Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

MolBee · 18-03-2013 5:15pm

Olding isn't in the HC squad though. Can he be added or is that it for adding/removing players?

Sinbad_NI · 18-03-2013 5:19pm

MolBee wrote: »

Olding isn't in the HC squad though. Can he be added or is that it for adding/removing players?

Think they can add 3 however 1 must be from the front row.
No idea if Olding has been added.

He was about the only positive from the last couple of defeats.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 18-03-2013 5:20pm

MolBee wrote: »

Olding isn't in the HC squad though. Can he be added or is that it for adding/removing players?

You get to add or remove 3 players now (1 has to be front row)

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Olding at 12 would be a bold but warranted move.
He's looked excellent at Rabo level so far, but defending against Barrit would be another step up.

What do Ulster posters see as his long term position?
Challenging Jackson at 10 or further out?

Mainly a Leinster fan but I'll comment.

To be honest I don't think we will see Olding cement a position. With McKinney coming home it will be difficult for him at 10. He could well end up with the utility back tag I'm afraid.

Well capable of playing 10/12/13/15 with 10/12 looking to me as his best positions to me.

awec · 18-03-2013 5:21pm

This McKinney thing confirmed?

irishbucsfan · 18-03-2013 5:21pm

I think we could be likely to see Marshall move to 13 outside Olding. I'd really like to see how that works.

irishbucsfan · 18-03-2013 5:22pm

awec wrote: »

This McKinney thing confirmed?

I think it was?

rchendz92 · 18-03-2013 5:22pm

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Olding at 12 would be a bold but warranted move.
He's looked excellent at Rabo level so far, but defending against Barrit would be another step up.

What do Ulster posters see as his long term position?
Challenging Jackson at 10 or further out?

I don't know, would it? Barrit is a great defender but is not really fast or capable of running good lines. Reasonably powerful in attack, but good angles worry defences and cause line breaks, not raw power.

As for his (Olding's) future, I'd love to see him at 12, if he can put on a bit more bulk without losing pace.

jamiedav2011 · 18-03-2013 5:23pm

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

You get to add or remove 3 players now (1 has to be front row)

Mainly a Leinster fan but I'll comment.

To be honest I don't think we will see Olding cement a position. With McKinney coming home it will be difficult for him at 10. He could well end up with the utility back tag I'm afraid.

Well capable of playing 10/12/13/15 with 10/12 looking to me as his best positions to me.

The McKinney move is actually a little strange, or perhaps it indicates that they see Olding as more of a 12/15.

Some serious talent coming through though.

Also, going to be a novelty to see McKinney and Heaney partnered, two guys that went away, did well in the champ and have come back.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 18-03-2013 5:27pm

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

The McKinney move is actually a little strange, or perhaps it indicates that they see Olding as more of a 12/15.

Some serious talent coming through though.

Also, going to be a novelty to see McKinney and Heaney partnered, two guys that went away, did well in the champ and have come back.

With NOC leaving Ulster won't want to go into next season with Jackson, Olding, Pienaar and Wallace. A little light and very much relying on two guys who are significantly better in other positions and one guy who no one has a clue what his best position is.

jamiedav2011 · 18-03-2013 5:29pm

rchendz92 wrote: »

I don't know, would it? Barrit is a great defender but is not really fast or capable of running good lines. Reasonably powerful in attack, but good angles worry defences and cause line breaks, not raw power.

As for his (Olding's) future, I'd love to see him at 12, if he can put on a bit more bulk without losing pace.

He'd be far more bulkier than Olding at this stage though, one on one I'd fear.
Raw power certainly can worry defences! Obviously a better player will have more strings to his bow, but look at Jamie Roberts, Basteraud, Nonu etc, all of whom wouldn't be the quickest centres out there, or the best footwork, but their pure power makes them serious weapons.

Sinbad_NI · 18-03-2013 6:12pm

Will be good to have a proper backup/competition at 10 next year. Still can't believe NOC was brought back this year.

Great to have so much talent coming through, hopefully some more forwards in the pipeline too?

CIARAN_BOYLE · 18-03-2013 6:27pm

Sinbad_NI wrote: »

Great to have so much talent coming through, hopefully some more forwards in the pipeline too?

I don't think there many that said the pack as a whole is relatively young.

Court (32) Brady(33) Muller(32) Wilson(31) and Best(30) are the only forwards in the squad over 30. By the way Paddy Wallace (33) is the only back in the squad over.

Hooker looks like the position where Ulster most need to bring someone through in the medium term. Seeing no real prospect in the system Ulster brought in Irish Qualified South African Rob Herring (23) last summer who has already become second choice Hooker. Hopefully he stays in Ulster long term rather than going back to South Africa.

irishbucsfan · 18-03-2013 6:36pm

What about Annett? Anscombe is giving him more and more time.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 18-03-2013 6:43pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

What about Annett? Anscombe is giving him more and more time.

I'll admit that I don't really rate him and I think that Anscombe is giving him 10-20 minute cameos just because there needs to be someone with experience as 3rd choice when Brady retires (probably at the end of the season) and Anscombe can't (Doesn't want to) get an NIQ in to be 3rd choice.

Personally I would have Casey, Rael and Scannell, all from the Munster academy ahead of him.

That said it would be great if he comes through.

the_doctor199 · 18-03-2013 10:51pm

Fridays game is live on BBC website, nowhere else this week.

Sinbad_NI · 19-03-2013 12:23am

the_doctor199 wrote: »

Fridays game is live on BBC website, nowhere else this week.

It's it def on there, can't see it mentioned.

Sinbad_NI · 19-03-2013 12:24am

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

I don't think there many that said the pack as a whole is relatively young.

Court (32) Brady(33) Muller(32) Wilson(31) and Best(30) are the only forwards in the squad over 30. By the way Paddy Wallace (33) is the only back in the squad over.

Hooker looks like the position where Ulster most need to bring someone through in the medium term. Seeing no real prospect in the system Ulster brought in Irish Qualified South African Rob Herring (23) last summer who has already become second choice Hooker. Hopefully he stays in Ulster long term rather than going back to South Africa.

Thinking more about when Muller, Afoa and Williams leave, big boots to fill, especially that crucial #3

awec · 19-03-2013 12:26am

It's not listed on the BBC schedule for Friday night, either 1 or 2. Weird, I'm pretty sure they've covered every game this season home and away, not sure why they'd miss this one?

CIARAN_BOYLE · 19-03-2013 12:40am

awec wrote: »

It's not listed on the BBC schedule for Friday night, either 1 or 2. Weird, I'm pretty sure they've covered every game this season home and away, not sure why they'd miss this one?

internet only apparently

One of the treviso games was like that too

Sinbad_NI wrote: »

Thinking more about when Muller, Afoa and Williams leave, big boots to fill, especially that crucial #3

Good partnership at lock between Tuohy and Stevenson, will need a backup option though or move Henderson to the row but if you do you need someone in the backrow.

In Wilson and Williams Ulster have two short run number 8s. A replacement is needed but to be honest I don't see one in the system at the moment.

As to replacing Afoa, well thats a crapshoot. Macklin has looked like he has potential, but his season was wrecked by injury for the second season in a row. Could be another Fitzpatrick.

Wexfordboy89 · 19-03-2013 12:51am

just wondering who won the ulster schools cup after had to go off didnt get to see the whole game MCB were winning the last i saw it.

awec · 19-03-2013 12:58am

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

internet only apparently

One of the treviso games was like that too

Good partnership at lock between Tuohy and Stevenson, will need a backup option though or move Henderson to the row but if you do you need someone in the backrow.

In Wilson and Williams Ulster have two short run number 8s. A replacement is needed but to be honest I don't see one in the system at the moment.

As to replacing Afoa, well thats a crapshoot. Macklin has looked like he has potential, but his season was wrecked by injury for the second season in a row. Could be another Fitzpatrick.

We don't have anyone at the moment who is the pedigree of Afoa IMO. That is a major worry.

He's the best TH in the country by some distance to be honest, we really are poor at bringing through players in this positon.

Wexfordboy89 wrote: »

just wondering who won the ulster schools cup after had to go off didnt get to see the whole game MCB were winning the last i saw it.

Methody won.

decisions · 19-03-2013 1:46am

Why don't they put it on the red button like they did with one of the games earlier in the season?

mfceiling · 19-03-2013 9:58am

awec wrote: »

We don't have anyone at the moment who is the pedigree of Afoa IMO. That is a major worry.

He's the best TH in the country by some distance to be honest, we really are poor at bringing through players in this positon.

Methody won.

To be honest there are very few teams out there with someone of the pedigree of Afoa.

Cheque book will have to be produced when he decides to head back to NZ.

Utah_Saint · 19-03-2013 10:23am

i may be completely off the mark but i think olding has many of the qualities required of a 13. Keep Marshall at 12 and push olding out to 13. When I watch him play he has 'young BOD' like qualities to his movement and running....

sixy · 19-03-2013 11:36am

Utah_Saint wrote: »

i may be completely off the mark but i think olding has many of the qualities required of a 13. Keep Marshall at 12 and push olding out to 13. When I watch him play he has 'young BOD' like qualities to his movement and running....

Think he could be good at 13 as well

the_doctor199 · 19-03-2013 11:46am

Sinbad_NI wrote: »

It's it def on there, can't see it mentioned.

That info came from Stephen Watson.

Update on injury news..

Iain Henderson is the latest injury worry for Ulster ahead of the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Saracens.
The young forward suffered ligament damage to his foot after coming on as a replacement for Luke Fitzgerald during Ireland's Six Nations defeat by Italy.
With fellow blindside flanker Stephen Ferris already ruled out for the season, Henderson's absence would be a major blow for coach Mark Anscombe.
Centre Luke Marshall also faces a race to be fit for the game with Saracens.
Marshall was forced to come off with concussion for the second game in succession during the defeat in Rome.
The inside centre sustained the problem in a clash of heads with Ulster team-mate Paddy Jackson.
Tight-head prop Declan Fitzpatrick was also injured while on Ireland duty, while Chris Henry is recovering after undergoing surgery on a knee injury.
Roger Wilson is recovering from injury and captain Johann Muller is expected to be fit for the big European tie at Twickenham on 6 April.
Another long-term absentee, Jared Payne, is set to make his return to action in Friday's Pro12 game against Edinburgh, along with back row Nick Williams.

awec · 19-03-2013 1:07pm

Muller, Williams and Payne all in the squad for Friday:

Forwards (14)

Neil McComb, Callum Black, John Afoa, Robbie Diack, Mike McComish, Dan Tuohy, Lewis Stevenson, Johann Muller, Nick Williams, Rob Herring, Niall Annett, Ricky Lutton, Tom Court, Nigel Brady

Backs (11)

Ricky Andrew, Jared Payne, Michael Allen, Paul Marshall, Peter Nelson, Michael Heaney, Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding, Darren Cave, Andrew Trimble, Niall O’Connor

ETA: No Pienaar.

bilston · 19-03-2013 1:40pm

From what I heard yesterday Hendo is defo out of the QF but Marshall will be ok but wont be allowed to play before.

rchendz92 · 19-03-2013 4:04pm

bilston wrote: »

From what I heard yesterday Hendo is defo out of the QF but Marshall will be ok but wont be allowed to play before.

Argh, when will it end? I can't believe the luck Ireland and her provinces are having with injuries at the moment.

shuffol · 19-03-2013 4:11pm

rchendz92 wrote: »

Argh, when will it end? I can't believe the luck Ireland and her provinces are having with injuries at the moment.

I blame Ulster, they started it and spread it to the national side, now looks like they may have cost a good man his job over it, hope your all very pleased with yourselves.

rchendz92 · 19-03-2013 4:14pm

shuffol wrote: »

I blame Ulster, they started it and spread it to the national side, now looks like they may have cost a good man his job over it, hope your all very pleased with yourselves.

If it got rid of Kidney, surely it was all for the greater good :pac:

Clegg · 19-03-2013 4:19pm

Trimble has signed a new two year contract with Ireland/Ulster.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/11296.php

shuffol · 19-03-2013 4:19pm

rchendz92 wrote: »

If it got rid of Kidney, surely it was all for the greater good :pac:

I've heard of taking one for the team but this taking the team to get rid of one is new to me:D

Fooker · 19-03-2013 4:24pm

Clegg wrote: »

Trimble has signed a new two year contract with Ireland/Ulster.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/11296.php

Certainly well deserved on Ulster form. But it is a bit surprising, especially with Gilroy and Bowe signed up already for a few years.

Clegg · 19-03-2013 4:40pm

I'm more surprised that he's signed a central contract.

He's hardly a starter for Ireland and was sixth choice wing for this seasons 6 Nations.

Seems like a waste of a contract to me.

Beery Eyed · 19-03-2013 4:49pm

Utah_Saint wrote: »

i may be completely off the mark but i think olding has many of the qualities required of a 13. Keep Marshall at 12 and push olding out to 13. When I watch him play he has 'young BOD' like qualities to his movement and running....

He could well become a good 13 if he is developed there. He certainly has the attributes and has played 10,12 & 15 which are also good indicators that he has the skill, vision & pace for the position. 13 is becoming an increasingly difficult & exposed position at the top level though so it's hard to tell yet if he could make the transition.

Speaking of this subject, I'm also yet to see any indicator that would rule out Marshall as an excellent 13. He has a great break & acceleration, he's a very good defender and even had a couple of good turnovers during the 6N. I know he's primarily a 12, with some experience at 10, but I can't see why he wouldn't be seen as a potential 13.

awec · 19-03-2013 4:52pm

Surprised to see him get a central contract, but good news!

CIARAN_BOYLE · 19-03-2013 4:58pm

Clegg wrote: »

Trimble has signed a new two year contract with Ireland/Ulster.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/11296.php

Central contract for Trimble while Zebo, Gilroy, Fitzgerald and McFadden, all of whom are ahead of him in the pecking order don't have central contracts

Seems a little funny to me. Ah well best of luck to him and I'm glad he is staying with Ulster

ssaye · 19-03-2013 5:08pm

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Central contract for Trimble while Zebo, Gilroy, Fitzgerald and McFadden, all of whom are ahead of him in the pecking order don't have central contracts

Seems a little funny to me. Ah well best of luck to him and I'm glad he is staying with Ulster

Dont try to make sense of the CC's, they make none.

Fair play to Trimble, his Ulster form has been really excellent.

8 tries in all comps to Gilroys 2

Utah_Saint · 19-03-2013 5:37pm

Beery Eyed wrote: »

He could well become a good 13 if he is developed there. He certainly has the attributes and has played 10,12 & 15 which are also good indicators that he has the skill, vision & pace for the position. 13 is becoming an increasingly difficult & exposed position at the top level though so it's hard to tell yet if he could make the transition.

Speaking of this subject, I'm also yet to see any indicator that would rule out Marshall as an excellent 13. He has a great break & acceleration, he's a very good defender and even had a couple of good turnovers during the 6N. I know he's primarily a 12, with some experience at 10, but I can't see why he wouldn't be seen as a potential 13.

I think Marshall could do a job at 13 but for him to get the experience there it will involve Cave moving on... Olding/Marshall centre partnership sounds great - although it will be a good few years off.

bilston · 19-03-2013 5:40pm

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Central contract for Trimble while Zebo, Gilroy, Fitzgerald and McFadden, all of whom are ahead of him in the pecking order don't have central contracts

Seems a little funny to me. Ah well best of luck to him and I'm glad he is staying with Ulster

Ah well they are all ahead of him in the eyes of Declan Kidney which is the key point. That may no longer count for anything.

irishbucsfan · 19-03-2013 5:45pm

Trimble on a central contract seems like madness.

The only sense I can see in it is that he was linked with France and so maybe a central contract was the only way to keep him?

awec · 19-03-2013 5:57pm

Unless the IRFU reckon he will play a bigger role under a new coach?

Beery Eyed · 19-03-2013 6:33pm

Utah_Saint wrote: »

I think Marshall could do a job at 13 but for him to get the experience there it will involve Cave moving on... Olding/Marshall centre partnership sounds great - although it will be a good few years off.

I've a lot of time for Cave, but there are invariably going to be times when he is unavailable so I'm sure there will be opportunities given to others. Farrell was playing there early in the season before his injury. Strange because I had thought of him more as a 12. Payne has also played there this season and has looked very good. It may not happen, but I've regularly thought that Marshall has the makings of an excellent 13.

decisions · 19-03-2013 6:49pm

Good for him, I have no clue why he is getting one over some of the other wingers, Gilroy? Maybe the IRFU didn't want to loose two well known names to France?

Teferi · 19-03-2013 8:39pm

I'm a very big fan of Trimble but under absolutely no circumstances should any winger be getting a central contract. We have a huge dearth of talent on the wing, no need for it really.

LeeroyJones · 19-03-2013 9:22pm

Good signing for Ulster.

It's promising for them to see that not only are they assembling a serious XV they also are developing serious options in depth

Hagz · 20-03-2013 1:50am

UAFC just uploaded the Munster v Ulster QF in full on Youtube if anyone wants to watch it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OALODnEQE8I

totallegend · 20-03-2013 10:54am

Teferi wrote: »

I'm a very big fan of Trimble but under absolutely no circumstances should any winger be getting a central contract. We have a huge dearth of talent on the wing, no need for it really.

Think you mean 'surplus of talent'?

It might be something to do with the number of central contracts per province; with Ferris uncertain and Wallace's deal not to be renewed, that only leaves Best and Bowe on central contracts in Ulster (by my reckoning anyway). Ulster could argue that they're carrying too much of a provincial wage bill compared to Leinster and Munster.

Trimble still has a huge amount to offer Ireland; the assumption that he's on the scrap-heap now that Gilroy is in the national team is very wide of the mark IMO.

Teferi · 20-03-2013 11:13am

totallegend wrote: »

Think you mean 'surplus of talent'?

I meant depth. A simple spelling error.

Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

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