D'Arcy returns to the starting XV. Picture by permission from rugbypicture.co.uk
Well that was a waste of time me getting up specially early to give my thousands of readers my thoughts on the likely team for Edinburgh. I’m sure that both of you that have actually read it found it fascinating but forget all the speculation for here a couple of hours later is the actual team.
Injury and the IRFU’s ongoing player management programme means that Brian McLaughlin has named an Ulster team to take on Edinburgh at Murrayfield tomorrow evening with a starting line-up that shows a mix of positional and personnel changes from that which was defeated by Biarritz in the Heineken Cup last Sunday.
Amongst the backs, only Ruan Pienaar retains the same position he played last week at scrum-half. With Simon Danielli unavailable due to injury, David McIlwaine moves from fullback to left wing and Adam D’Arcy is promoted from the bench to cover the No 15 jersey. Mark McCrea makes his first competitive start as Andrew Trimble moves from the right wing to outside centre and Ian Whitten takes the inside centre position with Paddy Wallace moving to out-half.
Up front Paddy McAllister starts in the front row with Tom Court moving to the bench and Dan Tuohy partners Johann Muller in the second row this week. The rotation of the backrow players continues - Chris Henry starts this week ahead of Pedrie Wannenburg but in the openside position with Stephen Ferris moving to the blindside flank. Robbie Diack retains his place at No.8.
ULSTER: (15-9) Adam D’Arcy: Mark McCrea, Andrew Trimble, Ian Whitten, David McIlwaine; Paddy Wallace, Ruan Pienaar (1-8) Paddy McAllister, Rory Best (Captain), BJ Botha, Johann Muller, Dan Tuohy, Stephen Ferris, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack
Replacements: Andi Kyriacou, Tom Court, Bryan Young, Ryan Caldwell, Pedrie Wannenburg, Paul Marshall, Ian Humphreys, Nevin Spence
It’s hooray, hooray welcome back McCrea from the FRU and it’s a welcome sight indeed to see his steading influence in the back three. Hopefully D’Arcy’s wanderings will be reigned in and there is a bit more thought given to his defencive duties. No better person than Mark to remind Adam of the same!
I remember writing a few seasons ago about how much I preferred Trimble in the centre and it speaks volumes of Cave’s influence that I stopped wittering on down that line. Without Cave it does make sense to get Trimble on the ball more often in what could be a make or break midfield.
Make or break, as I’d much rather have seen Paddy in the centre alongside Trimble rather than one out at outhalf so a lot of the game is going to depend on how Paddy plays at 10.
It’s certainly an ‘A for effort’ that has seen young McAllister get a start as he’s like a breath of fresh air with his attitude when he comes on and I hope he does well.
Tuohy needs to forget about his Ireland debut and start playing like he did last season as Barker and Caldwell have set the standards so a big game needed from Dan the man.
Diack has obviously recovered quicker than I thought and I just don’t know what’s wrong with Faloon as his continual omission continues to baffle. I hope it’s not D4 picking our openside as well as our outhalf.
Strange selection with a lot of players being played outside of their favoured positions – let’s hope it doesn’t come back to haunt us.
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4 Responses to “Team For Edinburgh”
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Against the Gunners a strong backline defence is essential and with Paddy at 10 and Whitten back in his normal position hopefully the line will keep shape ( which it failed to do last sunday in the second half) Given that Cave is not available moving Trimble into the centre makes sense but I have always considered his method of carriying the ball is that of a wing and not a centre.
Then again it could be a possible D4 call given that BoD has recently had a muscle scare which would mean either Earls/ Fitzgerald/or Trimble as possible replacements and Fitzgerald has never really impressed me as a defensive centre and as a wing feeds off the timing of o’ Driscoll’s pass and assistance in defence ( ie by shepparding the backline across close to the touchline )
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As I stated in myanalysis of the second half against Biarritz I consider that one of the problems Ulster had was the lack of a secondary defence due to the fact that Ferris tends to get caught in ruck and maul situations and Diack was less than 100% .Henry has been playing 7 and should be less inclined to mix it in the tight.
Given the players available in the back row Faloon while a natural 7 might be considered light weight and a ball carrier of last resort whereas those selected are all ball carriers.
Court is due a rest and this could be again at the request of D4.With regards to Ireland squad was a little surprised to see Toner get the call ahead of Touhy (or Barker ) who I consider have a bigger all-round game but Toner would be a better lineout jumper which could be an advantage against Samoa.
Toner’s inclusion of course adds another to the mix and he could be there for induction purposes only and to provide a difficult lineout practice for the others in the squad.
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As reasonable a backline as could be made in the circumstances.
I find the lack of Willie slightly perplexing. Henry has been playing well and I know McGlock likes his big back-rows, but Willie is a mini-wrecking ball and I think we’ve been missing his influence. Nobody in the Ulster squad will win as much turnover or make the lives of oppo’s 9 and 10 quite a misery.
And if nothing else, Wannenberg deserves a proper rest!
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cant understand why not playing young o connor, proved last week against biarritz need some one to hold the line and pass not run round looking for gaps before passing
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