Saints v Ulster Friday HEC 7th December

First topic message reminder :

So the big double header kicks off at Franklin's Gardens on Friday evening. Both teams will believe a win is possible but who will prevail?

Ulster coach Mark Anscombe says Ulster will need to improve on the current form. I would agree, though the disruption of Autumn Internationals wouldn't have helped.

http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/news/19701.php#.ULyVo-RWySo

Interesting interview with Pat Lam (Former Saints captain) who actually thinks these sides could face each other in the Final next May.

http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/matchdaytv?play=media&id=13581

Ulster XV & replacements to face Northampton Saints, Heineken Cup, Friday 7th December, Franklin's Gardens (8.00pm):
(15-9): J Payne; T Bowe, D Cave, P Wallace, A Trimble; P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (c), D Tuohy, I Henderson, C Henry, R Wilson;
Replacements (16-23): N Brady, C Black, R Lutton, R Diack, N Williams, P Marshall, L Marshall, C Gilroy.

Northampton XV.

(15-9): B Foden; K Pisi, G Pisi, D Waldouck, J Elliott; R Lamb, M Roberts;

(1-8): S Tonga'uiha, D Hartley (c), B Mujati, S Manoa, C Lawes, C Clark, T Wood, G van Velze;

Replacements (16-23): M Haywood, A Waller, P Doran-Jones, M Sorenson, P Dowson, L Dickson, S Myler, T May.

Sure is Blue.

Just got it on...

What does everyone reckon the international interuption will make of this game, players like Trimble stayed with Ulster and Saints only lost 2/3 last week? I hope we are in for a doozy!!!

Hard to tell bluesman...our performances certainly dipped during the international window.... however we still got the results... I'm hoping we see a massive improvement in performance here because we'll need it!

Can't wait for this one!

Mon Saints...

Afoa forced Tonga'uiha up in the second scrum- we didn't get the penalty for it, but a good sign.

Strong start from the saints...

If that first one is anything to go by the scrum are going to be ferocious.

I think we can get to Lamb.

why not take the points there???

Feic!

Poor execution from Pienaar for a change. Great follow up from Payne though.

Notch wrote:Afoa forced Tonga'uiha up in the second scrum- we didn't get the penalty for it, but a good sign.

Despite popular opinion, standing up in the scrum isn't a penalty offence on its own, the scrum should simply be reset. If he lost his binding as well that's a different matter.

Trimble scored?

TRY!!!!!!!!!!!

Superb. I gotta say, I'm loving watching Ulster this season.

20 tries in 49 games. Great record from Trimble

Paddy Jackson, take a bow

Agonisingly close with the conversion too.

Great play by Jackson... Good lad

maestegmafia wrote:Great play by Jackson... Good lad

It was a really smart kick, excellent by Trimble as well.

splenetic wrote:

Notch wrote:Afoa forced Tonga'uiha up in the second scrum- we didn't get the penalty for it, but a good sign.

Despite popular opinion, standing up in the scrum isn't a penalty offence on its own, the scrum should simply be reset. If he lost his binding as well that's a different matter.

I wasn't calling for the penalty, I'm just saying its a good sign if Afoa can get underneath Tonga'uiha. He's a big lad and you need to get low to stop him using his power

Great kick from Jackson,that kid has come on in leaps and bounds this season.Lovely chase and finish from Trimble in a very small in goal area.

Another miss. Yikes was an easy enough kick there

Missede the first 10 mins, what was the try like, and why are Saints sticking with Lamb, he's so ropy!!!

Can Saints stay down in this scrum ??? Or will they get penalised for standing up?

Connacht up 7-3 on Biarritz

How many has Lamb missed? I missed the first few mins, only tuned in the build up to the try.

Connacht are winning

Trimble having a belter here...

Lamb has missed 2 so far

Ulster seem to have the scrum on their terms.

Northampton are a little guilty of playing for the penalty, even when they are not on top.

Just want to make the point as well, Roberts is playing very well this season and seems to have ousted Dickson, WHY WON'T GATLAND SELECT HIM!!?

Notch wrote:

splenetic wrote:

Notch wrote:Afoa forced Tonga'uiha up in the second scrum- we didn't get the penalty for it, but a good sign.

Despite popular opinion, standing up in the scrum isn't a penalty offence on its own, the scrum should simply be reset. If he lost his binding as well that's a different matter.

I wasn't calling for the penalty, I'm just saying its a good sign if Afoa can get underneath Tonga'uiha. He's a big lad and you need to get low to stop him using his power

Not having a go Notch, it's just that penalties for standing up is a bit of a bugbear of mine because it's not in the laws.

splen

Most penalties given at the scrum tend to be for dominance, the actual call means little, it's just an excuse, Ive seen so many scrums without infringement but because one team is dominant theres a pen

thebluesmancometh wrote:Just want to make the point as well, Roberts is playing very well this season and seems to have ousted Dickson, WHY WON'T GATLAND SELECT HIM!!?

Because he has a poor temper that gives away stupid penalties.

You would have thought Northampton would have learned not to let restart bounce after the Munster match last year.

Huge hit from Paddy Wallace!

another miss from Lamb

Our discipline isn't good enough, at least not if we're going to be spending this much time in our own half!

A good goal kicker would bury us in this form.

Notch wrote:Our discipline isn't good enough, at least not if we're going to be spending this much time in our own half!

A good goal kicker would bury us in this form.

Yep, in saying that not sure I agree with all of the penalties.

thebluesmancometh wrote:splen

Most penalties given at the scrum tend to be for dominance, the actual call means little, it's just an excuse, Ive seen so many scrums without infringement but because one team is dominant theres a pen

Very true, and I think it's bad that refs do make those excuses, it just creates confusion amongst players and even more amongst the viewing public, especially when the excuse they are giving isn't even penalisable according to the laws.

But our defence is good. We are very aggressive in defence and at the breakdown.

We were very cute in that scrum as well

Notch wrote:But our defence is good. We are very aggressive in defence and at the breakdown.

We were very cute in that scrum as well

Henry's workrate is really amazing, he is getting to every second ruck.

Jared Payne!

great try, well played Ulster

Tommy Bowe!

What about her eyes?! Tommy Bowwwe!!

WOW Henderson has a turn of pace for a lock/6!!! He looks small but isn't half strong too.

Wheres Gilroy?

Fair play Ulster...superb