Ulster 2014/2015, Part 3

by **Notch** Sun 11 Jan 2015, 2:58 pm

First topic message reminder :

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

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 06 Mar 2015, 10:52 am

marty2086 wrote:
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

I will concede points 1 and 2. Points 5 and 6 are kind of irrelevant to the Ulster situation.

And point 3 is one that is arguable. I see can see where you are coming from, and to a point I do agree. However up ending someone at a ruck, kicking someone in the face, and punching someone in the nose, are things that will earn players a bit of a reputation for being 'dirty' the same as getting banned for a rather late tackle, or a high tackle would. And a team that has had three players banned for such things will unfortunately find their own reputation tarnished too. It is one of those things that happens, even though the team used to have a very good track record with discipline. It is a bit like a team winning the League or Europe for two season, but then taking two bad loses. People will stop thinking of them as a team of champions and start to look at them as a team in turmoil.

Don, if you believe I am on here purely to wum the Ulster fans, I apologise. That is certainly not my intention, I came on to make comment pre match, and have had a look at the thread post match to see reactions etc. And seeing as people keep countering my poster, so I need to come and explain my comments etc, and seeing as most of the post I am replying to are coming across as almost paranoid that people are 'kicking Ulster when they are down', I really need to get it across that this is not the case.

by Pete330v2 Fri 06 Mar 2015, 10:56 am

Those fair play awards are exactly why these whingers and drama queens pale into insignificance. We've no need to get defensive against trolls who have no other interest than being champion WUMs on here. Mind you the "one for driving someone headfirst into the deck" comment was so laughable it makes these trolls worthwhile. As for anything chunky writes, well I think his reputation speaks volumes.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 06 Mar 2015, 11:00 am

Pete330v2 wrote:Those fair play awards are exactly why these whingers and drama queens pale into insignificance. We've no need to get defensive against trolls who have no other interest than being champion WUMs on here. Mind you the "one for driving someone headfirst into the deck" comment was so laughable it makes these trolls worthwhile. As for anything chunky writes, well I think his reputation speaks volumes.

Trolls, for a few slightly over the edge posts, which we defended afterwards. Please read my last post regarding the Fair Play awards, and if that seems like trolling too then let me know, as hand on heart it really isn't meant that way.

by Rory_Gallagher Fri 06 Mar 2015, 11:14 am

ScarletSpiderman wrote:
Pete330v2 wrote:Those fair play awards are exactly why these whingers and drama queens pale into insignificance. We've no need to get defensive against trolls who have no other interest than being champion WUMs on here. Mind you the "one for driving someone headfirst into the deck" comment was so laughable it makes these trolls worthwhile. As for anything chunky writes, well I think his reputation speaks volumes.

Trolls, for a few slightly over the edge posts, which we defended afterwards. Please read my last post regarding the Fair Play awards, and if that seems like trolling too then let me know, as hand on heart it really isn't meant that way.

Then what are your intentions, Scarlets? You don't think "dirty bar stewards", "thuggish team", "football crowd atmosphere", "Suck it up Ulster" are WUMs/insults (I know these weren't you, but you have grouped yourself with them in your comment). If you are trying to make a point, it is a pretty poor attempt. We have now got a bad reputation for our disciplinary record. We get it, we have admitted it. What else needs to be said? To me it is telling that it is a group of Scarlets/Welsh fans who have all jumped on. It seems more like a chance to jump on the "holier than thou" Ulster fans and get a bit of revenge. I may be wrong, but I don't think I am here.

As I have said before, you came across as much more reasonable before, I have no idea what has changed.

by marty2086 Fri 06 Mar 2015, 11:15 am

ScarletSpiderman wrote:
I will concede points 1 and 2. Points 5 and 6 are kind of irrelevant to the Ulster situation.

And point 3 is one that is arguable. I see can see where you are coming from, and to a point I do agree. However up ending someone at a ruck, kicking someone in the face, and punching someone in the nose, are things that will earn players a bit of a reputation for being 'dirty' the same as getting banned for a rather late tackle, or a high tackle would. And a team that has had three players banned for such things will unfortunately find their own reputation tarnished too. It is one of those things that happens, even though the team used to have a very good track record with discipline. It is a bit like a team winning the League or Europe for two season, but then taking two bad loses. People will stop thinking of them as a team of champions and start to look at them as a team in turmoil.

All 3 bans are understandable in the current climate of educating players to take more care and be more aware of their actions on the field but the the Te'o decision is relevant as for the second time, to my recollection, he's injured a player with his forearm and escaped punishment for it.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 06 Mar 2015, 11:22 am

Rory_Gallagher wrote:
ScarletSpiderman wrote:
Pete330v2 wrote:Those fair play awards are exactly why these whingers and drama queens pale into insignificance. We've no need to get defensive against trolls who have no other interest than being champion WUMs on here. Mind you the "one for driving someone headfirst into the deck" comment was so laughable it makes these trolls worthwhile. As for anything chunky writes, well I think his reputation speaks volumes.

Trolls, for a few slightly over the edge posts, which we defended afterwards. Please read my last post regarding the Fair Play awards, and if that seems like trolling too then let me know, as hand on heart it really isn't meant that way.

Then what are your intentions, Scarlets? You don't think "dirty bar stewards", "thuggish team", "football crowd atmosphere", "Suck it up Ulster" are WUMs/insults (I know these weren't you, but you have grouped yourself with them in your comment). If you are trying to make a point, it is a pretty poor attempt. We have now got a bad reputation for our disciplinary record. We get it, we have admitted it. What else needs to be said? To me it is telling that it is a group of Scarlets/Welsh fans who have all jumped on. It seems more like a chance to jump on the "holier than thou" Ulster fans and get a bit of revenge. I may be wrong, but I don't think I am here.

As I have said before, you came across as much more reasonable before, I have no idea what has changed.

Sorry if you think that is what I am doing, it is far from it. But I shall go, and leave you all to it (unless I need to try and defend my name again). Hug

by LordDowlais Fri 06 Mar 2015, 11:27 am

Rory_Gallagher wrote: It seems more like a chance to jump on the "holier than thou" Ulster fans and get a bit of revenge. I may be wrong, but I don't think I am here.

Nope, you are not wrong, the Ulster fans were acting "holier than thou" so you cannot blame the Scarlets fans for jumping on this now can you, although it does not mean they are right for doing it, but that is society, you reap what you sew, and Scarlets and Liam Williams in particular were ripped apart on here by the Ulster gang not so long ago, and now you lot find yourself having to defend your club and players just as the Scarlets fans had to, so perhaps we can all have a feel at what boths side are like, it is not very nice when you are on the defending side though is it ?

by Guest Fri 06 Mar 2015, 11:32 am

LD, I'm not sure what you mean by 'holier than thou'. What exactly is it that we are doing that creates this impression.

angel

Munchkin

by Pete330v2 Fri 06 Mar 2015, 11:33 am

As the comments are meaningless due to the trollish, peurile nature there's no need for anyone to get defensive and to that end nobody will feel what it's like as we have nothing to defend, we know our players are neither dirty nor thuggish.

by Rory_Gallagher Fri 06 Mar 2015, 11:34 am

LordDowlais wrote:
Rory_Gallagher wrote: It seems more like a chance to jump on the "holier than thou" Ulster fans and get a bit of revenge. I may be wrong, but I don't think I am here.

Nope, you are not wrong, the Ulster fans were acting "holier than thou" so you cannot blame the Scarlets fans for jumping on this now can you, although it does not mean they are right for doing it, but that is society, you reap what you sew, and Scarlets and Liam Williams in particular were ripped apart on here by the Ulster gang not so long ago, and now you lot find yourself having to defend your club and players just as the Scarlets fans had to, so perhaps we can all have a feel at what boths side are like, it is not very nice when you are on the defending side though is it ?

At least you do have the balls to admit then that this is a little chance for revenge. I thought as much. thumbsup

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 06 Mar 2015, 11:37 am

Rory - I would admit it if there was, but to be honest there is no 'revenge' tactics. If the it was not Ulster, but Connacht or Treviso (two very likable teams) that had the same issues over the last few games, I would have said exactly the same thing.

by Rory_Gallagher Fri 06 Mar 2015, 11:38 am

That is fine Scarlets, I will take your word on it. You are the exception here, though.

EDIT: and I have to give credit to Saints/Risca Rev who seem to have stuck up for us on a few things.

by MrsP Fri 06 Mar 2015, 11:41 am

Rory_Gallagher wrote:That is fine Scarlets, I will take your word on it. You are the exception here, though.

EDIT: and I have to give credit to Saints/Risca Rev who seem to have stuck up for us on a few things.

by Don Alfonso Fri 06 Mar 2015, 11:47 am

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Don, if you believe I am on here purely to wum the Ulster fans, I apologise. That is certainly not my intention, I came on to make comment pre match, and have had a look at the thread post match to see reactions etc. And seeing as people keep countering my poster, so I need to come and explain my comments etc, and seeing as most of the post I am replying to are coming across as almost paranoid that people are 'kicking Ulster when they are down', I really need to get it across that this is not the case.

No - I don't. I think you're a decent spud, and I like the Scarlets. I won't put people on ignore as a point of principle, so I get riled up by Norwich. And that means when you use language that slightly over-eggs our issues (as far as I am concerned), instead of just asking "don't you think that's a bit strong?", I get defensive and want to shout "NO YOU'RE WRONG!!!"

We clearly have an issue at the moment, and for me personally, it does sting, as I have actually taken pride in our excellent discipline records in previous seasons. That's why I am also confident, however, that it will resolve itself. It's not what our team usually is. One of the reasons Ulster fans get het up is that all punishments are comparative. And with Te'o getting off, the lack of citings for worse incidents in the Munster/Scarlets game, and Garces yellow-carding a player for worse than the Payne incident, that comparative nature feels pretty sour for Ulster fans right now. And then Norwich brings a shipping list of issues he has with Ulster and it just gets exhausting.

Norwich runs the risk of boobie-for-tat trolling. When a poster tells you your team are thugs. your crowd is too hostile, the supporters are vile, you didn't deserve to win the bid for the final, the league is corrupt and bent to benefit you - just a long list of attacks on everything to do with your club - you stop listening. If the Scarlets have a dreadful game, or get a player red-carded, or God forbid Liam Williams gives away a dodgy penalty, or the Scarlets don't qualify for the Super-Duper Euro Cup, the temptation to go and goad him - and alienate and annoy decent posters like yourself - will be too string for some to resist.

It's important to get other rugby fans' take on your teamn, and for fans to be able to compare what's happening with our different clubs. And have pints with the opposition's fans at away games. That's part of the whole draw of rugby. For most. For you and me. I have no idea what Norwich sees in the sport. But for years I thoght of the Scarlets as our slightly better Welsh equivalents - I think we're the better team now, but's it' a comparison that's ingrained. When the season started and we clawed back a draw - a 32-32 draw! - at the Parc, I thought, "there's not may fixtures could result in that! This is going to be some season". We have since imploded, of course.

I don't think you're a WUM at all, mate. It's just getting hard to have a sensible discussion about all of this.

by Standulstermen Fri 06 Mar 2015, 12:02 pm

Ulster team & replacements to play Dragons, Guinness PRO12, Kingspan Stadium, Sunday 8thMarch (16:00 kick off): (15-9): L Ludik; C Gilroy, D Cave (Captain), M Stanley, M Allen, I Humphreys, R Pienaar; (1-8): C Black, R Herring, W Herbst, D Tuohy, F Van der Merwe, I Henderson, C Ross, N Williams; Replacements (16-23): J Andrew, A Warwick, B Ross, L Stevenson, R Diack, P Marshall, S Arnold, R Scholes.

Decent looking team all things considered.

Here's hoping we can dominate the set piece. I don't know how the dragons scrum is going in truth. Good to see Stanley start and young Arnold come in on the bench. Also like the fact Doak has gone for a 12 that can pass

by **Notch** Fri 06 Mar 2015, 12:07 pm

MrsP wrote:
Rory_Gallagher wrote:That is fine Scarlets, I will take your word on it. You are the exception here, though.

EDIT: and I have to give credit to Saints/Risca Rev who seem to have stuck up for us on a few things.

by Don Alfonso Fri 06 Mar 2015, 12:09 pm

Maybe now we can look forwards!

So Arnold is on the bench - fair play. And that's actually a good pack, Ross and Williams being the weak links.

by Don Alfonso Fri 06 Mar 2015, 12:26 pm

Any sign of the Dragons team? Anyone going to start a gmatch thread? Notch?

by Pete330v2 Fri 06 Mar 2015, 1:05 pm

Notch wrote:
MrsP wrote:
Rory_Gallagher wrote:That is fine Scarlets, I will take your word on it. You are the exception here, though.

EDIT: and I have to give credit to Saints/Risca Rev who seem to have stuck up for us on a few things.

Agreed.

Anyway, not a bad looking squad and an interesting one with Stanley joining forces with Cave in the centre. It will definately be interesting to watch.
I have no clue as to how to start a match thread Sad

by The Great Aukster Fri 06 Mar 2015, 1:18 pm

Is Nelson injured? I would far rather have had Cave move to 12 with Ludik or Allen at 13 - it's a big ask for Humphreys to gel with Stanley.

Arnold had to come off last week against England and it looked as though he would be out for a while - have they dug up a secret healing spa under the new main stand?

by Don Alfonso Fri 06 Mar 2015, 1:19 pm

I pulled the finger out and started a match thread.

by Pete330v2 Fri 06 Mar 2015, 2:04 pm

Good man Don

by Standulstermen Fri 06 Mar 2015, 5:08 pm

Kieran Campbell now in charge of the academy? Good or not? Anyone have any sense of jobs for the boys or actual rewarding coaching talent?

by **Notch** Fri 06 Mar 2015, 6:21 pm

Standulstermen wrote:Kieran Campbell now in charge of the academy? Good or not? Anyone have any sense of jobs for the boys or actual rewarding coaching talent?

All I know is his tenure in charge of the Ravens has been wildly unsuccessful... fairly underwhelming to be honest!

by **Notch** Fri 06 Mar 2015, 6:26 pm

The only thing I know is that the Ravens have been wildly unsuccessful under his watch.

by Golden Fri 06 Mar 2015, 6:57 pm

Don Alfonso wrote:
ScarletSpiderman wrote:Don, if you believe I am on here purely to wum the Ulster fans, I apologise. That is certainly not my intention, I came on to make comment pre match, and have had a look at the thread post match to see reactions etc. And seeing as people keep countering my poster, so I need to come and explain my comments etc, and seeing as most of the post I am replying to are coming across as almost paranoid that people are 'kicking Ulster when they are down', I really need to get it across that this is not the case.

No - I don't. I think you're a decent spud, and I like the Scarlets. I won't put people on ignore as a point of principle, so I get riled up by Norwich. And that means when you use language that slightly over-eggs our issues (as far as I am concerned), instead of just asking "don't you think that's a bit strong?", I get defensive and want to shout "NO YOU'RE WRONG!!!"

We clearly have an issue at the moment, and for me personally, it does sting, as I have actually taken pride in our excellent discipline records in previous seasons. That's why I am also confident, however, that it will resolve itself. It's not what our team usually is. One of the reasons Ulster fans get het up is that all punishments are comparative. And with Te'o getting off, the lack of citings for worse incidents in the Munster/Scarlets game, and Garces yellow-carding a player for worse than the Payne incident, that comparative nature feels pretty sour for Ulster fans right now. And then Norwich brings a shipping list of issues he has with Ulster and it just gets exhausting.

Norwich runs the risk of boobie-for-tat trolling. When a poster tells you your team are thugs. your crowd is too hostile, the supporters are vile, you didn't deserve to win the bid for the final, the league is corrupt and bent to benefit you - just a long list of attacks on everything to do with your club - you stop listening. If the Scarlets have a dreadful game, or get a player red-carded, or God forbid Liam Williams gives away a dodgy penalty, or the Scarlets don't qualify for the Super-Duper Euro Cup, the temptation to go and goad him - and alienate and annoy decent posters like yourself - will be too string for some to resist.

It's important to get other rugby fans' take on your teamn, and for fans to be able to compare what's happening with our different clubs. And have pints with the opposition's fans at away games. That's part of the whole draw of rugby. For most. For you and me. I have no idea what Norwich sees in the sport. But for years I thoght of the Scarlets as our slightly better Welsh equivalents - I think we're the better team now, but's it' a comparison that's ingrained. When the season started and we clawed back a draw - a 32-32 draw! - at the Parc, I thought, "there's not may fixtures could result in that! This is going to be some season". We have since imploded, of course.

I don't think you're a WUM at all, mate. It's just getting hard to have a sensible discussion about all of this.

Gotta love the filtering system sometimes

by Don Alfonso Fri 06 Mar 2015, 7:13 pm

Wait - there's been someone in charge of the Ravens? I presume they just sent out a group email the day before a game to see who fancied it.

And yeah, Golden - hadn't even noticed that.

by Standulstermen Fri 06 Mar 2015, 7:31 pm

I wasn't sure if I had dreamt him being in charge of the ravens because it wasn't mentioned in the article. Jobs for the boys then. I wonder does Bryn Cunningham ever have to leave Ravenhill to re-sign players and fill all these jobs.

It's like that Simpsons episode in Oz where they run to the next field to tell the prime minister etc

by neilthom7 Fri 06 Mar 2015, 8:24 pm

Don Alfonso wrote:Wait - there's been someone in charge of the Ravens? I presume they just sent out a group email the day before a game to see who fancied it.

And yeah, Golden - hadn't even noticed that.

I think that might just be how they did it and judging by performances I'd say none of them fancied it

by The Great Aukster Fri 06 Mar 2015, 10:12 pm

The academy is a step down from the Ravens isn't it?

by neilthom7 Fri 06 Mar 2015, 10:29 pm

I don't know if it is, it's probably more important than the Ravens in the overall scheme of things. When you see the way the Ravens have performed recently it doesn't bode well but then again it is a hard job as you have drop in's from the main team, people coming back from injury and academy players who don't train with each other much and there is a possibility that the people playing aren't interested in it either

by The Great Aukster Fri 06 Mar 2015, 11:36 pm

neilthom7 wrote:I don't know if it is, it's probably more important than the Ravens in the overall scheme of things. When you see the way the Ravens have performed recently it doesn't bode well but then again it is a hard job as you have drop in's from the main team, people coming back from injury and academy players who don't train with each other much and there is a possibility that the people playing aren't interested in it either

I don't buy the "aren't interested" bit at all Neil. These are professional rugby players earning 80 - 100k to play sport. To reach that level they have to be ambitious and competitive. Each one would sell their granny to win at monopoly never mind make an impression with the coaches. The Ravens suffer because the regular rugby that a lot of the players get is at too low a level compared to Leinster and Munster - all their A team players are in the highest national league. That ensures the next tier of players are playing at a higher level and there is also more chance they are playing together. Ulster should insist that ALL academy and development players are affiliated to no more than two teams and they need to get those teams into UBL1A.

by neilthom7 Sat 07 Mar 2015, 10:20 am

AT the same time here is the last Ravens team that played v Connacht Eagles and lost
(15-9): P Nelson; R Adair, R Andrew, J Pentland, A Craig, M Heaney, C Young; (1-8): K McCall, J Andrew, D Ryan, L Stevenson (C), N McComb, S Reidy, T Boys, C Butterworth;
They also had Rhuarhi Murphy on the bench.
Theres a fair few senior teamers in that lineup but you have to ask whats the point in Andrew playing 13 or Heaney playing 10 why would you not use some of the acdemy guys in them positions instea dof playing 2 players out of position?
I mean there are not that many academy guys in that team, they should be good enough to win games and they have won exactly 1 game all season, that's not good enough.
Although having more player in the top league would also help there is more of a problem than that

by clivemcl Sat 07 Mar 2015, 10:47 am

neilthom7 wrote:AT the same time here is the last Ravens team that played v Connacht Eagles and lost
(15-9): P Nelson; R Adair, R Andrew, J Pentland, A Craig, M Heaney, C Young; (1-8): K McCall, J Andrew, D Ryan, L Stevenson (C), N McComb, S Reidy, T Boys, C Butterworth;
They also had Rhuarhi Murphy on the bench.
Theres a fair few senior teamers in that lineup but you have to ask whats the point in Andrew playing 13 or Heaney playing 10 why would you not use some of the acdemy guys in them positions instea dof playing 2 players out of position?
I mean there are not that many academy guys in that team, they should be good enough to win games and they have won exactly 1 game all season, that's not good enough.
Although having more player in the top league would also help there is more of a problem than that

O'Hagan was injured. Is there another academy 10?

by neilthom7 Sat 07 Mar 2015, 11:01 am

Arnold is a 10 I think

by Standulstermen Sat 07 Mar 2015, 11:02 am

Is there not a lad called Bingham. Didn't think Arnold was a 10 at all

by neilthom7 Sat 07 Mar 2015, 11:08 am

I could be wrong on Arnold in actual fact he is a centre according to his Ulster profile page so my bad

by Guest Sat 07 Mar 2015, 10:49 pm

All the best tomorrow lads and Mrs P. I think you'll be pretty comfortable. Though we did better in November at yours than I thought, so maybe we can give you a good go. Ulster seem to have some depth considering what you're missing.

I like Lyn saying how we beat you without a scrum last year at home, but I don't think even if we get parity in the pack that we will be able to live with your halfbacks. We shall see.

by **Notch** Sat 07 Mar 2015, 11:03 pm

Everyone knows if you want to beat Ulster it's all about the breakdown and getting over the ball (and being able to scrummage and defend our maul). The most encouraging thing I've read is that some Dragons fans don't rate your 7.

by Guest Sat 07 Mar 2015, 11:24 pm

I don't rate the starting one, I rate the young lad on the bench (Scott Matthews). Not sure why Nic Cudd isn't playing anyway, as he's our main man at 7

by clivemcl Sun 08 Mar 2015, 8:36 pm

Bit late to the party here. I had the game recorded.

Awful displays from Williams Piennaar and Humphries.

Very lucky at the end, Stevenson cleared a man out of a ruck well after the ball had gone which led to a bit of fistycuffs. But i'm not sure if that's what the TMO was trying to look at at the end? Headscratch

I have to say, if Pienaar is still demanding he start at 9, then I'm losing some love for him. Humphries has honestly had his last chance as far as I'm concerned. If Stanley has to play 12 - then we MUST play Paul Marshall.

Losing bonus point - phew! But seriously, it has felt like we don't stand a chance this past 4 weeks - but the league standings continues to defy logic!

by Guest Sun 08 Mar 2015, 8:46 pm

Thought in the ground the TMO was looking at a swing and a miss from one of ours in retaliation to something.

by **Notch** Sun 08 Mar 2015, 9:24 pm

clivemcl wrote:Losing bonus point - phew! But seriously, it has felt like we don't stand a chance this past 4 weeks - but the league standings continues to defy logic!

We'll see how those performances was in our run-in- Cardiff and Connacht, fine, but last three games are Leinster, Munster and Glasgow. That was why today was so important. And what did we do? We half-assed it.

by SecretFly Sun 08 Mar 2015, 9:46 pm

Thanks to Ulster for keeping up the good run of the weekend Wink

I thought they might ruin the potential for a GS of losses. But they held their own, hung in there and made it a whitewash.

by Guest Sun 08 Mar 2015, 10:03 pm

SecretFly wrote:Thanks to Ulster for keeping up the good run of the weekend I thought they might ruin the potential for a GS of losses. But they held their own, hung in there and made it a whitewash.

As excited as Walesonline and others are, I wish it did mean something.

by Standulstermen Sun 08 Mar 2015, 10:08 pm

In fairness I will take these 4 losses if it means we win the big one next week

by SecretFly Sun 08 Mar 2015, 10:12 pm

Standulstermen wrote:In fairness I will take these 4 losses if it means we win the big one next week

Shush. No jinxes or reading too much into them allowed.

It was a fine run by the Welsh. And a 'resignation' run for a few Provincial coaches if they sat down and really thought about it!

by Pete330v2 Mon 09 Mar 2015, 9:19 am

Yup, the only tonic after that Ulster display would be for Ireland to blow Wales away.
The end of the season can't come quick enough if that's all we have to give.

by clivemcl Mon 09 Mar 2015, 11:13 am

Pete330v2 wrote:Yup, the only tonic after that Ulster display would be for Ireland to blow Wales away.
The end of the season can't come quick enough if that's all we have to give.

But this is why it's such a strange emotional cocktail for us Ulster fans (and Munster and Leinster no doubt). We are almost disgusted by our performances and then we see the league table and can't figure out how we are supposed to feel!

Aren't we meant to be happy that we are joint second with still a fair likelihood of a top 4 finish? Erm

What if we somehow managed to win a semi and then a final with wins similar to those against Scarlets and Edinburgh? We would be happy wouldn't we? Headscratch

Would we?

It comes down to the league really - any team could win the Pro12 this year only to get royally dumped out of the Champions Cup in the group stages. The pro12 title this season is so far off being a marker of class and ability it's a joke I'm sad to say. Sorry

by LordDowlais Mon 09 Mar 2015, 11:20 am

clivemcl wrote:The pro12 title this season is so far off being a marker of class and ability it's a joke I'm sad to say.

This is what some of us have been trying to tell you for a long time. It's only now that a few losses and a few dodgy referee decisions that have gone against you for once that you are only now realising this.

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