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?

Well done Sarries,that vunipola is some player,bad luck ulster.for the record I thought it was a yellow but whatever it was it wasnt sarries fault and both teams played the cards they were dealt in a great advert for European rugby long may it continue. I would however voice my concern over ulster in the short term.losing Mueller, afoa, court next year and hopefully no psychological hangover for Payne aswel just starting to wonder whether this side has missed the boat looking at the quality that has been available to them.hope I'm wrong and obviously humphries is a pretty shrewd guy but the doubt exists none the less.

Wonder where Sarries will play the home semi final, Allainz Park isn't big enough (Or so I believe, got to be 15,000 minimum?) I'm taking long odds bets on Zanzibar and New York and offering Wembley/ Brussells at evens. Anybody taking than on?

Gibson wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k2YEc6dozA

You're a loss to the UN Gibson.

tecphobe wrote:

quinsforever wrote:think you'll find tigers just did.

just did what ? They lost didnt they? Haven't  won it in a decade 5 years since they made the final. They are no longer top dogs in England never mind Europe. 7 years since their was an English winner and counting. Incidentally im just trolling Nathan back   

competing doesn't equal winng

Cumbrian wrote:Wonder where Sarries will play the home semi final, Allainz Park isn't big enough (Or so I believe, got to be 15,000 minimum?)  I'm taking long odds bets on Zanzibar and New York and offering Wembley/ Brussells at evens.  Anybody taking than on?

You are not allowed to play at your home ground.

It will be Wembley unless the organisers rule it out as a place they have used as a home stadium.

I thought it was Twickenham?

LondonTiger wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

nathan wrote:Some real sore losers on here that can't even find it in themselves to congratulate Sarries. Really credit to your team....

What Ulster fans are acting like sore losers?  Arse hole.

The people I would accuse of making posts that make them look like sore losers are not Ulster fans as far as I can tell. No need for you to resort to name calling however.

Fair enough Tiger, I shouldn't have reacted as I did but like I said, if you're going to start pushing for an angry response don't complain when you get one.

Cumbrian wrote:Wonder where Sarries will play the home semi final, Allainz Park isn't big enough (Or so I believe, got to be 15,000 minimum?)  I'm taking long odds bets on Zanzibar and New York and offering Wembley/ Brussells at evens.  Anybody taking than on?

Its at twickenham

Well done Sarries and unlucky Ulster.

Sarries now face a big French Pack, that could (has been their undoing each of the last few years) be a step to far. But they will back themselves against anyone

think that for Ulster it is the hard lessons that Munster went through. They must pick themselves up and get come back for more.

Haven't read back. Don't want to.

Well done on the win Sarries.

So proud of those guys making a fantastic match of it despite playing 78 mins with 14, losing Best and Pienaar.

So sad.

MrsP wrote:Haven't read back. Don't want to.

Well done on the win Sarries.

So proud of those guys making a fantastic match of it despite playing 78 mins with 14, losing Best and Pienaar.

So sad.

I am so waiting for Chunky Norwich to make a thread about Payne and the sit back and watch you two go at it for a couple of days

ME-109 wrote:

Gibson wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k2YEc6dozA

You're a loss to the UN Gibson.

True mate. 

Well done today by the way. Shafted the HC Masters. Respek.   

Hope we can join ye tomorrow. 

We will.

Astonishing stuff from Ulster tonight, so proud. I am 100% confident Jared Payne will be available next weekend. If you think he did anything wrong in any sense, well... you know very little. 50/50 challenge and the referee has pulled one of the worst decisions you'll see in the professional game.

Well I had better go get sorted for work int he morning but before I go well done Saracens ont he win, goodluck in the rest of the comp, except I hope Ashton doesn't score again I really hate that splash lol
Peace out folks

Nachos Jones wrote:

MrsP wrote:Haven't read back. Don't want to.

Well done on the win Sarries.

So proud of those guys making a fantastic match of it despite playing 78 mins with 14, losing Best and Pienaar.

So sad.

I am so waiting for Chunky Norwich to make a thread about Payne and the sit back and watch you two go at it for a couple of days

  

Sorry MrsP. Its witcha not atcha.

Ulster were magnificent tonight. Nearly did it against all the odds. 

Talk soon pal. X.

quinsforever wrote:good game, but farrell's profligacy with boot made it more exciting than it should have been after payne went off.

Owen Farrell missed two conversions, two penalties. 8 points. Ulster missed three penalties. Nine points missed. If anyones profligacy affected the game, it wasn't the visitors!

I don't know lads, I might just be drunk but its a sickener.  Sickened to my stomach. Some kebabs will be required.  Of the tikka variety.  Not that doner muck.

Gutted.  Ashton was marginally ahead from where I was sitting for the second try and I had a good view.  It was well constructed though.  Ah well.  

Red seemed harsh, but could hardly call it bad call.  Payne was silly and got carried away, just as I am going to be on some salt and chilli chips.  

Well done Saracens.  Except for Ashton.  Classless little cretin.

And to add this to the debate, pink elephants on parade. That is all gentlemen.

Notch wrote:

quinsforever wrote:good game, but farrell's profligacy with boot made it more exciting than it should have been after payne went off.

Owen Farrell missed two conversions, two penalties. 8 points. Ulster missed three penalties. Nine points missed. If anyones profligacy affected the game, it wasn't the visitors!

How many drinks Notch?

LondonTiger wrote:

Notch wrote:

quinsforever wrote:good game, but farrell's profligacy with boot made it more exciting than it should have been after payne went off.

Owen Farrell missed two conversions, two penalties. 8 points. Ulster missed three penalties. Nine points missed. If anyones profligacy affected the game, it wasn't the visitors!

How many drinks Notch?

  

Boof- teak ok thats 10 points. Still! 10 points missed, nine points missed... potato potato right? They say playing 10 minutes at 14 is worth seven points to the opposition so for Sarries to not win by about 50, thats shameful. Surprised they can show their face to be honest

Anyway had a look at the reports for this thread. Some people seriously need to tighten up on both sides. Come on! I'm surprised you all didn't resort to hair pulling as well.

Yeah Hooky, I'd say Chris Ashton should stick to the hotel bar tonight... or just stay in altogether! What an absolute pillock. The state of him!

I'm so proud to be from this wonderful part of the world tonight. I've never been to any game with a better atmosphere. Chills down my back. Ulster until I die... it was unbelievable. Thats a real team. Real heart and soul stuff.

Gibson wrote:

ME-109 wrote:

Gibson wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k2YEc6dozA

You're a loss to the UN Gibson.

True mate. 

Well done today by the way. Shafted the HC Masters. Respek.   

Hope we can join ye tomorrow. 

We will.

Hope so...save me a possible trip to Marseille.

Notch wrote:Astonishing stuff from Ulster tonight, so proud. I am 100% confident Jared Payne will be available next weekend. If you think he did anything wrong in any sense, well... you know very little. 50/50 challenge and the referee has pulled one of the worst decisions you'll see in the professional game.

Not so sure Notch, the powers that be will want to back up their referee and Payne will probably be cited to prove the point. The irony is that the exact same thing happened in the Clermont game and it only resulted in a penalty.

Notch wrote:Yeah Hooky, I'd say Chris Ashton should stick to the hotel bar tonight... or just stay in altogether! What an absolute pillock. The state of him!

I'm so proud to be from this wonderful part of the world tonight. I've never been to any game with a better atmosphere. Chills down my back. Ulster until I die... it was unbelievable. Thats a real team. Real heart and soul stuff.

Notch are you at the match? I need a hug. There's no women at this bar. Just a man with long hair. His breasts do look perky though.

The Great Aukster wrote:

Notch wrote:Astonishing stuff from Ulster tonight, so proud. I am 100% confident Jared Payne will be available next weekend. If you think he did anything wrong in any sense, well... you know very little. 50/50 challenge and the referee has pulled one of the worst decisions you'll see in the professional game.

Not so sure Notch, the powers that be will want to back up their referee and Payne will probably be cited to prove the point. The irony is that the exact same thing happened in the Clermont game and it only resulted in a penalty.

For me the irony is that later in the game both sides actually tackled players in the air... as opposed to an accidental collision. I couldn't believe that decision. Still can't. If thats a red card, the game doesn't make sense any more. Eyes on the ball all the way, preparing to jump, doesn't move towards the player- crazy, crazy decision.

The worst thing I can say about Payne is that he had no idea where the Saracens player was until he hit the ground. Competing for a 50/50 ball is a red card? A heartbeat later he would have been off the ground and its a fair contest. Really hope the Saracens player is ok but it's at worst a penalty. I was saying at the time 'If this is a yellow, the games gone crazy'. Red? Red?

And then 75 minutes and they never got away from us. What an effort from 1-14. So proud of them.

There isn't a person on this Earth that can tell me Ulster didn't deserve that, proud of their heart, robbed by a referee.

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:
Notch are you at the match?  I need a hug.  There's no women at this bar.  Just a man with long hair. His breasts do look perky though.  

I'm back at home now. My advice? Slip him your number on a napkin and blame the drink tomorrow morning.

Notch wrote:

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:
Notch are you at the match?  I need a hug.  There's no women at this bar.  Just a man with long hair. His breasts do look perky though.  

I'm back at home now. My advice? Slip him your number on a napkin and blame the drink tomorrow morning.

Ah you're such a tease Notch. I'm sad.  I won't lie. About the match that is. For the sake of clarity

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:

Notch wrote:Yeah Hooky, I'd say Chris Ashton should stick to the hotel bar tonight... or just stay in altogether! What an absolute pillock. The state of him!

I'm so proud to be from this wonderful part of the world tonight. I've never been to any game with a better atmosphere. Chills down my back. Ulster until I die... it was unbelievable. Thats a real team. Real heart and soul stuff.

Notch are you at the match?  I need a hug.  There's no women at this bar.  Just a man with long hair. His breasts do look perky though.  

if its Maurice Botha hit him a slap for me for stealing that last lineout would you Hookie?

I hope we never get to see that Garces on a rugby pitch ever again.

If he red carded Payne for "dangerous play" why not at the very least penalise Burger for his off his feet charge on Muller?

rodders wrote:

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:

Notch wrote:Yeah Hooky, I'd say Chris Ashton should stick to the hotel bar tonight... or just stay in altogether! What an absolute pillock. The state of him!

I'm so proud to be from this wonderful part of the world tonight. I've never been to any game with a better atmosphere. Chills down my back. Ulster until I die... it was unbelievable. Thats a real team. Real heart and soul stuff.

Notch are you at the match?  I need a hug.  There's no women at this bar.  Just a man with long hair. His breasts do look perky though.  

if its Maurice Botha hit him a slap for me for stealing that last lineout would you Hookie?

Oh Rodders, my favourite scallwag. We need a group hug. Everyone except for Clive.

Then he can start a thread about it. Couldn't watch him.

Only that Nathan bloke is a bigger whinge. They don't know they're born these lads.

VinceWLB wrote:I hope we never get to see that Garces on a rugby pitch ever again.

If he red carded Payne for "dangerous play" why not at the very least penalise Burger for his off his feet charge on Muller?

Yeah..was surprised that didn't get looked at. Burger was extremely dangerous and it was just luck that someone wasn't seriously injured.

Well commiserations to the Ulster boys. You might be inclined to be sick that you lost or perhaps proud that you almost did some magic with only 14 men, or annoyed that you were down to 14 men in the first place.

Didn't see it but Payne probably shouldn't be giving a ref excuses in a HEC quarter final. Schmidt will be writing a school report card to his parents.

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:

Notch wrote:Yeah Hooky, I'd say Chris Ashton should stick to the hotel bar tonight... or just stay in altogether! What an absolute pillock. The state of him!

I'm so proud to be from this wonderful part of the world tonight. I've never been to any game with a better atmosphere. Chills down my back. Ulster until I die... it was unbelievable. Thats a real team. Real heart and soul stuff.

Notch are you at the match?  I need a hug.  There's no women at this bar.  Just a man with long hair. His breasts do look perky though.  

Im here for ya babe. I have large pert nipples and long blonde hair. Skype me Hook. Skype me. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKR2n-G-wdM

Gotta laff bro.  

I'm more proud than anything else- do you think there's a single Ulster fan at that match who would rather be a Saracens fan right now? The atmosphere was special, really truly special.

I wouldn't support any other team for any price right now. What an effort.

Notch wrote:

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:
Notch are you at the match?  I need a hug.  There's no women at this bar.  Just a man with long hair. His breasts do look perky though.  

I'm back at home now. My advice? Slip him your number on a napkin and blame the drink tomorrow morning.

 

His international inexperience, coupled with the startling fact he has handed out 11 yellow cards in 14 Heineken Cup matches, has clearly created a few nerves in the All Blacks camp about what might unfold at Murrayfield.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7931056/All-Blacks-wary-of-refs-lack-of-experience

History of being a card happy ref. Payne shouldn't have gave him the opportunity

Gibson wrote:

Notch wrote:

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:
Notch are you at the match?  I need a hug.  There's no women at this bar.  Just a man with long hair. His breasts do look perky though.  

I'm back at home now. My advice? Slip him your number on a napkin and blame the drink tomorrow morning.

 

Thats how I first met Gibbo. He promised he'd call and he never has.

I know Payne wasn't in it the as soon as he touched his first ball and kicked it straight into touch.
Best wasn't 100% fit and it showed, he tried too much and in the first ruck he gave away a blatant penalty.

Finally Diack showed in his short cameo why he should have started instead of either Wilson or Williams.

Terrible terrible decision. Delighted by the performance and spirit mind you

From a Leinster fan, all hail to Ulster - that was the performance of heroes - a drop or penalty away from glory. Minus a man for 77 mins and then to lose Best and Pienaar. Hats off to wee Paddy - stepped up for his goal kicks

As for Payne - a defo yellow card but not a red - thought red cards were for premeditated foul play - Payne was clumsy and careless but there was nothing malicious.

Hope to god we win in Moujad Park tomorrow, but whatever happens tomorrow or in Lansdowne v Munster if we win, I hope and pray that Clermont blitz Saracens in the other SF - anything to wipe the smile of the smug sh1t Ashton's face.

Ashton is a real piece of work. Don't understand why people defend it at all. What need is there for it? Thing is, his little swan dive cost them the conversion. He could have tried to go under the posts but it's very much about him, not the team.

I'd probably be even angrier if I was a visiting fan! Difference between a two point game and a four point game, that little piece of onanism. All it would have took was one mistake from the visitors in the last minutes to make it the difference between winning and losing.

The red card decision could have gone either way. I would have some sympathy with him if his first reaction was to look to the player he injured rather than trying to excuse himself and try and avoid a red card.

Just reviewed it and no sign on any concern about Goode from Payne.

Notch man, I know you nordies are hurting tonight and it's not much consolation but you can be proud of your boys. For what it's worth I was in a pub full of Dubs and boggers of all descriptions and all were roaring their heads for Ulster. Uladh Abu!! Dunno if you understand that but it's a heartfelt Irish language complement from a dyed in the wool Leinster fan.

Exiledinborders wrote:The red card decision could have gone either way. I would have some sympathy with if his first reaction was to look to the player he injured rather than trying to excuse himself and try and avoid a red card.

Just reviewed it and no sign on any concern about Goode from Payne.

You didn't review too hard as he clearly went back later to try and talk to him. The same fella was up and about smiling with the Sarries bench within 10 minutes. I'm not casting aspersions on his character. Don't do the same on Payne. Terrible decision

I fully understand it- now its time for us to row in behind Leinster and Munster   

Exiledinborders wrote:The red card decision could have gone either way. I would have some sympathy with him if his first reaction was to look to the player he injured rather than trying to excuse himself and try and avoid a red card.

Just reviewed it and no sign on any concern about Goode from Payne.

Could that be because he had no idea how Goode had landed as he was knocked completely back and off his feet by the contact?

brennomac wrote:Notch man, I know you nordies are hurting tonight and it's not much consolation but  you can be proud of your boys.  For what it's worth I was in a pub full of Dubs and boggers of all descriptions and all were roaring their heads for Ulster. Uladh Abu!!  Dunno if you understand that but it's a heartfelt Irish language complement from a dyed in the wool Leinster fan.

  

MrsP wrote:

Exiledinborders wrote:The red card decision could have gone either way. I would have some sympathy with him if his first reaction was to look to the player he injured rather than trying to excuse himself and try and avoid a red card.

Just reviewed it and no sign on any concern about Goode from Payne.

Could that be because he had no idea how Goode had landed as he was knocked completely back and off his feet by the contact?

Didn't show any concern immediately or subsequently when it looked as though he was seriously injured.