Sharks v Ulster Saturday 22nd October 5:15pm KO (UK Time) Premier Sports 1

[Neill_M]

The Ulster Rugby Medical Performance team has issued a squad update ahead of Saturday’s Round 6 Vodacom United Rugby Championship fixture versus Cell C Sharks at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.

Gareth Milasinovich suffered a concussion during the Round 5 win over the Emirates Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday. He will now follow the World Rugby Graduated Return to Play protocols.

Squad updates in association with The Ulster Independent Clinic.

[Dave]

No update on Stockdale, Hendy or Addison?

[Thelaw]

No update on Stockdale, Hendy or Addison?

Hendy will be fit for Ireland then injured straight away again.

[StandUp]

No update on Stockdale, Hendy or Addison?

Hendy will be fit for Ireland then injured straight away again.

100%

[Dave]

Sad but true.

[Neill_M]

Adam McKendry
@admckendry
·
29m
Ulster assistant coach Jonny Bell hints that Ireland centre James Hume could be available for Saturday's game against the Sharks in today's media briefing, saying he's one of the players they're waiting to see if he will be ready to go in Durban later in the week #SHAvULS #URC

[Off the Top]

Why would the take him to South Africa if they didn't think he would be ready to play?

I think we will go fully loaded (albeit without Henderson) against the Sharks.

[justinr73]

No doubt it was hoped Hume would play a part but it’s all about how he copes with full training at this stage.

Encouragingly, it’s not entirely clear what fully loaded means these days.

The likes of Sutherland (who hasn’t played for a month), Marty and Treadwell should also enter the equation, fitness permitting.

Timoney will no doubt be back in.

Listened to the Red Hand podcast for the first time this week, as the BT seem to have given up on their one. As per everywhere else, the fact that we beat a full complement of Sharks just a few months ago (easily until we declared and Grant Williams came on) seems to have been forgotten.

Needless to say, they’re at home and have added EE but we shouldn’t be scared of anyone.

We’re streets ahead of the rugby that was on show in the early part of last season but we will need two big efforts to finish off this block of games.

[jean valjean]

I can't imagine the team have trained much these last 2 weeks with travel and recovery taking precedent. If rory is up to speed with line-out calls etc then he should be given a start this week alongside marty. The sharks looked better against leinster than Glasgow but no doubt see this game a massive one regarding the top 4 positions.

[allezlesverres]

The sharks looked vulnerable with their starting team against Glasgow but unstoppable when they had all their front liners on at the same time. It could be a game of two halves, a bit like the Glasgow game. Will make for an interesting selection policy for Dan. Do you start with the best team or keep a few front liners on the bench for impact later in the game? I'd go for the former and try and win the game in the first 60 mins. The humidity will really sap fitness towards the end.

[Dave]

Why would the take him to South Africa if they didn't think he would be ready to play?

I think we will go fully loaded (albeit without Henderson) against the Sharks.

You're spoiling Ruckie's big scoop! Imagine a player selected to go on tour being available to play

[Neill_M]

Cell C Sharks v Ulster
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA & SA
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 29th league game)
AR 1: Cwengile Jadezweni (SARU) AR 2: Griffin Colby (SARU)
TMO: Ben Blain (SRU)

[Thelaw]

Cell C Sharks v Ulster
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA & SA
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 29th league game)
AR 1: Cwengile Jadezweni (SARU) AR 2: Griffin Colby (SARU)
TMO: Ben Blain (SRU)

Well that's not going to be a biased ref team at all.

[Thelaw]

Cell C Sharks v Ulster
Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – KO 17.15 IRE & UK / 18.15 ITA & SA
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 29th league game)
AR 1: Cwengile Jadezweni (SARU) AR 2: Griffin Colby (SARU)
TMO: Ben Blain (SRU)

Well that's not going to be a biased ref team at all.

[jean valjean]

Lots of elbows on the ground allowed in that case. Expect a complete mess at ruck time.