!  

Wooooo Hooooo!!!!

That is my first Woo Hoo of the season!

The Ospreys lost their first 3 games last season and that completely ruined their playoff chances.

Same could happen to Ulster if they don't win this game.

Don't worry wales606.

We won.

That was a bit more like it.

Small Parcel improved things along with a bit more intensity.

Payne said he'd be hounoured to play for Ireland!!

Of course he did!

He has said it before too.

Great to see Hendo take Man of the Match, he had a great game, but I think Allen edged it. Allen was involved in so much tonight. His defence was outstanding.

Glimpses of last season in that second half, but I agree with Anscombe we are still at best about 6.5 out of 10. Another improvement in the next match and hopefully we can peak against Tigers and put in the sort of display from early last season.

Munchkin wrote:Great to see Hendo take Man of the Match, he had a great game, but I think Allen edged it. Allen was involved in so much tonight. His defence was outstanding.

Yep, his error last week is forgotten now, by him as much as anyone else which is the important thing. He is very strong in defence, has a fantastic work rate and is good at linking up with other players. However, I don't think hes the best finisher and and am not sure about his speed either. So like many other I think his future is probably at centre rather than on the wing. Especially given that we have Gilroy, Trimble and Bowe on the wings already.

At last! No matter What the players say there is a confidence issue I'm hoping that second try will have helped. Better from Marshalls and Allen. Excellent from Hendo. Result

Artful_Dodger wrote:

Munchkin wrote:Great to see Hendo take Man of the Match, he had a great game, but I think Allen edged it. Allen was involved in so much tonight. His defence was outstanding.

Yep, his error last week is forgotten now, by him as much as anyone else which is the important thing.  He is very strong in defence, has a fantastic work rate and is good at linking up with other players.  However,  I don't think hes the best finisher and and am not sure about his speed either.  So like many other I think his future is probably at centre rather than on the wing.  Especially given that we have Gilroy, Trimble and Bowe on the wings already.

Really looking forward to the Return of Bowe, and Trimble, and it's a relief to see Gilroy back. We need the likes of Allen stepping up, and making the best of their chances, as we may well be depending on them to see us through the A.I's and 6Ns, if not injury cover. Centre is an interesting point as Olding could likely be included in the training squads, and I'm not sure if Cave is completely out of the frame just yet.