Ulster v Vodacom Bulls Sunday October 29th 17:00 - Viaplay Sports / BBC Two NI (also iPlayer) / Super Sport

[DodgyEverything]

Strong Bulls pack that, glad we have TOT back. Ideally to do the full 80, though doubt the return to play allows that

[CIMANFOREVER]

Team's up. Looks much stronger than last week.

(1-8) Andy Warwick, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (C), Kieran Treadwell, Dave Ewers, Dave McCann, Nick Timoney;

(15-9) Will Addison, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak.

Replacements: John Andrew, Callum Reid, Greg McGrath, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, Dave Shanahan, Stewart Moore, Mike Lowry.

Wonder what's happening with young Sheridan?

Face doesn't fit.

Worrying no update on MM. We could be significantly exposed with no plan B since JTA was jettisoned

[SparkyClarky]

No consistency in Ulster updates, This week only Curtis & Moxham are mentioned when previous week even the World Cup returnees got a mention in last weeks update.

Let’s see if we have the fitness and speed for 80 minutes to run this Massive Bulls outfit around our super fast new playing surface?

[MightyRearranger]

Given McFarlands view that Burns is the most intelligent player he's coached I was surprised to see Flannery picked last week. Given Flannery was then one of the few (in my eyes) to come out of the game with some credit I'm now surprised he's dropped out of the 23 entirely the week after.

In some ways it makes sense, Given both Lowry and Doak can cover ten, but hope this isn't going to be a case of him now falling off the face of the earth, just as j thought we might be about to give somebody else a chance.

[big mervyn]

Given McFarlands view that Burns is the most intelligent player he's coached I was surprised to see Flannery picked last week. Given Flannery was then one of the few (in my eyes) to come out of the game with some credit I'm now surprised he's dropped out of the 23 entirely the week after.

In some ways it makes sense, Given both Lowry and Doak can cover ten, but hope this isn't going to be a case of him now falling off the face of the earth, just as j thought we might be about to give somebody else a chance.

If Stephen Hawking had played rugby he would have been the most intelligent player he'd coached. Doesn't necessarily mean you'd pick him at 10 v Zebre.

[MightyRearranger]

I wouldn't have written him off so quickly, I'd say you could put in some fairly destructive hits with one of those mobility scooters.

[BR]

Probably also could have easily won an argument with the ref about the relativity of the shot-clock.

[rumncoke]

Mighty rearranged

Flannery was not good as you think the Ulster defence was a shambles and what part Flannery had in that I am sure has been subject to review since an Outhalf has a key role in organising the defence , and his demise may have more to do with Bell than Mcfarland.

Of course the other missing link is Curtis

I of course considered the selection last week to be experimental the opposition being Parma away from home and as an experiment the defence was a failure -- much of that was down to 10 /12 axis and how much down to the back row where Rea is also a non starter I am sure has been well reviewed all week.

[justinr73]

Five more tries for Zebre today.

Lost again but they’re already within 7 points of their total for last season.

[MightyRearranger]

Bookies have Ulster 5 point favourites and 2/1 on to win. Would have felt about right last season, but less confident after seeing our defence last week and that the Bulls put 63 points past the Scarlets. In my head it's probably much closer to a coin toss.

Much as I don't like the fact it happened, will be interesting to see how Ulster go on the plastic pitch too.

[justinr73]

Good pic of HWM at Parma in the programme.

Felt a bit sorry for the lass sandwiched in between him and me on the flight home.

[Big-al]

How will the pitch be when it’s wet?

I was listening to a football match on Radio Ulster and Liam Beckett was fairly critical of a 3G pitch being sloppy when wet?

It’ll be interesting all the same!

[justinr73]

How will the pitch be when it’s wet?

I was listening to a football match on Radio Ulster and Liam Beckett was fairly critical of a 3G pitch being sloppy when wet?

It’ll be interesting all the same!

I believe the same contractor did the pitch in Cardiff which felt pretty good underfoot last season.

[justinr73]

Plenty of room on the East Terrace.

[thecrouch]

Whenever this game gets tight we are nowhere. Just cannot cope with any physical battle.

A number of times we were attacking their line, doing one out runners and going absolutely nowhere. Timoney and AOC getting smashed backwards.

My takeaway from this is even though we might win tonight, the Bulls would absolutely beat us in any end of season game of importance.