ERCC Round 4 : Scarlets Vrs Ulster (PYS, Sun 14-12-14)

European Rugby Champions Cup - Pool 3:

  
Scarlets v Ulster  

Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
Referee: JP Doyle
Assistants: Tom Foley, Roy Maybank (Eng)
TMO: Graham Hughes (Eng)
Timekeeper: Terry Thomas (Wal)


Coverage: BTSport 2 ; Live commentary on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Ulster and the BBC Sport website from 17:00 GMT

SCARLETS

15 Liam Williams,
14 Kristian Phillips,
13 Regan King,
12 Scott Williams (capt),
11 Michael Tagicakibau,
10 Rhys Priestland,
9 Rhodri Williams,

1 Rob Evans,
2 Emyr Phillips,
3 Samson Lee,
4 Jake Ball,
5 Johan Snyman,
6 Aaron Shingler,
7 James Davies,
8 Rob McCusker

Replacements:
Kirby Myhill,
Wyn Jones,
Rhodri Jones,
George Earle,
Rory Pitman,
Aled Davies,
Steven Shingler,
Hadleigh Parkes


ULSTER

L Ludik;
T Bowe,
D Cave,
L Marshall,
C Gilroy,
I Humphreys,
R Pienaar;

C Black,
R Best (Capt),
D Fitzpatrick,
D Tuohy,
F vd Merwe,
R Diack,
C Ross,
R Wilson

Replacements:
R Herring,
A Warwick,
B Ross,
A O’Connor,
M McComish,
P Marshall,
M Heaney,
M Allen.

Head to Head

7  Played 7
4 Wins 2
2 Losses 4
1 Draws 1
13 Tries 10
12 Conversions 3
19 Penalties 14
0 Drop Goals 1
146 Points 101

No way Van De Merde can be fit to play - he was knocked into the middle of next week by Williams. So much for the concussion rules

Rodders, to be honest I thought that too, especially after hearing how careful Ulster are about head injuries and player welfare (being serious here too). So I'm assuming he must be one of those who recover quickly.

The problem might be that they have followed the RTP guidelines.



Just for SSM!!

Interesting tournament records, nothwithstanding that they’ve actually only played 3 games in THIS tournament ever !!

Played - Scarlets 120, Ulster 120
Won – Scarlets 59, Ulster 59
Lost - Scarlets 59, Ulster 58
Draws - Scarlets 2, Ulster 3
Average points per game - Scarlets 23, Ulster 21

Head to Head(in this tournament only)
Played 7
Wins – Scarlets 4, Ulster 2, 1 draw
Points – Scarlets 146, Ulster 101

Does that 120 matches include Llanelli games?

Sorry for the slow reply Mrs P - but yes I would assume so. The regions have only been going for 10 years and the maximum amount of games in the Cup would be 9 per season

Pete, how have Ulster drawn 3, but the Scarlets only drawn 2?

MrsP, you got to assume he wasn't as bad as it looked.

All injuries considered that's a pretty decent back line for Ulster. The pack took solid (except the back row), so should be an interesting match.

SSM,

I think that is total games played in the competition, not head to head.

Although I'm not sure whether we have played 3 or 7 times in European Cup.

Most of the head to head in Europe would have been us against Llanelli not Scarlets I would think.

Ah makes sense. I was thinking head to head full stop, but thinking bout it 120 games would be what 40-60yrs (giving cups etc). Really should think things through properly.

The thing those stats don't show, is even though Scarlets/Llanelli have similar stats, and an average higher score per game. Ulster have their name on a Cup, and we don't. That's probably the major stat IMO.

The result could be the reverse of last week and that might just be the best result Ulster could get.

I've got the Scarlets to get the first red card in todays match against Ulster at 66/1. Hoping a certain player at fullback can deliver for me

Artful_Dodger wrote:I've got the Scarlets to get the first red card in todays match against Ulster at 66/1. Hoping a certain player at fullback can deliver for me

Ludik? But he's in Ulster's team. Also its tomorrow's match, so I guess that explains the odds

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:I've got the Scarlets to get the first red card in todays match against Ulster at 66/1. Hoping a certain player at fullback can deliver for me

Ludik? But he's in Ulster's team.  Also its tomorrow's match, so I guess that explains the odds

SS,

Its ok I am sure the freidnly bookies will still take his money and just laugh when bet put on for today

SS, better set up a 'Slag off Liam Williams thread' and make it a sticky. That way we can talk about rugby on these match threads.

The Saint wrote:SS, better set up a 'Slag off Liam Williams thread' and make it a sticky. That way we can talk about rugby on these match threads.

Ah that's who he was on about

bedfordwelsh wrote:

The Saint wrote:SS, better set up a 'Slag off Liam Williams thread' and make it a sticky. That way we can talk about rugby on these match threads.

Ah that's who he was on about

I hadn't read the comments on here. It was just a suggestion based on the bitterness of last week .

Saint, no need to go down that route. I think it's best he/us leave him prove his usefulness on the pitch. Got a feeling it'll be a big game for him.

Oh sounds like the west stand is open for this game too. Odds are the tickets will be freebies for Pembrokeshire & Ceridigion Day (30+ tag teams coming up, plus parents etc). But with lots of people, and the male voice choir, the Parc should be rocking. Let's just hope we can sway Doyle's decisions in our favour.

Artful_Dodger wrote:I've got the Scarlets to get the first red card in todays match against Ulster at 66/1. Hoping a certain player at fullback can deliver for me

Who's second favourite?

Just a bit of banter after the arguments in the other thread guys.....come on.

Dodger, to be fair everything is pleasant here so far, but let's face it as soon as the game starts we will be one hard tackle away from mud slinging.

Aukster, I'm guessing the second favourites to be the first team to get a red would be Ulster? Not sure what the odds would be though.

The weather is looking pretty grim at the most, pretty breezey, and that horrid misty rain stuff. And worse still its not meant to improve, if anything the rain should become heavier. So I can't see either team putting on a great running display today. Bit of a shame really, as a result like at PYS in the Pro12 would leave this group pretty open still. Also, on a personal note, I was really looking forward to the game, but my car is playing silly sods, so I may end up stuck at home watching it on the box.

Ulster and Scarlets both 66/1 for first red card.

Apprehensive, feel like the injuries we have are too crippling for us to properly cope. Also just realised I've booked myself into studio time at the exact same time as this game because I thought it was happening last night

So I'll not be able to watch this game. Catch-up with the highlights late tonight and hopefully see the full game... sometime. In my busy week.

That penalty came from Scott Williams break, which came from the most pathetic attempt at a tackle of the season from Ian Humphreys.

Seems like Doyle has decided Scarlets should win this one, giving them everything.

JmD wrote:Seems like Doyle has decided Scarlets should win this one, giving them everything.

The only decisions I have an issue with thus far are in the scrum. That penalty against Ludik for example was just idiocy, Priestland clearly still on the ground.

Artful_Dodger wrote:

JmD wrote:Seems like Doyle has decided Scarlets should win this one, giving them everything.

The only decisions I have an issue with thus far are in the scrum.  That penalty against Ludik for example was just idiocy, Priestland clearly still on the ground.

The scrum is what I have the biggest issue with. Clearly the Scartlets loosehead is driving across, but he's yet to acknowledge it in any way.

Priestland is so hit or miss with the boot it's unbelievable.

Some of these calls are pretty shocking. Black had rolled away, fair turnover.

The penalty count must be around 10-1 by now.

VinceWLB wrote:Priestland is so hit or miss with the boot it's unbelievable.

True, he's too unreliable for team Wales. Don't know why he was picked in autumn, but we remember how that went. Somehow the fans got the bloody blame.

Jesus!  What the hell is going on in that there match?  I can't watch it but looking in at the ERCC site..... a Scarlet's penalty every sixth or seventh minute?

Ta-ra Ulster.

Well done Scarlets from an Osprey, good to see a villain last week being a hero today and well done Rhys.

The Saint wrote:Ta-ra Ulster.

Classy...

Well done Scarlets on the win and with such a weak ref,
Ulster offside every ruck lying all over the ball refusing to scrumage properly lots of crossing and lost count of how many high tackles and the ref turned a blind eye to so many i could have been several yellow cards n the first half alone.

Also may i add how the ref refused to let Scarlets defend a driving maul Ulster might as well just have 10 players link arms and run forward with a ball carrier running behind it got that sloppy.
But again well done scarlets against such odds.

p.s. Notch i know your a moderator and you can ban people just for not agreeing with you or if they say something nasty about you beloved Ulster but this week don't take it upon yourself to send me two personal emails with a real personal threatening tone just like you did last week because quite frankly it pathetic, so if you don't like it just keep scrolling you jumped up obnoxious brat.

Again well done Scarlets hard luck Ulster.

SecretFly wrote:Jesus!  What the hell is going on in that there match?  I can't watch it but looking in at the ERCC site..... a Scarlet's penalty every sixth or seventh minute?

Call me one eyed but Ulster just didn't seem up for it they got very sloppy which is unusual for a team of Ulsters calibre ,but this just led to mistakes and you could see the frustration coming through which just led to penalties.

DeludedOptimistorjustDave wrote:Well done Scarlets on the win and with such a weak ref,
Ulster offside every ruck lying all over the ball refusing to scrumage properly lots of crossing and lost count of how many high tackles and the ref turned a blind eye to so many i could have been several yellow cards n the first half alone.

Also may i add how the ref refused to let Scarlets defend a driving maul Ulster might as well just have 10 players link arms and run forward with a ball carrier running behind it got that sloppy.
But again well done scarlets against such odds.

p.s. Notch i know your a moderator and you can ban people just for not agreeing with you or if they say something nasty about you beloved Ulster but this week don't take it upon yourself to send me two personal emails with a real personal threatening tone just like you did last week because quite frankly it pathetic, so if you don't like it just keep scrolling you jumped up obnoxious brat.

Again well done Scarlets hard luck Ulster.

Grow up Dave. Do you not think before you send such crap?

From an Osprey. Congrats Scarlets and well done Rhys

Oh and congratulations Scarlets.

Congrats, Scarlets.

No chance of qualification for Ulster now, and we can concentrate on the Pro12 from here on in.

A plus for me is watching Marshall back in action. Thought he had a good game considering how long he was out for. Hopefully get a few of our injured back v Ospreys who are themselves missing quite a few players.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

DeludedOptimistorjustDave wrote:Well done Scarlets on the win and with such a weak ref,
Ulster offside every ruck lying all over the ball refusing to scrumage properly lots of crossing and lost count of how many high tackles and the ref turned a blind eye to so many i could have been several yellow cards n the first half alone.

Also may i add how the ref refused to let Scarlets defend a driving maul Ulster might as well just have 10 players link arms and run forward with a ball carrier running behind it got that sloppy.
But again well done scarlets against such odds.

p.s. Notch i know your a moderator and you can ban people just for not agreeing with you or if they say something nasty about you beloved Ulster but this week don't take it upon yourself to send me two personal emails with a real personal threatening tone just like you did last week because quite frankly it pathetic, so if you don't like it just keep scrolling you jumped up obnoxious brat.

Again well done Scarlets hard luck Ulster.

Grow up Dave. Do you not think before you send such crap?

Rory but no offence it is a forum and people will have stark contrasting views but the problem just like you have shown is some people inability to just accept that not all will agree,
it open for discussion it is not a dictatorship where we all have to kiss up to the mighty Irish provinces.

It is open to discussion but you're just going to get banned for the unnecessary "obnoxious brat" comment.

Also stop making something out of nothing, this silly little martyrdom stunt of yours to get banned is completely unnecessary. There is no dictatorship or problem, except for the one in your strange little head.

DeludedOptimistorjustDave wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

DeludedOptimistorjustDave wrote:Well done Scarlets on the win and with such a weak ref,
Ulster offside every ruck lying all over the ball refusing to scrumage properly lots of crossing and lost count of how many high tackles and the ref turned a blind eye to so many i could have been several yellow cards n the first half alone.

Also may i add how the ref refused to let Scarlets defend a driving maul Ulster might as well just have 10 players link arms and run forward with a ball carrier running behind it got that sloppy.
But again well done scarlets against such odds.

p.s. Notch i know your a moderator and you can ban people just for not agreeing with you or if they say something nasty about you beloved Ulster but this week don't take it upon yourself to send me two personal emails with a real personal threatening tone just like you did last week because quite frankly it pathetic, so if you don't like it just keep scrolling you jumped up obnoxious brat.

Again well done Scarlets hard luck Ulster.

Grow up Dave. Do you not think before you send such crap?

Rory but no offence it is a forum and people will have stark contrasting views but the problem just like you have shown is some people inability to just accept that not all will agree,
it open for discussion it is not a dictatorship where we all have to kiss up to the mighty Irish provinces.

Giving yourself away there, Deluded. Put a sock in it.

Shocking conditions!

Good result for Scarlets though and nice to see Priestland turn in a good performance.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:It is open to discussion but you're just going to get banned for the unnecessary "obnoxious brat" comment.

Also stop making something out of nothing, this silly little martyrdom stunt of yours to get banned is completely unnecessary. There is no dictatorship or problem, except for the one in your strange little head.

But the two emails from him rather unnecessary.

Cyril wrote:Shocking conditions!

Good result for Scarlets though and nice to see Priestland turn in a good performance.

agreed Preistland will always struggle with his demons but the more his own clubs fans have his back the more he will settle in to what he can achieve.

DeludedOptimistorjustDave wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:It is open to discussion but you're just going to get banned for the unnecessary "obnoxious brat" comment.

Also stop making something out of nothing, this silly little martyrdom stunt of yours to get banned is completely unnecessary. There is no dictatorship or problem, except for the one in your strange little head.

But the two emails from him rather unnecessary.

Well I don't know about that, probably best left to the emails though.

Ulster were surprisingly poor. I thought Doyle might have been favouring the Scarlets first half, but then for the full 80 he was fairly consistent, and it actually seemed a decent performance from him: the free kick for the disconnected maul offence, for example, would clearly nt have been given had he been swayed by the home advantage. The only criticism I think that could come his way was that he was a bit quick on the whistle, but he was fairly vocal before awarding penalties, which is difficult to contest when the player doesn't amend their behaviour having had that warning. The penalty count just reflected the slight advantage Scarlets had, as well as the individual errors Ulster kept making.

Ulster's problem was that their offences came just as they were beginning to build any momentum: as a result, especially in the first half, they barely strung any phases together. Their try only emphasised this; when they keep the ball in hand they are dangerous, but they just made too many mistakes.

They also had to play against a side who won the kicking game: Scarlets seemed to hold their nerve, and Ulster tried to up-and-under it after a bit of kick tennis, allowing Priestland to plug the corners and find territory. It also helps when there's the running threat of Sanjay and Kristian Phillips to hold THE Ulster chase, and I thought the forwards also got the edge over the Ulster pack around the park. Aaron Shingler, Snyman, and Emyr Phillips especially did well I thought.

Well deserved win, you could argue Ulster should have been buried by the hour had Priestland nailed his kicks, but he scored some shots that were far from easy. He's not Biggar or Halfpenny from the tee, but he's a decent kicker, if not quite as good as he was out of hand tonight. Would have been nice to see a running threat in Ulster's 22, and the failure to really build an unassailable lead nearly let Ulster sneak it in the end, but they have to be happy with the control they had over a team who has scored eight tries against them in two games already this season.