URC Round 14

It's back from the Euro's into the business end of the URC season now.

Friday 19th April 2024

Ulster v Cardiff Rugby
Kingspan Stadium, Belfast – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA
Live on: BBC NI, Premier Sports, BBC Wales, TG4, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Glasgow Warriors v Hollywoodbets Sharks
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv


Saturday 20th April 2024

Emirates Lions v Leinster
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg – KO 14.00 IRE & UK / 15.00 ITA & SA
Live on: SuperSport, RTÉ, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Benetton v Dragons RFC
Stadio Monigo, Treviso – KO 14.00 IRE & UK / 15.00 ITA & SA
Live on: Sky Italia, S4C, SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Vodacom Bulls v Munster
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria – KO 16.05 IRE & UK / 17.05 ITA & SA
Live on: SuperSport, RTÉ, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

DHL Stormers v Ospreys
DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 18.15 IRE & UK / 19.15 ITA & SA
Live on: SuperSport, S4C, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Connacht v Zebre Parma
Dexcom Stadium, Galway – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA
Live on: TG4, SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv

Edinburgh Rugby v Scarlets
Hive Stadium, Edinburgh – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA & SA
Live on: Premier Sports, SuperSport, , Flo Rugby & URC.tv

As an Ulster fan I'm concerned about our match against Cardiff. Cardiff have been playing well if not getting the results. We on the other hand are getting the results our performance deserves.

Yes Cardiff have looked good this season (and that’s from a Dragons fan). They’ve got 10 bonus points this season, 8 of them losing bonus points (the most out of all the teams by quite a bit). So they’re very close to more wins. A bit more composure/experience/nous/whatever it is and they could be much higher up the table, even if that does sound like the dreaded ‘ifs and buts’.

Agreed, Cardiff look to be close and Ulster have been very poor so it's easy to see an away win there. Hopefully Ulster find one of their good performances we see every now and again to get the job done.

Looks like Ospreys have a few tough weekends upcoming. They need at least one win in SA if they are considering themselves a play-off team.

Leinster probably won't send their best to SA and with that they might still get past the Lions, but probably not the Stormers.

I don't envision Dragons getting anything against a classy Benetton outfit, and Scarlets will likely be hopeless again.

neilthom7 wrote:Agreed, Cardiff look to be close and Ulster have been very poor so it's easy to see an away win there.  Hopefully Ulster find one of their good performances we see every now and again to get the job done.

It's been a while since I've been so concerned about a visit to Ravenhill by Cardiff. They have looked strong this season but I'm hoping beyond hope that the fortress Ravenhill factor kicks in. Ulster have in fairness been on the road to foreign shores for the last four, difficult fixtures. If the players are over the bouts of illness and back from paternity duties as well as recovered from the bumps and bruises picked up on the travels then I hope we'll be able to field a strong side. We'll need to, the URC last 8 beckons and it's going to be tough going.

Pete330v2 wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:Agreed, Cardiff look to be close and Ulster have been very poor so it's easy to see an away win there.  Hopefully Ulster find one of their good performances we see every now and again to get the job done.

It's been a while since I've been so concerned about a visit to Ravenhill by Cardiff. They have looked strong this season but I'm hoping beyond hope that the fortress Ravenhill factor kicks in. Ulster have in fairness been on the road to foreign shores for the last four, difficult fixtures. If the players are over the bouts of illness and back from paternity duties as well as recovered from the bumps and bruises picked up on the travels then I hope we'll be able to field a strong side. We'll need to, the URC last 8 beckons and it's going to be tough going.

Two of Cardiff's best performers this season are off to pastures new shortly - Tomos Williams and Rhys Carre.  I wonder how that affects their motivation to perform towards the end of the season?  Do they go out with a bang, or will they be cautious in case they pick up injuries ahead of joining their new teams?  Hoping it's not the latter as they've been huge for Cardiff this season.

*Edit - assuming they're playing? Haven't seen any teams yet.

Ulster are without some of their top players for this game. It's not looking good for them at the moment but they usually perform well at home.

Ulster vs Cardiff   - I think Ulster should still win this but it could be very tight.  Home advantage I reckon gives them the edge. Ulster by 3.
Glasgow vs Sharks - Glasgow win a lot at home.  Sharks have had a upturn but I dont see them winning this one.  Probably a Glasgow BP on offer here.  Glasgow by 20.
Lions        vs Leinster - I really don't know about this one.  Not sure what Leinster have taken to SA.  A month ago I thought with Lions form they would win this game at home.  I still think they might edge this though but could go anyway really.  Lions by 1
Treviso vs Dragons - I don't give us a chance.  Treviso know they need to win this and win it well.  Treviso by 15+
Bulls        vs Munster - Bulls rested purely for this.  Bulls know if they are going to keep pressure on Glasgow for the 2 spot this is a must win game.  Munster I think have a bunch of injuries as well.  Bulls by 30+.  Could get really ugly this one.
Connacht vs Zebre - Connacht all day by 10+
Edinburgh vs Scarlets - Edinburgh's form not great the last 6 weeks.  But Scarlets are dire at the moment.  Edinburgh should put 20+ on here.
Stormers vs Ospreys - Stormers I dont think have been as good as the last 2 seasons this year.  That said I dont think Ospreys will win this one.  Stormers by 10

I do wonder now the Sharks have made the Semi's if they will completely target the cup at this point given that I dont think they will beat Glasgow this weekend which means even with max points in the remaining games they cant make the top 8.

Clermont & Glasgow could be beatable for a first team Sharks potentially but that scenario would mean only the top 7 in the URC will get champions cup rugby. Could be bad news for some club who finishes 8th.

Honestly I see us putting up a decent home performance but ultimately I see Cardiff pulling away in the second half.

Our only hope is the kids in the pack suddenly run riot and we.rack up a big score first half. As I'm expecting are now customary collapse after 40 mins

That reminds me I better get some extra wine in

April 2024, and the officiating teams still not all neutral.

Pathetic league.

Tend to agree WM on which way the results will go though think Edinburgh will be tighter than a 20+ winning margin (Edinburgh struggle to put many points on the board).

The weekend's fixtures do feel a bit empty compared to recent weeks. A bit of a calm before next week when there are some really decisive ones (Ulster vs Benneton, Cardiff vs Edinburgh, Stormers vs Leinster, Lions vs Munster)

Think Ulster will struggle, teams not announced yet but Kitshoff, Henderson, Stewart Moore, Rob Herring and Nick Timoney all definitely out with other likely to miss too.

They were already struggling before that list of injuries this week.

RugbyFan100 wrote:April 2024, and the officiating teams still not all neutral.

Pathetic league.

Yawn.....

A few years ago some validity as referees were often from the away team.
However that has not been the case for sometime.
In addition all TMO's are neutral.

Given it's a 5 Nations league that is impressive

If Ulster can play 10-man rugby quite well then they should win. Cardiff keep putting out these running teams and are still yet to realise you need the front 5 platform first. Their pack looks lightweight.

Was pretty happy reading the Dragons team, until I got to the front row and Benjamin. I don’t overly like our backrow either.

In a bizarre turn of events, Tom Botha has copped a 3-week ban, for a dangerous tackle against Glaws that wasn't dangerous. I wonder what became of the other Munster player in the double spear clear out? John Ryan was rightfully banned but they actually appealed it...
No consistency here or there.

I'm not sure there has ever been any consistency in the bans handed out. It's somewhat farcical.
I can understand different refs having slightly different views of incidents. But the disciplinary panel after are supposed to have a whole step by step guide to these bans but they still wildly differing week to week

I think Ill watch the Ulster/Cardiff game tonight....I expect Glasgow to beat Sharks so might watch it on catchup but the Ulster/Cardiff might actually end up as a contest.

Bit of a must win game for Ulster. If they lose tonight its going to get really though to make the top 8 i reckon

Ulster: Will Addison; Mike Lowry, James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale; Jake Flannery, Nathan Doak; Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart, Scott Wilson; Harry Sheridan, Alan O’Connor (capt); Dave Ewers, Marcus Rea, Dave McCann.

Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Tom O’Toole, Cormac Izuchukwu, Greg Jones, John Cooney, Billy Burns, Ethan McIlroy.

Cardiff: Cam Winnett; Josh Adams, Mason Grady, Ben Thomas, Theo Cabango; Tinus de Beer, Ellis Bevan; Corey Domachowski, Liam Belcher (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Ben Donnell, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Thomas Young, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Rhys Carre, Evan Lloyd, Ciaran Parker, Rory Thornton, Ellis Jenkins, Gonzalo Bertranou, Jacob Beetham, Mackenzie Martin.

Ulster pack is all over the place. EOS has not been good for years, Wilson is a child, Sheridan another child, Dave Ewers has been poor since he arrived and Alan O'Connor is held together by duct tape and hope at this stage.

Back line, well who knows what they will do

Ulster have blown some early chances with silly mistakes. Try Cardiff - some nice running from Cardiff on that one. Had Ulster defence turned inside out there.

Ulster need to do better in these early stages

Now Cardiff making a couple of errors in some promising attacking positions....

Hoping Ulster smash Cardiff but fair do it's been a close 20 minutes so far

Well we haven't started well. And it's slowly getting worse

Scrum could cost ulster this game....another penalty to cardiff.....Not sure how the Cardiff props are looking like world beaters mind you....

Lowry is some player though....

What I dont get is Ulsters forwards look like really big men but hardly any carrying threat. To be fair some of the seem like they forgot their legs

Ulster kick for corner and then knock it on.....

I'm struggeling to follow some of these ref calls.....

Ulster players blowing a bit at the end of the first half - could fitness be an issue there? Seems a bit early in the game to struggle on that front.

McCann playing well again though. And Lowry is their best player at the moment. Doak looks really shaky at the moment - clearly has lost confidence.

The worry for Ulster is Cardiff do look like they can create a chance or two in this second half.... Cabango could cause them some issue if they can get in into good positions.

I'm actually surprised the commentary team still think Ulster have this in the bag....I'm not so sure about that. Winnett going off probably has stunted their attack though...

Ulster have a lot of issues off the field and the coaching has been so bad for the last few years.

However in this game so far they have repeatedly dropped the ball under no pressure, kicked the ball dead from a penalty which was only about 15 metres out and made a simple pass forward under no pressure.

You can't blame coaching for any of that it's just terrible play from supposedly professional players who look more and more amateurish every game. If you can't do that simple stuff there's not much hope for you as a rugby player.

Trimble and half time mentioned Ulster look to have the power on Cardiff up front. Not sure I agree on any of that - Ulster dont look good at scrum. Mauls ok but ball carrying is dire from the front 8. By contrast Cardiff look like they are fitter....the longer this game stays close I dont think will help Ulster much..

And bang Cabango again.....I said it in the first half.....

Ulster did well to have all that possession in the first half, but they look poorly coached. It was always going to get worse before it got better I guess. It’ll be interesting to see who their next coach is, but do the IRFU have any influence on that?

Big cover tackle on Cabango or he was on a hatrick there

This ref isnt calling ulster offsides though - at least 4 guys offside there...

Down to 14 for 10 really isnt helping - that wont help

Cardiff look like one more try for them will kill this game and they look from this second half they could strike at any point....If the Grady pass sticks for Cabango there he would have been clear again....feels a bit like Ulster are hanging on at this point.

nice passage of play there from Ulster - bench has made a difference

try back for ulster - now its a game again

This is more like it

That has to be the luckiest try save ever.

One close match fair do

Crazy game. Cardiff fluff another one, record breaking stuff. I know they’ve had a part time defence coach, but they clearly need a new one. Melon isn’t good enough it would seem.

Well how in the name of f**k did we win that?
That Cabango had 2 chances and scored them both.
Izzy saved us with that try saving tackle.
Bits were good, but we gave the ball away so cheaply Cardiff should have been several scores up by 60 mins

Ulster did not deserve that, they were so poor the entire way through that game. Unlucky for Cardiff not to get the win

I'll be honest - if i was a Cardiff fan i would be peeved.

Adamson has to be the worst ref in this league.....by some distance as well.....some of his calls or lack of calls were incredible.....I'm not one to bag on refs but this was seriously poor.

Welshmushroom wrote:Ulster vs Cardiff   - I think Ulster should still win this but it could be very tight.  Home advantage I reckon gives them the edge. Ulster by 3.
Glasgow vs Sharks - Glasgow win a lot at home.  Sharks have had a upturn but I dont see them winning this one.  Probably a Glasgow BP on offer here.  Glasgow by 20.
Lions        vs Leinster - I really don't know about this one.  Not sure what Leinster have taken to SA.  A month ago I thought with Lions form they would win this game at home.  I still think they might edge this though but could go anyway really.  Lions by 1
Treviso vs Dragons - I don't give us a chance.  Treviso know they need to win this and win it well.  Treviso by 15+
Bulls        vs Munster - Bulls rested purely for this.  Bulls know if they are going to keep pressure on Glasgow for the 2 spot this is a must win game.  Munster I think have a bunch of injuries as well.  Bulls by 30+.  Could get really ugly this one.
Connacht vs Zebre - Connacht all day by 10+
Edinburgh vs Scarlets - Edinburgh's form not great the last 6 weeks.  But Scarlets are dire at the moment.  Edinburgh should put 20+ on here.
Stormers vs Ospreys - Stormers I dont think have been as good as the last 2 seasons this year.  That said I dont think Ospreys will win this one.  Stormers by 10

On the plus side my predictions were pretty good for tonight although Glasgow still need one more try for that BP which I dont think they will get.

Looking forward to the rest of the weekend.