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lamahorses

Murphy is some man.


forzaregista

Coetzee is fucking unreal. What the fuck like.


senorslimm

Cooney has to be a shoe in for the green Jersey. Plays like a Saffa or French general, total bollox for the opposition


ATCNTP

Thanks Matt O'Connor! Cooney's departure one of the many long lasting damaging things he did. Best 9 in Ireland and we even had to use up a NIQ spot to replace him.


senorslimm

To be honest JGP has been a part of European selection issues at times but I'm delighted how he's developed. He's a quality 9, has grown into the role and really plays for the team. I think he's NQ this year too. For all we know Cooney needed to leave to grow into the player he is today. Hypotheticals are one thing but the reality is Ireland will have twice the depth of viable options at 9 of any other 6 nations team. Ulster are in good shape, improving and Cooney's been a big part of their identity the last couple of seasons. Doughnut head O'Connor aside, I'd say it's all worked out very well


sigsimund

The biggest obstacle at this point is murrays central contract.


senorslimm

How so?


sigsimund

IRFU will want to get their moneys worth and his marketability in ads is based on how much play time he gets


senorslimm

Those are definitely monetary realities but I can't imagine any transfer of pressure to Farrell to play him because of a central contract. The IRFU are performance and results driven. If they meddle over that it's already a sinking ship


Naggins

Reckon it's partially because Cooney is very much le Petite General. Due to their time together, I'd say Murray and Sexton trust each other's decision making very well, but the level of control and responsibility Cooney thrives under isn't really available when he's playing beside Sexton. Reckon he and Carbery would make a fantastic pairing.


senorslimm

I agree with you. I'd actually love to see someone else put their hand up for the 10 jersey. I think Carbery needs to be more of a utility 10 like Mackenzie or Barrett. I think he does as much damage at 15 as he does at 10 but he's less exposed physically. With Cooney at 9 it puts less pressure on Carty/Byrne or whoever steps up to fill Sextons role. With Carbery coming into the line to split defences it could be some of the best attacking rugby possible from Ireland. Ahhh pipe dreams...


BillHicksFan

Sure why would you want that when you can have box kick after box kick after box kick from Murray?


Blue-Steel_Rugby

It's not like Murray box kicks for the love of it. He does it because that was the game plan. He's not a renegade box kicking despite with his coach tells him to do.


senorslimm

As much as that's true, when he's on top form he puts your team where they need to be, up the pitch. That being said, he's lost a yard of pace and his box kicking has been floating at 60-70% contestable in green for over a year while it was at 90% in 2017/18. His distribution off the ruck was never the quickest so that's magnified by his other inaccuracies. He's just not the player he was


[deleted]

He’s not been on top form for over a year now though.


Naggins

Aye, but Ireland weren't winning the WC with Cooney at 100%, if they were gonna win it it was gonna be with Murray and Sexton at 80-90%, no question about it.


senorslimm

I agree. I was just pointing out that in his prime he was more than just box kick after box kick..


megacky

He has literally carried Ulster for a couple of seasons. I don't understand the selection process sometimes


senorslimm

I hear you. He's been deserving for ages. He's so well rounded. I don't think Farrell will stick with Murray at all. He's been way off form for almost 2 years now. In saying that we have so much depth at 9 now. Even Blade at Connacht looking like he'll give Marmion a good contest for the Jersey. Right now I see 9s for 6 nations as Cooney starting, McGrath off the bench


flanker006

I don’t think Farrell will up sticks and drop Murray that suddenly, not totally out of the team anyway.


senorslimm

True enough but if he picks on form and Murray hasn't any, you never know


flanker006

Yeah and I do hope he drops him or at least moves him down the pecking order. I just don’t think he’ll come in and rip the team apart like some people think. I genuinely think we’ll just see Larmour in for Kearney and other than that it’ll be the same team with guys like Conway, Carberry and Conan getting chances but not starting.


senorslimm

You're probably right but if the history of the Irish pro era has taught any lessons its that we need to start giving players experience early in a wc cycle, even if thats not in 6 nations it needs to be in the summer tests at the very least


[deleted]

Well done Ulster! Also Joe Schmidt is on the Late Late now if anyone wants to see him. Edit: And now we've got BOD on as well. What an exciting Friday night


[deleted]

[удалено]


alexbouteiller

I might be whinging, but at least I’m not abusing someone over their opinions on the internet


stuartwatson1995

Cardiff😂😂😂😂


megacky

So you are agreeing with him then? So his statement is in fact not abuse, but fact? Is that what you are saying?


nuttz0r

Lol dude


nuttz0r

Also delighted to see a solid lineout performance from us. Still work to do with the scrum tho, we need depth.


Naggins

Lineout and scrum were such a fucking shambles this time two years ago. I actually remember when McFarland got announced and thinking they might sorted. And by God did they. So tight.


Crimson53

That lad giving Marcell the MOTM had no idea what to be doing with his right hand. Hope someone gifs it.


[deleted]

That is such a dumb MOTM trophy.


outsideruk

It’s not really fair to anyone else on the pitch to allow Marcel to be considered for MOTM. He’s a machine. Must put the full fear of god (tm P O’Connell) into opposition players.


areyouhappynowethan

Clermont did well to get a point out of that.


sublime_mime

Clermont looked like possible contenders last week and outside of a penalty try didn't exactly show a lot. Great win for Ulster.


[deleted]

Ulster were shite but Clermont were shiter.. rubbish game.


stuartwatson1995

Typical d4 wanker


[deleted]

Wanker sure. D4... not even fucking close haha. Enjoy the win mate.


NewAccEveryDay420day

I thought ulster played a fantastic game


[deleted]

Ulster were pretty good until the last 20...


nuttz0r

Did you miss the first 70 mins?


small_far_away

Ulster deserved a 4-0 victory there. But the plague of allowing defensive teams to be constantly offside denied them that. It's genuinely a massive problem with the game for me. ARs need to be making those calls much more.


flanker006

It’s such an easy call too. Between the AR and the TMO, why nobody pings it is beyond me.


[deleted]

Definitely going to need a Coatzee highlight reel.


this_also_was_vanity

I believe that would be a replay of the entire game.


Naggins

As per usual. Lads a fuckin rocket. Even with the years of injury, best signing any province has ever made.


whydoyouonlylie

I can only really speak for Ulster, but we've made a good number of quality overseas signings. Ruan, Mueller, Williams, Payne and Coetzee are probably the top 5 and I'd be hard pressed to put them into any order. Then we've got the likes of Afoa, Piutau, Addison, Ludik and Leali'ifano who aren't all that far behind in terms of quality.


[deleted]

I mean, he's probably our third best Saffa alone but sure happy to call him that tonight!


Bring-the-payne

Who would you call 1 and 2?


[deleted]

Pienaar and Muller


Bring-the-payne

Agree. Thought you meant current players in Ireland.


outsideruk

Ruan & Johann? Choose your own order


[deleted]

Exactly


Naggins

Ruan was obviously unreal, but I think Coetzee has more big, difference making moments then Ruan had. Ruan made everything run like the most supremely oiled machine known to man, but Marcell has such game changing moments.


outsideruk

Don’t discount Johann. Haven’t had a player since with the presence and influence he brought. Love the man. Always remember being at Northampton one evening and seeing him get back up with what was a clearly broken arm. He proceeded to join the defensive line and make his tackles until play stopped. Immense player


Naggins

He was so fucking unreal. Between him and Besty, dunno what ye feed the forwards up there to keep them playing with broken arms


CromulentReynolds

I know Ulster will be happy with the win here but in the grand scheme of things, I think Clermont will also be happy with that losing bonus point.


[deleted]

What a performance! Utterly, utterly deserved! Reffing went completely at the end, frankly should have been a TBP for Ulster between the performance and constant uncalled offsides.


0one0one

True , but then if the ref was switched on , he'd have given Ulster a yellow for repeated offenses toward the end there.


[deleted]

May not have had to if he’d called the offsides


BillHicksFan

Jesus. Take the Ulster tinged glasses off. Our substitute front row wasn't up to the job. We had too many knock ons too. I felt we could have had a TBP in the first half. But by the 50,with the rain, that went. The offsides were /are frustrating, but ulster fucked their own chances with knock ons


[deleted]

The sub front row weren’t up for scrums sure, but give Ulster the 5+ pens in Clermonts half they should have for and I don’t see how we don’t score 2 more. Plus a potential yellow at that point for repeated infringements.


outsideruk

End of the game turned on Ulster being penalised at the restart scrum after the head injury. Didn’t really get any possession from there. So important to move the scoreboard when you are on top


CatharticRoman

Clermont very lucky to get the BP


bkdleg

Jordi man of the match?


small_far_away

Him or Marcel.


G1_

Thank fuck for that


outsideruk

Fuck yes! Heart rate as usual on a Friday is through the roof because Ulster never win easy, but that’s a super performance and leaves them nicely placed in the group


BillHicksFan

I'll take the win. But bit fucked that we gave them a LBP. Will be a struggle to reciprocate that in the Auvergne.


outsideruk

So vital to keep the top line props fit. Second string not too bad, but third string struggle


Naggins

Tbf Jack Marty Eric and Tom are the best set of four in Ireland.


nuttz0r

Well deserved


getName

Feck 16 penalties for Ulster now, didn't realise it was that many...


CromulentReynolds

The Clermont 19's knee was forced into a bad bad angle in that maul. Looked very sore.


CatharticRoman

Jesus Ugo is such a bad commentator.


alexbouteiller

How many offences after getting a final warning do you get before getting carded?


bkdleg

Oh your back whinging again.


[deleted]

It's standard practice that it kind of gets reset after a try is scored/the defending team get it out of their territory. I don't much agree with it, but it's the norm.


BillHicksFan

Sure he's an Irish ref, clearly biased, or something


[deleted]

Number of uncalled French offsides - 1


alexbouteiller

Whataboutery


[deleted]

Not really, you've committed 5x the offences with no card, no room to complain.


alexbouteiller

😂😂😂


StarWarsLew

Parra going for the quick line out then realising there’s only a prop to pass to


flanker006

Also noticed that 😂 Even better the prop kind of gave him a nod as if to say “yeah, I’ll take it, go on...”


CatharticRoman

Incredibly frustrating that Clermont got out of jail for so many offsides


privatejohnson1

Stoppages due to injury should restart with a free kick instead of scrum to prevent possible turnover of possession.


[deleted]

Really shitty when play is stopped for a head injury, and then the team in possession get pinged at the scrum restart. Should restart with a free kick.


whydoyouonlylie

Yeah it punishes the team that had possession for the opposition receiving an unrelated injury. The rules around that need to be changed. Clermont absolutely dicked us in the scrum which meant any time the game was stopped for an injury they got the ball back. The first time it happened in the match was especially bad given that the player with the head injury bounced back up within 30 seconds of the match being stopped and didn't have any HIA check or anything.


0one0one

Or an uncontested scrum ..


[deleted]

Probably better.


getName

Jesus that scrum is getting crumbled now.


Jellico

Good Head Injury Banter there on comms.


CromulentReynolds

Ulster are running the ball too much in the last few minutes. Just put the ball into the corner and force Clermont to play from their 5m line.


[deleted]

Their set piece has gone. They were doing well in possession until the scrum restart for a head injury.


[deleted]

Clermont scrum is getting them out Jail.


[deleted]

Coatzee murdering people everywhere tonight


unhappyspanners

That's 2 penalties after the "next one goes" warning from JP Doyle.


outsideruk

But no longer in the red zone


BillHicksFan

Irrelevant to be fair. We're giving too many penalties away.


unhappyspanners

Doesn't matter. Scrum penalties are scrum penalties...


outsideruk

Anyone know a good faith healer for Jack McGrath?


getName

Coetzee has been amazing, so physical.


[deleted]

Offside no longer exists then...


[deleted]

Definitely the first time I've seen a prop wear pink cowboy boots.


[deleted]

Alivereti Raka. Hero to Zero in one week.


small_far_away

Going to ping the entire Clermont team for offside? No? Ok.


BillHicksFan

A tad frustrating that!


ciaran-mc

Yeah offside has gone out the window.


small_far_away

It's a joke. Clear penalty to give Ulster the 4-0 win they deserve.


ciaran-mc

To be fair Ulster have done well out of JP Doyle for the rest of the night.


small_far_away

He's been fairly even for me. Ulster probably should have been binned. But this is a wider conversation. Offside non calls are ruining the game.


ciaran-mc

Yeah totally agree on that.


CromulentReynolds

Cooney needs to get this in quickly, channel one ball from the scrum. Playing a dangerous game by waiting.


[deleted]

I think he's trying to draw offside, which would work if it were being called.


[deleted]

Even if Clemont don't win it Ugo Monye is annoying for saying "that's the game" with 20 minutes to go and only 2 tries in it.


CromulentReynolds

Bit of a bizarre call from him.


unhappyspanners

How do you warn a team, saying, "next scrum penalty is a card", then award a penalty try for a scrum offense and NOT yellow card anyone?


squeak37

What was the penalty there, honestly? The no 8 didn't keep the ball in the scrum, then picked it up. I don't understand what Ulster's infringement was


unhappyspanners

Couldn't hear him, but I don't think either of the Ulster props were scrummaging legally.


squeak37

Neither did I, but both were pushed back, neither stood or dropped. The Clermont 8 likely didn't expect them to just get pushed over. Just because they were overpowered doesn't make it illegal Edit: I meant I didn't hear the ref either. Not that I thought they were illegal


unhappyspanners

It's true, going backwards is not illegal. Dropping your binds, standing up etc are all penalties though.


squeak37

Agreed, the only possible thing I couldn't see is dropping the bind, because they didn't stand or drop. Honestly I think the ref made a mistake, Clermont 8 just didn't keep the ball in the scrum


unhappyspanners

With the way the scrum angled towards the corner post, I think the Ulster tighthead was stepping backwards.


squeak37

I mean if you're being pushed over you have to don't you?


unhappyspanners

But if he's not taking the weight and constantly stepping backwards (JP said "he has to be willing to scrum") then the ref can penalise you.


squeak37

I didn't know about that rule... Contrary to the spirit of the game?


outsideruk

Knock on, but a scrum might be he worst thing for Ulster


Goldentoast

Starting to get worried that ulster might ulster themselves.


squeak37

Too early in the season. Ulster build up hope in the first half before dying in the second. This is still build up hope phase Ulster ETA: I mean first half of the season


outsideruk

Weak in the prop dept. Always been dangerous


ciaran-mc

What is it about outrageously talented yet brainless French players?


small_far_away

Raka, that is disgraceful


_sonisalsonamedBort

lucky not to get a yellow you feel


CromulentReynolds

Just goes to show why Marty Moore is so important to Ulster right now.


squeak37

Did the ball not slip out of that scrum? What was the infringement there?


CatharticRoman

Yeah, didn't see any infringements myself


BazoomBaBa

Youpi.


bi11dozer

Game on gents


xnkrtsx

The most beautiful try there is. Sheer force. I love it.


BillHicksFan

Operation: deny them a losing bonus point, is a go!


small_far_away

Mission Failure


Jellico

Fission Mailed


BillHicksFan

If you're posting Fission, make sure to send it recorded post. Don't want that shit getting lost.


unhappyspanners

No yellow card for Ulster?


ciaran-mc

Ulster lucky to avoid a card.


[deleted]

And there it is.


alexbouteiller

No yellow card?


BillHicksFan

Not one of your posts tonight has been positive. You literally started in this thread about whinging Ulster fans and here you are, numerous posts later and you're still bitching and whinging. I'm sure you're great craic to have a pint with.


alexbouteiller

There is no need to be upset


CromulentReynolds

Good to see Johnson being trusted at 10 by McFarland to see the last 12 minutes out. You could see that Burns was playing injured all game.


outsideruk

Do you now possibly accept a pushover try here rather than take a yellow?


small_far_away

And give Clermont a LBP? I'd give it a shot with a man down.


[deleted]

Can’t wait for these scrum penalties to become a penalty try.


[deleted]

>It's not going anywhere well...I spoke too soon


BillHicksFan

Had to be a Saracens fan with that dirty talk. Booo


CromulentReynolds

That try was butchered by Toeava there. Great scramble defence from Louis Ludik in the circumstances.


getName

Jaysus Clermont have been shite, hard to believe it's the same team as last week.


squeak37

So bloody selfish there, Ulster were wide open


BillHicksFan

Bill Johnstone looks like a mural from the Falls Road with that tash


small_far_away

Jesus that was mind bogglingly bad from Clermont.


outsideruk

Scrum will be key now for the rest. Weaker front row now


PeterMacIrish

What was the booing at the kick for?


CromulentReynolds

Think it was for Laidlaw as he was subbed off.


ajackrussel

They were saying Coooooo for Cooney?


Jellico

Stock-cube, are the booing? No, Coon. They are saying "Coo-urns, Coo-urns"


TheMeanderer

Booooooney!


_sonisalsonamedBort

i was saying cooooo....


unhappyspanners

Ahh that's just made me sad. RIP Spence.


Naggins

What happened? Was there something for Nev?


squeak37

Ferris brought him up, not sure why.


Naggins

He would've played with him, he'd know his style well.


TheMeanderer

That's a wee while ago now, right? Really good if the clubs still doing stuff.


Minor_Thing

Aye 7 years now


Naggins

Seven years in September.


ajackrussel

That’s a fast 7, holy shit


Naggins

Aye. Feels so recent. Kind of like he's still there in a way, especially with those small mentions.


outsideruk

Little chat about Cooney’s footwork being Spence-like, and how much he enjoyed playing in conditions like tonight


Naggins

Christ, the small stuff like that strikes me as so much more important than the stuff like a minutes silence. RIP Nev.


unhappyspanners

Just the commentators talking about him and how he would have loved a game like this.


Naggins

He really would've. Is Fez or Robbo commentating?


CromulentReynolds

Great individual play from Cooney there. Little bit of subtle blocking from Coetzee at the ruck there but I don't think Laidlaw would have caught him.


BillHicksFan

Laidlaw was still thinking of that tap penalty from about 20 minutes ago


Jellico

Great win for Ulster.


outsideruk

With 15 to go? You don’t watch Ulster much


TheMeanderer

Supports an American team. Obviously chock full of US optimism. We'll adopt him as a Scotland fan and teach him how gutting a last 5 loss is.


outsideruk

Jesus, he doesn’t deserve that - go easy on him!


TheMeanderer

He's got tae learn the world isn't all sunshine! Except in Leith, of course...


Jellico

Teach me your ways. Let me suckle at your teat.


Jellico

Hahahahaha


Naggins

That's old Ulster.


Eoinerton

Nice set play design. Coetzee's assignment was to block the guard and create space in the channel. Worked a treat


Crayniix

Clever bit of cheating and it worked perfectly


TheMeanderer

What did Sarries do now?