Pro 14 Semi Final: Edinburgh vs Ulster, 5 September 2020

Edinburgh vs Ulster
19:35
Saturday 5 September
BT Murrayfield

Ref: Frank Murphy (IRFU)
Assistants: Mike Adamson and Sam Grove-White (SRU)

Edinburgh

Sutherland - McInally - Nel (Schoeman - Willemse - Berghan)
Toolis - Gilchrist (Davidson)
Bradbury - Mata - Watson (Ritchie)

Groom - VDW (Shiel - Chamberlain)
Dean - Bennett (Taylor)
VDM - Kinghorn - Graham

Ulster

O'Sullivan - Herring - O'Toole (McGrath - Andrew - Moore)
A O'Connor - Carter (Treadwell)
Matthew Rea - Coetzee - Murphy (Reidy)

Cooney - Burns (Mathewson - Madigan)
McCloskey - Hume
Lyttle - Stockdale - Ludik (Lowry)

Well regardless of what Cockers says we're favourites here. Every bookies has Edinburgh as odds on favourites and we have pretty much a full strength team, verses a depleted Ulster.

It's time to deliver!

I don't think this will be a classic and that will suit Edinburgh fine - they'll play to win at all costs.

That is a strong looking team for Edinburgh and a lot of firepower off the bench, there really is nothing between their starting and reserve front rows and a player as good as Ritchie to come off the bench.

Not quite so strong in the reserve backs, though Shiel can do some damage against a tiring defence. I would not expect to see to much of them though, baring injuries.

Still it is a cup semi, so it will never be straightforward. It seems to be in Edinburgh's hands though.

I actually expected the Ulster team to be a bit weaker - very decent front row replacements with McGrath and Moore to come on and match up Edinburghs reserves, and i had forgotten they had Sam Carter in the row. Coetzee will be a threat at 8. The backline still has Cooney, McCloskey and Stockdale so the spine of a decent outfit there.

Still, Edinburgh are rightly favourites and i hope/expect them to win this one.

Probably give Edinburgh the advantage in the front row and back three, Ulster in the half backs. The back five of the pack and the centres is too tight to call.

Ulster have passed Stockdale, Murphy, Reidy and McCloskey fit among the questionables. Without Stockdale and McCloskey, the back division would be a problem outside the half backs. The back row shorn of Murphy and Reidy would be lacking quality beyond Coetzee.

Irish times said 6 point advantage to Edinburgh and that is probably not far off. Ulster have the quality to win this, but Edinburgh at home should have enough

Well I'll be sitting on my chaise longue wearing the latest Kath Kidson rugby watching ensemble along with my Jimmy Choo slingbacks, sipping a Limoncello and prosecco cocktail.  

Just in case any of the Red Hand gang are confused...that means I'll be acting like a typical Luvvie for the duration.

I can't see past the Luvvies for this one. Their pack is very good; although Toolis and Mbawza may be lacking match fitness.

This year could be the Perfumed Ones best chance of being the second (best) Scottish side to win the title. Lets hope they don't choke.

Good selections from Cockers. With Nel and Sutherland he's starting with the better scrummagers (Schoe had a tough outing against Fagerson), and i like Bradbury starting this one with Ritchie off the bench.

I agree that Edinburgh ought to be favourites here. It'll be a scrap but I like our impact off the bench.

If we'd our full contingent, I'd have been confident, but three of the four players we are missing are in fairly critical positions. Very pleased to see our faith in youth continue, but think we're a season away from being able to do it. If Munster somehow win tonight, Edinburgh have a decent shot at the title.

Let's see, though. All to play for.

I think Edinburgh's front five will deny Ulster the time they need to put multiple phases together. Ulster also look a few weeks short of being match fit, compared to Leinster and Connacht. Even Stockdale looks a little heavy legged compared with his usual shape. Apparently the lock down restrictions in the north were more restrictive than those imposed on the republic based teams. Marty Moore for instance, although lying fairly low in the water at his fittest, looks like he may currently be holed below the water line!
Undoubtedly Ulster will chuck everything at Embro but after 60 minutes they may struggle to stay in the game. Edinburgh by 8.

Well hopefully this game is better than the first semi!

Whoever wins though it's odds on to be the same result in the final - Leinster grinding their way to victory.

As we approach the Lions tour these are the games that need to go well to increase credibility. So I just really hope Edinburgh show no complacency and embrace the favourites tag. I think they will, it could be a thriller!

RDW wrote:Well hopefully this game is better than the first semi!

Whoever wins though it's odds on to be the same result in the final - Leinster grinding their way to victory.

I'm not so sure. They managed against Glasgow last year because they simply didn't have the grunt to deal with the Leinster machine. Edinburgh do. If they make it to the final I think Edinburgh could still win it, albeit as slight underdogs.

The same is true for Ulster against Edinburgh though, so they can't show any complacency tonight!

Mon the knitwear models.

NeilyBroon wrote:

RDW wrote:Well hopefully this game is better than the first semi!

Whoever wins though it's odds on to be the same result in the final - Leinster grinding their way to victory.

I'm not so sure. They managed against Glasgow last year because they simply didn't have the grunt to deal with the Leinster machine. Edinburgh do. If they make it to the final I think Edinburgh could still win it, albeit as slight underdogs.

The same is true for Ulster against Edinburgh though, so they can't show any complacency tonight!

Bit optimistic given Leinster are unbeaten all season and have won something like 9 of the last 11 championships, and Edinburgh have never won anything!

My only hope (if we get through Ulster) is Leinster have one eye on Sarries the week after.

RDW wrote:

NeilyBroon wrote:

RDW wrote:Well hopefully this game is better than the first semi!

Whoever wins though it's odds on to be the same result in the final - Leinster grinding their way to victory.

I'm not so sure. They managed against Glasgow last year because they simply didn't have the grunt to deal with the Leinster machine. Edinburgh do. If they make it to the final I think Edinburgh could still win it, albeit as slight underdogs.

The same is true for Ulster against Edinburgh though, so they can't show any complacency tonight!

Bit optimistic given Leinster are unbeaten all season and have won something like 9 of the last 11 championships, and Edinburgh have never won anything!

My only hope (if we get through Ulster) is Leinster have one eye on Sarries the week after.

True but there's been a long season break so that changes the odds a bit imo. Cockers has been doing a good job bringing Edinburgh back up to scratch. As Glasgow prove being the top of the tournament doesn't always equal a final win.

Best of luck to the Perfumed Ones tonight.

Great game so far despite the low scoreline. Graham’s tackle and turnover on stockdale was incredible. He’s such a special player. DVDM looks very dangerous so far

Am i the only one watching?

I think Edinburgh look the better side but the scoreline is too close for comfort. That is credit to Ulster's defence which has been very good. It's a shame Edinburgh couldn't score at the end there but it just goes to show how tough this game was going to be.

Edinburgh need a little bit more quick ball probably but they're not doing much wrong. A few cheap penalties hindered them at times as well.

Also, I think Edinburgh have a very deep attacking line. After watching Super Rugby Aotearoa for past few months it is a very different style to every side in that comp. The deep attacking line seems to end up with Edinburgh finding themselves back where they started at times which forces them to eventually concede and kick the ball. Against the weaker sides it works but I think against the top sides it is actually not very good.

Edinburgh are clearly the better team but three times the final scoring pass has not been delivered. Hope it doesn’t cost them. From the way the lineout has been working, I would play to the corners and pressure Ulster from there. Both Edinburgh wings are on fire tonight so they should both get on the scoresheet at some point if they get the ball inside the danger zone

Would say that most of the pack have been stopped behind the gain line barring, surprisingly, Gilchrist.

Kinghorn drives me mad at times. Always makes silly mistakes

Edinburgh getting sucked into the way Ulster want to play

YASSSSSS!!!

What a run and offload by Watson!!

Sounds like a decent game this, looking forward to watching it tomorrow

Watson has been brilliant as usual. Would have been a score for VDM had Kinghorn passed the ball earlier

Ulster still alive and kicking. Edinburgh have to be careful

Kinghorn would do well to pass once in a while...

Hope they don’t rue their missed opportunities. They are going to get a yellow for persistent lying over the ball

Lot of stupid penalties aye. They could end up snatching defeat from the jaws of victory

Jesus christ! I'm a nervous wreck haha

Edinburgh really should have put this to bed before half time. They are looking pretty ragged now. Ulster coming on strong.

Bum. Time. Squeaky

How is this happening!?!

Well that's it I think. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Feckin feck

I can't believe it, how the hell did Edinburgh blow that lead???

Well. I blame Glasgow fans for cheering on ulster

That's the most Scottish performance I think I've ever seen, even over the Wales game of 2010.

Speechless.

Well done Ulster, well deserved though.

Brilliant game.   Hard luck Edinburgh but bloody well done Ulster that is some comeback.  Fair play to Mads for getting those last two kicks.

He's gonna love playing against his old club in the final.

Wow - what a knockout match.

Yeah credit to Ulster, they had their tails up and Edinburgh responded but they didn't give up. They made no errors from there on in and Edinburgh just couldn't respond to their faster game plan. I think this says a lot, Edinburgh are lacking that high class attacking platform to win big games like this. A lot for Cockerill to ponder now.

bsando wrote:Yeah credit to Ulster, they had their tails up and Edinburgh responded but they didn't give up. They made no errors from there on in and Edinburgh just couldn't respond to their faster game plan. I think this says a lot, Edinburgh are lacking that high class attacking platform to win big games like this. A lot for Cockerill to ponder now.

They do have a handicap in that they've had Hodge coaching their backs for the last 100 years.

I think cockers will be apoplectic. This was probably Edinburgh's best shot and they minced it up so badly that it'll probably ruin their next season.

Cockers is going to be Ragin. Threw that away. Very Luvvie of them.

Need to use that disappointment/ anger for next season in a few weeks.

Feel for the players but they just were not clinical enough when the opportunities arose.

Absolute shocker. Edinburgh completely lost it in the second half. No game management, no brains. Thought Ulster were full of heart so big credit to them (and good luck against Leinster).

Time for Hodge to step down and coach at a more appropriate level. There must be an U12s side somewhere in need of a coach.

Buggeration. Cockers is not going to be happy

Heuer27 wrote:Cockers is going to be Ragin. Threw that away. Very Luvvie of them.

Need to use that disappointment/ anger for next season in a few weeks.

Feel for the players but they just were not clinical enough when the opportunities arose.

They were clinical enough to win, they just threw the game away through silly penalties and poor game management. The last 10 minutes they shouldn't have kicked so much. I think Groom, good player though he is, made some very poor kicking decisions in the last quarter.

Edinburgh will learn from this. I feel for the players, especially Willemse, he was very unlucky and will be kicking himself.

Oh well, Bordeaux-Begles next! Really want to see them redeem themselves and put in a full performance.

Can we blame hodge for this one?

We scored tries. We just folded defensively when ulster increased the tempo.

What a brain fart to end the game. The ref had to pause the game to double check that something so stupid actually happened.