Leinster VS Ulster HC QF 01/04/23

[Big-al]

I’m coming around to the idea of McCann and Marcus Rea in the backrow and bring Timoney on later. A player who think is naturally an 8, albeit a small 8.


Rea must start as he is, by a distance, our best breakdown specialist. McCann has played well and is a huge lump in the maul and lineout, is also a good defender.

Timoney has been at his best this season, he offered no turnover threat whatsoever vs the Bulls.

[justinr73]

Come on Bart - grow a pair.

[jean valjean]

If leinster are missing Doris, ringrose and keenan (as per rumours) then our chances improve significantly. O'brien, frawley and conan are all quality players but not in the same league.

[HammerTime]

Make no mistake - if Ulster was to win at the weekend it would be far far beyond the Thomond victory in terms of achievement. The Thomond win was great - interpro, Thomond fortress etc but that Munster team was already on the wane - Flannery, Leamy and David Wallace, all of whom were conrnerstones of the pack, retired very shortly thereafter

The current Leinster team on the other hand would have had a decent chance of doing the grand slam this year. Larmour for Hansen, Henshaw for Aki, Conan for POM and you are just about there. The only weaknesses vs Ireland are 1 winger (Larmour excellent going forward, not so much defensively) and 1 lock (Baird is good, but Tadgh Beirne is exceptional). I do think POM is underrated at 6 as he allows JVdf and Doris to flourish at 7 and 8 respectively but Conan at 8 and Doris at 6 would still be pretty decent.

A lot of the current Leinster crop have never won a European Cup, so they'll be up for it. An Ulster win would indeed be a miracle!

They have the prize of a not only a last 16 but a qf, sf and final at the Aviva. Unfortunately for us there is absolutely zero chance they will let that slip. Th IRFU will be quids in and won’t want those pesky northerners fkn the whole show up. In saying that I don’t think we’ll get slaughtered. Going for 28-15.

[Dave]

This will be the pluckiest of defeats. I'll be plucked off if it's the thrashing most are predicting.

[justinr73]

Make no mistake - if Ulster was to win at the weekend it would be far far beyond the Thomond victory in terms of achievement. The Thomond win was great - interpro, Thomond fortress etc but that Munster team was already on the wane - Flannery, Leamy and David Wallace, all of whom were conrnerstones of the pack, retired very shortly thereafter

The current Leinster team on the other hand would have had a decent chance of doing the grand slam this year. Larmour for Hansen, Henshaw for Aki, Conan for POM and you are just about there. The only weaknesses vs Ireland are 1 winger (Larmour excellent going forward, not so much defensively) and 1 lock (Baird is good, but Tadgh Beirne is exceptional). I do think POM is underrated at 6 as he allows JVdf and Doris to flourish at 7 and 8 respectively but Conan at 8 and Doris at 6 would still be pretty decent.

A lot of the current Leinster crop have never won a European Cup, so they'll be up for it. An Ulster win would indeed be a miracle!

They have the prize of a not only a last 16 but a qf, sf and final at the Aviva. Unfortunately for us there is absolutely zero chance they will let that slip. Th IRFU will be quids in and won’t want those pesky northerners fkn the whole show up. In saying that I don’t think we’ll get slaughtered. Going for 28-15.

Not like we’ve ever let slip a final at home? And didn’t they do the same v the Bulls last year?

Obviously it won’t be easy but I reckon 7-1 is generous.

[big mervyn]

Not like we’ve ever let slip a final at home?

We've never played a final at home unless you count the one we played in Dublin.

[Dublin4]

Saturday will be very tight. Ulster have quality all across the field. We look like missing some players.
I remember the last game of this kind, the one that ended Dan Leavy's career in I think 2019. That was a cracker.
Leinster to hang on for a one score win.

[allezlesverres]

Saturday will be very tight.

That's very diplomatic of you D4, but I don't think even the most optimistic poster here agrees with you. And outside this forum the fact the bookies are giving Ulster 16points on the handicap suggests all the smart money says Leinster will win this at a canter. Galling though it is to admit, this is a vintage Leinster crop, and notwithstanding our league position, Ulster have shown some serious frailty this season which i fully expect Leinster to exploit. In simple terms if Leinster can stop our maul, we can't score tries so you don't need to worry.

If I was Dan, my strategy would be to play territory and kick every point available, and hope our defence is having a good day.

[Bart S]

The teams which have beaten leinster in this comp in the past few years and even looking at The Bulls last year in the URC had big packs which got on top of leinster. Ulster just don't have that (far from alone in that regard).

The addition of Jenkins and resurgence of Ryan as a more physical player has made them even harder to best.

Won't stop me convincing myself at some mad moment that ulster can do it on Saturday!

[StandUp]

Ulster by 2!

[rumncoke]

If I were Dan I say play territory keep Leinster in their own half -- no penalties -- and win dirty if you have too

Dirty -- whinge -- complain -- dive --get players sent off -- like Sexton -- like Ringrose

Make no mistake leinster will do it if they have too.

Frawley and Conor are quality J o 'Brien -- I have a question mark at -- why --if he was so good he wouldn't be on the bench seems to to a match for Moore on the Ulster side but the difference is Moore is 12 -15 J o'Brien seems to be more a GAA 11, 14, 15 with a bit of pace.

[Dave]

SUFTUM

[Duckjnr]

Saturday will be very tight. Ulster have quality all across the field. We look like missing some players.
I remember the last game of this kind, the one that ended Dan Leavy's career in I think 2019. That was a cracker.
Leinster to hang on for a one score win.

I subjected myself to watching that game back at the weekend (some kind soul has the full match on YouTube) and it has certainly whet the appetite! Really was a cracker, but it brought back the pain… Ulster mgt could do well to play part of it back and remind them of the feeling. If the 50k or so fans that are predicted get a similar showing, both sets will be in for a treat!

[justinr73]

Lengthy queue for the bog at half time meant I emerged just as it looked like JS was scoring. I sense redemption for him….

Setting off tomorrow and taking a detour to Wicklow and Kildare.