29-9-14 PRO 12 ULSTER BLOG

ZEBRE  13-6 ULSTER

ULSTER DISAPPOINTMENT IN ITALY 

Declan Fitzpatrick was sent off but I could not see what happened in the ruck it was eventually shown that he was sent off for punching but we could not see too much from the camera angles we had it seemed like the ref saw something we did not.

Paddy Jackson took a penalty on 10 minutes and missed a shot from near the touchline on 30 minutes

Eduando missed a shot just before half time

This was quite possibly the worst half of rugby I had seen in a very long time. It was very stop start and neither team could get into a rhythm

In the second half we began to see what Treviso could do as Leo Sarco was denied a try on 43

There was a pass and a flick on and Di Masco put nit down for a try that was not given either

The third one was given as a pass and a flick as Dario Chistolini got the try that gave

Ian Humphries scored a simple penalty after 50 to get Ulster on the board

Humphries scored a second penalty after 53 to put Ulster 1 point behind

Chez then gave Zebre 3 points which gave them and get a second penalty

Ulster then make a break thanks to Darren Cave which would have put them a point up it was a brilliant break from the pack and he just ran with the ball but when they went up to the video ref he said no try

Chez then scores a drop kick.

NEWPORT GENT DRAGONS  33- 15 TREVISO

AMOS IS WELSH HERO 

Amos was the hero of the day as he scored 2 tries in the first 15 minutes in this bonus point win over Treviso. A problem for the dragons was after that the Dragons did not threaten to score in the first half. And with smith and Evens scoring as well it does look like they had fixed the problems that they had against Glasgow

MUNSTER  14-19 OSPREYS

HASSLAR PUTS DOWN MUNSTER HOPES 

The Osprey’s are showing them to be very strong this year as they are the only team with Glasgow to have a 100 per cent win record. As Biggars 4 penalties were the difference in this match for the Osprey’s . The hero of the day for the Osprey’s was Jeff Hasslar as he scored Osprays only try early in the match but Munster refused to yield and a Van Der Heever try put them right back into the match but it was only enough for the bonus point.

EDINBURGH 20- 20 SCARLET'S

AMAZING BURLEIGH GEDS DRAW 

The Scarlet’s coach Wayne Pivac showed  disappointment after getting another draw this season but the thing that frustrated him was the fact that the Scarlet’s were 17-3 up. Scarlet’s had control of the game from the start after Harry Robinson scored their first try and as Williams scored Osprey’s second try they looked in cruise control. The most important part of the match was when John Barkley had a yellow card as it allowed Edinburgh to get back into the match and they did as Tim Vasser and Phil Burleigh got the try’s to make this a level game.

GLASGOW 39-21 CONNACHT

GLASGOW SHOW THEY HAVE CLASS 

Glasgow showed their class in this quite comfortable win over Connacht maybe the performance against Leinster killed off whatever intensity that they had.  The hero of the day had to be Stuart  Hogg as his 2 tries secured the bonus point win that they needed to still have a 100 per cent record. Henry Pyrgos also went over the line before half time and it did look like Connacht were in any way the same team that beat Leinster last week.

LEINSTER 37-13 BLUES

LEINSTER SHOW THEY STILL HAVE CLASS 

Leinster showed that they still have class after their disappointment last week after they lost to Connacht. They won with a bonus point as tries from Ryys Ruddock scoring a try before half time to put Leinster under pressure as they lead by only 4. In the second half Mike Mc Grath Gordon Darcy and Luke Mc Grath ensured that they can get themselves back onto form.

  

PRO 12 RUGBY 26-9-14

ZEBRE V ULSTER 

Ulster plays Zebre away on Friday in Italy. I am sure that Ulster are going to win this match whether or not they will get the bonus point I am not sure as I feel that just getting the bonus point at home might make them feel worried . I still believe that with players like Tommy Bowe, Rory best and Andrew Trimble they should be good enough to get the bonus point.Because the match is not being played until Saturday the teams have not been named so there is little I can do until they are named.  

EDINBURGH V SCARLET'S

I feel that this could be a bit of a battle that could be very close. I do think that Scarlet’s have got too much quality against Edinburgh as I feel if the Scarlet’s get anything from this first it will be the bonus point then the win rather than the other way around as they are so strong in attack and I feel that they are strong enough to get both  

GLASGOW V CONNACHT

This is a match between 2 teams with 3 wins from 3 games. In my opinion I feel like after Glasgow beating Leinster earlier this season and Connacht getting just a win you can see from this that Glasgow are definitely the better side., I feel that Glasgow will win this but Connacht may be able to hold them to not getting a bonus point.

LEINSTER V BLUES

Leinster was an incredible team least year and I feel that they need to get themselves back on track. I feel that this is the type of tie that can help them in many ways. It is a tie that can get their form back together and it is also a tie where the coach can do a little bit of experimentation that might help their season

 

MUNSTER V OSPRAYS



                                                             

This could be a bit of a thriller that can go either way with 2 quality sides either of them can win and with some of the players that can play this can be a bit of an incredible match. I would go for Muster as there people in that dressing room that can win any kind of match you name. I also think that with players like Simon Zebo they have got stars that can change a game in an instant.

 NG DRAGONS V TREVISO

This tie should be a bonus point win for the Dragons as Treviso are not the best of teams as they are Italians and that the Italians do not seem to have the flair or the squad to compete with the Dragons with players like Landman and Evens you cannot go too far than a bonus point win at this stage. 

Rory Best

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rory_Best
Personal information

Full name

Rory David Best

Date of birth

15 August 1982 (age 32)

School(s) attended

Poyntzpass Primary School, Tandragee Junior High School, Portadown College 

Rory Irish rugby union footballer. He was raised inPoyntzpass. He is registered for Banbridge RFC in Cragavon, Armagh NI  where he was born. He comes from Craigavon which is close to where I am from 

He is5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) and weighs 16 st 10 lb (107 kg)

He went to Newcastle university which I think is interesting as this would be one of the differences between soccer and rugby as if you are a soccer player you go into the academy at a young age Newcastle where he was being developed in the falcons academy. Now he is a Lion playing in Ireland  

Club information

Position(s)

Hooker

Current club

Ulster. He has only resented Ulster which I feel is an honourable thing the one club man you don't see it any more 

Youth Club

 Banbridge

 Senior clubs

2004– Ulster 149 appearances (65)

Representative teams

2005–2013 Ireland

British and Irish Lions 76 appearances  (40)

Career

Club/Provincial

Best returned home to join Belfast Harlequins in 2002 where he captained the team and gained his first Ulster contract in 2004.He made his debut against Irish Rivals Munster He replaced his brother Simon as captain of Ulster for the 2007/08 season  and continues to hold the position. He is renowned for his abilities as a scrummage. 

International

Best made his international debut for Ireland as a replacement against New Zealand  at Lansdowne Road in November 2005 and made his full debut against the South Africa in 2006. He has been involved with the national team ever since, sharing the number 2 shirt fighting it out with Jerry Flannery. Rory Best was a member of the Irish teams that won the 2007 Triple Crown and was in the Irish Squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup as well as the 2009 Six Nations Championship which completed the Grand Slam still Ireland's greatest achievement you think we can go further but we don't.
He captained Ireland in a north American tour at the same time as a Lions tour so not that exciting 

He has been ever-present for Ireland, and was the first-choice Hooker at the 2011 Rugby World Cup after an injury to Jerry Flannery who he fought with for the Ireland number 2 jersey. He was chosen to captain Ireland during the 2012 Six Nations Championship after Paul O'Connell our most experienced player and one of Ireland's best going into the 2015 world cup was injured.

Best was added to the British and Irish Lions squad for the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia on 26 May after a squad member got injured. 

In July 2014 it was announced best would be captain for the next season
I feel that Rory Best is one of the strongest players in the squad and could be the difference to where they finish in the table. As he might be the difference in winning and loosing. 

Personal life

Best was raised on the family farm near Poyntzpass, County Armagh. He got married in Richhill, County Armagh during the summer of 2009, to a teacher at the Armstrong Primary School, of hockey and a primary seven class, name Jodie Bell, now Jodie Best. His first child, Ben, was born on 23 June 2010. You would not think that as a professional athlete you would have the time for a child. Will he be the next generation of rugby player?

Rory has got a brother Simon also a former Ireland international and Rorys older brother who he probably got his love of rugby from he has had 25 international caps 5 starting .

pro12 rugby review 22-9-14

Here is my review of this week’s pro 12 rugby union

        ULSTER PROVE TOO STRONG AGAINST BLUES 

Paddy Jackson hit a penalty after a poor Cardiff Blues scrum on 7 minutes. The Blues equalised when Cardiff are made inroads towards the Ulster try line after a fantastic break by Cardiff left them in Ulster’s 10 metre line and Rhys Pachell converted on 20 minutes. Cardiff then scored a second penalty from an Ulster error. Paddy Jackson equalises after The Cardiff man picks up the ball from the Ulster scrum. Paddy Jackson then hit a  tricky shot from a difficult shot on 33 minutes to let Ulster lead 9-6 But Cardiff came straight back as they try to take the ball from the Cardiff scrum 9-9 36 minutes gone. Ulster get the lead just before half time as Cardiff make a mistake in the mall. Paddy Jackson puts it over on 40 minutes half time Cardiff 9 Ulster 12

Dan Tuohy scoreed the first try of the match as the ball comes out of the scrum to Marshall who passed to Tuohy who takes on and beats his man before running into space and scoring the try. Paddy Jackson converted 52 minutes gone ulster lead 19-9. Ulster was a forward pass away from a second try. Ulster scoreed a try at the end of the game a poor pass by Cardiff and Ian Humphries was able to walk it under the posts converted by Ian Humphries. Ulster won 26-9.

                                           ZEBO PERFECTION 

In the other Friday matches Simon Zebo scored a hat trick for Munster in an impressive bonus point win over Zebre other try scorers were Kilcoyne and Smith with Hanaran converting 3 scores. Zebre got a try of their own with Vunisa. Munster winning 31-5

MARIMION CRUSHEED LEINSTER IN POSSIBLY SHOCK OF                                                 THE YEAR 

The result of the week had to be Connacht beating Leinster Marimion scored the vital try for Connacht with Carty scoring a penalty and concerting a try. Ian Madagan hit 3 penalties for Leinster. This was a massive upset as Connacht won 10-9  

MANY DIFFERENT TRY SCORES FOR GLASGOW AS THEY                                            CRUSH DRAGONS 

On Saturday Glasgow got a try bonus point win over Newport Gwent Dragons. Had 4 different try scores in Dunbar, Strauss, Swinson and Seymour. Penalties came from the boots  Weir with two penalties and Hogg conversions While Weir kicked 2 conversions For Newport Gwent dragons however Rees  scored the only try of the match and O Brian hit 4 from the toot. 2 penalties and 2 conversions. Final score Glasgow 35- 13 Newport Gwent Dragons.

                   PERFECTION FOR ATTACKING SCARLET'S 

Llatheli scarlet’s destroyed Treviso on Sunday with 2 tries from Danes, 2 from Williams one from Synman, Owen and Philips. With Priestlands scoring 4 conversions and Treviso got nothing this was much too easy a match for the Scarlet’s.   Scarlet’s are picking up a few wins in the Pro 12 and look very much to an attacking force. Scarlet’s beat Treviso 43-0.

                                     WHERE WERE EDINBURGH

On Sunday Osprey’s put in a heroes performances beading Edinburgh by 62 points to 13 . First I will look at the Osprey’s tries first there was Webb who scored 2  also Baker, Biggar, Hasslar, Spratt, Dirkson, Grabham, Ardan with a penalty from Bigger 4 conversions from Biggar and 3 from Davies. Edinburgh got one try from Watson converted by Heathcote and he also scored 2 penalties. Osprey’s  look like a difficult team to beat

19-09-14 pro 12

Today I will be focusing on Cardiff Blues vs Ulster . I will also give a short prediction on all of the other Pro 12 matches.

Cardiff Blues

15 Rhys Patchell 14, Alex Cuthbert 13 Adam Thomas, 12 Gavin Evans 11 Richard Smith 10Gareth Davies 9 Lewis Jones 1 Sam Hobbs 2 Matthew Rees 3 Adam Jones 4 Jarrad Hoeata 5 Filo Paulo 6 Josh Turnbull 7 Josh Navidi 8 Manoa Vosawai

16 Rhys Williams 17 Taufa'ao Filise 18 Scott Andrews 19 Macauley Cook 20 Ellis Jenkins 21Lloyd Williams 22 Cory Allen 23 Geraint Walsh
Cardiff Blues director of rugby Mark Hammet  calls up back row Josh Navidi, fly half Gareth Davies and wing Richard Smith for their first starts of the Guinness PRO12

Ulster Rugby

15 Louis Ludik 14 Andrew Trimble 13 Darren Cave 12 Stuart Olding 11 Tommy Bowe 10 Paddy Jackson 9 Paul Marshall 1 Andrew Warwick 2 Rory Best 3 Wiehahn Herbst 4 Dan Tuohy 5 Franco van der Merwe 6 Robbie Diack 7 Chris Henry 8 Nick Williams

16 Rob Herring 17 Callum Black 18 Bronson Ross 19 Neil McComb 20 Roger Wilson 21 Michael Heaney 22 Ian Humphreys 23 Craig Gilroy

Ulster make 5 changes for the match on Friday
Louis Ludic replaces Ricky Andrew at no 15 Stuart Olding replaces Luke Marchall at no 12 Tommy Bowe comes back into the side and should make a difference replacing Craig Gilroy who goes onto the bench. Lewis Stevinson replaces Dan Touhy at no 4 who moves to no 5 so South African Franco Van der Merwe who gets the no 5 position
FRI
Cardiff Blues  v Ulster 7.35pm

This is a match that Ulster can win. I feel that they need to look at their team and put on a good match. This is the right match to show their quality and show what they can do this is a massive match to show that Ulster are back and please improve your defence.

Munster v Zebre 7.30 pm













Munster need some confidence from this game and I think that they will get a bonus point win here but I do think like Treviso did last week Zebre will not maker it easy. I feel that Zebre will hold Munster to the last 10 minutes before they get the bonus point
Connacht v Leinster 19.30 pm

Leinster are the best of the Irish provinces while Connacht are one of the worst in the land. I feel that due to last week this will be a much more difficult match for Leinster. But the quality players that they have you can not see them winning this match

SAT
Newport Gwent Dragons v Glasgow 2.40 pm










Another big match for Glasgow that will show whether they are up for being in the top 4 this year. Glasgow have to look at a match like this like a very big match because it is. Glasgow are developing into a team that I think can win anything.


Llatheli Scarlet's v Treviso  6.00 pm











How good are Treviso. I feel that if there is something there this is a game that Treviso can win.  I have got a feeling that this could be close as Treviso are developing a lot. This is the type of test that they need as I think for Treviso to get anything they will need a bonus point 4 tries and I do not think that they can do it.

SUN
Ospreys v Edinburgh 4.00 pm














I feel that this will be a very close match between the 2 sides. I think that this match will be close but I think also Ospreys will have a little bit too much.I feel that  Edinburgh will make it tough for the first 60 minutes but the Ospreys will be too strong at the end

Andrew Trimble

ANDREW TRIMBLE

CENTRE

DOB Oct 20, 1984

BIRTHPLACE Belfast (Northern Ireland)
PREVIOUS DEVELOPMENT TEAMS
Ballymena/Colrane Academical institution/ Queens University belfast

POSITION: Wing centre
HEIGHT183 cm

WEIGHT98 kg

PLAYED184

POINTS310

 Andrew Trimble has been a regular started for the Ulster team since he joined the squad in 2005, following a development contract the previous year. Alongside his 104 appearances for his province, Andrew currently has 29 caps for his country and was a member of the Ireland team which toured the southern hemisphere  during the summer. 

Andrew attended Coleraine Academical Institution before studying Theology. He is a strong-running player, who began his career at centre but found his home on the wing.

A graduate of the Ulster Academy, he joined the senior squad on a youth contract at the start of the 2004-05 season aged just 19. However, the 2005-06 season was to be the year he would come to prominence on the provincial and international stage.

He made his Ulster debut against Cardiff at the Arms Park in the first Celtic League match of the 2005-06 season. Despite having just eight Ulster caps under his belt, he made his first international start in November 2005 against Australia at home. He then scored a brace of tries against Romania the following week.

Trimble was a member of the Ireland team that went to  2007 Rugby World Cup, and played both on the wing and in the centre. Due to injuries, he missed both Ireland's 2008 and 2009 summer tours.

In the 2012/13 season he scored 12 tries for the first time in a campaign and won his 50 International appearance, against the USA, in the summer of 2013.

In 2013/14 Andrew became a regular automatic pick for Ireland in the 6 nations championship. 

He was named IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year, Bank of Ireland Ulster Player of the Year Award, Ulster Rugby Writers Player of the Year and Ulster Rugby Supporters Club (URSC) Player of the Year.

Andrew has represented Ireland at youth and is a regular in the Ireland squad. He is one of the most experienced players in the Ulster panel and has played a role in developing youth team players. 

His ability to beat the first defender allows him to punish loose kicks while pure pace results in him being a quality finisher. He also shows aggression in defence and is undoubtedly one of Ulster's most consistent players
.
He supports Liverpool.  Trimble married his wife, Anna, in March 2009.