Clermont v Ulster Saturday Dec 11 5:30pm (UK Time)

[Bart S]

I thought Billy played very well against Leinster but less so in the other recent games. He seems low on confidence to me and it shows with some of his decision making and execution.

Is Billy the best option to start at 10 on Friday night? Yes

Is Billy the best 10 available to Ulster right now? I don’t think anyone can really answer that because no-one else has been given a decent opportunity. That’s my biggest issue about how the 10 situation has been handled over the past season and a bit.

[So It Is]

Re: Lowry at 10 or 15

What happens when Addison comes back. Isn't he the first choice 15 when fit?

I agree that Lowry has been excellent at 15

Unfortunately for the Addison, given his obvious talents, that it is a bit of a waste time talking about him as first choice given his injury record.

The shirt is Lowry's to lose and Addison will need a run of fitness and form to displace him.

[Bart S]

Re: Lowry at 10 or 15

What happens when Addison comes back. Isn't he the first choice 15 when fit?

I agree that Lowry has been excellent at 15

Unfortunately for the Addison, given his obvious talents, that it is a bit of a waste time talking about him as first choice given his injury record.

The shirt is Lowry's to lose and Addison will need a run of fitness and form to displace him.

True although Addison’s current injury was a freak one rather than linked to any previous issues. I still think if he comes back he will become first choice at 15 given his obvious talents.

Right now Lowry is ulster’s best 15 but we have others who can do a job there. If Stockdale and Baloucoune are 2 of the back 3 then even without Lowry we still have Gilroy, Lyttle and McIlroy, so there are opportunities to give Lowry at least some gametime at 10.

[solidarity]

Hi Solids

Full match now on U tube

Thanks, Volvo. The next hour and a half will be well spent!

[Joe Schmo]

Hi Solids

Full match now on U tube

Can’t find it, just loads of stupid live streams. Anyone got links or the search term they used? Ta.

[BR]

Hi Solids

Full match now on U tube

Can’t find it, just loads of stupid live streams. Anyone got links or the search term they used? Ta.

Probably being taken down as fast as they go up

[Cap'n Grumpy]

Lowry at out half is not a case of ability it is sadly a case of survivability and those who want him to play out half are putting the needs of the team before the welfare of the player .

Ya think?

Why haven't you mentioned this before?

[volvo]

Full match was up by a tuber called Euro15 but was taken down within 15 mins by U tube police I copied it but cant get it to upload back to U tube or the forum page, will speak to my resident geke tomorrow at work and see if he can work his unlawful magic

[germcevoy]

Can’t wait to watch this back tonight. tom kite having to go out for a match.

[solidarity]

A quick question. I see that Ulster had the wee former winner's star above the crest on their shirts. How long have they been wearing this? Have I just not noticed it before?

[Dave]

I have outlined why I don't rate him. If you do, go ahead and tell us why. We don't have to agree of course, but perhaps I will learn something from your perspective. I haven't read anyone slagging him off for being not world class, that certainly wasn't my point so I have no response to that.

The impression I get is if someone's not world class, then they're rubbish, which I just don't get.
I presumed you were referring to me when you wrote "You can't make the broad assumption that he must be good because we won".
I never said he was good - I said he was decent. He certainly wasn't bad - we wouldn't have won if he had been. It took a team performance and that includes No10. Of course all that is relative to where you set the benchmark.

I think we are in agreement that we all want a better player than Billy as our first choice 10 - I'm just saying it's not gonna happen and getting behind Billy and pushing him to keep playing his best is better than slagging him off. Let's be honest, if we had him as our #10 understudy, he's probably as good as many teams' backup outhalf and better than some.

That's where I rate him. If you don't rate him at all that's your choice.

I said the parts of his game that I think are poor. He also makes too many mistakes. He was awful against Connacht. I'm not just choosing to say that. I didn't see any defending him. He is capable of good performances but we don't see it enough.

Once again, I don't know who is asserting 'if someone's not world class, then they're rubbish', so I can't help with that.

[Ds69]

A quick question. I see that Ulster had the wee former winner's star above the crest on their shirts. How long have they been wearing this? Have I just not noticed it before?

I think the euro shirts always had this

[germcevoy]

Great viewing. Cooney, Lowry, Hume, Stu all standouts. Great game management and no hint of folding when Clermont came on strong. Restricted Clermont to two individual scores and defended to a man. Buzzing for Friday night.

[BR]

A quick question. I see that Ulster had the wee former winner's star above the crest on their shirts. How long have they been wearing this? Have I just not noticed it before?

2020 IIRC

I mind thinking I'd rather have a red hand than a gold star.

[rumncoke]

Capt

it is and has always been my reason not to play Lowry at 10