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Ulster v Zebre

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 9:59 pm
by ruckover
Safe to say it wasn't exactly a brilliant weekend for Irish rugby. But, hey ho, we're still top by 7 points and only one match left that really scares us (well me anyway) in Leinster. No need to hit the panic buttons just yet.

However, another home loss would put one finger on that button, especially since that loss would be against the bottom side in the league. It's Zebre at home this weekend, and it has to be a 5-pointer now after last week's disappointment.

To say Zebre are out of form would be an understatement - they haven't won a game yet, not even a friendly. However, like all teams they shouldn't be underestimated - we nearly lost away to them back in November and they gave the Scarlets a right scare at the Parc y Scarlets as well. They boast some very good players too - Daniel Halangahu and Tito Tebaldi are two solid half-backs, and ex-Munsterman David Ryan is a decent addition to their scrum. They should be getting a few players back from Six Nations duty as well.

Then again, so are we. After warming the bench down in Dublin, Chris Henry and Declan Fitzpatrick should be back for us at least off the bench, while Iain Henderson and Paddy Jackson will probably be allowed a full match. They need it too since they haven't had any competitive rugby for four weeks. Our squad is looking relatively strong for a Six Nations league match.

Injury-wise, anybody heard anything about Paddy Wallace or Ruan Pienaar? I think Luke Skymarshall should start ahead of Wallace anyway, but Pienaar is such a good player we can't afford to lose him right now. My team is based on these two being injured.

In my opinion Annett should start ahead of Herring after their performances on Friday. The former (in my opinion) was better at the line-out and I honestly think deserves a start in a strong side to see what he can do. I reckon Birch deserves another chance in the back row too, but if Henry starts then he won't. Tuohy needs a start too.

I'm also presuming Henry and Fitzpatrick will be on the bench, so my team would be:

15. R Andrew, 14. A Trimble, 13. D Cave, 12. L Marshall, 11. M Allen, 10. P Jackson, 9. P Marshall; 1. T Court, 2. N Annett, 3. J Afoa, 4. J Muller (c), 5. D Tuohy, 6. I Henderson, 7. A Birch, 8. R Diack.

16. R Herring, 17. C Black, 18. D Fitzpatrick, 19. L Stevenson, 20. C Henry, 21. M Heaney, 22. S Olding, 23. C Cochrane.

Re: Ulster v Zebre

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 10:43 pm
by Harold7
ruckover wrote:Safe to say it wasn't exactly a brilliant weekend for Irish rugby. But, hey ho, we're still top by 7 points and only one match left that really scares us (well me anyway) in Leinster. No need to hit the panic buttons just yet.

However, another home loss would put one finger on that button, especially since that loss would be against the bottom side in the league. It's Zebre at home this weekend, and it has to be a 5-pointer now after last week's disappointment.

To say Zebre are out of form would be an understatement - they haven't won a game yet, not even a friendly. However, like all teams they shouldn't be underestimated - we nearly lost away to them back in November and they gave the Scarlets a right scare at the Parc y Scarlets as well. They boast some very good players too - Daniel Halangahu and Tito Tebaldi are two solid half-backs, and ex-Munsterman David Ryan is a decent addition to their scrum. They should be getting a few players back from Six Nations duty as well.

Then again, so are we. After warming the bench down in Dublin, Chris Henry and Declan Fitzpatrick should be back for us at least off the bench, while Iain Henderson and Paddy Jackson will probably be allowed a full match. They need it too since they haven't had any competitive rugby for four weeks. Our squad is looking relatively strong for a Six Nations league match.

Injury-wise, anybody heard anything about Paddy Wallace or Ruan Pienaar? I think Luke Skymarshall should start ahead of Wallace anyway, but Pienaar is such a good player we can't afford to lose him right now. My team is based on these two being injured.

In my opinion Annett should start ahead of Herring after their performances on Friday. The former (in my opinion) was better at the line-out and I honestly think deserves a start in a strong side to see what he can do. I reckon Birch deserves another chance in the back row too, but if Henry starts then he won't. Tuohy needs a start too.

I'm also presuming Henry and Fitzpatrick will be on the bench, so my team would be:

15. R Andrew, 14. A Trimble, 13. D Cave, 12. L Marshall, 11. M Allen, 10. P Jackson, 9. P Marshall; 1. T Court, 2. N Annett, 3. J Afoa, 4. J Muller (c), 5. D Tuohy, 6. I Henderson, 7. A Birch, 8. R Diack.

16. R Herring, 17. C Black, 18. D Fitzpatrick, 19. L Stevenson, 20. C Henry, 21. M Heaney, 22. S Olding, 23. C Cochrane.
Why would Henry be on the bench? Surely if he's available he starts.

Ireland suffered a few injuries today so i wonder what impact that will have on things.

Also is Jackson injured or just being held back by Ireland? Kidney mentioned in his press conference on Friday about him being injured but I haven't seen that mentioned anywhere else.

Re: Ulster v Zebre

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 10:52 pm
by Jackie Brown
Kidders wasn't 100% sure who this Jackson fella was.

Re: Ulster v Zebre

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:04 pm
by Eggs
I've been reliably informed Jackson has an ankle injury. However even if he is fit, he may be held back for Ireland given Sexton looks to be out.

I'd like to see Olding again on friday, either at 10 or 15. Afoa and court in the front row is a must. Is Muller fit enough to start? If so great, but if any niggles then bench him. Hendo needs game time, surely Ireland will let him play.

The only other question will be Trimbo, if Zebo is out then it'll be him or Fitz, I suspect we all know what way the grinning moron will go, and we will have angry Andy Friday night!

Edit- I'm not so convinced that this will be a potential 5 pointer, a win would be enough, will be great to see how the team respond to the mess that was 2 days ago.

Re: Ulster v Zebre

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:11 pm
by Bart S
Usual form is that it's only the Ireland starting XV who are rested, with those who have been benching sent back to get some gametime, therefore I'd imagine Deccie Fitz and Henry could well both start.

If fit, I'd say PJ wil def start for Ulster this weekend given the Sexton situation.

Re: Ulster v Zebre

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:14 pm
by Boutye
If Healey gets cited, could have pissible implications for TC, maybe not this game but the followin ones??

Re: Ulster v Zebre

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:40 am
by againstthehead
Court will be on the bench for Ireland if Healy gets cited. The glasgow game is looking increasingly difficult at this stage. Need a few bodies back from injury....

Re: Ulster v Zebre

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 8:36 am
by tommyblue
A couple if weeks back I would have been all for resting our bigger guns- even the likes of the Irish boys I would have said take the week off, sadly we can't afford to do this now.

Re: Ulster v Zebre

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 10:06 am
by ruckover
With all the injuries that Ireland have, is it possible Kidney will ask for the guys that might play to be left on the bench to avoid anymore? Guys like Court, Fitz, Stevo, Hendo, Henry, Jacko and Trimble? If so it'd be a strong bench.

Re: Ulster v Zebre

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 9:47 pm
by thegreenlantern
Is this game a sell out me and a few of the boys are thinkin of headin up.

Re: Ulster v Zebre

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 9:54 pm
by ruckover
thegreenlantern wrote:Is this game a sell out me and a few of the boys are thinkin of headin up.
Last I heard yes. Or very close to it anyway.

Re: Ulster v Zebre

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 9:57 pm
by Rooster
thegreenlantern wrote:Is this game a sell out me and a few of the boys are thinkin of headin up.
Nope tickets still onsale
http://ulsterrugby.iristickets.co.uk/

Re: Ulster v Zebre

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 1:37 pm
by pip14
Extended Ulster squad v Zebre, RaboDirect PRO12, Friday 15th February, Ravenhill, 7.05pm;

Forwards (14)

Rob Herring, Niall Annett, Tom Court, Callum Black, John Afoa, Declan Fitzpatrick, Johann Muller, Neil McComb, Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy, Chris Henry, Iain Henderson, Mike McComish, Robbie Diack.

Backs (11)

Ruan Pienaar, Michael Heaney, Stuart Olding, Paddy Jackson, Paddy Wallace, Luke Marshall, Darren Cave, Michael Allen, Andrew Trimble, Chris Cochrane, Ricky Andrew.

Re: Ulster v Zebre

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 1:42 pm
by Jackie Brown
Where's wee Marshy?

More importantly... where's NOC NOC?

Re: Ulster v Zebre

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 1:48 pm
by Jackie Brown
Court, Annett, Afoa, Muller, Tuohy, Henderson, Henry, Diack

Pienaar, Olding, Cochrane, Skymarshall, Cave, Trimby, Andrew

Bench,
Herring, Black, Chocolate, Stevenson, McComish, Heaney, PJ, Allen

Sad to see Birch dropped