Ulster vs Saracens - HC quarter final - Saturday, 5th April 6:30pm

First topic message reminder :

Ulster vs Saracens.

Saturday 5th April at 6:30pm

First game at a newly renovated Ravenhill I believe with a new capacity of 18,000.

Ulster are currently 3rd in the Pro12 and won all their pool stages in the HC, including impressive away wins vs Leicester and Montpellier.

They have a few Irish players who were involved in the title winning 6 nations like Best and Trimble. Trimble in particular had a very good tournament.

Close to full strength in terms of their squad.

According to Ulster fans their current form hasn't been great but I take that firmly with a pinch of salt. Their latest result - a loss to Cardiff could shake any sense of complacency.


Saracens are currently the league leaders in the AP with a healthy 7 point gap off 2nd placed Saints. Just 2 losses in the AP in 18 matches which contrasts with their two losses in the pool stages of the HC. Saracens are currently the top try scorers in the AP and were top try scorers in the HC pool stages. Form wise Saracens have been comfortable without really putting in a notable performance.

Notable clashes

Best vs Brits - the Irish hooker vs the flamboyant South African who plays more like a centre - will be key in getting their teams into good positions.

Muller vs Borthwick - skipper vs skipper - both will be key in inspiring their sides.

Jackson vs Farrell - the 2nd choice Irish 10 vs the current England 10 - both will be expected to boss the game and take any opportunities and points on offer



Ulster team

15. J Payne
14. A Trimble
13. D Cave
12. L Marshall
11.T Bowe
10. P Jackson
9. R Pienaar

1. T Court
2.R Best
3. J Afoa
4.J Muller (C)
5.D Tuohy
6.R Wilson
7.N Williams
8.C Henry

16. R Herring
17.A Warwick
18.R Lutton
19.I Henderson
20.S Ferris
21.R Diack
22.P Marshall
23.C Gilroy






Saracens team



15. Alex Goode
14. Chris Ashton
13. Duncan Taylor
12. Brad Barritt
11. David Strettle
10. Owen Farrell
9. Richard Wigglesworth

1. Mako Vunipola
2. Schalk Brits
3. James Johnston
4. Steve Borthwick ©
5. Mouritz Botha
6. Billy Vunipola
7. Jacques Burger
8. Ernst Joubert

16. Jamie George
17. Richard Barrington
18. Matt Stevens
19. Eoin Sheriff
20. Kelly Brown
21. Neil de Kock
22. Charlie Hodgson
23. Chris Wyles


Thoughts?

mystiroakey wrote:Com on Sarries!!

Big game..

Are they miked up?

Yeah they have drunk there milk this morning

... and had their Ulster fry... no wait that comes this evening.

The Great Aukster wrote:Pete - yer mad.

I know but babysitters are non-existant

However it did spur me on to call Sky and ask them for a cheap deal on Sky Sports, they offered me sports and movies for £14 so I won't have to stream it on the laptop. Every cloud etc

Pete330v2 wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:Pete - yer mad.

I know but babysitters are non-existant

However it did spur me on to call Sky and ask them for a cheap deal on Sky Sports, they offered me sports and movies for £14 so I won't have to stream it on the laptop. Every cloud etc

I hope young Christian is wearing his jersey and scarf now, big man.   

Love and peace...  and a big win this eve for you and yours.      

SUFTUM!

Gibson wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:Pete - yer mad.

I know but babysitters are non-existant

However it did spur me on to call Sky and ask them for a cheap deal on Sky Sports, they offered me sports and movies for £14 so I won't have to stream it on the laptop. Every cloud etc

I hope young Christian is wearing his jersey and scarf now, big man.   

Love and peace...  and a big win this eve for you and yours.      

SUFTUM!

He is indeed Gibbo just like his old Da
I think we'll need all the luck we can get today to beat those Sarries.

I hope you and yours are all well man.

The very best of luck for tomorrow, I have money ridin on Les Blues

Evening All   

COME ON ULSTERRRRRR!

Hey Pete, long time no see. Sounds like the wee man is doing well...he must be out looking for work these days...?

My god!!! Herself has pulled rank and we are to watch 'The Voice' o.O

Nachos Jones wrote:My god!!! Herself has pulled rank and we are to watch 'The Voice' o.O

Grow a set man! Stream it!   

Link anyone? First Row isn't displaying it for some reason..

Mon Ulster! What a backline. As good as any in the Comp.

Gibson wrote:

Nachos Jones wrote:My god!!! Herself has pulled rank and we are to watch 'The Voice' o.O

Grow a set man! Stream it!   

She is a tiny woman Gibson but she scares the shoite outta me...

I will get a stream in and keep an eye on it. Really hoping for Ulster tonight, massive occasion for them.

come on sarries!

Hope for a good game.

Link for Rory Rua

Mon Ulster, blow these heathens away!

Ravenhill looks magnificent full. And its not raining...

Believe!

Can I have a link too please? The TBFC depends on it!

Gibson wrote:Link for Rory Rua

Mon Ulster, blow these heathens away!

Fancy sending one my way? Got the same probs as Rory. Much obliged.

I can hardly wait for this one - C'MON SARRIES!

Gibson wrote:Link for Rory Rua

Mon Ulster, blow these heathens away!

  

Cheers bro.

Nachos Jones wrote:

Gibson wrote:

Nachos Jones wrote:My god!!! Herself has pulled rank and we are to watch 'The Voice' o.O

Grow a set man! Stream it!   

She is a tiny woman Gibson but she scares the shoite outta me...

I will get a stream in and keep an eye on it. Really hoping for Ulster tonight, massive occasion for them.

I hear ya bro, have one of dem meself. Obviously we both love the abuse mo chara. Cant bate it bro.  

Wtf. Farrel letting ulster of th hook there

Nasty...

gotta be straight yellow. minimum. he made no effort to jump. therefore dangerous.

Dirty bstart.

nasty, not sure what to think of it. His eyes were always on ball but he didn't compete for it.

What happened?

any chance of a link please?

frenchies agree...going to be minimum yello

seeing the replay that has to be a yellow

professional foul is view of tmo

Ouch. Surely a yellow. Hope Goodes ok.

he changed his look to the player and showed no sign of pulling out, got to be a yellow

they are leaning towards red...

Doesn't look good on replay.

I just sent a link to Nachos and Rory. Can ye spread the rugby love lads please?

going to be red

i dont think ive seen a landing as nasty as that, hit his head - hope hes ok

Im at the ground. We fear a red. I hope Goode is ok. It looks nasty though I dont think its intentional

Oh God please no. This will decide the game...

he knows it has to be red. but he knows it will end the contest.

doesnt stop it having to be red though. and he knows it.

Rouge?

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:Im at the ground.  We fear a red.  I hope Goode is ok.  It looks nasty though I dont think its intentional

He was looking at the ball until it was too late to avoid a collision. It wasn't intentional. Clumsy at worst. But very dangerous.

told you. red.

Thats never a red, cancel the bloody game already.

Well that's a really disappointing start to the match.

If Goode didn't get injured would it have been a red?

Difficult, looks like he had his eyes on the ball the whole time. Clumsy but would be a harsh red.

Fingers crossed for Goode

VinceWLB wrote:Thats never a red, cancel the bloody game already.

muppet. what if goode's neck is broken?