I don't actually believe NOC wastes his time on these boards, but if he does I'm sure he'd like nothing more than to make his way onto the field and stick it to us. If they start Wallace at centre perhaps there will be a spot for him on the bench.

Ulster|Rugby wrote:
Ulster squad v Connacht
For immediate release Wednesday 3rd October 2012
Issued by Ulster Rugby

Rory Best is in line to make his first appearance of the season after being named in Mark Anscombe’s preliminary squad for Friday’s home derby with Connacht (Ravenhill, 7.05pm).

The Ireland hooker has not played since the Test match against New Zealand on 23rd June.

Captain Johann Muller is included after overcoming the niggling injuries which ruled him out of the excellent win over Cardiff last Friday. Ireland internationals Stephen Ferris and Declan Fitzpatrick also return to the extended 25 man squad.

Almost 8,000 tickets have been sold for the game, but there is still good availability in all parts of the ground. Please call the Ravenhill Ticket Office on 02890493222 (option 2) or visit www.ulsterrugby.com to buy tickets.

Ulster Rugby is appealing to supporters to be mindful of local residents and to avoid parking in the immediate vicinity of the Ravenhill Grounds on match nights.Parking restrictions will be in place in a number of areas surrounding Ravenhill.

Supporters are encouraged to make us of the complimentary Park’n’Ride facilities on Ulster Rugby match days located at Pirrie Park on the Ravenhill side of the ground, and along Montgomery Road, on the Mount Merrion side of the ground.

Provisional Ulster Rugby squad to face Connacht, RaboDirect PRO12, Fri 5th October, Ravenhill (7.05pm):

FORWARDS (14):

Rob Herring, Rory Best, Declan Fitzpatrick, John Afoa, Tom Court, Callum Black, Johann Muller, Dan Tuohy, Lewis Stevenson, Stephen Ferris, Mike McComish, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Nick Williams.

BACKS (11):

Paul Marshall, Michael Heaney, Niall O’Connor, Paddy Jackson, Paddy Wallace, Darren Cave, Luke Marshall, Andrew Trimble, Tommy Bowe, Craig Gilroy, Jared Payne.

Would like to see more squad players used and look at more options @ 15

the rotation is very important this week imo. that was a very physical game ladt week which will take its toll.

the front row shud definately rotate with brett, jhw and loughs starting and buckley, flavin and white on bench.

gannon starting wih macca and swift on bench.

id go kearney, faloon and muldoon in backrow if mckeon is injured and jonnie on bench. id rest george for hec.

moore and parks for me eith marmion and nikora on bench. no point killing marmion before hec.

id leave toh and fetu on wings with henshaw at fb. id move mcsharry to 13 and fafita in at 12. griffin has seen alot of rugby considerin he is supposed to be carrying injuries. mc crea will provide cover for a few positions on bench.

big and all as this game is the two coming are bigger.
the squad is stronger now and all im really suggesting in the main is the bench swapping with the lads after a very hard day at the office physiqally.

Noises are coming from the Ulster camp that Ferris and Best will be back for this game. Things just got that little harder!

Form and with rotation. We need the likes of Browne, Kearney, Anderson etc helping out when needed and not being too rusty.

McKeon got a knock and is now on the injury list. Mul will need a run out ahead of the Heineken Cup fixtures so I expect he'll start. Totally agree that players should be picked on form though.

S_P, I was thinking along the same lines when someone mentioned in another thread that Muldoon should slot right back in. I wouldn't be too hasty about dropping McKeon to the bench. Hopefully like Duffy with Henshaw, Muldoon has taken note that there's an able replacement and he'll have to up his game if he wants to keep his place in the side.

connachtexile wrote: Can anyone remember the last time we won at Ravenhill? I ask because I think we're near a horrible anniversary. Am I correct?

Muldoon back would be a plus all right.

Hopefully the rest will have done him good, like Duffy this season I don't think he's been firing on all cylinders so far. Injuries aside I don't think anyone should be an automatic pick, unless they're showing exceptional form (or leadership).

Thanks Mary. I was thinking this year was our 'golden' anniversary. Instead it's the 52nd. Don't know if that better or worse!

1960 was the last time we won in Ravenhill.

Can anyone remember the last time we won at Ravenhill? I ask because I think we're near a horrible anniversary. Am I correct?

Muldoon back would be a plus all right.

D'oh! brain fart, got names mixed up. Glad we have more than one scrum half but would still be concerned, hopefully pod will be fit soon too.

phatguerilla wrote: from the looks of things the only scrum half who is not injured is Marmion

Moore's not on the injury list AFAIK so we're as was for the last 5 weeks.

from the looks of things the only scrum half who is not injured is Marmion, who was effectively fourth choice until this season and for my money has played himself into first choice. Who will be on the bench for the next few matches and god forbid if Marmion were to get injured, do we have two scrum halves in the academy/under 20s that are capable of stepping up?

Reynecke and McCrea back also.