Team vs Ulster

[burghboy]

What do we think the line-up will look like for Friday night? Already got the fear about this game. I'm also wondering what's going to happen with the back row; what with those called up for Scotland and the injuries to Basil and Talei, who the hell is going to play? Will they have to sacrifice Rambo's rest period since he probably wont be in the Scotland 23 anyway? Here's my guess, please correct me:

15 Greig Tonks
14 Tom Brown
13 James King?? (Not listed as injured so not sure why we haven't seen him yet?)
12 John Houston
11 Mike Penn
10 Harry Leonard
9 Richie Rees
8 Stuart Mcinally??
7 Roddy Grant
6 Hamish Watson? (Must admit to having no idea what position he normally plays)
5 Sean Cox
4 Izak van der Westhuizen/Rob McAlpine (Is Izak here yet?)
3 WP Nel
2 Andy Titterrell
1 John Yapp

Alternatively am I completely wrong in thinking the whole Scotland squad will be rested?

[burghboy]

Should've done my twitter research, King played at Goldenacre on Sat and Izak arrives on Wednesday...too soon for him to start on Friday night then?

[LastKnight]

Will put up the Ulster team when it's available but we are unlikely to know who we have to select until Wednesday. 14 of our first choice players have been called up for Camp Kidney - some should be released for Wednesday but we are unlikely to have Best (injured) Court, Fitzpatrick, Ferris, Tuohy, Bowe, Trimble released. Also, Pienaar has been called up for the Boks. Cave will depend on how Kidney wants to deal with the injury to BOD whilst still covering Full back. Earls can't do both.

I'd guess,

1. Black
2. Herring
3. Afoa
4. Stevenson
5. McComb
6. Diack
7. Birch/McComish
8. Williams
9. Heaney if Marshall isn't released
10. O'Connor/Olding if Jackson isn't released
11. Allen
12. Wallace
13. Payne
14. Cochrane
15. Nelson

As I said, all subject to change if there are releases.

[Davis]

I was thinking about this earlier. What with the Scotland squad call-ups and injuries (particularly in the 2nd and back row) they are going to be pretty thin on the ground. I assume that those not in the 22 for the AB game will be passed to play. Don’t think McInally, Gilchrist and possibly Jones will make the cut so should be available. I wonder if Robinson may even release Denton to allow him to continue to play himself back into form. Also, don’t think Bradley has much choice but to sacrifice some players’ rest periods.

Watson is an openside. I hope Bradley doesn’t do the old trick of playing two 7s in the back row with Grant at 6 but assume that he will do. I would prefer to see Cox at 6 or the pack will look even more lightweight than usual.

I would like to see something like Tonks, Brown, Fife, King, Jones, Leonard, Rees, Yapp, Titterell, Nel, Gilchrist, McAlpine, Cox, McInally, Grant Subs Walker/Turner, Hislop, Niven, Gray*, Watson, Leck, Hunter, Houston.

* Borrow him from the Glasgow EDP squad

It’s probably going to be a very long night at Ravenhill.

On another subject, does anyone know whether Sean Kennedy would be allowed to play for Edinburgh again this season given that he has turned out for Glasgow? Sounds like he had another great game for Stirling County at the weekend. He really should be getting regular rugby at pro level given that Scotland need to be developing some more young 9s.

[burghboy]

Even more worrying if Watson is a 7! I hope you're right about the release of those unlikely to face the ABs, was racking my brains to remember if this happened before in the Autumn but to no avail.

Fife in for Houston in your XV is an interesting one. Houston is undoubtedly far from spectacular but I thought that aside from his part in the defensive calamity on Friday (which the whole team was guilty of) he had a reasonably solid game, even putting Scott into a couple of gaps. This is the sort of game Bradley might need to pick his experience over a centre combo of an EDP and King who hasn't played in donkey's. Not that its likely to make much of a difference!

[deaners1314]

We're going to get destroyed by 50pts no matter what team we put out.

I will be in 'The Crown' from 4 or 4.30pm if anyone is interested in joining me, although i won't be wearing any colours - i'm too embarassed

[LastKnight]

We're going to get destroyed by 50pts no matter what team we put out.

No chance. It will be a lot closer than that. Both teams hit by call ups is usually a recipe for a pretty disjointed kind of game. Home advantage is big but you are being too pessimistic

I will be in 'The Crown' from 4 or 4.30pm if anyone is interested in joining me, although i won't be wearing any colours - i'm too embarassed

Enjoy the stout and get there early! A glorious institution.

[Cammo Gunner]

We're going to get destroyed by 50pts no matter what team we put out.

No chance. It will be a lot closer than that. Both teams hit by call ups is usually a recipe for a pretty disjointed kind of game. Home advantage is big but you are being too pessimistic

I will be in 'The Crown' from 4 or 4.30pm if anyone is interested in joining me, although i won't be wearing any colours - i'm too embarassed

Enjoy the stout and get there early! A glorious institution.

The Sausage & Mash is cracking too, for soaking up the beer

[BaggyTrousers]

Greetings Embra fans, my first visit since the HC semi last season. Wondering are you guys as up in the air about availability of players as we are.

For the first time in years we are providing more players than either Leinster or Munster in an Irish panel., That said I'm expecting quite a few back on day release for Friday night.

We will put out a pretty decent pack, its the backs where we are wondering, could be down both of our best scrum halves though technically we can have Pienaar available. Out half & centres plus our 3 best wingers away with Ireland.

[Davis]

Burghboy, in previous years I'm pretty sure all players in the Scotland squad not in the 22 for the following weekend are released to play for their clubs. Not sure if it is changing this year.

I think Fife looks promising from what I have seen and I see King and Houston both as 12s. Prefer King as a player but Bradley seems to favour Houston at the moment. Watson is supposed to be a cracking young player but he is pretty small, so hope he and Grant don't both start or the back row could get seriously overpowered.

[LastKnight]

Morning Star has hit the nail on the head. The call ups Ulster have had have created a potential for your boys to do a job.

Edinburgh have chance to trouble stretched Ulster

With 14 players away from Ravenhill on international duty, the Celtic League strugglers may pinch a win.
In the Celtic League unbeaten leaders Ulster welcome struggling Edinburgh to Ravenhill ground on Friday and it would be a surprise to see the Scottish side coming away with anything after such a poor start to the season.

They have yet to get a point on the board in the European Cup and are likely low on confidence after a last Friday’s last-gasp 29-28 home defeat to Llanelli Scarlets.

Nevertheless, with 14 of the Ulster squad on international duty with Ireland, it remains to be seen how many of those players will be available for duty this weekend.

Best out for 4/6 weeks with neck ligament injury. Is our only injury news.

[GaryIPA]

Morning Star has hit the nail on the head. The call ups Ulster have had have created a potential for your boys to do a job.

Edinburgh have chance to trouble stretched Ulster

With 14 players away from Ravenhill on international duty, the Celtic League strugglers may pinch a win.
In the Celtic League unbeaten leaders Ulster welcome struggling Edinburgh to Ravenhill ground on Friday and it would be a surprise to see the Scottish side coming away with anything after such a poor start to the season.

They have yet to get a point on the board in the European Cup and are likely low on confidence after a last Friday’s last-gasp 29-28 home defeat to Llanelli Scarlets.

Nevertheless, with 14 of the Ulster squad on international duty with Ireland, it remains to be seen how many of those players will be available for duty this weekend.

Best out for 4/6 weeks with neck ligament injury. Is our only injury news.

Reverse psychology, also known as MattGoddard

[LastKnight]

Hearing we are going to have Pienaar and Ferris for the game. Only required to release Pienaar next week and Ferris needs game time.

Will put up the team when I have it.

Any idea who your getting back?

[JohnnieJ]

Hearing we are going to have Pienaar and Ferris for the game. Only required to release Pienaar next week and Ferris needs game time.

Will put up the team when I have it.

Any idea who your getting back?

You having Ferris back is a real blow for us, we are more than likely to definitely have S.McInally and G.Gilchrist back and maybe one or two others but no more than that.

[Ravenhiller]

Looks like we will be playing a rookie at 15, a lad by the name of Andrew. In front of him will be Gilroy, Wallace, Payne and Cochrane, with Marshall and Pienaar at half-back.

Forwards pretty much pick themselves, with injuries and call-ups, but back row looks tasty, with Ferris, Wilson and McComish, and Williams waiting on the bench.

The tickets are going well and there is talk of a near sell-out. Deaner's talk of a 50 pointer is away off target, but would be reasonably confident that Ulster will win.

Hope you lads play well, and your travelling support have a good time at the weekend.