Ulster Rugby vs. Northampton Saints, Sat 15/12/2012, KO 18: 00

First topic message reminder :

So it’s the return fixture.

We all know what’s at stake. So I’ll refrain from filling this initial post with a flood of rhetorical questions.

In an interesting quirk, Ulster will definitely be without their captain, Johann Muller (eight weeks with a broken arm), and there’s a possibility Northampton might be without theirs (Dylan Hartley has been cited, when and where it is to be heard is TBC). So both sides will want to see their senior players and internationals step up.

I’d expect the Ulster team to be much the same. If we can win this, we are in control of the group, so let’s go with what served us so well last week. Maybe get the youngsters on a bit earlier, if we look comfortable, and I’d like to see Small Parcel coming off the bench this time.

In terms of replacing Muller, I know Anscombe has already highlighted in the press that Henderson can play second row, but personally I’d just move McComb in. I think he’s earned it, I’d have faith in him, and it keeps disruption to a minimum. Ulster’s back row looked well-balanced and industrious last Friday.

What changes, if any, do Saints fans foresee? Will we see Myler starting instead of Lamb? Any changes to the front row, after having a tough time in Franklin Gardens?

C'Mon Ulster!!!

Gilroy on for Trimby who was called Bowe by the commentator

Massive kick just dips before the posts - nil point.

massively not straight at the lineout there.

19 minutes to go and it's still 9-10. Come on guys someone get a grip!

Ulster must score here

Nigel just checking with the TMO if there was a try scored. If not, Ulster scrum.

Ah Ulster you are brutalising this game

Massive Saints scrum!!!

Come on guys!

Balls! Saints get a penalty.

Gilroy is so confident he's beating men for fun!!!

Good chargedown Tommy!

Ulster quite honestly deserve to lose they are running around like headless chickens butchering every chance they get. No leadership to just calm things down a bit.

He did well!

Concentrate lads!

Oh bum. All that build up but so many handling errors too. What's happening Ulster?

Saints you legends!!

Wel done Elliott.

C'mon Ulster!

If saints win this it'll be the hardest 4 points theyve earned this season!!

Ah schitt! Good tackle by Elliot though to be fair.

Why would you reset that scrum? Saints had won it...

Roger Wilson the sleeper agent makes his move...

O'driscoll was right at HT, Ulster need to learn some phase play. They're not going to score a try every time.
What is the handling all about

Superb kick Myler - good bounce !

18 handling errors by Ulster. Is it raining there? What are the conditions like? Is the ball like grease or what?

Whaaatttttt?????????

Oh no! Could be get out of jail for Ulster

Tommy's knee!

Bowe = OUCH!! As soon as he did that he was screaming!!!

Solid decision by Owens, being held and tried to get up, is it match win time??

Nooooo nooo nooo! Not my boy!

Hope Bowe is ok. Big player to lose.

Oh please be ok for the 6N

Oh I really really hope it's just worse than what it is. Please.

That doesn't look good, and Pienaar is having to watch this and wait, and wait, and wait!!!!

Not being funny but it's a leg injury. Couldn't two of the staff have helped him off the pitch so they could do the kick more quickly. Feel terrible for Pienaar having such a long wait for such an important kick.

I knew it, just turned and said he'd miss because of the wait.

Awh they're all singing for him. Poor dab.

C'mon Ulster!!!!!

Come on Ulster. Do it for Tommy!

Saints crum did well tonight.

Well played Saints!

What a response to last week.

Very disappointing performance. Far too many errors. We had to lose eventually, but to do so at home against a painfully average Northampton team that offer next to nothing in defense is a bitter pill to swallow

Well played Northampton bounced back well after last week. Ulster were very poor and didn't deserve to win. Handling errors all over the place and not a lot of leadership shown at important times. Owens had a shocker all round too.

Score?

Saints energy & forwards proved the difference. Forced a lot of mistakes.

Well played Saints kick on from here.

Well done Saints!!

Immense diffencive display shown today. Probably not enough to stay in the tournament but a very very good display.

That was a ridiculous amount of handling errors. Jared payne did not have a good game

Neilthom, was Owens really that bad? Had Ulster not knocked on 20+ times I'm sure you would have won. Owens had no hand in that (no pun intended!).

neilthom7 wrote:Well played Northampton bounced back well after last week. Ulster were very poor and didn't deserve to win. Handling errors all over the place and not a lot of leadership shown at important times. Owens had a shocker all round too.

owens did all right, he was even handed. a lot of Northampton throws weren't straight - but that seems common recently

Congratulations to Saints.