Ulster return to Aironi in search of Five Points - Sat 17th December, Stadio Brianteo, Monza (kick off 1.30pm GMT)

Ulster Coach Brian McLaughlin has only made one change in the starting lineup, bringing back Tom Court with Paddy McAllister moving to the bench. Nevin Spence has been named having been passed fit. Adam D'Arcy retains his place at full back with Terblanche on the bench.

Elsewhere in the Pool, Clermont defeated Leicester at the Stade Marcel Michelin 30-12 on Sunday with no bonus points scored, making Pool 4 the tightest in the tournament at this stage with just 2 points separating the top three teams.

Ulster Match Day Squad to face Aironi, Saturday 17th December, Stadio Brianteo, Monza (kick-off 1.30pm GMT)
(15-9): A D'Arcy; A Trimble, D Cave, N Spence, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (capt), D Tuohy, S Ferris, C Henry, P Wannenburg;
Replacements (16-23): N Brady, P McAllister, A Macklin, T Barker, R Diack, P Marshall, P Jackson, S Terblanche

The match is televised live on Sky Sports behind the red button.

So Luke Marshall is in the squad? If Spence doesn't make it would you fire him in or go to Whitten as a "safe" option?

Rava i think he is named in that to hold tackle bags. he isnt in the HEC squad.

That's what I thought Stand but seeing his name has confused me.

I'd be happy with the team from last week. Whitten in for Spence if necessary. Whitten's not a bad player by any stretch, when you get right down to it.

I think Whitten is a better 12 that Nevin, who i rate as a good player, but he is limited in this position. Whitten has excellent hands and as shown by his sorties on the wing this season that he can find good lines and play a decent offload!

Ian Humphreys didn't score a try last weekend, Paul Marshall did!!!

MrsP wrote:Ian Humphreys didn't score a try last weekend, Paul Marshall did!!!

Yea yea

Ulster Rugby website got it wrong

I dont think whitten has great hands but they probably are better than Nevins at the minute.

I'd be amazed if Spence makes it.

He wants to play but for his own good should be rested.

Right there's nothing for it chaps. Cave to 12 and Trimbs to 13! 5 points please chaps!

SUFTUM!.....

geoff998rugby wrote:I'd be amazed if Spence makes it.

He wants to play but for his own good should be rested.

I admire his attitude.

Whitten to start but Paddy Jackson on at 12 at 50.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

geoff998rugby wrote:I'd be amazed if Spence makes it.

He wants to play but for his own good should be rested.

I admire his attitude.

Foolhardy more like. Shouldn't be taking any chances.

Whitten to start with Cave and play the whole game. Jackson should only be brought on at 12 in an emergency. He's the back-up 10 in the squad. No doubt if Spence doesn't make it then the subs will reflect that.

I would go with Notch. Whitten to soften them up (although in reality i want the pack to keep it tight and 'muller' them) and if everything goes to plan bring Paddy on to run riot. I do like Spence and get the feeling he would do anything to pull on the shirt but he must be looked out for as well.

I might actually be tempted to go Cave/Terblanche in midfield. I get a good vibe off Terblanche but wouldnt drop D'arcy

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

geoff998rugby wrote:I'd be amazed if Spence makes it.

He wants to play but for his own good should be rested.

I admire his attitude.

Nothing more than silly schoolboy bravado

red_stag wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

geoff998rugby wrote:I'd be amazed if Spence makes it.

He wants to play but for his own good should be rested.

I admire his attitude.

Nothing more than silly schoolboy bravado

Or else he just really wants to play rugby

Rory, every player who has an injury wants to play. Thats just common sense. Id be amazed if any player didnt want to play rugby.

However if he is genuinely contemplating playing whilst injured its mere bravado and a shortsighted approach which doesnt help Ulster or Spence.

Of course Stag but it is nice to see it means so much to him. The lad is only 21 so silly schoolboy bravado isnt so far fetched at that age. He has had possibly 1 (maximum 2) seasons as a pro. I am very confident more sensible heads will obviously spell out the idiocy of it to him and he will understand but you need that kind of dedication if you want to succeed.

The best way to get a tbp is to be clinical on the kick off. If you can get an early try by keeping the ball and going through the phases rather than kicking it away it has a hugely demoralising effect on the other side. Also, always take your three points if you are in the lead. Get the game won before looking for the kitchen sink. Aironi are easy to frustrate if you retain ball and defend well.

red_stag wrote:Rory, every player who has an injury wants to play. Thats just common sense. Id be amazed if any player didnt want to play rugby.

However if he is genuinely contemplating playing whilst injured its mere bravado and a shortsighted approach which doesnt help Ulster or Spence.

And of course the likes of Paul O'Connell, Brian O'Driscoll or Ritchie McCaw never took the field when injured?

I think it's a great attitude and one which marks Spence out as a potential top, top player. His commitment is exemplary and if all our players were as committed and determined as he was then we'd be in a good place.

It's for the coaches and medical staff to decide weather he should play but if Spence wasn't chomping at the bit to play in a crucil HEC game, even with a leg hanging off, I wouldn't be impressed. As a young man I'm sure he believes he's invincible and thats a good thing in my book.

Wanted to be the first to plug Paddy Jackson at 12 but I see Notch as usual has beat me to it. Oh well you heard it here second I guess.

I beleive three alternative options being considered - Whitten, Jackson and Terblanche.

The later would, I assume, mean Cave moving to 12.

Has Terblanche played much at 13? Seems a risk to try an untested partnership.

Whitten would be the conservative and perhaps sensible option.

I'm disappointed though that Cave at 12 and Trimble at 13 is not in consideration.

There's plenty of options in the back 3 even without Trimble.

I believe most of terblanches gametime in the last few years has come at 13 rodders. Lambie was more often at 15 for the sharks i was led to believe.

Hardly earth shattering but I am also hearing Stevenson will be given game time elsewhere so I assume Barker for the bench.

OK Stand well that seems sensible to consider him as an option then.

Hey guys does anyone know if the Ulster v tigers tickets have gone on general sale yet?

Dont think so Rodders. I dont think there is a date for it yet

Correct there will be no date until after this weekend and Sky have decided when the matches are played - my guess is mid week next week.

thanks guys!

roddersm wrote:Has Terblanche played much at 13? Seems a risk to try an untested partnership.

Whitten would be the conservative and perhaps sensible option.

I'm disappointed though that Cave at 12 and Trimble at 13 is not in consideration.

There's plenty of options in the back 3 even without Trimble.

A bit of a contradiction Rodders?

Hmm I can see how that could be percieved that way....but to clarify I mean that Cave and Trimble are very familiar with each others games...not sure if they've ever lined out together in the centre but imo it would be less risky than playing Terblanche.

That said as Stand has pointed out that Terblanche had been playing 13 recently I don't feel so strongly about it.

I did always rate Trimble as a center though and its a shame he's never considered as a real option there anymore by club or country, despite him being more suited to the role now than he was when he played there as a youth.

Yes I see what you are saying but you would in effect be playing two people out of position in a very important game. Surely we have learned our lesson recently about playing people in unfamiliar positions?

I would definately go with Whitten and Cave should the need arise.

Well thats the logical combo Rava and presents the least risk for sure. However given that we need 5 points perhaps its worth a gamble?

Is Whitten as good a player as Trimble or Terblanche? I'd suggest not.

I don't feel particularly strongly about it but I think Cave + Trimble presents the best attacking threat and I don't think Aironi will cause us too many problems in defence (touch wood).

Is the taphouse showing this stand? Got the feckin outlaws visiting this weekend !

Trimble is not a centre, he doesnt have the guile or hands for that role and Andrew agrees with me! we to be fair I agree with him as he said it first but you catch my drift he is not a centre!

I think he would be a fine 13 personally.. and perhaps it would be his best position given his current skillset and ability. He and Spence I feel are very similar players, except Spence has hit the physicality at a much younger age than Trimble did.

Shafted tell Trimble to catch himself on sir! Sure O'Driscoll and D'arcy couldn't pass and they did alright and if yer man Mcfadden can play centre anyone can

Here, Terblanche started 13 in his last game for sharks, and it was an important match. Also, it allows Darcy to continue at full-back. Gilroy and trimbs on the wings. Thats starting to look like a class backline!

Shafted wrote:Trimble is not a centre, he doesnt have the guile or hands for that role and Andrew agrees with me! we to be fair I agree with him as he said it first but you catch my drift he is not a centre!

He started at centre didn't he? He was The Next BOD before Earls was The Next BOD. He could have been (and could still be) a great centre. Moving him to the wing has reaped rewards for Ulster, but with younger and sprightlier lads coming along it might be time that he made the move. It's not unusual for wingers to move into centre as their careers progress.

greybeard wrote:

He started at centre didn't he? He was The Next BOD before Earls was The Next BOD.

Laughable to be honest - when Trimble was playing centre he was playing at 12 anyway, he was never being talked about as the next BOD or as the next Ireland 13. In fact I dont think he's played 13 for Ireland and if he has it was once.

I agree Greybeard. How can a guy who was capped at 21 at both 12 and 13 not have the skills to play centre?

He was awesome in his 1st season at Ulster at 13. Yes he is an excellent winger now but his natural attributes make him more suited to the midfield imo. Even as a winger he's most effective when he comes infield. He's more of a creator of tries than a finisher and excellent at taking the ball up in heavy traffic.

Anyways this is another debate...I am happy to see Terblanche or Whitten get the nod but I categorically refute the suggestion that Trimble is not suited to playing centre.

Artful_Dodger wrote:

greybeard wrote:

He started at centre didn't he? He was The Next BOD before Earls was The Next BOD.

Laughable to be honest - when Trimble was playing centre he was playing at 12 anyway, he was never being talked about as the next BOD or as the next Ireland 13. In fact I dont think he's played 13 for Ireland and if he has it was once.

Trimbles first two international caps were at 13, scoring two tries. He started at 13, because that's where he was playing for his province.

Artful_Dodger wrote:

greybeard wrote:

He started at centre didn't he? He was The Next BOD before Earls was The Next BOD.

Laughable to be honest - when Trimble was playing centre he was playing at 12 anyway, he was never being talked about as the next BOD or as the next Ireland 13. In fact I dont think he's played 13 for Ireland and if he has it was once.

He was always a 13 and yes he was talked about as BOD successor. His 1st cap was at 13, his position at Ulster, against Australia when BOD was injured. He played for Ireland only once at 12, I think, against Scotland in 2008.

3 starts at 12, against Wales, Scotland and France.

5 starts at 13, 1 replacement appearance at full back, and 7 replacement appearances at centre, mostly subbing BOD. It's not clear if he moved to 13 or 12 when he came on, although it was probably 13.

http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/player/15083.html?class=1;template=results;type=player

I like Trimble being on the wing at present, However I believe that he could make a better Centre than winger, but Ulste are ok with Centre's at present, and Wing is where he's needed and settled. I do see him playing in Centre more over the next year or so, and if he excels there could move there.

Team announced!

(15-9): A D'Arcy; A Trimble, D Cave, N Spence, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (capt), D Tuohy, S Ferris, C Henry, P Wannenburg;
Replacements (16-23): N Brady, P McAllister, A Macklin, T Barker, R Diack, P Marshall, P Jackson, S Terblanche

Interesting that Terblanche is on the bench again. (This should please most of yous) Still feel sorry for Paul Marshall.

But generally, pretty happy with the team.

SUFTUM!

Until literally everyone else including him and all of his coaches worked out he was FAR more effective at wing, yes, he was a 13. His natural attributes make him a poor centre. Tunnel vision, wants to do it all himself, and doesn't use his feet going into contact enough. Spence is the same, but is still young enough to be molded into a centre.

There you go Spence is fit anyways so we didn't need to worry!