The UAFC

CIMANFOREVER wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 1:56 pm

UlsterNo9 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 1:48 pm

Dave wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 1:42 pm

CIMANFOREVER wrote:If we don't screw up agin Edinburgh, Bulls or Sharks qf, then Stormers home sf is the likely path to our Nemesis. That's a physical route.
We'll ship injuries. Squad depth will be tested to stretching point

TOT on crutches. Obviously, no Marty Moore. We now rely solely on Jeff and Milo. If we lose Jeff it would be an unmitigated disaster. Next season, we will be in a worse situation.

Soper said the crutches were a precaution, when interviewed after the game. Which is a positive, doesn't mean O'Toole is not injured, just means the crutches doesn't necessarily mean the worst.

It highlights our vulnerability in a key position though

UlsterNo9 wrote:

Dave wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 1:42 pm

CIMANFOREVER wrote:If we don't screw up agin Edinburgh, Bulls or Sharks qf, then Stormers home sf is the likely path to our Nemesis. That's a physical route.
We'll ship injuries. Squad depth will be tested to stretching point

TOT on crutches. Obviously, no Marty Moore. We now rely solely on Jeff and Milo. If we lose Jeff it would be an unmitigated disaster. Next season, we will be in a worse situation.

Soper said the crutches were a precaution, when interviewed after the game. Which is a positive, doesn't mean O'Toole is not injured, just means the crutches doesn't necessarily mean the worst.

UlsterNo9 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 2:16 pm

CIMANFOREVER wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 1:56 pm

UlsterNo9 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 1:48 pm

Dave wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 1:42 pm

CIMANFOREVER wrote:If we don't screw up agin Edinburgh, Bulls or Sharks qf, then Stormers home sf is the likely path to our Nemesis. That's a physical route.
We'll ship injuries. Squad depth will be tested to stretching point

TOT on crutches. Obviously, no Marty Moore. We now rely solely on Jeff and Milo. If we lose Jeff it would be an unmitigated disaster. Next season, we will be in a worse situation.

Soper said the crutches were a precaution, when interviewed after the game. Which is a positive, doesn't mean O'Toole is not injured, just means the crutches doesn't necessarily mean the worst.

It highlights our vulnerability in a key position though

Even Leinster would struggle if they lost Furlong and Ala'alatoa, they're onto Abdaladze at 3rd choice.

Lurgan Lad wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 4:21 pm
Would guess Porter might be third choice, but needless to say tight head isn't a position it is easy to have good depth at

UlsterNo9 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 2:16 pm

CIMANFOREVER wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 1:56 pm

UlsterNo9 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 1:48 pm

Dave wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 1:42 pm

CIMANFOREVER wrote:If we don't screw up agin Edinburgh, Bulls or Sharks qf, then Stormers home sf is the likely path to our Nemesis. That's a physical route.
We'll ship injuries. Squad depth will be tested to stretching point

TOT on crutches. Obviously, no Marty Moore. We now rely solely on Jeff and Milo. If we lose Jeff it would be an unmitigated disaster. Next season, we will be in a worse situation.

Soper said the crutches were a precaution, when interviewed after the game. Which is a positive, doesn't mean O'Toole is not injured, just means the crutches doesn't necessarily mean the worst.

It highlights our vulnerability in a key position though

Even Leinster would struggle if they lost Furlong and Ala'alatoa, they're onto Abdaladze at 3rd choice.

jean valjean wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 5:36 pm Just looking at leinsters fixture list, they play toulouse then possible URC QF, URC SF, Heineken final, URC Final in the following 4 weeks. There is no way they can play their strongest 23 for 5 weeks in a row so may be vulnerable, especially in the URC semi as it is the week before the Heineken.

UlsterNo9 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 2:09 pm 1. Leinster Pts 79 Wins 16
2. Ulster Pts 64 Wins 12
3. Stormers Pts 63 Wins 11
4. Glasgow Pts 58 Wins 12
5. Munster Pts 53 Wins 10
6. Connacht Pts 49 Wins 10
7. Bulls Pts 48 Wins 9
8. Sharks Pts 46 Win 9

Round 18 Fixtures

Stormers v Benetton
Glasgow v Connacht
Bulls v Leinster
Sharks v Munster
Ulster v Edinburgh


Leinster, Glasgow Benetton have European fixture weekend after. Glasgow and Benetton may prioritise selection to suit Europe as said elsewhere.
Munster and Connacht competing for 3rd best placed Irish team for European Cup qualification
Bulls and Sharks competing for 3rd best placed Irish team for European Cup qualification
Ulster and Stormers battling for 2nd place

I hope Leinster end up facing Bulls or Sharks, they'll match them physically. Leinster could then face Munster in Semi Final. No easy route whilst juggling Europe.

I don't really mind who we get as long as we retain second spot. The Bulls gave us a really tough game, so probably would like to avoid them.

UlsterNo9 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 5:01 pm

Lurgan Lad wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 4:21 pm
Would guess Porter might be third choice, but needless to say tight head isn't a position it is easy to have good depth at

It could, but then you're robbing loose head, can Healy do a full 80. Drop off to Milne and Ed Byrne is sizeable.

Just to stoke the fire Leinster have two NIQ tight head props Abdaladze and Ala'alatoa contracted to 2024.

Big-al wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 6:12 am By my reckoning if everything goes to plan, then we’ll be playing Sharks in the QF.

We could have had easier draws!!!

Neill_M wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 8:52 am

Big-al wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 6:12 am By my reckoning if everything goes to plan, then we’ll be playing Sharks in the QF.

We could have had easier draws!!!

Glasgow team selection v Connacht will be interesting. Go strong OR play the 2s ahead of the Parker Pen next week.

Big-al wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 9:22 am

Neill_M wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 8:52 am

Big-al wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 6:12 am By my reckoning if everything goes to plan, then we’ll be playing Sharks in the QF.

We could have had easier draws!!!

Glasgow team selection v Connacht will be interesting. Go strong OR play the 2s ahead of the Parker Pen next week.

Perhaps.

I’m going for a BP win Bulls, BP Sharks, win for ulster and win for Glasgow.

Connacht really don’t want to finish 8th either, they need a win, or they will be going to Dublin.