Ulster v Saints Fri Dec 17th 8pm KO BT Sport 2

[Neill_M]

The Ulster Rugby Medical Performance team has issued a squad update ahead of Friday’s Heineken Champions Cup fixture against Northampton Saints at Kingspan Stadium.

Rob Baloucoune, who sustained a shoulder injury in the win over Clermont Auvergne at Stade Marcel Michelin, is unavailable for selection this weekend.

Squad updates in association with The Ulster Independent Clinic.

Referee - Andrea Piardi (ITA).

[bangorboy]

If anyone has two Prom or Terrance tickets on the go could you keep me in mind please. Son back from UNi and would prefer not to be in Family stand for obvious reasons...

Thanks...

[Neill_M]

If anyone has two Prom or Terrance tickets on the go could you keep me in mind please. Son back from UNi and would prefer not to be in Family stand for obvious reasons...

Thanks...

Limited availability on Family Terrace on Ticketmaster, think you can have an adult beverage on it (open to correction naturally).

[germcevoy]

Can usually get away with a beverage in the corner of the family terrace where it meets the East terrace. We call it the holding pen as it's where you always end up on a sold out match day if you venture away from the East Terrace for a pint or a pee.

[UlsterNo9]

Assuming Moore, Henderson, McCann and O'Sullivan are back in the mix this week, theres going to be some sad faces amongst the starting eight from last Saturday.

[Big-al]

osullivan was in the mix last week.

McCann too.

[UlsterNo9]

osullivan was in the mix last week.

McCann too.

Apparently not, they'd played too many minutes already this season to be selected under the IRFU player welfare strategy.

[So It Is]

Now that the on-paper hardest fixture is out of the way it will be interesting to see how the lads deal with the new expectations. Hopefully better than the brad pitt sandwich they served up in Swansea . . .

I'd be disappointed with anything less than a 5 pointer. Especially given that most of the crowd will be well lubricated after Xmas drinks and baying for blood at any 50/50 ref call.

I'd bring in Moore and Hendy to start if fit, and put whoever is most likely able to handle Nayavoro (spell?) onto the wing in place of Bob (would've been the ideal matchup for Ludik). McCann onto the bench for Jones. Keep the rest of the team the same.

[Silverstu]

Hoping for Moore, Henderson and maybe McCann in for this match. Willwe go for the 6-2 split on the bench again?
I suppose Gilroy will come in for Bob and to be fair he has looked very sharp this season any time he's had a chance. Rob Lyttle has been very absent recently which is a bit of a surprise, any news on Stockdale yet?

[jean valjean]

I'm wary of the perceived weakness of Northampton, they have beaten Bristol and Exeter away from home this season and have a better defence than the ospreys. Without bob and stockdale we have lost some spark so it will be a grind to win this.

[Neill_M]

Need to be careful that this game is not a repeat of the 2012/13 season when Ulster got a good result and went over to Saints and turned them over good only to lose at home to them the following week.

[justinr73]

Now that the on-paper hardest fixture is out of the way it will be interesting to see how the lads deal with the new expectations. Hopefully better than the brad pitt sandwich they served up in Swansea . . .

I'd be disappointed with anything less than a 5 pointer. Especially given that most of the crowd will be well lubricated after Xmas drinks and baying for blood at any 50/50 ref call.

I'd bring in Moore and Hendy to start if fit, and put whoever is most likely able to handle Nayavoro (spell?) onto the wing in place of Bob (would've been the ideal matchup for Ludik). McCann onto the bench for Jones. Keep the rest of the team the same.

Their big winger won’t be playing.

Skosan offers a different threat but seems to be a decent finisher.

[damianmcr]

Anyone got a spare ticket?

[Neill_M]

Anyone got a spare ticket?

Family Terrace available on ticketmaster.

[tigerburnie]

Going on recent results, I think you could break some records in this game, the Sinners seem to have lost both confidence and composure lately.