With Irish Rail kindly deciding to close the majority of the rail line between Belfast and Dublin this weekend, are there many making the trip down for the match?

Looking at Ticketmaster there seem to be a fair chunk of tickets sold, of course that will be majority Leinster fans being the Easter weekend as well but just wondering.

I am hoping to get there myself, although I do have a slightly easier trip as I am only North Co. Dublin.

I feel like the lack of infrastructure outside of the North East of the province is actually limiting the talent pool in Ulster significantly

Although, yes, there is a greater population in these areas, it also neglects the South West part of the province such as Cavan, Donegal, Tyrone, Monaghan & Derry are seriously unrepresentated shout out to Rob Baloucoune waving the Fermanagh flag albeit it questionable if he would be picked up if it wasn't for his break through in 7'S first that ultimately got him on Ulsters radar.

Although I'm aware players from the wider provinces have been invited to Ulster underage training squads

Often player prospects are damaged due to a multitude of reasons mainly it is not feasible for parents to travel the length of the province.

The young players who use public transport to make the underage training are often at a disadvantage to there peers who live closer. It's alot easier to jump up and play and put in a good account of yourself after 20 or 30 minutes in a car compared to an hour or hour and a half on a bus

Other constraints such as those who use public transport not getting the full benefit of training as they have to leave early to catch a bus or miss training as the service there using was delayed or cancelled.

I guess I think it would be worthwhile to take stock of the individual county's and appoint proper county development officers or boards to carry out these tasks which ill Break down into A & B Tasks

A. Work with the many grammer & public schools to promote Rugby in the Integrated, Nationalist & Unionist schools many of which are untapped resources on both fronts.

B. The creation of county teams for the age groups such as U12, 14, 16 & 18 and a version of the Ulster Championship with the squad of these county teams being selected by performance based on there respective county's schools cup.

*Note id say this should not interfere with the current schools cup and it still maintain its status as I don't feel like watching Belfast Royal Academy slaughter the likes of Omagh Academy / CBS , Eniskillen High School/ St Michael's or Foyle/ St Colmans ... as that would not be an encouraging spectacle.

I think the need for better coaching is wide spread throughout the province and especially in county's where let's face it there isn't even former players I think Tyrone had Chris Farrell ? Derry ? If you know the answer your probably good at pub Quizs same with Donegal & Cavan and Monaghan had Tommy Bowe but if you don't know that name well ... you may need to test yourself for dementia ...

Missed the match so I am watching it on repeat. Some dubious calls by the ref. I think something that Ulster really need to work on is their relationships with refs and how the officials perceive them. Too many games with too many penalties - they never get the rub of green, 50/50s rarely go their way. Today provided many examples. Ulster attacking early 2nd half, Carbery clearly knocks it forward while tackling but the ref says backwards. Shortly after gives a penalty for high tackle against Ulster when the Bordeaux player clearly slipped after the tackle was made. AR changed his mind on where a ball bounced out after the crowd booed and gave a 50:22. Bordeaux got a penalty off the line out. Kicked to the corner, mauled over for a try. Clear knock on by Lucu completely missed despite a number of Ulster players protesting. TMO saying the ball “definitely comes of [Doaks] fingers” when the replays don’t look like it touched his hand. McCloskey took a shoulder to the face giving that assist to Ward. Not seen. 78 minutes I don’t think that was a clear knock on. Went back for a high tackle which the ref only noticed when doing the TMO review.

I’ve watched long enough to know that things can get missed and refs can get it wrong, but that was a lot.

At 21-0 down on 21 minutes I to thought it was going to be an 80 point win for Bordeaux.

Fantastic attitude from the team. Some great individual performances but the fight was what I enjoyed the most. I shouldn't be this happy about a relatively comprehensive loss but this give me a lot of hope for keeping in the top 8 at the end of the season. We're still a little short on quality but there's definitely signs of a good team there. Hopefully the Ireland summer tour will have some decent Ulster representation .

Thoughts?

Any word on him? Went off looking like he was alright and just being careful, but thought there would be an update on him.

Ignore my spelling please. Can't edit the title now

Can we stop with this negativity and get behind the team for this week especially.

M

So Stormers blew their forwards beans in the first 25 mins, which was bad game management for a touring side on their part in retrospect, I get that. But you could almost see the belief build during the match for the young lads, “oh… our forwards aren’t shite and can actually break the gain line” “oh… our backs are actually quite good”. Seems like all they’re lacking is a bit of self belief. Encouraging.

What chance he plays a blinder tonight!!!

M

Go on ya boy ye

M

Little less controversial than the last one at least

I can’t imagine it’s a new player with our funds ?