Ulster v Dragons Fri April 14 7:35pm

[Dave]

Any stats for defenders beaten?

[big mervyn]

I'm open to correction but I don't think his metres made would be above average for a fullback this season. There was a period he would of had a line break most matches, those days are long gone. Not sighting this as solely a Lowry issue, our backline has not been great to watch this season.

Let me correct you.

Fullbacks with most appearances for top 8 URC clubs so far this season:

Magic Mike 820m from 12 URC games avg 69m
Mike Haley (Munster) 423 from 8 avg 53m
Kriel (Bulls) 711 from 15 avg 47m
Blommetjies (Stormers) 707 from 15 avg 47m
Tiernan O'Halloran 474 from 11 avg 43m
Fassi (Sharks) 360 from 9 avg 40m
Rob Russell (Leinster) 453 from 12 avg 38m
Josh McKay (Glasgow) 254 from 9 avg 28m

Hmm did you pick the lowest metre-making players to compare with? Tell the truth…

Nope. The players with the most appearances for each club . URC games only.

[UlsterNo9]

I'm open to correction but I don't think his metres made would be above average for a fullback this season. There was a period he would of had a line break most matches, those days are long gone. Not sighting this as solely a Lowry issue, our backline has not been great to watch this season.

Let me correct you.

Fullbacks with most appearances for top 8 URC clubs so far this season:

Magic Mike 820m from 12 URC games avg 69m
Mike Haley (Munster) 423 from 8 avg 53m
Kriel (Bulls) 711 from 15 avg 47m
Blommetjies (Stormers) 707 from 15 avg 47m
Tiernan O'Halloran 474 from 11 avg 43m
Fassi (Sharks) 360 from 9 avg 40m
Rob Russell (Leinster) 453 from 12 avg 38m
Josh McKay (Glasgow) 254 from 9 avg 28m

Boom. Thanks Merv, I've been helped.

Is that because he's relying on his run rather than his boot which we've highlighted as a weakness.

Any stats on how often he kicks compared to other fullbacks....

[Cormac]

I'm open to correction but I don't think his metres made would be above average for a fullback this season. There was a period he would of had a line break most matches, those days are long gone. Not sighting this as solely a Lowry issue, our backline has not been great to watch this season.

Let me correct you.

Fullbacks with most appearances for top 8 URC clubs so far this season:

Magic Mike 820m from 12 URC games avg 69m
Mike Haley (Munster) 423 from 8 avg 53m
Kriel (Bulls) 711 from 15 avg 47m
Blommetjies (Stormers) 707 from 15 avg 47m
Tiernan O'Halloran 474 from 11 avg 43m
Fassi (Sharks) 360 from 9 avg 40m
Rob Russell (Leinster) 453 from 12 avg 38m
Josh McKay (Glasgow) 254 from 9 avg 28m

Rob Russell isn't a full-back. Jimmy O'Brien has the most starts at full-back for Leinster in the URC with 6 and another 3 on the wing.

[big mervyn]

I'm open to correction but I don't think his metres made would be above average for a fullback this season. There was a period he would of had a line break most matches, those days are long gone. Not sighting this as solely a Lowry issue, our backline has not been great to watch this season.

Let me correct you.

Fullbacks with most appearances for top 8 URC clubs so far this season:

Magic Mike 820m from 12 URC games avg 69m
Mike Haley (Munster) 423 from 8 avg 53m
Kriel (Bulls) 711 from 15 avg 47m
Blommetjies (Stormers) 707 from 15 avg 47m
Tiernan O'Halloran 474 from 11 avg 43m
Fassi (Sharks) 360 from 9 avg 40m
Rob Russell (Leinster) 453 from 12 avg 38m
Josh McKay (Glasgow) 254 from 9 avg 28m

Rob Russell isn't a full-back. Jimmy O'Brien has the most starts at full-back for Leinster in the URC with 6 and another 3 on the wing.

Fair enough. Like I said I take no responsibility for the accuracy of the URC stats. 6 isn't really enough for a fair comparison in any case.

Lowry is still listed as an out half btw

[Loki]

Rea's body language in the 2nd half gave the impression he was running on empty. As said above the missed tackle on the hooker for his try was really poor and reminiscent of the connacht one which led to a period of exile. Physical fatigue leads to mentally switching off but at least fitness can be worked on. He still has a turnover threat that many don't have so needs to be kept involved although a role off the bench might suit better in the upcoming games.

Looks like he's been dropped entirely for Edinburgh this week, seems fairly justified in my opinion. Thought he was gassed very early as you say Jean and familiar failings in defence that he hasn't yet addressed. Sadly for Rea Jnr Turnover threat is a good USP but it doesn't come at the expense of everything else around the park!

[big mervyn]

I'm open to correction but I don't think his metres made would be above average for a fullback this season. There was a period he would of had a line break most matches, those days are long gone. Not sighting this as solely a Lowry issue, our backline has not been great to watch this season.

Let me correct you.

Fullbacks with most appearances for top 8 URC clubs so far this season:

Magic Mike 820m from 12 URC games avg 69m
Mike Haley (Munster) 423 from 8 avg 53m
Kriel (Bulls) 711 from 15 avg 47m
Blommetjies (Stormers) 707 from 15 avg 47m
Tiernan O'Halloran 474 from 11 avg 43m
Fassi (Sharks) 360 from 9 avg 40m
Rob Russell (Leinster) 453 from 12 avg 38m
Josh McKay (Glasgow) 254 from 9 avg 28m

Boom. Thanks Merv, I've been helped.

Is that because he's relying on his run rather than his boot which we've highlighted as a weakness.

Any stats on how often he kicks compared to other fullbacks....

He does get targeted with the high ball. He often collects the ball deep, and being quick of feet and thought, capitalises on the easy metres between receiving and first contact.

[jean valjean]

While we are on about kicking I am yet to see ulster employ a kick off strategy that doesn't involve kicking into the 22 without challenge. Is it a ploy to ensure the opposition secures the ball to kick out on the full ( giving us a lineout)? Leinster and others see the kickoff as a chance to regain possession in a dangerous position with a fractured defensive line. Can Billy even kick high and short?