Aironi vs Ulster Discussion

Ulster will be trying to follow up their win over Glasgow with an away win in Italy next Saturday. Brian McLaughlin has announced his 23 man matchday squad. Andi Kyriacou is available; his wife gave birth to a healthy baby boy in the week, a future Ulster forward no doubt. The only change in the starting XV from last week is Tim Barker coming in to the second row, where he partners Dan Tuohy. Lewis Stevenson is on the bench where he is joined by Declan Fitzpatrick who has recovered from a concussion sustained in pre-season. Callum Black remains unavailable with a neck injury but there is a return for Luke Marshall, who comes onto the bench at the expense of Peter Nelson.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,19077_7160294,00.html

Ulster:

15 A D'Arcy
14 C Gilroy
13 D Cave
12 N Spence
11 I Whitten

10 I Humphreys
9 P Marshall

1 P McAllister
2 A Kyriacou
3 J Cronin
4 T Barker
5 D Tuohy
6 P Wannenburg
7 W Faloon
8 C Henry

Replacements (16-23): N Brady, D Fitzpatrick, A Macklin, L Stevenson, R Diack, I Porter, P Jackson, L Marshall

Unavailable due to injury: Callum Black (neck)

Aironi:

15 Ruggero Trevisan
14 Riccardo Pavan
13 Roberto Quartaroli
12 Gabriel Pizarro
11 Giovanbattista Venditti

10 Naas Olivier
9 Tito Tebaldi

8 Nick Williams
7 Nicola Cattina
6 Josh Sole
5 George Biagi
4 Joshua Furno
3 Fabio Staibano
2 Roberto Santamaria (cap)
1 Matias Aguero

Replacements:16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Luca Redolfini, 19 Simone Favaro, 20 Frans Viljoen, 21 Giorgio Bronzini, 22 Alberto Benettin, 23 Gilberto Pavan.

Also traveling with the squad this week will be Jared Payne! The New Zealander arrived in Northern Ireland this week. He won't be considered for selection until next weekend, this is just a chance for him to get to know his new teammates and coaches and settle into the Ulster set-up. Unfortunately, it will have to be the radio for this one! If only there was some other televised rugby event this weekend.

Should be fine Notch, I here there's a minor tournament taking place in New Zealand.

Very excited about Mr Payne. Hope he's not put off by our weather. Been lashing it down all day.

Should be nice in Italy though.

It rains a fair bit in New Zealand lads.
Good that he has this away trip to get to know his team mates.
Don't expect we will see too many changes to last weeks starting lineup. If Marshall is fully fit will he play?

I think we will see Marshall and Deccie Fitz benching on saturday. Cant see McL changing up the midfield. If we are in a position to take off one of Spence or Cave as Aironi tire and bring some more creativity on that might work.

I would be hopeful of a TBP but 4 points would do the job nicely.

I think Conor Gaston to wing will be the only change, if Kyriacou is available. Between Ian Whitten and Luke Marshall for the last bench spot. Fitzpatrick will probably bench but if McLaughs feels its going to be really physical he might think of moving Henry to 7 and Diack to 8. He shoudn't; Faloon is a tough, classic openside.

I like the balance of our backrow too. Pedrie looks grand at 6 and Henry is playing very well at 8. He probably suffered from being shipped around last season

I thought Falloon looked like he had bulked out a bit. Certainly hope the back row doesn't change.

Yeah his best position is 8. He played very well from 8 last week. I think we have enough physicality in our pack to meet them head on.

I think we will see mor of the bench used this week. Last week was about getting off on the right foot. With a tad more control at half back i am fairly confident we can get at Aironi whose lineout was dire against the Scarlets. Play for territory and the chances will come

Yeah, we look much better challenging the opposition throw. Of course, the fact Glasgow were so bad in the lineout last week helped us no end. They lost six lineouts, which is unreal. Aironi were equally shocking from touch against the Scarlets.

I'd be quite hopeful of getting the edge on them in the set piece, we've scrummaged quite well so far.

Notch wrote:I think Conor Gaston to wing will be the only change, if Kyriacou is available. Between Ian Whitten and Luke Marshall for the last bench spot. Fitzpatrick will probably bench but if McLaughs feels its going to be really physical he might think of moving Henry to 7 and Diack to 8. He shoudn't; Faloon is a tough, classic openside.

Surely Whitten deserves to hold on to the 11 spot after his solid display against Glasgow? I'd imagaine there will be very few changes except maybe Marshall and Fitzpatrick on to the bench.

Deserves got nothing to do with it really. McLaughlin always picks more conservative sides away from home and he's more likely to go with a fullback doing a job on the wing than a centre doing a job on the wing in an away game. Besides that, Gaston wasn't available last week.

Notch wrote:Deserves got nothing to do with it

Isn't that a line from a Clint Eastwood movie?

It is. But it's particularly apt for rugby.

Thing is, there are more than 15 players in our squad who 'deserve' to be playing. Whitten put his hand up as a guy who can cover the wing, but that won't guarantee his spot even with Danielli and Trimble away.

I'd stick with the same team - it rewards success. Kyri might be away for a geek at the mini greek so Brady would have to start. Black and Fitz for the bench if they're fit enough. Nelson hasn't been named so there is a definite change there.

Is it more or less conservative to stick with a guy who has shown good form in a position than a guy just back from injury? Don't think Whitten could have done any more to retain his place, and his experience could be useful in a physical encounter. It would be really bad man management to drop him from the 23. So the last backs spot will be between LMarshall and Gaston, and that will probably be for the bench.

Pretty much the same team, Tim Barker replaces Lewis Stevenson.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/9647.php

Ulster:

15 A D'Arcy
14 C Gilroy
13 D Cave
12 N Spence
11 I Whitten

10 I Humphreys
9 P Marshall

1 P McAllister
2 A Kyriacou
3 J Cronin
4 T Barker
5 D Tuohy
6 P Wannenburg
7 W Faloon
8 C Henry

Replacements (16-23): N Brady, D Fitzpatrick, A Macklin, L Stevenson, R Diack, I Porter, P Jackson, L Marshall

Unavailable due to injury: Callum Black (neck)

I'm pleased to see Marshall in the 23, but baffled at the absence of Gaston. Reminds me of when Paddy Wallace was 22 for Ireland; sure, no problem with it in principle, but with guys who can cover centre in the starting XV why not pick a back three player?

Andi Kyriacou is a proud new father! So congratulations to him.

Decent side. Hope they're keeping Mr Payne amused. 5 points please chaps.

I don't know why, but i find the idea of someone moving to NI to play for Ulster rather curious. Maybe its a sign of modern culture, a fascination with other peoples lives, and it probably doesn't reflect well on me. But if they made a documentary about Jared's first two weeks, i know i'd be watching.

Where is he living? How did he find a house? Is he shacking up with some other Ulster lads? How much effort do the squad go to to socialise with him? Where does he do his grocery shopping?

I'm just a nosey git i guess! Either way, I hope he enjoys it and that people make him feel very welcome and comfortable here!

No Gaston is a strange call indeed. I suppose the thinking is that whitten did nowt wrong so why demote him and they obviously want Luke Marshall involved. Still your wing cover is essentially Nevin Spence with Gilroy your fullback cover.

Gaston opens out those options massively.

clivemcl wrote:I don't know why, but i find the idea of someone moving to NI to play for Ulster rather curious. Maybe its a sign of modern culture, a fascination with other peoples lives, and it probably doesn't reflect well on me. But if they made a documentary about Jared's first two weeks, i know i'd be watching.

Where is he living? How did he find a house? Is he shacking up with some other Ulster lads? How much effort do the squad go to to socialise with him? Where does he do his grocery shopping?

I'm just a nosey git i guess! Either way, I hope he enjoys it and that people make him feel very welcome and comfortable here!

Clive no doubt there will be many sightings over the coming weeks and will be duly noted on forums such as this. You know the usual, he brushed past me in the veggie isle at Forestside.....

That's impossible I know he's a Tesco's man.

Had to feel for the guy when he got off the plane in Belfast, and the first thing he gets welcomed with after a 20-hour long haul journey is a camera crew and an interviewer!

"So Jared, do you know much of Northern Ireland?
"Eh... just the airport really"

Quality work from BBC SPORT NI as usual

I'd thought Gaston would make it over Luke as well but I'm sure it was a close call and it makes a lot of sense from a longer term view.

Payne, Trimble, D'Arcy, Gilroy and Danielli would all be ahead of Gaston in normal circumstances with possibly Spence and now Whitten edging him as well. On the other hand if McL wants a footballing 12 and has Wallace in his starting HEC line-up, who does he call should Paddy go down at the eleventh hour?

Luke Marshall is an exciting prospect but to become a realistic option he needs more experience so it probably makes sense to get him exposure when possible.

If he comes on, it might be for Cave with Spence moving out one, and with a certain amount of schadenfreude I'm looking forward to Gusher getting him and Nevin confused again

Good post Aukster. Agreed. Especially about the bold Jim Neilly

There will be many who will be disappointed not to make the match day 22 during the course of the season. I'm sure Gaston would have expected to be getting there at this stage of the season with Trimble and Danielli away.
But sure it's a great problem that Maglock has just now.

Notch wrote:Had to feel for the guy when he got off the plane in Belfast, and the first thing he gets welcomed with after a 20-hour long haul journey is a camera crew and an interviewer!

"So Jared, do you know much of Northern Ireland?
"Eh... just the airport really"

Quality work from BBC SPORT NI as usual

Ha ha cracker! sure thats the best part !

I'm really happy with that lineup. I'm sure Gastons disappointed but I thought Whitten was superb against Glasgow. I really like the Midfield but hopefully Marshall will see some gametime.

I'd like to see a bit (actually a lot) more composure from Humphreys (and P Marshall) who was pretty flakey against Glasgow.

I'd imagine Diack is disappointed not to be starting and with Henry being captain in Mullers absence his gametime is probably going to be limited this year.

Whitten is a player I've always liked, however I have thought that with the quality centres we have he may not be happy with a bench spot and think there is a good chance he may head west next summer (thought it may have been this one except its a world cup year), however it looks like hes being turned into a Ulity back and may then therefore have a future with Ulster as he may get enough gametime to keep him happy.

Kinshu I though Whittens Ulster days were numbered too until last weekend. I thought he'd be a weak link defensively but he was really solid and looked a real handful in attack. Maybe he has a big future ahead of him after all but whether that at Ulster or not we'll have to see because at this stage of his career he needs to be playing regularly.

"at this stage of his career he needs to be playing regularly"

I'd agree with that, and think it may be nessary for him to go west to get the gametime, however he would be very very good for Connacht if this did come about.

every cloud and all that

mind you its still very early in the season to be speculating about transfers, he could play himself into the Ireland team before the end of the season for all we know.

Another thing that excites me is that Jared Payne was the captain of Northland Rugby, which means that we have now got a real leader in the backs, (all are other leaders were in the forwards) so it be benifit the backs

I think Paynes arrival will give everyone a big shot in the arm the way Pienaars did last season. I'm expecting big performances across the backline, particularly from D'arcy and Cave, as everyone will be anxious about keeping their place.

The competition for places is exactly what we need to keep us on our toes ahead of what will be a very challenging and exciting season.

Too much sense being talked on this thread. I think Gaston is a tad unlucky but i have always said that Marshall has the most potential of any of our youngsters (the top 2 inches) and i think that if he is fit he is in the squad.

Notch is also right regarding BBC Sport. Since that Holly Wilaboobie asked Pienaar about money after the Scarlets game last year i have been totally nonplussed by them. Im not certain that there is a genuine interest in the sport beyond Jim Neilly and Constable. I dont really get most of the interviews but maybe thats just me. It seems to me to pander to what they hear shouted from the stands on friday night.

That being said its good times for Ulster rugby and the depth is excellent. To say that Gaston doesnt make the squad at this stage of the season is ridiculous and it shows the upward trajectory that we are on. looking forward to a win on Saturday

Yeah, all they really seem interested in is the big name signings from overseas. We have some of the most exciting young players in the country and all they focus on are the big names.

I like Jim Neilly, but no-one else. I mean, they've hired Ryan Constable- the agent of most of the players in the Ulster squad- as their co-commentator and pundit! Talk about a conflict of interest.

I always laugh when an Ulster player does something well, and he says "Yeah x is a great player, he's got these qualities etc". Because even if its true the bare fact of the matter is on a lot of occasions he, as the representative of that player, has a vested interest in talking them up. After all that's how a sports agent makes his living. I just don't know why the BBC think it's appropriate to give him the free platform to do so. You'll hardly hear him doling out the criticism of his clients when they don't do so well.

Notch

100% right. Constable obviously knows rugby but you're right. sadly it seems there is a dearth of those available. I have to say pundits in general are poor. I rate Conor O'Shea for RTE, i like Andrew Cotter as a commentator, at times those on the beeb can be decent (mostly they are pish). I also have to say that i rate Will Greenwood. Might be my guilty pleasure but i like the guy. Gusher i like, because you kind of sense he expects high standards of Ulster and at times isnt shy about criticising them but you sense the underlying current of support throughout his commentary. it might be infuriating to others and perhaps i have my Ulster spectacles onbut i think he is relatively even handed.

Yeah, well- he is what he is. A show called 'Ulster Rugby Live' isn't gonna be the most impartial! But he is a properly old school rugby man, Jim Neilly, who is a professional and does give credit to the opposition and is even-handed enough. Constable knows the game but he is too close to the players involved and has too many vested interests.

Aironi team announced;

Aironi: 15 Ruggero Trevisan, 14 Riccardo Pavan, 13 Roberto Quartaroli, 12 Gabriel Pizarro, 11 Giovanbattista Venditti, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Nicola Cattina, 6 Josh Sole, 5 George Biagi, 4 Joshua Furno, 3 Fabio Staibano, 2 Roberto Santamaria (cap), 1 Matias Aguero
Replacements:16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Luca Redolfini, 19 Simone Favaro, 20 Frans Viljoen, 21 Giorgio Bronzini, 22 Alberto Benettin, 23 Gilberto Pavan.

Those names just roll off the tongue

World Cup is great for developing depth though. Ulster have 14 Irish qualified players out of 15 and none of them are older than 30. Aironi have 13 Italian qualified players out of 15; though Nick Mallett has voiced his frustration at the use of non-Italian qualified 10s by both Italian sides.

Constable isn't the only agent that is used as a commentator though, is he?

I have heard the same thing in F1 and Athletics.

I also think he is usually the one to say when the opposition do well or when the ref has got a call correct against Ulster and our Jim is having a wee moan.

Love Jim Neilly though. Was my "eyes" for several seasons before we had TV coverage of the games. He does need to get some new specs though.

Sounds like Paddy Mac is a lucky boy...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/14802141.stm

Flip, they make it really hard to listen to Radio Ulster MW online! Can't find it at all.

balls, i will start looking as well notch. i thought the beeb usually had a link

They say they do, but all I can find is Radio Ulster FM!

Come on BBC!

If anyone finds a way to listen, please post the link!

10 minutes to kick-off and I feel like tearing up my TV license

Where on earth is the link to listen to this game online?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/8437990.stm

Woohoo!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/8437990.stm

Phew!

Marshall in overcooking a box kick shocker!

Back to Marshall putting kicks straight into touch then!