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?

Cari,

Those fans are from the "West Wales" section of the Ulster supporters club!



Certainly wasn't Owens who kept dropping the ball.

MrsP - I never said anything about the ref...everyone knows where my one eye is looking during Ulster matches

I didn't mean you Cari!!!!

You are the President of the Cardiff branch!!!

MrsP wrote:Cari,

Those fans are from the "West Wales" section of the Ulster supporters club!



Certainly wasn't Owens who kept dropping the ball.

Harrumph! I resemble that remark

Oooops!

I'm sure we only have a pop if its deserved...

they only criticism i would have of Nigel is that he didn't make Northampton scrum straight other than that i thought he was very good

I'm not sure if it has been covered but it has been confirmed that Bowe has suffered knee ligament injury (the worst injury). Very unfortunate for him as he'll probably miss the Lions tour. He was a certainity for the starting team IMO. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/20748451

With all of these Ireland injuries piling up it is coming as a bit of a 'blessing' for Wales' chances in the league and in the 6 Nations.

Cari wrote: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!

Ah, maybe he isn't out for a while then. Ligament damage is usually a lengthy lay-off.

Morgannwg wrote:

Cari wrote: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!

Ah, maybe he isn't out for a while then. Ligament damage is usually a lengthy lay-off.

Sounds like the news about Tommy Bowe's knee is more positive than originally reported. Most likely the scans were not reviewed with a proper knee surgeon until last night or this morning. Better analysis than going off the immediate interpretation.

Cari, yes I am a bone guy, mostly knee and shoulder. From what I saw, the injury did not seem too serious, though even a hyperextension can have complications. I would not be surprised if that is the case now, especially with Bowe saying it is not so serious. The procedure for ACL/MCL are much better than even 10 years ago, but would still have been 6 - 10 months pending nature of injury.

Does anyone know if URSC members will be able to get tickets for the Castres game through the club?

Anscombe is quoted as saying 'The team let the fans down!'. Its hard getting used to this level of expectation from a coach. But is it possible Anscombe might do damage with his criticism eventually?

I don't think so Clive, if we want to be the best then we have to have very high expectations. We have to aim for the perfect game every game if we want to be no.1. I'm sure the All Blacks go into every game with massive expectation and aim for that complete game. You'll never get the perfect game but that's what we should aim for.

clivemcl wrote:Anscombe is quoted as saying 'The team let the fans down!'. Its hard getting used to this level of expectation from a coach. But is it possible Anscombe might do damage with his criticism eventually?

As a Saints fan, if it was my team I would have no problem with him saying that (as Mallinder has done in the past) but maybe he could have added to it that the coach also let the fans down with his team selection. He broke up a seriously good backrow unit from the previous week which resulted in an under powered the scrum and an unbalanced backrow (no offense to Williams who put a decent effort into it but he looked every inch like an 8 playing out of position to me). It's not always just the players fault when teams don't get results.

Anyway, just a very minor blip for this very good Ulster team.

Good post B91212!

MrsP wrote:I didn't mean you Cari!!!!

You are the President of the Cardiff branch!!! Tommy Bowe Fan Club

Corrected that for you.

(Real) Doctor Grey - thanks for that very interesting insight. I'm clueless when it comes to anatomy...in that capacity anyway...which is odd because one of my fave books as a child was a Medical Encyclopaedia we had in the house...

Anyway, I'm keeping positive, and just saying Tommy will out of the Six Nations only...for now.

I'm clueless when it comes to anatomy...

Theory possibly, but as to the practice she's a natural

My turn......

Cari wrote:I'm clueless when it comes to anatomy

When I was younger I was fairly naive about anatomy as well. I always got things backwards.......

doctor_grey wrote:My turn......

Cari wrote:I'm clueless when it comes to anatomy

When I was younger I was fairly naive about anatomy as well. I always got things backwards.......

Sounds like the kind of mistake you only make once...

What's wrong with you?

It's the bottom hole on a cow...

Dan Tuohy has torn his calf muscle could be out for up to 4 weeks with Muller already out that is not great for us.
http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/11035.php

Cow, calf haha...

I'll get my coat

Glas a du wrote:What's wrong with you?

It's the bottom hole on a cow...

What about sheep, eh smart guy???

What is it with our 2nd rows! So we are looking at Henderson and McComb this weekend. Jesus wept! Stevenson can't get back quick enough

doctor_grey wrote:

Glas a du wrote:What's wrong with you?

It's the bottom hole on a cow...

What about sheep, eh smart guy???

That's a true story, I can fill in the rest of the details if you'd like/have no imagination

No, but thanks for the offer. We have to maintain decorum in keeping with our high standards..........