Ulster vs Ospreys

First topic message reminder :

Game on Friday, another sell-out crowd, but like everyone else we're scrabbling around with the Six Nations and injuries, trying to make ends meet. Declan Fitzpatrick, Rory Best, Chris Henry, Iain Henderson, Paddy Jackson and Craig Gilroy are all with the national side. John Afoa and Jared Payne are on leave to ensure they stay fresh on the home straight of the season. And Adam Macklin, Paddy McAllister, Stephen Ferris, Nick Williams, Roger Wilson, Tommy Bowe, Chris Farrell, Peter Nelson and Adam D'Arcy are all still injured.

Selection is further complicated by the news that Darren Cave and Andrew Trimble have been called into the Ireland squad as cover for Earls and D'Arcy- they are included here but aren't likely to be released from tacklebag duty until Thursday.

Forwards (14)

Nigel Brady, Rob Herring, Niall Annett, Callum Black, Ricky Lutton, Andrew Warwick, Tom Court, Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy, Neil McComb, Johann Muller, Mike McComish Robbie Diack, Ali Birch.

Backs (11)

Ruan Pienaar, Paul Marshall, Niall O’Connor, Stuart Olding, Paddy Wallace, Luke Marshall, Darren Cave, Michael Allen, Andrew Trimble, Chris Cochrane, Ricky Andrew.

There is some good news- Johann Muller, Dan Tuohy and Luke Marshall are back and available for selection. But it's a squad with no recognised tighthead, only 3 recognised backrows and only one recognised fullback. Of the props, it is to be hoped Tom Court stays at loosehead- the joke of trying him at 3 is testament to how we will fail to get the best out of him in that position and would further damage his international chances. Of the 4 looseheads in the squad the burden will probably fall on Richard Lutton to wear the 3 shirt with 21 year-old Prop/Hooker Andrew Warwick covering for him on the bench.

I would move the hard-grafting Neil McComb to the blindside flanker as a lineout option and a ball carrier, given how light we are in the backrow. With Jackson missing at 10, it's a good opportunity to look at Stuart Olding outside Ruan Pienaar and Luke Marshall to come off the bench.

Notchs XV;

1. Tom Court
2. Nigel Brady
3. Richard Lutton
4. Johann Muller (c)
5. Dan Tuohy
6. Neil McComb
7. Mike McComish
8. Robbie Diack
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Stuart Olding
11. Andrew Trimble
12. Paddy Wallace
13. Darren Cave
14. Michael Allen
15. Ricky Andrew

16. Rob Herring 17. Andrew Warwick 18. Callum Black 19. Lewis Stevenson 20. Ali Birch 21. Paul Marshall 22. Luke Marshall 23. Chris Cochrane.

I think it's a great idea. Will help travelling fans too who can get to the ground more easily and then back to the city afterwards.

rodders wrote:

Gibson wrote:
Don't cry foul when and if it happens. Deal with it and grow up with it. All the great sides do.

Hear hear Gibbo ..... mind you its easy for you to say...there likely won't be a Leinsterman in the 22 in a couple of seasons time ... ......

Feck off Rod there will be loads. And in the oppositions 22 at that, at several times during every game.

2015 RWC Team:

01 Paddy McAllister
02 Rory Best (c)
03 Tom Court
04 Donnacha Ryan
05 Iain Henderson
06 Stephen Ferris
07 Peter O'Mahony
08 CJ Stander
09 Conor Murray
10 Paddy Jackson
11 Simon Zebo
12 Luke Marshall
13 Eoin Griffin
14 Craig Gilroy
15 Jared Payne

http://www.mydup.com/news/article/dsd-minister-announces-133000-for-sport-in-the-community

Bit of a financial Brucie bonus to help grow the grassroots game in Ulster.

Logan's getting through his "Things to Do: World domination" list rightly.

red_stag wrote:2015 RWC Team:

01 Paddy McAllister
02 Rory Best (c)
03 Tom Court
04 Donnacha Ryan
05 Iain Henderson
06 Stephen Ferris
07 Peter O'Mahony
08 CJ Stander
09 Conor Murray
10 Paddy Jackson
11 Simon Zebo
12 Luke Marshall
13 Eoin Griffin
14 Craig Gilroy
15 Jared Payne

How did you get so many misprints in 15 names. You have spelled EVERY SINGLE one wrong.

2015 RWC Team:

01 Cian Healy
02 Richardt Strauss
03 Nathan White
04 Mike McCarthy
05 Quinn Roux
06 Rhys Ruddock
07 Sean O'Brien
08 Jamie Heaslip
09 Kieran Marmion
10 Jonathan Sexton
11 Like Fitzgerald
12 Fergus McFadden
13 Eoin Griffin
14 Dave Kearney
15 Rob Kearney

red_stag wrote:2015 RWC Team:

01 Paddy McAllister
02 Rory Best (c)
03 Tom Court
04 Donnacha Ryan
05 Iain Henderson
06 Stephen Ferris
07 Peter O'Mahony
08 CJ Stander
09 Conor Murray
10 Paddy Jackson
11 Simon Zebo
12 Luke Marshall
13 Eoin Griffin
14 Craig Gilroy
15 Jared Payne

Is this the wolfhounds team?

Best, O'Mahoney, Henderson, Murray, Zebo, Marshall and Gilroy are certs to be in and around the first 23 from that team. Not bad considering stag was taking the p1ss

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

red_stag wrote:2015 RWC Team:

01 Paddy McAllister
02 Rory Best (c)
03 Tom Court
04 Donnacha Ryan
05 Iain Henderson
06 Stephen Ferris
07 Peter O'Mahony
08 CJ Stander
09 Conor Murray
10 Paddy Jackson
11 Simon Zebo
12 Luke Marshall
13 Eoin Griffin
14 Craig Gilroy
15 Jared Payne

Is this the wolfhounds team?

Nah this is our probably 2015 RWC team

Standulstermen wrote:Best, O'Mahoney, Henderson, Murray, Zebo, Marshall and Gilroy are certs to be in and around the first 23 from that team. Not bad considering stag was taking the p1ss

Jared Payne too I'd say.

If he wants in Notch

Notch wrote:

Standulstermen wrote:Best, O'Mahoney, Henderson, Murray, Zebo, Marshall and Gilroy are certs to be in and around the first 23 from that team. Not bad considering stag was taking the p1ss

Jared Payne too I'd say.

In all seriousness, even if he wants in do you see him as a cert when he'll have Rob Kearney - who will be in his prime at 28 years of age with two Lions Tours and about 60 Ireland caps under his belt?

He might not be considered as a 15 though stag.

Standulstermen wrote:He might not be considered as a 15 though stag.

As a 13? But surely he'll be playing 15 every week for Ulster for next few years.

23?

The boy Henshaw will be on Kearney's heels before long. A definite one to look out for in 2015.

Gibson wrote:The boy Henshaw will be on Kearney's heels before long. A definite one to look out for in 2015.

He could be BODs replacement. He's mainly a 13 who plays 15 too.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Gibson wrote:The boy Henshaw will be on Kearney's heels before long. A definite one to look out for in 2015.

He could be BODs replacement. He's mainly a 13 who plays 15 too.

He was mainly a 13 at schools rugby but that is not relevant to the professional game. He has been consistently at fullback for Connacht and Ireland A and looks unlikely to play centre for either for foreseeable future.

Keith Earls was predominantly a 12 at schools rugby. Always played there. However that meant nothing when it came to international rugby.

Henshawe has the savvy and game reading ability of a much more experienced guy, fifteen is one of the tougher back spots to come in as a young lad and get consistent game time he is doing tremendously well. Like the look of that Ulster team should be a decent game.

Is the game on TV lads? Was really looking forward to seeing Leinster hammer Blues, but it's not being televised. Bloody Welsh! When the national side is centre-stage, they care even less about their regions. If that is at all possible.

I know Leinster aren't on this weekend, but this game is on BBC2 NI at 19:00 tonight.

BBC 2 at 7 Gibbo.

red_stag wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Gibson wrote:The boy Henshaw will be on Kearney's heels before long. A definite one to look out for in 2015.

He could be BODs replacement. He's mainly a 13 who plays 15 too.

He was mainly a 13 at schools rugby but that is not relevant to the professional game. He has been consistently at fullback for Connacht and Ireland A and looks unlikely to play centre for either for foreseeable future.

Keith Earls was predominantly a 12 at schools rugby. Always played there. However that meant nothing when it came to international rugby.

Yeah. But he was still at school last May. He is only FB because Gavin Duffy is out. Having said that he is at FB tonight for the U20s too.

Lovely jubbly lads. Thanks.

SUFTUM.

Tommy Bowe with 'encouraging injury news'. Excellent stuff.

Evening All

I'm NOT wearing my Ulster jersey tonight, obviously...

This should be a good game. Hope it is. Apparently it's a sell out too.

WillyGilly wrote:Tommy Bowe with 'encouraging injury news'. Excellent stuff.

WHERE?!

On the HT interview Cari. Bodes well for him if he's to bolt into the lions picture.

Diack needs to lead this backrow tonight. Expecting a good game from him he's pushing for a bench spot come HC time.

Awh I wish BBC Wales would grab him for an interview.

3-0 after a Pienaar special. Four minutes gone.

Some good Osprey pressure here

My word what a kick.

Morgs takes a penalty...and it just makes it! Well done Morgs!

3-3 at nine minutes.

Good pressure from the O's...messy but still on the attack....Morgs goes for DG but it goes wide.

Morgan with zero composure there. Woeful decision.

Looks like its just you and me tonight Cari. Can I buy the gal a drink?

Morgan isn't having the best start to this game

Very impressed with the Ospreys so far, but if your captain takes a tap on the 22 why then hit the drop from 10 metres???

Is it me or would anyone like to see Morgan at 9 next season??? He just seems to be comfortable there.

Why on earth is Habberfield on the wing, Ross Jones on the bench with Fussell at FB?

Is Rhys Webb injured?

Awk jeez spoke to soon...

Aye gwaan then Willy, I'm a cheap date - a will do me

I think the intention was right, but badly executed.

Great penalty Pienaar.

6-3 at fourteen minutes.

Work I have missed the first 13 mins I am not amused, anyone want to catch me up?

Has anyone else got the background sound going loud and quiet on their TV? Ah Jebus....that was close.

The Ospreys have 3 SHs on the field - Kahn, Habberfield and Issacs - and their smallest player is still the FH

neilthom7 wrote:Work I have missed the first 13 mins I am not amused, anyone want to catch me up?

Hello Nielly,

Bit of a messy but positive start from the O's, although Pienaar has kicked two very good penalties. Morgs went for a DG which went very wide.

neilthom7 wrote:Work I have missed the first 13 mins I am not amused, anyone want to catch me up?

Ospreys carrying well, Ulster winning penalties, Pienaar kicking well, Fotuali tapping and going with an easy penalty.

Ospreys much the better side. Court isn't doing well at 3. Slightly worrying.

Good lineout from the O's there. Now they need to go for the try, no DGs!!!

Beerman's having a good game so far.

Oh poo. O's holding on.

In 5 years time, Bevington will be first choice for Wales, and Morgan Allen will be in the 23.

You heard it here first folks.

Excellent penalty won by the O's - Ulster looked inept at that breakdown

Morgs going for his second penalty...

6-6 at 21 minutes.

Morgan with the kick... Good. 6 a piece.