I was expecting this to be a quick, “here’s the squad, same again”, but there are two significant changes to the travelling 25 that makes me even more excited about the forthcoming season. The return of Dan Tuohy from injury and the addition of Tamaiti Houra to the panel adds even more competition to the squad.
A big win in the Heineken Cup followed up by intense competition for places is exactly where we want to be.
FORWARDS: Nigel Brady, Brendon Botha, Ryan Caldwell, Tom Court, Bryan Young, Ed O’Donoghue, Stephen Ferris, Andy Kyriacou, Dan Tuohy, Robbie Diack, Chris Henry, Willie Faloon, Tamaiti Horua, Declan Fitzpatrick. BACKS: Timoci Nagusa, Darren Cave, Niall O’Connor, Simon Danielli, Ian Whitten, Paddy Wallace, Paul Marshall, Isaac Boss, Andrew Trimble, Ian Humphreys, Clinton Schifcofske.
You would have to think that, with his performances to date, O’Donoghue is one of the nailed on starters which leaves Caldwell and Tuohy fighting it out for the other berth.
Caldwell was back to his controlled best against Bath and as I said last week he does seem to produce his big performances in tight forward battles where he has to concentrate fully.
Tuohy has sparkled in nearly every outing he’s had this season and brings excellent ball handling and a sharp eye for the break to the party and he will be absolutely busting to get his first Heineken Cup start.
However I think that Ulster are going to try and completely overwhelm the Edinburgh forwards by really sticking it to them in the first twenty minutes so I think they’ll start with Caldwell rampaging for the first hour and Tuohy to come on and run riot for the last twenty.
The back row just gets better and better and now the much fancied Houra has been added to the equation. In his brief outings to date it can’t be denied that Houra has struggled to fit in with the style of play, but I’ve heard so many murmurs of approval about the big New Zealander from the squad and the coaches over the last few weeks that I just can’t wait to see him play again.
All well and good, but who do you drop from what is becoming one of the best back rows in Europe? The answer is no one, so it looks as though Houra is going to be fighting it out with Henry for the bench spot and I can’t see him shifting Henry for such a vital game, but it’s great to see him get into the reckoning.
Young O’Connor has slipped back onto the radar but with Humphreys and Wallace both on top of their game it looks as though Niall will be watching this one from the stands.
My team for Edinburgh.
(1 – 
Court, Kyriacou, Botha, Caldwell, O’Donoghue, Ferris, Faloon, Diack. (9 – 15) Boss, Humphreys, Trimble, Wallace, Cave, Nagusa, Schifcofske. (16 – 23) Brady, Young, Fitzpatrick, Tuohy, Henry, Marshall, Whitten, Danielli.
The playing 23 will be named on Friday at 12 noon.
If you can’t make it to Edinburgh for this vital match, don’t miss out on the big match atmosphere, get yourself along to The Rosie for a day full of Heineken Cup Rugby. Coverage starts at 13:35 with Munster v Treviso followed by Edinburgh v Ulster at 15:45 and Harlequins v Toulouse at 18:00. See our Events Section for details.
Top of the Table Clash
Magners League action returns to Ravenhill on Saturday 24th October, when the Stadium will play host to not only an inter-pro clash, but a Top of the Table one as well, as Ulster go head to head with Leinster. Tickets are currently on sale for the 6pm kick off game by clicking here or from the Ravenhill Ticket Office (9am-5pm, Mon- Fri,) Ticket Line 02890 493222 Option 2 (10am – 12noon, Mon-Fri.)
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