PRO12 Play Off 1: Leinster v Ulster, 20 May

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Leinster Rugby v Ulster Rugby
Friday 20 May 2016
KO: 19:45
RDS Arena, Dublin

Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 48th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Ben Whitehouse, Sean Brickell (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU)
TMO: Jon Mason (WRU)

Live on Sky Sports/TG4 and BBC Sport NI

A. Head to Head

30 Played 30
22 Wins 6
6 Losses 22
2 Draws 2
614 Points 439

B. Form

Ulster Rugby 30 - 6 Leinster Rugby
30th April 2016

Leinster Rugby 8 - 3 Ulster Rugby
27th November 2015

Ulster Rugby 26 - 10 Leinster Rugby
24th April 2015

Leinster Rugby 24 - 11 Ulster Rugby
3rd January 2015

C. Teams

Leinster Rugby 

I Nacewa (c); D Kearney, G Ringrose, B Te'o, L Fitzgerald; J Sexton, E Reddan J McGrath, R Strauss, M Ross, D Toner, M Kearney, R Ruddock, J Murphy, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, P Dooley, T Furlong, R Molony, J Conan, L McGrath, I Madigan, Z Kirchner.

Ulster Rugby

J Payne; A Trimble, L Marshall, S McCloskey, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar; C Black, R Best (c), R Lutton, P Browne, F van der Merwe, I Henderson, C Henry, S Reidy.

Replacements: R Herring, K McCall, A Warwick, R Diack, R Wilson, P Marshall, S Olding, D Cave.

Not long to go now before Ulster are through to the final

Munchkin wrote:Not long to go now before Ulster are through to the final

Yea should be there by half time.

So what? We already won it the old way...if the old way was still the way to win it

rodders wrote:

Munchkin wrote:Not long to go now before Ulster are through to the final

Yea should be there by half time.

Well, if it is pouring down, it might stretch to the 3rd quarter.

Leinster fans will be awed by Ulsters dazzling display.

Be sure to wear your shades, Fly

rodders wrote:

thebandwagonsociety wrote:I think Ringrose reminds me of a young Trimble and that kind of irks Trimble.

You think Trimble is irked because he flattened a guy who ran into him?

The tackle has nothing to do with, neither does flattening a guy, those things happen all the time in rugby, just part of the game.
Ringrose has the build, the step, the pace and the smooth running style of a young Trimble.

...except when he meets Trimble...

Any of the local Belfast/Newtownabbey folks know of any pubs or bars that may be showing this game? Turns out I'm going to be out and about. -_-

Rory, Laverys and Errigle are showing the game and first 200 into both get a free Guiness and Laverys have a BBQ, Carrick rugby club are showing it too and have deals on in their restaurant

thebandwagonsociety wrote:

rodders wrote:

thebandwagonsociety wrote:I think Ringrose reminds me of a young Trimble and that kind of irks Trimble.

You think Trimble is irked because he flattened a guy who ran into him?

The tackle has nothing to do with, neither does flattening a guy, those things happen all the time in rugby, just part of the game.
Ringrose has the build, the step, the pace and the smooth running style of a young Trimble.

But why do you think that irks Trimble though?

It always irks an the veteran elder statesman when they see their much younger, fresher doppleganger appearing in front of them. You have the knowledge and experience but not the young body to execute the move anymore.

Mr S. Ferris wrote:Big names like Ben Te’o and Ringrose, there was a lot of smoke blown up those guys’ asses and the two Ulster centres ripped them to shreds

thebandwagonsociety wrote:It always irks an the veteran elder statesman when they see their much younger, fresher doppleganger appearing in front of them.  You have the knowledge and experience but not the young body to execute the move anymore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYUrxeFRG5o

Not bad for an auld fella

Munchkin wrote:

rodders wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

Munchkin wrote:Anyway, enough of this fighting. We're all friends here, and in the spirit of friendship I give this for us all to enjoy    



Sláinte!

Outrageous - you can clearly see Trimble giving the player an extra slam into the ground after he committed an horrific tip tackle.

How that didn't get a red card, I don't know...

You're joking right? Trimble is clearly seen lowering Ringrose, he even pauses as they go down to ensure he lands on his back  - bar putting him in the recovery position there's not much else he could do to ensure young Ringrose welfare.

Think it was a parody

Think you think right.....

marty2086 wrote:

Mr S. Ferris wrote:Big names like Ben Te’o and Ringrose, there was a lot of smoke blown up those guys’ asses and the two Ulster centres ripped them to shreds

Stevie Ferris... I bet there was some interesting chat in the Ireland camp between the players of different provinces when he was still playing. When you read Ferris and Costello there really seems to be absolutely no love lost between certain players from certain provinces.

marty2086 wrote:

thebandwagonsociety wrote:It always irks an the veteran elder statesman when they see their much younger, fresher doppleganger appearing in front of them.  You have the knowledge and experience but not the young body to execute the move anymore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYUrxeFRG5o

Not bad for an auld fella

Beautiful try.

Kenny Smith, the basketball player, had an example about how he knew it was getting close to retirement.
When he was young and would make a steal, he would look over his shoulder and the other team would be running back but he'd know by their faces that they knew they didn't have a chance of catching him.
But in his last season, he made a steal, and when he looked over his shoulder most of the other team were all in full sprint mode to catch him, they fully knew they might have a chance of catching him before he'd get to score.
Trimble is closer to the latter, they were hanging out of him by the end!!

Looking forward to this game now. I was away when the tickets came out so have to catch it on the ol box somewhere...... and here comes the rain

Notch wrote:

marty2086 wrote:

Mr S. Ferris wrote:Big names like Ben Te’o and Ringrose, there was a lot of smoke blown up those guys’ asses and the two Ulster centres ripped them to shreds

Stevie Ferris... I bet there was some interesting chat in the Ireland camp between the players of different provinces when he was still playing. When you read Ferris and Costello there really seems to be absolutely no love lost between certain players from certain provinces.

Nothing new there so. There's only four of them and we already know the legendary stand-off between Leinster and Munster players.
Don't we all remember the supposed 'let's cool down' secret meetings between Ireland internationals from some years ago.
The only Irish Province universally loved - even by itself, the vainglory basterde! - is Connacht. And of course they've gone and ruined that by getting good. If you're a side in contention, you pick up your enemies. Welcome to the club Connacht, don't expect so many air-kisses next season.

But it's all good clean fun......

Come on Ulster, really want them to win this and honestly feel they will

Bad weather suits Leinster. Ulster play the better, more expansive rugby while Leinster have a better pack. I think Leo Cullen will be happy with the weather.

Personally I feel Ulster are the more balanced side. The weather may have a slight impact on the way they play but I still feel they will beat Leinster with Paddy having another stormer.

Fortune favours the bold... good luck to both teams, here's hoping to a good game and a good result.

Nacewa gets first blood. Sexton converts from out wide.

7-0

Blimmey, Leinster have come flying out of the traps. Ulster need to regroup here and quickly.

Leinster has not thrown straight into the lineout once...

Clock running a point a minute.

10-0 after 10 minutes from a Sexton penalty kick.

Ulster throwing wild passes, missing tackles.

The minds have gone. The big game comes and the minds go. We need to buck history and regroup- fast. Of course that pressure makes it less likely.

The cliche Ulster don't know what's hit them seems appropriate.

Leinster really turning the crew and Ulster are being made to look way out of sorts by Leinster's play.

More Leinster close line pressure forces another Ulster transgression, Sexton knocks the penalty kick over.

13-0.

One more try in this half and I reckon it is game over. Ulster look like they are in shock!

Lively crowd at the RDS. 19,100 full house.

I gotta ask where has this Leinster performance been for the last few months?

Ulster starting to get into this match and Paddy is looking good. Far from over.

Ulster have finally got off the bus, could be a good game now. Luckily for them Leinster still in range.

Penalty for Ulster.

13-3. Leinster looking shaky under some sustained pressure.

Few more scores in this one.

Ulster controlled the game the last 10 minutes but need to break them down now.

McGrath will be lucky to stay out of the bin, but I have sympathy for him.

Good ruling by ref. Penalty.

Fair decision not to bin him imv. Feel like thats the kind of thing that you even get cited for these days. It's a hot issue- Alan O'Connor got banned for the same thing because the glasgow player passed out.

Smart penalty for Leinster to give away there. Still, Ulster building. We can't concede the next 10 minutes.

What a drive from Henderson

Would like to have seen Ulster choose the scrum rather than kicking that penalty.

Lovely dink by Sexton

Jackson very calm and controlled.

Sneaky by Trimble spoiling Nacewa's catch and getting a knock on.

Leinster need half time rather than Ulster.

Oh please...

Feck me its close. Looks out.

Damn!

GIVEN!

Good try by Gilroy.

Game on mofos.