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

[The Great Aukster]

Head coach gets his team to the final of the premier rugby competition and is demoted to academy coach??


Anyway regardless take a bow Brian mcloughlin!

+1.
He is such a gent as well. Integrity and class rewarded. Yup. I love that.

Take a bow Brian McLoughlin. You put it up to the suits.

+2 Now for him to win and walk off into the sunset!

Full credit to Edinburgh, can think themselves very unfortunate. Hope to and think we'll see them back at this stage soon!

+3

The decision to demote him is starting to look ridiculous. I wonder could another province or maybe even Ireland poach him?

Firstly commiserations to Edinburgh they played like a team that can mix it with the best in Europe. With so many young inexperienced players this run will have shown them they have the talent if not the composure just yet. Laidlaw looks to be getting better and better - a real thinking flyhalf with an all round game.

Secondly I love McLaughlin and the stability he has brought when other more fancied candidates lost their way. However it is 100% the right decision that he gets to step aside next season. Yet again Ulster win the first half, and lose the second - a recurring theme under McL's tenure. He is player focussed which is great for the individual but that isn't strategic enough to direct the team from a helicopter, and that is what Ulster now needs from its head honcho.

[Artful_Dodger]

I'm absolutely over the moon, for the final we will have Afoa and Henry back, we nearly beat Clermont in France in the groups, if its Clermont in the final I think we will win, if its Leinster I'm not so sure.

Who to support tommrow? hmmm...

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Yeah well Embra should really get citing - and make sure cheap shot thugs like Ferris and Coward terreblanche get cited right out of the final IMO

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Referee was also a massive homer wan*er too. Bell end like Coward terrblanche

[LeinsterFan4life]

really impressed with denton and laidlow they played really well.

[LeinsterFan4life]

Referee was also a massive homer wan*er too. Bell end like Coward terrblanche

ye your right the ref had an awful game

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

C'mon Clermont or Leinster after that disgrace !

[Artful_Dodger]

Very very poor show Schizoid - from you that is.

[GLove39]

really impressed with denton and laidlow they played really well.

Yeah, at times Laidlaw was like an extra flanker, his rip under the posts stopped a certain try, then to do it again up the field was class. Plus his goal kicking (sadly like Pienaar's) was immaculate.

[GLove39]

C'mon Clermont or Leinster after that disgrace !

Reckon I'll be routing for Clermont, cause that way courtesy of Nathan Hines there'll be some Scottish representation in the final...

[The Great Aukster]

I hope it's Leinster.

1. They're from Ireland and Connacht qualify automatically for next year
2. Ulster have to start learning how to beat Leinster if they're going to get really good
3. The game will show the players and the media just how relatively good the Ireland contenders are - especially they are in a winner takes all match
4. If Leinster beat Clermont and Ulster beat Leinster there will be no accusations of not deserving the title.

[Guest]

C'mon Clermont or Leinster after that disgrace !

Reckon I'll be routing for Clermont, cause that way courtesy of Nathan Hines there'll be some Scottish representation in the final...

Same reason as me! Except tis coz Byrne is in the team so there'll be Welsh representation

[Taffineastbourne]

Well played both sides.Edinburgh lacked accuracyThat was the difference,along with Ulster's Saffers!
Could have gone either way.

[HammerofThunor]

I hope it's Leinster.

1. They're from Ireland and Connacht qualify automatically for next year
2. Ulster have to start learning how to beat Leinster if they're going to get really good
3. The game will show the players and the media just how relatively good the Ireland contenders are - especially they are in a winner takes all match
4. If Leinster beat Clermont and Ulster beat Leinster there will be no accusations of not deserving the title.

Hoping for Clemont for similar reason (Wasps or Gloucester will go through if Clemont win). Regarding number 4, you could there was no real English involvement again (although for different reasons )

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Yes, c'mon Leinster and then really stuff it right up a bunch of nasties. Esp terreblanket and ferris

[Artful_Dodger]

Right schizoid and what did Ferris do to make him a 'cheap shot thug' in your estimations? Pull someones arm?

[toml]

Yes, c'mon Leinster and then really stuff it right up a bunch of nasties. Esp terreblanket and ferris

Give it a rest

[Guest]

Artful - he is referring to the miraculous decision not to yellow Ferris for the deliberate slap down 8m from his own try line, stopping Edinburgh's quick ball

[Artful_Dodger]

Right and how does slapping a ball down make someone a "cheap shot thug"?

[Guest]

That I don't know! But I can understand the frustrations over that decision. (if the reason I gave is in fact why he said it)

[Imperialbigdave]

Im not going to comment on Ferris, whats done is done.

But please pay no attention to 21st centruy schizoid. Hes a very angry person, he literally cannot type a post without having a go at someone.

Well done ulster, deserved victors today.

[toml]

Right and how does slapping a ball down make someone a "cheap shot thug"?

If Terblanches tap makes him a cheap shot thug, then most rugby players are... Because that was tame- just a warning

[Intotouch]

Well done Ulster! That was brilliant! I'm so happy for ye!

[Artful_Dodger]

Thanks dave, I've no doubt that Edinburgh can get back to the knockout stages next year, Ulster learned a hell of a lot getting knocked out in the quarters last year and the same was always said of Munster losing 2 finals before they won it.

Hope to see Edinburgh in the knockouts again next season, especially with the brand of rugby they play.

[eirebilly]

This was a good thread for so long

It must be horrible being an Ed fan today watching so many chances and field position go to fluff from handling errors.
Very much enjoyed every minute i have seen from them in this HC, their fans can be very proud.

[RDW]

Well done Ulster - deserved the win and good luck for the finals. So proud of Edinburgh though - incredible achievement to do this and we didn't look put of place in a Heineken semi final.

Shows you what some money and some saffers can do!

[toml]

Thanks dave, I've no doubt that Edinburgh can get back to the knockout stages next year, Ulster learned a hell of a lot getting knocked out in the quarters last year and the same was always said of Munster losing 2 finals before they won it.

Hope to see Edinburgh in the knockouts again next season, especially with the brand of rugby they play.

Their rugby is great to watch. If they tighten up their defence they'll be contenders

[eirebilly]

Time to give it a rest Schizoid. Emotions running high, i can understand that but stop before you say something you may regret later

[Hollbeck Ghyll]

Gutted for Edinburgh. Played some really exciting stuff, but a few handling errors and mistakes at cruicial times proved costly. Though Cox and Denton were outstanding, along with the centres, and the only way Laidlaw could have played better was to have morphed into Ruan Pienaar.

Congrats Ulster, great defence and game control, deserved winners.

[Guest]

sure it can still be a good thread Billy

RDW - definitely be proud of your side, that was such a great effort today, and if for a bit of composure, you guys could so easily be calling yourself finalists. Something to learn from and build on for next season for sure!

[Imperialbigdave]

I was just about to ask schizoid to show a bit of grace, but his posts been deleted.

Please dont take him as a representation of Edinburgh fans, hes not even one of us!

[eirebilly]

Well done Ulster - deserved the win and good luck for the finals. So proud of Edinburgh though - incredible achievement to do this and we didn't look put of place in a Heineken semi final.

Shows you what some money and some saffers can do!

That is a very excellent point. No you didnt look out of place at all. Proper rugby played as well, the type of rugby Edinburgh played throughout this tournement has been oozing with class. Didnt work today but it will on other days

[LeinsterFan4life]

guys dont hate on schizoid his temper is just running high after the game which is understandable is it not...

[justified sinner]

Well done Ulster.

A few too many errors from Embra who could have won. Some great performances from both sides. Enjoyed that game.

One whinge, why didn't Ferris get a card?

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Guys, bloody hell get emotional here. I am a Warriors supporter but that was pretty bloody bad today. Where I watched, pub in Glasgow, were going mental at the referee for thew Visser non incident (apparently !) and terryblanket punching Ford while he was face down - quality guy ! Poite was an absolute disgrace of a homer.
Sorry for supporting Embra !

[Guest]

21st - no problems voicing your issues with the game, just mayhap lay of the insults is all

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Dreamer ,

apologies. I will withdraw

[Imperialbigdave]

you just dont get it do you? Its done. Its over. All you are doing now is making us seem sore losers.

Id bet my house im far more emotional about embra than you. Before and during the game. But the game is over. Accept it and show some humility.

[Guest]

no worries 21st

[allyt2k]

gutted, but full credit to the guys they gave there all, impatience and trying to force the game when we needed to calm things down and go through the phases when we where a man up. Ulster done a northampton against us at the beginning of the 2nd half stuff it up there jumpers through the forwards.

guys where dead on there feet with 5-10 mins to go unfourtunatly we dont have the bench to change a game in our favour, cant wait till Nel, private Benjamin and Basil come in a bit more fire power on the bench and hopefully a good big big lock.

to get beat by only 3pts in a semi final away from home against a team who have recruited well over the last few seasons and have fantastic fans who back the team all the way, ill take that and start looking forward with more faith that edinburgh/sru can build on this

gutted but the good thing is i cant see it being another 10 years before we end up there again me thinks it will be sooner and a good run in the rabo

well done ulster would really like to see a rabo all irish final

[eirebilly]

21st - no problems voicing your issues with the game, just mayhap lay of the insults is all

dreamer invented a new word

[Guest]

that isn't a new word!

is it??

I thought it just meant maybe or perhaps.

[Don Alfonso]

SUFTUM...

SUFTEM...

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Apologies lads - and well done Edinburgh - turn the other cheek and all !

Still hope the other semi beats them after that though !

[Guest]

aha!

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/mayhap

and archaic word for perhaps

[eirebilly]

aha!

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/mayhap

and archaic word for perhaps

Dammit, i hate it when i am wrong. ┌∩┐(◣_◢)┌∩┐ dreamer

[Guest]

[eirebilly]

Shamed and leaving now

[Guest]

aww Billy, don't do that sure just have a instead

[eirebilly]

I cant, put to shame by a 24 year old welsh girl... The shame, the shame

Still luv ya though

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