Ulster v Ospreys 4th September 2015 19:35 Kingspan Stadium

First topic message reminder :

Ulster's three most recent encounters in the Guinness PRO12 ended in a draw with Munster and a pair of defeats to Glasgow, in Round 22 and in the Play-Offs.
Read more at http://www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/17690.php#wOAHSXtGFMh8P1Ph.99


The Ulstermen have not been defeated at Kingspan Stadium in the Guinness PRO12 since Leinster were the visitors in May 2014.

Ospreys have go off to a winning start in the Guinness PRO12 in five of the last seven seasons and finished off their regular season campaign in 2014/15 with six straight wins before going down to Munster in the Play-Offs. Ospreys are the only Welsh side to have triumphed in Belfast since April 2010, having done so on two occasions, in April 2010 and again in February 2013.

Ospreys only win in their last four encounters with Ulster was 31-20 at Liberty Stadium on 20th December 2014.



Ulster

15 Louis Ludik
14 Andrew Trimble
13 Luke Marshall
12 Stuart McCloskey
11 Craig Gilroy
10 Peter Nelson
9 Paul Marshall

1 Andy Warwick
2 Rob Herring (Captain)
3 Wiehahn Herbst
4 Dan Tuohy
5 Franco Van der Merwe
6 Roger Wilson
7 Willie Faloon
8 Nick Williams

16 John Andrew, 17 Ricky Lutton 18 Bronson Ross 19 Peter Browne 20 Clive Ross 21 Sean Reidy 22 David Shanahan 23 Sam Arnold.

Ospreys

15 Dan Evans
14 Kristian Phillips
13 Jonathan Spratt
12 Ben John
11 Tom Grabham
10 Sam Davies
9 Tom Habberfield

1 Marc Thomas
2 Sam Parry
3 Dmitri Arhip
4 Lloyd Ashley (Capt)
5 De Kock Steenkamp
6 Joe Bearman
7 Lloyd Evans
8 Gareth Delve

16 Scott Otten 17 Nicky Smith 18 Cai Griffiths 19 Rory Thornton 20 Dan Baker 21 Sam Underhill 22 Brendon Leonard 23 Ashley Beck

At Kingspan Stadium, 7:35pm.
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 32nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher, Brian MacNeice (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)

Live on BBC NI and BBC Wales
Read more at http://www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/17690.php#wOAHSXtGFMh8P1Ph.99

Pathetic tackling by one side and very good by the other, good win for Ulster.

Artful_Dodger wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Never! Never! Never! Gonna give you up......

You appear to have all the intellect of a plankton, added to ignore list.

Just joshing. Lighten up mun.

Bonus Point!!!!!!
Nice start to the season against a clueless O's who's only victory was to remain offside all night without being caught. We didn't need any such ref assistance with that dominance. That's without a recognised out-half or place kicker on the pitch.

SUFTUM!

I can why Dan Baker was dropped from the Wales squad.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Never! Never! Never! Gonna give you up......

You appear to have all the intellect of a plankton, added to ignore list.

Just joshing. Lighten up mun.

Troll somwhere else you twit

Pete330v2 wrote:Bonus Point!!!!!!
Nice start to the season against a clueless O's who's only victory was to remain offside all night without being caught. We didn't need any such ref assistance with that dominance. That's without a recognised out-half or place kicker on the pitch.

SUFTUM!

I thought Ulster were offside all night hence Ospreys had no room.

Pete330v2 wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:

Cardiff Dave wrote:Never! Never! Never! Gonna give you up......

You appear to have all the intellect of a plankton, added to ignore list.

Just joshing. Lighten up mun.

Troll somwhere else you twit

No need for that mun. Be nice.

glamorganalun wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:Bonus Point!!!!!!
Nice start to the season against a clueless O's who's only victory was to remain offside all night without being caught. We didn't need any such ref assistance with that dominance. That's without a recognised out-half or place kicker on the pitch.

SUFTUM!

I thought Ulster were offside all night hence Ospreys had no room.

The Welsh always think that, check the scoreboard.....goodnight

Pete330v2 wrote:

glamorganalun wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:Bonus Point!!!!!!
Nice start to the season against a clueless O's who's only victory was to remain offside all night without being caught. We didn't need any such ref assistance with that dominance. That's without a recognised out-half or place kicker on the pitch.

SUFTUM!

I thought Ulster were offside all night hence Ospreys had no room.

The Welsh always think that, check the scoreboard.....goodnight

I didn't think so and i'm Welsh btw.

Hard luck Ospreys.

Chunky Norwich wrote:Hard luck Ospreys.

Godspeed

Pete330v2 wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:Hard luck Ospreys.

Godspeed

Great band.

Commiserations to the Ospreys fans.

A good tough game for a seasons opener. There will be some sore bodies in the morning on both sides.

Chunky Norwich wrote:I don't say this often but Godspeed you Ospreys.

Hey, Chunky, how's them apples!!!

A lot of that tackling was absolutely pathetic. Well done Ulster, this is going to be a hard few weeks, there are a lot of sore bodies tonight, I reckon there will be a lot more sore EARS on Monday.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:Hard luck Ospreys.

Godspeed

Great band.

Godsmack

Great game from McCloskey! Deserved MoTM. Also have to say I thought Nelson did a great job at 10 considering the pressure he would have been under, the first game of the season, and against the Ospreys! Although an Ospreys side hit hard with call ups.


To start the season with a 5 point win against a quality side like the Ospreys is fantastic!

Pete330v2 wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:Hard luck Ospreys.

Godspeed

Godspeed outta this thread!

Lads, how good is Stuart McCloskey going to be? He's as fast as our wingers, as skilful as our 10s and as big as our locks. Is there anything he can't do? He even kicks goals. The guy is a freak!

Notch wrote:Lads, how good is Stuart McCloskey going to be? He's as fast as our wingers, as skilful as our 10s and as big as our locks. Is there anything he can't do? He even kicks goals. The guy is a freak!

In my fantasy team I have Luke Marshall for the first week of the Pro 12.  I am furious I didn't go with McCloskey, especially given that he kicked our goals.  Nelson is listed on the site as a fullback and I went with him because I thought starting at 10 there was a good chance he would be kicking for us.  Oh well.

Notch wrote:Lads, how good is Stuart McCloskey going to be? He's as fast as our wingers, as skilful as our 10s and as big as our locks. Is there anything he can't do? He even kicks goals. The guy is a freak!

He's looking more and more the complete player. Next thing he'll have a season in the backrow
He's always looked to be the real deal and I can't help but think Joe is watching closely. McCloskey/Henshaw the future 12/13 partnership.

Oh absolutely. We've had lock partnerships smaller than that and they are both great footballers as well! The future is bright.

Great game from Ulster. Was pleasntly supeised with Nelson at 10 good game generally from big Nick and Stuart McCloskey was a beast.

Nelson impressed at 10 - but huge credit to Marshall p for controlling the game - well done !

How did Trimble play? I saw he started, and had one great return on a high ball.

He played very well. Real physical presence in defence and attack. Reinforced my view that leaving him out is a mistake, lot of very good players in the back three for Ireland but not many guys who really bring that physicality the way he does. He is also very intelligent in the lines he takes, he creates opportunities for others. McCloskeys try being a prime example. But mainly its the physicality that Ireland will miss. After seeing the way the back line was bullied out of the game by Wales last week, I remain very surprised and disappointed he's not in the squad.

neilthom7 wrote:Great game from Ulster.  Was pleasntly supeised with Nelson at 10 good game generally from big Nick and Stuart McCloskey was a beast.

Nick Williams looked hungry, and not just for his usual nine meals a day- he really, really wanted to get stuck in and he caused all sorts of problems for the Ospreys. Big part of us winning the contact area. Looks like he has a point to prove, which will hopefully see him return to the form he showed when he first arrived.

Glad he kept the momentum up! Likewise gutted he is not in the Ireland squad, Ireland's best wing under Schimdt, Luke Fitz has no business being ahead of him

Notch wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:Great game from Ulster.  Was pleasntly supeised with Nelson at 10 good game generally from big Nick and Stuart McCloskey was a beast.

Nick Williams looked hungry, and not just for his usual nine meals a day- he really, really wanted to get stuck in and he caused all sorts of problems for the Ospreys. Big part of us winning the contact area. Looks like he has a point to prove, which will hopefully see him return to the form he showed when he first arrived.

He's so often brilliant and infuriating in the same phase of play lets hope for more of tonight

That's a strong Ulster team. How many internationals do they have missing? I can just count 7 off the top of my head but there might be more.

carpet baboon wrote:Who knew McCloskey could kick?

Considering he was the main kicker for a season at Dungannon, I'd say quite a few.

wales606 wrote:Refereeing has been pretty awful in this game

A Welsh team loses because of awful refereeing - what were the odds of that?

Notch wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:Great game from Ulster.  Was pleasntly supeised with Nelson at 10 good game generally from big Nick and Stuart McCloskey was a beast.

Nick Williams looked hungry, and not just for his usual nine meals a day- he really, really wanted to get stuck in and he caused all sorts of problems for the Ospreys. Big part of us winning the contact area. Looks like he has a point to prove, which will hopefully see him return to the form he showed when he first arrived.

Williams looks to have been working hard in the weights room, and is as chiseled as he has ever been. He needs a firm captain though as he has to watch the chat with the referee when he was (wrongly) penalised when Delve took him out off the ball. Jiffy would have given him the MOTM but that was hardly a surprise.

Thought Herring did well as a captain, he seemed to have a good rapport with the referee and was a good mix of example and motivation for the team.

Peter Browne looks to be a gem. His experience of playing 8 showed in the loose showing both pace and breakdown nous.

John Andrew and Sam Arnold also deserve mentions. Andrew showed great pace for the Marshall try and Arnold impresses me more every time I see him.

The Great Aukster wrote:

wales606 wrote:Refereeing has been pretty awful in this game

A Welsh team loses because of awful refereeing - what were the odds of that?

In this league, it's known as O'fficiating

Thought Williams had a very good game. He shouldn't have been penalised, and neither did Bearman deserve the yellow.

I was very impressed with John Andrew. Great pace, hands and timing, in putting Marshall through for the Try. More of that please.

McCloskey is a ridiculous talent, and he's ours

Stone Motif wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:

wales606 wrote:Refereeing has been pretty awful in this game

A Welsh team loses because of awful refereeing - what were the odds of that?

In this league, it's known as O'fficiating

Sto'ne Mo'tif - I hope you're not suggesting that the Welsh referees are biased against their neighbouring regions?

The Great Aukster wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:

wales606 wrote:Refereeing has been pretty awful in this game

A Welsh team loses because of awful refereeing - what were the odds of that?

In this league, it's known as O'fficiating

Sto'ne Mo'tif - I hope you're not suggesting that the Welsh referees are biased against their neighbouring regions?

Nice try. Come back when we have matches where the touch judge and TMO aren't cos employees with one of the teams.

Tandy says the Ospreys didn't deserve it. They didn't. Some nice play from them when going through the phases, but weak in contact. They were bullied out of the game.

Onwards to Scarlets!!!! Where, should Scarlets lose, it will somehow be the officials fault...

mikey_dragon wrote:That's a strong Ulster team. How many internationals do they have missing? I can just count 7 off the top of my head but there might be more.

Best, Henderson, Henry, Jackson, Cave, Payne and Bowe. 7 ..... and Pienaar, as notch has just corrected me

Munchkin wrote:Tandy says the Ospreys didn't deserve it. They didn't. Some nice play from them when going through the phases, but weak in contact. They were bullied out of the game.

Onwards to Scarlets!!!! Where, should Scarlets lose, it will somehow be the officials fault...

Tandy did himself no favours in his selection. But that only adds to the mountain he has to climb due to the built in bias of this mO'ribund league.

Stone Motif wrote:

Munchkin wrote:Tandy says the Ospreys didn't deserve it. They didn't. Some nice play from them when going through the phases, but weak in contact. They were bullied out of the game.

Onwards to Scarlets!!!! Where, should Scarlets lose, it will somehow be the officials fault...

Tandy did himself no favours in his selection. But that only adds to the mountain he has to climb due to the built in bias of this mO'ribund league.

That's it, stone. Take defeat like a man.......everyone's fault but your own.

Munchkin wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

Munchkin wrote:Tandy says the Ospreys didn't deserve it. They didn't. Some nice play from them when going through the phases, but weak in contact. They were bullied out of the game.

Onwards to Scarlets!!!! Where, should Scarlets lose, it will somehow be the officials fault...

Tandy did himself no favours in his selection. But that only adds to the mountain he has to climb due to the built in bias of this mO'ribund league.

That's it, stone. Take defeat like a man.......everyone's fault but your own.

Pretty dull comment as I am an impartial observer as far as this fixture is concerned

Stone Motif wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

Munchkin wrote:Tandy says the Ospreys didn't deserve it. They didn't. Some nice play from them when going through the phases, but weak in contact. They were bullied out of the game.

Onwards to Scarlets!!!! Where, should Scarlets lose, it will somehow be the officials fault...

Tandy did himself no favours in his selection. But that only adds to the mountain he has to climb due to the built in bias of this mO'ribund league.

That's it, stone. Take defeat like a man.......everyone's fault but your own.

Pretty dull comment as I am an impartial observer as far as this fixture is concerned

Yep, stick to yer smilies, that way you don't get caught contradicting yourself

It's fairly evident from my posting history what a low opinion of the Ospreys I have.

Munchkin wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:That's a strong Ulster team. How many internationals do they have missing? I can just count 7 off the top of my head but there might be more.

Best, Henderson, Henry, Jackson, Cave, Payne and Bowe. 7

8. Ruan Pienaar is with South Africa!

Notch wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:That's a strong Ulster team. How many internationals do they have missing? I can just count 7 off the top of my head but there might be more.

Best, Henderson, Henry, Jackson, Cave, Payne and Bowe. 7

8. Ruan Pienaar is with South Africa!

How on earth did I forget about Pienaar

Thanks for the correction, Notch.

Considering our two first choice centres from last season are with Ireland the depth we have there is just ridiculous.

Stone Motif wrote:Yep, stick to yer smilies, that way you don't get caught contradicting yourself

It's fairly evident from my posting history what a low opinion of the Ospreys I have.

I have every reason to keep smiling. Ulster's did get a 5 point win.

Even if I agreed with you, I still haven't contradicted myself...

It doesn't matter if you have a low opinion of Ospreys (Personally I think they're a great team), what matters more is your low opinion of Irish rugby ( IRFU - Officiating - Pro12 - Conspiracy theories), and evidenced in the fact that you can't resist attempting to spoil a thread, and Ulsters win, with your nonsense.

Notch wrote:Considering our two first choice centres from last season are with Ireland the depth we have there is just ridiculous.

The competition we have at centre is crazy at the moment. It's great! It's impossible to say who our best pairing will be. Once Olding returns we will have Olding, Payne, Cave, McCloskey and Marshall fighting it out for the two positions. There's always a chance that one of them will be asked to move to one of the other Provinces. Hard to argue against, and with a bit of luck we could get a good exchange.

Stone Motif wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:

Stone Motif wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:

wales606 wrote:Refereeing has been pretty awful in this game

A Welsh team loses because of awful refereeing - what were the odds of that?

In this league, it's known as O'fficiating

Sto'ne Mo'tif - I hope you're not suggesting that the Welsh referees are biased against their neighbouring regions?

Nice try. Come back when we have matches where the touch judge and TMO aren't cos employees with one of the teams.

I didn't realise the touch judge and TMO were Church of Scotland employees and that would make them biased. That sort of incisive analysis could be useful to - http://conspiracyscope.blogspot.co.uk/