Ulster in Ravenhill. September 2012

[99_oK?]

Like that team in that he has trusted the back-line, and either strengthened or rotated the pack. I'm happy with the changes.

Talk of the SH: I agree on starting Williams in this one, but I want to see Murray get on before the hour is up (much sooner if Williams is having a mare). As someone said, Williams was OK first half last week, then started going sideways a few steps in 2nd half and ruining the setup. Was the opposite the previous week. If Penney sees something or can bring him up a level, then go for it. Right now he's not there, but if he can get him, then let's do it. But if he's not on form, then Murray must come on sooner. We know Murray needs game-time too. As for Stringer, I think he can contribute much more in 60 minutes with the 'A's than coming on with 5 minutes in the Rabo. Remember we have a lot of hope in the JJs, Scanlan, Deasy, etc

Happy to have Varley start again. His throw for Dougie's try was brilliantly executed, but mebbe I'd prefer to have kept that one under wraps for when we really needed it (must-win HEC pool game....).

Murray and RoG on the bench is best to get 'em up to speed (& might show past reputations mean nothing now with a new coach...). Whatever about RoG, I do want to see the old Murray.

BTW, anyone know what the story is with Donnacha Ryan?

[FORWARD....]

I saw DR and POM strolling through Limerick without a care in the world just before the last game. Both looked hale and hearty and DR looked huge. I can't understand how other teams have all their players back and they aren't playing but I think I\ll be happy enough if they are allowed play for the Ladyzz and the HEC pool games.

[McCloud]

Penney keeps star trio waiting

By Simon Lewis
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Munster head coach Rob Penney has resisted the urge to start returning Test backs Ronan O’Gara, Conor Murray and Keith Earls in tomorrow night’s RaboDirect Pro12 tussle with Ulster, having named the Ireland trio on the bench for the Ravenhill derby.
Scrum-half Murray, fly-half O’Gara and centre Earls were made available this weekend, for the first time this season, under the IRFU’s player welfare protocols but will be eased into action as Penney rewards the players who have earned him two wins from his first two league starts since succeeding Tony McGahan as head coach this summer.

Not that Murray, in line for his first experience of playing at Ravenhill, is too concerned, the 23-year-old expressing his delight at finally getting his season up and running.

"It’s been a bit frustrating these last few weeks, watching the lads playing so well," Murray said yesterday. "I’m just itching to go so hopefully I’ll get off the bench this weekend and get a bit of a run-out, get a few of the old cobwebs out."

Murray is also keen to play his part in the new, more expansive game plan adopted by Penney.

"Rob’s running a different style of play and the lads have adapted well. We’ve seen glimpses of it in the last few games, it is very promising but we’re still getting to grips with it, finishing off little bits of it. But it is exciting and I can’t wait to get involved and see how I fare.

"A lot of us haven’t played the style Rob’s brought in, so with it being completely new to a lot of players there will be mistakes. But, definitely, in the games we’ve been watching in pre-season and the two Rabos so far, there have been glimpses that it will work, there will be space there and it can be very exciting.

"It is frustrating but that’s going to come, we have to bear it and get on with it and hopefully it will flourish soon."

Murray is also adapting to the new rule on global trial this season that states the team in possession now has five seconds to use the ball in a ruck once it is available.

"You have to be a lot more clinical and effective getting out of your own half this year and a bit quicker. Last year with long rucks you could take your time, get your kick-chase set. However, you’re under more pressure to get that done quicker this time. We’re just going to have to adapt and get on with it and do it as best we can."

The only changes from the side that beat Treviso 19-6 at Thomond Park last Friday involve recalling Donncha O’Callaghan to the second row.

Dave Kilcoyne replaces Wian Du Preez at loosehead prop with the former Springbok rested completely and Marcus Horan coming onto the bench. At tighthead, BJ Botha returns with Stephen Archer, singled out by the head coach for his 72-minute contribution against Treviso, named as a replacement.

After an impressive seasonal debut in the opening win at Edinburgh, lock O’Callaghan was a late withdrawal against the Italians when his wife went into labour with their second child. O’Callaghan returns at the expense of Dave Foley.

With Duncan Williams starting at scrum-half for the third game in succession, Murray’s inclusion on the bench means no place in the squad for Peter Stringer, who must settle instead for a start in the Munster A team which faces their Ulster compatriots tomorrow at Belfast Harlequins.

Ivan Dineen and Scott Deasy also drop out of the senior match day squad to start a game that will also see openside flanker Niall Ronan play his first game since incurring a knee injury last January.

MUNSTER (v Ulster): D Hurley; D Howlett (capt), C Laulala, J Downey, L O’Dea; I Keatley, D Williams; D Kilcoyne, D Varley, BJ Botha; Donncha O’Callaghan, B Holland; Dave O’Callaghan, S Dougall, J Coughlan.

Replacements: M Sherry, M Horan, S Archer, D Foley, T O’Donnell, C Murray, R O’Gara, K Earls.

MUNSTER A (v Ulster A): S Scanlon; R O’Mahony, D Barnes, JJ Hanrahan, I Dineen; S Deasy, P Stringer; J Cronin, S Henry, C Condon; P Donnellan, B Hayes; N Ronan, B O’Mahony, P Butler.

Replacements: D Casey, K Griffin, A Cotter, C O’Flaherty, S Buckley, C Sheridan, C Hircock, C Bohane.

Irish Examiner

[McCloud]

Murray 'itching' to get off bench as star trio return for Ravenhill clash
By John Fallon


Thursday September 13 2012




IrELAND scrum-half Conor Murray is looking forward to playing at Ravenhill for the first time when Munster and Ulster put their winning starts to the Pro12 on the line in Belfast tomorrow night.


Remarkably, Murray has never played at either Ravenhill or Donnybrook, but he hopes to correct part of that by coming off the bench in Belfast.


The fact that Ulster and Munster have won both of their opening games adds some early-season spice to this clash, but Murray does not see the first Irish derby of the season as a revenge mission for his side's Heineken Cup quarter-final loss to the northerners.


"It hasn't really been mentioned at all, but people obviously will remember that Ulster knocked us out. We played them a couple of weeks later after that," said the 23-year-old.


"It is in people's mind but I don't think it will play that big a part.


"It is a new season, with a new coach, a lot of new players -- it is a new beginning. I don't think we can dwell on the past unless we end up meeting them in the quarter-final of Europe again."


Murray is one of three returning Irish internationals available to new coach Rob Penney this weekend and, like Ronan O'Gara and Keith Earls, he will start on the bench, having sat out the victories over Edinburgh and Treviso.


"I am just itching to get back and be involved again. Hopefully I'll get off the bench this week and get a bit of a run out and get the cobwebs out. It has been a bit frustrating watching the lads the past few weeks, playing so well," he said.


"Rob has brought in a different style of play that the lads have adapted well to. You have seen glimpses of it the past few games.


"It is very promising, we are still getting to grips with it and finishing off little bits of it. I can't wait to get involved with it and see how I cope with that game plan."


Penney has made three changes to the side that defeated Treviso 19-6 at Thomond Park. Wian du Preez is rested, with Dave Kilcoyne coming in at loosehead, while on the other side of the scrum BJ Botha returns in place of Stephen Archer.


Donncha O'Callaghan, who missed the game as his second daughter was born at the weekend, returns in place of Dave Foley in the second-row.


The return of Murray sees Peter Stringer drop to the Munster 'A' team, who play Ulster at Belfast Harlequins tomorrow. Also included in that 'A' side is Niall Ronan, who returns to the Munster colours for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury in January.


Meanwhile, Ireland's Grand Slam- winning scrum-half Tomas O'Leary has admitted that London Irish need to kickstart their English Premiership season with a win against Wasps this weekend.


"The first week was not acceptable," said the former Munster No 9, whose side have shipped 80 points in successive defeats to Saracens and Gloucester.


"Last weekend was an improvement but we didn't get the win and we can't keep going like that. We cannot wait for something to happen, we need to push it."


Munster (v Ulster) -- D Hurley; D Howlett, C Laulala, J Downey, L O'Dea; I Keatley, D Williams; D Kilcoyne, D Varley, BJ Botha; Donncha O'Callaghan, B Holland; Dave O'Callaghan, S Dougall, J Coughlan. Reps: M Sherry, M Horan, S Archer, D Foley, T O'Donnell, C Murray, R O'Gara, K Earls.


- John Fallon


Irish Independent

[McCloud]

munsterrugby.ie




Scanlon Out Of Ravens Game
12 September 2012, 8:59 pm
By The Editor


Sean Scanlon has been withdrawn from the Munster A side for the game against Ulster Ravens tomorrow at Deramore Park.


Scanlon picked up a back injury in training yesterday and his place in the Munster A side goes to Johnny Holland.


Munster A: Johnny Holland; Ronan O’Mahony, Danny Barnes, JJ Hanrahan, Ivan Dineen; Scott Deasy, Peter Stringer; James Cronin, Sean Henry, Christy Condon; Philip Donnellan, Brian Hayes; Niall Ronan, Barry O’Mahony, Paddy Butler. Replacements: Duncan Casey, Kevin Griffin, Alan Cotter, Cathal O’Flaherty, Shane Buckley, Cathal Sheridan, Corey Hircock, Cian Bohane.

[bangorboy]

Teams out lads...

Ulster XV & replacements to face Munster, RaboDirect PRO12, Friday 14th September, Ravenhill (7.05pm):
(15-9): J Payne; A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, M Allen; P Jackson, P Marshall;
(1-8): T Court, N Brady, J Afoa, J Muller (c), L Stevenson, S Ferris, S Doyle, N Williams;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, D Fitzpatrick, N McComb, M McComish, M Heaney, P Nelson, C Gilroy.

[BOK]

I reckon N Williams will be thundering around like a bull on Friday night. He is showing good form and will be very very keen to make a point to Munster. He could be very dangerous and I reckon we should be more wary of him than Ferris.

[Angus Axe]

We'll chuck a few hot dogs and burgers on the pitch, that will keep Williams busy

[Colliniho]

I reckon N Williams will be thundering around like a bull on Friday night. He is showing good form and will be very very keen to make a point to Munster. He could be very dangerous and I reckon we should be more wary of him than Ferris.

I don't think you'll see a more committed player on the pitch this friday than Sean Dougall. If Williams runs past him then he'd better be prepared to get his ankles locked together. Let's just hope he doesn't land on anyone

[overthehillprop]

munsterrugby.ie




Scanlon Out Of Ravens Game
12 September 2012, 8:59 pm
By The Editor


Sean Scanlon has been withdrawn from the Munster A side for the game against Ulster Ravens tomorrow at Deramore Park.


Scanlon picked up a back injury in training yesterday and his place in the Munster A side goes to Johnny Holland.


Munster A: Johnny Holland; Ronan O’Mahony, Danny Barnes, JJ Hanrahan, Ivan Dineen; Scott Deasy, Peter Stringer; James Cronin, Sean Henry, Christy Condon; Philip Donnellan, Brian Hayes; Niall Ronan, Barry O’Mahony, Paddy Butler. Replacements: Duncan Casey, Kevin Griffin, Alan Cotter, Cathal O’Flaherty, Shane Buckley, Cathal Sheridan, Corey Hircock, Cian Bohane.

Seriously mobile back row and huge potential in the second row. Why Dineen at wing instead of 12 and JJ at 12 instead of 10 I'm not sure.

[blackadder]

Teams out lads...

Ulster XV & replacements to face Munster, RaboDirect PRO12, Friday 14th September, Ravenhill (7.05pm):
(15-9): J Payne; A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, M Allen; P Jackson, P Marshall;
(1-8): T Court, N Brady, J Afoa, J Muller (c), L Stevenson, S Ferris, S Doyle, N Williams;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, D Fitzpatrick, N McComb, M McComish, M Heaney, P Nelson, C Gilroy.

That is actually a very significant selection. Niall O'Connor doesn't even make the bench which presumably means that Luke Marshall will provide out half cover.

Interesting to see Allen preferred to Gilroy.

[overthehillprop]

That is actually a very significant selection. Niall O'Connor doesn't even make the bench which presumably means that Luke Marshall will provide out half cover.

Interesting to see Allen preferred to Gilroy.

Big game for Allen up against Dougie. Same for DOC2.0 against Ferris.

[taz]

That is actually a very significant selection. Niall O'Connor doesn't even make the bench which presumably means that Luke Marshall will provide out half cover.

Interesting to see Allen preferred to Gilroy.

Spotted NOC missing alright,it is significant.

[Cill na Martra]

Teams out lads...

Ulster XV & replacements to face Munster, RaboDirect PRO12, Friday 14th September, Ravenhill (7.05pm):
(15-9): J Payne; A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, M Allen; P Jackson, P Marshall;
(1-8): T Court, N Brady, J Afoa, J Muller (c), L Stevenson, S Ferris, S Doyle, N Williams;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, D Fitzpatrick, N McComb, M McComish, M Heaney, P Nelson, C Gilroy.

Very strong Ulster team. Just can't seeing us winning this. That said, the performance is everything at this stage, so lets hope for a big improvement on last week.

Massive game for Kilcoyne (Vs Afoa), DOC2.0 (Vs Ferris) and LOD (Vs Trimble).

Really looking forward to this.

[Colliniho]

Seriously mobile back row and huge potential in the second row. Why Dineen at wing instead of 12 and JJ at 12 instead of 10 I'm not sure.

THe positioning of Barnes and Dineen is silly. Dineen is wasted on the wing. Will be a big test for that side if the likes of Henry, Tuohy, O'Connor and Spence make the Ravens team

[Munsterboy]

Seriously mobile back row and huge potential in the second row. Why Dineen at wing instead of 12 and JJ at 12 instead of 10 I'm not sure.

To accommodate Deasy I guess. Bit of a shame though.

[McCloud]

irishtimes.com
Last Updated: Thursday, September 13, 2012, 13:14




One-tonne Ferris returns for Ulster




Rugby : Ulster have recalled two of their big guns for the first Pro12 Irish derby of the season against Munster at Ravenhill tomorrow evening (7.05pm), with Stephen Ferris and Andrew Trimble restored to the starting XV. Ferris will make his 100th appearance for the province at blindside flanker, while Trimble is set to start on the right wing.


Chris Henry and Dan Tuohy, however, have not been included despite being named in the extended squad following their return from the Ireland tour to New Zealand. They will instead get a run out for Ulster Ravens against Munster A earlier in the afternoon (Deramore Park, Belfast, kick off 3pm).


“It’s important for us to get them some game time so the Ravens is a good start,” said Mark Anscombe today. “Chris has only been training with the team for two weeks and has had very little contact. He hasn’t played a lot of rugby since the Heineken Cup Final. He went to New Zealand (on Ireland’s Summer Tour) but only got a few minutes.


“It’s a long season and the guys in their positions have been doing a good job so it’s a balance of getting them back up to speed and rewarding the players who have been doing the job for us.”


Lewis Stevenson, therefore, continues alongside captain Johann Muller in the secondrow, while Ferris has Seán Doyle and number eight Nick Williams for company in the backrow. Tom Court, John Afoa and Nigel Brady will start in an all new frontrow, replacing Callum Black, Declan Fitzpatrick and Rob Herring, respectively.


Trimble replaces Craig Gilroy, while Paul Marshall and Paddy Jackson, who were also on the bench for the 16-13 win over Ospreys last week, will combine at halfback in place of Michael Heaney and Niall O’Connor.


“They will be the best team we’ve played against so far this year and their history shows what they’re capable of doing,” added Anscombe. “There’s no prouder union in the competition than Munster and there’s never going to be an easy game against them so we need to perform to our capabilities to come away with a win.”


Munster coach Rob Penney yesterday made three changes to the side that defeated Treviso 19-6 at Thomond Park. Wian du Preez is rested, with Dave Kilcoyne coming in at loosehead, while on the other side of the scrum BJ Botha returns in place of Stephen Archer. Donncha O’Callaghan, who missed the game as his second daughter was born at the weekend, returns in place of Dave Foley in the secondrow.


The return of Murray sees Peter Stringer drop to the Munster A team. Also included in the side is Niall Ronan, who returns for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury in January.


ULSTER (v Munster): J Payne; A Trimble, D Cave, L Marshall, M Allen; P Jackson, P Marshall; T Court, N Brady, J Afoa, J Muller (c), L Stevenson, S Ferris, S Doyle, N Williams. Replacements: R Herring, C Black, D Fitzpatrick, N McComb, M McComish, M Heaney, P Nelson, C Gilroy


MUNSTER (v Ulster): D Hurley; D Howlett, C Laulala, J Downey, L O’Dea; I Keatley, D Williams; D Kilcoyne, D Varley, BJ Botha; Donncha O’Callaghan, B Holland; Dave O’Callaghan, S Dougall, J Coughlan. Replacements: M Sherry, M Horan, S Archer, D Foley, T O’Donnell, C Murray, R O’Gara, K Earls.

[the plastic paddy]

To accommodate Deasy I guess. Bit of a shame though.

Think it is good management to start JJ off at 12 myself, the hype machine is purring along well enough. Better to start quietly at 12. Good luck to all the A team.

[mtcmolloy]

We'll chuck a few hot dogs and burgers on the pitch, that will keep Williams busy

as long as it's not a banana . . uggghh

Oh yes, on Strings, i think he is going to do a fantastic job bringing on the younger fellas in the International window and in the As, what a player to have to be able to bring the best out of the likes of JJ, Scanlon, Barnes, Dinnen etc.

You would think a running outhalf could really profit from stringer.
From what I've seen, JJ is the one who most fits that description.
Less so Keatley.

[Colliniho]

Ravens team
15-9):Ricky Andrew, Chris Colvin, Stuart McCloskey, Nevin Spence, Chris Cochrane; Niall O’Connor, Blane McIlroy;
(1-8): Richard Lutton, Niall Annett, Conor Carey, Alan O’Connor,Dan Tuohy, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry (c), Sean O’Connell;
Replacements (16-23): John Burns, Michael Cromie, Glenn Sinnamon, James Simpson, Neil Faloon, Scott Gibson, Ritchie McMaster, Michael McCauley

A few big names there noticeably Spence, Tuohy, Henry and Henderson. Will be a serious test for our lads

[Cill na Martra]

My big worry tmr night is Williams. A couple of times last week he got flung around by the Treviso backrow at the breakdown. DOC, Cawlin and Dougall have a big job preventing wild animals like Williams and Ferris coming through the gate at rucktime.

The other big concern is the scrum. O's are pretty good in that area, but they took a pummelling when Afoa and Court caame on last week.

A LB could be precious tmr night.

[John Cooper Clarke]

Stringer to the A-Team. He won't be happy with that... I know I amn't.
The pace of the game intensified significantly when he came on against Treviso, and if he's getting mullered physically, we have Murray on the Bench....

His cameo last week displayed the one huge shortcoming in his game.

He passed lovely - fast and crisp, firstly left, then right, then left and then right - military rugby..........The trouble was it was lateral and we made no ground whatsover. The defenders were able flood midfield and wider because they knew exactly what he'd do every time, and more importantly where we wouldn't attack.

He's a real crowd favourite, a model pro, & bravery personified etc. but he's only one arrow in his quiver these days, and it's blunt.

[Munsterboy]

His cameo last week displayed the one huge shortcoming in his game.

He passed lovely - fast and crisp, firstly left, then right, then left and then right - military rugby..........The trouble was it was lateral and we made no ground whatsover. The defenders were able flood midfield and wider because they knew exactly what he'd do every time, and more importantly where we wouldn't attack.

He's a real crowd favourite, a model pro, & bravery personified etc. but he's only one arrow in his quiver these days, and it's blunt.

Bit harsh to judge him when he's had so little time to get into the swing of things. Williams has steadily improved with a few back-to-back starts but he was ****e to begin with.

Stringer should be afforded at least 80 minutes to get used to the new game plan and the new backline before being criticised too harshly. He's still a very handy player but he's being given little opportunity to develop any form whatsoever. The A game will certainly help.

[Munsterboy]

My big worry tmr night is Williams. A couple of times last week he got flung around by the Treviso backrow at the breakdown. DOC, Cawlin and Dougall have a big job preventing wild animals like Williams and Ferris coming through the gate at rucktime.

The other big concern is the scrum. O's are pretty good in that area, but they took a pummelling when Afoa and Court caame on last week.

A LB could be precious tmr night.

If Williams is struggling at least we have a big physical unit waiting to come on for him.

Big test for Kilcoyne but I'm delighted to see him being thrown into the deep end at this early stage of the season. If he does ok we'll know we have another HEC-ready LHP. If nothing else he'll learn a lot (although he may not enjoy the experience!).

[Kevy-Wevz]

Being honest I'm expecting Kilcoyne to get a hammering tomorrow night, anything other than that would be a miracle. Any LHP at his age and development that wouldn't get destroyed by Afoa is something very special indeed. He'll get a harsh lesson and learn tonnes from it. I've no doubt that is Penney's plan as every prop needs those days to learn from

[mr chips]

Whoops, I suddenly have one Promenade ticket available for the game tomorrow - the fella who was lined up for it has been offered stand seats for himself & his young son, so if I can offload his ticket here he'll be able to take them up. PM please if interested.

[Munsterant]

Look while I think Ulster are favourites they are not the AB's for god sake (ok with 1 exception) and I think our backs are in a better shape with the centre paring of Downey & Casey along with a very dangerous back 3 (with Earls to join in off the bench) means I feel we need only 40% of the ball to score a coupel of tries.
Thye have Afoa and we have BJ who will give Court a hard time, while the second rows look level, they have bulk in the backrow but I think stamina and match sharpness might work against them especially with Dougall running around like a mad thing trying to impress...
I am going for a Munster sneaky/professional/heart stopping win by 2 points - 17-15, with Dougall MOM and a couple of tries by our centres.......

[overthehillprop]

Think it is good management to start JJ off at 12 myself, the hype machine is purring along well enough. Better to start quietly at 12. Good luck to all the A team.

Unfortunately I think this is more the long term thinking for JJ to be used as an inside centre rather than an out half.

[the plastic paddy]

Unfortunately I think this is more the long term thinking for JJ to be used as an inside centre rather than an out half.

Surely long term for Ireland, and lets face it there will be a green jersey aspect to JJ's development whether we like it or not, Chris Farrell will be the option at 12, Keith 13 with JJ competing with Jackson and Sexton for the 10 jersey?

[the plastic paddy]

Look while I think Ulster are favourites they are not the AB's for god sake (ok with 1 exception) and I think our backs are in a better shape with the centre paring of Downey & Casey along with a very dangerous back 3 (with Earls to join in off the bench) means I feel we need only 40% of the ball to score a coupel of tries.
Thye have Afoa and we have BJ who will give Court a hard time, while the second rows look level, they have bulk in the backrow but I think stamina and match sharpness might work against them especially with Dougall running around like a mad thing trying to impress...
I am going for a Munster sneaky/professional/heart stopping win by 2 points - 17-15, with Dougall MOM and a couple of tries by our centres.......

I don't think BJ will give Court that hard a time, Tom Court is a very good LHP. Similarly, I don't think Afoa will hand Killer his backside in the scrum, the kiwis great strength is in the loose where he is a fantastic talent.