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?

Even as an Ulster fan the red card was a fair call - a very lenient ref might have shown yellow but 7/8 times out of 10 that's red. It wasn't deliberate but it was dangerous.

SUFTUM.

VinceWLB wrote:

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

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

the refs spoke in french about that, asking specifically whether he landed on his head. the answer from the tmo was that he landed on his side/shoulder and his head struck the ground. at that point they felt they had no choice. the only reason they delayed so long was they all knew how controversial awarding a red in minute 3 of a knockout game was going to be.

High tackle!

Cum on sarries...

rodders wrote:Even as an Ulster fan the red card was a fair call - a very lenient ref might have shown yellow but 7/8 times out of 10 that's red. It wasn't deliberate but it was dangerous.

SUFTUM.

See? Class.  

Pienaar is incredible - he's running the game with one arm and Trimble and Bowe are everywhere.

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

No just engaged over the ball

The spirit of these Ulster players is awesome   

neilthom7 wrote:

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

No just engaged over the ball

ah rights, thanks.

quinsforever wrote:

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?

They panicked cause the injury raised the stakes. It was a yellow. Rog did the exact same thing on the lions tour and didnt get sent off. Identical incident except no injury. Ogara didnt even get a yellow. Wake up Quinns and quit your wumming.

rodders wrote:Even as an Ulster fan the red card was a fair call - a very lenient ref might have shown yellow but 7/8 times out of 10 that's red. It wasn't deliberate but it was dangerous.

SUFTUM.

according to gunsgerms you too dont know your arse from your elbow...

Does the red card carry an automatic amount of games missed like soccer? Will Payne miss the semi and final when they beat these guys?

Such a sloppy game.

Ulster need to sort there kicking out, getting a bit sloppy now.

Fat Stevens on now, congrats on the win Ulster.

Oh Nick you need to claim that son, although pienaar in a game like this that ball needs to be hitting the stands forget about the length we need posession

Botha was blocking all over the place there?

Bowe is absolutely everywhere!

Slow motion try! Still enjoyed it though!!

2-0 to sarries

Numbers told in the end. They need to refresh it now.

Pienaar is off now

quinsforever wrote:

rodders wrote:Even as an Ulster fan the red card was a fair call - a very lenient ref might have shown yellow but 7/8 times out of 10 that's red. It wasn't deliberate but it was dangerous.

SUFTUM.

according to gunsgerms you too dont know your arse from your elbow...

Nothing new there then!  

Ruan off. Ah well...

Golden wrote:Does the red card carry an automatic amount of games missed like soccer? Will Payne miss the semi and final when they beat these guys?

It's an automatic review (i.e. hearing) but doesn't always get a ban (you certainly wouldn't think so here!)

Thank goodness for Farrells hotel attendent accidentally losing his kicking boots or something lol

Dear me. Farrell not having a good day is he? Every dog...

This radio commentary is realy exciting, it's like listening to the GAA.

Need Trimble and / or Bowe to show their World Class here. Just one spark.
Let Ferris be that spark.

Time for Ferris and Hendo. Ulster can do this.

Ha I probably have said that to Rodders before. STFTUM

Cari wrote:Dear me.  Farrell not having a good day is he?  Every dog...

This radio commentary is realy exciting, it's like listening to the GAA.  

Sounds better than the Sky commentary.

Bowe playing well

Not over at all yet. This could be epic from Ulster.

Ha good man guns!

Williams is having a fantastic game.

seriously, the crowd wanted him sending off for that tackle?

Considering it's Radio Ulster, they sound pretty neutral in that they get excited whenever anyone looks like they're getting a score not just Ulster.

They give me heart attack on about Tommy though... heh heh...

Bit like Wales v France in the wc.

Tigers lost today, but i've just found out Leicester City have been promoted. Woop Woop!

Keep her lit lads!

Stevie!!

FERRIS ON!!!! Well, that lifted the crowd.

oh so close from Jacko, not even a warning to Vunipola there to keep it down though, I guess the penalty is hopefully enough that bhe wont do it again.
Ferris is on come big Stevie show us everything you have

Now Ulster. 15 v 15.  

Do it.

What a reception for Ferris

neilthom7 wrote: 
Ferris is on come big Stevie show us everything you have

  You're worse than me with Tommy!   

neilthom7 wrote:oh so close from Jacko, not even a warning to Vunipola there to keep it down though, I guess the penalty is hopefully enough that bhe wont do it again.  
Ferris is on come big Stevie show us everything you have

It was only just a penalty, his arm went down to the middle of his chest. I don't think he needed a talking too

COME ON FERRIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This will be heroic if we can do this - every Ulster player is a hero....apart from Payne but that's ok we still love you Jared   .

Back to 15 men each now. Hommmooooonnnnnnn Ferris.

Cari wrote:

neilthom7 wrote: 
Ferris is on come big Stevie show us everything you have

  You're worse than me with Tommy!   

Haha Cari, I should rephrase that too Ferris please play as well as we know you can and give the game your all

nathan wrote:seriously, the crowd wanted him sending off for that tackle?

they feel wronged by the red card. understandable. they dont have the advantage of all the video replays and ref commentary.