Harlequins v Ulster Sat Jan 20 1pm KO TNT Sports 2

[Bart S]

Good to see McCloskey saying ahead of the game that he doesn't want to be playing in the Challenge Cup.

Ending up there would represent a failure

An honest but stupid comment in my view. It's alright having that opinion in private but it will be put to him again if we manage to make the later stages in the challenge Cup.

It's good to hear him say it. Means a loss can't be sugar-coated .

[MightyRearranger]

I assume in reality it'll be Timoney at 7 and McCann at 8?

Either way, happy with this selection, and happy to see McFarland has found Harry Sheridan again.

I imagine Timoney will pack down at 8 for our scrums at flanker for their put in. Seemed to be what was happening when they were playing together earlier in the season. Hope McCann has a bit of a chip on his shoulder after not getting picked for the Ireland squad. Given his form at the start of the season, think he can feel pretty hard done by.

[Dave]

Matty Rea is a shoe on for player of the season at this rate.

[Bart S]

Matty Rea is a shoe on for player of the season at this rate.

And a new contract

[Bart S]

I assume in reality it'll be Timoney at 7 and McCann at 8?

Either way, happy with this selection, and happy to see McFarland has found Harry Sheridan again.

I imagine Timoney will pack down at 8 for our scrums at flanker for their put in. Seemed to be what was happening when they were playing together earlier in the season. Hope McCann has a bit of a chip on his shoulder after not getting picked for the Ireland squad. Given his form at the start of the season, think he can feel pretty hard done by.

Backrow is an area of depth for Ireland and McCann missed the big games. The fact that Timoney stood out last week even in a thrashing will have helped him to get in.

McCann might have made the development players being brought along but again, needs to prove himself in the big games to get ahead of the competition. Different story at say 10 and taking Sam Predegrast as nowhere near the same depth there.

[solidarity]

Looking at the three matches, might be an opportunity for a few teams in our group to give some young lads a run out.

By the maths, all three games have something on them.

Harlequins v Ulster. Obviously an Ulster win gets them into R16, Quins can catch Bath if they get a 5-0 and Bath get nothing in Toulouse and overturn the 20 points on points difference. 2nd in the pool gets home R16 game.

R92 v Cardiff. If Ulster slip up, both sides can get 4th and into R16.

Toulouse v Bath. Playing for the pool and being one of the top four seeds which gets up home R16 and home QF and potential home country SF.

We will see how the various sides are thinking tomorrow with their selections.

Can't be anything but impressed by your clear headed analysis, Neill!

[Neill_M]

Looking at the three matches, might be an opportunity for a few teams in our group to give some young lads a run out.

By the maths, all three games have something on them.

Harlequins v Ulster. Obviously an Ulster win gets them into R16, Quins can catch Bath if they get a 5-0 and Bath get nothing in Toulouse and overturn the 20 points on points difference. 2nd in the pool gets home R16 game.

R92 v Cardiff. If Ulster slip up, both sides can get 4th and into R16.

Toulouse v Bath. Playing for the pool and being one of the top four seeds which gets up home R16 and home QF and potential home country SF.

We will see how the various sides are thinking tomorrow with their selections.

Can't be anything but impressed by your clear headed analysis, Neill!

All four sides picked strong sides for their games.

[Neill_M]

Full house for Glasgow v Toulon reserves, Ulster will not overtake them re seedings if both finish 4th.

[jean valjean]

Full house for Glasgow v Toulon reserves, Ulster will not overtake them re seedings if both finish 4th.

Is there any chance we can finish 14th seed?

[Neill_M]

Full house for Glasgow v Toulon reserves, Ulster will not overtake them re seedings if both finish 4th.

Is there any chance we can finish 14th seed?

Need a lot of things. Ulster would need to get to 10 points and then hope Sale beat a fully loaded La Rochelle with no BP and Saracens don't get a BP win vs Lyon reserves OR get a BP win and win by same margin as Ulster.

If Munster get less than two match points v Saints, Ulster would trump them in the above scenario. Munster currently on 8 points.

Simples.

[jean valjean]

It's quite funny that 3 out of the bottom 4 seeds could well be La rochelle, saracens and racing 92. Not much of a reward for those finishing top of the group.

[Cap'n Grumpy]

Matty Rea is a shoe on for player of the season at this rate.

And a new contract

Absolute disgrace that he's not in the Ireland 6N squad!

[CIMANFOREVER]

Not much between the two teams. Smith and Dombrandt the difference?

[CIMANFOREVER]

Matty Rea is a shoe on for player of the season at this rate.

And a new contract

Absolute disgrace that he's not in the Ireland 6N squad!

POM keeping his shirt warm....
At least Rea the greater is back. Maybe DF realises he needs Sheridan et Al to save face/ job etc. Another season of underachieving and that should be it hopefully ( if Wavey Davey can sub us the funds..) Uninspiring coach.

[Cap'n Grumpy]

That quick lineout for their try didn't go 5m.