Ulster team v Bath announced

[Glynncommando]

Ulster Head Coach Brian McLaughlin has named a virtually unchanged line-up, from the starting XV who gained victory at Ravenhill last weekend.Related MultimediaMultimediaSupporters Club Audio: Paddy WallaceHeineken Cup Countdown: Brian McLaughlin
The only change is in the pack, and sees Nigel Brady start as the replacement hooker, while Andy Kyriacou starts at No2.
Paddy Wallace will once again Captain the side in Rory Bests absence.

As per Heineken Cup rules the replacements bench includes a third prop.

Commenting on what he is expecting on Friday night, Ulster Coach Brian McLaughlin said: “We have got to raise our performance. You have to remember that in the Heineken Cup all of the teams are upping their game, aiming to play better and really wanting to get results. So it’s an opportunity for us to see exactly how far we have travelled.

“You look at the tournament and the teams you are coming up against and it’s obvious it’s a ferocious competition; there’s not one bad team in it. All of the games are going to be tough.

“It’s also seen as being just one step below international rugby, so Friday night is a great opportunity for our players to go out and show just how capable they are and how far they have come.

“And it’s good for us as a management team to see them play at that level; it helps us gauge how far they have progressed and where they still have to go.

“We’re very keen to show that we can play good rugby, though in doing that we also have to be aware of the quality of the opposition and the need to play accordingly.”

Ulster Team

(1-8) Tom Court, Andy Kyriacou, Brendon Botha, Ed O’Donoghue, Ryan Caldwell, Stephen Ferris, Willie Faloon, Robbie Diack

(15-9) Clinton Schifcofske, Timoci Nagusa, Darren Cave, Paddy Wallace, Andrew Trimble, Ian Humphreys, Isaac Boss.


Replacements

(16-23) Nigel Brady, Bryan Young, Declan Fitzpatrick, Neil McComb, Chris Henry, Paul Marshall, Ian Whitten, Simon Danielli

[bigchiefally]

Danielli, if fit, should be starting, he has been very good for some time for us.

Other than that it seems a fair selection.

Hope Ferris is fully fit!

[Glynncommando]

Andy K coming back in is harsh on Brady, maybe....and i would have preferred to see Danielli start...but you can't argue much, considering. Settled side, confidence high, team spirit good, home turf....only one result!!!!
GC

[Windeos]

I like the look of our squad and really we have most positions covered on the bench or by moving the team around abit in case of injury or that. That gives me a lot of confidence because no matter what we have some very good players on the bench to come and make an impact, looks like 4 internationals on our bench or am I wrong?

I wish I could get home to watch this match, hope we perform like we have been so by the time I get to all our away games in the group we will still have a good chance of getting through.

COME ON THE ULSTERMEN!!!

[Windeos]

15. Nick Abendanon, 14. Joe Maddock, 13. Matt Carraro, 12. Shontayne Hape, 11. Matt Banahan, 10. Ryan Davis, 9. Michael Claassens, 1. David Flatman, 2. Lee Mears, 3. Duncan Bell, 4. Stuart Hooper, 5. Danny Grewcock, 6. Andrew Beattie, 7. Jules Salvi, 8. Jonny Fa'amatuainu,
16. Pieter Dixon, 17. David Barnes, 18. Aaron Jarvis, 19. Peter Short, 20. Ben Skirving, 21. Scott Bemand, 22. Nicky Little, 23. Jack Cuthbert,


Looks like a surprise in the backline with Nicky Little dropping to the bench and Ryan Davis coming into the 10 slot. Anyone know anything about Ryan Davis?

I think we need to get after him and rattle his cage 1st minute

[Jackie Brown]

I think we need to get after him and rattle his cage 1st minute

Cometh the hour, cometh the Ferris

[Glynncommando]

15. Nick Abendanon, 14. Joe Maddock, 13. Matt Carraro, 12. Shontayne Hape, 11. Matt Banahan, 10. Ryan Davis, 9. Michael Claassens, 1. David Flatman, 2. Lee Mears, 3. Duncan Bell, 4. Stuart Hooper, 5. Danny Grewcock, 6. Andrew Beattie, 7. Jules Salvi, 8. Jonny Fa'amatuainu,
16. Pieter Dixon, 17. David Barnes, 18. Aaron Jarvis, 19. Peter Short, 20. Ben Skirving, 21. Scott Bemand, 22. Nicky Little, 23. Jack Cuthbert,


Looks like a surprise in the backline with Nicky Little dropping to the bench and Ryan Davis coming into the 10 slot. Anyone know anything about Ryan Davis?

I think we need to get after him and rattle his cage 1st minute

Was hoping Banahan would take a little longer to get over that knock. Thought Nicky Little had been playing well (kicking well too), tbh, surprised at that change. Abendanon is a danger in broken play and that's a strong pack...but i'm still confident. Bar Little and Skirving their bench doesn't look overly impressive. Cave and Wallace v's Carraro and Hape fills me with confidence. And i think 1F, youngF and Robbie Diack will edge it over the Bath backrow. If iHumph continues to bloom i honestly feel we can take them. Stand Up!!!!
GC

[Glynncommando]

Cometh the hour, cometh the Ferris

"Come the hour and come the Ferris,
Come the power and the glory...etc"

Could catch on..?
GC

[Ardglass2]

Ryan Davies is 23. Has played 38 times for them.

Out for 17 months - up to March 2009 through injury.
Basically James's understudy

At least thats what their website says

[bogboy]

The two trys Trimble scored against the Scarlets show the guy is in a positive frame of mind and where the product of strenght and determination as well as pace . Therefore of the two Trimble and Danielli I would pick Trimble. Defensively both a prone to errors but when Trimble actually goes for the tackle instead of playing silly B and advancing to fast and going for intercepts he is the better tackler IMO

The forwards are as expected but I can see Ferris being subed early in the second half to ensure he makes the game next week which could be won provided Ulster can keep possession and the play in the Gunners half .

[Glynncommando]

The forwards are as expected but I can see Ferris being subed early in the second half to ensure he makes the game next week which could be won provided Ulster can keep possession and the play in the Gunners half .

Take your point re Embra match - but would much prefer 1F stays on to help us win THIS match. THIS game is winnable - no doubt in my mind. One game at a time. No point considering team selection for next weekend until final whistle Friday night.
GC

[Red Hand Hero]

Noted on the QuinsVBath game Salvi has been getting the wrong side of the refs since he has arrived in GB, long may that continue. Abendanon is a real class act, Banahan and Maddock are good but also have their weaknesses IMO though will not be surprised to see a lot of cross kicking to Banahan. Pack should edge them and the backs are, IMO more than capable of causing them a few problems.

[Rooster]

And i think 1F, youngF and Robbie Diack will edge it over the Bath backrow.

I like the youngF bit GC
Should eat them for supper, meanwhile Flatman runs around with his head half way up his ar$e, and it was him that said it.

[bogboy]

I think Henry has improved this year to the point that bring him on for Ferris might be better than trying to get 80 mins from Ferris if he is not 100% and truth is he took a knock on the knee and was a bit ginger going off last week . I was actually surprised he hadn't been subed earlier.

[WhiteKnightoftheWeld]

Ferris ...
was a bit ginger going off last week

that's what happens when you don't leave your sun-in long enough!