Ulster v Zebre Match thread 17th November 2012

[neilthom7]

With all the Internationals happening right now it is important to remember that this Sunday the 18th November at 2pm Ulster face off against Zebre in the Rabo Direct Pro 12. Ulster were off course due to take on Zebre earlier in the season but due to the tragic loss of Nevin Spence and his family this will be the first time the 2 sides play. Zebre are currently bottom of the Rabo having lost all 7 games so far scoring the least points of any side and conceding the 2nd most. They have picked up just 1 losing bonus point. Ulster of course are top of the table and so far remain unbeaten. Neither side has been named yet and I will update when this happens. Ulster will however be missing players to Ireland who face Fiji this weekend and who plays will depend on who Ireland choose to release. The biggest issue for Ulster looks to be in the second row with Muller and Stevenson both missing through injury. If neither Henderson or Tuohy are released from the Ireland squad then we will be down just one senior lock in McComb. So guys what are your predictions for the game and who do you think will play.

Ulster Team
R Andrew; M Allen, J Payne, P Wallace, C Cochrane; N O'Connor, M Heaney; C Black, N Brady (capt), J Afoa, R Diack, N McComb, N Williams, M McComish, R Wilson.

Replacements: R Herring, T Court, D Fitzpatrick, J Simpson, A Birch, B McIlroy, S Olding, P Nelson.

Zebre Team
15. David ODIETE
14. Leonardo SARTO
13. Matteo PRATICHETTI
12. Samuele PACE
11. Alessandro CASTAGNOLI
10. Daniel HALANGAHU
9. Tito TEBALDI

8. Andries VAN SCHALKWYK
7. Filippo CRISTIANO (cap)
6. Filippo FERRARINI
5. Filippo CAZZOLA
4. Josh SOLE
3. Luca REDOLFINI
2. Andrea MANICI
1. Matias AGUERO

Replacements
16. Andrea DE MARCHI
17. Salvatore PERUGINI
18. Flavio TRIPODI
19. Emiliano CAFFINI
20. Nicola BELARDO
21. Alberto CHILLON
22. Ross McCANN
23. Nicola CATTINA

[Notch]

I really don't know... we're just gonna have to wait for the Ireland side to be announced.

It really depends on how Kidney approaches the Fiji game. Time to give the likes of Jackson and Marshall their first run in green? Or stick with the same core group to face Argentina?

[Notch]

Another poster posted this predicted side on the Ireland-Fiji thread;

Zebo; Bowe, Earls, McFadden, Gilroy; Sexton, Murray; Kilcoyne, Cronin, Bent, Ryan, McCarthy, Henderson, Henry, Heaslip (capt). Subs: Court, Sherry, Archer, McLaughlin, Tuohy, P Marshall, L Marshall, T O'Halloran.

This would be bad for us. This would be really, really bad for us.

Maybe we would get Jackson back- that would be the only silver lining. We'd get even less players back than we did for Edinburgh.

Black-Brady-Afoa
McComb-Diack
Wilson-Williams-McComish

Heaney-Jackson

Wallace-Allen
Cochrane-Payne-Andrew

[neilthom7]

True knowing Declan he will probably pick both Tuohy and Henderson this week. I imagine Diack might go into second row if they are not available unless there is an Academy prospect I am not aware off. Birch has played lock before but he's too small to play it at provincial level so I don't think he would be involved. I am probably missing something there though. I still think even with the hiccup of player shortages we can still come away with a win and a bonus point.

[neilthom7]

D'Arcy still out then too? I would agree with that team could see Payne being moved to Centre though and Allen going to wing with Andrew a Fullback again. You are right though Notch that team if selected by Kidney would be terrible for us.

[MrsP]

What about Nelson? Could he slot in at 15?

[neilthom7]

Andrew started last time so it would be likely he would start again though, he could play though if hes fit

[Rava]

Zebre will most likely be without four or five players as well. Given they aren't anywhere near English Championship standard at full strength then I would back our Academy to beat them.

That team Notch picked above would do a job without too much trouble. And yes Mrs. P, I would play Nelson ahead of Andrews at full-back and have Payne directing things at 13.

Given the number of players Treviso have in the Italy squad, as well, I would be expecting two wins on the road with the possibility of one, if not two, TBP's.

[Notch]

I would quite like to see Nelson in this game to be honest.

[MrsP]

My my! We are an agreeable bunch, aren't we?

Good to see you Rava!

Missed ya!

[neilthom7]

I agree to which is a nice change from the Irish boards recently lol

[MrsP]

My thoughts exactly Neil!

[neilthom7]

See contrary to popular belief Ulster people are very agreeable

[Notch]

A backline of

Heaney-O'Connor
Wallace-Payne
Cochrane-Nelson-Allen

Isn't too bad. It looks a lot better if Jackson is released. I hope a few more guys will be released the weekend of the Treviso game or we really could be in for an ambush.

[neilthom7]

Yeah agreed Notch certainly with the distribution of our Centres there we should be able to do damage. Well if Kidney is anything he is consistent so we will likely get Tuohy, Marshall, Jackson, Cave and Gilroy back for that unless summit special happens this weekend and Deccie visits the Wizard of Oz.

[Notch]

He's under no obligation to release them even if he doesn't pick them in the 23. You'd hope we'll get some players back on Thursday each time.

[Rava]

A backline of

Heaney-O'Connor
Wallace-Payne
Cochrane-Nelson-Allen

Isn't too bad. It looks a lot better if Jackson is released. I hope a few more guys will be released the weekend of the Treviso game or we really could be in for an ambush.

Notch? You are aware that almost every Treviso player is in the Italy squad? They play Australia the weekend after next. They are decimated and I would expect them to have a worse team than Zebre.

[Notch]

That is true. And we do have the luxury of having guys like Afoa, Williams, Wilson, Wallace and Payne all available. Quality players.

[Notch]

I just wish we had big Lewis Stevenson or at least Tuohy released.

Tuohys fallen to fifth choice lock now apparently (behind O'Callaghan, O'Connell, McCarthy and Ryan) but he'll be holding tackle bags it seems like.

[Rava]

Exactly. Now you are thinking on my wavelength.

The weekend after next Ireland will be playing Argentina. Kidney won't be taking any chances so expect at the very least, Court, Tuohy, both Marshall's and Gilroy to be available.

[neilthom7]

Yeah I know Notch hopefully those who aren't will get released though especially Tuohy if as I expect he wont play v Argentina.

[Notch]

Yeah having Tuohy, Court, Jackson and Gilroy available for Treviso would be a massive boost. None of them seem to be in the mix for the "firsts". Can't see any radical differences between the South Africa and Argentina selections.

Really would be massively worried about this week if we were away to another side- I just know Zebre are not particularly good. I don't want to sound patronising, because you know... you never know. They are going to be missing a handful of their classier players.

[clivemcl]

Nelson over Andrew for definate. But, whats the status on D'Arcy? I thought he was back and played for Ravens, then disappeared again. Did he get injured again?

[Notch]

http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/27675.php

The Ulster quartet of Paul Marshall, Craig Gilroy, Tom Court and Roger Wilson have joined up with training at the Irish camp in Carton House. Munster prop Stephen Archer has also been drafted in along with Leinster lock Devin Toner.

What does this mean? Is it those guys are added to the panel along with all the previous members of the Ireland squad? Or is it along with the 23-man squad from the South Africa game?

If we are missing; Court, Henderson, Wilson, Henry, P. Marshall, Trimble, Bowe and Gilroy we're not too badly off.

We'd get Tuohy, Jackson, L. Marshall and Cave back. Getting Tuohy and Jackson back would be massive.

Black-Brady-Afoa
McComb-Tuohy
Diack-Williams-McComish

Heaney-Jackson
Wallace-Cave
Cochrane-Payne-Allen

Replacements; Herring, Lutton, Macklin, A. O'Connor, Birch, McIlroy, N. O'Connor, Marshall, Nelson

As good a team as we could hope for! Really light in terms of cover for the back five of the pack though.

[WillyGilly]

I'd guarantee Declan is going to bone us over in some way here. Do not like the idea of Heaney - NOC at half back. I'd almost rather we played paddy w at 10 and moved someone else to 12.

Williams maybe?

[Kingshu]

Maybe we'll get none back,
Court, Tuohy, Henderson, Wilson, Henry, P. Marshall ,Jackson, Trimble, Bowe, Gilroy , L. Marshall and Cave

nearly a team missing! If Best and Fitzpatrick were there it would be a full team.

I hope D'arcy recovers for these games, Payne Wallace center, D'arcy fullback, we do need his experience as we could be fieling a Ravens team, plus Afoa, Panye, Wallace and Williams.

[Jenifer McLadyboy]

Court, Tuohy, Henderson, Wilson, Henry, P. Marshall ,Jackson, Trimble, Bowe, Gilroy , L. Marshall and Cave

nearly a team missing! If Best and Fitzpatrick were there it would be a full team.

Get used to it lads. It's the price of fame. Remember all the years of complaining because you thought Ulster players could not get into the Ireland team?

[rodders]

They still can't, sure we'd only 3 in the side v SA!

Kidney is using all our star players as tackle bag holders and water boys!

[Notch]

Yeah thats the thing. 11 players missing for Edinburgh; 7 of whom did not feature in the matchday squad for South Africa

It's the worst of both worlds.

[VinceWLB]

Anyone know if Nicola Cattina from Zebre will be back? cracking player.

[Notch]

Here's Mulligans info on who we have available;

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby/irish-picks-will-leave-ulster-light-for-italian-job-1-4474007

Ulster head deep into Europe at the weekend for back-to-back games against the two Italian sides in the RaboDirect PRO12 being unable to prepare fully as they await the release of players from Dublin.

...

Paul Marshall, Craig Gilroy, Paddy Jackson and Roger Wilson all joined the Irish training panel this week - and it was expected that Gilroy and Jackson would be retained.

However, on Tuesday night it was rumoured that Eoin Reddan was recovering better than expected from an ankle injury and that Marshall could find himself needing his passport this weekend.

Irrespective of Reddan’s fitness, the feeling is Marshall should still be be given a long overdue opportunity in the green shirt and stake his claim for a place in the hugely important Test match a week later in Dublin against Argentina.

It remained purely speculation about Reddan but Ulster will see Wilson return to the fold as Kidney tinkers with his options ahead of the Pumas clash with his orginal 31 players.

Tighthead prop, Declan Fitzpatrick has also been released back to Ulster, but he continues to be managed for concussion and would still be a doubt for the first game against Zebre on Sunday.

Irish prop, Tom Court was overlooked by Kidney for the opening Test against South Africa and it was expected the Ulsterman would also be available for the Italian trip.

All in all if that was the case, Ulster would be able to put out a formidable pack, with Court, Nigel Brady and John Afoa in the front row, Neil McComb and Robbie Diack in the second row - there are no other choices - although Alan O’Connor possibly could get a first call up to the bench, and Wilson slips into the backrow with Nick Williams and Mike McComish.

If Marshall was to get the nod from Kidney, Michael Heaney slots in at scrumhalf and a rejuvenated Niall O’Connor would partner him at halfback.

And Ulster have plenty of experience in Paddy Wallace and Jared Payne to command the midfield, while Chris Cochrane, Michael Allen and Peter Nelson have move than proved themselves in the back three on several occasions.

He essentially predicts a team of;

1) Tom Court
2) Nigel Brady
3) John Afoa
4) Robbie Diack
5) Neil McComb
6) Roger Wilson
7) Mike McComish
8) Nick Williams
9) Michael Heaney
10) Niall O'Connor
11) Chris Cochrane
12) Paddy Wallace
13) Jared Payne
14) Michael Allen
15) Peter Nelson

I would be very relieved to see that team line out, especially the front row. It's just about getting what we need from this game while we are so depleted.

[rodders]

That's a very strong team. I'd be delighted with 4 points here.

[Notch]

5 is attainable, 4 is the minimum.

[Kingshu]

Zebre have 5 players in the 30 man Italy squad, don't know if they have others called up to extended training squad, with Zebre missing thier 5 best players I would expect a BP win.

Aironi only won one game in first season, and 4 games second season, Hoping Zebre will be able to put in a better performance of 5 league win over two years.

Benetton Treviso have 18 players in the 30 man Italy squad, so I expect them to be really weakened when we play them expect another BP win.

It sounds a bit much expecting a weaken Ulster team to get two BP wins away from home, but Zebre at fullstregth would prob get beat by the Ulster team mentioned above, remove at least 5 of thier best players and it BP win we should be after (if they have a number released back then just win would be good).

Benetton Treviso missing 18 players is more than any team could cope with and still be competative. It could be more with extended training Squad, and I know how many will be released back, but thier call ups will weaken them more than Ulsters call ups.

[WillyGilly]

I doubt the half back partnership of Heaney and NOC. Is Chris Farrell still injured? If not could we have him at 12 and Paddy at 10? Also who is this Alan O'Conner chap?

[clivemcl]

Does anyone actually know what Adam D'arcy's injury status is? I hope he is available. He could really bolster this team.

(and also... i miss him)

[Kingshu]

Me to Clive,
Like D'arcy as a player, he has plenty of experience, and would like to see Payne Wallace midfield and D'arcy at full back, that way you have plenty of experience among the backs.

[Notch]

Willy, Chris Farrell broke his leg! Do you really think he is going to be back six weeks later? We're talking next season.

clive, king, D'Arcy is a good player but injured or not I'm excited to see the uber-talented Peter Nelson get a chance if picked. No doubt Peter Nelson will surpass D'Arcy and probably play for Ireland.

[clivemcl]

And two out of Nelson/Cochrane/Allen on the wings. I think that team would do well. I also have no real issue with Heaney. He's a fairly good player to be third choice. Its all down to Whether O'Connor has a good game or not.

[The Great Aukster]

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby/irish-picks-will-leave-ulster-light-for-italian-job-1-4474007

If Marshall was to get the nod from Kidney, Michael Heaney slots in at scrumhalf and a rejuvenated Niall O’Connor would partner him at halfback.

Wonder how they have managed this? Have they unearthed a magic well with all the geotechnical surveying going on at Ravers?

[clivemcl]

Willy, Chris Farrell broke his leg! Do you really think he is going to be back six weeks later? We're talking next season.

clive, king, D'Arcy is a good player but injured or not I'm excited to see the uber-talented Peter Nelson get a chance if picked. No doubt Peter Nelson will surpass D'Arcy and probably play for Ireland.

Yea, I really rate Nelson too Notch, but wernt his appearances in pre-season on the wing? I'd like him there if D'Arcy is available for this one.

[Notch]

No, Nelson is a fullback, that is his main position. He played briefly on the wing but thats more a case of just getting him on the pitch. He's also one of the most talented players to come out of schoolboy rugby in a long, long time. Let him get gametime as fullback.

Given his potential, I have absolutely no issues with him leapfrogging D'Arcy to be our second choice.

[rodders]

Well technically speaking Bowe is our second choice fullback but I get your drift....

[Notch]

Not sure what the Bowe selection was about. Might be necessary in the Heineken Cup I guess.

[Kingshu]

I 've no problem with him leap frogging D'arcy, but with two inexperienced wingers I would like the more experienced full back, rather than a very inexperienced back 3.

[clivemcl]

Well D'ARcy has been played on the wing plenty too. He would be a better wing option than Cochraen anyway. Allen looked goo early in the season.

[Kingshu]

wing would do clive, just in backs, Panye and Wallace, I'd rather have D'arcy plus two young uns, than 3 young uns. Young players do need games, but don't think they should all be put on at once if there is an equally good expericened option. 2 fairly inexperienced backs, is enough blooding in the backs for this game. IMO.

Of course D'arcy may still be injuried and there may not be a choice but to put 3 young backs in together.

[MrsP]

I don't know if Darcy is fit but he hasn't really played since May. It would be a lot to expect him to slot straight in as a starter, no?

[clivemcl]

He played for Ravens within the last month MrsP, but then something tells me I heard he was injured again. But that could just be my mind playing tricks.

[MrsP]

Yeah, I can't quite remember if he was named but was a late withdrawal or was that someone else?

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