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?

If the weathers as bad over there as it is here in s Wales this game will only go one way I believe and in this Williams presence will be a huge benefit ulster by 9

Is David Humphreys one of the few top level players to make the transition to successful executive in Rugby? Or any sport?
And for his own team, to boot.
It is hard to think of another.

Rob Andrew

Peter Wheeler, Bill Beaumont

Hardly unique then, but whats astonishing about Humphreys is the immediacy of his rise. Literally he retired, then he looked all set for a job in a local law firm (he's a qualified solicitor). Then an opportunity came up. And he went right from the playing staff to Director of Rugby.

Or maybe it would have been surprising if it was another player. He was known for scoring all of Oxfords points against Cambridge in the 1995 Varsity Match. He wasn't just in Oxford to play rugby- he has one sharp mind.

Humphreys had set up Corner Flag before he finished playing, and his future was leaning in that direction so Matt Williams encouraged UR to get him on their side of the negotiating table!

The Great Aukster wrote:Humphreys had set up Corner Flag before he finished playing, and his future was leaning in that direction so Matt Williams encouraged UR to get him on their side of the negotiating table!

Just as well he is...

John Afoa to score first in this match (please).

I didn't know that D Humph was involved in Cornerflag.

Getting excited!!!!!

Nigel is reffing. Come on Tommy, get a hat trick!!

Blues try!!!

0-3 after nine minutes or so. My stream is about a minute and a half behind.

hey cari can i get a PM,
can't fullscreen the one i've got
thanks

Tom - check your inbox

Great defence by Ulster, but the pressure is on...

Oh no. Saints score.

Awk Trimble, that was bad defence. Ulster really need to get the finger out here.

Pressure told in the end good try & converted.

0-10 after 19 minutes. Not the start we wanted Ulster!

Much better from Saints this week. Look as though they want it.

Great defence by the Saints there, they did well to turn that over.

3-10 after a penalty from wee Paddy. 10 minutes left in this first half (well by my stream anyway).

What a turnover by Saints!!

That should have been a penalty to Saints. You can't pick up the ball at the front of the ruck.

Too many handling errors from Ulster. Does Nick Williams fancy himself as a winger?

Oh dear. Wee Paddy sends the second penalty kick wide, so there's no change in the score.

Third penalty attempt from Paddy...

6-10 at 39 minutes.

HT 6-10. Ulster need a big start in the second half.

Left a couple of tries out there. Can't be doing that tonight

Come on lads!

Keep the heads.

SUFTUM!!!!

HammerofThunor wrote:That should have been a penalty to Saints. You can't pick up the ball at the front of the ruck.

Agreed, but it's one of those that is often overlooked. He was off side as well in front of the ruck.

Did anyone else think it was a penalty to Ulster in the build up to Saints try it looked like I think Jackson or someone was taken out without the ball and high from the up and under.

Are the pundits getting paid for every time they mention Best in this game? Literally when ever he comes within a yard of the ball...

neilthom7 wrote:Did anyone else think it was a penalty to Ulster in the build up to Saints try it looked like I think Jackson or someone was taken out without the ball and high from the up and under.

Saints like their physicality and this often appears as lateish hits and high challenges, always a lot of niggle in a Saints game.

Paddy kicks a penalty 9-10.

Come on Ulster!

neilthom7 wrote:Did anyone else think it was a penalty to Ulster in the build up to Saints try it looked like I think Jackson or someone was taken out without the ball and high from the up and under.

I didn't see but there was a lot of noise from the fans so it must have' looked' like something happened at least.

I am watching on tv and I'm sure it should have been a Ulster penalty

Very good call from Owens, double movement!!!

Totally wrong call by Owens. No double movement there, Manu just stretches after the tackle.

Nigel Owens is awful at reffing rucks, there's a lot of non releasing going on.

Which he can't do! You have options of placing the ball, or offloading. There is no rule that says if your close you can try the place, if it doesn't work out replace it behind you.

Owens does have a tendancy to let the defence hold on for a few seconds more than they should

Fluffed that didn't you Saintsman? Tommy would've got that...

And they fluffed it again! Worse than Scotland for not finishing...

Lawes is looking really average at the moment.

Difficult to judge him against his other England competitors though as Palmer and Launchberry are both in the Amlin, we need them to be playing against this calibre of opposition regularly so we can judge them fairly.

Oh dear Saints.

Just no precision at the moment.

Ah Ulster that should have been in the stands every chance we get we butcher

Saints owning the ball but not a score... If Ulster score next it'll hurt!!!

Saints still looking clueless in attack. Need an injection in the backline from somewhere.