Sunday, December 13, 2009
Ulster impressive as they beat Stade Francais at Ravenhill
Ian Humphreys, named Man of the Match, was brilliant on the day as he put on a superb display, playing a part in the first try for Nigel Brady, then starting a great try for Simon Danielli early in the second half.
With Ulster ahead by a decent margin, Stade attempted to run the ball when possible, but failed to finish off on numerous occasions. The frustration told as captain Rodrigo Roncero clearly lost his composure, and Julien Dupuy allegedly eye-gouged Stephen Ferris.
The French side finally got things right six minutes from time as they scored a nice try through Julien Arias, but it was too late as the home side picked up a great win.
The result puts them on nine points each, and they will meet again next weekend in a match that will prove crucial to the outcome of their group.
"All they were saying on the pitch was: 'See you next week.'" Stephen Ferris said afterwards.
"Every Heineken Cup game is a tough game. I think they were thinking of coming over here and getting an easy win and then throwing the ball around in Brussels for their expanded fan base," he added.
The video reviewers will have an interesting time with this one, as Roncero apparently threw a few punches that went unpunished, and Dupuy will no doubt be sitting out for some time after he raked his fingers across the face of Ferris twice.
Time: 05:03
Discuss: We'd love to hear your thoughts on the match, and the incidents, on the forum here
Posted at 10:44 am | 51 comments
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Viewing 51 comments
Anonymous December 13, 2009 11:04 am

BillBoc December 13, 2009 11:10 am

But knowing how french clubs are refereed in the HC, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a lengthy ban either
Anonymous December 13, 2009 11:12 am

RD December 13, 2009 11:15 am

Maximus December 13, 2009 11:31 am

Humphreys for Ireland!
Anonymous December 13, 2009 11:38 am

crow December 13, 2009 11:48 am

sergeant stu December 13, 2009 12:30 pm

RealMaximus December 13, 2009 12:44 pm

2nd, i haven't seen the match and i was ready to react as BillBoc did: "what with the eye gouging? Dupuy only stroked his eyes." But if what you all say is true (and i don't see why it wouldn't be so) and Dupuy really dirtily eye gouged Ferris, he deserves a long ban. i'm looking forward to watching this vid RD.
There are so many ways to be seriously injured in rugby to let these wicked impulses (eye gouging, tackling in the air, head stamping, neck breaking tackles...) go unpunished. Whatever the nationality.
All the tries are great and very entertaining. Though... isn't there a little obstruction in the first try? Honest question with no will to sully the well deserved Ulster victory.
Anonymous December 13, 2009 12:55 pm

Anonymous December 13, 2009 12:55 pm

mise December 13, 2009 12:56 pm

More substantially, The question is - can Ulster actually win away from home? Especially in places like France.
When they start to, they _might_ become a force to be reckoned with.
But the key issue surely is: will Humphries' beard become a thing for tacklers to grab onto ,like an old skool flappy jersey....and surely wind resistance is starting to become a factor for him at this stage :-)
Michael December 13, 2009 1:10 pm

As for Dupuy - I thought that Schalk Burger's was the most obvious 'facial contact' ever...but then he goes one better. And of course we have to have the usual French conspiracy theories about refereeing...oh well, it makes it all more interesting I guess!
jay December 13, 2009 1:11 pm

Nothing to discuss just plainly stupid.
Now I wonder what drive him to act like that as he usually reacts upon things unlike Roncero who doesn't need anything to start punching.
The only thing we see in the video is the prop's charge after juju kicked the ball but nothing dramatic...
Anonymous December 13, 2009 1:24 pm

1 - eye gouging
2 - he had a go twice
3 - he had already been yellow-carded that game
long ban deserved
Maximus December 13, 2009 1:56 pm

Generally not a dirty player but that's no excuse.
Huh!! the 3rd December 13, 2009 2:02 pm

I really believe Ferris was miles ahead of Croft on the Lions tour and would've had much more impact in the tests, including the fact Croft scored 2 test tries. For one, Smit wouldn't have scored that try if it was Ferris he ran at, not Tom ' I think I'm a winger' Croft.
By the end of last season I didn't understand the hype about Chris Henry (he would've won caps on Ire's North American tour if it wasn't for injury), and the fact he's been made captain behind Wallace in Best's absence, but in the couple of games I've seen him this season he's been incredible. Speed, intelligence, and ''Norn Iron'' brute force. I now firmly believe Heaslip's tight grip on the Ireland No.8 has just loosened. Now Ireland just needs a replacement for David Wallace, Sean O'Brien isn't the answer as he isn't in the Pocock, Brusseuw league of groundhogs. Like to see more of Faloon next week, he only got 15 min.
Oh and if Humphreys could defend (worse than Rog, if that's possible), he'd be the Irish 10 by a mile. After all this Ulster gushing, who'd think I'm a Munster man?
Eoghan December 13, 2009 2:37 pm

Lengthy ban please.
Ulster - brilliant & great to see. Two cracking tries, well worth the win - congrats all round.
Next week will be stormy...
fry December 13, 2009 3:12 pm

Anyways, Kidney's a smart guy so if Humphreys isn't picked, there's got to be a good reason. Or maybe he's just bought into the hype (not that it's unwarranted) around Sexton - who isn't all that great in defense either. Not all fly-halfs can be Dan Carter or Wilko in defending...
One more thing about Humphreys - Ulster's first try...definitely some shepherding going on. Not the worst I've seen, but Stade certainly had a case for a penalty there.
Greiffel December 13, 2009 3:45 pm

mitch December 13, 2009 4:16 pm

mitch December 13, 2009 4:19 pm

Anonymous December 13, 2009 4:49 pm

Kearney for tests December 13, 2009 4:57 pm

On the plus side, Ulster were magnificent. Ian Humphreys is just brilliant on his day.
T December 13, 2009 5:25 pm

Anonymous December 13, 2009 5:32 pm

Anyway, I didn't find Ulster very good and I hate SF. The most impressive team this week end was by a mile the Leinster.
Anonymous December 13, 2009 5:54 pm

Joost December 13, 2009 6:07 pm

I'm starting to really dislike Stade Francais. They create big hype wherever they go with their sissy president Guazzini, their pink kits and the big names, but on the field they are fluffy and their pack is now falling, apart from the sublime James Haskell.
Point apart for Rodrigo Roncero, The most stupid player nowadays, a bad prop who gives away silly penalties both in the loose, in the scrum and at the breakdown. Honestly, every match I see him play he tries to punch somebody or starts a scuffle. You saw him against Wales.
I am praying that in Brussels Stephen Ferris (who is just quality) floors him with a rib-breaking hit.
Juggernauter December 13, 2009 6:09 pm

Mike December 13, 2009 6:20 pm

To the anonymous French posters, do you think it is right that if 4 (at least) of the top European countries referee the game one way, then the single country (France) that referees differently should change? Or should the majority change to suit the minority?
I understand that inconsistent refereeing is a problem, but you must play the way the referee on the day wants. If you do not, you have a big problem. This is the same for all countries.
jay December 13, 2009 6:56 pm

Will it be different ? yes ? okay no problem there... but can the ref clearly show what he's looking for ?
Not always...as you could pinpoint similar situations where the ref goes one way or the other.
Final thought : I haven't seen french refs in England getting a lot criticize for their performance... (there's I think once every 2 week a UK ref coming in the top 14 and vice versa) or maybe english lads can answer that but in any case, doesn't that prove that British players adjust quickly ?
Anonymous December 13, 2009 7:25 pm

What I meant is that some referee try to help the game some don't. And it is very clear when it comes to britsh french games, it's easy for to see a ref who isn't even trying to understand both sides.
I don't say the refering is different but some referee don't apply it strictly.
And I don't blame all bristsh refs but some some times it's getting really hard for french clubs to play.
I found the ref for Cardiff-Toulouse very good though toulouse lost. There was also an scottish ref who did a very good match, can't remember who. Chris White had a great game as well.
MCB December 13, 2009 8:45 pm

Matty10 December 13, 2009 8:46 pm

John December 13, 2009 9:32 pm

I don't think he has been overlooked due to the 'constant Leinster/Munster hype' (I guess this hype would be to do with winning 3 out of the last 4 European Championships?) - it's because although he is a talent, he's not the whole package. Also, he's a bit older than Sexton (who guided Leinster to the HCup last year you will recall). He could do a job for Ireland and certainly not disgrace himself, but he's not world class either (although Ferris is). I hope Ulster go a long way in the competition this year.
Anonymous December 13, 2009 10:36 pm

Not a big deal, but if you're going to hate on the British, just get the facts straight. And as for speaking French, Barnes does so - I think he is usually mindful at least in the rucks to say tell the French sides to "get back" in French.
Also, while I've always said Humphreys seems first-class...I can understand if Kidney wants to get a young guy like Sexton in there to have a fly-half that'll last a long time. If it's any consolation for Humphreys, doesn't he often captain the Ireland 'A' team? If not captain, he's at least their usual first-choice for number 10...
Flooz December 13, 2009 10:57 pm

Ulster tries were very well built. i didn't know humphreys "the beard man" but he seem pretty interesting, need to see him again next week.
about the incidents, as a top 14 usual fan , SF is famous for being a dirty team. they seem quite nervous here, their revenge will be quite brutal...
if dupuy really eye-gouged ferris, he will probably take an huge ban, 1 year for the action, 2 years for being frecnh. god save erc ;-)
Mike December 13, 2009 11:34 pm

Did you see the video of Dupuy? Do you think there is doubt that he made 'illegal contact with the eye area'?
The paranoia of the French in rugby is very strange. Everybody in the world likes the French style of rugby. Yet, the French believe everyone hates them. Very strange.
:) December 14, 2009 2:51 am

....referees are mean to the french....
....referees are mean to the boks......
....referees are etc etc etc
Geeez what a pattern here!!!
It appears that referees are always mean to the team that ends up losing the match....or could it be the fans of teams that lost matches are trying to pin anything and everything on anything and everything!!!!!
Anonymous December 14, 2009 6:37 am

FrankyH December 14, 2009 7:35 am

This isn't the wild west, or Chicago in the 1920s. Let's not get carried away.
Dupuy will be suspended, end of story. I admire Ferris for acting like he did. It was probably more shock than anything though, combined with not being able to see! He started pointing and shouting at another player even (I think Bergamasco).
Flooz December 14, 2009 9:24 am

Dupuy effectively touch Ferris face. He will take the ban that he deserves and i'm quite sure he will take an huge one just for the example ;-)
But i also say that "eye-gouging" is pretty fashionnable with erc citings. U need to punish these actions severly but u also need to evaluate if it was dangerous or a provocation
Anonymous December 14, 2009 9:58 am

On another note well done ulster, they played really well. It will be a lot tougher next week but i hope you can do it, its about time that we started to get further in the hc
Andy December 14, 2009 11:15 am

FLOOZ December 14, 2009 2:48 pm

i just wish the same punishments for everybody.
dupuy completly deserve it but i bet other eye-gouge following this one, won't be punished with the same "passion"
Madflyhalf December 14, 2009 8:26 pm

1) Do you guys think Ulster is the most in-form Irish team now? Despite Leinster wins @ Llanelli, I think Ulster's achieve is more important...
2) Did anyone ever tell to Ian Humphreys there's a brand new invention on the market -razor? :D
:) December 15, 2009 5:22 am

Decembe+humphrey's beard = Becember?!??
Anonymous December 15, 2009 5:26 am

Anyway the deranged frenchy was talking about refs not players.
I personaly beleive that ulster rugby does well toavoid the skeleton closet that is ni politics.
Put it this way, I'm a strong unionist and absoloute rugby fanatic, but I would quit rugby the second I was told I couldn't play with nationalists. Rugby has helped to overcome apartheid and now we have a team which only admits homosexuals. Gay men should play in all the clubs in northern Ireland. If the titans continues well be having racialy and religiously segregated teams next.
Anyway to come back to the key issue the humph hasn't got a beard, just a furry tackle bag strapped to his chin.
He's a true ledgend just like his brother.
Mike December 16, 2009 7:11 pm
















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