Competitive rugby is back - thank feck for that. I see Scarlets are missing two tighthead props - Samson Lee for being a head-butting chube and some other eejit. With that good news in mind, I predict Ulster to win by 10, off scrum dominance and iHumph's unwavering boot. Maybe young Scholes can back up the pre-season form where it counts too?
UpAtSix wrote:Will Herring and Diack be allowed to play, given they were on the senior tour?
I would have thought those restrictions were on the elite echelons of the Ireland squad? Not sure . . .
I honestly have no idea; I guess we'll have to wait and see, or failing that ask KOTH for confirmation.
Otherwise I think your selection is bang on apart from having Allen on the bench instead of Andrew. No disrespect to Roadrunner but we already have two full backs in the starting lineup and Allen offers much better cover from 11-14.
Also, any chance Warwick could start at loosehead? I know Black is the incumbent but I like the look of the trucker.
UpAtSix wrote:Will Herring and Diack be allowed to play, given they were on the senior tour?
I would have thought those restrictions were on the elite echelons of the Ireland squad? Not sure . . .
I honestly have no idea; I guess we'll have to wait and see, or failing that ask KOTH for confirmation.
Otherwise I think your selection is bang on apart from having Allen on the bench instead of Andrew. No disrespect to Roadrunner but we already have two full backs in the starting lineup and Allen offers much better cover from 11-14.
Also, any chance Warwick could start at loosehead? I know Black is the incumbent but I like the look of the trucker.
I wasn't sure of the Warwick-Black call myself; if they want Warwick to develop, they will be starting him regularly this season. However, I'd say Warwick provides more "impact" outside the scrum than Black, so Black offerin a secure scrum for 60 minutes, and Warwick doing a bit of bashing afterwards, wouldn't be awful. You're bang on with Allen though, didn't think of that.
This isn`t a great opener for us against probably the pick of the Welsh regions at this point and a new coach who they will be desperate to impress.
They did well in both their friendlies against strong opposition so this is going to be really tough for sure.
However unlike last season we also have had positive signs in preseason.
Barclay at 7 had a field day against us last year and if he is up against a rookie he will fancy his chances.
Open side seems to be the main area of discrepancy between the sides so I hope whoever plays there is competitive in such an important position.
I do think we may have an edge in the front 5 which will be massive as we don`t want PMs passing to be exposed or pressurised in any shape or form and also to keep their back row on the back foot.
Williams and King are extremely hard and direct centres so we cannot have IH exposed either.
So hard to call at this stage as both sides have new regimes and players and if we were at home I would be backing us in a heart beat but in their back yard its too tight to call for me.
Front five look fine as stated earlier is the back row and half backs who don't give me grounds for confidence esp when the back row sub is a short distance ball carrier when what will be necessary is a tackle cover who can cover across the pitch .
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Within this carapace of skepticism there lives an optimist
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