Ulster v Ospreys

ruckover · Post by **ruckover** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 5:31 pm

So after a nice two week break for the players, we are back in Pro12 action against the Ospreys, who are on a bit of a personal low. After crashing out of the Heineken Cup following a disappointing draw at home to the Leicester Tigers and their second away loss to Treviso this season, they will be targeting the Pro12 for silverware once again - don't forget, they are the defending champions. Their main threat will come from their backline which hasn't been hit too badly by Wales call ups - Eli Walker is being touted as the next Shane Williams, while Ashley Beck is always a threat in the centre. They will be looking at winning all their remaining games for a home semi and the best chance of retaining their league crown.

It's not a must win game for us. Yes we need to win to keep our lead at the top of the table and yes it's nice to always win at home, but it's not as important as other games in regards to winning. Our lead at the top of the league is eleven points, if we end up on the wrong end of the scoreline, then it's not the end of the world. If we lose, at worst we will still have an eight point lead at the top of the table.

I am presuming that we will get back all of our players from Ireland duty that weren't involved this week. Good job - that means we have Angry Andy and Angry Tom back to wreak havoc on our enemies. Unfortunately we're still light in several positions - tighthead prop and full-back are two positions we are scarily short in. However it's not all doom and gloom, because this week sees the likely returns of Johann Muller, Dan Tuohy and Luke Marshall. In my opinion we are looking at:

15. R Andrew, 14. A Trimble, 13. D Cave, 12. P Wallace, 11. M Allen, 10. P Jackson, 9. R Pienaar; 1. T Court, 2. R Herring, 3. J Afoa, 4. J Muller, 5. D Tuohy, 6. M McComish, 7. A Birch, 8. R Diack.

Subs: 16. N Annett, 17. C Black, 18. R Lutton, 19. L Stevenson, 20. N McComb, 21. P Marshall, 22. S Olding, 23. L Marshall.

The only change I would maybe make would be to replace Tuohy with Stevenson since he's only coming back from injury now.

However, would anybody else object to maybe resting and rotating a few players? I know it's the 6 Nations and we have lots of missing players so we'll have to "make do" with what we've got so to say, but is it maybe time to give a few players a chance? Birch I think definitely should be there because he's our only specialist 7, Andrew as well at 15. But how about giving Annett a shot at 2? Cochrane a shot at wing? Even Olding a shot at 10? Just a few thoughts...

Jackie Brown · Post by **Jackie Brown** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 5:39 pm

1.TC, 2.Herring, 3.Lutton, 4.Muller, 5.Stevenson, 6.Hendo, 7.McComish, 8.Diack

9.Pienaar, 10.Jackson, 11.Allen, 12.Wallace, 13.DC, 14.Trimby, 15.Andrew

I think Afoa and Payne are over seas. Very light at tighthead! I'm not sure if PJ and Henderson will be released. England game is the Sunday isn't it?

ruckover · Post by **ruckover** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 5:47 pm

It's whoever won't be playing next week is who will be released I think. That means we'll be missing Best, Fitzpatrick, Henry and Gilroy. Henderson should also be kept behind as well - he was 24th man for today, I'd expect the same next week.

If Afoa is overseas then we are in BIG trouble in the scrum. I've yet to see anything from Lutton that makes me think he's a good backup prop.

Jackie Brown · Post by **Jackie Brown** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 5:49 pm

We could be down to 4th choice TH!

ruckover · Post by **ruckover** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 5:51 pm

Jackie Brown wrote:We could be down to 4th choice TH!

Who would be sub TH then? Is Kyle McCall a TH?

Snipe Watson · Post by **Snipe Watson** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 6:00 pm

Who announced that John will not be back?

Jackie Brown · Post by **Jackie Brown** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 6:02 pm

Snipe Watson wrote:Who announced that John will not be back?

Dunno, thought he was away for a bit... only my thoughts though, which are usually far removed from reality...

Snipe Watson · Post by **Snipe Watson** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 6:07 pm

Jackie Brown wrote:
Snipe Watson wrote:Who announced that John will not be back?
Dunno, thought he was away for a bit... only my thoughts though, which are usually far removed from reality...

He is away for a bit, just depends on the length of the bit.....................

wonder how Jared's niggles are..........

BaggyTrousers · Post by **BaggyTrousers** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 6:58 pm

Would be negligent in the circumstances not to have BBJ back, I'd be amazed if he isn't. Jared on the other hand needs recovery time as far as I understand it and would be surprised to see him in February.

Disagree entirely that this match is not crucial or worth playing your best available team in. Ospreys are one of very few teams to worry about in this league, they will be weakened probably more than Ulster and we need to try and kill them off. Zebre is a game to rest those who need a rest.

Kill off any chance of not being no 1 seeds asap and then by all means mix & match to your hearts content.

scrum5 · Post by **scrum5** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 7:16 pm

It's not a must win game for us. Yes we need to win to keep our lead at the top of the table and yes it's nice to always win at home, but it's not as important as other games in regards to winning. Our lead at the top of the league is eleven points, if we end up on the wrong end of the scoreline, then it's not the end of the world. If we lose, at worst we will still have an eight point lead at the top of the table.

Indiana · Post by **Indiana** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 7:34 pm

Careful Baggy. Remember zebra away we nearly lost that one. They have very few on international duties so need to keep an eye on them. It would be very embarrassing to lost to them at Ravers. Plus hoping to home for either that one or Treviso

scrum5 · Post by **scrum5** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 7:59 pm

Ospreys will be missing Richard Hibbard, Ryan Bevington, Adam Jones, Ian Evans, Ryan Jones, Justin Tipuric and Dan Biggar. James King and Eli Walker could also be missing. Wonder will they manage to get a front row out or will they just give their players an extra week off next week

Russ · Post by **Russ** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 8:01 pm

scrum5 wrote:Ospreys will be missing Richard Hibbard, Ryan Bevington, Adam Jones, Ian Evans, Ryan Jones, Justin Tipuric and Dan Biggar. James King and Eli Walker could also be missing. Wonder will they manage to get a front row out or will they just give their players an extra week off next week

I smell a postponement

Osprey's law

If we think we will lose, we will claim ... e the game

ruckover · Post by **ruckover** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 8:09 pm

Ashley Beck and Eli Walker are also injured so they won't be playing.

Joe Schmo · Post by **Joe Schmo** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 8:16 pm

Payne and Afoa are still in New Zealand according to their twitter. They've been away for two weeks now so I suppose that's long enough. However you couldn't argue they've worked up enough overtime this year to have an extended break. Anyone know how fit Muller is we don't really need to rush some of these players back this month.

The UAFC

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