WTF was that from Dan Parks

It's called shooting yourself in the foot. Dan's a traditionalist that way.

Bonus point for Ulster. Another shambolic try. 27-5. Over a point a minute already.

3rd try for Ulster. This is going to be a rout. For all the good rugby Connacht are trying to play, defensively we are a shambles.

2nd Ulster try scored by Andrew Trimble. 13-5.

Good response from Connacht. Try for McSharry.

WTF was that from Dan Parks

Plus home advantage... tough one.

ANYONE WANT TO DO THE PREVIEW?

I haven't had a chance to write this one up. Anyone want to turn a hand to it? I will get it up on the main page but haven't time to get it written.

Head to head, to see clearer (Connexion problem, lazy to rewrite all my explanations)

Ricky Andrew 15 Robbie Henshaw
Andrew Trimble 14 Tiernan O'Halloran
Tommy Bowe 13 Eoin Griffin
Luke Marshall 12 Dave McSharry
Craig Gilroy 11 Fionn Carr
Paddy Jackson 10 Dan Parks
Paul Marshall 9 Kieran Marmion
Andrew Warwick 1 Denis Buckley
Rob Herring 2 Jason Harris-Wright
Ricky Lutton 3 Rodney Ah You
Johann Muller 4 Aly Muldowney
Iain Henderson 5 Mick Kearney
Robbie Diack 6 John Muldoon
Chris Henry 7 Eoghan Masterson
Nick Williams 8 Eoin McKeon
Replacements
Niall Annett 16 Dave Heffernan
Tom Court 17 Ronan Loughney
Adam Macklin 18 Finlay Bealham
Lewis Stevenson 19 Michael Swift
Sean Doyle 20 Andrew Browne
Michael Heaney 21 Frank Murphy
James McKinney 22 Miah Nikora
Stuart McCluskey 23 Darragh Leader

Blue : Draw


Connacht 8 Ulster 9 Draw 6

theCulk wrote: Kearney is getting his 50th cap tonight. Pretty impressive for a 23 yr old

Even more so for a 23-year old lock.

Kearney is getting his 50th cap tonight. Pretty impressive for a 23 yr old

god i really want a win here....only by beating our neighbours will we start to be taken truly equally.

tough ask, but why not today.

Rabo Direct Pro 12 Round 19
Ulster v Connacht
Friday 11th April 2014
On TV: BBC NI

After a dramatic and ultimately heartbreaking Heineken Cup defeat to Saracens, Ulster will be hoping to pick up the pieces and re-ignite their play off challenge at home to Connacht. After over half a century without a victory in Belfast not many will expect a Connacht victory on Friday. Connacht's slim top 6 hopes probably evaporated last time out in a narrow double bonus point loss to Scarlets but Pat Lam and his side will still hope to finish the season strongly to give Connacht their best ever points finish and provide some optimism heading into next season.

Ulster Stats
Founded: 1879
Ground: Ravenhill, Belfast
Capacity: 13,500
Captain: Johann Muller
Coach: Mark Anscombe

Rabo Direct Pro12 League Position 2013/14: Position: 3rd P: 18 Points: 60
Rabo Direct Pro12 League Position 2012/13: Finalists 1st Points 81 (Lost Final to Leinster 24-18)

Heineken Cup 2013/14: Quarter Finalists: 1st in Pool 5 Points 26 (Lost QF to Saracens 17-15)
Heineken Cup 2012/13: Quarter Finalists: 1st in Pool 4 Points 23 (Lost QF to Saracens 27-16)

Previous Results
Ulster 15-17 Saracens (Heineken Cup Quarter Final)
Cardiff 28-23 Ulster (Rabo Pro 12)
Edinburgh 3-9 Ulster (Rabo Pro 12)

Next League Fixture:
Friday 18th April 2014 19.30 Glasgow v Ulster @ Scotstoun Stadium

Heineken Cup (Pool 5)
Ulster 26
Leicester Tigers 21
Montpellier 11
Benetton Treviso 0

Previous Meetings

Saturday 21st September 2013 Rabo Direct Pro 12 Connacht 7-18 Ulster

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/12893.php

Friday 19th April 2013 Rabo Direct Pro 12 Connacht 18-34 Ulster

www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/12355.php

IT says that he hasn't played center for them in three years, and that Trimble has passed all the necessary post concussion checks.

(also Marshalls 50th game!)

I didn't hear anything about Poolman after the Eagles game so I assume he's healthy. Is it possible Lam doesn't rate him? I could see saying that it would be unfair to drop TOH or Carr but certainly he is worth a spot on the bench.

A healthy Faloon would have been a nice addition, too bad he's out.

I'm not familiar with the concussion protocol and I imagine they have their test all in order, but I would think with all the concern these days about long term effects that a minimum of one week out would be prudent. But since he's included I'm a little surprised Trimble isn't the one moving to centre.

Have we seen the last of Gavin Duffy in a green jersey? I know he just hasn't been at it at all this season, but it would be a disappointing ending for such a great servant to Connacht rugby.

Not a great front row for the Ulstermen but the back 5 is a serious prospect.
Pienaar is obviously the big loss for them but Marshall is a handy player. Gets them moving... has Bowe played for Ulster at centre recently?

Is Trimble not concussed?

With no Faloon, that is a big step up for Eoghan Masterson. Big admirer of the boy, hope he goes well. He has really taken his chance when given it. Shame that he will not be playing for Corinthians on Saturday tho !