Ulster vs Edinburgh, Build Up Thread

[Notch]

First topic message reminder :

Ulster vs Edinburgh
5.45pm, Saturday 28th April
AVIVA Stadium Dublin
Heineken Cup Semi-Final

Nice sparkly new thread for the build-up to the Heineken Cup Semi-Final. Links to press interviews, team speculation, breaking news and discussion in the week ahead.

Let's kick off with interviews with Ulster defence coach Jonathan Bell and Edinburgh coach Michael Bradley.

Jonny Bell thinks Ulsters fans can be the difference as he reflects on his own win in the 1999 competition.

Michael Bradley talks about the Toulouse quarter-final and assesses the threat of Ulster.

Post any and all match-related chat here

[trustedwomble]

Flight tickets are getting expensive already from both Belfast and Dublin - I know I've looked.

Fortunately I have a Sister-in-law in London who will put us up and we can afford to come home on Monday. Booked my tickets for 100 pounds return.
Worst comes to worst I have a long weekend in London to meet up with some old friends

If you come home on Sunday it ain't going to be cheap and best of luck with accomodation - thats going fast as well

We're flying from City of Derry to Stansted and managed to get travelodge near Twickenham for 2 nights at 160 I think.

Worst case scenario I'll be cheering Edinburgh against Clermont and will spend a day or two in London.

Anyone know how far long it takes to travel from Stansted to Twickenham?

Its about 45 minutes into London on Stansted Express then about another 45 on underground and train.

I think your last 45 mins is very optomistic. From the time you are on Stanstead station to reaching the ground allow 2.5 hours I would say

I wouldn't disagree Geoff/ASBO, especially at a weekend when TFL seems to try and annoy everyone trying to get to a sporting ground!

The overground to Richmond is a good bet, there tend to be less engineering works.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Flight tickets are getting expensive already from both Belfast and Dublin - I know I've looked.

Fortunately I have a Sister-in-law in London who will put us up and we can afford to come home on Monday. Booked my tickets for 100 pounds return.
Worst comes to worst I have a long weekend in London to meet up with some old friends

If you come home on Sunday it ain't going to be cheap and best of luck with accomodation - thats going fast as well

We're flying from City of Derry to Stansted and managed to get travelodge near Twickenham for 2 nights at 160 I think.

Worst case scenario I'll be cheering Edinburgh against Clermont and will spend a day or two in London.

Anyone know how far long it takes to travel from Stansted to Twickenham?

Its about 45 minutes into London on Stansted Express then about another 45 on underground and train.

I think your last 45 mins is very optomistic. From the time you are on Stanstead station to reaching the ground allow 2.5 hours I would say

I wouldn't disagree Geoff/ASBO, especially at a weekend when TFL seems to try and annoy everyone trying to get to a sporting ground!

The overground to Richmond is a good bet, there tend to be less engineering works.

Good point, womble, Waterloo to Twickenham direct on the train would be a better bet potentially, but then tube from L'pool St to Waterloo would be 20-25 mins. Where's the Fat Controller, Hoog, when you need him?

[geoff998rugby]

Underground to Richmond and then a walk along the river taking in a couple of hostelries is my traditional route

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Underground to Richmond and then a walk along the river taking in a couple of hostelries is my traditional route

Now that sounds like the ticket!

[rodders]

We have 6 hours to do the journey so taking in some 'Hostelries' seems like a plan....

[Rava]

Some people are getting there on Friday morning.

Seriously though, I am flying into Southend for the very first time. Although the flights were booked a few months ago and were relatively cheap, it could be worth looking at those as an alternative to Stanstead and Gatwick.

[Rava]

Underground to Richmond and then a walk along the river taking in a couple of hostelries is my traditional route

You might need permission from the Parades Commission if its a traditional route Geoff

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Underground to Richmond and then a walk along the river taking in a couple of hostelries is my traditional route

You might need permission from the Parades Commission if its a traditional route Geoff

I'll bring my flute

[Rava]

You do that Asbo. Sure you'll be supporting Ulster for the final anyways

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

You do that Asbo. Sure you'll be supporting Ulster for the final anyways

Oh aye, well I wouldn't want that French lot to win!

[Don Alfonso]

Sure if we win, youse will have been knocked out by the winners.

That's a (small) consolation.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Sure if we win, youse will have been knocked out by the winners.

That's a (small) consolation.

V good, Don - ach well, at least youse will have the Rabo to look forward to on your long trip back north - oh no, hang on ...

[rodders]

What league do Edinburgh play in? Didn't they used to be in the Rabo as well?

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

What league do Edinburgh play in? Didn't they used to be in the Rabo as well?

That's right, rodders, think Embra are looking for permission to join in the B&I Cup next year!

[Rava]

Sure if we win, youse will have been knocked out by the winners.

That's a (small) consolation.

V good, Don - ach well, at least youse will have the Rabo to look forward to on your long trip back north - oh no, hang on ...

Well actually we can still get into the Top 4. Mathematically

[rodders]

What league do Edinburgh play in? Didn't they used to be in the Rabo as well?

That's right, rodders, think Embra are looking for permission to join in the B&I Cup next year!

[Notch]

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/10443.php

Johann Muller says training in the Ulster camp this week is as intense as it has ever been.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/10443.php

Johann Muller says training in the Ulster camp this week is as intense as it has ever been.

Excellent, more self-inflicted injuries, just what the doctor ordered!

[Rava]

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/10443.php

Johann Muller says training in the Ulster camp this week is as intense as it has ever been.

Don't know why they are bothering really. Could have afforded to relax this week, maybe got in a bit of shopping. I'm sure the lads will want to look their best for their London trip.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/10443.php

Johann Muller says training in the Ulster camp this week is as intense as it has ever been.

Don't know why they are bothering really. Could have afforded to relax this week, maybe got in a bit of shopping. I'm sure the lads will want to look their best for their London trip.

Rav, I don't think they give out medals for 3rd and 4th at the final, sorry, bud

[Don Alfonso]

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/10443.php

Johann Muller says training in the Ulster camp this week is as intense as it has ever been.

Unless someone from the Edinburgh team comes out with a similar statement, I'll assume we'll bet them, then.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

http://www.edinburghrugby.org/news/935812467.php

Michael Bradley notes that training in the Edinburgh camp this week has been more intense than Ulster's

[rodders]

http://www.edinburghrugby.org/news/935812467.php

Michael Bradley notes that training in the Edinburgh camp this week has been more intense than Ulster's

Well thats only to be expected....Edinburgh have a lot more areas to work on than us.....

[Suspicious lurker]

Flight tickets are getting expensive already from both Belfast and Dublin - I know I've looked.

Fortunately I have a Sister-in-law in London who will put us up and we can afford to come home on Monday. Booked my tickets for 100 pounds return.
Worst comes to worst I have a long weekend in London to meet up with some old friends

If you come home on Sunday it ain't going to be cheap and best of luck with accomodation - thats going fast as well

We're flying from City of Derry to Stansted and managed to get travelodge near Twickenham for 2 nights at 160 I think.

Worst case scenario I'll be cheering Edinburgh against Clermont and will spend a day or two in London.

Anyone know how far long it takes to travel from Stansted to Twickenham?

Its about 45 minutes into London on Stansted Express then about another 45 on underground and train.

I think your last 45 mins is very optomistic. From the time you are on Stanstead station to reaching the ground allow 2.5 hours I would say

I wouldn't disagree Geoff/ASBO, especially at a weekend when TFL seems to try and annoy everyone trying to get to a sporting ground!

The overground to Richmond is a good bet, there tend to be less engineering works.

Good point, womble, Waterloo to Twickenham direct on the train would be a better bet potentially, but then tube from L'pool St to Waterloo would be 20-25 mins. Where's the Fat Controller, Hoog, when you need him?

I'm here, stanstead express to Liverpool street, Liverpool st one stop to bank, bank to waterloo on the waterloo and city line. Then get the xx20 xx28 xx50 xx58 out to Twickenham which will take 17 minutes from waterloo

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Flight tickets are getting expensive already from both Belfast and Dublin - I know I've looked.

Fortunately I have a Sister-in-law in London who will put us up and we can afford to come home on Monday. Booked my tickets for 100 pounds return.
Worst comes to worst I have a long weekend in London to meet up with some old friends

If you come home on Sunday it ain't going to be cheap and best of luck with accomodation - thats going fast as well

We're flying from City of Derry to Stansted and managed to get travelodge near Twickenham for 2 nights at 160 I think.

Worst case scenario I'll be cheering Edinburgh against Clermont and will spend a day or two in London.

Anyone know how far long it takes to travel from Stansted to Twickenham?

Its about 45 minutes into London on Stansted Express then about another 45 on underground and train.

I think your last 45 mins is very optomistic. From the time you are on Stanstead station to reaching the ground allow 2.5 hours I would say

I wouldn't disagree Geoff/ASBO, especially at a weekend when TFL seems to try and annoy everyone trying to get to a sporting ground!

The overground to Richmond is a good bet, there tend to be less engineering works.

Good point, womble, Waterloo to Twickenham direct on the train would be a better bet potentially, but then tube from L'pool St to Waterloo would be 20-25 mins. Where's the Fat Controller, Hoog, when you need him?

I'm here, stanstead express to Liverpool street, Liverpool st one stop to bank to bank, bank to waterloo on the waterloo and city line to waterloo. Then get the xx20 xx28 xx50 xx58 out to Twickenham which will take 17 minutes from waterloo

But does the drain run at weekend's smart erse?

[rodders]

OK Hoog so whats the total ETT?

[Don Alfonso]

http://www.edinburghrugby.org/news/935812467.php

Michael Bradley notes that training in the Edinburgh camp this week has been more intense than Ulster's

That made me laugh In Real Life.

I only wish we could have met you in the final instead. And I mean that in a deeply respectful way.

[Suspicious lurker]

Here smart Aorse runs until 18:30 on a Saturday although you city types aren't usually around on a Saturday to notice, thank Christ




Rodders, with connections timed nicely you'll do it in 40 minutes, with a bit of a wait 50 max

[rodders]

Rodders, with connections timed nicely you'll do it in 40 minutes, with a bit of a wait 50 max

You the man Hoog!

[Don Alfonso]

It might be about time for an "Edinburgh - Going Down?" thread...

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

It might be about time for an "Edinburgh - Going Down?" thread...

Only if you put up the original one first - a work of genius!

[Notch]

Asbos desperate for some spite. I can oblige. I respect the hell out of Edinburgh. I'm overwhelmingly confident we can compete at a level where it's possible we might win. I DEMAND that you acknowledge the semi-final is a great leveller. And other aggressive comments.

[Notch]

Andrew Trimble previews the game;

http://www.scrumfive.net/2012/04/andrew-trimble-looks-ahead-to-heineken.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Notch]

John Dickson interviews Stephen Ferris, Darren Cave and Tom Court.

[justified sinner]

Will probably start a different thread on this, but over for the game and staying Sunday. Best pub to watch the Leinster ASM game in? Cheers JS

[Gibson]

Will probably start a different thread on this, but over for the game and staying Sunday. Best pub to watch the Leinster ASM game in? Cheers JS

Kielys of Donnybrook. Great pub grub. Great pint. Great service. Leinster HQ, roysh. It's Champion...

http://www.kielysofdonnybrook.ie/

[Mickado]

Will probably start a different thread on this, but over for the game and staying Sunday. Best pub to watch the Leinster ASM game in? Cheers JS

Where are you staying?

[geoff998rugby]

Good news on Henry he came through his non contact tests successfully. Load of measures on his body by physios using various gizmos - all looked good. Will take contact today - the club will know tonight I reckon.

Fingers crossed.

[Suspicious lurker]

I wish I was joking with this lads but rumours are beginning to pop up on Twitter that Pienear has been ruled out of Saturday with a virus.


I'm working my ballix off to find out more

[RDW]

That would be a massive boost for us. Obviously hoping it isn't anything serious like!

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I wish I was joking with this lads but rumours are beginning to pop up on Twitter that Pienear has been ruled out of Saturday with a virus.


I'm working my ballix off to find out more

Oh aye, Hoog, there's a bit more here n'all: deadly virus

[rodders]

I wish I was joking with this lads but rumours are beginning to pop up on Twitter that Pienear has been ruled out of Saturday with a virus.

[Suspicious lurker]

Jasus I hope this is nothing serious. Ulster need him fighting fit he's the most important element of that team

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Jasus I hope this is nothing serious. Ulster need him fighting fit he's the most important element of that team

Tbh, I think they'd struggle even with him fit tho

[rodders]

Christmas is cancelled!

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Ach well, rodders, there's always next year. Will you support Embra in the final now?

[rodders]

there's always next year. Will you support Embra in the final now?

Not until I find the source of this virus you cheating bollixes...I suspect germ warfare here!

[Suspicious lurker]

From Twitter

@talkingrugbyunion Pienear bed bound with gastroenteritis

[RuggerRadge2611]

From Twitter

@talkingrugbyunion Pienear bed bound with gastroenteritis

What a rotten bit of luck

Hope he makes a full recovery though, not in time for Saturday would be nice though

[rodders]

From Twitter

@talkingrugbyunion Pienear bed bound with gastroenteritis

Man up Pienaar you wimp, your playing and thats it.

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