Niall O'Connor, a surprise start for Ulster?
Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has named a 33 man squad ahead of Friday’s crucial Magners League derby with Connacht at Ravenhill (KO 7.05pm).
Ireland internationals Paddy Wallace and Andrew Trimble are not available for the match after they each fractured a thumb.
Ulster’s defeat to Leinster on Saturday brought their six game unbeaten run in the Magners League to an end and leaves them still searching for a first success over Irish opposition this season. The defeat also means they must now win their two remaining games to guarantee a semi-final spot.
Munster have secured a home semi-final but only 3 points separate Leinster, Ulster and Ospreys, while Cardiff are a further two behind but have a game in hand.
Ulster and Connacht played out a 15-15 draw at the Sportsground in September but Brian McLaughlin will be hoping home advantage and a vociferous crowd will prove decisive on Friday.
FORWARDS: Jerry Cronin, Tom Court, BJ Botha, Paddy McAllister, Bryan Young, Rory Best, Nigel Brady, Andi Kyriacou, Ryan Caldwell, Dan Tuohy, Johann Muller, Neil McComb, Tim Barker, Pedrie Wannenburg, TJ Anderson, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack.
BACKS: Ruan Pienaar, Paul Marshall, Ian Humphreys, Niall O’Connor, Ian Whitten, Nevin Spence, Darren Cave, Mark McCrea, Simon Danielli, Tommy Seymour, Craig Gilroy, Conor Gaston, Jamie Smith, Adam D’Arcy.
Two key players injured, well three counting Ferris, and they still manage to announce a squad of 33 for what is, more than likely, our last home fixture this season.
I think that McLaughlin will give a chance to some of those players that he has been keeping on tenderhooks all season, naming them week, after week, after week but never playing them so we should see a few surprise names in the starting XV! At the end of the day any side we put out should be more than capable of a bonus point win against the Westies! It’ll also have the added bonus of introducing future teammates to each other.
FRONTROWUNION XV: (15-9) Smith, Gaston, McCrea, Whitten, Seymour, O’Connor, Marshall P. (1-8) Cronin, Brady, Young, Caldwell, McComb, Anderson, Henry, Diack. (16-23) TBD
Actually, now that I’ve seen the team I wouldn’t mind seeing it start, certainly an exciting back line, and for all you doubters out there, any time I’ve seen O’Connor play with the younger players his confidence and consequently his play seems to move up a couple of notches. I still think we’ll regret letting him go.
Pack doesn’t look to shabby either, front row would be abrasive enough and the back row would more than hold their own. Second row would be the main concern and would all depend on whether Caldwell turns up or sends in a sick note!
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7 Responses to “Magners League: Squad for Connacht – Extraordinary!”
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I heard that Paddy Wallace and Andrew Trimble broke their thumbs in bizarre hitch-hiking accidents after the FlyBe pilot failed to show up for their flight home.
Not worried about PW being injured. Will be good to see Whitten back in the centre with either Spence or Cave while Gilroy and Simon Donnelly (names needs Ulster-ised) on the wings is acuse for optimism also.
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Posted that before I’d read your proposed starting XV. Maybe I’ll bring my boots on Friday.
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Sorry John but…NOT A CHANCE!!
That is not the team we should be putting out if we want a play off place! Front Row looks alright but apart from that this isnt a game to be feeling sorry for guys that have been on the fringes all year!
Hopefully McGlocks has a bit more sense!
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No need to shout Mr Fan! The above piece was an ironic dig at the extended squads that have been named all year. As you say “not a chance” for a fair few of the players named week in week out!
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Sorry, just glanced at the named XV from my phone and that was the initial response!
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@A_Fan. No worries matey. I was just a bit fed up with these extended squad lists mentioning players that just won’t be playing so I though I’d mix it up a bit for a laugh!
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Loved that team selection Ed. By the time I’d got to Caldwell in the 2nd row I was cracking up laughing. Keep oop the good work, we need a bit of lite relief at this time of the year!!!
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