ULSTER Rugby

Tommy bowe signs a 3 year deal

I'm a little surprised he's committed himself to Ulster until 2018, that will put him at 34 when this contract ends. Probably too old at that point to go looking for big French money. Has Sexton's experience put a damper on that sort of thing or did Tommy just see enough of the world outside of Ireland with his stay in Swansea?

Paddy Jackson out for 6 weeks. He'll miss our game in Belfast

Very poor display from Ulster away to Scarlets. Ulster had the chance to edge ahead late on with Pienaar's penalty drifting wide and then gave away a very soft intercept from the back of their own scrum. Ulster definitely out of Europe now. Really look to have gone back significantly this year.

so their European dream is all but gone, they will now concentrate soley on the PRO12, does not bode well for our trip up there in 2 weeks time

Marshall has to be a serious worry for long term issues at this stage.

Ulster beaten 60-22 by Toulon but bizarrely got a 4 try bonus points. Toulon now into the quarter finals and looking ominous to win it for the 3rd time in succession.

The wheels seemed to have come off for Ulster. In fairness we should have beaten them in Belfast.
They huff and puffed against Leinster but were very poor in trying to win the game. They have an unreal injury list and its hard to say that the miss Tom Court.
I dont think they will make the top 4 now. They dont have the forwards needed to supply ball to their good backs.
Yes, Getting 4 trys in a barbarian style game against Toulon is nice but doesnt win the match.
It looks like Paddy id gone for a few months so no tackle Humps will play 10. His a great runner but a poor 10.

I can't see them finishing top 4 but their home form and plenty of poor teams in this league should see them safely home in 5th. With 4 of the top 5 now only playing for the league the 2nd half of this league could be ruthless.

Ulster have confirmed the signing of Samoan international out-half Mike Stanley on a four month contract until the end of this season.

Ulster team & replacements to play Scarlets, Guinness PRO12, Kingspan Stadium, Friday 27th February (19:35 kick off): SOLD OUT
(15-9): L Ludik;
C Gilroy,
D Cave,
L Marshall,
M Allen,
I Humphreys,
R Pienaar;
(1-: C Black,
R Herring,
W Herbst,
D Tuohy,
F Van der Merwe,
R Wilson (captain),
C Ross,
N Williams;

Replacements (16-23): J Andrew, A Warwick, B Ross, L Stevenson, M McComish, P Marshall, M Stanley, R Scholes.

ONE CHANGE TO SCARLETS SIDE TO TAKE ON ULSTER
South African lock George Earle comes in to the second row for fellow South African Johan Snyman who is unavailable due to concussion after taking a knock in the opening ten minutes of the Guinness PRO12 clash against Munster last Saturday.

15 Jordan Williams,
14 Harry Robinson,
13 Regan King,
12 Hadleigh Parkes,
11 Michael Tagicakibau,
10 Steven Shingler,
9 Aled Davies,

1 Phil John,
2 Ken Owens (capt.),
3 Peter Edwards,
4 George Earle,
5 Lewis Rawlins,
6 Aaron Shingler,
7 James Davies,
8 John Barclay

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Rhys Thomas, Jacobie Adriaanse, Jack Payne, Rob McCusker, Gareth Davies, Adam Warren, Kristian Phillips

Ulster have woken up. 3 trys now scored

25 13 and with 61 minutes gone

last min try for Scarlets allowing them a LBP
feck

Great to see Chris Henry back in the Ulster squad.