By Sea_point
September 24 2010

The first major Magners League game roars into view on Saturday evening as unbeaten Ulster visit the Sportsground, Galway for a pivotal fixture that whilst no drawing bumper crowds in the past has held huge significance for both sides over the last few seasons and it is seen widely in the rugby community as being the most relevant of the inter-provincial fixtures on Connacht’s calendar.

September 25 2010  - 7.30pm

Boradcast:
TV:Live TG4/BBC 2 Northern Ireland)
Radio/Online: www.galwaybayfm.ie [95.8 FM] / Stream:  http://vista.streamguys.com/galwaybayfm

Audio Interviews:  http://www.irishrugby.ie/15700_15713.php

Connacht's Eric Elwood has named an unchanged starting line-up for their Magners League meeting with Ulster at the Sportsground.

On the back of their stunning win in Firhill last weekend against Glagow just one change is made to the bench, with Darragh Fanning comes in for Tiernan O'Halloran as the Galway side look to continue their impressive start to the season against their unbeaten visitors.

In a preview interview with Rob Murphy for Irish Rugby.ie; Eric Elwood  said - "The lads know how important the derby matches are, but we are in a different position than in the past and hopefully we can take that confidence forward to Saturday. We would always fancy our chances at home and hopefully history will change itself on Saturday.

"The noise that can be generated, even with 2,000 people, lifts the squad. We know from going to other clubs how intimidating the crowds can be and how they can influence the touch judge, the assistant referee, and even the refereee. In tight ball games they make the difference - they can swing a decision and lift the players.

"We have been saying for two or three years that we have to show ambition. We want people to come in and support the team. All I can do is plead with people to come down, bring a friend, two, three or five friends. Everyone is trying hard here.

"The branch is fundraising and hosting events, the players are doing their bit, our facilities are constantly improving, the pitch is immaculate, but we have to push the boat out a little more and show real ambition if we want a professional team in Connacht.

"Ulster have a lot of heavy hitters, good ball carriers, and the additions of the South Africans bring a physicality to their style of play. I would expect it to be very competitive in the contact area.

"The important thing for us is that we are doing certain things very well, but we are not getting carried away because it's a derby match. We will be focusing on ourselves and we firmly believe if we do our work correctly in defence and attack, we will cause teams problems, and it's the same this week."

Meanwhile Ulster captain Rory Best is preparing himself for a testing storm in Galway when the Northern Irish outfit clash with Connacht on Saturday.  The 28-year-old missed last season's meeting at the Sportsground due to a long-term neck injury as his side comfortably beat their rivals 30-6.  However, the Ireland international is not expecting the same breeze this weekend and predicts a typical derby fixture against an in-form side.

"To go to any club in this league is difficult. To go to Connacht, well - they've a very passionate home crowd and they're very passionate people," said Best, speaking to the Belfast Telegraph. 

"The Connacht shirt means a lot to them so when you go into their backyard you know you can expect a fight and a tussle.  Connacht in Galway is no easy match; Leinster and Munster have found that out in recent years so we'll be giving them the respect they deserve. "You have to give any side that gets to a European semi-final - as Connacht did last year - a great deal of respect and that's exactly what we'll be doing."

Form: Connacht's only win in their last 13 encounters with Ulster since 2003 was 22-12 at the Sportsground on New Year's Eve 2005. Connacht have lost just one of their last seven home games at the Sportsground in the Magners League, but their only victory over a fellow Irish province since December 2008 was against Leinster in Galway on 21 April. Ulster have won their last five Magners League matches and another victory would represent their best ever start to a Magners League season. The Ulstermen have lost their last two away games played at a fellow Irish province.

The teams:

Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Troy Nathan, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Keith Matthews, 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy (capt), 8 Mike McComish, 7 Ray Ofisa, 6 Michael McCarthy, 5 Bernie Upton, 4 Michael Swift, 3 Jamie Hagan, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Brett Wilkinson.

Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Rob Sweeney, 19 Andrew Browne, 20 Shane Conneely, 21 Cillian Willis, 22 Miah Nikora, 23 Darragh Fanning.

Ulster :

Ulster: (15-9) Jamie Smith; Paul Emerick; Darren Cave; Ian Whitten; Andrew Trimble; Paddy Wallace; Paul Marshall (1-8) Bryan Young; Rory Best (Captain); Tom Court; Tim Barker; Ryan Caldwell; Stephen Ferris; Chris Henry; Pedrie Wannenburg

Replacements: (16-23)Andi Kyriacou; BJ Botha; Paddy McAllister; Dan Tuohy; Willie Faloon; Ian Porter; Niall O'Connor; David McIlwaine

Odds: Connacht Win 13/8 Draw 22/1 Uslter Win 8/13

Top Scorers - 2010/11 Magners League:

Connacht - Points: Ian Keatley 57; Tries: Fionn Carr 4;

Ulster - Points: Niall O'Connor 48; Tries: Darren Cave 2

RECENT LEAGUE MEETINGS:

• Friday, November 23, 2007 - Connacht 13 Ulster 30, the Sportsground
• Friday, April 11, 2008 - Ulster 18 Connacht 6, Ravenhill
• Friday, November 28, 2008 - Ulster 53 Connacht 13, Ravenhill
• Friday, May 8, 2009 - Connacht 12 Ulster 14, the Sportsground
• Friday, September 25, 2009 - Connacht 6 Ulster 30, the Sportsground
• Friday, May 7, 2010 - Ulster 41 Connacht 10, Ravenhill

MATCH FACTS:

• Connacht have lost just one of their last seven Magners League games at the Sportsground, but their only victory over a fellow Irish province since December 2008 was against Leinster in Galway last April
• Ulster have won their last five Magners League matches and another victory would represent their best ever start to a league campaign
• The Ulstermen have lost their last two away games played against Irish opponents
• Connacht's only win in their last 13 meetings with Ulster since 2003 was a 22-12 triumph at the Sportsground on New Year's Eve 2005

Date: Saturday, September 25
Kick-off: 19:30 BST
Venue: The Sportsground
Referee: lain Rolland (Ireland)
Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Peter Roche (Ireland)
Television match official: Dermot Moloney (Ireland)

Preview: Connacht v Ulster - 25/09/10 - Galway Sportsground

Discussion started by Connacht Rugby Supporters (IP Logged), 24/09/2010 13:32

Connacht Rugby Supporters
24/09/2010 13:32

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