Ulster v Connacht Dec 23rd 2016

Guinness PRO12, Friday 23rd December, Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm kick-off)
The match will be televised live on BBC NI and Sky Sports



(15-9): C Piutau, L Ludik, L Marshall, S McCloskey, J Stockdale, P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): A Warwick, R Best (captain), R Ah You, K Treadwell, I Henderson, C Ross, C Henry, R Wilson;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, W Herbst, F van der Merwe, S Reidy, P Marshall, D Cave, T Bowe.




15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14. Niyi Adeolokun, 13 Rory Parata, 12 Danie Poolman, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Kieran Marmion, 1 Denis Buckley, 2 Dave Heffernan, 3 Finlay Bealham , 4 Quinn Roux, 5 James Cannon, 6 Sean O’Brien, 7 Nepia Fox-Matamua, 8 John Muldoon (captain)

Replacements:

16 Shane Delahunt, 17 Tom McCartney, 18 JP Cooney, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Eoin McKeon, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Ciaran Gaffney, 23 Naulia Dawai

Damn it Marty you totally trumped my rubbish team post on the Ulster thread

Come to think of it the word trump has a different meaning these days

Why are we persisting with our best winger at fullback. Piutau is devastating on the wing and somewhat stifled at 15 in my opinion. I'd rather see either Stockdale or Ludik moved to 15. That being said that selection should be enough to deal with the injury stricken Connacht side. I won't be betting on it mind you but I would bet on the match being an absolute cracker, weather permitting.

Well you got in first Pete if that's any consolation?

Id actually like to see the team play without Piutau if Im honest, I think theres a reliance on him to break the line and think we would be more fluid without him

The forecast tomorrow is for rain most of the day and strong winds, so it'll be like a home game for Connacht

Should be a strong enough team for a win, but the weather is going to be a bit of a leveller. Still think we should win though.

Pete330v2 wrote:
Why are we persisting with our best winger at fullback. Piutau is devastating on the wing and somewhat stifled at 15 in my opinion. I'd rather see either Stockdale or Ludik moved to 15.

Agree with that, Piautau is better on the wing. It's not at the IRFU's behest because Nacewa plays on the wing for Leinster?

rodders wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:
Why are we persisting with our best winger at fullback. Piutau is devastating on the wing and somewhat stifled at 15 in my opinion. I'd rather see either Stockdale or Ludik moved to 15.

Agree with that, Piautau is better on the wing. It's not at the IRFU's behest because Nacewa plays on the wing for Leinster?  

It could be though so as not to block any indigenous talent

I think Treadwell us having a very good game tonight

carpet baboon wrote:I think Treadwell us having a very good game tonight

It was a very promising performance from the second row combination. Henderson immense as always.

Let a bonus point go, but happy to get the win. After two really tough games v Clermont, and a 5 day turnaround, it's reasonable to think the guys were running on low. They get a much needed rest now ahead of the Leinster game.

Thought Ah You had another good game. Henderson was very good but McCloskey was my MotM.