Munster v Ulster

[TRF_Cymro]

Date: 1st January 2011
Kick Off: 19:30
Stadium: Thomond Park Stadium

Ulster have won four of their last six fixtures with Munster, and have an impressive won 3, lost 4 record in their last seven matches on Munster soil.

Munster's only defeat in their last half a dozen encounters in the Magners League was 6-20 at Newport Gwent Dragons in round nine. The Munstermen have a perfect played 8, won 8 record at home in all competitions this season.

Ulster's four game winning run in all competitions came to an end at home to Leinster on Monday. Ulster are the Magners League's second best away team having secured 16 league points from their five trips this season.

The Ulstermen have not won any of their three encounters with fellow Irish provinces this campaign.

Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU, 10th League gam
Assistant Referees: Alan Rogan, Kevin Beggs (both IRFU).
TMO: Brian Macneice (IRFU).

Live on RTE Sport and BBC Sport NI.

http://www.magnersleague.com/matchcentre/6905.php​

 

[Peat]

Thats some mighty fine stats there... very impressive.

You might have added to the last one though "And they're not going to on this occasion either"

Here's the Ulster squad

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/9326580.stm

Munster v Ulster (Sat)
MAGNERS LEAGUE
Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick Date: Saturday, 1 January 2011 Kick-off: 1930 GMT Coverage: Live on BBC TWO Northern Ireland and the BBC Sport website


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Craig Gilroy celebrates after scoring a try against Cardiff
Craig Gilroy has been left out of the Ulster squad to face Magners League leaders Munster in Limerick.

The teenage winger is an absentee for the interprovincial showdown after scoring five tries in his first three Ulster appearances.

Rory Best returns after a broken cheekbone with fellow Irish players Tom Court and Paddy Wallace also back after missing Monday's defeat by Leinster.

Andrew Trimble is out because of the Irish Player Management Programme.

Stephen Ferris remains an absentee for the Irish province.

Ulster will be aiming to bounce back after a disappointing display in the 30-13 defeat by derby rivals Leinster at Ravenhill.

The return of Best is a major boost with the Ireland hooker fit again after over a month on the sidelines.

Best suffered the injury in the 38-18 loss to New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium in November.

Ulster are expected to make a number of changes for their second game in five days.

Paul Marshall, Jamie Smith and Declan Fitzpatrick are among those in contention for a return to the starting line-up.

Munster, who edged out Connacht 16-12 in Monday derby clash in Galway, are seven points clear at the top of the table.

Ulster have slipped to sixth and 12 points adrift of their Thomond Park opponents.



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Munster: TBC

Ulster squad:

Forwards: Declan Fitzpatrick, Tom Court, Rory Best, Bryan Young, BJ Botha, Jerry Cronin, Andi Kyriacou, Tim Barker, Neil McComb, Johann Muller, Ryan Caldwell, TJ Anderson, Robbie Diack, Chris Henry, Willie Faloon, Pedrie Wannenburg.

Backs: David McIlwaine, Adam D'Arcy, Jamie Smith, Simon Danielli, Tommy Seymour, Luke Marshall, Nevin Spence, Ian Whitten, Niall O'Connor, Paul Marshall, Ruan Pienaar, Ian Porter, Paddy Jackson, Paddy Wallace.

So... no Tuohy (bummer), Ferris (****), Trimble (bugger), Gilroy (damnation) or Cave (bollocksation).

So, up front we'll do without our two most dynamic ball carriers (no Paddy McAllister on the bench either, thats a bore) and it seems certain we'll have the self-inflicted wound of not starting Faloon either. Behind, we're missing our most effective wingers and the one man who seems to bring some defensive sanity to the place. McIlwaine, Seymour, O'Connor are all not good enough.

So Munsterfolk, how would you like your bonus point presented?

On the plus side, Paddy Jackson's ascent to greatness and messiah-status has taken another step onwards. Beware lest we unleash the power of the afroed one upon you. *****es.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

It's good to see Paddy Jackson get recognised. I don't think he'll make the matchday 23 but he's clearly in Brian McLoughlin's plans now.

What will Ulster do at 9, 10 and 12? Putting O'Connor and Whitten side by side is a recipe for disaster. You can put one of them in the team if you surround them with creative players. I've a suspicion McLoughlin will go with Paul Marshall at scrum half, Pienaar at flyhalf and Whitten at 12 but I'd like to see him give Luke Marshall a start at inside centre.

 

[Peat]

Wallace is back snoopy. Regardless of where he goes it breaks up the NOC-Whitten axis of doom.

 

[munstermuffin]

Munster will leave it a while to decide as there is an Irish camp for forwards and 9's these 2 days so will see how they are

 

[MunsterMan]

9. P. Marshall
10. Pienaar
12. Wallace

Ruan and Paddy sharing the creative responsibility, excellent option IMO! Could also go 9. Pienaar 10. Walace 12. L.Marshall with all 3 sharing the creative responsibility and kicking duties. I'm interested in seeing what they do now!

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Is the training camp this week just for Forwards and scrumhalves MM?

1. W du Preez
2. D Varley
3. J Hayes
4. B Holland
5. I Nagle
6. A Quinlan
7. N Ronan
8. J Coughlan

^was the 8 that played when we won in Ravenhill in October

Ryan/POM in for Quinlan and we are sorted Hope Murray will get a start if TOL and Stringer are away too!

1. du Preez
2. Varley
3. Hayes
4. Donncha Ryan
5. Nagle
6. O'Mahony
7. Ryan
8. Coughlan
9. Murray
10. O'Gara
11. Murphy
12. Tuitupou
13. Earls
14. Howlett
15. Warwick

16. Sherry
17. Dave Ryan
18. Borlase
19. Holland
20. O'Donnell
21. Williams
22. Mafi
23. Hurley

I know a guy who is absolutely full of praise for Ivan Dineen, thinks he is the next big thing, hard to see him getting a go with two NIQ 12's here already :/ One if not both will surely leave at the end of the season?

 

[Peat]

Either of the 9-10-12 units MM suggests will suit me fine... as would that pack, we'll stand a chance then!

I doubt this Ireland camp is extending over the game itself as elsewise I doubt we'd have Court or Best available. I'm amazed we have Court available actually, his minute count has been higher than Trimble's or I'm a baboon. I'm guessing Who isn't really planning for the ball to reach the wings, because, y'know, it really puts the frighteners on Munster when you charge right into them...

****.

 

[munstermuffin]

Yes MunsterMan this camp is just forwards and scrum-halves but I think the backs have their own workout soon too.

As for the pack you mentioned against Ulster last time out - Quinlan started but well he was out of that game early with a hamstring injury and POM did a fine job when coming on.
We will have the players back from the camp but Tony may want to rest a few as we have to get a full team out next week before game in Toulon.

 

[Peat]

Is O'Connell still suspended?

 

[cyRil]

That might as well have all been in Greek!

 

[Peat]

Good news just gets better...

Rumour has it we're resting the Saffas.

And giving Anderson a go.

 

[munstermuffin]

Paulie still suspended. Flannery will see gametime after playing 40 mins for Shannon recently.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

ULSTER (15-9) Jamie Smith; Tommy Seymour, Ian Whitten, Luke Marshall, Simon Danielli; Paddy Wallace, Paul Marshall (1-8) Bryan Young, Rory Best (Captain), Declan Fitzpatrick, Tim Barker, Ryan Caldwell, TJ Anderson, Willie Faloon, Robbie Diack

Replacements (16-23) Andi Kryiacou, Tom Court, BJ Botha, Neil McComb, Chris Henry, Ian Porter, Paddy Jackson, David McIlwaine

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Munster: Scott Deasy; Doug Howlett, Keith Earls, Sam Tuitupou, Denis Hurley; Paul Warwick, Peter Stringer; Wian du Preez, Damien Varley, Peter Borlase; Ian Nagle, Mick O'Driscoll; Donnacha Ryan, Niall Ronan, Denis Leamy capt Replacements: Jerry Flannery, Darragh Hurley, Tony Buckley, Billy Holland, Tommy O'Donnell, Tomas O'Leary, Lifeimi Mafi, Barry Murphy

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Comparing the two teams, Munster should win by 15-20 points. It's great to see Ian Nagle and Luke Marshall (he had an impressive cameo versus Leinster) get chances to start in this game. Hopefully we'll see a bit of Paddy Jackson off the bench too.

 

[Conal]

if munster dont win there is something very wrong

 

[MunsterMan]

Seymour and Anderson? Strange Ulster selection.

Strongest lineout we have fielded in ages. Hopefully we will FINALLY start addressing our problems at the set piece. Good to see Nagle keeping his place, excellent player.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I wonder has Ian Nagle's form forced Donnacha Ryan to be picked in the backrow. Nagle looked a prime candidate to move to Connacht for gametime. The way things are going for him, he's getting more than enough opportunities with Munster now.

 

[MunsterMan]

It's true, it could yet be Ryan who will have to move for gametime. Nagle has yet to have a bad game for Munster, pretty sure he has picked up MoM awards against Australia and against Ulster in Ravenhill, hope he can keep it up.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Yeah, Ian Nagle looks like he'll play 10 or more games this season and the rate he's going he'll push past Mick O'Driscoll in no time. Donnacha Ryan is 27 now and needs to start regularly. Perhaps he and Ryan Caldwell should seriously consider any offer Connacht may make to them.