I'm dreaming of a Dark Ruby Red Christmas: Guinness Pro14 - R11

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

What was the red for? Gross stupidity or a marginal call?

Stamping in the ruck on a players head while looking at said player. Ref was going to give a yellow until TMO pointed out Berghan was looking at where he was putting his foot. A contest killer but a fair decision.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Stone me - didn't see that happening. Cue stream of cliches about Cockerill, grit and determination.

Awful match but great result for the tournament. Now for Connacht to do their bit for the neutrals.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

What a tome to suddenly become a edinburgh fan.....

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Connacht looking close to their championship winning form in the first 8 mins. If Ulster don't get a foothold soon this one will be over almost before it began.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

ToH again showing his class to best three defenders and grab a third try for Connacht. What a backline they have on show today. Ulster completely hobbled by not having quality at 10. Sad to watch.

 

[Amiga500]

We're shocking.

For an ex-International defence coach, Les Kiss sure hasn't improved our trys against column. Worst in history last season and on track to comfortably beat it this.

You'd think when you don't have a 10 at 10, that you'd use the one advantage (i.e. they should be better tacklers) to have a high intensity defence. Not our Les.

As for the pack. Reidy looked off his game (will he come down with flu/cold over the next few days maybe?), Henderson was trying too hard but at the wrong times, front row was a disaster, Clive was average as per, Diack was the usual jersey filler.

Not much in the way of positives to take from it. Couple of the kids showed up the more experienced hands. I guess that's something. McPhillips might be able to grow into outhalf with Cooney kicking.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Connacht were full value for their win. Good to see them turn their form around.

Ulster's pack is nowhere near good enough. Can't throw money at the problem because the IRFU won't sanction a lot of NIQ players. Not sure there's an easy solution. Perhaps take an approach similar to the Dragons. Go in fully loaded at home and use away games to blood players who could become key members of the squad.

Not to be harsh but Ulster will go nowhere with Callum Black, Schalk van der Merwe, Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Ross Kane, Robbie Diack, Clive Ross, Paul Marshall and Peter Nelson (as a 10) getting a lot of game time. We know they aren't up to the level required to bring Ulster to where they want to be. Adam McBurney, Tom O'Toole, Matt Dalton, Nick Timoney, Greg Jones, Jonny Stewart, Michael Lowry and Jonny McPhillips may be good enough if given the opportunity.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Going back to the game, Tiernan O'Halloran caught Iain Henderson woefully out of position for his try. Jordan Larmour similarly exposed Henderson in the Ulster v Leinster game a couple of months ago. Is this a problem in Henderson's game?

 

[Groundhog]

What a tome to suddenly become a edinburgh fan.....

What are you at not supporting Munster lad.

 

[big ginger 8]

What are you at not supporting Munster lad.

Dick Cock-erill.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Marshall and Earls out for Munster. O'Byrne and Wootton in.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Jordan L'amour might get started in green a wee bit early if Earl's can't get fit.

Good try, well worked.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Penalty Try

 

[big ginger 8]

It really is nice that Munster are cultured enough to sing a bit of Bizet.

A number of our players are quite good at rugby.

 

[Leinster Fan]

Ross Byrne is going to get an Ireland call up if he keeps this up.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Need to calm down a bit. Terrible passage of play.

 

[munstermuffin]

Leinster will run BP win past us. Anything that can go wrong seems to be going wrong. And they are by far better team but majority has been our mistakes more than them being good. Lowe and Byrne only 2 really shining out

 

[Bluemoon]

As always, a grinding game at Rodney Parade with Dragons and Cardiff.

Think the back-rows were the difference overall, including the short rush defence to shut Henson down. Navidi was collossus. Owen Lane with a man of the match award again, made summerhills try at a crucial time. Actually would have given MOTM to Seb Davies, with 3/4 lineout steals and a massive defensive shift.

Cardiff have a big ask against the Scarlets on NYE and will have to up their game out wide to win.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Great start but Leinster fell down closer to Munster's level. We could do with Furlong to sure up the scrum. Henshaw and Leavy have really been a cut above. Ryan, Conan, Byrne, ROL, Lowe and L'amour are doing deec too.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Tuilagi would have gotten 6 months for that,
How is Nigel Owens still highly rated? His actual refereeing is not good.