RaboDirect Pro 12 - Ulster vs Leinster - 20/04/2012

[Feicarsinn]

Ravenhill, Belfast - (20/04/2012, 19:05)



TV: BBCNI/RTE2

[big ginger 8]

Is this on BBC might actually be able to wach it.

EDIT: Why didn't I read the full thing sorry.

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney
14: David Kearney
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Cian Healy
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Brad Thorn
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Dominic Ryan
8: Sean O'Brien

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Sean Cronin
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Nathan White
19: Devin Toner
20: Shane Jennings
21: Isaac Boss
22: Ian Madigan
23: Fionn Carr

Ulster Match Day Squad to face Leinster, Friday 20th April 2012, Ravenhill (kick-off 7.05pm)
(15-9): S Terblanche; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, N Brady, D Fitzpatrick, J Muller (capt), L Stevenson, C Henry, W Faloon, P Wannenburg;
Replacements (16-23): A Kyricaou, P McAllister, A Macklin, N McComb, R Diack, I Porter, I Humphreys, A D'Arcy

[Feicarsinn]

Ulster at pretty much full strength. Unsurprising considering how important a match this is in the context of their league campaign.

Am I being extremely naive in thinking that Joe is only resting Dev Toner for next week?

[lynam1104]

Think so reckon Brad will start all the big games, which is a real shame as Toner had been so good this season would have liked to see him rewarded for his form and development this season. That said I understand Joe's thinking very clinical which will need if we're to win. On a side note I hope Thorn is having a similar effect on out locks as Elsome did in the backrow.

[irelandfan123]

How good was Paddy Jackson last week, he is looking very promising

[Conal]

the ginger messiah is improving steadily

he better come good though! as since the great David Humphreys well urm the next best fly half we made was mincer he was decent but we havnt had a great 10 since dave,

we get a good ten id be looking at least hcup semis for the next few years :P

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I've been left distinctly underwhelmed by Paddy Jackson. Having seen Cathal Marsh play brilliantly at schools level and in underage interpros, I bought into the hype that he was the second coming based on the fact that Jackson is ranked ahead of Marsh at u20 level. That said, Ian Madigan looked average-poor last season and has taken a remarkable leap forward this season. Madigan is 3 years older than Jackson so the Ulster player has plenty of time on his side to improve.

[Conal]

I've been left distinctly underwhelmed by Paddy Jackson. Having seen Cathal Marsh play brilliantly at schools level and in underage interpros, I bought into the hype that he was the second coming based on the fact that Jackson is ranked ahead of Marsh at u20 level. That said, Ian Madigan looked average-poor last season and has taken a remarkable leap forward this season. Madigan is 3 years older than Jackson so the Ulster player has plenty of time on his side to improve.

then again niall o'connor was highly rated when he first appeared on the ulster scene, we have a history of well creating underwhelming out-halves
i just think jackson is the best we have created in a long time. i cant think of a flyhalf who made a half decent career for ulster bar the Humphreys. and Ian is a tad neurotic

jackson has potential but will he reach it?

[Peat]

Ulster at pretty much full strength. Unsurprising considering how important a match this is in the context of their league campaign.

Am I being extremely naive in thinking that Joe is only resting Dev Toner for next week?

Any Ulster team sans Ferris is pretty much nowhere near full strength. No Chewwy either. And really, I think this is a dress rehearsal for us. F**k the league. The HC final is one match away!

I am loving the ballsy selection of Paddy Jackson there, and suspect he'll play in the semi-final should he go well. His kicking was fantastic against Connacht, some lovely passing - and he has a massive advantage over iHumph in that he can tackle. And is willing to.

Also, the return of Deccie Fitz is great news.

[Conal]

Any Ulster team sans Ferris is pretty much nowhere near full strength. No Chewwy either. And really, I think this is a dress rehearsal for us. F**k the league. The HC final is one match away!

I am loving the ballsy selection of Paddy Jackson there, and suspect he'll play in the semi-final should he go well. His kicking was fantastic against Connacht, some lovely passing - and he has a massive advantage over iHumph in that he can tackle. And is willing to.

Also, the return of Deccie Fitz is great news.

pretty much my thoughts on the team
hopefully jacksons continues to improve, we seem to have given up on beating the lady boys the last few years :P

[big ginger 8]

Happy with that team nice looking backrow anyone else remember S0'B against Ulster last year? What's wrong with cmac's lover?

[Peat]

Small Paul has a ligament strain in the arm - I think. Something along those lines. We're hoping he'll be back for Embra.

[big ginger 8]

Ah ok good that he hasn't been dropped.

[Peat]

Ah ok good that he hasn't been dropped.

Not a way in hell. The idea of going into a major game with only Ian Porter on the bench has us kacking our pants.

[Peat]

Just noticed, no Best either. Very definitely not the full strength side here.

[Feicarsinn]

Just noticed, no Best either. Very definitely not the full strength side here.

I'll admit I only scanned over the Ulster team. My bad.

Anyway, I'm very interested to see how some of our boys get on here. The selection on Dominic Ryan is an interesting one, considering I wouldn't have thought it likely that he'd be challenging for a spot next week. Still, I'm not one to question Joe's selection policy. It'll be good to see O'Brien back at 8 and I'd imagine he'll get the full game there. D'arcy has played a lot of rugby recently so you'd imagine that he's just being rested and it gives McFadden a nice opportunity to make a claim for the 12 shirt. I'd imagine that we'll be bringing Drico off at some point so he'll move to 13, with Fitzgerald coming into the centre (yay!) and Carr on the wing. He could move Sexton in either and bring Madigan on.

[lucky number 7]

SOB at 8 . yes yes yes

[Peat]

Good start, great Ulster defence apart from one really stupid moment, attack not so hot, Leinster a little within themselves.

[lucky number 7]

Where on earth is Ferris?

[Peat]

Where on earth is Ferris?

Resting. Like f**k are we risking him before a SF!

Please let that be down.

[lucky number 7]

Good call

[big ginger 8]

Can someone please pm me a good link that's available in Switzerland.

[Peat]

Willie Faloon has gone so alarmingly backwards its not funny.

[UlsterRugby2012]

Where on earth is Ferris?

There's no way we would play ferris before next week

[lucky number 7]

Can someone please pm me a good link that's available in Switzerland.

[big ginger 8]

You're incredibly helpful thanks.

Also that ain't a pm.

[Peat]

Like it

Leinster just more precise than us. We could nick this, but doubting it. Happy enough considering we're down to 3 of the first choice pack. Main thing is Henry and Mincer being fine! Please let them be fine!

[lucky number 7]

Mincer's jaw looked ok to be fair

[big ginger 8]

Hows SO'B gone at 8?

Healy just got called world class. Not sure if I'd go that far but if the commentator wants to..