Ulster vs Montpellier

We all have our sights set on taking the Tigers scalp at Welford Road and getting that home quarter-final, but this game needs winning first- if we can do that we'll have the security of going into that final group decided having already qualified as best runners up. Winning will take our total up to 22/23 points depending if we get the four tries or not. Northampton, 2nd in Pool 1, can only get a maximum of 19 points, so that groups runner-up won't catch us. The games between Harlequins and Clermont, Gloucester and Munster and Toulon and Cardiff Blues will take three runners up out of the equation and the only way the runner up from Pool 3 can finish on 22/23 points is if Toulouse and Saracens draw (2 pts, 3 with a TBP) and then both thrash their respective opponents next weekend. Get the result we need and by the end of the round we'll be qualified and probably be seventh seeds at worst- then we can focus on going to Leicester, winning, and getting into the top-half of the draw.

Montpellier have a very strong squad, so even if they choose to rotate they won't be sending over a weak team, but even so they have been one of this years competitions biggest disappointments. They've had strong opponents in Ulster and Leicester yes, but to lose twice at home in their first four games must hurt for the players and fans. Whether they'll be out for revenge and highly motivated in Round 5 or have already mentally checked out of the tournament and be focused only on the Top14 is... hard to predict. It wouldn't be a big surprise if they choose to leave a few key players at home, the attitude of those they do bring could either make this an extremely hard fought game or a bit of an anticlimax for the neutral. You never do know what the attitude will be like with French sides on the road, especially in games they view as dead rubbers.

Pool Tables At the Start of Round 5:

Round 5 Fixtures:

Rory Best, Nick Williams and Johann Muller are all in from the start- Best in particular has had a Wolverine-esque recovery. Montpellier have omitted key players such as Mas, Gorgodze, Hamilton, Pélissié, Trinh Duc and club captain Fulgence Ouedraogo.

Andrew Trimble is making his 58th appearance in ERC competitions for Ulster, a new club record.

Ulster and Montpellier Teams:

Good man, Notch, great to have the destiny of the pool virtually in your own hands - a home win in round 5, and the qfs in some form beckon again for Ulster.  A home qf would probably help secure semi-final participation, but Ulster have shown that they can win on the road too.  Presumably a period of no injuries would help too

Yes. No injuries! We're just starting to get guys back now.

We've had three away quarter-finals in a row so there is a real desire to take one to a home crowd- especially if this is to be the last real European Cup for who knows how long.

People are hardly mentioning that we could qualify this weekend such is the hunger to win the group. But it will lessen the pressure for the decider if we are through after this game, though I doubt it will change the motivation...

Missing this!!!

I expect text updates!

Looking at it, I think we (Tigers) can qualify as well this weekend, if we get 5 points and Toulon and Clermont both win then I think we have qualified as well because only one other group can have two teams get up to 20 points

Montpellier's 'youngsters' showed considerably more determination, tactical thought and pace then the established starting 15 that was named as the starting lineup at WR.

Considering the crippling injuries in our backline (3 centres injured, 1 only fit enough for the bench and Flood limping after every kick) we could do with Montpellier helping us out and giving Ulster a game. Ravenhill is a real fortress but if they could grab a draw or even just hold Ulster to a four point win that would be good.

The start will be important. If ulster can get a couple of early score they won't fancy it at all. Added to that a 14000 strong crowd against them and I am confident enough. Realistically a 4/5 point win isn't going to make a difference. We still need to get the result at Welford Road.

There's a scenario where if we get the win with the bonus and Tigers slip up and win without the four tries we'd only need a losing bonus point. Even if both sides get the same from Round 5 we can qualify in 1st with a losing bonus point and them taking four points if we outscore them on tries across the two games... the two sides scored a try apiece in October.

Doesn't matter. We've been inconsistent this season and though we may very well live to fight another day if Leicester prevail in Round 6, we need to prove our mettle in a really big game.

Should be a cracker in round 6 then as Tigers are massively unreliable at present. Who knows what team we'll have either.

SUFTUM. Come on my second team. My Glasgwegian diddies have tanked again this year so I'm relying on you fellers for some good news.

Rory Best has been cleared to play; he and Johann Muller are the only maybes in terms of selection. They are both being monitored and may well play a part. Everyone else who isn't a long term absentee is fit.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/25640783?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Muller and Best in the 23 but not Bowe

As expected

Geoff, have you a link to the team? Where did you hear?

I suppose the official announcement will be in about half an hour.

Not heard the team but just received a text with the above info - team due at lunchtime as you say

So no Gorgodze and Hamilton for Montpellier and the noises they are making are that it will be a weakened side...

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/heineken-cup/ulster-get-an-easy-ride-montpellier-to-field-a-weakened-team-at-ravenhill-davidson-29901337.html

Quoth Jeremy Davidson; "They will have no aspirations at all about winning this match against Ulster."

We'll see, eh?

Ulster XV and replacements to face Montpellier, Heineken Cup, Ravenhill, Friday 10th January (kick off 20:00): J Payne, A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, C Gilroy, P Jackson, R Pienaar; (1-8): T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (Captain), D Tuohy, R Diack, C Henry, N Williams; Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, D Fitzpatrick, I Henderson, R Wilson, S Doyle, P Marshall, M Allen.

Shows how far Diack has come keeping both Henderson and Wilson out of the side

Good team!

Rory Best has freakish powers of recovery.

Handy BP win for Ulster.

What I hope for: 5pts in the bag after 60mins - Bench emptied  
What I think will happen: 4pt scrappy win   

Both teams added to the OP. As expected, quite a few key players for Montpellier not even coming over to Belfast.

15. Anthony Floch, 14. Yohann Artru, 13. Anthony Tuitavke, 12. Thomas Combezou, 11. Lucas Dupont, 10. Enzo Selponi, 9. Eric Escande,
1. Na'ama Leleimalefaga, 2. Charles Geli (capt), 3. Maximiliano Bustos, 4. Mickael Demarco, 5. Robins Tchale Watchou, 6. Kelian Galletier, 7. Alexandre Bias, 8. Johnnie Beattie

16. Thomas Bianchin, 17. Mikheil Nariashvili, 18. Paea Fa'anunu, 19. Mickael Ivaldi, 20. Fred Quercy, 21. Benoit Paillaugue, 22. Pierre Berard, 23. Timoci Nagusa

Still some good players- Floch and Tuitavke are good, Selponi looked decent in Round 4 and Bias and Beattie are good too. But this is definitely their second string. Great to see Timoci Nagusa making the trip to play against the side who gave him his start in pro rugby though. After our win in Montpellier he spent the evening socialising with Ulster fans- posing for photos and playing touch rugby. He'll get a warm reception.

Notch, look at you with your shiney blue Deputy Sherriff's badge

As a tigers fan I reckon Ulster will be denied a LBP.


  

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Notch, look at you with your shiney blue Deputy Sherriff's badge

I hope you're not questioning my authoritah...

I haven't had the chance to give anyone a stern talking to in my first few hours of going mad with power being a responsible and constructive moderator   

Welly wrote:  As a tigers fan I reckon Ulster will be denied a LBP.


  

If Ulster set about them in the first 20 mins they will get 5 pts

Having seen the team I think Ulster are, at least, as likely to get 5 pts as Leicester in Treviso

Both teams to get 5 points and both to qualify this weekend, that would do me. Then a nice friendly game at Welford Road for top spot...

Good point

I think for Leicester to qualify, besides getting 5 points they need

Toulon to win at home to Cardiff and
Clermont to win at Quins
Could happen

Notch wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Notch, look at you with your shiney blue Deputy Sherriff's badge

I hope you're not questioning my authoritah...

I haven't had the chance to give anyone a stern talking to in my first few hours of going mad with power being a responsible and constructive moderator   

We could always have a wee chat about Scottish independence - that usually gets on RDW's wick

Yep, that is what we need, or a draw between Clermont and Quins would do as well

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Notch wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Notch, look at you with your shiney blue Deputy Sherriff's badge

I hope you're not questioning my authoritah...

I haven't had the chance to give anyone a stern talking to in my first few hours of going mad with power being a responsible and constructive moderator   

We could always have a wee chat about Scottish independence - that usually gets on RDW's wick

  Now, now, now! I'll have to run that by RDW and GC first 

I'll also have to give myself a reprimand for straying off topic.

Back on topic; video from UR featuring Best and Henry

Best and Henry Video interview:

Ah! Beat me to it Notch!

I don't know they make any one Moderators these days.  

In my day there use to be standards   

There also be no internet but that's another story   

Almost a full strength Ulster v an almost reserves Montpellier - should be a guaranteed 4pt and possibly 5pt - giving Ulster 22/23 pts ahead of a shoot out at Welford Rd. Tigers will be 19/20 pts after Treviso. If say before final match it's Ulster on 23 and Tigers on 19 - all sorts of permutations depending on LBP's and TBP's even prospect of both being level on 24pts and the head-to-head sorting out the winner and best runner-up.

Huge amount to play for especially the prospect of a home QF for the winner and the prospect of an away QF v Toulouse/Saracens, Toulon, Clermont or maybe Munster for the runner-up.

Oh, and Notch congrats on your elevation to the 606 elite

Good team. Strongest possible without ferris, Bowe and possibly Olding. I have a good feeling, which is usually the forerunner to doom but fingers crossed. I do think we are more zoned in on the Heineken this year than last

Declan Fitzpatrick has signed on for another 2 years. Stephen Ferris has also been given an extension.

The good news just keep coming - Deccie was starting to worry me.

Plan is for Ferris to play for Dungannon mid February.
Will be a bit of a shock to Shannon when they walk onto the pitch on the 15th Feb   

Providing no ill effect except him on the bench for Ulster v Dragons at Ravenhill on the 28th Feb   

Just talking about 1F playing in matches puts a spring in the step  

I tend to jinx results by having a good feeling too Stand and all I want is a win tomorrow evening be it a 3-0 win or a bonus pointer I care not.

Great news about Fitzy and even greater about 1F. Those poor Shannon players will be having nightmares, I hope he goes easy on them

I don't care how easy or hard he goes on the Shannon players. I just hope his ankle and his knee and everything else holds up!    

It will MrsP it will, positive vibes and all that

This ankle injury will have given his knees a good rest too so it may have a bit of a silver lining.

(That's my attempt at positive vibes)

Ulster Rugby put together this great collage of Andrew Trimble's previous 57 appearances for Ulster in the HC;

Collage:

Some great memories there.

Just been offered a new job and Ulster are playing in the HC at Ravenhill.  If Carlsberg did friday nights

Good luck, Dodge.

SUFTUM

SUFTCAB

Notch smells of wee!

Artful_Dodger wrote:Just been offered a new job and Ulster are playing in the HC at Ravenhill.  If Carlsberg did friday nights

Great stuff, hope its a good one

Good luck to Ulster tonight as well.

UUUUUULLLLLLLSTTTTTTTEERRRRRRR!!!

Artful_Dodger wrote:Just been offered a new job and Ulster are playing in the HC at Ravenhill.  If Carlsberg did friday nights

  

Went for a interview today and it was an omnishambles so could be doing with a few Carlsbergs anyways! SUFTUM!

Wasn't it Rava that was in charge of the Health and Safety for the new stand at Ravenhill? He will have his job cut out for him if Ulster get a home 1/4 final. Over time galore

Good old Ravster! Gone but not forgotten!  

rodders wrote:Good old Ravster! Gone but not forgotten!  

Does he not post anymore? Shame, he was quality.