Ulster v Ospreys Fri 4th Sept 7:35pm ko

[Neill_M]

So the rwc squad is out officially, on to the important stuff the Pro 12:

What do we think the 23 will be for Friday?

Ludik,Trimble, Marshall, McCloskey, Gilroy, Humph, Marshall, Williams, Faloon, Diack, FVDM, Tuohy, Herbst, Herring, Black

Warwick, Andrew, Lutton, Browne, Wilson, Rowley, Windsor, Nelson

Discuss........

[namron]

If we can't win handsomely at home with that side there would be a huge ? on Doakies tenure. No pressure lol

[againstthehead]

So the rwc squad is out officially, on to the important stuff the Pro 12:

What do we think the 23 will be for Friday?

Ludik,Trimble, Marshall, McCloskey, Gilroy, Humph, Marshall, Williams, Faloon, Diack, FVDM, Tuohy, Herbst, Herring, Black

Warwick, Andrew, Lutton, Browne, Wilson, Rowley, Windsor, Nelson

Discuss........

Decent wee side.

[BaggyTrousers]

Well you may think so, I have this nagging going on that Ospreys snattered Sarries. Of course I've no idea what the relative sides were but it was also an away game.

Ospreys are the side in the Pro12 who make all others, with the possible exception of Mexico, look lazy in the art of producing good young players. They are capable of putting out a side that may look callow, but will perform.

This will be a tightener to start with, any win will be a good win .........especially after our usual meticulous preparations.

Luckily we will/may have the GLU, I'm hoping he's looking to kill dead things.

All that said, I can't wait to take up my usual place in the Grandstand bar, 6.30 - 6.45, all the usual suspects expected.

[Dan Dare]

That side is good enough to win for sure. I have just nagging thoughts about iHumph (don't we all) that just will not go away. The pre season is done, time to perform.

[Russ]

Leinster chubes claiming Trimble is bust again

[pwrmoore]

The Ospreys have lost 9 players to the Welsh quad compared to our 6 to Ireland but they have a habit of bringing through good youngsters and prob have a bit more strength in depth than us. This will not be an easy home win.

I'd settle for a one point win from a last minute Humphreys penalty.

[ruckover]

Black, Humphreys and Wilson? I think you'll be lucky if one of them plays let alone all three.

[Neill_M]

Black, Humphreys and Wilson? I think you'll be lucky if one of them plays let alone all three.

I read Humph withdrew from Friday's game with a dodgy hammy. What is the current picture re injuries etc?

[BaggyTrousers]

Don't worry we have the Duke who can kick from anywhere inside the opposition 22.

Things have come to a pretty pass when once-mighty Ulster are reduced to having a scrum-half who cannot pass & an out-half who apparently can't kick to replace a geriatric 10 who breaks before a ball is kicked in anger.

I'm expecting a defeat whilst hoping for the best..................... oh yeah, add in a backrow that is of indistinct composition & almost certainly limited ability.

I love the Ulster Amnesiac Society who frequent these pages who expect a win because we are at home.

My cup isn't even close to half full, half full would be a bloody luxury, so it would ..................... & I hate Mexicans - except for a few relatives.

[Russ]

Dross

[Neill_M]

Preview: Ulster v Ospreys

Ulster's three most recent encounters in the Guinness PRO12 ended in a draw with Munster and a pair of defeats to Glasgow, in Round 22 and in the Play-Offs.

The Ulstermen have not been defeated at Kingspan Stadium in the Guinness PRO12 since Leinster were the visitors in May 2014.

Ospreys have go off to a winning start in the Guinness PRO12 in five of the last seven seasons and finished off their regular season campaign in 2014/15 with six straight wins before going down to Munster in the Play-Offs. Ospreys are the only Welsh side to have triumphed in Belfast since April 2010, having done so on two occasions, in April 2010 and again in February 2013.

Ospreys only win in their last four encounters with Ulster was 31-20 at Liberty Stadium on 20th December 2014.

At Kingspan Stadium, 7:35pm.
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU, 32nd competition game)
Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher, Brian MacNeice (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)
Live on BBC NI and BBC Wales

[Russ]

Referee: Ian Davies

All hope is lost

Absolute chube

[Joe Schmo]

Doubt that black, Wilson, Williams will be there on Friday night. Is iHumph still on the injured list from last Friday? I expect nothing this season but wasted opportunities, stupid decision making and some players flogged to within an inch of their life due to the obvious lack talent across some positions. I also expect to use the word chube a lot this season.

[EastTerraceUR]

Based on teams selected in friendlies my team for Ospreys would be;

(1-8) Warwick, Herring, Herbst, VDM, Tuohy, Ross, Faloon, Diack
(9-15) Marshall, Windsor, Trimble, McCloskey, Marshall, Nelson, Gilroy

(16-23) Jackson, Murphy, Lutton, Browne, Reidy, Shanahan, Arnold, Ludik

Providing Callum Black, Ian Humphreys, Nick Williams, Roger Wilson are all still suspended/injured

Where is Lewis Stevenson?