The 10 Shirt

[Bart S]

CIMAN - I could be wrong but I thought that Sexton (a) had more experience (albeit at 12 maybe) than Paddy J and (b) that the decision was in part "forced" because of an injury to Contepomi.

One thing Hump has is big game experience and we may not have beaten Clermont at home and even be in this position if it wasn't for him.

I'd probably still just go for him although can see both sides of the argument. I just don't think it's a slam dunk to change a team which won at Thomond in order to pick a guy who has played a decent game and a half in the Rabo. I'm not knocking paddy J, just saying it's a huge call.

I'll be getting 100% behind whichever one is picked as soon as the selection is made!

[CIMANFOREVER]

CIMAN - I could be wrong but I thought that Sexton (a) had more experience (albeit at 12 maybe) than Paddy J and (b) that the decision was in part "forced" because of an injury to Contepomi.

One thing Hump has is big game experience and we may not have beaten Clermont at home and even be in this position if it wasn't for him.

I'd probably still just go for him although can see both sides of the argument. I just don't think it's a slam dunk to change a team which won at Thomond in order to pick a guy who has played a decent game and a half in the Rabo. I'm not knocking paddy J, just saying it's a huge call.

I'll be getting 100% behind whichever one is picked as soon as the selection is made!

Bart- a & b both true. Imo however, c) PJ decision is forced because of IH loss of form, which forces our hand. It's almost as if some of us on here are afraid to make the change, as if it's an ill omen or portent, rather than purely on form. I believe PJ is the stronger option, especially if RP and PW play.
"We won wIth IH, the Gods will curse us if we change." We won Despite IH on most occasions during the HEC qualifiers..let's get over the Clermont try- D'arcy did the lions share to make it, although IH finished it well.
PJ is kicking well, as is RP... PJ finding touch, distributing well etc etc etc. Seems like the only argument seems to be "experience" by everyone here.

To me, only changes should be:

DF for J Afoa
PJ for IH.

But I agree, we should support whoever starts.

[breakdown]

Agree with you CIM. PJ is the best option and he does seem like a confident young guy and hasnt looked too bothered when ever he has played.

Also, PJ has more experience playing at the Aviva than iHumph does

[ardsrugbyards]

am i right in saying in rugby you are only as good as your last game, or would it be your last season?

[shamalicious]

I'm really 50/50 about this one. I'd be an iHumph defender but his form this season has been so disappointing. PJ has shown he has cajones and he doesn't seem to be fazed by the big boys either. Better defensively than iHumph by a country mile but I do worry about him being thrown in for our biggest game in 13 years with little game time in the starting XV. iHumph has experience in the big games, but PJ has no fear. It's a really tough call.

[BaggyTrousers]

Ulster's problems at 10 go back even to when DH *was* playing. IMO he went on for a couple of seasons when he was well past his best and the memories of some absolute 'mares he had at the time tend to fade.... not that there was a viable alternative at the time either.

You have answered the question posed by your own post before any of us could jump on it. Doc Dave was the best we had, simple as that.

Its easy for any of us to criticise in hindsight but the reality is there was no appetite to change anything at UR at that stage least of all the local hero & Doc Dave has been the main local hero of the pro era & still is with his superb recruitment.

Not having a go by the way, think you are close enough about Doc's last year or so when father time was catching up - that said I loved watching him ........ usually.

[Innocent]

Paddy has to start - there's no risk! Hes playing well, doesnt seem to fear anyone! Hump hasn't turned up all season ... Why oh why did he get a 3 year deal?

[Snipe Watson]

Agree with you CIM. PJ is the best option and he does seem like a confident young guy and hasnt looked too bothered when ever he has played.

Also, PJ has more experience playing at the Aviva than iHumph does or is likely to have

Fixed

[Mac]

Agree with you CIM. PJ is the best option and he does seem like a confident young guy and hasnt looked too bothered when ever he has played.

Also, PJ has more experience playing at the Aviva than iHumph does

Aye, he certainly had his eye in that. Knocking them over from all angles for fun.

[BaggyTrousers]

PJ definitely put his hand up but you'd need some set of swingers to select him for such a game...i expect it to be Humph.

That's how I see it and how I expect it to be selected, I just happy to see that in a strong team against the leagues strongest opponents PJ looked very comfortable, not perfect but when is the last time Ulster played a perfect 10?

Ruck, take your point about Humph & Small BUT I wouldn't rule it out. What both have is bags of pace, I can see them causing a bit of havoc late in games but of course in every game, barring rotation I'd never want to see Ruan off, unrealistic as that may be.

On the general point of McGlock being conservative, I'm not sure I know any coach who is anything other than conservative in selection unless he has either a huge squad of talented players or is called Marc Lievremont....... or in his case both.

Incidentally I don't buy into this "one bad game could ruin a career" theory, just an excuse not to bite the bullet - you know, that bullet I don;t expect to see bitten.

[BaggyTrousers]

Jackson - the better player, playing better, what more do we need to discuss?

Reality ?????????????

[big mervyn]

Ulster's problems at 10 go back even to when DH *was* playing. IMO he went on for a couple of seasons when he was well past his best and the memories of some absolute 'mares he had at the time tend to fade.... not that there was a viable alternative at the time either.

You have answered the question posed by your own post before any of us could jump on it. Doc Dave was the best we had, simple as that.

Its easy for any of us to criticise in hindsight but the reality is there was no appetite to change anything at UR at that stage least of all the local hero & Doc Dave has been the main local hero of the pro era & still is with his superb recruitment.

Not having a go by the way, think you are close enough about Doc's last year or so when father time was catching up - that said I loved watching him ........ usually.

Highlight of that season was watching the Doc come off the bench against Leinster with about 20 to go. Played a blinder and engineered a fine comeback securing the draw with the last kick.

[armalig]

Prediction..... Paddy will play and IHump will not even make the bench.......

[ardsrugbyards]

IH will start and PJ will warm the bench and stay their unless we get in trouble, i don't mind who starts out of the two we are still going to win on saturday.

[ulster32]

Heard on Tuesday evening from a reliable source that paddy has the 10 shirt