Montpellier vs Ulster

First topic message reminder :

Montpellier

1. Yvan Watremez - 2. Mickaël Ivaldi - 3.Maximiliano Bustos - 4.Jim HAMILTON - 5. Thibaut Privat - 6. Fulgence Ouedraogo (Captain) - 7. Mamuka Gorgodze - 8. Kélian Galletier - 9. Jonathan Pélissié - 10. François Trinh-Duc - 11. Yoan Audrin - 12. Wynand Olivier - 13. Anthony Tuitavaké - 14. Timoci Nagusa - 15. Anthony Floch

Replacements 16. Thomas Bianchin - 17. Misha Nariashvili - 18. Nicolas Mas - 19. Fred Quercy - 20. Robins Tchalé-Watchou - 21. Benoit Paillaugue - 22. Thomas Combezou - 23. Benoit Sicart

Ulster

1. Tom Court - 2. Rory Best - 3. Declan Fitzpatrick - 4. Johann Muller (Captain) - 5. Dan Tuohy - 6. Robbie Diack - 7. Chris Henry - 8. Roger Wilson - 9. Ruan Pienaar - 10. Paddy Jackson - 11. Tommy Bowe - 12. Luke Marshall - 13. Darren Cave - 14. Andrew Trimble - 15. Jared Payne

Replacements 16. Rob Herring - 17. Callum Black - 18. John Afoa - 19. Lewis Stevenson - 20. Iain Henderson - 21. Paul Marshall - 22. Stuart Olding - 23. Michael Allen

No problem with motivation this week- whoever wins this game, takes control of the group.

Is a win possible? Very much so, although we couldn't be up against a more in-form team. Recent thrashings of Clermont and Toulouse at the hands of Montpellier on their own patch will mean we are the underdogs for the bookies and most neutrals. Right now, its probably one of the hardest places to go in Europe.

That said, we have the depth up front and the classy tactical kickers in our backline to get through this game with a result. A losing bonus point would not be the end of the world but we should be targeting this as a win; play territory, gain parity in the set piece and take our points when on offer and we will be in the mix in the last 10 minutes. Pienaar, Jackson and Payne will be crucial in guiding us through this game but if our tactical kicking and our kick chase is as good this week as it was on Friday we can frustrate them. But we'll also have to negate a typically powerful scrum and maintain very high standards in the breakdown and lineout. Enough to win? We'll see but I genuinely think we have the tools to win away from home in Europe this season- in this group away wins will be like gold dust so this is massive opportunity for us to assert our credentials.

Montpellier have their team up already:

15. Anthony Floch
14. Timoci Nagusa SUFTUM
13. Anthony Tuitavaké
12. Wynand Olivier
11. Yoan Audrin
10. François Trinh-Duc
9. Jonathan Pélissié

1. Yvan Watremez
2. Mickael Ivaldi
3. Maximiliano Bustos
4. Jim Hamilton
5. Thibaut Privat
6. Fulgence Ouedraogo (c)
7. Mamuka Gorgodze
8. Kélian Galletier

Subs
16. Thomas Bianchin
17. Misha Nariashvili
18. Nicolas Mas
19. Fred Quercy
20. Robins Tchale-Watchou
21. Benoit Paillaugue
22. Thomas Combezou
23. Benoit Sicart

Muller on a coaching position would be ideal. To be honest I'm not sure he has another year in him.

I don't know much about bustos but I'm glad Mas isn't starting. Exactly the kind of TH big Tom struggles with

rodders wrote:I find it hard to believe Ferris would get an extension before he proves himself on the field? Didn't he say last week that he was hoping to be back in December?

Fingers crossed because he's a different class of player but I feel pretty pessimistic about his chances. No news has tended to be bad news with him and things have been very quiet....

Rodders he was on SS before the match last week and seemed quite upbeat and it was mentioned that he was hoping to be back playing in the last round of group games

Ulster

1. Tom Court - 2. Rory Best - 3. Declan Fitzpatrick - 4. Johann Muller (Captain) - 5. Dan Tuohy - 6. Robbie Diack - 7. Chris Henry - 8. Roger Wilson - 9. Ruan Pienaar - 10. Paddy Jackson - 11. Tommy Bowe - 12. Luke Marshall - 13. Darren Cave - 14. Andrew Trimble - 15. Jared Payne

Replacements 16. Rob Herring - 17. Callum Black - 18. John Afoa - 19. Lewis Stevenson - 20. Iain Henderson - 21. Paul Marshall - 22. Stuart Olding - 23. Michael Allen

The big absences are Nick Williams and Craig Gilroy. Gilroy is still injured- I wonder has Big Nick picked up a knock? Given how physical this game is going to be it would be a big surprise if he was dropped not injured.

Nick Williams has a hip injury. Unfortunate.

To be honest, I'm not hugely confident on that back row.  Lacks ball carriers without Williams or Henderson. I think we could struggle up front in this one without Afoa in the front row as well.

Looks to me like we arent going to be planning on having the ball too much dodger.

Dodger Diacks a decent ball carrier and gain yards, Wilsons carrying isnt bad either they won't get the yards that Henderson can get but shouldn't knock them just yet

Henderson will come on in the second half to wreak havoc. Happy enough with the backrow.

You have to bare in mind that Ferris has a game to play for the sake of his career. You can be sure Ulster are not the only ones with a keen eye on his recuperation. As Ulster watch him work hard and improve, they are still in a position where they need to make a judgement call - that is before some other club decides they want to come up with the cash and take a roll of the dice with him.

If there are other interested parties, and combined with Ferris showing promise - then Ulster may be inclined to extend his contract. The risk will still be there, albeit perhaps less risky than in the summer.

We won't know that unless we get some inside info on his progress.

Geoff???

We really needed Williams for this. Kicking for territory to try and pin them back, while targeting the lineout first half. Bringing Afoa, and Henderson on second half will strengthen the pack against a tired Montpellier hopefully.
If we are still in it at half time, and can contain Trinh-Duc, and , Pélissié , then we will get something out of it. If not a win then hopefully a LBP.

Pete330v2 wrote:
7. Mamuka Gorgodze

Shoite!  There's a man who likes his crepes and beer!

Yeah Williams is a massive loss. His carrying is irreplaceable.

Especially disappointing with big Gorgodze on the rampage for our opponents.

That said, I still have faith that this team can deliver a result.

Ferris has the moon boot off and is in the gym time will tell.

My guess is the rumour re contracts is one of Tuohy, Henry or Tom Court resigning - maybe more than one.
The really good news would be if its Muller.

It wont be Rory as he will be getting a Central Contract and it will not be a new NIQ player
Could be an IQ player currently outside the province but I doubt it

I think Wilson has looked more impressive than Williams this season. Yes, Williams is the most explosive (and skilful) ball carrier, but Wilson really isn't that far off. He is very dangerous with ball in hand, and has the all around game that Williams doesn't have.

The only thing I would have liked to see would be Hendy starting. He must really be considered a second row now rather than a 6, probably seen as the replacement for Muller if this is to be his last season with us.

Nice to see Grand Jeem 'Ameelton - look for lots of sledging and lineout disruption from him. He's been pretty effective in the Top 14 so far and is rapidly becoming a fan favourite.

Right its super Saturday! Here's hoping for an Ulster - Frampton double!

SUFTUM!

Tigers were awful last night. 

It's a very simple equation for Ulster in this group- beat Montpellier today, we are in control of our own destiny.

Everything to play for...

Well on the supporters forum they are saying Tuohy and Cave are signed till 2015 - I honestly don't know.

If true that makes Mondays announcement Muller, or more likely, Court.
Fitzpatrick is not signed for next year either

Went down and watched the ravens last night. It wasn't a good performance at all but they got the win. Only Doyle looked seriously a level up from it. McIlwaine did well too and Porter showed a nice range of kicks.

we got seriously beat up in the pack though. Everyone else wasn't very good although i will say in those conditions their handling was better than i expected.

How was NOC looking?

I see he missed a few kicks but they might have been tough ones. Was he playing well?

The wind was tough but to be honest mckinney was nailing them from the same place NOC was missing. His touchfinders were very good though. In truth jerseys threat was only through the pack. They tried a backline move when we were down a man at the end and got hammered back.

Big lad called mccloskey came on at the end and did well. Don't know what position he is but he has serious bulk.

What a try!

Very unlucky with that Pienaar penalty.

Damn it, just back from Belfast, any links for this game anyone the links I use are showing only Leinster

Sorry Pete don't know man.... we got off the hook there, Bowe was isolated.

Good kick from Jackson there. Definitely we have started the better but some of our kicks from hand have been very loose...we need to be careful. Montpellier well on top on the scrum though...

Lineout going well so far....

Lineout has been excellent. Keep pinning Montpellier in their own 22 and make them win lineout ball there.

Ahhhhhh got a link wooohoo

3 kicks missed now. One hit the post and Jackson's definitely should have been 3 points. Could cost us.

Three missed penalties now - we can't afford to keep missing these. We should be well in front..

Come on Celts, let's keep turning over the Franglo's...  

Jared Payne is a genius! Aw Henry blows it!

Payne has touched the ball twice and done something magnificent twice.

any link ?

Sent you a PM alive555

Hmm good first half for us but really we are keeping Montpellier in this.

Fantastic effort by the pack so far though. Paddy Jackson playing very well but Pienaar still looks a bit out of sorts. We really should be well in front...

rodders wrote:Hmm good first half for us but really we are keeping Montpellier in this.

Fantastic effort by the pack so far though. Paddy Jackson playing very well but Pienaar still looks a bit out of sorts. We really should be well in front...

Yep and those missed penalties could cost us this match. Particularly Jackson's which was pretty straight forward. Pienaar hitting the post was desperately unlucky.

Artful_Dodger wrote:Sent you a PM alive555

Me too pls

Sent George.

AD thanks didnt work for me so still looking for link chaps.

alive555 wrote:AD thanks didnt work for me so still looking for link chaps.

You sure? Tried refreshing? Look carefully for the x's to get rid of.

yup zip for me on chrome and ff

Uhm....how was that not a penalty? "just a pile up" yeh sure ref.

Brilliant by Rory Best there.

Artful_Dodger wrote:Uhm....how was that not a penalty?  "just a pile up" yeh sure ref.

This ref won't have to buy Harp in Belfast for a while ....  

Thank flip for that.