First half was awful really. Team looked tired. Buckley, McCartney, Muldowney, Aki...

Lineout lost us the game I think. It malfunctioned badly.

Such cynical play from Trimble....

I genuinely thought Rodney was awful. Lazy, two or three knock ons, missed tackles, etc. Don't want to see him play again.

Bealham looked good against Henderson at the handbags!!!!!!

Serious defence, but a real opportunity missed for a losing point at least.

Hope we recover in time for Munster.

18-10. Can't be too disappointed as it was a heroic effort against an Ulster side waiting for this fixture. Didn't see what happened in the lead up to Ulster's try, can only assume we missed touch. After great defensive work that was a big concession. In years gone by that would have triggered a landslide of tries for Ulster but we were resolute in defence after that and scored a good try.

To be honest, wasn't hopeful of any points. Denying Ulster a bonus point was the most realistic objective from this game and we achieved that much.

After the initial onslaught I thought Ulster were as they have been for most of the season relatively average but once you go 11 points down in Belfast it's a long way back.

Tiernan back to full back next week if he is available.

I can only be proud of the boys......... To hold out when down to 13 men........ Love these boys.

salmson wrote: Henshaw's been really poor this evening.

Was he actually poor or just not as involved because he was at full back? I think its his least effective position. There were a number of others who were much worse than him so even though I don't think he contributed a huge amount he did ok, and that turnover in our 22 near the end puts him in the positive bracket for me.

Less said about the first half the better tbh but I thought there was a serious improvement second half, SOL looked pretty good at 10 and I wish he had been given a couple more chances earlier in the season to get up to speed in pro12. Thought we did some things well but played into Ulsters hands to a large degree.

Henshaw's been really poor this evening.

Not too hopeful for any points...

11-3 at half time. Struggled to get going early on, Ulster up very quickly in defence and we played into their hands a bit I felt by giving them soft targets to hit, lineout was a big of a shambles and wasted good positions but have started to find our feet. Ulster still don't look like they are going to concede many points though. I honestly can't see us winning this one. Minimum requirement for 2nd half is to deny Ulster 4 or more tries. If we get a losing bonus point I'll be more than happy.

Our spot was changed, Clan are downstairs just inside the door this evening

Think you hit it right on the head there menacethedenis. Pat has to be able to use his whole squad and this is the best way to make sure Rodney has learned his lesson. Having Finlay on the bench ready to come on in a heartbeat no doubt is just one more whip to be used on him. You don't want to have to use a sub to replace another sub too often.

With Whitey injured I think it's much smarter to start Rodney. If he plays like he did in Edinburgh (which I seriously doubt in front of his new employers) at least he can be hauled off and we know Finlay will be fine. If Finlay starts and gets injured early we risk having a potentially not too interested Rodney on for god knows how long.

I'm not expecting much tonight but I've said that a few times this season and been surprised. If we're ever going to win up there it's got to be this season, right? Best of luck to Shane O' Leary who has been outstanding for 'wegians this season. When he came on last week he looked like he'd been doing serious gym work too. His performances in the coming weeks will be pivotal to our chances of winning anything.

See ye in the Dail! Looking forward to hearing the travelling Clan on the TV like the Ospreys game!

Can anyone tell me if I can watch this online via TG4 live?

Don't have access to BBC2 NornIreeland

I live in London?

Although I accept the argument for starting Rodney, I don't agree with it.

Finlay is a miles better player. And loyal. And not at risk of the very obvious brain farts you get with Rodney.

Time will tell I guess.

I can only assume Pat is trying to build an impactful bench also into this squad. He doesn't always seem to start his strongest 15. Which is smart in some ways but I do think the likes of Dillane and Bealham need starting game time to further experience and confidence.

I still feel this game is winnable. Henderson and their half backs are a big advantage, but the beauty of the game is it is a collective effort.

And I feel our collective is still greater. Just as it was last week.

No one gave us a hope at half time and BOOM!!!!

Fourdogs wrote:

Donal Connolly wrote:

Darragh wrote: Not happy that Rodney is starting. Felt he was done here and would have preferred to see Conan or anyone else involved.

I was thinking much the same but then thought that Rodney might want to show something to his future club, pride and even more than pride is at stake, if he performs like the Edinburgh match, it won't look good to his future employers. I'm hoping he might give everything to impress Les Kiss. (fingers crossed).

I really do hope Pat has a plan in place regarding Rodney. He was an absolute disgrace in Edinburgh and I had hoped to never to see him in a Connacht jersey again.
I hope Rodney does try to impress Les Kiss and that it benifits us for the last time. He does not have the right to go onto the field and let the other 14 players down again like he did in Edinburgh.
No matter what happens, I suggest Pat just leave him in Belfast to start his house hunting, call it gardening leave.

Can't wait to read the 'less than polite' comments that the Ulster Men will be posting about him next year if he ever fails to play competitive in one of their games. They have more 'persuasive' ways of getting their message across if they don't like you.

If Rodney plays well and Connacht win then ulster (his future club) is in deep problems to qualify for champions cup

Donal Connolly wrote:

Darragh wrote: Not happy that Rodney is starting. Felt he was done here and would have preferred to see Conan or anyone else involved.

I was thinking much the same but then thought that Rodney might want to show something to his future club, pride and even more than pride is at stake, if he performs like the Edinburgh match, it won't look good to his future employers. I'm hoping he might give everything to impress Les Kiss. (fingers crossed).

I really do hope Pat has a plan in place regarding Rodney. He was an absolute disgrace in Edinburgh and I had hoped to never to see him in a Connacht jersey again.
I hope Rodney does try to impress Les Kiss and that it benifits us for the last time. He does not have the right to go onto the field and let the other 14 players down again like he did in Edinburgh.
No matter what happens, I suggest Pat just leave him in Belfast to start his house hunting, call it gardening leave.

Can't wait to read the 'less than polite' comments that the Ulster Men will be posting about him next year if he ever fails to play competitive in one of their games. They have more 'persuasive' ways of getting their message across if they don't like you.

clanman wrote: Having seen them play a few times recently I'd be fairly confident of an easy win over there, their pack has nothing to worry us and with only a couple decent players in their backline I think they've been over-hyped especially here in Ireland with the Irish coaching staff, sorry this is the Grenoble team I mean

Think we'll have a tough time getting an LBP in Ravenhill

Lol you had me all excited there and then I realised you were talking about Grenoble!

Mouthwatering match up for this derby, so many mini battles, going to be epic. I am a bit concerned with Rodders as outlined but I have to believe that Pat gave him a proper talking to and has him in the right head space to make a proper impact on this game. I'm probably more worried about Niyi, I really like him as a player but we know he's not the biggest. Having said that as both he and Trimble are both 14 hopefully he won't be facing the latter too often?

I was wondering if we'd see Ah You again. As others have alluded, this is probably a strategic move on Pat's part. Rodney will not want to embarrass himself in front of his future home fans and this will mark his start to claim game time for next season. If he puts in a shift like he did against Edinburgh he might as well stay up North and do some house hunting since he won't be putting on a green jersey again for the rest of the season. He can do the job, he just has to keep his focus.

Imagine Shane will be marked for extra attention at outhalf. Last week would have been a good primer but it will be a big step up starting at Ravenhill and his cover has zero experience at this level. Hopeful of getting something here, but it is going to be a tough game.