Fourdogs wrote:

Borders no.2 wrote: Glasgow look a good bet for a home semi-final at this stage. Their run in looks good. They went close last year I wouldn't write them off this year. Looking at Ospreys run in compared with Ulster, Ospreys could squeeze them out of the top 4 altogether.
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Tonights result just made our life, and that 7th spot a whole lot harder. Ospreys now have a really strong shot at a play off spot.
A win for Ulster tonight would have left Ospreys and Glasgow fighting for the 4th spot and with their respective remaining games, you would have to back Glasgow. Now it looks like Ulster might even struggle to make the play off's with Leinster & Munster as their last 2 games.
If Ospreys had been out of the running, our last game might have been a little easier, not so if they are trying to secure their play off spot.

We really need to win tomorrow night.

It has its positives and negatives, Leinster, Munster, Glasgow and Ospreys have games against sides around us in the table and given how tight the table is they'll want to maximise points in those games so you'd imagine they won't slip up against Edinburgh, Dragons, Treviso etc.

In all honesty, the chances of us getting anything on the last day are and always were remote. If Zebre could do us a favour tomorrow it'd be fantastic but I think if we win our next two games we'll get 7th.

Borders no.2 wrote: Glasgow look a good bet for a home semi-final at this stage. Their run in looks good. They went close last year I wouldn't write them off this year. Looking at Ospreys run in compared with Ulster, Ospreys could squeeze them out of the top 4 altogether.
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Tonights result just made our life, and that 7th spot a whole lot harder. Ospreys now have a really strong shot at a play off spot.
A win for Ulster tonight would have left Ospreys and Glasgow fighting for the 4th spot and with their respective remaining games, you would have to back Glasgow. Now it looks like Ulster might even struggle to make the play off's with Leinster & Munster as their last 2 games.
If Ospreys had been out of the running, our last game might have been a little easier, not so if they are trying to secure their play off spot.

We really need to win tomorrow night.

I felt like this could be Glasgow's year from the start of the season, they had a bit of a wobble and lost a couple of games they probably shouldn't have but are back to normal, in good form, and have some great quality in the team. It won't be easy but if they get a home semi it could happen, I'd be happy for them if they did win they play good quality exciting rugby.

Glasgow look a good bet for a home semi-final at this stage. Their run in looks good. They went close last year I wouldn't write them off this year. Looking at Ospreys run in compared with Ulster, Ospreys could squeeze them out of the top 4 altogether.

Of course I hope one of the provinces win the Rabo but for the competition itself I think Glasgow winning could be better in the long run.

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Maybe the Henshaw to Leinster was a deflection of who really was taking up the 13 !! Time will tell I suppose.

connachtexile wrote: Rumours going around pairing Agen's South African Louis Ludik with Ulster. I don't see it myself as he's a fullback but you never know.

Payne to Leinster?

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RonanL wrote:
I never really believed the rumours about him putting money into Ulster, but now I'm not so sure!

His best mate from school (Cave) plays for them, his ex was one of their dancing girls, and he retains a hospitality box there. I'd say for once the rumours are bang on.

Against that Ulster have just signed TH Dave Ryan from Zebre, which might argue against them being well-funded

Interesting comment from McIlroy in the golf section of the indo today, about him bumping into Dan Carter in the gym yesterday.

www.independent.ie/sport/golf/starstruck...rs-bid-30168305.html

"We talked a little about about the Heineken Cup defeat on Saturday," he added. After jocularly suggesting he had tried to "twist Carter's arm a little bit" to sign up at Ravenhill, McIlroy quipped: <strong>"I think it would take a few Masters wins for me to try to sign him for Ulster."</strong>

I never really believed the rumours about him putting money into Ulster, but now I'm not so sure!

Was thinking along the same lines BN2. I got excited for Connacht's chances after seeing Ulster's injury list, but quickly remembered that Connacht have faced sides up there missing a number of front line players and have gotten very little change. With that knowledge a losing bonus point would be a good result. If the lads can build on their recent form and put in a near perfect performance they could pull off a famous win. Hoping for a solid performance that keeps the game competitive throughout.

Ulster at Ravenhill has as long as I can remember been a zero pointer for Connacht. The last time I remember us being in contention until close to the finish was back in Bradley's first season in charge. We went close to a bonus point on a couple of occasions but little else. Before that I remember nothing only fairly comfortable defeats also. The last few seasons we have barely (or not) troubled the scoreboard, even if the defeats have been a bit more respectable.

In most cases, Ulster have been just too strong for us, however, we go to Dublin and usually put it up to Leinster but against Ulster show none of that belief. This game will tell a lot in terms of the mentality of the squad and how much if at all that mentality has improved under the present management.

The next two games are huge leading into next season. Ulster is usually a zero pointer and Munster at home is a recurring nightmare where we are 4 or 6 points down in the last minute and balls it up on the Munster line. This year Ulster will be down a number of injured players and physically and emotionally drained. However, its Ravenhill and I'm sure there'll be a lot of drive in the Ulster squad to push on in the league now. Also even with a few injuries, they have huge quality in most areas. Any points out of Ravenhill is never a bad result imo.

Munster will have more than one eye on the Heineken Cup and will more than likely bring a weakened team. They usually win even with weakened sides. That is one I'll be hugely disappointed (yet again) if we don't win.

If Connacht could get 5 or more points from the next two games I'd see that as a significant sign that progress is being made.

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If Pienaar injured, we might also see our future S-H Porter on the bench.. :woohoo: (if not Heaney)

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A serious injury list alright and the fit players will already be shagged from their encounter and only have a six day turnaround to prepare. Its typical that I'm away this weekend so probably won't get to see what will no doubt be a famous victory.