Glasgow Warriors v Ulster Rugby, 23 September

by **George Carlin** Mon 19 Sep 2016, 2:58 pm

Glasgow Warriors v Ulster Rugby, 23 September Ulster10

Glasgow Warriors v Ulster Rugby
Friday 23 September 2016
KO 19:35
Scotstoun Stadium

Live on BBC NI

Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 51st competition game)
Assistant Referees: Sean Brickell (WRU), Cammy Rudkin (SRU)
Citing Commissioner: Douglas Hunter (SRU)
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)

A. Head to Head

29 Played 29
14 Wins 14
14 Losses 14
1 Draws 1
545 Points 541

B. Form

25 March 2016
Glasgow Warriors 27-17 Ulster Rugby

12 February 2016
Ulster Rugby 13 - 10 Glasgow Warriors

22 May 2015
Glasgow Warriors 16 - 14 Ulster Rugby

16 May 2015
Glasgow Warriors 32 - 10 Ulster Rugby

C. Teams

Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors v Ulster Rugby, 23 September Stanle10

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Ulster Rugby

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by funnyExiledScot Mon 19 Sep 2016, 3:07 pm

Remarkable head to head statics!

I think Ulster to win, principally down to the Weegies all falling apart.

by jimbopip Mon 19 Sep 2016, 6:20 pm

I think we may well see a Glasgow pack of :
1)Shrek
2) An(other) ex-All Black
3) Zander Ragnar
4) The Cap'n
5) Oscar
6) Big Bad Bob
7) Wynn
8) Shooie Uknow-eh?

No matter how you shuffle it we still don't have: Fozzie, Simone, Batman, Bluto or young Arthur Ashe. So, the obvious thing would be to accept that Harley is an excellent 6 and is probably just, but only just, ahead of young Bru as a 7 so should stay at 6. Young Wynn looks like a Hamish Watson type 7, so leave him there. Which is where the Tombola may surprise us. We do lack a ball carrying presence in the back row; Shooie may be dynamic but we don't know yet. However with him and the two second rows I've gone for we won't be getting pushed around if we decide to keep it tight. Just in case Shooie doesn't blast holes in the Ulstermen's defence every time he gets the ball let's have Fagerson The Younger on the bench. He was 24th man at Caahdiff and the whisper from Scotstoun is that he could be another
angel

.
I also have a sneaky suspicion we may see D'Justice on the bench for his carrying.

I realise that even the Tombola may not be as foolish as I seem to be so here's a sensible prediction; we won't be seeing the Pukekohe Kid on Friday night. picard

by **George Carlin** Tue 20 Sep 2016, 7:17 am

Cannot believe we are light on loose forwards at this stage of the season.

Our backline is potentially amazing:

09 Pyrgos
10 Russell
11 Sarto
12 Horne/Johnson
13 Dunbar
14 Seymour
15 Hogg

but we need the ball first and I think we will get nailed at the breakdown.

by **RDW** Tue 20 Sep 2016, 7:36 am

George Carlin wrote:Cannot believe we are light on loose forwards at this stage of the season.

Our backline is potentially amazing:

09 Pyrgos
10 Russell
11 Sarto
12 Horne/Johnson
13 Dunbar
14 Seymour
15 Hogg

but we need the ball first and I think we will get nailed at the breakdown.

Wait until you see the Ulster backline...the two best in the league if both teams pick first choice.

by Rory_Gallagher Tue 20 Sep 2016, 8:41 am

I think we are going to be missing a good few players in the backline for this match. It is almost a 100% certainty that McCloskey and Marshall will be unavailable.

We are still without Bowe and Payne also. Is Trimble available yet?

by Pete330v2 Tue 20 Sep 2016, 9:20 am

we should be getting another small injection of internationals this week so hopefully Trimbs will make a return. Losing McCloskey and Marshall for this is a kick in the teeth but we do have a glut of centres including our very brilliant Charlie Piutau who played well there for Wasps last season. If we could get Payne back I'd say we're more than covered in the backline but I've heard no word on possible returns. We will need something, playing away to Glasgow is a step up and a half to anything we've done in the first 3 games.

by Don Alfonso Tue 20 Sep 2016, 12:44 pm

INJURY UPDATE:

Craig Gilroy sustained a great toe muscle injury in the 19-8 victory over Scarlets last Friday. He is expected to return to play in 1-2 weeks.

Luke Marshall suffered a concussive injury in the same game. He will not play against Glasgow but will continue to be assessed this week and will follow the return to play guidelines.

Kyle McCall suffered a side abdominal injury in training last week and is doubtful for this weekend's game.

Jacob Stockdale suffered a great toe injury in away victory over Treviso on 10th September, and is estimated to return to play in 2 weeks.

Paul Marshall has reintegrated into full team training following the rib injury he picked up in the opening round win over Dragons.

Dave Shanahan has also returned to full training following the sternoclavicular joint injury he sustained against Northampton.

Andrew Trimble's expected return to action has been delayed for a further week due to a slight foot injury.

Jonny Simpson suffered a high ankle sprain in the pre-season fixture against Exeter and should be available for selection within the next 2-3 weeks.

Chris Henry and Wiehahn Herbst are both rehabbing well following shoulder and groin surgeries respectively. Both are expected to return to play within the next 6 weeks.

Ricky Lutton and Johnny Murphy are currently unavailable due to groin injuries but should return to play within 2-3 weeks.

Both Dan Tuohy and Tommy Bowe are entering end stage rehab following respective right ankle and right knee injuries. It is hoped that both should soon be available for selection.

Peter Nelson continues to progress his rehab following surgery on his left mid foot injury (suffered December 2015 v Edinburgh). As yet, no return to play date has been set.

Marcell Coetzee continues to rehab following successful knee surgery. He is expected to make his Ulster debut in January 2017.

by Don Alfonso Tue 20 Sep 2016, 12:46 pm

No mention of McCloskey being unavailable or Payne.

If we get Best back and Hendo starts, the pack will be improved, anyway.

by **RDW** Tue 20 Sep 2016, 12:48 pm

Another Luke Marshall concussion isn't great news.

by Don Alfonso Tue 20 Sep 2016, 12:55 pm

No, it's not. I fear that just as he starts to assert himself, at club and international level, the warning bells are getting unmistakable.

by **BigGee** Tue 20 Sep 2016, 1:53 pm

Ulster look like they have stacked up some injuries as well, so this is heading back towards being another close game (they usually are!)

Could be a case of last man standing!

by Hazel Sapling Tue 20 Sep 2016, 2:36 pm

Judging by that would Ulster have something like below? If so, I have little sympathy
9) Pienaar
10) Jackson
11) Lyttle
12) McCloskey
13) Payne
14) Piutau
15) Olding

by Pete330v2 Tue 20 Sep 2016, 3:15 pm

Hazel Sapling wrote:Judging by that would Ulster have something like below? If so, I have little sympathy
9) Pienaar
10) Jackson
11) Lyttle
12) McCloskey
13) Payne
14) Piutau
15) Olding

There's no McCloskey Hazel but we do have ample cover in the backline. We do not want to be relying on ample cover mind you, that tends to run out very quickly for us.

by Guest Tue 20 Sep 2016, 3:18 pm

Hazel Sapling wrote:Judging by that would Ulster have something like below? If so, I have little sympathy
9) Pienaar
10) Jackson
11) Lyttle
12) McCloskey
13) Payne
14) Piutau
15) Olding

It's close:

15) Piutau

14) Lyttle

13) Olding

12) McCloskey

11) Ludik

10) Jackson

9 ) Pienaar

Stockdale might fit in there, and if McCloskey hasn't recovered (Ulster Rugby didn't mention injury so a possible) we can bring Cave in. We could also play Piutau in the centre with Ludik at FB. Don't think we will see Payne.

by **George Carlin** Tue 20 Sep 2016, 3:44 pm

Munchkin wrote:
Hazel Sapling wrote:Judging by that would Ulster have something like below? If so, I have little sympathy
9) Pienaar
10) Jackson
11) Lyttle
12) McCloskey
13) Payne
14) Piutau
15) Olding

It's close:

15) Piutau

14) Lyttle

13) Olding

12) McCloskey

11) Ludik

10) Jackson

9 ) Pienaar

Stockdale might fit in there, and if McCloskey hasn't recovered (Ulster Rugby didn't mention injury so a possible) we can bring Cave in. We could also play Piutau in the centre with Ludik at FB. Don't think we will see Payne.

You're still only getting a microscopic violin playing for that 'weakened' backline.

It doesn't look very bloody weak from where I'm standing.

by Don Alfonso Tue 20 Sep 2016, 3:51 pm

Munchkin wrote:
Hazel Sapling wrote:Judging by that would Ulster have something like below? If so, I have little sympathy
9) Pienaar
10) Jackson
11) Lyttle
12) McCloskey
13) Payne
14) Piutau
15) Olding

It's close:

15) Piutau

14) Lyttle

13) Olding

12) McCloskey

11) Ludik

10) Jackson

9 ) Pienaar

Stockdale might fit in there, and if McCloskey hasn't recovered (Ulster Rugby didn't mention injury so a possible) we can bring Cave in. We could also play Piutau in the centre with Ludik at FB. Don't think we will see Payne.

That's what I'd go with. Stockdale injured, so Cave on the bench. For all our monopolising of Irish backs talent, we don't have a lot of wriggle room.

Unavailable backline - 10) Nelson, 11) Bowe 12) Marshall 13) Payne 14) Trimble 15) Gilroy

by Hazel Sapling Tue 20 Sep 2016, 4:33 pm

Is Ludik available? I did not see which side Lyttle preferred so guessed.

McCloskey is the lynchpin if he is healthy. Cave at 13 with Olding at 12 is not bad though; it will be interesting to see who the subs are.

Think Glasgow should be near full strength in the backs. We have a bit of a problem in the back row in that there is only 1 senior player healthy and he has played 3 full games on the trot. Hopefully means a good game of expansive rugby as neither teams wants to keep it in the backs

by **Notch** Tue 20 Sep 2016, 6:53 pm

It's very concerning that Gilroy is out- he was excellent the last day, and Lyttle might be exposed as Glasgow will make us make a lot of hard decisions in the wide channels. As much as you might look at the rest of the back line and say what are you moaning about, if this game is as tight as many of the games we've had lately have been it could make the difference. Then I wonder who will cover the back three from the bench. Maybe they'll just have Herron and Cave.

by Guest Tue 20 Sep 2016, 7:28 pm

George Carlin wrote:
Munchkin wrote:
Hazel Sapling wrote:Judging by that would Ulster have something like below? If so, I have little sympathy
9) Pienaar
10) Jackson
11) Lyttle
12) McCloskey
13) Payne
14) Piutau
15) Olding

It's close:

15) Piutau

14) Lyttle

13) Olding

12) McCloskey

11) Ludik

10) Jackson

9 ) Pienaar

Stockdale might fit in there, and if McCloskey hasn't recovered (Ulster Rugby didn't mention injury so a possible) we can bring Cave in. We could also play Piutau in the centre with Ludik at FB. Don't think we will see Payne.
You're still only getting a microscopic violin playing for that 'weakened' backline.

It doesn't look very bloody weak from where I'm standing.

S0 that would be a Lyttle violin Smile

by **George Carlin** Tue 20 Sep 2016, 7:30 pm

Munchkin wrote:
George Carlin wrote:
Munchkin wrote:
Hazel Sapling wrote:Judging by that would Ulster have something like below? If so, I have little sympathy
9) Pienaar
10) Jackson
11) Lyttle
12) McCloskey
13) Payne
14) Piutau
15) Olding

It's close:

15) Piutau

14) Lyttle

13) Olding

12) McCloskey

11) Ludik

10) Jackson

9 ) Pienaar

Stockdale might fit in there, and if McCloskey hasn't recovered (Ulster Rugby didn't mention injury so a possible) we can bring Cave in. We could also play Piutau in the centre with Ludik at FB. Don't think we will see Payne.
You're still only getting a microscopic violin playing for that 'weakened' backline.

It doesn't look very bloody weak from where I'm standing.

S0 that would be a Lyttle violin

by Guest Tue 20 Sep 2016, 7:31 pm

Don Alfonso wrote:
Munchkin wrote:
Hazel Sapling wrote:Judging by that would Ulster have something like below? If so, I have little sympathy
9) Pienaar
10) Jackson
11) Lyttle
12) McCloskey
13) Payne
14) Piutau
15) Olding

It's close:

15) Piutau

14) Lyttle

13) Olding

12) McCloskey

11) Ludik

10) Jackson

9 ) Pienaar

Stockdale might fit in there, and if McCloskey hasn't recovered (Ulster Rugby didn't mention injury so a possible) we can bring Cave in. We could also play Piutau in the centre with Ludik at FB. Don't think we will see Payne.

That's what I'd go with. Stockdale injured, so Cave on the bench. For all our monopolising of Irish backs talent, we don't have a lot of wriggle room.

Unavailable backline - 10) Nelson, 11) Bowe 12) Marshall 13) Payne 14) Trimble 15) Gilroy

Apparently Payne is available, but would think he comes off the bench for this one, if he is.

Hopefully no more injuries in this game or what little wriggle room we have will disappear.

by Guest Tue 20 Sep 2016, 7:39 pm

Hazel Sapling wrote:Is Ludik available? I did not see which side Lyttle preferred so guessed.

McCloskey is the lynchpin if he is healthy. Cave at 13 with Olding at 12 is not bad though; it will be interesting to see who the subs are.

Think Glasgow should be near full strength in the backs. We have a bit of a problem in the back row in that there is only 1 senior player healthy and he has played 3 full games on the trot. Hopefully means a good game of expansive rugby as neither teams wants to keep it in the backs

Ludik played last week, and don't think he has any injury concerns. If he does I will cry.

Yes, I've been reading that Glasgow are short in the backrow. Really disappointing.

Very Happy

by Don Alfonso Tue 20 Sep 2016, 8:21 pm

Wonder if our new Georgian will play at TH?

Unless he's a great player who will add a lot, I'd rather give Kane more gametime.

by Guest Wed 21 Sep 2016, 11:51 am

Don Alfonso wrote:Wonder if our new Georgian will play at TH?

Unless he's a great player who will add a lot, I'd rather give Kane more gametime.

I see Anton did an interview for Ulster Rugby. Seems a decent sort.

Anton is only going to be with us three months, so think he should only be a break-glass option. I think Ah You and Kane have made a good start to the season. Ah You has surprised me a bit, and Kane is a really good prospect at the age of 21. Would like to see Ah You start, with Kane on the bench.

by carpet baboon Wed 21 Sep 2016, 2:09 pm

Is it just me or does Ah You look like he's a little slimmer this season?

by Pete330v2 Wed 21 Sep 2016, 2:34 pm

carpet baboon wrote:Is it just me or does Ah You look like he's a little slimmer this season?

I thought so too. I wonder how his first Ulster pre-season compared to what he'd experienced at Connacht. I know the Ulster fitness regime is notoriously grueling and our squad's fitness is one of the best but I'd love to hear a personal comparison from him. He seems to be quite a character too from any of the interviews I've seen.

by **George Carlin** Thu 22 Sep 2016, 11:09 am

Wenzateemsoot?

by **BigGee** Thu 22 Sep 2016, 11:11 am

Peter Horne fractured his hand against Cardiff last weekend and is now out for 6 weeks.

With Finn just about back, not the worst possible news I guess, but it will stretch us further than we like during the AIs. WE might be seeing that other kiwi guy at least on the bench at that time.

by funnyExiledScot Thu 22 Sep 2016, 11:32 am

BigGee wrote:Peter Horne fractured his hand against Cardiff last weekend and is now out for 6 weeks.

6 weeks for a fractured hand?? That's a bit lame. Pretty sure Du Preez would take an aspirin for that and carry on.

by Pete330v2 Thu 22 Sep 2016, 11:43 am

Just watching Ulster's captain's run at the moment. I see the Bangor Bulldozer looking fit and well. Looks like Besty and Payne in there too. Kane has a good turn of pace and just scored Smile

by Hazel Sapling Thu 22 Sep 2016, 11:51 am

Glasgow Warriors team to play Ulster at Scotstoun Stadium, Friday 23 September (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on BBC Two Scotland:
15. Stuart Hogg
14. Leonardo Sarto
13. Mark Bennett
12. Alex Dunbar
11. Tommy Seymour
10. Finn Russell
9. Henry Pyrgos (Co-Captain)

1. Gordon Reid
2. Fraser Brown
3. Zander Fagerson
4. Greg Peterson
5. Jonny Gray (Co-Captain)
6. Tjiuee Uanivi
7. Lewis Wynne*
8. Ryan Wilson

Replacements

16. Pat MacArthur
17. Alex Allan
18. Sila Puafisi
19. Sam Thomson*
20. Matt Fagerson*
21. Ali Price
22. Nick Grigg
23. Rory Hughes

Not available due to injury: Adam Ashe (hip / foot), Scott Cummings (shoulder), Simone Favaro (shoulder), Jarrod Firth (knee), Chris Fusaro (knees), Ryan Grant (back), Rob Harley (knee), Peter Horne (hand), D’arcy Rae (back), Josh Strauss (head), Tim Swinson (ribs) and Richie Vernon (shoulder).

* BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 3 Player

by Hazel Sapling Thu 22 Sep 2016, 11:55 am

Did not realise Rob Harley is out as well! 5 back rowers injured as well as a guy who kind of plays 6 in Swinson and a guy who used to play 8 in Vernon. Never heard of Thomson and will be interesting to see if he is ready for this level.

The backs are all first choice as are the front 5. Uanivi looks a powerful athlete and will be interesting to see how he gets on vs Henderson

by **RDW** Thu 22 Sep 2016, 11:55 am

First choice backline, makeshift backrow with 2 academy players covering lock and back row on the bench.

by Don Alfonso Thu 22 Sep 2016, 11:58 am

Just the twelve players out injured? Glasgow really should walk this at home.

by **RDW** Thu 22 Sep 2016, 12:02 pm

Worrying that Josh Strauss has yet another concussion - he has had a fair few now.

by Pete330v2 Thu 22 Sep 2016, 12:06 pm

Ulster team and replacements:

15 J Payne
14 L Ludik
13 D Cave
12 S McCloskey
11 C Piutau
10 P Jackson
9 R Pienaar

1 A Warwick
2 R Herring (captain)
3 R Ah You
4 A O'Connor
5 F van der Merwe
6 I Henderson
7 S Reidy
8 R Wilson

Replacements (16-23): R Best, C Black, R Kane, P Browne, C Ross, P Marshall, S Olding, R Lyttle.

by Hazel Sapling Thu 22 Sep 2016, 12:07 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Worrying that Josh Strauss has yet another concussion - he has had a fair few now.

Also Russell's first game back from a major concussion is a start with no clear sub at his position.

Admittedly I trust the SRU doctors as they have tended to be quite vocal and involved in assessing injuries compared to the English or French. I expect Strauss will be watched closely.

by Hazel Sapling Thu 22 Sep 2016, 12:09 pm

Pete330v2 wrote:Ulster team and replacements:

15 J Payne
14 L Ludik
13 D Cave
12 S McCloskey
11 C Piutau
10 P Jackson
9 R Pienaar

1 A Warwick
2 R Herring (captain)
3 R Ah You
4 A O'Connor
5 F van der Merwe
6 I Henderson
7 S Reidy
8 R Wilson

Replacements (16-23): R Best, C Black, R Kane, P Browne, C Ross, P Marshall, S Olding, R Lyttle.

Ulster fans complaining about injuries and how hard up they are then they put out this team boxing

by **RDW** Thu 22 Sep 2016, 12:09 pm

That's a good point - is Hogg backup 10?

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Thu 22 Sep 2016, 12:15 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:That's a good point - is Hogg backup 10?

I certainly hope so, he'll be needed there for the Lions Run

by Don Alfonso Thu 22 Sep 2016, 12:15 pm

Hazel Sapling wrote:
Pete330v2 wrote:Ulster team and replacements:

15 J Payne
14 L Ludik
13 D Cave
12 S McCloskey
11 C Piutau
10 P Jackson
9 R Pienaar

1 A Warwick
2 R Herring (captain)
3 R Ah You
4 A O'Connor
5 F van der Merwe
6 I Henderson
7 S Reidy
8 R Wilson

Replacements (16-23): R Best, C Black, R Kane, P Browne, C Ross, P Marshall, S Olding, R Lyttle.

Ulster fans complaining about injuries and how hard up they are then they put out this team

Lotta quality missing from that team.

Ross preferred to Diack, Cave to Olding at 13. Interesting. Warwick's first start at LH? And still no sign of our Georgian - although I'm happy to see Kane on the bench.

by funnyExiledScot Thu 22 Sep 2016, 12:18 pm

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:That's a good point - is Hogg backup 10?

I certainly hope so, he'll be needed there for the Lions

Don't get Risky started on that! He thought it was a good move.....

by asoreleftshoulder Thu 22 Sep 2016, 12:20 pm

So is this a sign that Payne is now staying at fullback?Great news for Ireland and frees up the centre spots for Ulster but Bowe,Timble and Gilroy will be discommoded.

by Guest Thu 22 Sep 2016, 12:22 pm

Pete330v2 wrote:Ulster team and replacements:

15 J Payne
14 L Ludik
13 D Cave
12 S McCloskey
11 C Piutau
10 P Jackson
9 R Pienaar

1 A Warwick
2 R Herring (captain)
3 R Ah You
4 A O'Connor
5 F van der Merwe
6 I Henderson
7 S Reidy
8 R Wilson

Replacements (16-23): R Best, C Black, R Kane, P Browne, C Ross, P Marshall, S Olding, R Lyttle.

That's a strong team, and really looking forward to seeing how Piutau does on the wing! Either side can win this although home advantage might see Glasgow win. They're a very good side, and we always struggle with them away. Can't help but feel a little confident though, even if it's just microscopic confident Very Happy

by **RDW** Thu 22 Sep 2016, 12:23 pm

Ulster have never won at Scotstoun...

by carpet baboon Thu 22 Sep 2016, 12:33 pm

First time for everything RDW

by Guest Thu 22 Sep 2016, 12:33 pm

asoreleftshoulder wrote:So is this a sign that Payne is now staying at fullback?Great news for Ireland and frees up the centre spots for Ulster but Bowe,Timble and Gilroy will be discommoded.

I'm happy that Ulster are playing him at fullback. Not sure if it means he will be moved to fullback for Ireland, but with Kearney on the wane, it's certainly possible. Hope so. Payne's still the best we have there for Ulster. If it wasn't one of the wings losing out, it would be one of the centres.

by Artful_Dodger Thu 22 Sep 2016, 12:37 pm

Given that we are missing Bowe, Trimble and Gilroy from our wing roster, its actually quite scary that we can still put out a back three like that. Glasgow won't be kicking at them much given all three of them are fullbacks.

It shows how important a player Piutau is going to be for us. Bare in mind that we are liable to lose Payne, 2 or 3 wingers (Bowe, Trimble, Gilroy and 2 or 3 centres (Olding, Marshall, McCloskey) to Ireland call ups. Piutau covers across the back three and a centre at a push as he played 13 for Wasps last season. He is going to be invaluable come the international windows.

by IanBru Thu 22 Sep 2016, 1:08 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Ulster have never won at Scotstoun...in the league

Afraid not, son. We lost to Ulster in the Heino at Scotstoun in 2012-13. I remember watching a young man called Nikola Matawalu, just off the plane from Suva, pluck the ball from the air in injury time and dot down in the corner to get us a losing bonus point.

I'm worried about this one, not least because I've promised Hagia Sophia a romantic anniversary weekend in Glasgow, and it all starts at sunny Scotstoun. What others say with flowers and chocolates, I say with a trip to the Main Stand and a suspiciously damp seat on the 17:35 to Helensburgh Central.

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