Diabhal wrote: Seems like it might clear a bit by the time KO comes but the drive up will be very wet. Looking forward to bumping into any Connacht fans making the trek.

I hope that there are a few travelling up;admittedly it's going to a feck of a day travelling with Barbara doing her worse, but it'll be worth it if we win.
Tickets x3 for West terrace.

Seems like it might clear a bit by the time KO comes but the drive up will be very wet. Looking forward to bumping into any Connacht fans making the trek.

Foks,
I have 2 tickets going for the game on Friday night if anyone would like them.
Would hate to see them go to waste.

Lee Kiss: There are no restrictions from Ireland on who we can play against Connacht and Leinster, but we do want to manage some players ourselves

Oranmoron wrote: Beat me to it. I was just going to ask if any of our internationals are likely to be unavailable. Apparently there's an Ireland camp this week. Ultan and Kieran we can probably survive but without Finlay we're banjoed. Same goes for any for the backs but I'm guessing they're less likely to be called.

Ulster pack is probably their weakest element though so JP might be able to do a job even without bealham we should be OK here.

This is a great chance to pick up a win up there but we'll need carty to be right on it.

my composition is likely then!

Beat me to it. I was just going to ask if any of our internationals are likely to be unavailable. Apparently there's an Ireland camp this week. Ultan and Kieran we can probably survive but without Finlay we're banjoed. Same goes for any for the backs but I'm guessing they're less likely to be called.

The Irish international players tend to be rested during the Christmas provincial games.

I don't think we can rest anybody for this one. It's full tilt as we have ground to make up in the league.

Our good friends at Paddy Power have us at +6 to beat Ulster . Again they have no bias they just want to make money! They have us that close, to get that final monkey of our back, and beat Ulster. I would gladly forgo my Festive Lynx box set for that ultimate Xmas present! Connacht Abu!

If I had to try an audacious team vs Ulster, resting players and preserving some quality spread across the lines

1) Loughney
2) Heffernan
3) J.P
4) Stevenson (would like to do well again his ex-teamates)
5) Cannon
6) McKeon
7) Connolly (deserved for him to play once)
8 ) Dawai
9) Blade/Cooney
10) Well... Jack or Jack
11) Healy
12) Robb
13) Parata
14) Poolman (no need for rest for those guys from 11 to 14)
15) TOH

17) McCartney (Yeah we're short for TH, he has to prepare covering LH, to allow others like J.P to move on the TH side)
16) Delahunt (deserved for him to play a bit more)
18) Meunargia
19) Roux or Dillane
20) SOB
21) Cooney/Blade
22) Brennan
23) Niyi

www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2016/1219/840027-...head-of-derby-clash/

Andrew Trimble will return to the Ulster fold for their Friday night Pro12 derby clash with Connacht.

The winger hobbled out of Ireland's Autumn International slaying of Australia last month after a half an hour.

He missed the Champions Cup double-header with Clermont Auvergne but is available for selection this week having battled back to full fitness.

Les Kiss has, however, two fresh injury headaches following Sunday's defeat in France.

Prop Kyle McCall suffered a significant right hamstring injury and he will see a surgeon in London this week, while lock Pete Browne sustained a concussion.


Both players are out of the Kingspan Stadium collision with the Westerners.

A number of other players picked up soft tissue knocks at Stade Marcel Michelin, but none are expected to miss out.

Ricky Lutton, Ross Kane, Alan O'Connor, John Donnan, Robbie Diack, Marcell Coetzee, Mattie Rea, Stuart Olding, Jared Payne, Craig Gilroy and Pete Nelson remain unavailable

N17 wrote: Ulster have a pretty unfortunate turnaround for this match. Coming from Clermont on a Sunday evening. Bowe and Best looked like they gave it their all yesterday. Will be interesting to see how many Ulster front line players they will rest. Even Pineaar looked wrecked

Whereas Connacht pretty much have to play everyone who is fit I guess?

Same for Munster new years eve- and they're facing THE FORTRESS

Ulster have a pretty unfortunate turnaround for this match. Coming from Clermont on a Sunday evening. Bowe and Best looked like they gave it their all yesterday. Will be interesting to see how many Ulster front line players they will rest. Even Pineaar looked wrecked

Whereas Connacht pretty much have to play everyone who is fit I guess?