Ulster v Leicester HC Pool 4. Friday 13th Jan ko 8.00pm

by Rava Tue 10 Jan - 13:46

First topic message reminder :

The provisional Ulster squad to face Leicester Tigers in Friday's crucial Heineken Cup match with Leicester at Ravenhill has been named...

Pedrie Wannenburg (foot) and Ian Humphreys (hamstring) were forced off the field in the win over Edinburgh at the weekend but have both been named in the 33 man panel and are in contention to play in the Pool 4 clash. Young backline trio Luke Marshall, Paddy Jackson and Nevin Spence (all ankle) have returned to training this week and are available for selection if required. Mike McComish is also available after shaking off a shoulder injury.
Meanwhile prop Declan Fitzpatrick’s neck injury was reviewed last week and he is likely to be out of action for 4-6 weeks. Paddy McAllister and Peter Nelson also miss out.

Leicester have been hit by injuries to England internationals Toby Flood, Manu Tuilagi and Louis Deacon who are all ruled out, although Flood’s replacement at flyhalf - Billy Twelvetrees - scored all of his side’s points in the 29-11 win over Wasps on Saturday.

Leicester have a formidable record in the Heineken Cup and have qualified for the knock-out stages ten times. They have contested five finals, winning back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002, but losing the showpiece matches in 1997, 2007 and 2009.

Ulster are currently top of Pool 4 on 14 points, with the Tigers trailing by two going into this crunch match. Defeat for either side would almost certainly end their dreams of reaching the last eight this season. Clermont Auvergne are just one point behind Leicester in the pool standings and will travel to Aironi this weekend before hosting Ulster the following week.

Ulster Team to play Leicester, Fri 13th January, Ravenhill (kick-off 8.00pm):

ULSTER (15-9) S Terblanche; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, C Gilroy; I Humphreys, R Pienaar (1-8) T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (Captain), D Tuohy, S Ferris, C Henry, P Wannenburg

Replacements (16-23): N Brady, C Black, A Macklin, L Stevenson, W Faloon, P Marshall, I Whitten, A D'Arcy

Leicester Tigers (v Ulster Rugby, Ravenhill, Friday 8pm)
15 Geordan Murphy (c)
14 Horacio Agulla
13 Matt Smith
12 Anthony Allen
11 Alesana Tuilagi
10 Billy Twelvetrees
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Rob Hawkins
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Steve Mafi
5 Geoff Parling
6 Tom Croft
7 Julian Salvi
8 Thomas Waldrom

Replacements
16 George Chuter
17 Boris Stankovich
18 Dan Cole
19 Ed Slater
20 Ben Woods
21 Sam Harrison
22 Jeremy Staunton
23 Scott Hamilton

by Guest Fri 13 Jan - 22:07

Awesome Ulster, well done. Fine performance.

I've been flicking between all 3 games on sky tonight and thoroughly enjoyed them all. Some great cup rugby tonight, but Ulster V Leicester was immense.

by Thomond Fri 13 Jan - 22:07

Nathan, that move is called the Alan Quinlan. It can be defined as urine of your opponent until he acts out and then yell for the ref. It is effective in so many ways. It should have been a penalty for Leicester though.

by Artful_Dodger Fri 13 Jan - 22:08

By the way, did anyone else think that Tom Croft was absolutely anonymous in that match whilst Ferris was absolutely immense?

Think thats that debate put to sleep.

by Thomond Fri 13 Jan - 22:09

Tom Croft hangs out in the backs smart people have known that for at least 2 years.

by Maddog Fri 13 Jan - 22:09

Nathan that was a knock on pedrie dived on it and then we got a scrum, which was fair enough I thought!

by bedfordwelsh Fri 13 Jan - 22:09

Fantastic result for Ulster, tipped them for a win but not by that margin

by Morgannwg Fri 13 Jan - 22:09

Wow, Leicester got slammed.

by Manu's Boxing Coach Fri 13 Jan - 22:12

Well played Ulster they have proven themselves that they can now be eating off European's top table. Leicester however need to go back to the drawing board and are no longer near to being considered potential Hc winners this year or the next, it would have been a different game if Flood was playing but on current form it still wouldnt have been enough. We can only hope that Ford steps up to the plate next year as an adequate or better reserve fly half at HC level. 12T isnt up to it he makes too many mistakes in the big games.

by Feckless Rogue Fri 13 Jan - 22:12

I'm presuming Clermont will take 5 points from Aironi.

That'll leave it

1. Ulster 19pts
2. Clermont 16pts

with the match in France to decide who tops the group.

Even if Ulster lose without a bonus point and finish 2nd, they'd be in with a shout of a best runner up spot. Although Quins and one Cardiff/Edinburgh, and maybe Scarlets will be thereabouts too.

by doctor_grey Fri 13 Jan - 22:23

Congratulations boys and girls. I just got home froim working and missed the whole wonderful mess. I bet the celebrations are just getting started, eh? Enjoy.

by Pot Hale Fri 13 Jan - 22:32

Fantastic result by the Northern men. Was hoping to be in Belfast tonight - enjoy the celebrations - well deserved.

Marshall's a cheeky bugger - bet he enjoyed that try though!

by brennomac Fri 13 Jan - 23:17

Just back from pub and have to say that Ulster tonight up there with the best performance by an Irish province in HC. Abs brilliant - but jeez you're the most infuriating team - yiz don't usually put 2 great games on the trot so now it chance to go over and do a job on ASM.

Now is the chance. OK Tigers were sh1te but yiz showed that that hy have the game to beat anybody when ye put your mind to it. Clermont are good at home but you can beat them - get over the mindset that we're great at Ravenhill but useless away. Ye have the team to go to Clermont and win and have 3 irish teams in QF.

MOM - who cares and wouldn't quibble with Trinble - but was Pienarr for me. Thought Henry was brilliant but were so lots more.

Be proud that was an awesome display.

PS - isn't Ben Youngs a seriously odious little wat

by **Notch** Fri 13 Jan - 23:18

Portnoy wrote:Fantastic performance by Ulster .

Brilliant play. I never saw that coming.

Hats off to the Ulstermen. You can have the Swing Low as a present.

Cheers Portnoy RedWine

by MrsP Fri 13 Jan - 23:22

Thanks Portnoy!

True rugby fan!

Hug

by The Great Aukster Fri 13 Jan - 23:25

some great Tigers fans at the game, who love their rugby even if it was from Ulster - hats off.

by Cymroglan Fri 13 Jan - 23:27

The HC has some brilliant games just a pain that they are on at the same time.

by SecretFly Fri 13 Jan - 23:28

Ben Youngs is developing a complex about all things Irish. They just seem to frustrate the livingdaylights out of him

by Rory_Gallagher Fri 13 Jan - 23:30

Fantastic win by the ulstermen! Gutted I missed the match, but does anyone know why TG4 is showing a Munster heineken cup game against Northampton Saints tonight, as opposed to the Ulster game?? What is that about!

by SecretFly Fri 13 Jan - 23:40

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Fantastic win by the ulstermen! Gutted I missed the match, but does anyone know why TG4 is showing a Munster heineken cup game against Northampton Saints tonight, as opposed to the Ulster game?? What is that about!

I'd say that's a contracts decision between BBC, TG4, Sky and HC cup organisers about who shows what, when. Professional agreements rather than 'not wanting to show it'. I'd think anyway.

by Rory_Gallagher Fri 13 Jan - 23:42

It was a game from ages ago though they are showing.. when they could show the Ulster game. They show Ulster every week any other time so I don't know what is going on with tonight. Maybe they will show Ulster tomorrow.. (they better boxing

)

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Sat 14 Jan - 0:14

Youngs is basically utter crap thats why Secret ! Rolling Eyes

by Standulstermen Sat 14 Jan - 0:24

Thought the Leicester fans I were with were fantastic. Just in now massively drunk but by god I'm delighted. Marshall deserves plaudits although I miss his try. Muller or Tuohy motm. Also I think it is obscene we are even debating cave at 13 for the 6N. But that's another story. genuinely delighted tonight.

by RuggerRadge2611 Sat 14 Jan - 0:31

Congrats to the Ulstermen!

by Rava Sat 14 Jan - 0:46

Thanks for all the good wishes guys. Just back from Belfast with four very drunk but happy passengers. Poured myself a pint and now going to watch it all again.

Ale

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Sat 14 Jan - 0:50

Rory,

get to bed son. You'll be better in the morning - have some water FCS. Whistle

by Standulstermen Sat 14 Jan - 0:53

Rava

Good man.I can't watch it enough. Muller or Tuohy motm for me but by god that Was brilliant. It's almost tear inducing how long it is since a result like that.

by Standulstermen Sat 14 Jan - 1:02

A plus as well to the coaches. I'm still not sure McLaughlin is the answer And that doak should be involved long term but after taking stick they deserve praise. A win in Clermont (unlikely it may be) and they have done wonders and I might shut up Wink

by FitzStephen Sat 14 Jan - 1:04

...and all that with a dodgy lineout and being bollix at the restart. Get that fixed and Clermont are toast!

by Feckless Rogue Sat 14 Jan - 1:41

If you're hungover tomorrow and your stomach is a bit dodgy, don't look at the Clermont team sheet. It might cause you to vomit

by Standulstermen Sat 14 Jan - 1:45

Feckless Rogue wrote:If you're hungover tomorrow and your stomach is a bit dodgy, don't look at the Clermont team sheet. It might cause you to

Won't need much help in fairness

by Rava Sat 14 Jan - 2:02

Does anyone else agree that Tom Court was excellent tonight. Would you also agree he has become an all round better player since the World Cup

by **Notch** Sat 14 Jan - 2:06

Court was massive, he's become such a great carrier for us. Every phase we can have a big carry from a forward. We have 8 ball carriers in the pack now, that really helps!

by Standulstermen Sat 14 Jan - 2:12

My take on Irish players

Court- did himself no harm and is comfortably our 3rd choice prop
Best- a couple of dodgy throws but still by far the only option at hooker.
Tuohy- should be in serious contention after that. For me, he an muller won the battle in then engine room.
Ferris- I need not speak
Henry- excellent performance
Humph- don't think he did enough to retain his place.
Gilroy- head screwed on. Already looking top drawer
Wallace- very decent
Cave- massive. Best player outside the pAck
Trimble- 2 tries? Deccie, over to you

by **Notch** Sat 14 Jan - 2:21

Wallace was very decent, but the radar with passing obviously needs a bit of fine tuning. Too many long passes went high. That said some of his offloading was outstanding. The offload to out away Terblanche only for Poite to call it back... Once he gets back to full match sharpness he's every chance of nailing a place in the Ireland 22. His reading of the game is second only to BOD in terms of Irish centres.

Trimble, Ferris and Best should all be certainties for the starting team. No more needs to be said.

Cave has a great chance but I just wonder if that injury will kill his hopes? Looked like a hamstring. He and Wallace are great together, they have a real empathy and understanding. He ran hard and again, offloaded the ball very well and made good decisions.

Chris Henry can put any number on his back and be magnificent- the amount of work he gets through is inspiring my MoM. He deserves a spot on the bench for Ireland. He just tackles and rucks like a demon. The man is in perpetual motion. He wears seven because it seems like there are seven Chris Henrys.

Another big game from Tuohy, has brawn in abundance but also great pace and great hands. Possible contender for the bench.

by Rava Sat 14 Jan - 2:30

Notch wrote:Wallace was very decent, but the radar with passing obviously needs a bit of fine tuning. Too many long passes went high. That said some of his offloading was outstanding. The offload to out away Terblanche only for Poite to call it back... Once he gets back to full match sharpness he's every chance of nailing a place in the Ireland 22. His reading of the game is second only to BOD in terms of Irish centres.

Trimble, Ferris and Best should all be certainties for the starting team. No more needs to be said.

Cave has a great chance but I just wonder if that injury will kill his hopes? Looked like a hamstring. He and Wallace are great together, they have a real empathy and understanding. He ran hard and again, offloaded the ball very well and made good decisions.

Chris Henry can put any number on his back and be magnificent- the amount of work he gets through is inspiring my MoM. He deserves a spot on the bench for Ireland. He just tackles and rucks like a demon. The man is in perpetual motion. He wears seven because it seems like there are seven Chris Henrys.

Another big game from Tuohy, has brawn in abundance but also great pace and great hands. Possible contender for the bench.

nuf said

by Backrower678 Sat 14 Jan - 8:47

Notch wrote:Wallace was very decent, but the radar with passing obviously needs a bit of fine tuning. Too many long passes went high. That said some of his offloading was outstanding. The offload to out away Terblanche only for Poite to call it back... Once he gets back to full match sharpness he's every chance of nailing a place in the Ireland 22. His reading of the game is second only to BOD in terms of Irish centres.

Trimble, Ferris and Best should all be certainties for the starting team. No more needs to be said.

Cave has a great chance but I just wonder if that injury will kill his hopes? Looked like a hamstring. He and Wallace are great together, they have a real empathy and understanding. He ran hard and again, offloaded the ball very well and made good decisions.

Chris Henry can put any number on his back and be magnificent- the amount of work he gets through is inspiring my MoM. He deserves a spot on the bench for Ireland. He just tackles and rucks like a demon. The man is in perpetual motion. He wears seven because it seems like there are seven Chris Henrys.

Another big game from Tuohy, has brawn in abundance but also great pace and great hands. Possible contender for the bench.

Flip sake Notch this is pretty much what i came on to say, brilliant result our forwards dominated them up front which laid the platform for the victory (granted Leicester were not at the races) but you can only beat whats in front of you! Henry or Tuhoy for MOM personally

On another note taking Trimble at 11-1 for first try scorer was inspired <cheers>

by nathan Sat 14 Jan - 9:31

if Ulster can deliver that sort of performance each and every game i can see them winning the HC.

by doctor_grey Sat 14 Jan - 9:37

nathan wrote:if Ulster can deliver that sort of performance each and every game i can see them winning the HC.

That win was spactacular. I could see that also.

by Hood83 Sat 14 Jan - 9:52

It's an excellent team they've built at Ravenhill now. Great result and thoroughly deserved.

On Tigers - I said at the start of the season i thought their squad looked average and i really think they've gone backwards sharply.

I'm entirely unconvinced by Cockerill who doesn't seem to have stamped his authority on the team other than continuing a 'Leicester way' of slow rucking, grinding forward displays. No problem with that, but he hasn't built the pack to deliver it and i think this may be the first year people realise that.

I know they've been blighted by injuries, but i really don't see where he's taking them and i'm not convinced he's great at the bread and butter of coaching. Given expectations there can he survive another season of winning nothing? I'd personally seriously be thinking about bringing in a new face.

When you look at how Sarries, Sale and Quins seem to be developing, i think Leicester fans can be disappointed. More broadly, as a fan of English rugby it's a shame to see teams like Leicester and Saints get found out. I have serious doubts about the quality of the Premiership and it's usefulness in preparing players for the HC or beyond.

by clivemcl Sat 14 Jan - 10:14

I heard a rumour that Aironi were watching last night, and they had like a mighty ducks moments with lots of inspirational broken english speeches... long storry short, they are going to BEAT CLERMONT!

You heard it here first folks! Smile

by **Notch** Sat 14 Jan - 10:25

clivemcl wrote:I heard a rumour that Aironi were watching last night, and they had like a mighty ducks moments with lots of inspirational broken english speeches... long storry short, they are going to BEAT CLERMONT!

You heard it here first folks!

Could they not just speak Italian? Smile

by yappysnap Sat 14 Jan - 11:20

Hood83 wrote:It's an excellent team they've built at Ravenhill now. Great result and thoroughly deserved.

On Tigers - I said at the start of the season i thought their squad looked average and i really think they've gone backwards sharply.

I'm entirely unconvinced by Cockerill who doesn't seem to have stamped his authority on the team other than continuing a 'Leicester way' of slow rucking, grinding forward displays. No problem with that, but he hasn't built the pack to deliver it and i think this may be the first year people realise that.

I know they've been blighted by injuries, but i really don't see where he's taking them and i'm not convinced he's great at the bread and butter of coaching. Given expectations there can he survive another season of winning nothing? I'd personally seriously be thinking about bringing in a new face.

When you look at how Sarries, Sale and Quins seem to be developing, i think Leicester fans can be disappointed. More broadly, as a fan of English rugby it's a shame to see teams like Leicester and Saints get found out. I have serious doubts about the quality of the Premiership and it's usefulness in preparing players for the HC or beyond.

Well said, let's hope the new teams can take up some of the burdon of English expectations and that in the next couple of seasons teams like Bath, Tigers and Wasps get back to where they were.

Tigers need a whole new coaching team and ethos, at the moment they seem to want to play it tight in the forwards but don't have the players to manage that, so the backs try to play wide and again don't have the players, or forward support to play that way either.

It'll never happen but bringing back Richards would do them the world of good, along with an attack coach and a defence/rucks coach.

by J_D Sat 14 Jan - 11:41

Hats off to Ulster pure class last night, don't think ive seen a Leicester side dismantled that easily ever, well done!

by Standulstermen Sat 14 Jan - 11:46

Mother of all hangovers today!

Worth it though Very Happy

by **Notch** Sat 14 Jan - 11:50

Spoiler:

by nathan Sat 14 Jan - 12:20

Notch wrote:
Spoiler:

not working notch.

by **Notch** Sat 14 Jan - 12:25

You serious? Works fine in my browser Sad

by nathan Sat 14 Jan - 12:32

Notch wrote:You serious? Works fine in my browser

getting access denied when using the image url. (dodgy amazon by any chance?)

by thomh Sat 14 Jan - 12:33

trebellbobaggins wrote:and been badly outclassed by a much smaller country that simply has their number. Lots of work needed... and money probably/

In neither game were the English side badly outclassed. Leicester lost by 3 points, and Northampton went well clear in the first half but were too exhausted to keep up with an admittedly superb Leinster in the second half.

by **Notch** Sat 14 Jan - 12:34

Try this;

https://twitter.com/#!/andyhaz88/media/slideshow?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitpic.com%2F874z7k

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