Ulster 2015/16

[simonokeeffe]

Saracens losing Gustard may have a big effect actually. Had forgotten about that possibility.

Farrell snr will come straight in

Merry Christmas Ulster in that case.

Saracens are looking very strong at the moment. Them losing Gustard would certainly be good news for everyone else.

wonder will McCall take him back/want/has enough clout now to dictate backroom staff?

cant see them forgetting everything overnight though

Saracens probably still regard their accountant as their most valuable member of staff, though for tax purposes hes a janitor on work experience

[Vamos los azules]

Farrell snr will come straight in

Merry Christmas Ulster in that case.

Saracens are looking very strong at the moment. Them losing Gustard would certainly be good news for everyone else.

wonder will McCall take him back/want/has enough clout now to dictate backroom staff?

cant see them forgetting everything overnight though

Saracens probably still regard their accountant as their most valuable member of staff, though for tax purposes hes a janitor on work experience

For Farrell junior's sake they shouldn't go near Farrell senior, nor should he go back. Time to cut the umbilical cord and let Owen have his own career.

It will be interesting to see what Saracens do though, because they are going to need to replace Gustard if he goes. Definitely good news from Ulster's perspective to see Saracens being disrupted at this point.

[simonokeeffe]

salary cap doesnt apply to coaches afaik so they could probably hire Graham Henry if they wanted

[rooster]

salary cap doesnt apply to coaches afaik so they could probably hire Graham Henry if they wanted

Salary cap is optional at Sarries anyway

[All Blacks nil]

Delighted to see such a great Ulster performance at the weekend. Toulouse will obviously try react next week but there is a sizeable gulf to fill.
Definitely back in contention.

[rooster]

A real showdown on Sunday, whoever wins is still in with a runner up spot, the loser is history for this season

[neill_m]

Toulouse team for Sunday

15. Alexis PALISSON, 14. Semi KUNATANI, 13. Gael FICKOU, 12. Florian FRITZ, 11. Timoci MATANAVOU, 10. Jean-Marc DOUSSAIN, 9. Sebastien BEZY; 1. Cyril BAILLE, 2. Julien MARCHAND, 3. Census JOHNSTON, 4. Gregory LAMBOLEY, 5. Yoann MAESTRI, 6. Yacouba CAMARA, 7. Thierry DUSAUTOIR (capt.), 8. Imanol HARINORDOQUY.

16. Christopher TOLOFUA, 17. Gurthro STEENKAMP, 18. Gert MULLER, 19. Joe TEKORI, 20. Louis PICAMOLES, 21. Gillian GALAN, 22. David MELE, 23. Clement POITRENAUD.

Several changes from last week, possibly with one eye on the home game v Toulon the week after

[simonokeeffe]

Ulster without Henry and Wilson starts ahead of Williams, otherwise unchanged

[rooster]

Ulster without Henry and Wilson starts ahead of Williams, otherwise unchanged

Weakens our back row seriously, Henry has a shoulder injury that is keeping him out this week only

[simonokeeffe]

Ulster without Henry and Wilson starts ahead of Williams, otherwise unchanged

Weakens our back row seriously, Henry has a shoulder injury that is keeping him out this week only

the Toulouse team is a lot less lumbering in general this week so they could have done with him

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Ulster looking really impressive again. Hope they can keep it up.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Maybe they won't...Jackson in the bin and Toulouse on the board now. Fritz very lucky to get away with a cheap shot after Jackson had deliberately knocked on. As much as Jackson was cynical and deserved to be carded, think I'd have reversed the pen.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Brilliant win for Ulster, played some great stuff!

[rooster]

Good result and we should have actually had a bonus point if not for a couple of dubious calls, Scholes non try was correct but the flat pass from Pienaar to McCloskey looked ok and our last penalty could have seen a yellow as well when they illegally held the ball when there was a decent overlap

[Ruckedtobits]

Another excellent performance from Ulster. Backs will get the credit, and they deserve it but front five, originals and subs, were excellent. Wee Paddy, now beginning to look like somebody who can run a backline who can read the options. Well done to the Red Hand for great resilience although Toulouse were no better than their 2nd half performance of last week. Only a shadow of former times.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Yeah Jackson was superb.

Was also impressed with how their continuity was still good after taking off a proper 7 and having the three big lumps in the back row. On paper it looked all wrong and even though Toulouse did get a bit more joy in their attack, they were still excellent as a unit.

[simonokeeffe]

whens Payne due back?

Jackson has to be 22 for Ireland at this rate
Pienaar, Best, Herbst and McCloskey were superb

SUFTUM

[Oldschool]

Great result away at aToulouse.
Keep the flag flying.

[Willy Wonka]

Which one?

[bangorboy]

whens Payne due back?

Jackson has to be 22 for Ireland at this rate
Pienaar, Best, Herbst and McCloskey were superb

SUFTUM

PJ has to be 22 for Ireland? At the minute he's the form 10 in the country by quite some way...