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

[MrsP]

Ah RR,

Don't go mistaking banter for over confidence.

I think the big thing about this semi is that when the pools were drawn not many people envisaged these teams being in the semis.

Now we and we both REALLY want to make the next level!

Excited!



But, at the same time, it's a while since I had this feeling in my stomach before an Ulster match.

[Notch]

Radge, calm down. Jen is a Leinster fan. No-one has disrespected Edinburgh. We're all very wary.

[Rava]

Edinburgh team announced :

Edinburgh: T Brown; L Jones, N De Luca, M Scott, T Visser; G Laidlaw (capt), M Blair; A Jacobsen, R Ford, G Cross, Sean Cox, G Gilchrist, D Denton, R Rennie, N Talei.

Subs: A Kelly, K Traynor, J Gilding, S Turnbull, R Grant, C Leck, P Godman, J Thompson

Looks weak.

Tight 5 looks week. and their replacements. Ulster will ate them.

Jean-Baptiste Poux, William Servat, Census Johnston, Yoann Maestri and Patricio Albacete. Go ask that lot if Edinburgh have a weak tight 5.

To be honest I'm not happy for Irish/Ulster fans to think us weak, a bit of respect needed surely?

Lets start from the top.

When the Tournament started we were expected to finish Bottom of our group getting mullered by everyone we played home and away. We won all but 1 game away to Cardiff and topped our group, with some convincing wins along the way.

Then came Toulouse who fully expected to romp to Victory and face Munster at the Aviva. Well they were wrong on both counts. Edinburgh dominated the forward game, effectively nulified the big ball carrying forwards in the Toulouse team and contained the Toulouse attack with only 13 men on the pitch for an 8th of the game. Furthermore Ulster turned over Munster at Thormand park.

It's been a tournament of Upsets for Edinburgh and Ulster caught Munster napping too.

Happy to be tagged underdogs but not weak. I only hope the Ulster players think us weak but I doubt they'll be as overconfident as some posters on here.

So the gloves are off then Radge. No more friendly banter. I'm sure that's all it was BTW.

Ulster by 12. SUFTUM..

PS If Henry and Afoa had been playing I would have said Ulster by 25.

[Notch]

Cometh the hour...



SUFTUM!

[Don Alfonso]

Paddy Jackson = Hitler youth?

[MrsP]

What time is the team announcement?

[Notch]

And here it is;

Ulster Match Day Squad to face Edinburgh, Saturday 28th April 2012, Aviva Stadium, Dublin (kick-off 5.45pm)

(15-9): S Terblanche; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, R Best, D Fitzpatrick, J Muller (capt), D Tuohy, S Ferris, W Faloon, P Wannenburg;
Replacements (16-23): N Brady, P McAllister, A Macklin, L Stevenson, R Diack, P Marshall, I Humphreys, A D'Arcy

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/10454.php

[marty2086]

Think Radge is just on edge and being a Scot not used to winning things so its a new experience being in a competition at this stage

[Don Alfonso]

Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrghhhhhhh.

Gutted for Henry. Completely delighted for Jackson.

[MrsP]

What a day for that young man.

Can't believe he was still at school when my lad started!

[Don Alfonso]

Radge, have a slice of deep-fired pizza and enjoy the ride.

[rodders]

Happy to be tagged underdogs but not weak. I only hope the Ulster players think us weak but I doubt they'll be as overconfident as some posters on here.

Take the chip off the shoulder big man.... don't go pulling those underdog stunts with us, we had enough of that from Munster .

No one is looking past Edinburgh or thinks you are weak, in fact if there is uber-confidence around it seems to be coming from Edinburgh and their fans....

[clivemcl]

Cheers Don, feel bad for you not making it! I'm sure you will get the atmosphere going in the pub no matter how few are there! SUFTUM!

[clivemcl]

They obviously see jackson as potential in center with both marshall and humph on bench

[Rava]

Go young Jackson. What a vote of confidence.
Now go and make the headlines.

Happy with that team. Tough game ahead but with Muller/Best/Pienaar/Ferris I think we have the edge.

Now the nerves are kicking in

[rodders]

Is the team up???????

[Rava]

Clive I'd say Marshall has been the tight call with regard to the fitness battles. He will only be used if there is an emergency.
That would be my reading of the bench, so it's a no brainer that a back-up 10 is needed.

[Jenifer McLadyboy]

To be honest I'm not happy for Irish/Ulster fans to think us weak, a bit of respect needed surely?

You're ssso sssensitive.

I am allowed to say stupid stuff without jinxing the result as my team is not playing.

You can slag me off when you are getting ready to go to the Embra Clermont final in Twickers. (And bring Wasps into the HC next year)

[Notch]

Yes.

Court, Best, Fitzpatrick, Muller, Tuohy, Ferris, Faloon, Wannenburg, Pienaar, Jackson, Gilroy, Wallace, Cave, Trimble, Terblanche

Brady, McAllister, Macklin, Stevenson, Diack, Marshall, Humphreys, D'Arcy

[RuggerRadge2611]

I'm enjoying the ride, and I'm perfectly calm.

I do think Edinburgh can win, I don't know if they will win. If that constitutes overconfidence then I'm guilty as charged. If I didn't think we could win there would be no point in watching the game tomorrow.

I apologise if my comment seemed hostile it wasn't intended to be. It's just as an Edinburgh and Scotland fan I'm pretty used to people not rating us but it does get a little wearing after a while, especially when we have shown recently that we are competative and dangerous.

[Jenifer McLadyboy]

Do I win a prize?

Can't see too many surprises tomorrow. Put in options at 23 and for the 3 players who retired early last week. Looks like at least 2 of them will make it.

Can't see him leaving iHump out altogether.

T Court
R Best
D Fitzpatrick
J Muller
D Tuohy
S Ferris
C Henry/W Faloon
P Wannenburg

R Pienaar
P Jackson
C Gilroy
P Wallace/N Spence/
D Cave
A Trimble
S Terblanche

N Brady
P McAllister
A Macklin
L Stevenson
R Diack
P Marshall/I Porter
I Humphreys
A D’Arcy/N Spence//I Whitten/L Marshall/C Gaston

[rodders]

Thank flip Faloon got the nod to start...common sense has prevailed.

Humph on the bench...hmmm... it means Trimble and Jackson covering the centres but with Marshall just returning from injury it seems like the prudent call.

D'arcy as the only 3/4 cover leaves us looking a bit lighweight physically on the bench though.

I am VERY nervous about this!

[Jenifer McLadyboy]

I'm enjoying the ride, and I'm perfectly calm.

Will you be calm when you are been ridden tomorrow?

[clivemcl]

A bit of this would be nice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hggyb1kbCt4

[WillyGilly]

Poor Chris Henry. He's a big loss. Surprised IH is on the bench ahead of Spence. We have Pienaar to cover 10 or Wallace at a push. IH is dead wood, whereas Nevin can actually be a real impact player.

[The Great Aukster]

And here it is;

Ulster Match Day Squad to face Edinburgh, Saturday 28th April 2012, Aviva Stadium, Dublin (kick-off 5.45pm)

(15-9): S Terblanche; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, R Best, D Fitzpatrick, J Muller (capt), D Tuohy, S Ferris, W Faloon, P Wannenburg;
Replacements (16-23): N Brady, P McAllister, A Macklin, L Stevenson, R Diack, P Marshall, I Humphreys, A D'Arcy

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/10454.php

Looks strong.

[marty2086]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjZAUeqv7RU&feature=related

clive a bit of this too wouldnt be too bad either

[Jenifer McLadyboy]

And here it is;

Ulster Match Day Squad to face Edinburgh, Saturday 28th April 2012, Aviva Stadium, Dublin (kick-off 5.45pm)

(15-9): S Terblanche; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, R Best, D Fitzpatrick, J Muller (capt), D Tuohy, S Ferris, W Faloon, P Wannenburg;
Replacements (16-23): N Brady, P McAllister, A Macklin, L Stevenson, R Diack, P Marshall, I Humphreys, A D'Arcy

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/10454.php

Looks strong.

Could do with a dose of John Afoa and Chris Henry.

[geoff998rugby]

Rava is spot on Humph is only there because Marshall is emergency cover only otherwise it would have been Spence.

I believe Faloon/Diack was a very close call. Faloon needs to up his game otherwise he will off soon after half time. I understand the required kick up the backside has been administered

[marty2086]

Rava is spot on Humph is only there because Marshall is emergency cover only otherwise it would have been Spence.

I believe Faloon/Diack was a very close call. Faloon needs to up his game otherwise he will off soon after half time. I understand the required kick up the backside has been administered

[clivemcl]

When a player is on his way to another club I can't help but think the kick up the backside took the form of "You think you will find yourself with this kind of opportunity again after you head to Connacht??" No offence Connacht. (We will do our best to get yous in the HC again next year!

[rodders]

Playing Diack or worse Pedrie at openside would have been suicidal against this Edinburgh backrow unit. Both are number 8s and moving Pedrie from his best position would have really weakened us.

Faloon is next best after Henry so we need to go with it and hope he can find his best form.

[geoff998rugby]

It was form against position and position won out.....just.

[funnyExiledScot]

Looking at the Edinburgh side I think Stuart McInally and Harry Leonard are both unlucky not to be on the bench, but otherwise it's exactly as expected. The 1st XV is pretty strong, the bench is almost entirely woeful.

I think there's be 5 or less points separating these sides, and on paper it should be a cracking open game. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ulster build an early lead only for Edinburgh to come back into things.

Fantastic experience for the young players in the Edinburgh team - Gilchrist, Denton, Scott, Jones and Brown will take a huge amount from this experience, whatever the result.

[Hollbeck Ghyll]

Looking at the Edinburgh side I think Stuart McInally and Harry Leonard are both unlucky not to be on the bench, but otherwise it's exactly as expected. The 1st XV is pretty strong, the bench is almost entirely woeful.

I think there's be 5 or less points separating these sides, and on paper it should be a cracking open game. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ulster build an early lead only for Edinburgh to come back into things.

Fantastic experience for the young players in the Edinburgh team - Gilchrist, Denton, Scott, Jones and Brown will take a huge amount from this experience, whatever the result.

Apparently McInally still hasn't recovered from a strain against Leinster, otherwise he would have been there. It would have been good to get Leonard involved, but hopefully Greig will last the 80mins anyway.

[Rava]

The youngest member of the Ulster squad, Jackson had just turned 7 years of age when Ulster last played in a Heineken Cup semi-final against Stade Francais on 9th January 1999.

Jackson said, "I was living in England at the time, we'd moved over there because of my dad's work, and I was more interested in football. I'm probably the one person in Ulster that doesn't really remember what they were doing in 1999!"

He's relaxed and confident ahead of this weekend's game: "I'm delighted to be starting - I may be the youngest player in the squad but I have a job to do at 10 and I'm very comfortable making the calls. I'm playing right alongside Ruan Pienaar, with Paddy and Darren outside me and Stefan behind so there's lots of experience around me.

"I find that it's best if I just try to relax before a game, I don't have a particular routine or hype myself up too much. I've talked to Neil Doak a fair bit this week and we've discussed how Saturday's match is just another game. Obviously there will be a massive crowd and a lot of media attention but it is just a game of rugby and I'll prepare for it in exactly the same way as I always do.

"Doakie and Ian (Humphreys) have been a huge help to me as I've begun my professional career, providing tips and advice. When Brian announced that I was starting, Ian was the first person to congratulate me and told me to ask him anything I wanted. Obviously he knows the calls and plays just as well as I do so it's great to be able to have that sort of support."

[rodders]

Jeebus everyone jumping on the Ulster bandwagon...sounds like theres a few glory supporters heading down from my work anyways.......

[rodders]

Fair play to young Paddy, hes earned his start.

Nice to see the support from Humph too.

[marty2086]

Great to read about Humphrys given him advice and support just hope it didnt entail him saying just do what I do

Think it embodies the Ulster spirit and team ethic and hopefully the young man will step up and show the world why hes so highly rated in the province

[Rava]

I just love to see young fellas get a chance to shine at what they are good at. What better stage than a European Cup Semi Final.

[Rava]

All Ulster and Embra regs, a few of us will be gathering at Bellamy's Bar in Ballsbridge before the game. About a five minute walk to the stadium.
I'll be the one wearing the Ulster jersey

http://www.yelp.com/biz/bellamys-lounge-bar-dublin

[rodders]

I'll be the one wearing the Ulster jersey

[rodders]

What time yous heading in there Rava?

[geoff998rugby]

Thats it I'm off - couple of beers before the train.

Safe journey to all and I hope we all have a great day out - although not too great for Edinburgh fans

[justified sinner]

I'm off. Train then plane. See you all in Dublin.

[marty2086]

Wheres the best place to watch the game in Belfast tomorrow?

[Don Alfonso]

Enjoy, Geoff and Sinner!

Geoff - get us the lowdown after the game.

[MrsP]

Enjoy Geoff!

SUFTUM!!!

Flegs acquired for all the Ps and Rodders and MrsRodders!

They are much bigger than the wee ones we've had before.

About 80cms X 55cms. White with the UR symbol in the middle!

Sweeeeeeet!!!!!!!!

[clivemcl]

Is there any particular Ulster events before the game. You know, like Edinburgh have that hotel with music and entertainment etc...

Any places where ulster fans will gather?

[Notch]

Bellamys!

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