Leinster v Ulster Sat 3rd December 19.35 TG4

[D4surfer]

Strong teams!
Wonder will the bookies spread change, up or down, after the team announcements?

The spread has moved slightly to 11 points from 10. It’s still Leinster 1/4 and Ulster 7/2.

[mildlyinterested]

Sam Prendergast at captains run today.

[allezlesverres]

Ulster team to play Leinster, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 9, Saturday 3 December at RDS Arena (KO 7 35pm), live on TG4, Viaplay & URC.tv.

(15-9): Michael Lowry, Ethan McIlroy, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Stewart Moore, Billy Burns, John Cooney;

(1-8): Andy Warwick, Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson (Captain), Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, Sam Carter, Duane Vermeulen, Nathan Doak, Jacob Stockdale, Matty Rea.

Henderson at 6 is an interesting call at this stage of his career, especially considering his lack of match fitness

It's madness in my view. Hendy was an outstanding 6 before Schmidt insisted he become a lock. He has been an out and out lock for many years and is nowhere near mobile enough to play 6 any more. The Ulster team is bizarre. 4 locks in the squad, only two backs on the bench, not much in the way of OH (lowry/doak only) or Centre cover (Stew Moore only).

[wixfjord]

Ulster team to play Leinster, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 9, Saturday 3 December at RDS Arena (KO 7 35pm), live on TG4, Viaplay & URC.tv.

(15-9): Michael Lowry, Ethan McIlroy, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Stewart Moore, Billy Burns, John Cooney;

(1-8): Andy Warwick, Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson (Captain), Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, Sam Carter, Duane Vermeulen, Nathan Doak, Jacob Stockdale, Matty Rea.

Henderson at 6 is an interesting call at this stage of his career, especially considering his lack of match fitness

It really is, was thinking that too. Conan might fancy getting past him off the back of a scrum.

They're obviously expecting a forward struggle given they've a 6/2 split also.

[wixfjord]

Speaking of Conan, it's a big game for him tomorrow imo.

Hasn't been in brilliant form, lots of calls to start Deegan, Baird coming into flanker contention and Connors on the way back.

He's up against an Ireland competitor too in Timoney.

Would be nice to see a big carrying performance from him.

[wixfjord]

Actually why is Moore on the left wing for Ulster and Stockdale on the bench?

Weird selection choice.

Moore has never started as a wing for Ulster before.

[curates_egg]

Sam Prendergast at captains run today.

Thought he might be fast-tracked after his summer, but Tector is being trusted ahead of him.
Will he get his first full cap over Christmas maybe?

[brotheroffrank]

Ulster team to play Leinster, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 9, Saturday 3 December at RDS Arena (KO 7 35pm), live on TG4, Viaplay & URC.tv.

(15-9): Michael Lowry, Ethan McIlroy, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Stewart Moore, Billy Burns, John Cooney;

(1-8): Andy Warwick, Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson (Captain), Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, Sam Carter, Duane Vermeulen, Nathan Doak, Jacob Stockdale, Matty Rea.

Henderson at 6 is an interesting call at this stage of his career, especially considering his lack of match fitness

It's madness in my view. Hendy was an outstanding 6 before Schmidt insisted he become a lock. He has been an out and out lock for many years and is nowhere near mobile enough to play 6 any more. The Ulster team is bizarre. 4 locks in the squad, only two backs on the bench, not much in the way of OH (lowry/doak only) or Centre cover (Stew Moore only).

are they "Munster 2009" in disguise?

Ulster Supporters used to sing of a Team of Tommy Bowes.... now they Dream of a Team of Second Rows...

[mildlyinterested]

Harry apparently not injured.

[LeinsterLeader]

Ulster team to play Leinster, BKT United Rugby Championship Round 9, Saturday 3 December at RDS Arena (KO 7 35pm), live on TG4, Viaplay & URC.tv.

(15-9): Michael Lowry, Ethan McIlroy, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Stewart Moore, Billy Burns, John Cooney;

(1-8): Andy Warwick, Tom Stewart, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson (Captain), Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, Sam Carter, Duane Vermeulen, Nathan Doak, Jacob Stockdale, Matty Rea.

Henderson at 6 is an interesting call at this stage of his career, especially considering his lack of match fitness

It's madness in my view. Hendy was an outstanding 6 before Schmidt insisted he become a lock. He has been an out and out lock for many years and is nowhere near mobile enough to play 6 any more. The Ulster team is bizarre. 4 locks in the squad, only two backs on the bench, not much in the way of OH (lowry/doak only) or Centre cover (Stew Moore only).

You do all know that the mocker Gods were listening and now he's gonna score a hat-trick

[Hoofhearted]

A big vote of confidence in Charlie Tector from the coaching staff!! It's great to see.

[curates_egg]

Harry apparently not injured.

That will give new life to those on here who were claiming he was in the naughty corner.

Didn't do a whole lot last weekend to justify selection though.

[BlueStreak]

Unfortunately can't attend on Saturday night so my North Stand ticket is free to a good home. PM if interested.

Is this still available pal?

Yes, still available. If you PM me your email address I can transfer it.

[limecat]

Match Preview

Leinster made it eight from eight last week and now take on Ulster in a first vs second battle.
Ulster are currently nine points behind Leinster but have a game in hand from when their game against the Sharks was postponed due to a mass outbreak of nasty stomachachery in South Africa. Ulster's only defeat so far this season was to Leinster on a wet night in Belfast. Leinster took a big lead but then ended up hanging on at the end in a rather annoying way because the Leinster pack had dished out a lesson in dominance in the first 45 minutes.

Read more...

[ronk]

Henderson's 1st start at blindside since March 2018.

[allezlesverres]

[quote=LeinsterLeader post_id=815979 time=1669991112 user_id=4957
You do all know that the mocker Gods were listening and now he's gonna score a hat-trick
[/quote]

I hope so, that would be class but given he has 13 tries for ulster to his name a hat trick might be a bit much!! I wonder if any lock or 6 ever got a hat trick in Ireland

[Xanthippe]

You do all know that the mocker Gods were listening and now he's gonna score a hat-trick

I hope so, that would be class but given he has 13 tries for ulster to his name a hat trick might be a bit much!! I wonder if any lock or 6 ever got a hat trick in Ireland

CJ Stander scored a hat trick against Italy in February 2017 from 6 and Jack Conan also got one from 6 against Montpellier in January 2017

Ryan Baird grabbed one at lock against Glasgow in February 2020

[Ruckedtobits]

Among the face-to-face contests I'm most looking forward to are:

Healy v Moore
Cooney v JGP
Byrne v Burns
Ringrose v Hume
Stewart v Kelleher
McCloskey v Osborne

Some very interesting contests in that lot. I could also have included Timoney v JVdF, but I don't think it will be a contest.

[curates_egg]

Among the face-to-face contests I'm most looking forward to are:

Healy v Moore
Cooney v JGP
Byrne v Burns
Ringrose v Hume
Stewart v Kelleher
McCloskey v Osborne

Some very interesting contests in that lot. I could also have included Timoney v JVdF, but I don't think it will be a contest.

Timoney starting at number 8.

[Oldschool]

Among the face-to-face contests I'm most looking forward to are:

Healy v Moore
Cooney v JGP
Byrne v Burns
Ringrose v Hume
Stewart v Kelleher
McCloskey v Osborne

Some very interesting contests in that lot. I could also have included Timoney v JVdF, but I don't think it will be a contest.

Could see Osborne and Ringrose switching around a bit during the game, but yep interesting matchups