RP12 Semi Final 2: Leinster v Ulster, 17 May

First topic message reminder :

Leinster Rugby v Ulster Rugby

Saturday 17 May 2014, KO: 19:00
Royal Dublin Society

Live on RTE/BBC NI/S4C

Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU., 40th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Ian Davies (WRU), Neil Paterson (SRU)
Citing Commissioner: Paul Minto (SRU)
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)

A. Teams:

I. Leinster


Kearney R, McFadden, O'Driscoll, D'Arcy, Kearney D, Gopperth, Reddan;
Healy, Cronin, Moore, Toner, Roux, Ruddock, Jennings, Heaslip.

Dundon, McGrath, Ross, Cullen, O'Brien, McGrath, Madigan, Kirchner

II. Ulster

C Gilroy, T Bowe, J Payne, D Cave, A Trimble, P Jackson, R Pienaar;

C Black, R Best, R Lutton, J Muller (Captain), I Henderson, R Diack, C Henry, R Wilson.

Replacements: R Herring, A Warwick, A Macklin, D Tuohy, S Doyle, P Marshall, J McKinney, L Marshall.  

B. Previous Championships

I. Leinster

Three (2001-2002; 2007-2008; 2012-2013)

Playoff Record - Played 4, Won 4:
2010 RDS: beat Munster 16-6.
2011 RDS: beat Ulster 18-3.
2012 RDS: beat Warriors 19-15.
2013 RDS: beat Warriors 17-15.

II. Ulster

One (2005-2006)

Playoff Record - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1:
2011 RDS: lost to Leinster 3-18.
2013 Ravenhill: beat Scarlets 28-17.

C. Form - head to head:

36 Played 36
26 Wins 7
7 Losses 26
3 Draws 3
78 Tries 44
53 Conversions 32
106 Penalties 94
5 Drop Goals 3
829 Points 575
28 Avg. Age 24

D. Form - this season & last:

Fri 21 December 2012, 19:05
Ulster Rugby 27 - 19 Leinster Rugby
Ravenhill

Sat 30 March 2013, 18:15
Leinster Rugby 18 - 22 Ulster Rugby
Royal Dublin Society

Sat 25 May 2013 (Grand Final), 16:45
Ulster Rugby 18 - 24 Leinster Rugby
Royal Dublin Society

Sat 28 December 2013, 18:45
Leinster Rugby 19 - 6 Ulster Rugby
Royal Dublin Society

Fri 2 May 2014, 19:30
Ulster Rugby 20 - 22 Leinster Rugby
Ravenhill

Quinn Roux dropped into the team out of nowhere didn't he? And then Boss, dropped entirely. Jordi Murphy dropped too.

I'm quite happy to see Cullen on the bench and McCarthy out (albeit it through injury, I hope McCarthy recovers in time to go on tour this summer). Cullen just always seems to have a good game against us and is a complete bollox. Thats a compliment by the way.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Agreed.  But this is the same kid that took the trouble to tweet my wee lad on his birthday in the middle of his Lions training - his heart is good, that I can promise you

I hate to get suckered into believing what the haters say about certain people. Whatever he is like personally he's a world class player while still just a cub.

Well- Luke Marshall drops to the bench.

Ulster XV and replacements to face Leinster, RaboDirect PRO12 play-off, RDS, Saturday 17th May (kick off 19:00):

(15-9): C Gilroy, T Bowe, J Payne, D Cave, A Trimble, P Jackson, R Pienaar; (1-8); C Black, R Best, R Lutton, J Muller (Captain), I Henderson, R Diack, C Henry, R Wilson.

Replacements (16-23): R Herring, A Warwick, A Macklin, D Tuohy, S Doyle, P Marshall, J McKinney, L Marshall.

My immediate thoughts are that whether or not we win will be determined by the form of the four players who come straight back into the side; Best, Lutton, Diack and Pienaar. If they are rusty it should cost us but if not we'll be in with a great shot.

Leinster also have that lack of game time factor with Roux and Reddan in key positions.

Notch wrote:Well- Luke Marshall drops to the bench.

Ulster XV and replacements to face Leinster, RaboDirect PRO12 play-off, RDS, Saturday 17th May (kick off 19:00):

(15-9): C Gilroy, T Bowe, J Payne, D Cave, A Trimble, P Jackson, R Pienaar; (1-8); C Black, R Best, R Lutton, J Muller (Captain), I Henderson, R Diack, C Henry, R Wilson.

Replacements (16-23): R Herring, A Warwick, A Macklin, D Tuohy, S Doyle, P Marshall, J McKinney, L Marshall.  

Ulster by 15

Leinster.......heading in a downward trajectory.

  

is ferris injured again???

Shame to see Kirchner and Madigan drop out, they were two of Leinsters biggest liabilities at Ravenhill a few weeks ago

Notch wrote:Well- Luke Marshall drops to the bench.

Ulster XV and replacements to face Leinster, RaboDirect PRO12 play-off, RDS, Saturday 17th May (kick off 19:00):

(15-9): C Gilroy, T Bowe, J Payne, D Cave, A Trimble, P Jackson, R Pienaar; (1-8); C Black, R Best, R Lutton, J Muller (Captain), I Henderson, R Diack, C Henry, R Wilson.

Replacements (16-23): R Herring, A Warwick, A Macklin, D Tuohy, S Doyle, P Marshall, J McKinney, L Marshall.

My immediate thoughts are that whether or not we win will be determined by the form of the four players who come straight back into the side; Best, Lutton, Diack and Pienaar. If they are rusty it should cost us but if not we'll be in with a great shot.

Leinster also have that lack of game time factor with Roux and Reddan in key positions.

I would add Gilroy to that list. If we are questioning Marshall's form then Gilroy is the luckiest man to be selected. We have seen nothing from him this season in truth apart from his first game (against Edinburgh I think) where, ironically, he played 15. I hope he brings back last years form. Come on Craig and the lads!

Was hoping (from an Ulster perspective) for a Boss - Madigan halfback combo.

Really not convinced by the Cave/Payne/Gilroy/Marshall arrangement. Weird selection approach there.

Are these factors enough to stop Leinster Going Down?

Nah.

I am highly sceptical of this back line formation also. Payne just adds such vision when counter-attacking from the back, Gilroy is very talented but short on confidence and form. Cave does add a touch more guile than if it was Marshall-Payne but Payne is a bit wasted at centre.

It genuinely baffles me Notch. Payne brings the IQ at centre up but if Gopperth is going to kick a lot then I would much rather have Payne bringing the ball back in two hands, committing defenders than Gilroy, who, at his best is elusive but is never really going to pass

Gopperth will kick a lot and our counter-attack needs to be spot on. We have the best counter-attacking fullback in Europe at 13 and an out of form winger at 15.

Even if you agree Payne should move to 13 long term there's a time and a place... Gilroy just isn't going to orchestrate things at the back the way Payne can. His kicking game is nowhere near as good either.

Really bad selection decision which will hang over our heads if we go on to lose the game.

Standulstermen wrote:It genuinely baffles me Notch. Payne brings the IQ at centre up but if Gopperth is going to kick a lot then I would much rather have Payne bringing the ball back in two hands, committing defenders than Gilroy, who, at his best is elusive but is never really going to pass

Agree 100%

I think all of us wanted a Marshall-Cave midfield with Payne at FB but perhaps it will shape up like that later on in the game.

Leinster you're still going down!!!!!!!

Quinn Roux starting for Leinster... Jeysus.

Notch wrote:Gopperth will kick a lot and our counter-attack needs to be spot on. We have the best counter-attacking fullback in Europe at 13 and an out of form winger at 15.

Even if you agree Payne should move to 13 long term there's a time and a place... Gilroy just isn't going to orchestrate things at the back the way Payne can. His kicking game is nowhere near as good either.

Really bad selection decision which will hang over our heads if we go on to lose the game.

With Gopperth and Kearney likely collecting the ball its maybe best having someone who will be reluctant to kick it back to them

I don't think Gilroy will be reluctant to kick it. I think he will kick it just as much, only slightly less accurately. We can't run it back if it's not on and get isolated either. You always need that balance.

Quin Roux is the only physical lock with McCarthy so with the later injured it makes sense for Roux to start.

On the other hand SOB not starting beggars belief.

There will be a lot of disapointed Leinster fans me think.

More optimism please folks.

Gilroy's top form will return and Payne will play like he did in his last Blues season at 13. Seemples

I don't think Gilroy I a reluctant kicker I just don't think he is accurate enough. He kicked a beautiful touch finder in the 2nd half at Thomond but for every one of those there are two overlooked garryowens or kicks to nothing really.

To my mind the way we are starting is the way you go to change things up. Cave is going to be expected to crash a lot of ball which isn't his forte. I hope it's a master stroke but I just don't see it

VinceWLB wrote:Quin Roux is the only physical lock with McCarthy so with the later injured it makes sense for Roux to start.

On the other hand SOB not starting beggars belief.

There will be a lot of disapointed Leinster fans me think.

I can't believe that if O'Brien is fit enough he wouldn't start. How did he play against Edinburgh? He's been out for a long time.

Notch wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:Quin Roux is the only physical lock with McCarthy so with the later injured it makes sense for Roux to start.

On the other hand SOB not starting beggars belief.

There will be a lot of disapointed Leinster fans me think.

I can't believe that if O'Brien is fit enough he wouldn't start. How did he play against Edinburgh? He's been out for a long time.

He was very prominent i thought only played for 55min or so but was at 80-90% of his best i would say and with an extra week of preparation i would have bet my car he was going to start in this one.

O'Brien was blowing out of his arse by the end, but he was bursting people while he was out there.

Super sub.

Notch wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:Quin Roux is the only physical lock with McCarthy so with the later injured it makes sense for Roux to start.

On the other hand SOB not starting beggars belief.

There will be a lot of disapointed Leinster fans me think.

I can't believe that if O'Brien is fit enough he wouldn't start. How did he play against Edinburgh? He's been out for a long time.

Think they are just letting him get used to the bench now he's going to be Chris Henrys deputy   

There can be no more excuses for Ulster. We have lost to Leinster plenty. Obviously, taking the two finals we were well behind were Leinster were as a team then and last year we were unfortunate in having to give up home adv and were still a 'Robbie Diack falling over the line' from at least a tied game.

There was genuine improvement in ulster and a bit of a dip for Leinster. Most Leinster fans will concede that without Schmidt, Nacewa and Sexton they are weaker whilst Ulster haven't taken advantage through their own mistakes/cards. That has to end. We need to show we are the coming team, the backline has of stand up and finally shred a defence of note.

Chris Henry has to show he isn't simply warming a spot for O'Brien or O'Mahoney and Henderson needs to show that he is potentially three times the player Toner is. We have all the cause in the world to have a chip on our shoulder as regards Leinster but until we beat them in a knockout game we need a psychologist more than a head coach.

Standulstermen wrote:There can be no more excuses for Ulster. We have lost to Leinster plenty. Obviously, taking the two finals we were well behind were Leinster were as a team then and last year we were unfortunate in having to give up home adv and were still a 'Robbie Diack falling over the line' from at least a tied game.

There was genuine improvement in ulster and a bit of a dip for Leinster. Most Leinster fans will concede that without Schmidt, Nacewa and Sexton they are weaker whilst Ulster haven't taken advantage through their own mistakes/cards. That has to end. We need to show we are the coming team, the backline has of stand up and finally shred a defence of note.

Chris Henry has to show he isn't simply warming a spot for O'Brien or O'Mahoney and Henderson needs to show that he is potentially three times the player Toner is. We have all the cause in the world to have a chip on our shoulder as regards Leinster but until we beat them in a knockout game we need a psychologist more than a head coach.

 
 
What exciues? There have been no excuses made for Ulster. Every time we've lost, we have taken it on the chin.
 
Ulster this, Ulster that.
 
Ulster > (Leinster - Schimdt)
 
Feeling bullish. Something to do with three pints at lunchtime?

I'm not saying there has been whinging Don but there was plenty made of Lacey last time, or the fact we gave up home advantage and even the fact that in the HEC final we were ahead of schedule.

We're not anymore. The talent is there. We NEED to win this

I think Ulster can win this. If their pact can gain parity they've better backs to do the scoring.

The lack of BOD being spoken about in the media would indicate they think its going to be a Leinster win. But Leinster are not playing well in the big matches this season.

Standulstermen wrote:There can be no more excuses for Ulster. We have lost to Leinster plenty. Obviously, taking the two finals we were well behind were Leinster were as a team then and last year we were unfortunate in having to give up home adv and were still a 'Robbie Diack falling over the line' from at least a tied game.

There was genuine improvement in ulster and a bit of a dip for Leinster. Most Leinster fans will concede that without Schmidt, Nacewa and Sexton they are weaker whilst Ulster haven't taken advantage through their own mistakes/cards. That has to end. We need to show we are the coming team, the backline has of stand up and finally shred a defence of note.

Chris Henry has to show he isn't simply warming a spot for O'Brien or O'Mahoney and Henderson needs to show that he is potentially three times the player Toner is. We have all the cause in the world to have a chip on our shoulder as regards Leinster but until we beat them in a knockout game we need a psychologist more than a head coach.

Aren't they the same thing   

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Standulstermen wrote:There can be no more excuses for Ulster. We have lost to Leinster plenty. Obviously, taking the two finals we were well behind were Leinster were as a team then and last year we were unfortunate in having to give up home adv and were still a 'Robbie Diack falling over the line' from at least a tied game.

There was genuine improvement in ulster and a bit of a dip for Leinster. Most Leinster fans will concede that without Schmidt, Nacewa and Sexton they are weaker whilst Ulster haven't taken advantage through their own mistakes/cards. That has to end. We need to show we are the coming team, the backline has of stand up and finally shred a defence of note.

Chris Henry has to show he isn't simply warming a spot for O'Brien or O'Mahoney and Henderson needs to show that he is potentially three times the player Toner is. We have all the cause in the world to have a chip on our shoulder as regards Leinster but until we beat them in a knockout game we need a psychologist more than a head coach.

Aren't they the same thing   

Well played   

I can't see past Ulster for this game*

*Assuming they can keep 15 men on the park

profitius wrote:I think Ulster can win this. If their pact can gain parity they've better backs to do the scoring.

The lack of BOD being spoken about in the media would indicate they think its going to be a Leinster win. But Leinster are not playing well in the big matches this season.

I'd argue the opposite. The medjia are in love with BOD and they reckon Ulster will win. They don't seem too keen to put him in the spotlight when his last game will most likely be a loss to Ulster.

Anyway hasn't he been centre stage on the retirement thing for pretty much every game he has played since christmas?

Ulster by 7-10 points! And the only doubt in my mind is putting an upper end on the points spread. I was worried before the Edinburgh game, I had Leinster to scrap past a tense game with no TBP and Edinburgh getting a LBP. I reckon Ulster be neck and neck by half time with a kick on the start of the second half. Once they realise deep down they have the beating of this Leinster team they are going to relax and ease out a winning margin of more than a score. In the end it will be comfortable for Ulster (and I'll be depressed).

I believe that Ulster really do have it in them to win this as well. But can't help but be nervous about our record versus Leinster in these kinds of games. We can beat Leinster if we can beat back the demons we have to deal with in the back of our head.

SUFTUM lads and then come over to Glasgow and we'll have a big paarteyyy !!!!!!

This should be worth staying up for* if it's anything like yesterday's match.
Going by the pulse on this thread and over the course of the season I've gone for another close Semi... Ulster by 2.
Best of luck to both sides though. Let's hope there are no controversies and it's a fair result.

*off topic - will have to watch both FA Cup Finals to calm my neutral nerves in the build up to this mighty contest.

Hey, remember Ed O'Donoghue? Played some decent rugby for Ulster, very little anonymous rugby for Leinster and he's just handed Melbourne Rebels a win over his Queensland Reds side for contact with the eyes. Straight red.

Not nice to hear that of any player Notch never mind one associated with us. Hope he gets a hefty ban.

Really looking forward to this, will be an unbelievable match for a neutral. Do any Leinster supporters (or Ulster) know how far the RDS is from Dublin airport/cost of public transport there?

clivemcl wrote:Not nice to hear that of any player Notch never mind one associated with us. Hope he gets a hefty ban.

I don't think it was as bad as all that actually. He had his hand over the players face but I don't think he had any intention of gouging or anything. A bit like the one Cullen got banned for a while back.

Nematode wrote:Really looking forward to this, will be an unbelievable match for a neutral. Do any Leinster supporters (or Ulster) know how far the RDS is from Dublin airport/cost of public transport there?

You won't have to worry about that until next season   

Hop on the aircoach. Last I checked it's 8 quid and stops at the rds, I'd say an hour is about as long is it could take. Taxi would get you there in 20-30 mins for 30-40 quid

Thanks Kunu - and I hope that I didn't sound like I was presuming Leinster will win. Didn't intend it to sound like that - could be anyone's game like last night. Just trying to figure out potential costs.

SUFTUM.

Bate Leinster and give this glorious league what it deserves - a Winner Takes All Ulster-Scots Boo-Off.

Hurrah! Erm - I mean - BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

All in our own hands now.

Typical Ulster arrogance. Already think they're in the final.

Feckless, I can't tell if you're joking or not!

Come on Tommy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Oh and the rest of 'em...)

I really hope we get another top semi final like we had last night. A proper ding dong.

Evening all by the way.   

Right looks as if I must have dreamt that the game was on ALBA...
Looks like its S4C on the iPad then.

Anyway, C'MON ULSTER!

You can watch Y Clwb Rygbi live online here too (in case you're using a crappy link):
http://www.s4c.co.uk/clic/e_live.shtml

Good start from Ulster.

Take the scrum?

Cheers Cari. Watching it on the official s4c clic app.

Glad you got it G. Out of curiosity, is the English commentary made available on that, or is it only on the red button TV?