Friday 11 October 2013

Heineken Cup





Well it’s that time of year again, the juices are flowing, the hearts are pumping and even the Grannies have ordered Sky Sports for the weekend. Yes, that’s right, it’s the Heineken Cup.

Tonight will see the so-called ‘Mighty Leicester Tigers’ visit Ravenhill and be entertained by 23 Ulster men.  You all know what happened last time round!
Ben Youngs aka ‘Crybaby’ and Dan Cole or should I say the ‘HoneyMonster’ ended up getting splinters after spending ten minutes each in the Sin Bin.
If you have a good memory of that day it was hard to watch as Richard Cockerill handed Youngs two small pieces of Andrex toilet paper to wipe both eyes in the sixty-sixth minute. Leicester had been pumped in a humiliating 41-7 defeat.
Billy six-names also played ten that day for the Tigers and to be brutally honest he was so far out of his depth that even I may have outplayed him at Pirrie Park on a cold Winter’s day.

The faithful Ulster contingent in the Promenade Stand came into their own that night and we hope for the same come eight o’clock tonight.


Key Match Ups.

Number 2  –  Best vs Youngs

Two ex-Lions going hard at it. Best after a few months of shooting hoops in the barn will be back throwing proper arrows. I believe there’s a big season ahead for Best as he has a point to prove. However he’s up against a terrier in Youngs, who has a great work rate and with his ‘never say die attitude’ it makes for a great match up.

Number 8 –  Williams vs Crane

Williams - This man invented the word ‘gain-line’. One of the most powerful ball carriers in Europe.  He did however struggle last week against the Ospreys but then again eight Welsh Wizards were jumping on his back!
Crane - what can I say…. a hard working professional who will give 100 percent. I do feel for him, as I fear he may be on the back foot from the first minute.



Number 10 – Jackson vs Flood

Another vital game for Jackson aka ‘The Ginger Bread man’, who in my opinion can be one of the best.  So much talent even if 25% of it is used in trying to make it on stage. Many fans may argue, but he is a running ten who will make breaks - just let him play and give him TIME.  
Toby Flood a very experienced ten who could be called the ‘Forgotten Man’ of English Rugby. The 57-capped international will try to spoil the party. I just hope he doesn’t play like I would and kick Corners, if so Ulster could be in for a long night.


Number 15 – Payne vs Morris

Graham Henry is the only coach to have more options when it comes to picking a team than Pep Guardiola. However he still spoke out about Jared Payne leaving the Blues to rule himself out of an International spot. If you have one of the top coaches making an issue about Payne you know he must be quality. His quick feet, hands, and a decent right peg leave him as one of the top fifteens in Europe. 

Morris - A forgotten man at Leinster who has proved a real success with the Tigers. A great finisher with rapid wheels. He is also known for running one of the best dummy lines in Europe so I am sure the Ulster’s back three have analysed this in depth…



Prediction

Tonight’s encounter has the makings of the something ‘special.’ I wouldn’t be surprised if Mourinho tuned into to Sky Sports 1 later. I firmly believe Ulster will win tonight, as they know the repercussions if they don’t. Let’s just say the Carling Cup aka the Amlin is not what they are looking for.

Anyway that’s enough from me……..SUFTUM

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