Ulster v Leicester HC Pool 4. Friday 13th Jan ko 8.00pm

First topic message reminder :

The provisional Ulster squad to face Leicester Tigers in Friday's crucial Heineken Cup match with Leicester at Ravenhill has been named...

Pedrie Wannenburg (foot) and Ian Humphreys (hamstring) were forced off the field in the win over Edinburgh at the weekend but have both been named in the 33 man panel and are in contention to play in the Pool 4 clash. Young backline trio Luke Marshall, Paddy Jackson and Nevin Spence (all ankle) have returned to training this week and are available for selection if required. Mike McComish is also available after shaking off a shoulder injury.
Meanwhile prop Declan Fitzpatrick’s neck injury was reviewed last week and he is likely to be out of action for 4-6 weeks. Paddy McAllister and Peter Nelson also miss out.

Leicester have been hit by injuries to England internationals Toby Flood, Manu Tuilagi and Louis Deacon who are all ruled out, although Flood’s replacement at flyhalf - Billy Twelvetrees - scored all of his side’s points in the 29-11 win over Wasps on Saturday.

Leicester have a formidable record in the Heineken Cup and have qualified for the knock-out stages ten times. They have contested five finals, winning back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002, but losing the showpiece matches in 1997, 2007 and 2009.

Ulster are currently top of Pool 4 on 14 points, with the Tigers trailing by two going into this crunch match. Defeat for either side would almost certainly end their dreams of reaching the last eight this season. Clermont Auvergne are just one point behind Leicester in the pool standings and will travel to Aironi this weekend before hosting Ulster the following week.

Ulster Team to play Leicester, Fri 13th January, Ravenhill (kick-off 8.00pm):

ULSTER (15-9) S Terblanche; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, R Pienaar (1-8) T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (Captain), D Tuohy, S Ferris, C Henry, P Wannenburg

Replacements (16-23): N Brady, C Black, A Macklin, L Stevenson, W Faloon, P Marshall, I Whitten, A D'Arcy

Leicester Tigers (v Ulster Rugby, Ravenhill, Friday 8pm)
15 Geordan Murphy (c)
14 Horacio Agulla
13 Matt Smith
12 Anthony Allen
11 Alesana Tuilagi
10 Billy Twelvetrees
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Rob Hawkins
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Steve Mafi
5 Geoff Parling
6 Tom Croft
7 Julian Salvi
8 Thomas Waldrom

Replacements
16 George Chuter
17 Boris Stankovich
18 Dan Cole
19 Ed Slater
20 Ben Woods
21 Sam Harrison
22 Jeremy Staunton
23 Scott Hamilton

Good article here from Quinny...

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0111/1224310101193.html

Thanks for that article Bikkies.

I hadn't realised that the Tigers heaviest HEC defeat had been that night at Ravenhill.

Don Alfonso wrote:Ach, just a wee counter-WUM to Sam. No harm, no foul.

Should be a cracking game. Any of you Leicester lads heading over? Won't be there myself, but it should be fantastic.

Anyone going better have a ticket as it is officially a full house

I might just have a spare one. Won't know until tomorrow though.

Ach, just a wee counter-WUM to Sam. No harm, no foul.

Should be a cracking game. Any of you Leicester lads heading over?

A bit of banter never did any harm. I know a few regular Tigers fans who would have gone had it not been for the Friday night timing. Ulster may have done well out of that and limited the Tigers travelling support so that the ground may feel more hostile.

I hadn't realised that the Tigers heaviest HEC defeat had been that night at Ravenhill.

Even with some of the iffy defending in recent years we don't tend to concede many more points than the opposition. We normally stay close to or in bonus point territory if we lose. That was a one off proper hiding. Well I hope it's a one off otherwise Cockerill, the coahces and the players will have some very difficult questions to answer on Saturday.

I expect Ulster to win by about 10 points - as the teams are actually fairly well balanced.

While I expect Tigers to offer more in attack this time, Ulster at home are a much tougher side. They seem to have dropped Danielli, which is a shame for us, and I doubt that Humphreys (who is flaky) and Ferris (who is a class act) can play quite as poorly as they did at Welford Road.

I would have gone if it was on the Saturday, but being a Friday evening made the journey impossible.

Ferris wasn't fully fit at Welford road - he is now.

Humphreys may not even start

geoff998rugby wrote:Ferris wasn't fully fit at Welford road - he is now.

Humphreys may not even start

With Paddy and Pienaar likely to be on the pitch do you think McLaughlin might take a chance with Humphries?

Being a Friday does limit the number of away supporters that can travel, you'r right this may benefit Ulster, but think if even on a sat the Ravenhill Roar, would have been just as big.

Can see the TV tought big game, Friday night, when doesn't have to compete with football, think they and I see this as the biggest game of the weekend hence the prime timing.

I do prefer Friday night games as it means I can still see Club games, (Ballymena v Dungannon on sat), and Provinces shouldn't directly compete with Irish clubs for supporters, I would make exceptions for H-cup, but for pro-12 they should not clash with club KO times.

Soooooo looking forward to this.

He might but if Humphreys is not full fit they wont take the risk.
Even if he is Marshall made a hell of a claim for a starting position by his performance in Edinburgh. The last 2 tries were down to him .

His pace could be key, especially as Leicester seem to have a weakness down the blind side

With Paddy and Pienaar likely to be on the pitch do you think McLaughlin might take a chance with Humphries?.

Humphries isn't that much of a liability, he's previously done rather well for Ulster from what I've seen. He might not be particularly good in the tackle but his tactical skills and attacking flair keep your team going forward. Against this Tigers side Ulster should be looking to play a tactical game and I'd imagine that would suit Humphries best.

Kingshu wrote:Being a Friday does limit the number of away supporters that can travel, you'r right this may benefit Ulster, but think if even on a sat the Ravenhill Roar, would have been just as big.

Can see the TV tought big game, Friday night, when doesn't have to compete with football, think they and I see this as the biggest game of the weekend hence the prime timing.

I do prefer Friday night games as it means I can still see Club games, (Ballymena v Dungannon on sat), and Provinces shouldn't directly compete with Irish clubs for supporters, I would make exceptions for H-cup, but for pro-12 they should not clash with club KO times.

Soooooo looking forward to this.

+1

For the HC we have no choice.

As for the Pro12 if you look at our fixture list we have played very very few home games on a Saturday

Virtually none thank goodness. I wouldn't really like to choose between watching Club Rugby and Pro12. My roots are in the Club.

I was praising Ulster for it, I know most games are Friday night affairs, and I love them.
It's when the regions say that to get bigger attendances they should go back to sat 3.00 KO's, but then I think you are having a region V club clash, something we don't get in Ireland as we see the Provinces as evening games and clubs daytime games.

Connacht fans though would rather have sat 3.00 ko as they have a spread out supporter base and for traveling time etc after work means it's easier to get to games. My opinion of this is that Connacht should play Sat evenings after the club games have finished, so as not to compete.

Anyway Ballymeana V Dungannon, a real Derby game, it's very close at the top of 1B with Ballynahinch taking top spot last week from Ballymena. Hoping Ballymeana get back into 1A where they belong.

I think each Pro12 team should have the major say in when the games are played on their own ground.

Rest assured the Ulster management want Friday nights if at all possible.

Irish Independant seems to be claiming Wannenberg and Wallace will start but Humphreys wont - that is my gut feeling as well.

Big mistakes...we should be sticking with the team thats been working so well. Leave Whitten where he is and start with IHumph and Pienaar.

Hard to say rodders. We will know after the game.

I just don't see why we would risk changing? If IHumph is injured fair enough but we are just of the back of two of the best wins of the season. There is no need to make unnecessary changes.

Whitten shores up the defence too down that 10-12 channel and Twelvetrees is a big lad. Tuilagi will also be a huge threat down that channel too.

This is not a good call imo.

Well Humph may not even be fully fit so that could be academic.
Whilst the team has been playing well Humph hasn't and Marshall has.

I actually want the half backs to be Marshall and Pienaer.

I believe of the decision between Whitten/Wallace is the closes call.
Wannenberg if fit plays - that is not even considered debateable.

Sorry I cant buy this two best wins play the same team.
We only started clicking against Edinburgh after Marshall came on for Humphreys and against Munster Humphreys (one pass aside) was awful in open play, during the first half,
we carried him

IF Peinaar is to play at 10 I wish he had had more gametime there,

Wallace/Whitten, I'd go Wallace if Pienaar is at ten, in case his kicking is a bit off, in open play. But I won't mind Whitten starting either.

I read/heard that Wannenberg has played in nearly every Ulster game for the last two years, that is impressive.

Thus its even more a shame discussion is that he might be on his way out. Unless this Kaino talk is true, I can't why we would be happy to loose him.
He and the other 2 Safa's have been huge contributors to the resurgence & confidence in the last 2 years.

Hard to leave Marshall out at 9 really. He has had more impressive performances that any other player so far this season... But realistically, he'll only start if IH is injured.

Wallace has had 30 mins in 2 months....I might be tempted with Whitten.

Pienaar signed an extension! COME ON! suftum!
http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/10056.php

If Wannenberg goes a NIE player will be coming in - I am 100% convinced.

Not saying it is Kaino but he is the first person we are pitching for

Somebody around here has been posting on Topsy:

"Just three more sleeps before we tame the tigers- another great scalp about to be taken at Ravenhill by @U*****Rugby"

Silly thing to post that!



It's only 2 more sleeps!!!

Teams up.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/10062.php

Humphreys, Wallace and Terblanche all start as does Pedrie.

Terblanche, Trimble, Cave, Wallace, Gilroy, Humph, Pienaar, Wannenburg, Henry, Ferris, Muller, Tuohy, Afoa, Best, Court.

Black, Brady, Macklin, Stevenson, Faloon, Marshall, Whitten, D'arcy

If everyone fit that was always going to be the team.

The only question marks were whether they felt Wallace was ready and whether Humphreys was fit in time

Brady instead of Kyriacou is interesting.

That can only be down to Brady being better at Darts - if required to come on the cover hooker must not result in the line out going pear shaped.

Haven't been as excited in a long time about a game. I seem to be saying more often these days. It's good times.

MrsP wrote:Silly thing to post that!



It's only 2 more sleeps!!!

One more notch on the bedpost .

Looking forward to this wish I could have went to the game think itll be one of the great nights that Ravenhill does better than anywhere else

Portnoy wrote:

MrsP wrote:Silly thing to post that!



It's only 2 more sleeps!!!

One more notch on the bedpost .

Whats Notch doing on the bedpost Mrs P?

Surprised Wallace goes straight back into the line up I must admit. Whitten has done pretty well in his stead.

According to the bookies, this is how close this game is: http://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/club-rugby/heineken-cup/ulster-v-leicester/winner

Ann I can't disagree.

Possibly the most intriguing game this round. I really am not sure who will win this. Leicester are looking more consistent, is it five wins on the bounce now? But we know Ulster can be a tough cookie at home.

Exactly Maesteg. It's intriguing and I don't believe that anyone can call it with their rugby brain engaged.

Kingshu wrote:

Portnoy wrote:

MrsP wrote:Silly thing to post that!



It's only 2 more sleeps!!!

One more notch on the bedpost .

Whats Notch doing on the bedpost Mrs P?

Looking for Paddy Wallace

maestegmafia wrote:Possibly the most intriguing game this round. I really am not sure who will win this. Leicester are looking more consistent, is it five wins on the bounce now? But we know Ulster can be a tough cookie at home.

Ignoring the youngest put out against Leinster Ulster have had 4 bonus point wins on the bounce so they are in equally good form.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Kingshu wrote:

Portnoy wrote:

MrsP wrote:Silly thing to post that!



It's only 2 more sleeps!!!

One more notch on the bedpost .

Whats Notch doing on the bedpost Mrs P?

Looking for Paddy Wallace

Easy, now. Keep it PG.

Don Alfonso wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Kingshu wrote:

Portnoy wrote:

MrsP wrote:Silly thing to post that!



It's only 2 more sleeps!!!

One more notch on the bedpost .

Whats Notch doing on the bedpost Mrs P?

Looking for Paddy Wallace

Easy, now. Keep it PG.

Apologies, Don ... Looking for Paddy G Wallace

Havent made my mind up if i'm looking forward to this match. On one hand i can't wait to watch what's going to be a great game of rugby, but on the other i don't think the tigers will win

geoff998rugby wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Possibly the most intriguing game this round. I really am not sure who will win this. Leicester are looking more consistent, is it five wins on the bounce now? But we know Ulster can be a tough cookie at home.

Ignoring the youngest put out against Leinster Ulster have had 4 bonus point wins on the bounce so they are in equally good form.

Thats true. Looking forward to seeing who's in the team.

Leicester Tigers (v Ulster Rugby, Ravenhill, Friday 8pm)
15 Geordan Murphy (c)
14 Horacio Agulla
13 Matt Smith
12 Anthony Allen
11 Alesana Tuilagi
10 Billy Twelvetrees
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Rob Hawkins
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Steve Mafi
5 Geoff Parling
6 Tom Croft
7 Julian Salvi
8 Thomas Waldrom

Replacements
16 George Chuter
17 Boris Stankovich
18 Dan Cole
19 Ed Slater
20 Ben Woods
21 Sam Harrison
22 Jeremy Staunton
23 Scott Hamilton

Thats a very strong looking Tigers outfit, particularly the pack. Home advantage or not it will take a huge Ulster performance to win tomorrow night.

roddersm wrote:Thats a very strong looking Tigers outfit, particularly the pack. Home advantage or not it will take a huge Ulster performance to win tomorrow night.

Oh I agree with you there Rodders. Defensively Leicester will be so difficult to break down. I am hoping we can catch them cold in the first quarter like Wasps did last weekend. We will have to earn every point against them.

Starting with Steve Mafi over Ed Slater is an error in my opinion. Slater's additional weight and ball carrying ability in the tighter areas would serve Tigers a lot better against the meaty Ulster pack than Mafi who is in effect a second blindside. Think that might count against us in the scrum but be a bonus in the lineout though. Interesting to see Harrison over Young on the bench.

Can't wait to see some great clashes. Ferris and Croft has to be the biggest one! Although the most important one has to be front row?

I fear we may be vulnerable defensively down that 10-12 channel and think dropping Whitten could prove costly as Tuilagi and Twelvetrees will surely target there. Huge mistake for me. Whitten would have been able to smash those players backwards and even if Wallace can make the tackles we will surely lose cheap ground now.

If we win I think it will be the boot of IHumph which proves decisive. It is vital that our pack gets the upper hand.