Ulster v Munster, Pro12, Sat 2nd January 2016 at 3pm

[Swoosh]

The storm could actually help us to be honest. And we need all the help we can get

[neill_m]

Weather up North at this stage is wet Fri PM and easing off on Sat. Not nailed down exactly when lunchtime/teatime etc. Storm Gertrude is not official yet - what's in a name!

[FORWARD....]

Am hoping to get there. 2 hour drive for me. Still looking for tickets if anyone can't travel.

[ick]

Ulster team & replacements to face Munster, Guinness PRO12, Kingspan Stadium, Saturday 2nd January 2016 (kick off 3.00pm):
(15-9): L Ludik, A Trimble, L Marshall, S McCloskey, R Scholes, P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): K McCall, R Best (captain), W Herbst, L Stevenson, F van der Merwe, R Diack, C Henry, N Williams;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, R Lutton, A O'Connor, R Wilson, P Marshall, I Humphreys, S Arnold.

[Upfront_1979]

Looks full strength. So much for the camp joe ruining this fixture nonsense

[neill_m]

Camp Joe is next week - will not interfere with Ulster/Munster's Euro games - basically a Leinster camp.

[overthehillprop]

I watched the game again. It's so frustrating that we played all the rugby. But from the off, we're hoofing it laterally at speed and so it's our backs in to protect and clear out which makes us vulnerable to being turned over. Our forwards are being left out of the game so to speak and are disinterested. It was at 30 minutes, by the time the backs had run the freshness out of themselves that the forwards got into the game. Then with 20 to go, our forwards are in form and the backs are frazzled. There is no synchronisation. We can't play SH rugby with backs not built like forwards and forwards without the speed of backs. We have to find the middle ground and keep it tight and keep 15 men in a game with a plan.
That leaves us waiting on evolution or a master plan. Oh Jebus, I think I realise what I mean...play Joe style rugby. ****! I don't want that either. How do you play smart rugby without dumbing down the flair and ability of the individual?

Bring back Penney

Having the backs rucking and then no one able to exploit space might actually be fixed with a style similar to the one Penney had us playing at times with a 2-4-2 split of forwards. I actually think that now we have forwards more capable of playing that type of game than when Penney introduced it. However all the posts on here complaining of second rows hanging out in the tram lines would mean it wouldn't be tolerated.

[LastKnight]

It's as full strength as we can put out. Payne, Cave and Olding are a week to 10 days away yet.

I'm a bit surprised there's not a bit of rotation - looks like we are expecting Joe to "rest" Paddy for us during the 6Ns.

[ick]

MunXV:Conway; RO’Mahony,Saili,RScannell,Amorosino;Keatley,O’Lear y;
Kilcoyne,Sherry,Botha;Foley,Chisholm;O’Donoghue,O’ Donnell, Stander Capt.

Replacements: NScannell, JRyan, Sagario, Holland, Copeland,Williams, Bleyendaal,Hurley.

[dropkick]

At least the backrow should be more balanced. JOD moves to 6, for the first time?

I don't see the bench making much of an impact.

[the plastic paddy]

Has anyone heard what the prognosis is with Cronin? Unfortunate that Ryan was just getting up to speed on the tight head side and is now shoehorned back to LHP replacement.

[FORWARD....]

Zebo rotated/rested for next week? Delighted to see Ronan O'Mahoney getting a start. Pack looks good. Wind and rain please.

[i_like_cake]

Great to have the TOD back... JOD and CJ to have more fun now...

[barleys chinos]

MunXV:Conway; RO’Mahony,Saili,RScannell,Amorosino;Keatley,O’Lear y;
Kilcoyne,Sherry,Botha;Foley,Chisholm;O’Donoghue,O’ Donnell, Stander Capt.

Replacements: NScannell, JRyan, Sagario, Holland, Copeland,Williams, Bleyendaal,Hurley.

Great to see ROM getting a start and faith being kept in Scannell thumbs up for the coach,Hopefully IK will come back stronger,will be interesting to see the backrow.

[barleys chinos]

Congrats to Duncan Williams he will get his 100th cap if he gets a run,has had 1 or 2 shakey days but as he proved last week he's a cracking player to speed up a game.