Ospreys v Ulster, Friday 4th October

First topic message reminder :

Better late than never. Big game. 2 good sides. Let's get it on.

At Liberty Stadium, 7.05pm. Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU, 49th competition game) Assistant Referees: Jon Mason, Wayne Davies (both WRU) Citing Commissioner: Dennis Jones (WRU) TMO: Derek Bevan (WRU)

In the black corner

15 Richard Fussell
14 Jeff Hassler
13 Andrew Bishop
12 Ashley Beck
11 Eli Walker
10 Dan Biggar
9 Tito Tebaldi
1 Ryan Bevington
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Adam Jones
4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
5 Ian Evans
6 Tyler Ardron
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Joe Bearman

REPLACEMENTS

16 Scott Baldwin
17 Duncan Jones
18 Aaron Jarvis
19 James King
20 Sam Lewis
21 Tom Habberfield
22 Matthew Morgan
23 Ben John

In the white corner

(15-9): C Gilroy, A Trimble, J Payne, L Marshall, M Allen, P Jackson, P Marshall; (1-8): T Court, R Best, D Fitzpatrick J Muller (Captain), D Tuohy, R Diack, C Henry, N Williams; Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, B Ross, I Henderson, R Wilson, M Heaney, S Olding, D Cave.

munkian wrote:Are Ulster's SA players back yet ? They do seem to carry the team

A bit of an outdated attempt at an insult isn't it?
We now have Kiwis who carry us thanks for asking  

munkian wrote:Are Ulster's SA players back yet ? They do seem to carry the team

If you're talking about the team carrying Pienaar then nope. He's very obviously not playing tonight, just have a wee look at the team sheet.

So if we manage a win tonight it will be without our team carrying Pienaar, without Bowe, and without Afoa against what must be close to the strongest side Ospreys can field.

Ulster are the definite underdogs for this one, without our team carrier n'all. Surely a win for the 'Spreys  

rodders wrote:No, think Afoa won't play much this year as he's back and forth to NZ.

Williams and Payne are the key overseas players for me this year but I'm pretty happy with the side minus any of the NIEs...the depth has improved a lot over the past 12 months...

Has your young 10 improved ? Bit shakey when I saw him play

Jayzus lads, are you not a bit touchy ?

munkian wrote:

rodders wrote:No, think Afoa won't play much this year as he's back and forth to NZ.

Williams and Payne are the key overseas players for me this year but I'm pretty happy with the side minus any of the NIEs...the depth has improved a lot over the past 12 months...

Has your young 10 improved ? Bit shakey when I saw him play

Yeah he shakes better this season.

rodders wrote:

munkian wrote:

rodders wrote:No, think Afoa won't play much this year as he's back and forth to NZ.

Williams and Payne are the key overseas players for me this year but I'm pretty happy with the side minus any of the NIEs...the depth has improved a lot over the past 12 months...

Has your young 10 improved ? Bit shakey when I saw him play

Yeah he shakes better this season.

 

munkian wrote:Jayzus lads, are you not a bit touchy ?

No, it's just banter, but I have to admit I'm a bit nervy about this one. Should be close, and if we can counter the threat of the pack then I would go with an Ulster win. A big IF though.

Does anyone else on here find that our friends who arn't die-hard followers seem to think Trimble is awful?

I'm constantly arguing with my friends who slate him. It gets very frustrating!

I think its because I'm from Coleraine. There will always be those who rebel against the idea of favouring our own golden boy.

(Sorry, should say one of our Golden boys! Can't forget our olympian rowers! Have I mentioned them before?)

Munchkin wrote:

munkian wrote:Jayzus lads, are you not a bit touchy ?

No, it's just banter, but I have to admit I'm a bit nervy about this one. Should be close, and if we can counter the threat of the pack then I would go with an Ulster win. A big IF though.

Fair play.

Not a huge fan myself but the Ospreys are looking good this season, 3 away wins is nothing to quibble about. And if their pack has parity they have plenty of stirke runners and Biggar's boot is pretty deadly too.

I'll watch if after getting back from the battle of the bargain basement  

clivemcl wrote:Does anyone else on here find that our friends who arn't die-hard followers seem to think Trimble is awful?

I'm constantly arguing with my friends who slate him. It gets very frustrating!

I think its because I'm from Coleraine. There will always be those who rebel against the idea of favouring our own golden boy.

(Sorry, should say one of our Golden boys! Can't forget our olympian rowers! Have I mentioned them before?)

Im a Leinster fan and have always rated Trimble very highly. I think he is a fantastic player and has a lot more to offer the international side.

clivemcl wrote:Does anyone else on here find that our friends who arn't die-hard followers seem to think Trimble is awful?

I'm constantly arguing with my friends who slate him. It gets very frustrating!

I think its because I'm from Coleraine. There will always be those who rebel against the idea of favouring our own golden boy.

(Sorry, should say one of our Golden boys! Can't forget our olympian rowers! Have I mentioned them before?)

Clive I think the only person that couldn't see what Trimble brings to the party was that flippin turnip-brained Decky Kidney. The guy is quality (Andy not Decky)

Oh and Munkian it is indeed jut banter, don't take anything on Ulster threads seriously believe me  

munkian wrote:Jayzus lads, are you not a bit touchy ?

Not only touchy but feely too.  

The Great Aukster wrote:

munkian wrote:Jayzus lads, are you not a bit touchy ?

Not only touchy but feely too.  

Especially me!!!

rodders wrote:No, think Afoa won't play much this year as he's back and forth to NZ.

Williams and Payne are the key overseas players for me this year but I'm pretty happy with the side minus any of the NIEs...the depth has improved a lot over the past 12 months...

So who are Ulster's NIQ's? Payne (soon to be qualified), Diack, Williams, Afoa, Muller, Pienaar... Didn't they used to have more South African's? Obviously BJ Botha was one, now at Munster, and his replacement was Afoa who has probably been a much better player.
From what I've seen in the past 2 seasons I have to agree with you on Ulster's depth too.

Diack is Irish qualified and has just signed a new 3 year deal.
Afoa and Muller will be away next season, Afoa maybe even sooner.

It's gettin close to kick off wooooohoooo

They've all been great value to Ulster to be fair, and probably less expensive than most overseas players.

Ulsters only contracted NIQ next year is Williams. I suspect they would ideally like to get Pienaar signed on and 1 more possibly a project depending on calibre. Afoa and muller are as good as gone in a playing capacity

In terms of importance I would say that Williams is Ulsters most important player, yes even more than Pienaar, Williams always makes good yardage, never goes backwards and always takes about two or three people out of the defending line when he has got ball in hand, for me, Ulster could have fourteen Pienaars but without a Williams they would not be half the side they are, the man is a one man wrecking crew and he is Ulsters go to man and without him they tend to struggle.

He's another one of Jiffy's favourites.

#SUFTUM

#SUFTCAB

Ospreys going down.

I didn't think we were going to resign Williams, thought we'd try and get Copeland from Cardiff Blues. Irish and quality.

But I am glad Willaims has resigned as LD says he creates space and has opposition defences scared. A pleasure to watch and one of my favourite players. However if therr is a question mark over him, its I dont think he's as effictive againt the top top teams. Wilson may be the better option in those games with Williams coming on in the last 20 mins to do some wrecking.

Maybe Copeland to replace Wilson year after next?

Payne is out  

Up the O's!!!

Evenin' All. Shame Tommy's not about but hey, that means O's might just win tonight then  

Ulster making good progress here...massive hit on Diack by Bearman and Tipuric.  Ulster still in possession though...could be a try on the way...ah no. ball lost. Some great tackles by the O's defenders.

The Ospreys are lining Williams up. Best of luck to them in that battle.

Gilroy off McIllwaine on.  Looks like Gilroy's carrying some sort of twinge in his leg.

Ulster bossing the scrum at the moment...whaaa?!  

Bout yees?

Ospreys outmuscling us at the minute...

Ulster been good in the scrums though Rodders. They got three penalties out of us. Gilroy's got the frozen peas on his ankle. Hope it's nothing serious.

Looks like Bevington can't scrum under either set of laws.

Biggar gets the first points. 3-0 at 20 minutes.

Yeah scrum has gone our way but we are getting beat up in the contact area Carrie. We need to step up the intensity a few notches or we're in for a long night...impressed with bearman so far..

That's more like it, we are struggling with the physicality of the Ospreys defence...its ferocious right now...

Oh dear... "Black 3" (Hairbear) told off for a bit of handbags, and the penalty goes to Ulster...still no more scores yet though.

Bit of a harsh decision on Tuhoy there. He didn't mean to elbow Alywyn. Love Jiffy "Some officials should just keep their nose out!"

6-0 at HT

Never a pen there, but I switched from BBC 2 Wales to BBC 2 NI and it was interesting to here Jiffy bitching about it never being a pen and the Irish commentator agreeing with the ref.

interviews with players heading off to the changing rooms at half time are so pointless.

Not a great half for Ulster. Unlucky to be 6 behind at the break, but if we can ramp it up a bit then the winning of the game is there.

No I think its a penalty and silly play. Ospreys are good for the lead, they've been more physical and been quite happy to kick the ball and trust their defence.

Our back row need to pull the finger out at the breakdown. Bring on Hendo for an extra carrier.

GLove39 wrote:interviews with players heading off to the changing rooms at half time are so pointless.

I wish they wouldn't do them. The players must be knackered, want a drink and sit down, not to comment on the game so far!

Is Jason Spice peed ?

LordDowlais wrote:Is Jason Spice peed ?

No, I think he's just a proper Kiwi with a thick accent; and he's got a squint - which is nothing to do with being a Kiwi, but it makes him look pished.

Ulster give away a daft penalty and Biggar adds the three.

9-0 at 41 minutes.

ooh dear another penalty to the O's. Ulster need to be careful with the penalties especially when Biggar's about.

12-0 at 44 minutes.

Well the Ospreys fans can't complain about the ref anyways...  

Yay! Wee Paddy puts some points on for Ulster. Cue shot of very chuffed Ulster fan sipping his beer in the crowd

12-3 at 49 minutes.

Nice PJ!

Another decent penalty from Wee Paddy...

12-6 at 53 minutes.

Well the flyhalves are busy tonight...

For goodness sake, Fitzgibbon! Would you ever allow the game to play!!!!

Jiffy doesn't like the TMOs...  

Alywyn and Nick-the-Lump getting to know each other

Come on Fitz, let it go.