there's a big difference, we're playing away from home and for them this game is vital, lose and even a top 6 could be in doubt for them, playerwise I think they are marginally ahead of us. in some positions we'd be stronger dont forget we're down to our 4th and 5th choice out-half

Only real difference between us and Ulster on St Stephens was Nick Williams - he is out on Friday

Really want to wind this one. In fact, I want to win them all!!

Still feel people are waiting for us to stumble.

There is no reason why we can't win this. Look back to our 5 points away to Edinburgh for example.

I know a different prospect in Ulster at home, but I am hopeful.

Would really stir things up and set the Munster game up nicely.

Yeah the usual area upstairs in the Dail will be reserved

Was just about to ask that question. Was hoping to get to the match but alas I can't......Will be heading down to the Dail for the match. Can't wait

I assume the non-travelling clan are gathering in The Dail to watch this?

columoc wrote:

Misfit wrote:
Willie Faloon had surgery two weeks ago for a chronic mid-foot injury and will not play again this season

Poor Willie. Great player. I had forgotten about him completely and its only been a year!

Hadn't completely forgotten about Willie but coming across his name when recently looking at some match reports from last season was surprised myself that it had only been a year. Sounds like it's been a rough season only 4 appearance for him and they were back in Sept & Oct. Hope the surgery clears up the foot problem, he's not 30 yet so he should have a couple of good years in him.

craggy island crew will be on GBFM on thursday evening to preview the game, by which stage they will know the team lineup

Dudley was the ref when we last beat Ulster in 2012 - we have a record of W3 L4 with him incharge - all the losses came against Munster. He was in charge the last time we won in Cardiff and also for a Treviso match in 2012.

wp_rathead wrote:

Evil_g wrote: Is it necessary to point out that singing the Fields of Athenry probably isn't a polite thing to do in Ravenhill?

2 Years ago when I was up there we sang it and Ulster fans sang along
As long as no one does the idiotic version you hear at football games I see no issue

Really? good to know. This is my first time up for a game; so I'd just assumed it would be considered bad form.

Evil_g wrote: Is it necessary to point out that singing the Fields of Athenry probably isn't a polite thing to do in Ravenhill?

2 Years ago when I was up there we sang it and Ulster fans sang along (mind you they were hammering us ha)
As long as no one does the idiotic version you hear at football games I see no issue

Misfit wrote:
Willie Faloon had surgery two weeks ago for a chronic mid-foot injury and will not play again this season

Poor Willie. Great player. I had forgotten about him completely and its only been a year!

Deadly Dudley is our ref for the Ulster game. I thought he was Ulster branch? Edit: He's Leinster.

Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU, 61st competition game)
www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/19427.php#tK4K5fEdetmy8AmA.99

Is it necessary to point out that singing the Fields of Athenry probably isn't a polite thing to do in Ravenhill?

Misfit wrote: Rory Best, Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne have recovered from low grade injuries and they are available for selection this week.

OK, so the reason Ulster didn't have their Ireland internationals available last weekend is that they were all injured. Solves that mystery.

www.ulsterrugby.com/news/14772.php#.Vvpq6dIrKHs

Ahead of the Guinness PRO12 Round 19 game at home to Connacht on Friday night (7:35pm kick off), the Ulster Rugby medical team has provided the following update:

Returning to play

Rory Best, Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne have recovered from low grade injuries and they are available for selection this week.

Unavailable for Connacht fixture

Alan O'Connor dislocated his right shoulder whilst playing against Glasgow at Scotstoun last weekend. He will see a shoulder specialist later this week to determine whether the injury will require surgery.

Nick Williams suffered a left groin injury and aggravated a left shoulder injury playing against Glasgow. He will not be fit for selection this week.

Ian Humphreys is currently rehabilitating a back injury and his return to play is being assessed on a weekly basis.

Louis Ludik is suffering from an ongoing right groin injury. He is unlikely to be available for selection this week.

Tommy Bowe continues end-stage rehabilitation for his knee injury. His likely return to play date is being assessed on a weekly basis.

Ruaidhri Murphy continues to recover from a finger injury and is unfit for selection this week.

Sammy Arnold re-aggravated a hamstring tear during training last week. His return to play is estimated at 4-6 weeks.

Wiehahn Herbst continues to rehab his toe injury. He is likely to return to play in 4-6 weeks.

Andrew Warwick and Mark Best were unable to train today due to illness. A number of players on the squad have been affected by this respiratory virus and a decision on their fitness to play will be determined later in the week.

Unavailable for the remainder of the 2015/16 season

Peter Nelson continues to rehabilitate from an ankle injury sustained against Edinburgh at Kingspan Stadium. His return to play status remains as the 2016/17 season.

Dan Tuohy had surgery two weeks ago for his ongoing ankle injury. He is recovering well post-surgery.

Willie Faloon had surgery two weeks ago for a chronic mid-foot injury and will not play again this season