Ulster v Zebre Friday November 25th 7.35pm UK Time BBC NI

[Neill_M]

The Ulster Rugby Medical Performance team has issued a squad update ahead of Friday’s Round 8 BKT United Rugby Championship fixture versus Zebre Parma at Kingspan Stadium.

Aaron Sexton had surgery to repair a thumb ligament which he injured whilst playing in a recent AIL game for Malone RFC.

He joins Will Addison (lower leg), Ian Madigan (knee), Rob Baloucoune (hamstring), Jude Postlethwaite (shoulder), Sean Reffell (hamstring), and Rory Sutherland (knee) on the current injured player list.

Squad updates in association with The Ulster Independent Clinic.

[Dave]

Baloucoune with another hamstring injury. Not good.

[10 or 15 only]

What sort of team this week?
There's a lot of rugby to be played over the next10 weeks. A long time with no week off.
Dan has to manage his squad very carefully.

Start with:
Lowry
McElroy
Hume
Marshal
Stockdale
Burns
Cooney
EOS
Stewart
Moore
A O'Connor
Carter
Rea - which one
McCann
Timoney

[jean valjean]

Hendo must be due a start or at least a bench spot.

[Neill_M]

Ulster vs Zebre Parma at Kingspan Stadium, Belfast - 19h35
Referee: AJ Jacobs (SARU)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Cole, Robbie Jenkinson (Both IRFU)
Television Match Official: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)

[Dave]

Has this sold out yet? Pretty dire if half price tickets don't do the job. Even I'm going, FFS.

[Neill_M]

Has this sold out yet? Pretty dire if half price tickets don't do the job. Even I'm going, FFS.

https://twitter.com/UlsterRugby/status/ ... 7bOZwZxJGg

Sold North of 15k as of yesterday. According to TM, Grandstand, Memorial Terrace and Stand and Family Terrace and Stand sold out.

[Dave]

They will be putting free tix through doors around ravers next

[justinr73]

Has this sold out yet? Pretty dire if half price tickets don't do the job. Even I'm going, FFS.

You must have at least considered an evening on the sofa watching Eng-er-land v U S A?

[justinr73]

If I understand Andy Friend correctly, he’s saying that (his) Ireland players are available this weekend and can play in up to 7 of the first 9 games of this block (but seemingly not the 10th as that leads into Ireland camp).

Our 10th game is at home to Stormers.

[Dave]

Has this sold out yet? Pretty dire if half price tickets don't do the job. Even I'm going, FFS.

You must have at least considered an evening on the sofa watching Eng-er-land v U S A?

All options remain on the table. At late fitness test will decide. Plus getting out of work on time.

[solidarity]

Has this sold out yet? Pretty dire if half price tickets don't do the job. Even I'm going, FFS.

You must have at least considered an evening on the sofa watching Eng-er-land v U S A?

All options remain on the table. At late fitness test will decide. Plus getting out of work on time.

Work? You work? Really?

[Neill_M]

If I understand Andy Friend correctly, he’s saying that (his) Ireland players are available this weekend and can play in up to 7 of the first 9 games of this block (but seemingly not the 10th as that leads into Ireland camp).

Our 10th game is at home to Stormers.

If this is the case, then Friday's game v Zebre and the game in Benetton in R12 stand out as the ones to rest the internationals.

Fri Nov 25 Zebre (H), Sat Dec 3 Leinster (A), Sun Dec 11 Sale (A), Sat Dec 17 La Rochelle (H), Fri Dec 23 Connacht (A), Sun Jan 1 Munster (H), Sat Jan 7 Benetton (A), Sat Jan 14 La Rochelle (A), Sat Jan 21 Sale (H).

[justinr73]

Has this sold out yet? Pretty dire if half price tickets don't do the job. Even I'm going, FFS.

You must have at least considered an evening on the sofa watching Eng-er-land v U S A?

All options remain on the table. At late fitness test will decide. Plus getting out of work on time.

Work? You work? Really?

Only at this time of year, I believe.

Let’s hope he can still fit into the red trousers.

[justinr73]

If I understand Andy Friend correctly, he’s saying that (his) Ireland players are available this weekend and can play in up to 7 of the first 9 games of this block (but seemingly not the 10th as that leads into Ireland camp).

Our 10th game is at home to Stormers.

If this is the case, then Friday's game v Zebre and the game in Benetton in R12 stand out as the ones to rest the internationals.

Fri Nov 25 Zebre (H), Sat Dec 3 Leinster (A), Sun Dec 11 Sale (A), Sat Dec 17 La Rochelle (H), Fri Dec 23 Connacht (A), Sun Jan 1 Munster (H), Sat Jan 7 Benetton (A), Sat Jan 14 La Rochelle (A), Sat Jan 21 Sale (H).

I’m being rested for Leinster due to some friends inviting themselves to stay.