Ulster Rugby announced a strong squad for the make or break British and Irish Cup match against London Welsh to be played at Ravenhill on Friday night. KO 7:30pm
Having produced a somewhat lethargic display in their last outing, against Llanelli, the Ravens are now trailing London Welsh by three points in Pool C. With only one team going through to the semi finals the Ravens need to win comfortably to ensure that their fate is in their own hands going into the final round on 12th March.
Ravens Forwards: Bryan Young, B.J. Botha, Justin Fitzpatrick, Andi Kyriacou, Nigel Brady, Neil McComb, Dan Tuohy, Ryan Caldwell, Ed O’Donoghue, Willie Faloon, David Pollock, T.J. Anderson, Ali Birch, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack. Ravens Backs: Isaac Boss, Cillian Willis, Paul Marshall, Niall O’Connor, Ian Humphreys, Ian Whitten, Michael Allen, Darren Cave, Tommy Seymour, Mark McCrea, Timoci Nagusa, Craig Gilroy
It could be said that Ulster have bigger matters than the British and Irish Cup on their minds as there is only a sprinkling of “2nd string” players in the squad and Ulster are looking to improve the match fitness of many of the first team regulars in a move which must be a disappointment for many of the youngsters who have worked hard this season.
Speaking personally I would have rather have seen our up and coming youngsters fully utilised in this competition, gaining much needed experience on the way. Unfortunately it appears that the management team are being as hard nosed and pragmatic with the results business in this minor competition as they are in their contract negotiations and with participation in the Magners League play-offs now unlikely it seems every available resource is being diverted to this Cup.
To me this tunnel vision has taken some of the enjoyment out of this admirable competition changing it from an enjoyable opportunity to watch the cream of Ulster’s youth to a trophy that we must now win or we will be left with considerable amount of egg on our faces.
The team will be announced on Thursday at noon.
From Ulster Rugby
Tickets for the Promenade, Terrace and Main Stand are priced at just £5 each for season ticket holders and any junior season ticket holders go free. To avail of the exclusive discount; call into the Ravenhill Ticket Office (Mon – Thurs, 9am – 5pm, Fri 9am – 4pm) or call the Ticket line on 028 90493 222 Option 2 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 12noon.)
Tickets are also available for non-season ticket holders, priced at: £10 Adults and £3 Child, for all areas. Tickets are available from the Ravenhill Ticket Office (Mon – Thurs, 9am – 5pm, Fri 9am – 4pm) the Ticket line on 028 90493 222 Option 2 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 12noon) or by clicking here.
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4 Responses to “Ravens squad for London Welsh”
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I agree totally what is the point of putting out what is a first team minus those involved in the Irish 22 or Scotland. I would much prefer to see the coach leave out his first XV and select from the rest.
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The interesting thing is that if they get through to the SF playing a strong team, those players will probably not be available for the SF as it is on the weekend – 23/24/25 April same as the away game with Edinburgh in the Magners. The final for info is on the weekend 14/15/16 May same as the Magners playoffs, but it will take a good run in the league to make those now, can’t afford too many more slip ups.
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Good point Neill. It will be interesting to see what team the management put out in Edinburgh for the final Magners League match if a top four finish is impossible.
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Why no Craig Gilroy?
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