Harlequins Away 13 Dec

[Dharper]

Yep, No runner up is getting to 22. Naturally we have to do the business and beat bath with a bp which I fancy us to do - bath will be looking at the league & by then sarries will be in & around the other teams too. I don’t think Dan will allow complacency so doubt we’ll be caught out, even without bp it should be 21 pts.

[Dharper]

I don’t see racing winning at sarries in final game. So clermont get the home qf for me. I’d give us a fighting chance away qf at Exeter/Toulouse.

[TopPoster]

QF in Exeter will suit me down to the ground for a quick trip along the coast in April. Toulouse not so.

[Dharper]

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.belf ... 83915.html

Beltel player ratings

[Jackie Brown]

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.belf ... 83915.html

Beltel player ratings

The BelTel's rugby coverage is pure dung. Poor analysis and no proof reader.

Adam McBurney (for Herring, 66 mins): Two crooked throws but helped create Ulster 6

[Dharper]

I only saw the 3 mins highlight on BT sport, but beltel low marks - despite a must win - bp win away? Must have been scored south of the border?

[rumncoke]

The Beltel ratings ,I would agree, look like D4 or Limerick/Cork in origin , all about 2 points below effort and actual performance.

But the game was basically ,as they say, one of two half(s) . The first half there was very little to between the sides ( point wise ) and it seemed like anyones game, except Ulster had maintained a higher % of both possession and territory , thus Quins had been under pressure most of the half.

The second half the weather went from bad to worse and Ulster capitalised by adapting their game to suit, by kicking for position and pressure . Two of the trys were from short kicks inside the opponents 22 definitely not a first choice tactic on a dry pitch nor a tactic frequently used by Ulster this year despite the fact many of the matches have been bad weather games.

Personally I think the switch of Stockdale to fullback has , thus far been successful, and it may be i think possibly be permanent, given the number of players Ulster (and Ireland ) have available to play on the wing. Kearney is a yesterday player now in his swan song and there is no obvious replacement. Haley of Munster is hot and cold and erratic in style as is Lamour both tend to become isolated when attacking from full back -- fine at Pro14 and European level --but not what coaches want at international level . Stockdale has been sound under the high ball , his return kick has been varied ( long touch and high up-n-under) he has linked well with his wings coming into the line, and when on run return been direct and avoided becoming isolated.Defensively his positioning will improve i am sure under the guidance of Payne but at fullback he does not appear to be caught in two minds which seemed to be the case when playing to order on the wing.

All in all I think the move to full back could suit Stockdale and Ulster and Ireland.

[justinr73]

I tend to find that the byline provides a very good clue as to the origin of a newspaper article.

[big mervyn]

I tend to find that the byline provides a very good clue as to the origin of a newspaper article.

He seens to have a Dublin connection but I think we're wasting time discussing the merits of that ar$ewipe that masquerades as a serious news organ.

[Cracker]

Missed the game. Is there anywhere I can see it on a streaming site.

[solidarity]

Extended highlights (around 40 mins) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xHvgjK2G78