New season starts here. Wasn’t too impressed with Edinburgh in the friendly, so hoping for an easy 5 points. Only worry is that we are a bit little at prop and centre at the moment. Have there been any updates on when the injured props are expected to be back?
Really looking forward to this game
No sign of a squad update today. There were a lot of players unavailable on the previous one two weeks ago, hope we get at least a couple of props back.
I heard this year the urc have decided all teams to be named at 2pm Thursday, regardless when the match is at that weekend. I wonder what happens if you have a player returning from injury and the match is sat night.
But yeah looking forward to it but I’m on holidays in Spain, hope I can find somewhere showing it!
@ds69 I suppose you’d be allowed to change the team even after the Thursday announcements, especially if there’s a change (positive or negative) to a player’s injury status. I think the Springboks (who love to mess around with teamsheets) changed their team after announcing it for one of their games against NZ recently.
Having said that I wonder why the URC have made that change. Seems you would get more media attention by spacing them out, but not really a big deal either way I suppose.
James Hume out is not great considering other absences at centre. Knox back alleviates the prop issues a bit but this is not a great start to the season from an injury perspective
Yeah center is now a worry and props still an issue. At least Augustus is back, not that we are light in the back row, but always handy to have a good ball carrier
In the press briefing today Richie said they would be playing two of those (he didn’t name them) who were in the Ireland squad this summer (and who are nominally under some limits on their minutes). Presumably some of Doak/ZWard/Stewart who were there but played very little.
1. Eric O’Sullivan (138)
2. James McCormick (20)
3. Eduardo Bello
4. Eli Snyman
5. Ben Donnell
6. David McCann (90)
7. Martin Moloney
8. James McNabney (20)
9. Conor McKee (22)
10. Jack Murphy (35)
11. Aitzol Arenzana-King (1)
12. Jamie Benson
13. Ben Carson (20)
14. Robert Baloucoune (79)
15. Michael Lowry (Capt) (136)
Replacements:
16. Henry Walker
17. Tom McAllister (5)
18. Keynan Knox
19. Harry Sheridan (62)
20. James McKillop (1)
21. Matthew Devine
22. Jake Flannery (41)
23. Zac Ward (30)
Given the players missing thats a relatively strong side and one I am excited to watch
The replacement front row looks a little inexperienced to me, but that may be more my ignorance than anything. I’ll miss the live stream due to a prior social engagement, but looking forward to catching up with it later. Hopefully Edinburgh will give us a gentle and confidence building 5 points, nothing is ever that easy anymore.
Don’t know what to say after that. Edinburgh were much better than a few weeks ago, we were much worse. We are missing a good few players but Edinburghs missing alot more, so that’s no excuse. Feels like a familiar story, absorbing tackles, going backwards, eventually give a penalty advantage, before the inevitable score. Then when the game is over, suddenly remember how to play get within 1 score…. but never complete the comeback!
I would have taken 2 points at the 44 min, but my expectations have been lowered this season. Hope to scrape into the top 8.
Positives scrum went well, benson look good and divine was good too
Ulster attack looked very good once they got a bit of ball. But we were so outplayed at the breakdown that the game was beyond us by then. How Bradbury wasn’t man of the match I have no idea.