Ulster Rugby v Munster Rugby, 9 May

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Ulster Rugby v Munster Rugby
Saturday 9 May 2015
KO: 14:40
Kingspan Corporate Sellout Stadium Ravenhill, Belfast

Live on Sky Sports

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 124th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Dudley Phillips, Nigel Correll (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Murray Whyte (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)

A. Head to Head

26 Played 26
13 Wins 13
13 Losses 13
0 Draws 0
47 Tries 53
30 Conversions 41
54 Penalties 52
1 Drop Goals 5
460 Points 518
27 Avg. Age 27

B. Form

Fri 28 Nov 2014 - Munster Rugby 21 - 20 Ulster Rugby

Sat 10 May 2014 - Munster Rugby 17 - 19 Ulster Rugby

Fri 3 Jan 2014 - Ulster Rugby 29 - 19 Munster Rugby

C. Teams

Ulster Rugby

L Ludik; T Bowe, J Payne, D Cave, P Nelson; P Jackson, R Pienaar; C Black, R Best (capt), W Herbst, D Tuohy, F van der Merwe, I Henderson, C Henry, R Wilson.

Replacements: R Herring, A Warwick, B Ross, R Diack, C Ross, P Marshall, I Humphreys, S McCloskey

Munster Rugby

F Jones; K Earls, A Smith, Denis Hurley, S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray; D Kilcoyne, E Guinazu, S Archer; D Ryan, P O'Connell; P O'Mahony (capt),T O'Donnell, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Duncan Casey, John Ryan, BJ Botha, Billy Holland, Jack O'Donoghue, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Ronan O'Mahony.

Ulster team & replacements to play Munster, Guinness PRO12, Kingspan Stadium, Saturday 9th May (14:40 kick off): (15-9): L Ludik; T Bowe, J Payne, D Cave, P Nelson, P Jackson, R Pienaar; (1-8): C Black, R Best (C), W Herbst, D Tuohy, F van der Merwe, I Henderson, C Henry, R Wilson;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, A Warwick, B Ross, R Diack, C Ross, P Marshall, I Humphreys, S McCloskey.

Munster XV: Jones; Earls, Smith, Hurley, Zebo; Keatley,Murray; Kilcoyne, Guinazu, Archer; Ryan, POC; POM Capt, TOD, CJ

Replacements: Casey, J Ryan, BJ, B Holland, JOD, Williams, JJ, R O’Mahony

Really disappointing that Gilroy is injured. Aaaarrgghh!

I was hoping he'd twinkle toe his way through shocked Munster defenders like his wonder try in the 2012 HECv2 quarter final. It'll just have to be Nelson then

This is sest to be one hell of a game with both sides being able to boast being in form and having good momentum. These interpros are getting better every year, full strength sides and all that.
It'll be interesting to see if the rumour on t'other forum is of substance with a half-time announcement of a big signing. They are listing all Saffer backrowers like crazy over there. It could just be a new tea lady

If she's South African that'll be still big news!

Nelson will do a fine job, Pete, but he's no twinkle toe's. Not that he has no more to give though. I'm sure he has.
Forgot about this half-time announcement rumour. Hopefully it's more than a rumour, and hopefully it's bigger news than the tea lady. Although a top quality Tea lady is a must have for any team challenging to be the best in Europe.

If she's South African the signing fee will be astronomical. Maybe even more than Piutau, who according to latest reports* will be earning £1.3m per season

*606V2 Daily Makebelieve....

Time for Mr. Foley to deliver. There is a reason why the most successful coaches in Munster have not been from the second city...maybe Axel will be the exception

Really tempted to go on the other forum and tell them I just saw Johan Muller and family at Belfast International, grabbing a pint of Guinness with Vermeulen both wearing Ulster Rugby polo shirts...

Winner of this game goes top going into the final. Think it would be hilarious if Ulster got 1st place after all the grousing

It would be funny It would also be an incredible achievement after the run of injuries we have had all season, as well as losing Humphs and Anscombe.

The irony if we actually win it having missed out on silverware when we did have Humphs and Anscombe

Nice piece in the IT about Paddy Jackson.

Can't get the link to work.

Really exited about this game

Of course, if Ulster lose this game we can probably kiss goodbye to a home semi-final. It's so finely poised.

Ospreys 70 with one game left
Glasgow 70 with one game left
Munster 68 with two games left
Ulster 67 with two games left

O'Connell was taken out on the first play surely? Yellow at least.

Owens bottles it.

Thugs escape again at home.

Henderson having a big game again so far.

Chunky Norwich wrote:O'Connell was taken out on the first play surely? Yellow at least.

Owens bottles it.

Thugs escape again at home.

A typical comment from the forums biggest twit.
Go watch the soccer ya girl

Earls run over by Henderson without really even slowing him. His defence just isn't good enough to start for Ireland for me.

Pete330v2 wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:O'Connell was taken out on the first play surely? Yellow at least.

Owens bottles it.

Thugs escape again at home.

A typical comment from the forums biggest twit.
Go watch the soccer ya girl

Please just ignore him.

kunu wrote:Earls run over by Henderson without really even slowing him. His defence just isn't good enough to start for Ireland for me.

To be honest, big ball carriers have ran over Earls quite a bit since his return. It is definitely a weakness.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

kunu wrote:Earls run over by Henderson without really even slowing him. His defence just isn't good enough to start for Ireland for me.

To be honest, big ball carriers have ran over Earls quite a bit since his return. It is definitely a weakness.

Agreed. I've had this sort of discussion at length with Munster supporters here, and they definately don't agree. Glad to know I'm not on my own!

It was a clear cardable offence lads. You're in denial.

I was looking forward to the battle between Hendy and POM, but to be honest I haven't even noticed the latter.

Henderson - WORLD CLASS. Great finish from Bowe as well.

I know Rory, I shouldn't even look at the tom-kite he comes out with.

Henderson has been everywhere so far, he just makes it all look very easy.
Crakin' first half, most of which I've held my breath. Time to breath and get another beer on the go.

Chunky Norwich wrote:It was a clear cardable offence lads. You're in denial.

I don't think Nigel Owens is Irish though.

So one conspiracy cancels out the other.

Ulster up at half-time - that's the main thing.

I think we are about to see another yellow card..

Nope that is okay.

Wow, never mind! My stream must be rubbish, his head didn't make contact from what I saw?

The game is becoming a joke. I dont know anymore.

Can we be 100% honest here. Is there any team that gets worse card decision made against them than Ulster?

I expect this from poor referees, but this is just disappointing from Nigel

Never mind again, that close-up is pretty clear.

Rubbish call there, Hendo led with the arm and it's something that happens all the time at ruck time. That'll end the gamefor us because of yet another officiating F-up.

Iain Henderson you sir are an idiot, you just don't do that, there was absolutely no need, you forced him into a decision, you are an idiot and it is so typical of our players this year doing stupid unnecessary stuff that cost us the game

We know it is something that is being checked by the officials, we know it needs stamped out, and it is dangerous. It was silly and reckless by Henderson and although it happens in every single game, it is still against the laws of the game. My only wish is that it will be officiated consistently.

I think a red is very harsh, but even if he got a yellow we would have been 1 man down until the end.

One thing we can all be certain about, Chunky will be having a field day.

neilthom7 wrote:Iain Henderson you sir are an idiot, you just don't do that, there was absolutely no need, you forced him into a decision, you are an idiot and it is so typical of our players this year doing stupid unnecessary stuff that cost us the game

He didn't force anyone in to a decision, he went into a ruck like everyone does in every game. Nobody thought anything was wrong with it, not the fans, not the players, not the referee, until the touch judge brought it up a minute later

JmD wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:Iain Henderson you sir are an idiot, you just don't do that, there was absolutely no need, you forced him into a decision, you are an idiot and it is so typical of our players this year doing stupid unnecessary stuff that cost us the game

He didn't force anyone in to a decision, he went into a ruck like everyone does in every game. Nobody thought anything was wrong with it, not the fans, not the players, not the referee, until the touch judge brought it up a minute later

It wasn't intentional at all, and he was trying to clear out the ruck like every other player does in every single game, but after seeing that close-up it was still a flying headbutt into the face.

Like I said, if we are going to start seeing red/yellow cards for the flying ruck clear-outs, I really flipping hope they are consistent. Especially for the World Cup.

Pity for Henderson not a deserved red yellow maybe. I guess he was pretty anonymous in the second half so wanted to get noticed given POMs display. Class is permanent...and lasts 80 mins

Shocking call. Who was that Touch Judge? He was in Owen's ear all 2nd half.

ME-109 wrote:Pity for Henderson not a deserved red yellow maybe. I guess he was pretty anonymous in the second half so wanted to get noticed given POMs display. Class is permanent...and lasts 80 mins

I barely noticed O'Mahony was playing, and I am a huge fan. He has been lazy since the 6 Nations.

Can somebody tell me if I'm wrong... but surely if a team has advantage and plays the ball across the backline, but ultimately doesn't progress towards the opposition tryline, surely advantage should not be over?

Tuohy clearly made that kick believing we still were playing advantage.

Owens did the same thing a few times today.

Am I wrong?

clivemcl wrote:Can somebody tell me if I'm wrong... but surely if a team has advantage and plays the ball across the backline, but ultimately doesn't progress towards the opposition tryline, surely advantage should not be over?

Tuohy clearly made that kick believing we still were playing advantage.

Owens did the same thing a few times today.

Am I wrong?

Yes you are. Scrum advantage ends after something like 2 clean passes by the attacking team. Tuohy lost his damn mind when he kicked that ball away.

So this means Ospreys and Munster will probably get a home semi?

JmD wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:Iain Henderson you sir are an idiot, you just don't do that, there was absolutely no need, you forced him into a decision, you are an idiot and it is so typical of our players this year doing stupid unnecessary stuff that cost us the game

He didn't force anyone in to a decision, he went into a ruck like everyone does in every game. Nobody thought anything was wrong with it, not the fans, not the players, not the referee, until the touch judge brought it up a minute later

Just because everyone does it does not make it right, he went in completely unattached and basically off his feet and Owens was right. My point is he didn't need to go in the ball was already coming back.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

clivemcl wrote:Can somebody tell me if I'm wrong... but surely if a team has advantage and plays the ball across the backline, but ultimately doesn't progress towards the opposition tryline, surely advantage should not be over?

Tuohy clearly made that kick believing we still were playing advantage.

Owens did the same thing a few times today.

Am I wrong?

Yes you are. Scrum advantage ends after something like 2 clean passes by the attacking team. Tuohy lost his damn mind when he kicked that ball away.

Ah! Interesting! And was that instance a scrum penalty? I dont remember.

Certainly brain farts like that from Tuohy and Bowe earlier need to be cut out if we are to progress through to the final!

Fantastic result for us Os, the only result that could have given us top spot, top position is totally within our own hands now, just hope a few of last nights injuries are not to serious.

clivemcl wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

clivemcl wrote:Can somebody tell me if I'm wrong... but surely if a team has advantage and plays the ball across the backline, but ultimately doesn't progress towards the opposition tryline, surely advantage should not be over?

Tuohy clearly made that kick believing we still were playing advantage.

Owens did the same thing a few times today.

Am I wrong?

Yes you are. Scrum advantage ends after something like 2 clean passes by the attacking team. Tuohy lost his damn mind when he kicked that ball away.

Ah! Interesting! And was that instance a scrum penalty? I dont remember.

Certainly brain farts like that from Tuohy and Bowe earlier need to be cut out if we are to progress through to the final!

It was a scrum advantage, not a penalty, probably from a knock on but I can't remember.

Somebody clarify the rule for me then. What are the technically details for a correct way to contest a ruck / clear out.

Not talking about rolling' players. I mean head on. Do hands have to make contact first? Sure if you have an outstretched arm going in with force, your arm will fold up and your shoulder/head will most likely make contact with the player soon after.

Should we just ban approaching a ruck with pace altogether??

Also... those saying it was an intentional headbutt are having a laugh. Murray was rolling back as Henderson was flying in. Whatever Hendo's target was, had moved to an extent. He did lead with a forearm. Think the head was accidental. But is forearm illegal too? Or only if it makes contact with the face?

Henderson went off his feet flying leading with his forearm but did accidentally hit Murray with the head, clear yellow and given Ulster's form this season the red was justified for reckless and dangerous play, shame it was Henderson who paid the price and not Williams though.

Who said it was intentional?

VinceWLB wrote:Henderson went off his feet flying leading with his forearm but did accidentally hit Murray with the head, clear yellow and given Ulster's form this season the red was justified for reckless and dangerous play, shame it was Henderson who paid the price and not Williams though.

So you are allowed to make contact with the head if you stay on your feet? Genuinely not being pedantic, but I think this lack of exact clarity is why cardable offences keep happening.