Ulster v Leinster Sat 29th 19:35

[The Doc]

George Clancy will attempt to referee Leinster v Ulster on Saturday.

Fixed

[Blueberry]

George Clancy will referee Leinster v Ulster on Saturday.

Oh dear ****.....................another evening spent shouting at the television....................

Whatever about the other stuff (lockdown, failing economy, golfgate, having to listen to doom and gloom from Harris and Donnelly, kids off school....etc etc) this COVID thing is now becoming serious with a nightmare scenario of Munster Refs week on week..........bring back Nigel or Poite or Garces or anyone not from Munster who can blow a whistle.............

[limecat]

With the positive tests of a number of Ulster academy players just announced this evening, the match going ahead could into doubt.

[elephantman]

A number of COVID cases among some Ulster academy players.

One senior player self isolating.

Training cancelled per Cian Tracey on Twitter.

[Oldschoolsocks]

Kelleher, Keenan and Kearney (Bob)?

Let’s hope they don’t do well enough to earn a nickname...

[Twist]

The Indo has a story on the positive tests


https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ ... 81310.html

[Peg Leg]

Kelleher, Keenan and Kearney (Bob)?

Let’s hope they don’t do well enough to earn a nickname...

I'm sticking with Keenan and Kel (Kearnage will be grazing on pastures new soon).

[Ruckedtobits]

What a heart-breaker for all Irish rugby players tonight. Presumably the Connacht players from Sunday's game must also be at risk, thus creating a threat for the Connacht v Munster weekend game. Leinster v Ulster is a dead rubber anyway but the Munster game is critical for the semi-final pairings - subject to Scarlets' result at the weekend.

Gut instinct, and nothing else, initially points the finger at one or more Ulster Academy players playing foot-loose with the Covid restrictions. We'll probably never know the details but, if this is the reality, it's a huge impact for casual behaviour.

No easy resolution apparent at this point with such a tight calendar.

[Ruckedtobits]

What a heart-breaker for all Irish rugby players tonight. Presumably the Connacht players from Sunday's game must also be at risk, thus creating a threat for thee Connacht v Munster weekend game. Leinster v Ulster is a dead rubber anyway but the Munster game is critical for the semi-final pairings - subject to Scarlets' result at the weekend.

Gut instinct, and nothing else, initially points the finger at one or more Ulster Academy players playing foot-loose with the Covid restrictions. We'll probably never know the details but, if this is the reality, it's a huge impact for casual behaviour.

No easy resolution apparent at this point with such a tight calendar.

[munster#1]

If Ulster players involved in the Connacht game are affected by this, then you’d have to suspect that both games will be cancelled this weekend.

Given the tight fixtures schedule, you’d have to think that the games will be called a draw, as with the suggestions for the Munster games V Treviso and Zebre just prior to the complete lockdown.

This would mean that Munster would secure a semi spot v Leinster.

[wixfjord]

Gut instinct, and nothing else, initially points the finger at one or more Ulster Academy players playing foot-loose with the Covid restrictions. We'll probably never know the details but, if this is the reality, it's a huge impact for casual behaviour.

Totally unfair and totally unfounded allegations.

You have absolutely no idea whether that's true or not, and no reason to make the accusation.

[wixfjord]

If Ulster players involved in the Connacht game are affected by this, then you’d have to suspect that both games will be cancelled this weekend.

Given the tight fixtures schedule, you’d have to think that the games will be called a draw, as with the suggestions for the Munster games V Treviso and Zebre just prior to the complete lockdown.

This would mean that Munster would secure a semi spot v Leinster.

Whether or not the Ulster senior player was involved in the game at the weekend is a moot point.

All Connacht players will have been tested, probably multiple times, this week.

If they have any positives, the game will be probably be called off.

If they don't, the game will be on.

[joooooe]

Gavin Cummiskey reporting the match is set to go ahead: https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... 1?mode=amp

[Blueberry]

Well if it is cancelled as least it saves us from having to watch Clancy try to umpire (I think that is what he calls it...), every cloud and all that.....

[munster#1]

If Ulster players involved in the Connacht game are affected by this, then you’d have to suspect that both games will be cancelled this weekend.

Given the tight fixtures schedule, you’d have to think that the games will be called a draw, as with the suggestions for the Munster games V Treviso and Zebre just prior to the complete lockdown.

This would mean that Munster would secure a semi spot v Leinster.

Whether or not the Ulster senior player was involved in the game at the weekend is a moot point.

All Connacht players will have been tested, probably multiple times, this week.

If they have any positives, the game will be probably be called off.

If they don't, the game will be on.

Not sure how things are being controlled, but it appears that all close contacts of a confirmed case are being isolated for 14 days despite the testing?

With the case in Munster that is how it worked going off what was in the papers?
Perhaps someone else has more insight into the IRFU procedures?

[neiliog93]

If everyone tests negative (and bear in mind they double test samples), the idea there should still be a need for 14 days of isolation, and the game should be cancelled, is just really stupid.

[paddyor]

What a heart-breaker for all Irish rugby players tonight. Presumably the Connacht players from Sunday's game must also be at risk, thus creating a threat for the Connacht v Munster weekend game. Leinster v Ulster is a dead rubber anyway but the Munster game is critical for the semi-final pairings - subject to Scarlets' result at the weekend.

Gut instinct, and nothing else, initially points the finger at one or more Ulster Academy players playing foot-loose with the Covid restrictions. We'll probably never know the details but, if this is the reality, it's a huge impact for casual behaviour.

No easy resolution apparent at this point with such a tight calendar.

JFC. So that stroy in the IT about 70% of people blaming people who catch the virus for not being areful enough is true. We're turning into a nation of insufferable sh*theads.

[Jonny tight lips]

All the sick ulster players should lose their jobs and be shot out of a cannon into the sun after a week in the stocks while the people blaming them spend all night in the pub in front of a plate of half eaten chips.

Yeah We're turning into a nation of insufferable sh*theads alright.

Hope the Ulster lads are alright and with the testing today and tomorrow the game can go ahead.

[Ruckedtobits]

Gut instinct, and nothing else, initially points the finger at one or more Ulster Academy players playing foot-loose with the Covid restrictions. We'll probably never know the details but, if this is the reality, it's a huge impact for casual behaviour.

Totally unfair and totally unfounded allegations.

You have absolutely no idea whether that's true or not, and no reason to make the accusation.

On reflection, a totally unfounded and stupid comment from me which I totally withdraw. No validation whatsoever for this observation.

Mea Culpa.

[Blueberry]

Chill pill all round everyone. The world as always has split into two camps, the bedwetting lock everything down brigade zero covid is the only answer v the it's a madey up Bill Gates get us all vaccinated conspiracy theory brigade....

The reality of course is slightly more nuanced.....

Anyone is likely to catch this virus as it is now embedded in the human population assuming they have any form of contact with other humans. Bar locking an entire provincial rugby setup (and that means everyone from players to coaches to all support staff) in a hermetically sealed box this is gonna happen....considering they are all being tested every 5 seconds cases will appear..........munster and ulster already, only a matter of time before we see it happen in Leinster and Connacht I am sure.

In time we can only hope that a degree of balance comes into the debate and we start to look at the real and actual risk of this virus and accept that bar totally impractical measures that will do unbelievable damage this virus ain't going anywhere.....until then we will just have to struggle on, turning into a nation of curtain twitching heretical burn the offenders is doing nothing but turning us into a very unpleasant bunch.....