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?

I wasn't saying he was bad against us just bad overall he was poor at ruck, he was just plucking the scrum decisions out of the air, the lineouts were not straight, a lot of late/high hits too. As for the win Ulster thoroughly deserved to lose and lost it on their own.

Gutted. That was a bit of a reality check. Congratulations to the Saints, they played well for the most part.

It's no good winning all of your group matches.

What's not good about that Glas?

I assume he means it isn't any good peaking too early, you don't win the cup for that. You have to back up the performances in the pool stages. An example would be the All Blacks in the 2007 world cup. They obliterated the opposition in the pool stages only to lose to France in the quarter finals.

We just need Ulster to bounce back from this.

I'm inclined to agree with Glas - only once has a team that has not been beaten in the groups won the HC (Leinster last season and they drew with Montpellier in the group.) So never has a team won all their group matches and won the HC. This could be what Ulster needed, one loss out of 14 just to remind them of how well they have to perform in every match.

Don't get me wrong, I still would have rather won this and maybe lost away to Castres in the final game when we had already qualified.

That's what I was on about. I was looking for a positive

Congratulations to Saints, Myler's kicking won the game. Manoa was a deserved MOTM, but Saints easily won the second row battle.

Anscombe made a bad call by playing Henderson at lock. McComb should have been a straight swap for Muller and neither the scrum nor the lineout would have suffered to the same extent. Why would he change the backrow that was so dominant last week?

Pienaar has looked jaded since the AIs and really should be rested for a few games.

Ah well.

Onward and upward.

Let's hope we get our Tommy back soon.

At least we've won one "floating supporter" back!

Well Ulster luck had to end at some time i guess.

When this group was announced I would happily have taken an offer of 6 points form these 2 fixtures.

In fact, last Friday morning I'd have taken the same offer.

I think we just tried to force things that wee bit tonight. Need to go back to our patient mode.

That was a very hard fought game today. Ulster knocked on or spilt the ball to many times.

Hope Tommy Bowe is not too bad. any news on him.

Well played Saints, only 1 point in the game. but well done in the last 3/4 minutes of the game.

No news yet. Just been looking through some press photos from the game, and if player reaction is anything to go by, hopefully Tommy's going to be OK. I really hope this injury doesn't affect his international and Lions chances.

Poor Cari you will have to make do with the rest of our backs for the next few weeks. Seriously though hope Tommy is ok and good to go he's a big player for us.

IMO Saints defence won it. No tries for ulster and a lot of the mistakes were because of the pressure the defence put on them. Hardly a break made by Ulster

neilthom7 wrote:Poor Cari you will have to make do with the rest of our backs for the next few weeks. Seriously though hope Tommy is ok and good to go he's a big player for us.

Well I had to get used to not seeing him when he was off after his haematoma op. That felt like an eternity!

VinceWLB wrote:Well Ulster luck had to end at some time i guess.

Thats it!

Leinster and Munster up next. Can't wait. Bring them on.

Well this day was bound to come our real test was always going to be how we respond to this.

Yes Neilly, and Ulster will have to respond minus their most special, world class wonder winger!

A disappointment nothing more. Well done Saints. Got to shake Dylan Hartley's hand afterwords, nice bloke...didn't try and cheap shot me or anything...

To my fellow Ulster fans ...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcjzHMhBtf0

for my friend Rava wherever he is .

Wee bit of panic at times for Ulster throwing passes that wernt on, what was unusual and what they have been very good at is supporting the ball carrier at times tonight when breaks were made there wasn't the usual support. Goes to show how important the try bonus point was last week. Still think Ulster are Ireland's best shout of lifting the trophy this season.

Oh do bugger off Rodders, I was just getting used to not seeing your witty quips, and now you're back to making your inciteful comments...again

Absolutely shocked and happy. Real tight match and are really pleased Saints pulled out the win. Probably the best match they played all season. Errors on both sides with the line begging simply added to the intensity. Both sides had their chances. Two good teams going at it hammer and tongs. Showed the steely resolve and character of the Saints side (Ulster have already showed theirs over and over).

Happy for Stevie Myler who played a terrific match.
Happy for Lee Dickson, who was inexplicably on the bench last week, and Ben Foden who is clearly still recovering from his recent injury.
Happy for Calum Clark who was out of position for a while and played great.
Happy for Doran-Jones who showed some of his real potential.
Happy for Mike Haywood, who has been Hartley's backup all season, and played terrific at Hooker. Still only 21 with gobs of potential to come.
Happy for Samu Manoa, who must be the first American born and bred to win a Man of the Match award in the Heineken Cup.

And, happy for me.

Happy for you as well doc. Perhaps you could take a look at my hand, I cut myself last night and I actually started to bleed... Weird...

(the above was metaphor symbolising Ulster's unbeaten run coming to an end, thus proving our mortality)

I know exactly who to blame as well. Word of them quitting 606v2 has clearly sparked discontent inside the Ulster camp. That's right Rodders and Rava I'm looking at you!

It had to end sometime. Personally I thought we missed Muller's leadership on the pitch today at times. Not really the result we wanted going into next week's inter-pro clash, but since Leinster lost as well I guess it's even stevens. Anyone know why Paddy went off?

Don't know why Paddy went off, but I reckon Ruan needs about a month off. I know he's getting big money, but we need to look after him!

Congrats saints fans on a well deserved win. Dare I say it but perhaps a touch of complacency from ulster (there certainly was in trimbles attempted tackles on vdv). Had to end sometime and I hope we get our heads right to hammer Leinster next week.

Gilroy, Marshallx2 and black to come in for me. Stevenson too if fit or McComb otherwise.

Great crowd un the bar and plenty of saints fans who were fantastic. Great supporters and a credit to their club. Good to see you again too rodders

Concerned about two injuries from yesterday.

Tommy Bowe - hoping it is only a hyperextension and nothing more.
van Velze - clashed heads with Trimble when he scored the try. Went off later, but I am concerned he was concussed.

Any updates available?

That freebie BP gifted by Caatres in R1 may well be needed come R6.

No news on Tommy yet. I fear he might have serious ligament damage though. I am preparing myself for the worst here!

I though Gilroy was great again when he came on. Beat defenders every time he got the ball and sometimes with strenth not just his footwork.

The competition is really helping him and trimble.

A friend was chatting to Andrew recently. The friend is not a rugby follower and Andrew knew this. In the conversation, trimble mentioned how he had recently completed some sort of business course or something. He joked that there was a young guy playing very well in his position for Ulster and Ireland and he was starting to have to think about his alternative career plans!

Anyways, losing bowe would be a blow, but having Trimble and Gilroy should see us through.

clivemcl wrote:I though Gilroy was great again when he came on. Beat defenders every time he got the ball and sometimes with strenth not just his footwork.

The competition is really helping him and trimble.

A friend was chatting to Andrew recently. The friend is not a rugby follower and Andrew knew this. In the conversation, trimble mentioned how he had recently completed some sort of business course or something. He joked that there was a young guy playing very well in his position for Ulster and Ireland and he was starting to have to think about his alternative career plans!

Anyways, losing bowe would be a blow, but having Trimble and Gilroy should see us through.

Would you like to see Gilroy start ahead of Trimble when Bowe is fit or do you think Trimble is doing enough to keep his position?

Hey Clive, I hope Ruan's all right

Most rugby players do other career things outside rugby now too. I think many of them accept that it's not a very long career which can end anytime. Tommy did a course over the summer whilst he was recovering from his op. I hope that didn't tempt fate! Trimby's being sensible.

ITS HIT THE POST!!

Pool 4 is insane.

Or if Payne is having a tough spell, put Trimble at 15 and play all three...

Glas, Trimble is the only one of those three wingers who hasn't played fullback

Ulster rugby have posted an injury update. Looks like I was right to fear the worst

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/11033.php

Paddy went off with a dead leg Willy.

Well the other two clearly didn't make an impression...

We still have to go to Castres in Round 6. But before that, Glasgow have to come to Ravenhill in Round 5 and they're out of it.

In Round 5 Saints and Castres play at Franklins Gardens. Neither can afford to lose. Fingers crossed Saints and Castres take each other out and Ulster beat Glasgow

If you like physicality and forward play, Pool 4 is your only man.

Glas a du wrote:Well the other two clearly didn't make an impression...

Glas a du wrote:Well the other two clearly didn't make an impression...

Outstanding

Cari wrote:Ulster rugby have posted an injury update. Looks like I was right to fear the worst

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/11033.php

Paddy went off with a dead leg Willy.

Do you ever scan read something and leave words out in a hurry?

I was holding myself at the thought of suffering a 'dead Willy'.

I'm smarting a little myself, i got a Ballymoney seconds players boot in my face yesterday as I attempted a tackle. i am not a pretty sight!

Ruan is doing great Cari, thanks! Gutted that smallest ulster top is size 12 months though!

clivemcl wrote:

Cari wrote:Ulster rugby have posted an injury update. Looks like I was right to fear the worst

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/11033.php

Paddy went off with a dead leg Willy.

Do you ever scan read something and leave words out in a hurry?

I was holding myself at the thought of suffering a 'dead Willy'.

I'm smarting a little myself, i got a Ballymoney seconds players boot in my face yesterday as I attempted a tackle. i am not a pretty sight!

Ruan is doing great Cari, thanks! Gutted that smallest ulster top is size 12 months though!

I reckon I was playing on the next pitch over Clive, did one of your boys get stretchered off?

Looked serious for Bowe, at least Gilroy is there to come in but hopefully it's not as bad as seemed.

Bad news about Bowe the only thing is at least we have Gilroy and Trimble to bring in so that is a plus, still he will be a big loss.

A "dead willy" Wasn't it Gilroy who had that after the Fijian bag snatch the other week?

Oh man I am soooo gutted about My Boy. Really I am anxious. I'm hearing he could be out for 4-6 months. If that's the case he can kiss this season ta-ta which means no Ulster triumphs, no Six Nations and no Lions. It's so unfair and it sucks big time. Sorry to go on, but it's the schitts.

Clive - glad to hear Ruan's all right, shame about your face.

Shame about Bowe's injury. Didn't seem that bad when I saw on tv. But that goes to show the scans are so important for a proper diagnosis. And for ligament damage, frequently there is no way to know the full extent of damage until the surgical team actually starts work. Hopefully not too bad.

I'm smarting a little myself, i got a Ballymoney seconds players boot in my face yesterday as I attempted a tackle. i am not a pretty sight!

Rava's still playing...

The press photos look horrendous. His knee is all poking out of shape. Ligament damage is one of those unpredictable injuries Doc (are you really a doctor? ). That's what he's having the surgery for sometime this week (hopefully tomorrow - the sooner the better) - I'd imagine that's keyhole surgery for a little poke about to see what the prognosis is...

Yay! The man himself has just posted on Facebook: "...have hurt my knee ligaments, and will have surgery this week. Not great but not as bad as feared so hopefully be back soon"

Well that sounds positive!

The way his knee went as he landed had ligament damage written all over it. Time for Gilroy to take this chance with both hands as I'm sure he will. From an Ulster view that game was so hard to watch, the amount of silly errors was unbelievable. Certainly would not like to be in training this week anyway. Our backrow lacked balance, Williams at 6 doesn't work for me although he was our best ball carrier and probably biggest threat he doesn't do enough work elsewhere. Anyway onwards and upwards at least we are at home for Leinster next

Reading comments on Ulster's Facebook page, some were blaming the ref. I found that hard to believe considering the handling error stats. I didn't think Nigel had a bad game to be honest.