Ulster v Toulouse Sat Apr 16 8pm KO BT Sport 2

[Neill_M]

STADE TOULOUSAIN (6-2 bench split)
15. Thomas Ramos, 14. Dimitri Delibes, 13. Tim Nanai-Williams, 12. Pita Ahki, 11. Matthis Lebel, 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont (c), 1. Rodrigue Neti, 2. Peato Mauvaka, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Richie Arnold, 6. Rynhardt Elstadt, 7. Anthony Jelonch, 8. Selevasio Tolofua.

Replacements:

16. Guillaume Cramont, 17. David Ainu'u, 18. Dorian Aldegheri, 19. Emmanuel Meafou, 20. Thibaud Flament, 21. Antoine Miquel, 22. Baptiste Germain, 23. Lucas Tauzin,

[jean valjean]

Could we see a brennan on the bench???

The answer is no.

[jean valjean]

STADE TOULOUSAIN (6-2 bench split)
15. Thomas Ramos, 14. Dimitri Delibes, 13. Tim Nanai-Williams, 12. Pita Ahki, 11. Matthis Lebel, 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont (c), 1. Rodrigue Neti, 2. Peato Mauvaka, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Richie Arnold, 6. Rynhardt Elstadt, 7. Anthony Jelonch, 8. Selevasio Tolofua.

Replacements:

16. Guillaume Cramont, 17. David Ainu'u, 18. Dorian Aldegheri, 19. Emmanuel Meafou, 20. Thibaud Flament, 21. Antoine Miquel, 22. Baptiste Germain, 23. Lucas Tauzin,

Big nicks brother at 13. Has played all over the backline this year so we should be targeting him. Avoiding the Arnold brothers in the line out will be key for us.

[Aird]

At least unlike so many other big games in the past we are going into it with a strong selection with the exceptions
of Addison Stockdale and McGrath missing.But they have been missing all season so can be discounted.I have recollections of on one occasion a squad going to France with 4 scrum halves in the selection.
I think the return of Luke Marshall to the squad is a real bonus.
Feeling positive about the outcome but also realise it will be no easy task.

[big mervyn]

Could we see a brennan on the bench???

The answer is no.

Although in one respect there will be 8 Brennans on the bench.

FFS I'm starting to get butterflies already. Might have to reach for the syrup!

[StandUp]

CHAMPIONS CUP - ANOTHER BLOW FOR THE STADE TOULOUSE: TWO DAYS BEFORE HIS EIGHTH CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL RETURN TO ULSTER, THE REIGNING EUROPEAN CHAMPION HAS RECORDED THE PACKAGES OF HIS LEFT PILLAR CYRIL BAILLE AND HIS THIRD LINE FRANÇOIS CROS. THE FIRST HAD BEEN SPARED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WEEK WHILE THE SECOND HAD STOPPED HIS TRAINING ON TUESDAY.

They were uncertain because of muscle problems until then but the two French internationals did not make the trip to Belfast on Thursday afternoon.

Three-quarter center or opener Zack Holmes also had to give up, victim of a concussion in training on Thursday morning. Absences that are added to those of Julien Marchand, Alban Placines, Juan Cruz Mallia, Sofiane Guitoune, Santiago Chocobares or Arthur Bonneval.

On the other hand, if he had been preserved Tuesday due to stomach aches, the scrum half Antoine Dupont is well on the trip.

So if the above is accurate, they have lost nos 8, 13, 14, 17, 21 & 23 from last week's 23. 3 backs, 1 LHP and two backrows.

Frenchy surrender artists can’t hang with the Ulster iron men.

[Bart S]

Could we see a brennan on the bench???

The answer is no.

Imagine if there had been. Warming up on front of the ulster fans and receiving a bit of banterfrom them.
What's the worst that could have happened.

[Dave]

The lineout has to be actually officiated this time.

[UlsterNo9]

The lineout has to be actually officiated this time.

Would agree, Toulouse jumping across the channel every time, absolute doakshop!

[UlsterNo9]

Just under 100 seats left on Ticket bar steward and space on Family Terrace only

Should have been sold out weeks ago!

[Dave]

The lineout has to be actually officiated this time.

Would agree, Toulouse jumping across the channel every time, absolute doakshop!

Barnes simply did Nathan about it.

[HammerTime]

Just under 100 seats left on Ticket bar steward and space on Family Terrace only

Should have been sold out weeks ago!

Looking at the Leinster and Bristol matches attendances seem to be woeful across the board. So a late sellout for Ulster mightn’t be as bad as it seems. Easter weekend, Cost of living crisis and the ‘round of 16’ doesn’t really seemed to have caught on.

[Neill_M]

Just under 100 seats left on Ticket bar steward and space on Family Terrace only

Should have been sold out weeks ago!

Looking at the Leinster and Bristol matches attendances seem to be woeful across the board. So a late sellout for Ulster mightn’t be as bad as it seems. Easter weekend, Cost of living crisis and the ‘round of 16’ doesn’t really seemed to have caught on.

32,000 at Lansdowne Road wasn't bad given a 5:30pm kick off and it is not a public holiday down South so only some people were off work. Bristol play in Ashton Gate which holds 27k, they get around 17k.

[volvo]

Hi Neill

Just to correct but Good Friday is a bank Holiday and public holiday in Republic of Ireland whether firms take it or not is their choice.

[Neill_M]

Hi Neill

Just to correct but Good Friday is a bank Holiday and public holiday in Republic of Ireland whether firms take it or not is their choice.

OK, interesting. So not everyone is off etc.