Scarlets v Ulster next Sunday

How poxed lucky are Ulster? They get to play the 2nd place team in the league....away.....on the weekend that Wales play Australia.

On the other hand it is on a Sunday and their HC game v Northampton is on the following Friday.

So, a few swings mixed in with the roundabouts there. Especially considering Northampton have their game on the Friday.

I'm sure Ulster will cope. Better off having the 2 away matches in a row IMHO

Ulster Team:

P Nelson; A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, C Gilroy; P Jackson, P Marshall;
(1-8): C Black, R Herring, J Afoa, J Muller (c), N McComb, I Henderson, R Diack, R Wilson;
Replacements (16-23): R Best, T Court, R Lutton, D Tuohy, M McComish, M Heaney, N O’Connor, T Bowe.

Scarlet's Team:

15. Dan Newton 14. Kristian Phillips 13. Gareth Maule 12. Gareth Owen 11. Andy Fenby 10. Aled Thomas 9. Gareth Davies 1. Phil John 2. Emyr Phillips 3. Jacobie Adriaanse 4. Johan Snyman 5. Richard Kelly 6. George Earle 7. Johnathan Edwards (capt) 8. Kieran Murphy
Replacements
16. Kirby Myhill 17. Shaun Hopkins 18. Deacon Manu 19. Tomas Vallejos 20. Craig Price 21. Aled Davies 22. Adam Warren 23. Nick Reynolds

Hey man blame the WRU......

5 day turn around to the Saints game is a bollix though......

Scarlets currently training with Wales (or injured on Wales Duty)

Liam Williams
Morgan Stoddart
Scott Williams
Jon Davies
George North
Rhys Preistland
Tavis Knoyle

Rob McCusker
Josh Turnbull
Aaron Shingler
Samson Lee
Matthew Rees
Ken Owens
Kirby Myhill

Let's prey they don't notice how good htose Scarlets lads are and release the majority of them.

Scarlets must have a bit of depth about them though if yous managed to beat Munster on home soil?

I'm expecting a real tough one here.

rodders wrote:Scarlets must have a bit of depth about them though if yous managed to beat Munster on home soil?

I'm expecting a real tough one here.

And so the race to be underdog started. Best of luck with that one Rodders.

Muller is aiming to be back, should get Dan Tuohy back so expecting, Bowe, Gilroy and Henry not sure if IRFU will allow him to play to gel back into Ulster team, or insist he rests and back for H-cup?

Court Herring Afoa
Muller Tuohy
Willaims Wilson Henderson
Pienaar Jackson
M Allen Cave Wallace Trimble
Payne

Expect IRFU will allow them to play V Scarlets to have the team play all together before H-cup game so hopefully

Court Herring Afoa
Muller Tuohy
Henderson Willaims Henry
Pienaar Jackson
Trimble Cave Wallace Bowe
Payne

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

rodders wrote:Scarlets must have a bit of depth about them though if yous managed to beat Munster on home soil?

I'm expecting a real tough one here.

And so the race to be underdog started. Best of luck with that one Rodders.

Hey we're the ones in crisis here....

Actually with the 5 day turn around think Bowe Henry Gilroy will be given a break can see some others given a break as well, won't paly 1st team, and same team again 5 days later.

tough one to pick, rest some players for me I'd actually go for

T Court, R Herring, D Fitzpatrick
Muller Tuohy
N Williams, R Wilson Henderson
Marshall jackson
M Allen, Cave, L Marshall, A Trimble
J Payne

Then against Saints

Court Herring Afoa
Muller Tuohy
Henderson Willaims Henry
Pienaar Jackson
Trimble Cave Wallace/Marshall Bowe
Payne

rodders wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

rodders wrote:Scarlets must have a bit of depth about them though if yous managed to beat Munster on home soil?

I'm expecting a real tough one here.

And so the race to be underdog started. Best of luck with that one Rodders.

Hey we're the ones in crisis here....

It's thanks to their recruitment and promotion within their own ranks. Some of the recruitment should have happened a season or two earlier. They're probably the only Welsh team that can put out two decent XV's. I would say they are very much going the way of the Ulster model, which for Ulster has culminated into one of Europe's best teams.

Easterby also seems to be doing a great job btw.

Can't say I'm that fimilar with Scarlets NWQ it is intresting that none of them are in the backs or Half backs, a general trend for Welsh rugby is NWQ players are in the Forwards,

Deacon Manu
Jake Ball (although he is Welsh qualifed looks like he could be decent but could pick up a ban)
Sione Timani don't really know enough.

Just know Scarlets lacked Locks and have gotten Tomás Vallejos, Ball, George Earle and Johan Snyman in, not sure how good they are to be honest.

I think that Scarlets have really had to bring youth through in last few years and were luckly they had/have some great players coming through, If they were able to get NWQ the same Calabre as Ulsters NIQ, they would be looking like H-Cup contendors.

I do think that the Old order of Leinster, Munster and Ospreys, may have passed to the new order, Leinster, Ulster Scarlets.

Probably more a case of the Scarlets Region producing exceptional backs every year. They've nicked Maule, G.Owen, K.Phillips and Liam Williams from other Regions but they have improved with the Scarlets. Vallejos must be pretty good to be getting in the Argentina match day squad. They probably brought in an extra lock as he is another international they could lose to call-ups. Ball certainly looked the part last night. Not too sure about Earle, I think he is a 2nd team player as Timani and Snyman look better. Might need to ask for Biltong's verdict on these Saffa's (that is if he returns to V2). There were unknown to me before the Scarlets recruited them. Aadrianse has looked the part since joining aswell. When all players are fit there will be some selection headaches as there are a lot of good enough players within the Region.

And I wouldn't write off the Ospreys yet, but they will struggle now with the limited depth and injuries that have piled up.

Ospreys still have a more realistic chance of being competitive on all fronts due to having the only pack in Wales.

That said, if you would have offered Scarlets fans 2nd position in the league, with all our Summer signings, Adriaanse, Ball, Snyman and Vallejos, yet to really prove what they can do, I certainly would have taken that.

Hopefully the grunt we've recruited in the front 5 will help Turnbull and McCusker regain some of the form they were showing two years ago.

Ospreys still have a more realistic chance of being competitive on all fronts due to having the only pack in Wales.

That said, if you would have offered Scarlets fans 2nd position in the league, with all our Summer signings, Adriaanse, Ball, Snyman and Vallejos, yet to really prove what they can do, I certainly would have taken that.

Hopefully the grunt we've recruited in the front 5 will help Turnbull and McCusker regain some of the form they were showing two years ago.

Morg - Lets be fair we signed Maule, Kris Phillips and Owen after tehy were released by their regions, and Liam Williams was released by the Ospreys accademy (shock horror a quality back released), it is not exactly pinching players.

Miaow - I would argue that we could be pushing the Ospreys in terms of pack power. We could feild two packs that are decent quality
R Jones, Owens, Adriaanse, Earle, Snyman, Shingelr, Turnbull, McGog
P John, Rees, Lee, Ball, Timani, Vallejos, Edwards, Murphy

Kingshu - I would expect the Scarlets to feild a very similar side to the side tht faced Munster, possibly with Pete Edwards coming onto the bench for Lee, and Timani coming in for Ball (if he is cited/banned) or onto the bench.

The Belfast telegraph is reporting that Rory Best will most likely be playing a part in this match, to get him match ready for Northampton. This is a funny one though as we haven't heard anything from ulster or Ireland regarding the progress of his fitness since the injury occurred. He did say, like muller, that he would be targeting the Northampton match.

BDV interview with Rory on the beeb site here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/20500838

theshanker wrote:BDV interview with Rory on the beeb site here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/20500838

Gentleman! Cheers!

So it looks like the telegraph are just making idle speculation.

Probably but a place on the bench might be on the cards?

INteresting stat "It's 10 wins and 10 losses apiece with 2 draws thrown in to the mix in the last 22 games played between the Scarlets and Ulster with the West Wales region tipping the scale with 41 tries to Ulster's 34."

I really hope we rest Pienaar for this game. Poor fella's going to burn out soon.

Sound like Muller may be back for this one....

What I love aout the Pro 12 stats is Scarlets may be ahead on tries, but we've been Champions 3 times to there once!

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/2648.php?section=overview&fixid=173508

I really do like the Scarlets games, outside other Provinces they may be my favourite

Kingshu wrote:What I love aout the Pro 12 stats is Scarlets may be ahead on tries, but we've been Champions 3 times to there once!

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/2648.php?section=overview&fixid=173508

I really do like the Scarlets games, outside other Provinces they may be my favourite

2006 and........ Must be counting a Celtic cup or something and your HC win in 99.

Kingshu wrote:What I love aout the Pro 12 stats is Scarlets may be ahead on tries, but we've been Champions 3 times to there once!

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/2648.php?section=overview&fixid=173508

I really do like the Scarlets games, outside other Provinces they may be my favourite

Thats harsh because since we have existed it is one championship each. But both won at Stradey Park I believe.

Court, herring, Afoa
Tuohy, muller,
Williams, Wilson, Henderson
Marshall, Jackson
Trimble, Marshall, cave, Allen
Payne


Backrow is a tad unbalanced and in fairness I could legitimately drop either McComish of Williams for this one. I want To see Luke marshall get a shot at 12 to see if he can oust paddy who had two average games.

Looking forward to the difference Jackson makes

WillyGilly wrote:I really hope we rest Pienaar for this game. Poor fella's going to burn out soon.

He needs a couple of weeks off, but it doesn't make sense to give them to him the week before the two biggest games of the season so far. Give him a few weeks over Christmas and New Year. It'll give Paul Marshall his chance to catch the eye in the interpros.

Stand, I would recall Brady. I know he was poor against Zebre but then so was Herring against Treviso- if we are without Best, we'll need Bradys physical edge in Franklins Gardens. If Chris Henry is rested, McComish plays. Henderson and Williams are no opensides!

This game is about beating the Scarlets but its also about next weeks Heineken Cup clash so I'd like to see Luke Marshall start with Cave as an auditio to try and take Paddy Wallaces shirt and Craig Gilroy start with Trimble as a straight shoot-out to see who starts next week

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Kingshu wrote:What I love aout the Pro 12 stats is Scarlets may be ahead on tries, but we've been Champions 3 times to there once!

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/2648.php?section=overview&fixid=173508

I really do like the Scarlets games, outside other Provinces they may be my favourite

Thats harsh because since we have existed it is one championship each. But both won at Stradey Park I believe.

Should be only one championship each, thats why I dont really trust their avg age bit.

They also have Ospreys Champs 5 times and Blues twice
Leinster 5 times
Munster 6 times

Looking into it they only use league stats only for head to head but count, champions for;
League, Celtic cup, h-cup, Almin cup, Anglo-Welsh Cup but not BandIcup

So Ulster
H-cup, Celtic League, Celtic cup

Scarlets
Celtic league

Cardiff Blues
Anglo-Welsh Cup
European Challenge Cup

Doesn't matter Scarlets, While I think it may be one of the few times Munster and Leinster fans will be hoping Scarlets beat an Irish province (to close the gap), your still going down.

Wonder what odds its won in the last minute?

Maybe I am alone on this but Big Robbie diack's preformance the last two weeks have been pretty decent, even if the have been at 4, and Williams hasn't been at his best, do you reckon he could be benched for this one with Henderson at 6 and Diack at 7? Still unbalanced but Robbie deserved reward for his form.

Would be averse to that scenario BDV. Williams needs a boot up the ass as does McComish

Diack ain't an openside either, but I'd play him at six with either McComish or Birch at 7.

Decent update on the injuries and expected reappearances here

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-skipper-muller-back-for-crucial-period-1-4526252

Don't if Diack starts at 6, certainly prefer him there than Williams, but feel like Henderson is the best bet for the Saints game and he's had less game time over the past two weeks..

Am really worried about this match

Standulstermen wrote:I want To see Luke marshall get a shot at 12 to see if he can oust paddy who had two average games.

Looking forward to the difference Jackson makes

I wouldn't mind seeing Marshall but think it's a bit late to have him in contention for the Saints away. Wallace did score a crucial try and since his lack of effectiveness was directly caused by the painfully slow service inside him, he too will be looking forward to the return of Jackson.

News on the injuries is all very encouraging. One that might of slipped under the radar is Sean Doyle, who I thought put in some brilliant performances at the start of the season, at openside when we didn't have Henry.

So... likely side, something like;

Court Brady Afoa
Tuohy McComb
Henderson Wilson(c) McComish
Pienaar Jackson
Trimble Wallace Cave Bowe
Payne

Herring Black Fitzpatrick Muller Williams P. Marshall L. Marshall Allen

I don't know, hard to call number 8 especially. I feel like Roger Wilson has come back and staked a claim there, with Williams our havoc wreaking wrecking ball on the bench. It's unfortunate if the edict is to rest Gilroy because that will most likely end his chances of starting next week.

People saying Williams needs a boot up the ass. But are you sure its not just that he was used differently the past two weeks since he was a flanker. Wasnt Roger Wilson given the main ball carrying role. Of course Williams is going to seem unimpressive compared to his usual form if he isnt ball carrying.

I'd still have him over Wilson. I also would like to see Diack ahead of McComish who has done a few silly things of late.

Williams had a couple of poorish games but like you say Clive was out of position..... and lets remember that he could well have had another 2 tries for us last week....

Williams v Wilson is a bit horse for courses. Wilson is certainly more solid and has the better work rate but Williams ball carrying has added a new dimension to our attack. With Ferris out that could prove even more valuable but don't mind who starts to be honest. Both very good players.

Diack has really looked sharp whenever he's played.

I am more thinking of his missed tackles than anything else. I would have him benching but to be used early if needed.

Ferris I'm assuming won't make saints so it does actually make more sense to start Henderson at 6. Henry picks himself and I would go Wilson at present. I think if we can match saints up front and eliminate mistakes we possess more threat in the backs

I think Wilson to control games and do the work, Williams from the bench.
Williams running at tired defenses would be a nightmare for other teams to deal with.

A fresh Willaims V tired defense = even more gain than normal, opening gaps elsewhere. At same time put nippy Marshall on for Pienaar, and you have two impact sus that will run at tired defences, if having to chase a game I think these two could make a big difference.

The talk is that Ferris could make the home game against the saints, have you heard otherwise stand?

Personally I would go with:

6 Henderson 8 Williams 7 Henry

I think its more balanced and potent in attack. With Henderson and Henry there Williams can be afforded to miss a few tackles if he carries well. Wilson to tighten things up from the bench.

Like I say I am happy with Wilson to start either but the flankers pick themselves I think.

Haven't heard a thing rodders in truth. The sad truth is I think we always have to have the contingency plan there. Depending on the away result I wouldnt rush him back at all and I don't think his form was much better than hendersons either.

I just genuinely wish he could have 1 full season injury free. Agree with your above sentiments rodders. Would switch the 8's though

I'm delighted with Henderson and am much less concerned about Ferris than I would have been a year ago. With Hendo playing so well I wouldn't be inclined to rush him back at all.

rodders wrote:I'm delighted with Henderson and am much less concerned about Ferris than I would have been a year ago. With Hendo playing so well I wouldn't be inclined to rush him back at all.

+1. Even if Ferris is available for Saints at home I don't think Anscombe would be foolish enough to pitch him in. Bench place at best I'd say.
He could be useful the week after against Leinster though

Fit-again Muller to pen new deal as Best boosts Ulster for key Saints clashes

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/Rabodirect-PRO12/fitagain-muller-to-pen-new-deal-as-best-boosts-ulster-for-key-saints-clashes-3308038.html

His contract is up in June and while he had planned to return home to Mossel Bay in the Southern Cape to work on the family farm, a one-year extension is believed to be imminent, with the IRFU and their edict regarding foreign players unlikely to stand in the way.


While not signed and sealed it looks like its as good as.

Good

Ulster Rugby Official


Muller & Best back from injury and in squad for Scarlets game this Sunday (KO 4pm). Henderson, Tuohy, Marshall, Gilroy, Cave & Jackson return from Ireland duty.

FORWARDS (14)
Rob Herring, Rory Best, Callum Black, Tom Court, Declan Fitzpatrick, John Afoa, Neil McComb, Johann Muller, Dan Tuohy, Iain Henderson, Robbie Diack, Mike McComish, Roger Wilson, Nick Williams.

BACKS (11)
Michael Heaney, Paul Marshall, Niall O’Connor, Paddy Jackson, Luke Marshall, Darren Cave, Tommy Bowe, Andrew Trimble, Craig Gilroy, Jared Payne, Peter Nelson.

So Pienaar and Wallace rested. Still no sign of Darcy. Nice to see a squad with more than one lock available!

I suppose at least Pienaar isn't playing - though it's a very strong side and it'll be really tough for us to assert ourselves!

MrsP wrote:
So Pienaar and Wallace rested. Still no sign of Darcy. Nice to see a squad with more than one lock available!

Interesting that Wallace is left out. What chances that we will see Gilroy, Bowe and Trimble all start here?

6 Players who have played lock and one of them will have to play 7.
Diack?