Dragons v Ulster Sunday February 20th 2pm Premier Sports 1

[Neill_M]

McIlroy out injured, but Izuchukwu, Stewart, Moore, Matty Rea and Murphy available for selection.

Lowry, Hume, O'Toole, Baloucoune, Timoney and Treadwell available for selection for weekend from Irish camp.

[Dave]

Delighted to see big Izzy making a comeback. A big powerful lad, fairly raw but plenty of potential. With potentially AOC and Treadwell starting, he would have to displace our NIQ second row.

[Keyboard Warrior]

If Izuchukwu is fit and we're light on back three players we might see a 6/2 against dragons with him and carter

O'Sullivan Moore O'Toole O'Connor Treadwell Rae (jr) timoney vermeulen doak burns Lyttle McCloskey Hume Baloucoune Lowry

Roberts McGrath Moore carter Izuchukwu McCann shanahan Moore.

[Bart S]

Good to see Jordi back also. His experience and quality over these next few months is a big boost for our backrow options

[jean valjean]

Izzy and Murphy could play an important role in the rest of the season. We need as much SID as possible. Vermulen, timoney, Murphy and rea Jr would be my back rowers in a big match 23. I just hope injuries don't prevent us getting to see it.

[Dave]

Jordi will have to be on top of his game to replace Marcus. The good Rea has really given us that breakdown threat not seen since Rory retired and Marcell became homesick.

[Tightheadsdoitbest]

When discussing the back row, lets not forget Sean Reidy - A Louis Ludik type of player (and that's an accolade in itself) - never a backward step and a real clubman - perhaps a "just not quite" type of player (big enough, quick enough etc..) for the next step but for the Ulster he always gave everything and has saved us on many occasions. Deserves better than to be forgotten and discarded - if Ulster are to let him go, whoever he ends up with will get a great player!

[allezlesverres]

When discussing the back row, lets not forget Sean Reidy - A Louis Ludik type of player (and that's an accolade in itself) - never a backward step and a real clubman - perhaps a "just not quite" type of player (big enough, quick enough etc..) for the next step but for the Ulster he always gave everything and has saved us on many occasions. Deserves better than to be forgotten and discarded - if Ulster are to let him go, whoever he ends up with will get a great player!

I think the rumour mill is pretty well convinced at this point that Reidy is away at the end of the season. Its regrettable but understandable from the perspective of both player and club. He still has a few good years in him so he has to look to maximise his earnings and Ulster isn't the place for him to do that.

[WestDr]

When discussing the back row, lets not forget Sean Reidy - A Louis Ludik type of player (and that's an accolade in itself) - never a backward step and a real clubman - perhaps a "just not quite" type of player (big enough, quick enough etc..) for the next step but for the Ulster he always gave everything and has saved us on many occasions. Deserves better than to be forgotten and discarded - if Ulster are to let him go, whoever he ends up with will get a great player!

+1.

[Neill_M]

Roberts also available for this weekend.

[justinr73]

Think they are six forwards down to the national team.

Weather forecast is fairly grim.

[Neill_M]

Sunday, 20 February 2022

Dragons vs Ulster Rugby Dave Parade, Newport - 14h00
Referee: Andrea Piardi
Assistant Referees: Adam Jones, Gareth Newman
Television Match Official: Ben Whitehouse

[StandUp]

Jordi will have to be on top of his game to replace Marcus. The good Rea has really given us that breakdown threat not seen since Rory retired and Marcell became homesick.

100%. He has been brilliant in his first real season with Ulster.

[Neill_M]

Full deferred coverage of game on S4C on Monday at 10pm and iPlayer (available some point Sunday night / Monday).

[Dharper]

Interesting to see how much gametime the released players get, should give a decent indication on potential int involvement v italy.

For me Rea jnr has finally got an opportunity after 18mths, and taken it with both hands. I hope he is firmly of the attitude he is Ulsters best 7, and doesn’t give a tom kite about anyone else coming into the squad. Just like Hume & Doak, I want to see these young players not taking a backward step internally or externally to anyone rugby wise.

Great to see Izzy back, lots to learn, but what an athlete. Hopefully the rehab has prepped him physically.

Really want Hume lowery Balacoune to rip it up and force pressure onto the ire management.