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?

Mon Ulster! 

Respond. Leave it all out there.

No camera angle to see if that was ahead of the kick, that is probably it for Ulster now with 14 it will not be easy to come back now. Incredible performance so far lads, keep going

Great kick from Gilroy. Its so hard to break Sarries down, this will take some effort now.

Take the 3!

Divine intervention!   

Now pen. Then converted try. Ye vil do it!

Ulster still in this.

There's still time! There's still time!

What happens if there's a draw?

Cari wrote:There's still time! There's still time!

What happens if there's a draw?

Penalty shoot out?

Good to see Diack on has been one of our most consistent players all year, he deserves to play in this match

Cari wrote:There's still time! There's still time!

What happens if there's a draw?

Extra time, then penalty shootout. See Cardiff V Tiger 09

Golden wrote:

Cari wrote:There's still time! There's still time!

What happens if there's a draw?

Penalty shoot out?

Trust me, you don't want to go there!

This is it lads -  immortality is on the line!

Come ON ta phook Ulster! 

BELIEVE.

Ulster milking penalties now

Incredible! Do it! Get to the chopper!

squeeky bum time

nathan wrote:

Golden wrote:

Cari wrote:There's still time! There's still time!

What happens if there's a draw?

Penalty shoot out?

Trust me, you don't want to go there!

TBH Id take it at the moment.

well now thats makes things just a bit different, good kick Paddy

Wow wow wow!!!!! Come on!

GLove39 wrote:

Cari wrote:There's still time! There's still time!

What happens if there's a draw?

Extra time, then penalty shootout. See Cardiff V Tiger 09

*Shudders* I remember that all right. No, no, we won't go there.

Come on Ulsterrrrrrrrrrr get a fecking DG or a penalty!

Take de points lads. take de points. Nuff time yet. They are focking rattled. Rattle em some more. 

Oh jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!        

I'm beginning to want Ulster to do this just as a reward for their obstinacy.

Keep the feicin head lads. No time for silly pens. Let them make them. Then take yer chance.  

Believe.

Yes yes yes!

Should of been a penalty to Sarries for the high tackle on B Vunipola

Has Farrell fecked it up for his team mates there?

Not sure I can watch this last 5 mins if i dont post for a while im probably just rocking back and forth behind the chair someone with nerves just bring me some tea and I'll be fine lol

Good man Farrell. Could be a game-changer. Love de Heino me.


COME ON Ulster! History beckons. 

Believe.

Drop goal time!

PENALTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah!

I feel faint!

Arrrgh noooo! Ulster!

paddy maybe should have been greedier?

Ohhh, my, the tension

Thought this game was going to be carp after the red card but it has been compelling. SUFTUM. Believe!

how has that been given as gone backwards?

Was the penalty too far out for Wee Paddy.

Good boy Tommy, that was still going back...

Farrells really had a shocker

will the ulster players please stop appealing for penalties everytime somebody farts. jeez

PJ DG. Ja, work to it lads.

Jeebus H Corbett!!! The tension is unbelievable...the commentator is going to spontaneously combust!

quinsforever wrote:will the ulster players please stop appealing for penalties everytime somebody farts. jeez

Is that an offence now?!   

how many phases!

22/23??

Drop goal?!

30 phases now!

Frak

Well done Sarries!!!!