Ulster v Leinster Saturday 5.15

[BlueWheels]

Most of our lads have played bugger all rugby since the 6N ended

apart from a little kick-about in France a couple of weeks ago that is

[the spoofer]

Most of our lads have played bugger all rugby since the 6N ended

apart from a little kick-about in France a couple of weeks ago that is

Most of the starting lads have played less than 240 minutes since the Ireland V England game on 18/3. That's bugger all rugby in 7 weeks and surely they are fit to play this week, have a rest next weekend and then two games. It's not overly arduous.

[neiliog93]

What's the thought process behind resting your best players in the last game of the season, at home, against big rivals, even with no prospect of getting into the play-offs? Bizarre.

[neill_m]

What's the thought process behind resting your best players in the last game of the season, at home, against big rivals, even with no prospect of getting into the play-offs? Bizarre.

You mean Best and Henderson. Yes it is an inter pro, but as you say nothing at stake for Ulster re the playoffs, will finish 5th etc. No point in risking injury to the 2 guys ahead of the tour to NZ.

[simonokeeffe]

Ulster aren't playing any of their three Lions this weekend seemingly.

That looks to be official and is a big blow

Theyve confirmed Marshall is staying next season to compete with Cooney

At the risk of contradiction they need to move on from him but they need to re Ulsterfy the team

What, where, they are keeping that one quiet up here about Marshall

Cian Tracey/The Indo had it today

"Kiss also been confirmed that scrum-half Paul Marshall will remain with the province next season and will provide competition for the incoming John Cooney."

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/l ... 80230.html

[neiliog93]

The official injury list released by UR ahead of the game is Olding, Coetzee, Payne, Bowe, Cave, Lyttle, Ross, Dow, Simpson, Rea and McPhillips.

Stockdale needs to start. Ludik at 15 with Payne out for me.

This doesn't look good for Ulster. In light of the fitness updates:

1.Warwick 2.Herring 3.Herbst

4.Treadwell 5.Van der Merwe

6.Henry (if fit)/Dick 8.Wilson (legs are gone, but last game) 7.Reidy

9.Pienaar 10.Jackson 12.Marshall 13.Ludik 14.Gilroy

11.Trimble 15.Piutau/Stockdale

16.? 17.Black 18.Ah You 19.O'Connor/Browne 20.Diack/Timoney 21.Marshall 22.Nelson/Herron 23.Stockdale/Nelson

[Dave Cahill]

Never underestimate a Leinster teams propensity to phone one in every now and again - regardless of selection or opposition.

[Peg Leg]

What's the thought process behind resting your best players in the last game of the season, at home, against big rivals, even with no prospect of getting into the play-offs? Bizarre.

You mean Best and Henderson. Yes it is an inter pro, but as you say nothing at stake for Ulster re the playoffs, will finish 5th etc. No point in risking injury to the 2 guys ahead of the tour to NZ.

Other than y'know the folks there to watch the match?

[rooster]

What's the thought process behind resting your best players in the last game of the season, at home, against big rivals, even with no prospect of getting into the play-offs? Bizarre.

If you have been watching our teams over the past season you will have noticed at least 2 bizarre team decisions each match.

[rooster]

Never underestimate a Leinster teams propensity to phone one in every now and again - regardless of selection or opposition.

jeez Dave your lads will need to be pished and blindfolded to give us a chance

[simonokeeffe]

What's the thought process behind resting your best players in the last game of the season, at home, against big rivals, even with no prospect of getting into the play-offs? Bizarre.

You mean Best and Henderson. Yes it is an inter pro, but as you say nothing at stake for Ulster re the playoffs, will finish 5th etc. No point in risking injury to the 2 guys ahead of the tour to NZ.

Other than y'know the folks there to watch the match?

pro12 site says its on BBC NI

[johng]

No. It's on Saturday

[cormac]

Never underestimate a Leinster teams propensity to phone one in every now and again - regardless of selection or opposition.

Indeed, see this exact fixture last season for evidence

[simonokeeffe]

No. It's on Saturday

Didnt get that til I read my post in a northern accent

[johng]

No. It's on Saturday

Didnt get that til I read my post in a northern accent

Was more a commentary on your info having nowt to do with the posts you quoted...

[simonokeeffe]

sudafed is a cruel mistress

[johng]

Strong team but no Lions outside of the front row

[johng]

[Dave Cahill]

Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen has this morning announced the match day 23 to take on Ulster Rugby tomorrow in the Guinness PRO12 (Kick Off: 5.15pm – live on BBC 2 and RTÉ Radio).

Only four players start from the team that accounted for the Glasgow Warriors last weekend, although Jack Conan who was named for that match but was unable to start, is again selected at number eight.

Captain Isa Nacewa comes in at full back with Fergus McFadden and Adam Byrne both retained on the left and right wing respectively.

Byrne was one of the big winners from the Leinster Rugby Awards Ball last week being awarded the Irish Independent Try of the Season Award for his effort against Montpellier in the RDS in the Champions Cup.

Noel Reid and Garry Ringrose come back into the centre with Irish internationals Luke McGrath and Joey Carbery likewise coming back in at nine and ten.

Like Byrne, both McGrath and Carbery had big weekends last week.

On Friday evening Carbery came off the bench and landed what turned out to be the match winning penalty against Glasgow and on Saturday at the Leinster Rugby Awards Ball he picked up the LAYA Healthcare Young Player of the Year Award. That same night McGrath was voted as the Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby Players’ Player of the Season for his efforts this year that have to date resulted in nine tries in 23 appearances.

In the pack, British & Irish Lions Jack McGrath and Tadhg Furlong come in on either side of the retained James Tracy, with Devin Toner and Hayden Triggs recalled to the second row.

In the back row Rhys Ruddock comes in for the injured Dominic Ryan who is ruled out with a bicep injury. Josh van der Flier is again selected at open side with the aforementioned Conan in line to win his 50th Leinster cap.

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Isa Nacewa (168) CAPTAIN
14. Adam Byrne (22)
13. Garry Ringrose (37)
12. Noel Reid (81)
11. Fergus McFadden (151)
10. Joey Carbery (21)
9. Luke McGrath (73)
1. Jack McGrath (111)
2. James Tracy (40)
3. Tadhg Furlong (65)
4. Devin Toner (196)
5. Hayden Triggs (29)
6. Rhys Ruddock (129)
7. Josh van der Flier (44)
8. Jack Conan (49)

16. Richardt Strauss (145)
17. Cian Healy (170)
18. Andrew Porter (7)
19. Ross Molony (43)
20. Dan Leavy (37)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (27)
22. Ross Byrne (22)
23. Rory O’Loughlin (20)

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU – 23rd tournament game)
AR1: John Lacey (IRFU)
AR2: Eddie Hogan-O’Connell (IRFU)
TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)

[johng]

15. Isa Nacewa (168) CAPTAIN
14. Adam Byrne (22)
13. Garry Ringrose (37)
12. Noel Reid (81)
11. Fergus McFadden (151)
10. Joey Carbery (21)
9. Luke McGrath (73)
1. Jack McGrath (111)
2. James Tracy (40)
3. Tadhg Furlong (65)
4. Devin Toner (196)
5. Hayden Triggs (29)
6. Rhys Ruddock (129)
7. Josh van der Flier (44)
8. Jack Conan (49)

16. Richardt Strauss (145)
17. Cian Healy (170)
18. Andrew Porter (7)
19. Ross Molony (43)
20. Dan Leavy (37)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (27)
22. Ross Byrne (22)
23. Rory O’Loughlin (20)

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU – 23rd tournament game)
AR1: John Lacey (IRFU)
AR2: Eddie Hogan-O’Connell (IRFU)
TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)