I suspect the media will build up the whole Gatland V BOD thing before the match, I would hope BOD has moved on.

Ireland’s problem is we still haven’t got anyone who is clearly better than him. He has become a bit on a penalty machine with Southern Hemisphere refs but calls seem to go the other way for him in 6N and HCup. Ulster have a few decent centers, Munster have none and he is still at 13 for Leinster when fit. Lots of people hoping Jared Payne the answer but I have only seen him at 15.

I got the impression that bods first reason for staying on was one more crack at NZ, at home too. Whole team seemed to be focused entirely on that one game as his last and best chance. Anyone thinking there’s a fixture that matters more is kidding themselves.
Henshaw looks exciting as a possible longer term option, but reckon Tommy Bowe might be the next best 13 for now if needed. There’s more cover for wing.
BM, reckon it’s Henry’s turn to show how it works as a true 7. Was going well when not injured and Cians back for ball carrying duties. Jordi Murphy’s prob nearest like for like style and might be a good impact bench shout.

Us,
Forwards: John Beattie (Montpellier), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross, David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (all Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Grant, Jonny Gray (both Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Jim Hamilton (Montpellier), Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Kieran Low (London Irish), Moray Low, Pat MacArthur (both Glasgow Warriors), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Rugby) Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Tim Swinson and Ryan Wilson (both Glasgow Warriors).

Backs: Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres), Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson, Sean Lamont (all Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby), Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby) and Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors).

Not considered due to injury: Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors), Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) and Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby).
Could the Welsh please take Scott Johnston back please? I don’t think he has watched any of the two Scottish teams at all this year. And Kelly Brown nailed on as captain when he isn’t good enough to start?

I see SOB and Heaslip may be iff to France. Doomed we’re all doomed.

SOB signs a new deal with IRFU that keeps him at Leinster until 2016!
will be interesting to see what Heaslip does

Well, whatever he does, I imagine it’ll be accompanied by some tweets with slightly oblique references to heroic Greek myths and legends and the odd quote loaded with self-belief. 😀

Arent Bowe and Zebo broken? Surely you can find a 15 who can tackle too?

Did he? Great he’s good to watch.
I read on the Beeb that Bevington is hoping to step into Gethins shoes for Wales. A small part of me died, surely it has to be P James at 1? I’d like to see
James
Hibbard
Adam
AW Jone (cpt)
Evans/ Charteris
R Jones
Tips
Faletau
Phillips
1/2p
S Williams
North
Cuthbert
Hook

although doubtless Lydiate, Warburton and Roberts will be picked despite having no form.

@ AA Bowe and Zebo are expected to be added to squad next week.

I have to agree James is a much better option.

Bevington can hope 😆 he isnt bad but needs to improve a lot to be a good international player.

Doh, that should be Fife, was trying to put them in their correct position.

looks like Evans will be getting a long rest, ****

Can’t see what his defence will be for that one. Looks like four deliberate stamps to the face.

**** indeed!

His defense will be that he was driven over the player and was trying to get his feet on the ground. The panel will take into account the fact he is not looking at him as he stamps on him,despite the fact he looks down firsT.Banned before; 4 weeks,no previous 2 weeks. Judge Duckman

I hated Ellis,but if he did his knee with a stamp,then l hope other players livelihoods are protected for a while. BTW tigers v Ulster,what a game! I love you AA 😉

Really exciting match, Piennar is a genius. Great to see a match like that from arguably the country’s two best teams

It will be a fitting first match at ravenhill, can’t wait

Yeah he was our 8 when we won the Heine in ’99. He does a bit of punditry on BBC NI in Ulster’s home Rabo games. Suppose that 18 st comes in handy if he’s pulling a stubborn molar.

Aye,we raised a beer to him,he was second on t podium,a throwback to previous era.
Gavin Hastings
Tam Smith
Stu Campbell
Richard Cramb
Adam Buchanan-Smith
John Manson
Sean Longstaff
Rob Wainwright
Jeremy Cambell-Lamerton
Damien Cronin
Finley Calder
Lindsey Fenwick
Paul Burnell
Derek White
Andy Nichol
Jay Allan
And played against pretty much every Scottish and English int of the late 80’s to 90’s.
Played with/drank/set fire to my pubes with all of the above in the amateurish game,now…I would be watching them from a stand having played at 9am to ensure as good as crowd as possible. Need a new knee and hip,but wonder if l had a better time than folk that play now.