Heineken Cup 2013/14 Pool 5, Round 5 (Ulster v Montpellier, Treviso v Tigers)

[Big Ewis]

Pool 5, Round 5



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[Big Ewis]

The teams:

Ulster: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Robbie Diack, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Johann Muller (c), 3 John Afoa, 2 Rory Best, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Callum Black, 18 Declan Fitzpatrick, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Roger Wilson, 21 Sean Doyle, 22 Paul Marshall, 23 Michael Allen.

Montpellier: 15 Anthony Floch, 14 Yohann Artru, 13 Anthony Tuitavake, 12 Thomas Combezou, 11 Lucas Dupont, 10 Enzo Selponi, 9 Eric Escande, 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Alexandre Bias, 6 Kellen Galletier, 5 Robins Tchale Watchou, 4 Mickael Demarco, 3 Maximilliano Bustos, 2 Charles Geli (c), 1 Na'ama Leleimalefaga.
Replacements: 16 Thomas Bianchin, 17 Mikheil Nariashvili, 18 Paea Fa'anunu, 19 Mickael Ivaldi, 20 Fred Quercy, 21 Benoit Paillaugue, 22 Pierre Berard, 23 Timoci Nagusa.


Preview:
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3822_9107590,00.html

No doubt Ulster remain the only unbeaten side of the tournament. Montpellier can't win away from home with their big names, and this is a pure second string makeup.

I don't think too many are doubtful about the outcome of Treviso Tigers either...this Pool may have died out already and this Round may not be interesting at all this weekend.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

What do you mean by the pool may have died out? Ulster or Leicester could win the pool, with the decider next week potentially being one of the games of the tournament, I don't see how it has 'died out'.

Nearly full strength for Ulster, Ferris and Bowe the only 2 out that would start I think. Would have liked to see Henderson start at 6 but Diack has been in decent form I guess.

I just hope Treviso limit the Tigers to 4 points.

 

[Big Ewis]

sure I know obviously, I meant we know who the two best teams are, this Round in particular has no stakes and no unknown outcome that will really change anything.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Well any team who drops 1 point will make it a huge challenge next week

 

[Peat]

What he said. Would also have loved to have had Olding in the 23.

 

[munstermuffin]

Surprised to see big Nick straight in at 8. He looked very unfit last weekend and would've thought around 20-30mins would be his limit after the layoff. Think Best was required for these but hope he's not rushed back only to get injured again and arm is healed. Overall it's strong team but 6-2 split is interesting. (They used same last weekend but different circumstances)

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

I agree I was very surprised to see Williams and Best straight in, I don't think they are essential to winning this game tonight especially with the team Montpellier have sent over. I'm guessing Williams will come off at half time.

 

[Big Ewis]

boy, what's with the lazy posting from our members these days ?...I understand the same people who always start threads get lazy at some point or busy, but ZeFrenchy made the Saracens Toulouse (partly) thread, and that's some match on Sunday, a true shock of the ***ans with great stakes ahead and nobody's posting !
What has become...of....us ?...

 

[ratsapprentice]

It would help if Saracens had fans.

 

[Amiga500]

I agree I was very surprised to see Williams and Best straight in, I don't think they are essential to winning this game tonight especially with the team Montpellier have sent over. I'm guessing Williams will come off at half time.

Supposedly restart Roger (Wilson) is working around a broken toe.


Disagree with the selection of Rory Best. Rob Herring was playing very well and didn't deserve to be dropped. It sends all the wrong signals out for the wider squad competing for places.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Very scrappy game so far, 3-0 to Mont. Must say I'm a bit worried right now.. long time to go though.

Montpellier's line speed is seriously quick..


EDIT: Sensational cross field kick by PJ and unreal catch and strength to power over the line by Diack. Pienaar converts from touchline, 7-3.

EDIT 2: PEINAAR YOU BEAUTY. 2nd try in 2 minutes what a turn around.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

EDIT: Sensational cross field kick by PJ and unreal catch and strength to power over the line by Diack. Pienaar converts from touchline, 7-3.

Superb try. Barnes and the touch judge (he's not an assistant referee when he won't assist on decisions) should be stood down next week for having to go upstairs. Back your own judgement FFS!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Fat Ulster #8 isn't having a good game so far.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

I know really disappointing from him so far, I'd say he'll be off soon. Probably shouldn't be starting with his lack of fitness.

Lack of concentration, 14-10 now.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Superb try. Barnes and the touch judge (he's not an assistant referee when he won't assist on decisions) should be stood down next week for having to go upstairs. Back your own judgement FFS!

I think that's a little harsh - from where Barnes was (as shown on one of the TV angles) Diack could easily have been dragged in to touch.
I was more surprised at not using the TMO for Pienaar's try - in real time it looked like the kick ricocheted back off the Montpellier player but just touched the Ulster (diack) on the way to Pienaar, so it would have been a knockon.

 

[Peat]

Bitty, scrappy game from us. Looks like we'll get away with it but I hope we pick our game up after half-time.

 

[ratsapprentice]

He wasn't checking the grounding for the Diack try... just whether he was offside or not.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Just on the qualification system, if Ulster come second in the pool but end up with more points than someone who tops another pool, do Ulster go ahead of them in the 1-8 ranking?

 

[Peat]

Just on the qualification system, if Ulster come second in the pool but end up with more points than someone who tops another pool, do Ulster go ahead of them in the 1-8 ranking?

Nope.