Ulster 2014/2015, Part 3

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Continue to discuss Ulsters lack of back row options and season in general

At best reckless, at worst a cheap shot. I guess only Luke will ever know, but the citing commission thought it was a cheap shot. Therefore 5 week ban is what it is. Sadly I can't see any way he could have not seen yer man's head, therefore could and should have been able to avoid hitting him with his feet. He didn't so was banned.
It's just the type of brainless actions that have typified Ulsters season.

No no no, you Welsh guys have it all wrong.
This link will show you what the words scumbag and thug actually refer to

https://twitter.com/andymcgeady/status/567051677396897792

the-goon wrote:It's just the type of brainless actions that have typified Ulsters season.

While I'm not sure I agree with your take on this specifiic incident, a brainless incident typifying our season - 100% yes.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

the-goon wrote:Here is the kick.

http://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/luke-marshall-ban-five-weeks-head-kick/16208

brain dead from Luke, sadly looked delibrate. What is with Ulster these days. They have had some very harsh calls against them, but just plain dumb things like this just compound them. They are quickly getting a rep as a dirty team (justified or not), incidents like this simply don't help the cause.

I would say that they are quickly losing their tag for being a like-able side for sure.  And three bans in two games is pretty much a good justification of them getting a dirty (thuggish even) rep.

Yes, I did notice one of the guys on the Scarlets forum describe Ulster as a "scumbag team of thugs". Not a surprise considering the xenophobic moron who posted it, but would at least expect the usually more reasonable to have a sense of perspective. Like you....

Funny it there have been similar quotes on the Ulster fans site about their opinions of the Scarlets, but that is what you get on team specific forums.

A team that have had three players banned in two games, all for dangerous/foul play, are going to get a rep for being thugs.  It is how things go.

It may be how things go, but that really doesn't mean it should be how things go. Pointing to the poor behavior of others in no sense justifies your own, or that of a site claiming to represent a particular team. As usual, there are 2 sides to this story, and as usual some of both sides supporters hold to a one-eyed narrative of what happened, but to call a team " a scumbag team of thugs" based on the actions of 2 players, who are known to be clean, can have no justification. Some guys need to grow up.

To be honest guys, and please do not take this the wrong way, when I watch Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium or Ravenhill which ever you like to call it, there always seems to be more of a football type atmosphere there, it is very vocal and very shouty(if that is even a word) perhaps that then creeps onto the pitch with the players then they feel more pressure to win, and they find the need to niggle and wind players up a bit more.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:
Funny it there have been similar quotes on the Ulster fans site about their opinions of the Scarlets, but that is what you get on team specific forums.
.

From the Ulster forum on the citings thread today:

the English look down their noses at everyone , especially at Bogtrotting Paddies whom they classify with dogs & blacks, The regheeds hate us, want to burn us as we laugh at their cave-dwelling beardie,

Fat Declan Fitzpatrick - almost certainly and act of retaliation for not much appears to motivate Fat Declan into any sort of strenuous activity.Result: deserving red card for utter stupidity in the face of Wop aggression.

The Welsh over on Miners Fever have lost the plot

This is not normal behaviour. They are the rantings of seriously challenged / vile people.


Utterly vile.

Pete330v2 wrote:No no no, you Welsh guys have it all wrong.
This link will show you what the words scumbag and thug actually refer to

https://twitter.com/andymcgeady/status/567051677396897792

Ha! well spotted, Pete

That we can agree on Don.

At the end of the day Luke give the commissioners an oppprtunity to ban him. Why did he do that? He could see the player, no doubt about that, so that isn't a defence. What gain would he have acheived if he hit the ball for example? A Yellow for being blatently offside? It was simply moronic. A 5 week ban should have been given for its sheer stupidity.

He has now put Ulster in a serious hole now in regards to their midfield.

Ulster are my 2nd team after Leinster, I am running out of hair to pull out watching them.

LordDowlais wrote:To be honest guys, and please do not take this the wrong way, when I watch Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium or Ravenhill which ever you like to call it, there always seems to be more of a football type atmosphere there, it is very vocal and very shouty(if that is even a word) perhaps that then creeps onto the pitch with the players then they feel more pressure to win, and they find the need to niggle and wind players up a bit more.

Oh goodness. Now it's the fans. Please forgive us for shouting. I do know the England team are a bit sensitive to loud noises, the poor souls, but didn't know the Scarlets also suffer from Phonophobia.

It is obvious what's wrong. Scarlets are not accustomed to loud noise at their ground, and so it frightens teams, and fans alike

the-goon wrote:That we can agree on Don.

At the end of the day Luke give the commissioners an oppprtunity to ban him. Why did he do that? He could see the player, no doubt about that, so that isn't a defence. What gain would he have acheived if he hit the ball for example? A Yellow for being blatently offside? It was simply moronic. A 5 week ban should have been given for its sheer stupidity.

He has now put Ulster in a serious hole now in regards to their midfield.

Ulster are my 2nd team after Leinster, I am running out of hair to pull out watching them.

Indeed. It's very frustrating, although I think you're going OTT there.

We have to put up with enough abject nonsense without actually genuinely doing stupid things to make our own lives difficult.

I think what Dowlias is trying to put his finger on is  an 'atmosphere' . The welsh don't have it outside the MS.

Munchkin wrote:Oh goodness. Now it's the fans. Please forgive us for shouting. I do know the England team are a bit sensitive to loud noises, the poor souls, but didn't know the Scarlets also suffer from Phonophobia.

Come on Munchkin, you know what I mean, there is a difference between football fans and rugby fans, we are all just as passionate, it's just that football fans are more......hostile in their support. That is how I see it when I watch Ulster.

LordDowlais wrote:

Munchkin wrote:Oh goodness. Now it's the fans. Please forgive us for shouting. I do know the England team are a bit sensitive to loud noises, the poor souls, but didn't know the Scarlets also suffer from Phonophobia.

Come on Munchkin, you know what I mean, there is a difference between football fans and rugby fans, we are all just as passionate, it's just that football fans are more......hostile in their support. That is how I see it when I watch Ulster.

Ah, no need to be sorry, LD. I enjoy your banter

Yes, Ulster fans can generate a lot of noise, but then a lot of supporters can make a lot of noise. Please don't take that as a dig. For the most part, the booing is pantomime, although there are occasions when the booing is genuine. When Payne was red carded for example, and I for one, am glad of it (no not the carding. The noisy support). Visiting fans are always treated with warmth and respect, and visiting fans really do enjoy their time with Ulster fans during the game, and post match.

We're not that bad. Really  

Munchkin wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

the-goon wrote:Here is the kick.

http://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/luke-marshall-ban-five-weeks-head-kick/16208

brain dead from Luke, sadly looked delibrate. What is with Ulster these days. They have had some very harsh calls against them, but just plain dumb things like this just compound them. They are quickly getting a rep as a dirty team (justified or not), incidents like this simply don't help the cause.

I would say that they are quickly losing their tag for being a like-able side for sure.  And three bans in two games is pretty much a good justification of them getting a dirty (thuggish even) rep.

Yes, I did notice one of the guys on the Scarlets forum describe Ulster as a "scumbag team of thugs". Not a surprise considering the xenophobic moron who posted it, but would at least expect the usually more reasonable to have a sense of perspective. Like you....

Funny it there have been similar quotes on the Ulster fans site about their opinions of the Scarlets, but that is what you get on team specific forums.

A team that have had three players banned in two games, all for dangerous/foul play, are going to get a rep for being thugs.  It is how things go.

It may be how things go, but that really doesn't mean it should be how things go. Pointing to the poor behavior of others in no sense justifies your own, or that of a site claiming to represent a particular team. As usual, there are 2 sides to this story, and as usual some of both sides supporters hold to a one-eyed narrative of what happened, but to call a team " a scumbag team of thugs" based on the actions of 2 players, who are known to be clean, can have no justification. Some guys need to grow up.

Well moan it them about it not at me then.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

the-goon wrote:Here is the kick.

http://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/luke-marshall-ban-five-weeks-head-kick/16208

brain dead from Luke, sadly looked delibrate. What is with Ulster these days. They have had some very harsh calls against them, but just plain dumb things like this just compound them. They are quickly getting a rep as a dirty team (justified or not), incidents like this simply don't help the cause.

I would say that they are quickly losing their tag for being a like-able side for sure.  And three bans in two games is pretty much a good justification of them getting a dirty (thuggish even) rep.

Yes, I did notice one of the guys on the Scarlets forum describe Ulster as a "scumbag team of thugs". Not a surprise considering the xenophobic moron who posted it, but would at least expect the usually more reasonable to have a sense of perspective. Like you....

Funny it there have been similar quotes on the Ulster fans site about their opinions of the Scarlets, but that is what you get on team specific forums.

A team that have had three players banned in two games, all for dangerous/foul play, are going to get a rep for being thugs.  It is how things go.

It may be how things go, but that really doesn't mean it should be how things go. Pointing to the poor behavior of others in no sense justifies your own, or that of a site claiming to represent a particular team. As usual, there are 2 sides to this story, and as usual some of both sides supporters hold to a one-eyed narrative of what happened, but to call a team " a scumbag team of thugs" based on the actions of 2 players, who are known to be clean, can have no justification. Some guys need to grow up.

Well moan it them about it not at me then.

You did describe them as thuggish, Scarlets, and I'm not shy in letting fans on other forums know how I feel. Timing can be key though. Sometimes jumping in can make things worse. Although sometimes I jump in anyway

What an absolute crock of horseplop those decisions are. Beyond farcical.

Paul O'Connell kicks Dave Kearney in the head? No citing. Duncan Williams stamp against Scarlets? No citing.

Slight contact from Luke Marshall- 5 weeks. Absolutely and totally bizarre. That should not have been a penalty never mind a card... never mind a red card... never mind a 5-week ban! They've obviously ruled its deliberate. Can't fathom that at all.

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

Chunky Norwich wrote:Nick Williams' illegal clearout has ended Aaron Shingler's season.

No citing though.

Joke league.

I've asked you before. Why are you not commenting on a similar incident later on in the game where a Scarlets player leads with the shoulder to clear out Clive Ross?

Have you got a clip, or a time of the incident on the match clock?

Nope and I can't be bothered looking for it - I remember it at the time.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

MrsP wrote:Is there some kind of a bet going on amongst some Welsh fans to see if they can mention Liam Williams on every Ulster thread?

Even when he is not playing?

It gets ever so slightly annoying, but it seems his name has to appear in any thread regarding discipline (I'm sure you remember earlier in the season it being the other way around).

But this is a new year, and it is the Scarlets/Welsh fans who continually bring him up. Move on..

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

the-goon wrote:Here is the kick.

http://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/luke-marshall-ban-five-weeks-head-kick/16208

brain dead from Luke, sadly looked delibrate. What is with Ulster these days. They have had some very harsh calls against them, but just plain dumb things like this just compound them. They are quickly getting a rep as a dirty team (justified or not), incidents like this simply don't help the cause.

I would say that they are quickly losing their tag for being a like-able side for sure.  And three bans in two games is pretty much a good justification of them getting a dirty (thuggish even) rep.

I can see you are loving this anyway, Scarlets.

Notch wrote:What an absolute crock of horsedump those decisions are. Beyond farcical.

Paul O'Connell kicks Dave Kearney in the head? No citing. Duncan Williams stamp against Scarlets? No citing.

Slight contact from Luke Marshall- 5 weeks. Absolutely and totally bizarre. That should not have been a penalty never mind a card... never mind a red card... never mind a 5-week ban! They've obviously ruled its deliberate. Can't fathom that at all.

I take it you do not agree then.

Notch wrote:What an absolute crock of horsepoop those decisions are. Beyond farcical.

Paul O'Connell kicks Dave Kearney in the head? No citing. Duncan Williams stamp against Scarlets? No citing.

Slight contact from Luke Marshall- 5 weeks. Absolutely and totally bizarre. That should not have been a penalty never mind a card... never mind a red card... never mind a 5-week ban! They've obviously ruled its deliberate. Can't fathom that at all.

It is complete madness.

LordDowlais wrote:

Notch wrote:What an absolute crock of horsedung those decisions are. Beyond farcical.

Paul O'Connell kicks Dave Kearney in the head? No citing. Duncan Williams stamp against Scarlets? No citing.

Slight contact from Luke Marshall- 5 weeks. Absolutely and totally bizarre. That should not have been a penalty never mind a card... never mind a red card... never mind a 5-week ban! They've obviously ruled its deliberate. Can't fathom that at all.

I take it you do not agree then.

I see you've been taking the opportunity to stick the boot in to not just these two players but the whole crowd at Ravenhill. I wouldn't have a lot of respect for somebody who makes sweeping generalisations, but nevertheless I'd encourage you to try and get to a game and you'll understand that the atmosphere is actually largely friendly and your comments aren't very fair.

Munchkin - three acts of foul play leading to three bans in two games. Two for striking opponents and one for driving someone headfirst into the deck, those are unarguably dirty acts, and if they were carried out in a local club game, that team would be described as thuggish. I don't mean that comment as any form of slur about Ulster, who up until recently did have a good discipline record, but it is certainly the sort of rep that the team will pick up if things are not addressed.

I too share the 'dive in and comment' then rationalise/apologise after problem

Rory, not loving it at all. The game last week was a good game, it seemed to be officiated pretty well (see my comment on the thread about Ben Whitehouse), and the better team won.

However, I do find it interesting to see some of the over the top reactions from fans (from both sides), especially the refusal to backdown and concede defeat

Ban is very harsh, but as I posted (to much derision), don't tell me that's a natural leg movement. Think he was going for the ball and missed, which is why he put his hands up straight away.

When I first looked at the clip, HG, I thought it was a natural movement to ready himself to turn, but having looked again, at a clearer clip, I agree. I think he was trying to nudge the ball out, and clipped the player by mistake.

I agree, he would have only been looking at a 10 minute ban if he'd got the ball.
He's actually landed himself the equivalent of 5,040 yellow cards. Only a few less than Dylan Hartley to date.

Standulstermen wrote:I think what Dowlias is trying to put his finger on is  an 'atmosphere' . The welsh don't have it outside the MS.

Ahem.

LordDowlais wrote:To be honest guys, and please do not take this the wrong way, when I watch Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium or Ravenhill which ever you like to call it, there always seems to be more of a football type atmosphere there, it is very vocal and very shouty(if that is even a word) perhaps that then creeps onto the pitch with the players then they feel more pressure to win, and they find the need to niggle and wind players up a bit more.

Dowlais, with respect you need to visit Kingspan to appreciate what a great place it is. Also, seeing as Ospreys are your chosen team at present, you can't complain about a football atmosphere etc, when Ospreys come out to their specially designed choir/dance music guff and have a band to try manufacture atmosphere. It's a bit hypocritical, as much I know Ospreys Ospreys and ole ole ole Ospreys are modern day rugby classics.

Thanks Rev! Great to hear that from an away supporter.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Munchkin - three acts of foul play leading to three bans in two games.  Two for striking opponents and one for driving someone headfirst into the deck, those are unarguably dirty acts, and if they were carried out in a local club game, that team would be described as thuggish.  I don't mean that comment as any form of slur about Ulster, who up until recently did have a good discipline record, but it is certainly the sort of rep that the team will pick up if things are not addressed.

I too share the 'dive in and comment' then rationalise/apologise after problem

Utter tripe. Noboby had their head driven into the ground you drama queen. Wise up

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

Notch wrote:What an absolute crock of horsepoop those decisions are. Beyond farcical.

Paul O'Connell kicks Dave Kearney in the head? No citing. Duncan Williams stamp against Scarlets? No citing.

Slight contact from Luke Marshall- 5 weeks. Absolutely and totally bizarre. That should not have been a penalty never mind a card... never mind a red card... never mind a 5-week ban! They've obviously ruled its deliberate. Can't fathom that at all.

It is complete madness.

It is totally ridiculous in terms of consistency. However the commission have obviously been told to crack down hard on any incident where a player gets tonked on the head whether it is deliberate or accidental, so that if someone gets seriously hurt they can point to the measures they were doing to discourage it. It doesn't matter that Marshall didn't mean to do anything when the powers that be have a point to make.

Notch wrote:What an absolute crock of horseplop those decisions are. Beyond farcical.

Paul O'Connell kicks Dave Kearney in the head? No citing. Duncan Williams stamp against Scarlets? No citing.

Slight contact from Luke Marshall- 5 weeks. Absolutely and totally bizarre. That should not have been a penalty never mind a card... never mind a red card... never mind a 5-week ban! They've obviously ruled its deliberate. Can't fathom that at all.

Using past misdemeanours that got off is not an excuse for your teams current misdemeanours. I tried that and was roundly told that was a different case and a different time.

Suck it up Ulster, for goodness sake....you have a dire disciplinary problem and are now in the same reputation bracket as Northampton Saints.

The Great Aukster wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

Notch wrote:What an absolute crock of horsepoop those decisions are. Beyond farcical.

Paul O'Connell kicks Dave Kearney in the head? No citing. Duncan Williams stamp against Scarlets? No citing.

Slight contact from Luke Marshall- 5 weeks. Absolutely and totally bizarre. That should not have been a penalty never mind a card... never mind a red card... never mind a 5-week ban! They've obviously ruled its deliberate. Can't fathom that at all.

It is complete madness.

It is totally ridiculous in terms of consistency. However the commission have obviously been told to crack down hard on any incident where a player gets tonked on the head whether it is deliberate or accidental, so that if someone gets seriously hurt they can point to the measures they were doing to discourage it. It doesn't matter that Marshall didn't mean to do anything when the powers that be have a point to make.

Ben Te'o was found guilty of foul play for leading with the forearm into an oppositions players face... but let off without a ban. Now make sense of that in light of the Marshall and Wilson decisions.

The rationale is that Te'os offence did not warrant a red card. The implication is that Wilson and Marshall therefore did deserve red cards. That is an appalling judgment!

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Notch wrote:What an absolute crock of horseplop those decisions are. Beyond farcical.

Paul O'Connell kicks Dave Kearney in the head? No citing. Duncan Williams stamp against Scarlets? No citing.

Slight contact from Luke Marshall- 5 weeks. Absolutely and totally bizarre. That should not have been a penalty never mind a card... never mind a red card... never mind a 5-week ban! They've obviously ruled its deliberate. Can't fathom that at all.

Using past misdemeanours that got off is not an excuse for your teams current misdemeanours. I tried that and was roundly told that was a different case and a different time.

Suck it up Ulster, for goodness sake....you have a dire disciplinary problem and are now in the same reputation bracket as Northampton Saints.

The hatred for all things Irish continues.

Lets take Stand's advice and just ignore Chunky - there is seriously no point engaging with him, or quoting his posts.

ANYHOW what are we thinking the lineup will be for Sunday?

neilthom7 wrote:ANYHOW what are we thinking the lineup will be for Sunday?

David Humphries reffing, Andy Ward and Stephen Ferris as touch judges and Stephen Watson as TMO because the Ulster cartel said so!

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Notch wrote:What an absolute crock of horseplop those decisions are. Beyond farcical.

Paul O'Connell kicks Dave Kearney in the head? No citing. Duncan Williams stamp against Scarlets? No citing.

Slight contact from Luke Marshall- 5 weeks. Absolutely and totally bizarre. That should not have been a penalty never mind a card... never mind a red card... never mind a 5-week ban! They've obviously ruled its deliberate. Can't fathom that at all.

Using past misdemeanours that got off is not an excuse for your teams current misdemeanours. I tried that and was roundly told that was a different case and a different time.

Suck it up Ulster, for goodness sake....you have a dire disciplinary problem and are now in the same reputation bracket as Northampton Saints.

I think their argument is that this process is inconsistent, rather than their players are holier than thou. Least that was the impression I got. I do agree that there is an inconsistency. I would have preferred if Teo'o was banned as what he's done (twice) seems like quite reckless play.

Pete330v2 wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Munchkin - three acts of foul play leading to three bans in two games.  Two for striking opponents and one for driving someone headfirst into the deck, those are unarguably dirty acts, and if they were carried out in a local club game, that team would be described as thuggish.  I don't mean that comment as any form of slur about Ulster, who up until recently did have a good discipline record, but it is certainly the sort of rep that the team will pick up if things are not addressed.

I too share the 'dive in and comment' then rationalise/apologise after problem

Utter tripe. Noboby had their head driven into the ground you drama queen. Wise up

So that ban was for wearing the wrong colour shirt then was it? Wise up, really, classic.

Driving someone's head into the deck?

Is that an accurate description?

Is that another of those times Spidey?

Chunky Norwich wrote:

Notch wrote:What an absolute crock of horseplop those decisions are. Beyond farcical.

Paul O'Connell kicks Dave Kearney in the head? No citing. Duncan Williams stamp against Scarlets? No citing.

Slight contact from Luke Marshall- 5 weeks. Absolutely and totally bizarre. That should not have been a penalty never mind a card... never mind a red card... never mind a 5-week ban! They've obviously ruled its deliberate. Can't fathom that at all.

Using past misdemeanours that got off is not an excuse for your teams current misdemeanours. I tried that and was roundly told that was a different case and a different time.

Suck it up Ulster, for goodness sake....you have a dire disciplinary problem and are now in the same reputation bracket as Northampton Saints.

Ok I think Chunky is trolling a little but a lot of that is probably him being defensive after being jumped on by us, what he is saying in his posts are his genuine opinions, which we should always welcome as it's always good to get insight about how fans of other teams see us, we should lay off him a bit. Obviously with that they are his opinions and I do disagree with a lot of what he says, such as the qoute above. There is no way we are in the same bracket as the Saints, our discipline issues are far more acute and have only risen their ugly head over the last few months, I put that down to lack of leadership on the pitch and lack of clear direction and authority from the coaching staff. The saints reputation has come from a more chronic discipline record over the last few years.

We are all kidding ourselves if we didn't expect a few more red cards or a few citations looking at our discipline record over the last couple of months, we have been giving away penalties for fun and it's embarrssing. Granted this ban is a bit silly in the context of the incident that occurred but if having two or potentially three players banned, for the next couple of games, gives both the players and the coaches the well earned kick up the arse they need to sort out the discipline issues then so be it.

I took some of the girls that I coach down to murrayfield last week to watch ulster vs edinburgh and it was embarrassing, one of the worst games I have ever seen. WE as a team need to sort out our issues not the citing panels. WE as a team need to stop giving them cases to review.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Munchkin - three acts of foul play leading to three bans in two games.  Two for striking opponents and one for driving someone headfirst into the deck, those are unarguably dirty acts, and if they were carried out in a local club game, that team would be described as thuggish.  I don't mean that comment as any form of slur about Ulster, who up until recently did have a good discipline record, but it is certainly the sort of rep that the team will pick up if things are not addressed.

I too share the 'dive in and comment' then rationalise/apologise after problem

Utter tripe. Noboby had their head driven into the ground you drama queen. Wise up

So that ban was for wearing the wrong colour shirt then was it?  Wise up, really, classic.

No you have just taken what happened and tried to make it out to have been something more than it was

1. No one was driving, he was tipped
2. His head was already on the ground
3. If he was driven into the ground a longer ban would have been given
4. All 3 were not attacks on opponents but parts of play that were illegal
5. Te'o was found guilty of foul play yet it was deemed not worthy of a red card
6. Its not the first time Te'os injured a player with a forearm to the head

marty2086 wrote:5. Te'o was found guilty of foul play yet it was deemed not worthy of a red card
6. Its not the first time Te'os injured a player with a forearm to the head

.

I totaly agree with this, as I have posted on the thread I have made about it, how long will he be allowed to get away with this until serious injury occurs.

LordDowlais wrote:

marty2086 wrote:5. Te'o was found guilty of foul play yet it was deemed not worthy of a red card
6. Its not the first time Te'os injured a player with a forearm to the head

.

I totaly agree with this, as I have posted on the thread I have made about it, how long will he be allowed to get away with this until serious injury occurs.

Id say a concussion is a serious injury

I find it hard to separate Norwich's comments on our foul play, which has been a massive problem, from his constant paranoiac whining about Ulster and Ireland.

These cards are obviously an issue. I think I've been fairly open and honest about that above.

However, when Norwich is hysterically giving out about refs, TMOs, the bidding process to host the final, the scheduling of games, the crowds, the Irish weather, Ulster's occult powers, the spirit world, feng shui and ley lines all unfairly benefitting Ulster, Hitler being from Cushendall and whatever other current issues he has with us, it’s impossible to take him seriously. He just deserves mocked.

Spiderman doesn’t, and Dowlais doesn’t, but it’s hard not to be defensive when they only materialise with Norwich, and when Ulster have a problem. And I don’t think our issues give people carte blanche to make up any old dross. Our disciplinary record used to be one of the best in the league, (and I’d be fairly confident will be again, when we have a bit more leadership) and McCloskey didn’t “drive” anyone into the ground. Pretty soon the chat about it will revolve around him having produced a firearm at the ruck.

Ulsters discipline hasn't been great - Williams in particular is always walking a fine line but you can't penalize someone because of their size... and there have been a few harsh calls like the McCloskey one, which is a yellow for me....and the Jared Payne sending off which is totally inconsistant with similar incidents.

Didn't see the Marshall kick...must have been bad to get 10 weeks but only 1 game for Wilson seems fair for a fairly minor incident, which was right in front of the ref.  

In the SH most of these wouldn't even be cards, the game is being rediculously sanitized in the NH.

I just realsied we jointly won the Fairplay award LAST YEAR -

"The first award of the evening, the 'SpecSavers Fair Play Award' was received on behalf of Ulster by Johann Muller. Ulster share the £10,000 cheque to put towards youth development, with Connacht, who jointly claimed the award for having the fewest yellow and red cards and citings over the 22 games played."

I think there's probably a fairly direct correlation between losing Muller's leadershpi and losing our discipline.

We also won the Fair Play award the year before!!

Risca Rev wrote:

Standulstermen wrote:I think what Dowlias is trying to put his finger on is  an 'atmosphere' . The welsh don't have it outside the MS.

Ahem.

Got me there Rev. I like Dave Parade. Reminds me of the old Ravers