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

[Rava]

What time yous heading in there Rava?

Hoping to meet Mick there around four o'clock. I'll text you if that changes.

Good luck to everyone travelling. Hope all get there and home safely

SUFTUM

[Notch]

Guardian preview of the match; http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/apr/27/rory-best-ulster-heineken-cup?CMP=twt_gu

What an absolute disaster of an opening sentence

[Notch]

http://www.u.tv/sport/Bowe-has-fingers-crossed-for-Ulster/f9f29df8-b693-43b2-b472-dfbef31b3289#.T5q5ATdM4Ec.twitter

Tommy Bowe has his fingers crossed for us...

[Don Alfonso]

Marty - I suspect most places with TVs will be showing it - everywhere on the "upper" Ormeau Road (the Big House, Errigle, Parador), the Taphouse, McHughes, the Garrick, Morrisons, the Cloth Ear, maybe the Empire or Bar 12, the Kitchen Bar, the Basement und so weiter.

If I was going into town, I'd be heading to the Garrick. And I'd go early.

[marty2086]

Marty - I suspect most places with TVs will be showing it - everywhere on the "upper" Ormeau Road (the Big House, Errigle, Parador), the Taphouse, McHughes, the Garrick, Morrisons, the Cloth Ear, maybe the Empire or Bar 12, the Kitchen Bar, the Basement und so weiter.

If I was going into town, I'd be heading to the Garrick. And I'd go early.

Cheers Don

It'd be tough but guess Ill just have to head to the bar early!! nice fry for breakfast then get comfy for kick off

[clivemcl]

Ok, couldnt find it on google maps, but found it on yell.com! Maybe see you there, I have a red wig, but i may not put it on till the stadium!

(I can imagine loads of red wig wearers being asked "are you clivemcl??" and puzzled faces!)

[MrsP]

Breakfast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



You know the game doesn't start till 5.45pm don't you?????

You'll never see the game if you are there for Breakfast!!

[Shauna784]

Can't wait! Leaving the maiden city early in the morning for the trip to Dublin.
We're heading to the Gasworks bar beside the Grand Canal Hotel before the match. Apparently there will be a "quiz master" there in the form of an Ulster supporter, you find him or his daughter and answer an easy question and you'll get a free pint. Can't turn down a free pint

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

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 weak, and no impact on the bench

[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

Looks weak, and no impact on the bench

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvP7Jv8rUK4

[Shauna784]

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 weak, and no impact on the bench

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvP7Jv8rUK4

+1

[MrsP]

Notch!!



Now you've went and been and gone and told everyone Asbo's real name!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[IanBru]

Does anyone know a good rugby pub in Glasgow city centre?

I'm moving up tomorrow, and get the keys at 4pm - any good pubs in the George Square area would be greatly appreciated!

It's as though estate agents don't think of these things...

[UlstermaninGlasgow]

Ian

Best spot is probably Waxy O'Connors beside Queens St Station... Loads of screens, good atmosphere although fairly pricey (£3.75 for a pint of larger!) I'm betting on it being full of Ulster fans though!

[Rava]

Ian

Best spot is probably Waxy O'Connors beside Queens St Station... Loads of screens, good atmosphere although fairly pricey (£3.75 for a pint of larger!) I'm betting on it being full of Ulster fans though!

We get everwhere mate don't we. I've been in Waxy's.It's not bad.. Cant think of anywhere else specifically though!

[Guest]

Anybody know of a good place to watch the game in Birmingham? Really want a decent atmosphere to watch the game, but worried I'm going to end up sitting in the flat watching it on the laptop!!

[justified sinner]

Touch down in Dublin, Guinness in hotel bar is good and only 3.80 a pint.

[Gibson]

Best place to watch the game in Bermingham?

Id say London.

[Rava]

Touch down in Dublin, Guinness in hotel bar is good and only 3.80 a pint.

Good man Sinner. Enjoy your pints tonight man. Tomorrow they will have that taste of defeat

[Gibson]

Touch down in Dublin, Guinness in hotel bar is good and only 3.80 a pint.

Justifed. Ulster look weak in 3 key areas to me. TH,7 and at 10. Ye can take em. Nae bodder. Enjoy my city.

Believe.

I'll be cheering for Ulster and Cooke Rugby meself.

[justified sinner]

Touch down in Dublin, Guinness in hotel bar is good and only 3.80 a pint.

Justifed. Ulster look weak in 3 key areas to me. TH,7 and at 10. Ye can take em. Nae bodder. Enjoy my city.

Believe.

I'll be cheering for Ulster and Cooke Rugby meself.

Cheers Gibson always enjoy Dublin and the odd pint of the black stuff. You at the game tomorrow?

[Gibson]

Touch down in Dublin, Guinness in hotel bar is good and only 3.80 a pint.

Justified. Ulster look weak in 3 key areas to me. TH,7 and at 10. Ye can take em. Nae bodder. Enjoy my city.

Believe.

I'll be cheering for Ulster and Cooke Rugby meself.

Cheers Gibson always enjoy Dublin and the odd pint of the black stuff. You at the game tomorrow?

Justified, I'm a Dub. Big time. But, live in the Dam for years now. Should be in Bordeaux. Haven't missed a Leinster HC game in yonks. Home or away. They are all away for me.
Its Queens Day here on Monday. Biggest open party in the NH. And, I'm a Ladyboy... My sons & and their mates comin over for it. So. Gotta stay and partaay... Its like Paddies Day on acid. Great day.
Its on Monday. Great day to celebrate us meeting Ewmbra - in the Final. Be some craic.

I love Leinster. But family comes 1st. (Not for the Final)

When first my brave Johnie lad came to this town,
He had a blue bonnet that wanted the crown,
But now he has gotten a hat and a feather -
Hey, brave Johnie lad, man sausage up your beaver!

man sausage up your beaver, and man sausage it fu' sprush!
We'll over the border and gie them a brush:
There's somebody there we'll teach better behavior -
Hey, brave Johnie lad, man sausage up your beaver!


Believe.

Slainte mo chara!

[Notch]

For me, we are weaker at 3 and 7 but stronger now at 10 without Humphreys. Sad, but true. Our halfbacks are an area of strength.

Fitzpatrick will scrummage well and at the very least be even with his man; my main concern is Willie Faloon.

[Notch]

Can't sleep; sick with nerves! Losing this game would be like a dagger to the heart- we CAN win, we MUST win! And I believe we will win

Interviews in the IT with Declan Fitzpatrick; http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0428/1224315293790.html

And Paddy Jackson; http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0428/1224315294254.html

[logie28]

'I'll be cheering for Ulster and Cooke Rugby meself' Gibson

I can assure you the Cooke lads will be down in force! Know of about 30 at least.

And was in the company of your namesake on Thursday Gibbo,(with about 300 odd others i might add) the great man was looking as trim as ever, was great to hear him, and others, talking about the game we love in the build up to such a great weekend

[Gibson]

Seems so proper Logie. Gibson is.. well... Give me BOD and Gibson in the centre, in their prime. They'd run riot.

I'll be wearing my Cooke Rugby jersey watching it. In a pub in the Dam. And Im a Torf man. (Clontarf)

Twickers and Glory beckons, mo chara.
SUFTUM.

Believe.

[Standulstermen]

SUFTUM!








That is all......

[Glas a du]

Unreal feeling to this match as a neutral. For me I don't want either to lose, or more accurately it will be a good result whoever wins. In Dublin you'd tip Ulster all day long. However the HC Edinburgh team is a different animal. Good luck to both, let the refereeing not be determinative and let the best side win. I also hope the Sky commentators are honest. I'd want them to admit they hardly ever see these players in action instead of claiming rediculous things based on patchy research. And if that isn't asking too much, let's have a decent match. Now get of the silly computer and get down to the business of properly enjoying a massive day in sport for cold wet places

[rodders]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkADj0TPrJA

Off to Dublin.......

SUFTUM

[mckay1402]

Come on the gunners!

[doctor_grey]

Unreal feeling to this match as a neutral. For me I don't want either to lose, or more accurately it will be a good result whoever wins.................get down to the business of properly enjoying a massive day in sport for cold wet places

Couldn't have said it better, mate.

[RDW]

Hungover.

Have a good day today folks - come on Edinburgh!!

[justified sinner]

Temple Bar Guinness and steak sandwich; lovely. Can't wait for the game.

Gunners!

[MrsP]

Just passed 2 enormous Red and White "Flegs" at the local Park and Ride!!!

Fantastic!

Also passed several groups of folks in rugby jerseys heading for buses/coaches/trains!!!!!

Excited!!!!!!

The largest movement of people from Ulster to Dublin at any one time!!!!!

Dance Competition ... Check

Athletics Comp No (1)...Check

Only a 100m at Athletics Competition No (2) and a drive from Antrim in the way of the P's heading south!!!!

[MrsP]

Face painting done....Check!

[Notch]

Some clampit left an Ulster Banner on the bridge over the River Boyne on the way down

[Morgannwg]

Not particulary bothered as to who is triumphant today but good look to both teams. These are two teams who didn't bring in any 'big names' but developed their players via our domestic league. Good to see it bearing fruition and hopefully both teams can be as strong throughout next season in both competitions.

[thebluesmancometh]

Ye those real homegrowners like Wannenberg, Pienaar, Afoa, Muller, Terblanche, Danielli, Payne etc... Half of the Ulster first team has been bought in!!!

Edinburgh on the other hand...

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Ruan Pienaar is homegrown ! Morgannwg you need to get out more -particularly to rugby matches!

[Morgannwg]

Pienaar, Wannenburg weren't/aren't big names. Ulster made some intelligent signings there. I was talking about guys like Ferris, Henry, Spence, Gilroy, etc... THe Ulstermen. And out of the list isn't only Wannenburg, Pienaar, Afoa and Terblanche starting? I did expect one or two usual suspects to misunderstand what I meant though and put words in that I didn't even use, unexpected from you Shizoid. BTW, have your team taken any steps to strengthen their squad for next year? I understand they recieve a bonus for making it this far in the H-Cup?

[Artful_Dodger]

When bluesman says half the team have been bought in he actually means we have 4 non Irish players playing, and the Ulster squad has far less foreigners than the Blues. Just much better ones.

[GLove39]

Come on Edinburgh, lets make it another historic weekend for Scottish Rugby.

Now if I can find a pub in Aberdeen that's showing the game all will be good

[Glas a du]

Yes like, erm, 1990!

(kidding, honestly)

[Guest]

Ugh, this is hopeless, can't find anywhere in Birmingham showing the game. Looks like I'll be stuck in the flat watching it on my piddly laptop screen. Bah and grump.

[Glas a du]

Coventry RFC?

[Guest]

Bit of a hike. Hoping that the Irish Centre in Digbeth is showing it. They have a bar called 'The Ulster Bar', so you'd think they would have it on. It's times like these that I regret moving away from Scotland...

[Don Alfonso]

suftum

[alive555]

If only I could find a link on the net ....

[Gibson]

PM for Alive. I got those from our man Thomond.

[eirebilly]

Thomond is the king

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