Ulster v Ospreys

[An Tarbh]

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Ulster v Ospreys

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The Ospreys travel to Ravenhill looking to complete the double over their Magners League rival and given the turmoil that Ulster are in at this point in time that should not prove too taxing.

Whether it'll turn out to be the walk in the park that the Liberty Stadium victory was remains to be seen.

Steve Williams has made 6 changes from lasts weekend's match with a new pairing at half back seeing Kieran Campbell partner Niall O'Connor. Justin Fitzpatrick is out of the squad altogether with Bryan Young named at loosehead and Declan Fitzpatrick at tight.

The Ospreys unsurprisingly name an unchanged side for this evening's match.

Ulster: 15 Bryn Cunningham, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Andrew Trimble, 12 Rob Dewey, 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Niall O'Connor, 9 Kieran Campbell, 8 Matt McCullough, 7 Kieron Dawson, 6 Neil Best, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 4 Justin Harrison, 3 Declan Fitzpatrick, 2 Rory Best ©, 1 Bryan Young.
Replacements: 16 Tom Court, 17 Matt Miles, 18 Carlo Del Fava, 19 David Pollock, 20 Issac Boss, 21 Paddy Wallace, 22 Mark McCrae.

Ospreys: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Nikki Walker, 13 Mark Taylor, 12 Sonny Parker, 11 Shane Williams, 10 James Hook, 9 Justin Marshall, 8 Filo Tiatia ©, 7 Marty Holah, 6 Jonathan Thomas, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Duncan Jones.
Replacements:16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Paul James, 18 Ian Gough, 19 Hale T-Pole, 20 Mike Phillips, 21 Shaun Connor, 22 Andrew Bishop.

 

[An Tarbh]

So no maximum haul for the Ospreys which may prove crucial in the final shakedown, that's 2 points dropped now that realistically a team like the Ospreys should have had.

 

[danny]

Although on reflection the Ospreys deserved the win just. Marshall got them out of jail.
Still they look out of condition to me. The likes of the Jones boys at prop,Evans in the 2nd row and Tia tia lack work rate. That dropped point is good news for my team Glos but Ulster were due a good game. All credit to the likes of the two Best boys and Danielli who were outstanding.Boss made a good impact from the bench as well.
If the Ospreys fowards could play for eighty minutes a game they would be a very good side.

Referee was very poor towards Ulster. He let Ospreys live offside in defense all night and wasnt consistent with the cards. Also who couldnt resist pulling the hair of one of those big fat bloated jones props?

 

[Sir Speedy]

Also who couldnt resist pulling the hair of one of those big fat bloated jones props?
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No-one, Adam Jones seemed to stand about like a useless pleb throughout the game. It's hard to believe he's a first choice Welsh prop; that's very unacceptable.

 

[danny]

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Also who couldnt resist pulling the hair of one of those big fat bloated jones props?
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No-one, Adam Jones seemed to stand about like a useless pleb throughout the game. It's hard to believe he's a first choice Welsh prop; that's very unacceptable.
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There must be better props around in Wales. Do you think that the regional sides are making the development of young players harder. Wales always seem to have good colts and u21 sides but the Full international side doesnt seem to benefit.

 

[Sir Speedy]

There must be better props around in Wales. [/b]

Wales are short of good tight-heads, although, Gethin Jenkins and Duncan Jones are reasonably good no. 1's.

 

[dullonien]

I stll think John Yapp should be converted to tight head (should have been years ago though!) He's easily big enough and strong enough.

We are severely deprived in wales of decent 3's, Horseman is a decent scrummager but pretty lazy around the park and a penalty machine, Adam Jones isn't really up to scratch anywhere and is unfit. Rhys Thomas can't compete scrum time at international level.

I can't think of anyone else who's in contention, not good.

I won't comment on the match, watched it in the pub, and didn't really pay a huge amount of attention. Ospreys looked like they made alot of mistakes in try scoring positions. Same old frustrating O's.