Ulster v London Irish - Pool 5

[An Tarbh]

Ulster go into this match requiring 5 points to get their campaign back on track, qualification remains a slim prospect but maximum points will keep that possibility alive just and end London Irish's hopes in the process.

Should be a home win but the bp is not a guarantee given the failure to achieve it against Toulouse on the opening day.

Ulster: 15 Bryn Cunningham, 14 Tommy Bowe / Mark Bartholomeusz, 13 Paul Steinmetz, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 David Humphreys 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Kieron Dawson, 6 Neil Best, 5 Matt McCullough, 4 Justin Harrison, 3 Simon Best ©, 2 Rory Best, 1 Justin Fitzpatrick.
Replacements: 16 Paul Shields, 17 Bryan Young, 18 Tim Barker, 19 Neil McMillan, 20 Kieran Campbell, 21 Kevin Maggs, 22 Scott Young.

London Irish: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Topsy Ojo/Michael Horak, 13 Seilala Mapusua 12 Mike Catt ©/Gonzalo Tiesi, 11 Justin Bishop, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Juan Leguizamon, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Kieran Roche, 5 Bob Casey, 4 Nick Kennedy, 3 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 2 Danie Coetzee, 1 Neal Hatley.
Replacements: 16 Michael Collin, 17 David Paice, 18 Faan Rautenbach, 19 James Hudson, 20 Phil Murphy, 21 Gonzalo Tiesi, 22 Barry Everitt.

Date: Friday, December 15
Venue: Ravenhill
Kick Off: 19:30 GMT
Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)

 

[An Tarbh]

So the exact same result in this fixture and a crucial maximum haul for Ulster as they just about keep their hopes alive, will be relying on Toulouse to do them a favour tomorow now but realistically it's a lost cause as you simply cannot imagine Ulster getting the win down in Toulouse on the final day.

 

[An Tarbh]

Will be interesting to see if anything comes of these racism claims made by Irish, there definitely is a racism problem in the North but whether it's also a problem with the Ulster side, I'd certainly have my doubts.

They said it was a problem last week, so why wasn't something said then, the fact that they've lost and decided to say something does suggest sour grapes but we'll see.

 

[shtove]

Didn't hear about the racism.

I did hear Swing Low Sweet Chariot at one stage ... what the? Hope the Ulster fans don't try that one in Croker.

Trimble failed to hold Bishop in one tackle, and then just trotted after him as Irish went in for a try. Disappointing.

Anyway, the Humps still got it! And Neil Best had a much better game than last week.

Is Geraghty eligible for the Ireland senior squad?

 

[An Tarbh]

His dad is Irish but he hasn't decided who to play for yet, if Eddie wants him he should make a move now cause he's certainly a better player than Paddy Wallace, but he might want to play for England.