Ulster V Ospreys

[OneMore]

If we're serious about the HEC we should be taking no risks and possibly even resting a few key players.

Yea, let's make the PRL case for them.

I don't think that makes anyone's point for them. Unless you believe that the PRL gripe about us choosing to target the HEC is a valid criticism. And I think if you believe that, you're a mug.

[Snipe Watson]

If we're serious about the HEC we should be taking no risks and possibly even resting a few key players.

Yea, let's make the PRL case for them.

I don't think that makes anyone's point for them. Unless you believe that the PRL gripe about us choosing to target the HEC is a valid criticism. And I think if you believe that, you're a mug.

PRL claim that we rest players prior to HEC games as the league results don't really matter as there is no relegation. ATH is suggesting that we do just that, rest players prior to an HEC game.

[colwynvet]

Not the same thing at all.

Both Ospreys and ourselves would have ambitions of winning or at least reaching the play-offs. To rest/rotate players against each other is a calculated risk. Its not the same as mid/lower table teams doing the same, ie. Edinburgh in the latter stages 2 years ago, who had nothing to lose or to gain by managing their squad resources.

Anyway, my preference would be to play our full strength team this week. Nobody should need a rest this early in the year. As for protecting players against injury, look at AT, injured during training. Its a physical sport, injuries happen.

[bazzaj]

We have always put out our strongest available team the week before the HC matches despite what TB's people think. It is essential to get the HC team up to speed

And it will not change this week without of course risking the lame and infirm.

We need to go hard or go home in Swansea. I choose go hard.

Did we not rest a few guys away to Leinster before the Sarries game last year?

The big matches are about intensity more than fluidity. The tigers will be a slogg fest up front and then we follow that up with another effectively must-win game away in France against a side who is doing well at the minute. Up front I'd have Best, Court, Muller, Williams on the bench with a view to coming on after 50 mins. Afoa, Dan and Wilson off after 50. Henry rested completely. Backs can have a run out with exception of Payne.

For that Leinster game Afoa was unavailable so Lutton made his debut you may recall ATH and Bowe and Wilson were coming back from injury at that time.
We fielded pretty much the strongest available side.

I think the same must apply here and the risk we dont take are with the players who are carrying knocks.
I feel our task will be bigger even than Leinster away last year and the last thing we want is a kicking before the two huge HEC games.
I dont know if I would therfore have any preconcieved ideas about players coming on or off and I would wait and see how the games unfolds.

Not sure if I would leave Henry out either.
He was rested for the Glasgow game and with probably Tipuric on the openside for them we need to be strong in that area.
Possibly Wilson can play there but he is our one back rower who has not been rested to date.

[OneMore]

PRL claim that we rest players prior to HEC games as the league results don't really matter as there is no relegation. ATH is suggesting that we do just that, rest players prior to an HEC game.

Yes. But the alternative is that we allow the PRL decide which players we play in which games.

Ulster will be targeting the HEC game as a "big one". Naturally they'll prepare the team accordingly, this may include resting players the week before, or a fortnight before, or playing them all all the time to increase sharpness. The point is it's for each team to decide for themselves. The fact is if we don't finish above Connacht in the league, we'll not be in the [whatever it will be] next year (under current rules).

This notion of putting out our strongest side to spite the PRL hands them the control of our teams that they so desire. We shouldn't be getting sucked into that.

French teams send 2nd XV sides on their away trips all the time, and no one bats an eyelid.

[jackthelad]

We have always put out our strongest available team the week before the HC matches despite what TB's people think. It is essential to get the HC team up to speed

And it will not change this week without of course risking the lame and infirm.

We need to go hard or go home in Swansea. I choose go hard.

Did we not rest a few guys away to Leinster before the Sarries game last year?

The big matches are about intensity more than fluidity. The tigers will be a slogg fest up front and then we follow that up with another effectively must-win game away in France against a side who is doing well at the minute. Up front I'd have Best, Court, Muller, Williams on the bench with a view to coming on after 50 mins. Afoa, Dan and Wilson off after 50. Henry rested completely. Backs can have a run out with exception of Payne.

We've already lost 2 games in the league. We can't afford to potentially 'throw' one game in the league by fielding a weakened side, in order to win another. A win away at the Library - or even a clsoe loss - would be a great boost before Leicester.

[Cornerfleg]

"A win at the Library ..."

Brilliant, just brilliant Jacko ...

[ruckover]

Oh no. Oh no no no. Oh no no no no no.

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU, 49th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Jon Mason, Wayne Davies (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Dennis Jones (WRU)
TMO: Derek Bevan (WRU)

[Joe Schmo]

I can never quite put my finger in it, but when 'gibbon refs ulster I always get the feeling he hates us! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Snipe Watson]

This is total balls lads. Every ref from south of the border hates us ...........allegedly

[SparkyClarky]

"A win at the Library ..."

Brilliant, just brilliant Jacko ...

Flag you never know?

Lucky to get Treviso first up to win by 5pts
Followed by a good draw at the RDS against Leinster with no Internationals at that point. (O's with a good record go there with little fear)
Then a win against a nervous Edinburgh side that is really struggling with any team.
And lastly beating Connacht.

I looked at the scoreline and thought oh dear then on watching the match on scrum v Sunday I soon realised how Connachts defence slept for much of the game to gift it. Have a look on iplayer yourself. Intercepts, falling of tackles and not the physicality of a local derby by a mile.

With Ulster growing week by week I expect us to take it at least close!


I believe
SUFTUM

[ruckover]

Lucky to get Treviso first up to win by 5pts Watched that game, they did extremely well to win that. Held out a long Treviso attack at the end.
Followed by a good draw at the RDS against Leinster with no Internationals at that point. (O's with a good record go there with little fear) Leinster scored two tries in the first ten minutes and were completely in control of the first half. Many teams would have given up, I was very impressed.
Then a win against a nervous Edinburgh side that is really struggling with any team. I'll admit, easy enough.
And lastly beating Connacht. Who we didn't beat with a bonus point.

I'll admit, maybe they're being ever so slightly flattered, but this is a very very good team trying to return to the top 4 of the league. We will do very well to beat them.

Rumoured O's team:
15. Fussell, 14. Hassler, 13. Bishop, 12. Beck, 11. Walker, 10. Biggar, 9. Tebaldi; 1. Bevington, 2. Hibbard, 3. A Jones, 4. A-W Jones, 5. Evans, 6. Ardron, 7. Tipuric, 8. Bearman.
Subs: 16. Baldwin, 17. D Jones, 18. Jarvis, 19. King, 20. Allen, 21. Habberfield, 22. Morgan, 23. John.

[rumncoke]

If any player is carrying and injury ( even minor ) I would rest him thinking in terms of Payne and Henderson,

So the backs the same as last week with Cave for Payne

Forwards the same as last week with either Muller or Stevenson for Henderson

[bazzaj]

Couldnt argue with that rum.
Possible rest day for Wilson maybe in order though.

I have watched the Ospeys this season and their strength lies with that pack and a controlling 10.
Not overly impressed with their midfield creativity and they have had it easy up till now and they may be in for a shock.

Can we go over there and beat them?- Of course we can.
For me it depends on whether Payne plays as he seems to be our main creative spark than can exploit and spot their defensive weaknesses like no other.
If we can get a platform and spoil their ball I reckon an upset could be on the cards.

[CIMANFOREVER]

I can never quite put my finger in it, but when 'gibbon refs ulster I always get the feeling he hates us! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I never get that from Gibbon.. he's not the greatest ref in the world, some decisions inept, but he's usually inept for everyone. He usually enjoys himself tho... and in the land of the blind, he's not Clancy, Rolland, or yon other tw*t that peeped us out of the final. I of course do stand to be corrected on Friday night (paranoid face...)