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?

Saracens ought to be concerned if they end up losing this first half.

Trimble the only thing keeping ulster in this.

GunsGerms wrote:
Are you a mod? Sounds like you think you are anyway. Quins is a wum. Surely there is some Amlin on he can watch.

Not a mod. Not sure I'd want to be one on here. Just someone who finds your posts and attitude distasteful and disrespectful. I know that's a terribly old fashioned attitude in the internet era, but I've as much right to share my views as you do, and I'm doing it a lot more politely.

How is Pienaar still on? he looked broken earlier on.

Pinarr is gash

nathan wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:Wheres the red card for Burger there? Also a dangerous act and much more deliberate

Stop being pathetic.

Hows that pathetic mate, did you see it? It was a deliberate act, it was complete shoulder not rucking and very dangerous play, just because I express an opinion that is different from your does mean you need to call me pathetic mate, that is very disrespectful

funny. whole crowd crying...off...off...off...hoping there was foul play...and barritt was offside.

Great hit by Trimble

Crowd shouting 'off' every time anything remotely contentious happens is getting a bit wearisome.

Mon Ulster. Leading at HT when you have played so well (better team) 35 mins with 14 men,  is unreal.

2nd half, regroup and take it home boys. Bring the 1F on.  It would be the greatest win in HC history.

neilthom7 wrote:

nathan wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:Wheres the red card for Burger there? Also a dangerous act and much more deliberate

Stop being pathetic.

Hows that pathetic mate, did you see it? It was a deliberate act, it was complete shoulder not rucking and very dangerous play, just because I express an opinion that is different from your does mean you need to call me pathetic mate, that is very disrespectful

but you're forgetting the fact that he didnt actually hit anyone.

payne didnt get sent off for just running in a straight line.

quinsforever wrote:
stop behaving like a child. i think that's the general message. if you want notch to tell you to stfu i'm sure that can be arranged. would be a shame as he's probably trying to just enjoy the game like everyone else.

Wow what a plank.  

Great atmosphere there. Ground looks tops.

This is amazing stuff from Ulster after a disaster start! SUFTUM!

neilthom7 wrote:

nathan wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:Wheres the red card for Burger there? Also a dangerous act and much more deliberate

Stop being pathetic.

Hows that pathetic mate, did you see it? It was a deliberate act, it was complete shoulder not rucking and very dangerous play, just because I express an opinion that is different from your does mean you need to call me pathetic mate, that is very disrespectful

Your right, sorry. I'll reduce it to being silly.

He didn't actually hit anyone and you know that.

rodders wrote:This is amazing stuff from Ulster after a disaster start! SUFTUM!

Hope Ulster can take it to the end.

quinsforever wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:

nathan wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:Wheres the red card for Burger there? Also a dangerous act and much more deliberate

Stop being pathetic.

Hows that pathetic mate, did you see it? It was a deliberate act, it was complete shoulder not rucking and very dangerous play, just because I express an opinion that is different from your does mean you need to call me pathetic mate, that is very disrespectful

but you're forgetting the fact that he didnt actually hit anyone.

payne didnt get sent off for just running in a straight line.

He hit Muller and hard mate

Pretty shoddy half of rugby though... I rarely watch club games. This one is pretty awfully tbh.

6-5 with 14 men is class from ulster. Come on ruan make it 9

Saracens are conceding a hell of a lot of penalties

Everything's going against Ulster and they're not playing at their best but will be pretty chuffed to be in front. Such a shame they're not at 15 or they'd be taking this Saracens side apart.

Somehow Ulster are ahead at the break, is there any chance we might just do this? Going to be a very tough second half hope the guys and subs have their running socks on because they are going to be doing lots of it

I tip my hat to Ulster, everything going against them, but ahead at half time. Massive 40 minutes coming up.
It'll be very sweet if Ulster win by a point and Ashton cocky decision to swan dive rather than dot down under the posts costs Saracens.

Bloody hell what a half. Ulster are doing very well to be leading. I fear that the energy levels wont be there in the second half.

neilthom7 wrote:Somehow Ulster are ahead at the break, is there any chance we might just do this? Going to be a very tough second half hope the guys and subs have their running socks on because they are going to be doing lots of it

I think they can, if they can handle the sarries fatties till the end of the game.

 
What do I play on my Pianaar?
Ruan Ruan Pienaar...  Pienaar... Pienaar...
Ruan Ruan Pienaar...  Pieenar... Pienaar...
Ruaan Pienaaaaaar. 

 

As I said earlier, Ulster do have the nous it takes to win this even with a man down.

Gibson wrote: 
What do I play on my Pianaar?
Ruan Ruan Pienaar...  Pienaar... Pienaar...
Ruan Ruan Pienaar...  Pieenar... Pienaar...
Ruaan Pienaaaaaar. 

 

you been drinking? lol

It's almost like Saracens expected things to fall their way and so they haven't been playing intelligently against a 14 men.

Shame there has to be a half time.

nathan wrote:

rodders wrote:This is amazing stuff from Ulster after a disaster start! SUFTUM!

Hope Ulster can take it to the end.

You hope?! I'm watching the match from behind the sofa!

Its all well and good saying ulster at the disadvantage being a man down. But you have to also realise sarries have lost there main FB as well. That is also huge.

mystiroakey wrote:Its all well and good saying ulster at the disadvantage being a man down. But you have to also realise sarries have lost there main FB as well. That is also huge.

And Ulster their hooker  

nathan wrote:

Gibson wrote: 
What do I play on my Pianaar?
Ruan Ruan Pienaar...  Pienaar... Pienaar...
Ruan Ruan Pienaar...  Pieenar... Pienaar...
Ruaan Pienaaaaaar. 

 

you been drinking? lol

Ja mon. Are you not allowed or what? 

Im stoned as a trout too. Its focking great being alive. Try it.  

Mon Ulster! Believe.

Gibson wrote:

nathan wrote:

Gibson wrote: 
What do I play on my Pianaar?
Ruan Ruan Pienaar...  Pienaar... Pienaar...
Ruan Ruan Pienaar...  Pieenar... Pienaar...
Ruaan Pienaaaaaar. 

 

you been drinking? lol

Ja mon. Are you not allowed or what? 

Im stoned as a trout too. Its focking great being alive. Try it.  

Mon Ulster! Believe.

I am already alive and kicking thanks!! Enjoy your night!

We sang that at Tigers back in Jan. Me and me Ulster/Leinster buds. Had to be there. Twas magic.

All pundits unanimous. It was a yellow. Greenwood, Wallace and Quinlan. Clearly the ref was influenced by the injury which is wrong.

Massive relief to see Goode up and about. Its never nice when a player takes a bad fall.

mystiroakey wrote:Its all well and good saying ulster at the disadvantage being a man down. But you have to also realise sarries have lost there main FB as well. That is also huge.

Ah Bless.

Gibson wrote:
Mon Ulster! Believe.

UUUUUULLLLLLLSSSSTTEEEERRRRRRRR!!!!!!!  Bout ye Gibbo!  

Nachos Jones wrote:Massive relief to see Goode up and about. Its never nice when a player takes a bad fall.

Huge. Dont like seeing a man get badly hurt. If you love rugby it should hurt you too. Delighted he's ok.

GunsGerms wrote:All pundits unanimous. It was a yellow.

Of course that was yellow, emotional decision, Goode felt on his shoulder.

Sarries have to stop giving Pienar shots at goal. Its the only thing keeping ulster in the game.

Has it been raining? seems to be a few drop balls that you would not normaly see.

GunsGerms wrote:All pundits unanimous. It was a yellow. Greenwood, Wallace and Quinlan. Clearly the ref was influenced by the injury which is wrong.

thats why they are pundits.

are you still claiming they got their decision wrong? that they incorrectly interpreted IRB laws, with the benefit of multiple video replays, and 5 minutes of reflection? that they made an error?

VinceWLB wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:All pundits unanimous. It was a yellow.

Of course that was yellow, emotional decision, Goode felt on his shoulder.

What game you watching? He fell on his side and then his head hit the floor.

Gibson wrote:

mystiroakey wrote:Its all well and good saying ulster at the disadvantage being a man down. But you have to also realise sarries have lost there main FB as well. That is also huge.

Ah Bless.

Mate lay off the strong dutch stuff and blue lights. Mello out on the Thai weed and red lights.

Went dam two weeks ago. Brought a bag back from hill street blues the size of a horse.

rodders wrote:

Gibson wrote:
Mon Ulster! Believe.

UUUUUULLLLLLLSSSSTTEEEERRRRRRRR!!!!!!!  Bout ye Gibbo!  

Im grand Rodders mate. Remember you an me in Twickers at the Final? 

You were class personified. I owe you one bro. Ulster will do this. 

The Force is Online. 

Believe.

Awful call, but very clumsy and dangerous by Payne where the decision could have been avoided altogether. Had Goode been on his feet immediately however, that would never have been a red. Injury should have absolutely no affect on the decision, players can be badly hurt from legal challenges as well. That is the nature of the game.

Definite yellow, never a red. I think I know how the welsh fans felt when Warburton was given a red in the RWC!

Dont Ulster players have to have their hands on the ball for it to be called holding on?

Hope the Coach earns his crust here. His HT talk and tactics had to be good.

Mon Ulllstuuuuuuuuuuuur!