Ulster v Clermont

[ruckover]

Well, here we go guys. This is the game that defines our European season - will it be Heineken or Amlin? Clermont are a very good side, which is extremely obvious, but we all know we have the strength and form to beat them, top the pool and head to a home QF. Honestly, it is looking like a cracking game. Barring any more injuries my team would be:
15. Terblanche
14. Trimble
13. Whitten
12. Wallace
11. Gilroy
10. Pienaar
9. Marshall
1. Court
2. Best
3. Afoa
4. Muller
5. Tuohy
6. Ferris
7. Henry
8. Wannenburg
I don't want to start the whole half back debate again, but I do think we're more of a threat with Marshall-Pienaar.

[Cap'n Grumpy]

Well, here we go guys. This is the game that defines our European season - will it be Heineken or Amlin? Clermont are a very good side, which is extremely obvious, but we all know we have the strength and form to beat them, top the pool and head to a home QF. Honestly, it is looking like a cracking game. Barring any more injuries my team would be:
15. Terblanche
14. Trimble
13. Whitten
12. Wallace
11. Gilroy
10. Pienaar
9. Marshall
1. Court
2. Best
3. Afoa
4. Muller
5. Tuohy
6. Ferris
7. Henry
8. Wannenburg
I don't want to start the whole half back debate again, but I do think we're more of a threat with Marshall-Pienaar.

Why start it then?

[againstthehead]

I assume Cave is out?

[Big-al]

I assume Cave is out?

Nothing is confirmed.

[Nightsoil]

Harsh on Whitten, but I think I'd rather have Terblanche at 13 and D'Arcy at 15 than Whitten at 13 if Cave can't make it.

[Bart S]

Well, here we go guys. This is the game that defines our European season - will it be Heineken or Amlin? Clermont are a very good side, which is extremely obvious, but we all know we have the strength and form to beat them, top the pool and head to a home QF. Honestly, it is looking like a cracking game. Barring any more injuries my team would be:
15. Terblanche
14. Trimble
13. Whitten
12. Wallace
11. Gilroy
10. Pienaar
9. Marshall
1. Court
2. Best
3. Afoa
4. Muller
5. Tuohy
6. Ferris
7. Henry
8. Wannenburg
I don't want to start the whole half back debate again, but I do think we're more of a threat with Marshall-Pienaar.

Would be amazed if McGlock picked anything but the same starting XV if they are all fit and any changes will be injury enforced. Cave will be given as long as possible to recover.

[promsandwich]

I'd put Whitten at 12 and PW at 13 assuming that is that Cave isn't going to make it

[Bart S]

Harsh on Whitten, but I think I'd rather have Terblanche at 13 and D'Arcy at 15 than Whitten at 13 if Cave can't make it.

I think the fact that Whitten came on for Cave on Friday night is a big indication that he will start if Cave is not fit. Besides, McGlock is clearly not a big fan of Darcy, it would only need 1 change rather than 2 and Terblanche hasn't played 13 for Ulster yet as far as I'm aware (although I stand to be corrected!).

[TinPig]

We all have just witnessed one of the most outstanding team performance from Ulster in recent memory and we have one person doubtful for Saturday.
So the automatic reaction by many is to shuffle around as many positions as possible
IMO is start with the winning proven combination and if pushed bring Marshall on 10 mins earlier.

[ardsrugbyards]

We all have just witnessed one of the most outstanding team performance from Ulster in recent memory and we have one person doubtful for Saturday.
So the automatic reaction by many is to shuffle around as many positions as possible
IMO is start with the winning proven combination and if pushed bring Marshall on 10 mins earlier.

+1
I agree if it's not broke don't fix it, Marshall is doing a great job coming off the he seems to read the game well and then he has the extra vavavoooom which no defence can stop come 70mins on their feet.

[AndyB]

Assuming Cave (and everyone else) is fit then I would put out the same 15 again.

Whitten for Cave seems the natural choice if not.

Marshall is a good impact sub at the moment.

[againstthehead]

If Spence is 100% then maybe spence at 13 but otherwise a PW/Whitten partnership on the cards. Whitten's great physical presence could even be a bonus...

[namron]

If Spence is 100% then maybe spence at 13 but otherwise a PW/Whitten partnership on the cards. Whitten's great physical presence could even be a bonus...

Agreed .the positions could even be swapped depending on set piece attack/ defence scenario where whitten could cover the 10/12 channel more effectively against the big French centres .

[Rooster]

Lastly, would you not want the bigger man squaring up to Rougerie?

Who is this Rougerie chap you are talking about

[Bart S]

Anyone remember when Whitten came on for Cave on Friday night whether he played at 12 or 13? I have a funny feeling that PW may have moved to 13 although I honestly can't remember.