Ulster vs Leicester

[Puja]

Ulster Rugby: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Will Addison, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Billy Burns, 9 John Cooney; 1 Andy Warwick, 2 Rory Best (c), 3 Ross Kane, 4 Alan O'Connor, 5 Iain Henderson, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Jordi Murphy, 8 Nick Timoney. Replacements: 16 Adam McBurney, 17 Eric O'Sullivan, 18 Marty Moore, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Sean Reidy, 21 David Shanahan, 22 Angus Curtis, 23 Angus Kernohan


Leicester Tigers (v Ulster Rugby, Kingspan Stadium, Belfast, Saturday 5.30pm)

15 Jonah Holmes
14 Adam Thompstone
13 Manu Tuilagi
12 Kyle Eastmond
11 Jordan Olowofela
10 George Ford
9 Ben Youngs
1 Greg Bateman
2 Tom Youngs (c)
3 Dan Cole
4 Mike Williams
5 Harry Wells
6 Guy Thompson
7 Brendon O’Connor
8 Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau
17 David Feao
18 Joe Heyes
19 Sam Lewis
20 Tommy Reffell
21 Sam Harrison
22 Matt Toomua
23 Gareth Owen

[Puja]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/45829190

Andrew Trimble reckons this is Ulster's easiest game in Europe. I would be indignant, but he's probably right.

There's no reason why we can't do a job with the team that we've got out though, as long as we pull ourselves together. Rainy evening in Belfast isn't ideal for Olowofela and their back row pisses all over ours, but Ford is streets ahead of Minor Burns, and a controlling 10 might make the difference if our forwards actually turn up.

Puja

[Digby]

Looking at Leicester’s backs they should in defence be worried about the bad boys in that Ulster side

[fivepointer]

Ulster arent in great form but playing at home is a considerable advantage. Tigers away form in Europe has been poor for years and they arent exactly sending tremors throughout the premiership. getting a BP will be a good effort.

[Puja]

Looking at Leicester’s backs they should in defence be worried about the bad boys in that Ulster side

I'm not that bothered about that - Eastmond's a pocket rocket and Ford very rarely gets bounced (even if sometimes dragged). Our defensive issues stem from complete disorganisation and forwards being lazy, so I would actually be thrilled if Ulster come with the game plan of running big men through Ford and Eastmond. It never worked when they played at Bath and I'd prefer that than them testing out the connection between Manu and Olowofela in the wide channels.

Puja

[Digby]

Manu and Olowofela, would these be backs in the backline I expressed concern about?

Principally my concern with the Tigers backline is who will organise it? At best it looks 7 isolated players all trying to remember their lines in the script, there's little there that in defence makes me think they'll work as a team

[Puja]

Manu and Olowofela, would these be backs in the backline I expressed concern about?

Principally my concern with the Tigers backline is who will organise it? At best it looks 7 isolated players all trying to remember their lines in the script, there's little there that in defence makes me think they'll work as a team

Ah, I thought by bad boys you meant big nasty people running over them, not picking them apart. Misread you.

Puja

[Oakboy]

Manu and Olowofela, would these be backs in the backline I expressed concern about?

Principally my concern with the Tigers backline is who will organise it? At best it looks 7 isolated players all trying to remember their lines in the script, there's little there that in defence makes me think they'll work as a team

And, they have the current England 9/10 pairing and two England international centres. You are right, of course, but you should not be.

[Tigersman]

Apparently Ulster scrum suffered last week.

On a rainy day that could be a big thing for Tigers to try and target

[Mellsblue]

Manu and Olowofela, would these be backs in the backline I expressed concern about?

Principally my concern with the Tigers backline is who will organise it? At best it looks 7 isolated players all trying to remember their lines in the script, there's little there that in defence makes me think they'll work as a team

Ah, I thought by bad boys you meant big nasty people running over them, not picking them apart. Misread you.

Puja

I’m still shocked he used the phrase ‘bad boys’.

[Puja]

Manu and Olowofela, would these be backs in the backline I expressed concern about?

Principally my concern with the Tigers backline is who will organise it? At best it looks 7 isolated players all trying to remember their lines in the script, there's little there that in defence makes me think they'll work as a team

Ah, I thought by bad boys you meant big nasty people running over them, not picking them apart. Misread you.

Puja

I’m still shocked he used the phrase ‘bad boys’.

I was going to chalk it up to stress and pretend it hadn't happened.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

My in-laws are Ulster season ticket holders so I follow them in the Pro14.

They started the season with some good results (but not good performances) and then the wheels really fell off with a hammering in Munster and then Connacht’s first win in Belfast in over 50 years.

It’s not a bad side, but Warwick and Kane aren’t great and O’Connor is average at best.

I wouldn’t expect any subtlety and I’d imagine they’ll send McCloskey down the 10-12 channel all evening.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Third game today, third random refereeing. Apparently it is a high tackle if you miss and don't make any contact at all.

[16th man]

Isn't that a penalty try and a red?

Edit: Seeing it again, ref probably has it right.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Isn't that a penalty try and a red?

Edit: Seeing it again, ref probably has it right.

I just fail to see how a tackle that low can be deemed high, let alone a yellow. But if it is a penalty then it is a penalty try, no matter how utterly bollocks it is in the first place.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I do like our plan. Send Manu down the middle basically injure their backline.

Fabulous to reach half time at 0 v 3. After that atrocious yellow!!

[16th man]

Addison showing why Sale have been missing him this season.

[Tigersman]

Olowofela was interfered as a jumper at that final phase then.

He impressed me Jordan in a poor tigers team.