Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

awec · 22-05-2014 3:17pm

The Hogg thing isn't even confirmed either for what it's worth.

.ak · 22-05-2014 3:20pm

I sometimes wish the following things to happen just to see awec's reaction:

1. Payne to leave for Leinster
2. Hogg singing falls through and Ulster get Ashton instead.

bilston · 22-05-2014 3:23pm

It would make for some collection of young backs

Jackson 22
Olding 21
McCloskey 21
Marshall 23
Gilroy 23
Scholes 21
Hogg 21

bilston · 22-05-2014 3:24pm

.ak wrote: »

I sometimes wish the following things to happen just to see awec's reaction:

1. Payne to leave for Leinster
2. Hogg singing falls through and Ulster get Ashton instead.

Is there an anti thank tool on this MB? If not there should be!

awec · 22-05-2014 3:33pm

.ak wrote: »

I sometimes wish the following things to happen just to see awec's reaction:

1. Payne to leave for Leinster
2. Hogg singing falls through and Ulster get Ashton instead.

I will ban you.

I will ban every Leinster fan.

No one would be safe.

This would be the worst possible thing to happen. Imagine having to pretend you like Chris Ashton?

jacothelad · 22-05-2014 4:08pm

bilston wrote: »

Is there an anti thank tool on this MB? If not there should be!

There is but he/ she is on most peoples 'ignore' list.

awec · 22-05-2014 5:54pm

Moved some stuff to the off topic thread, keep this one for discussing Ireland's finest province!

Beery Eyed · 22-05-2014 6:05pm

bilston wrote: »

It would make for some collection of young backs

Jackson 22
Olding 21
McCloskey 21
Marshall 23
Gilroy 23
Scholes 21
Hogg 21

A lot of people aren't even including Michael Allen on their lists of young backs as well. Only 23 and has played a lot of first team rugby already, mostly on the wing although he seems to consider himself primarily a center. He might not have had the burst onto the scene that some of the others had, but he could become a very good player.

I'm still a bit disappointed that Chris Farrell couldn't find a place within one of the provinces next year as well. He looked a very exciting prospect before his injury & he's still only 21.

Utah_Saint · 22-05-2014 6:08pm

enough of the backs chat...what are we gonna do about our forwards where the real problem is...especially the back-row. Outside the starting 3 things get mediocre

bilston · 22-05-2014 6:36pm

Beery Eyed wrote: »

A lot of people aren't even including Michael Allen on their lists of young backs as well. Only 23 and has played a lot of first team rugby already, mostly on the wing although he seems to consider himself primarily a center. He might not have had the burst onto the scene that some of the others had, but he could become a very good player.

I'm still a bit disappointed that Chris Farrell couldn't find a place within one of the provinces next year as well. He looked a very exciting prospect before his injury & he's still only 21.

My bad, I completely forgot about him. He is still probably ahead of Scholes as well so I should have included him. I'd like to include Peter Nelson as well who I think is 21 but I'm not even sure if he will still be at Ulster next season. Things just haven't gone for him for whatever reason.

bilston · 22-05-2014 6:40pm

Utah_Saint wrote: »

enough of the backs chat...what are we gonna do about our forwards where the real problem is...especially the back-row. Outside the starting 3 things get mediocre

Taking Fez out of it it leaves us with Diack, Henry, Williams and Wilson with Henderson looking more as though second row is his home. Conor Joyce is still developing but I'm not sure how good he is. I've heard good things about Lorcan Dow at No.8 but next season will probably be a year too soon as I think he is still playing for the Irish U19s. I'm not sure if. McComish is still here but I never thought I'd say it but we could probably do with him. We need at least one and probably two back rowers IMO. This guy O'Connor seems likely and as mentioned already Dominic Ryan would be a good signing but that's just me thinking aloud.

Sinbad_NI · 22-05-2014 6:57pm

Depth of the backs isn't an issue as it's only once in a blue moon that everyone is fit or available.

Depth in the forwards is the concern.

Podge_irl · 22-05-2014 8:10pm

awec wrote: »

Moved some stuff to the off topic thread, keep this one for discussing Ireland's finest province!

So do we think Jordi Murphy will overtake Jennings next season?

:pac:

mfceiling · 22-05-2014 10:35pm

We'll be ok for a few new faces next year. Now that McIlroy has got rid of the side kick, he'll have plenty of spare cash to get rid off...

Stanza2 · 23-05-2014 12:22am

Hope he got that wee rock back aff da quare wan !

bilston · 23-05-2014 10:44am

Hogg being linked to Saracens now

jacothelad · 23-05-2014 10:48am

Podge_irl wrote: »

So do we think Jordi Murphy will overtake Jennings next season?

:pac:

Depends what car he is driving.......:cool::D:pac:;)

.ak · 23-05-2014 10:50am

bilston wrote: »

Hogg being linked to Saracens now

.ak wrote: »

I sometimes wish the following things to happen just to see awec's reaction:

1. Payne to leave for Leinster
2. Hogg singing falls through and Ulster get Ashton instead.

ssaye2 · 23-05-2014 2:52pm

http://ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestNews/TabId/149/ArtMID/793/ArticleID/1529/John-Afoa-Contract-Clarification-.aspx

Contrary to reports in this morning’s media, Ulster Rugby would like to clarify that at no point were there any discussions with John Afoa or his representatives about extending his contract to allow him to remain with the Province. Due to his personal circumstances, it was understood that he would be seeking a return to New Zealand to be with his family.

While a world class player when fit and available, Ulster Rugby’s intention has always been to replace Afoa with a top-class tighthead prop who could ultimately play for Ireland. That has been achieved through the signing of project-player Wiehahn Herbst.

In December it was announced that he had signed a contract with Gloucester and Ulster Rugby would like to wish him well in the next chapter of his career.

FO John basically

ssaye2 · 23-05-2014 2:55pm

His statement

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/regrets-yes-ive-a-few-admits-afoa-30296695.html

When I got here Ulster were on an upward curve; they'd made the (PRO12) top four and they'd made the (Heineken Cup) quarters for the first time in 10 years or whatever.

"Now it could go either way. It could go up or it could go on a downward; I guess we'll not know until next year."

bilston · 23-05-2014 4:08pm

Don't let the door hit you on the way out John.

awec · 23-05-2014 5:29pm

So, we need a new captain for next year.

Hard choice though - the really obvious candidates are all internationals and likely to be away for large parts of the season. I'm not sure about giving it to someone who's just arriving. Diack has done a good job when called upon but he's not a guaranteed starter.

awec · 23-05-2014 5:40pm

FRU says we've signed a back row from Landsdowne on a development contract:

http://thefrontrowunion.com/2014/05/ulster-back-row-butterworth-on-development-contract/

Also, as mentioned before we are supposedly after a 7 and this one would answer former legend's question:

"One name we’ve heard, but haven’t confirmed, is Blues back row Brendon O’Connor who ran out in every game for the Baby Blacks in their all conquering 2014 JWC campaign and I hear that he is, allegedly, Irish Qualified!"

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 23-05-2014 5:50pm

Afoa should be pretty ashamed of himself coming out and complaining to the press like that.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 23-05-2014 6:56pm

awec wrote: »

FRU says we've signed a back row from Landsdowne on a development contract:

http://thefrontrowunion.com/2014/05/ulster-back-row-butterworth-on-development-contract/

Also, as mentioned before we are supposedly after a 7 and this one would answer former legend's question:

"One name we’ve heard, but haven’t confirmed, is Blues back row Brendon O’Connor who ran out in every game for the Baby Blacks in their all conquering 2014 JWC campaign and I hear that he is, allegedly, Irish Qualified!"

Bit old to have played for the baby blacks in 2014.

.ak · 24-05-2014 3:16pm

awec wrote: »

So, we need a new captain for next year.

Hard choice though - the really obvious candidates are all internationals and likely to be away for large parts of the season. I'm not sure about giving it to someone who's just arriving. Diack has done a good job when called upon but he's not a guaranteed starter.

I don't see any problem with the club captain being an international. Just having a group of leaders is just as important. Heaslip will be Leinster captain next season and I'd imagine Best will be Ulster's.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 24-05-2014 3:54pm

.ak wrote: »

I don't see any problem with the club captain being an international. Just having a group of leaders is just as important. Heaslip will be Leinster captain next season and I'd imagine Best will be Ulster's.

I was thinking Henry, he is often a captain but while an international he won't necessarily be playing every game and will not be subject to the same rest periods as Best.

Diack and Best as vice captains.

student15 · 27-05-2014 7:02am

I think with the likes of mccloskey ( IMO maybe a better risk than Marshall ) Nelson Allen and scholes etc coming through an the depth ulster have in the backs (good mix of youth and experience) I think we'll be fine on that mark.
Where as in the pack we need some good experienced front rows to replace tc and money grabber I mean afoa...

bilston · 27-05-2014 7:42am

student15 wrote: »

I think with the likes of mccloskey ( IMO maybe a better risk than Marshall ) Nelson Allen and scholes etc coming through an the depth ulster have in the backs (good mix of youth and experience) I think we'll be fine on that mark.
Where as in the pack we need some good experienced front rows to replace tc and money grabber I mean afoa...

It's a bit early to say McCloskey is better than Marshall. Luke has had a couple of quiet months but form is temporary, class is permanent and he will come back next season. McCloskey is a rougher diamond than Marshall but does look promising. It's probably irrelevant as Olding will overtake the pair of them very quickly next season if he plays 12.

Front row and back row (back up) are worries.

I see on UAFC a pretty reliable poster saying they had it confirmed from a source close to the side that Fez will be announcing his retirement in the next week. Not unexpected but I still refuse to believe until it's confirmed

RobbieRuns · 27-05-2014 8:57am

I agree on the point about Luke Marshall, he is the class player. I do worry about his concussion issues. The point about Olding is also well made, he will pass them out if the knee is fully back to normal.

So hope that Ferris can keep going, but a lot will depend on his feelings about the ankle, if it is not 100% after all the rehab that he has done over such a long period then there is no point in risking being a cripple for the rest of your life. He has played enough to know if it will get back to full strength. Really hope that he is able to recover and continue.

.ak · 27-05-2014 9:33am

Just on the Fez thing... It would be mad if it was a case that he was rushed back for the quarter final. I know it's a case of 'if', but still...

bilston · 27-05-2014 10:43am

.ak wrote: »

Just on the Fez thing... It would be mad if it was a case that he was rushed back for the quarter final. I know it's a case of 'if', but still...

I don't think he was rushed back. He played three weeks before that and even then was only on the bench for the QF. To be honest at some stage he was going to have come back anyway as he had been out for a long time. It's a shame, he could have been on the same pedastel as BOD and POC had he played out his career to its potential.

bilston · 28-05-2014 6:43pm

Seems the Hogg deal fell through yesterday.

Swiwi. · 28-05-2014 6:49pm

bilston wrote: »

Don't let the door hit you on the way out John.

Yeah I don't think I can defend him based on that article. Comes across as a self-serving ungracious twat. From all accounts Ulster gave him a lot of leeway, and in the end he just took the piss.

thomond2006 · 28-05-2014 7:12pm

There's a meme to be made!

Misses family in NZ

....Moves to Gloucester

awec · 28-05-2014 10:04pm

bilston wrote: »

Seems the Hogg deal fell through yesterday.

Where did you see that?

$ausage$ · 29-05-2014 10:09am

Swiwi. wrote: »

Yeah I don't think I can defend him based on that article. Comes across as a self-serving ungracious twat. From all accounts Ulster gave him a lot of leeway, and in the end he just took the piss.

I for one was bashing JA when i saw the ulster article but when i read the one he was in you can not argue with what he was saying.

We have under achieved we have not moved forward like we should have we have not got the young guys coming through at prop level and we have to go and buy again. The plan was to invest and then let the investment help new young ulster talent.

As for him moving his wife didn't like Belfast which is fair enough not everyone one will, so maybe she will like England, maybe there will be more NZ people there we don't know.

I do agree though saying he is going home and then not is wrong but I did not see him come out and say that.

Some time you need people to call a spade a spade and just learn from it. He is gone and that's it but we have not left a legacy behind for him to be proud of not with silver ware or with young talent.

In my eyes the whole thing was a failure based on the results and I don't see anyone else coming through or being signed that will make it any better.

As for the contract who know what Hump said to him ulster didnt offer him one that doesn't not mean logan or humph didnt sit and talk to him about it and if he said no thanks then that's fine.

awec · 29-05-2014 10:53am

He was for going home - as far as I know he fully expected and was planning to be going back to New Zealand but an 11th hour mega-contract from Gloucester changed that.

$ausage$ · 29-05-2014 11:10am

He wanted to be with his family which he can now be doubt anyone would begrudge that even if it was for big bucks. Fair play prob only has a few years left might as well cash in

Utah_Saint · 29-05-2014 11:26am

thomond2006 wrote: »

There's a meme to be made!

Misses family in NZ

....Moves to Gloucester

Done....

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 29-05-2014 11:46am

Afoa's behaviour, and lack of respect toward the provinces makes me a lot less sympathetic towards his homesickness

$ausage$ · 29-05-2014 11:47am

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Afoa's behaviour, and lack of respect toward the provinces makes me a lot less sympathetic towards his homesickness

What behaviour though? has he really done anything wrong? He was not homesick just sick about not seeing his wife and kids

thomond2006 · 29-05-2014 11:49am

So suddenly the family decides to move after Afoa leaves Belfast?

The lack of a send off for Afoa from Ulster speaks for itself. Look at what Muller (rightly) received. Afoa's departure was more or less ignored.

tac4271 · 30-05-2014 4:08pm

Can't post a link but Louis Ludik's signed a two year deal.

awec · 30-05-2014 4:09pm

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestNews/TabId/149/ArtMID/793/ArticleID/1543/Louis-Ludik-to-join-Ulster-Rugby-.aspx

finally!

bilston · 30-05-2014 4:15pm

We will take it. Seems versatile which is important. It will be interesting to see howbthe first choice back line lines up next season.

9, 10, 11 and 14 are fairly locked in but 12, 13 and 15 are anyone's guess at this stage.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 30-05-2014 4:16pm

I suppose thats the end of the Hogg stuff.

Really curious to see what the back line looks like next season.

Outside 10 you have Marshall Olding Cave Payne Ludik Gilroy Bowe and Trimble to fit in.

awec · 30-05-2014 4:19pm

I would imagine that both Payne and Ludik will play 15 from time to time.

It gives us the ability to move things about a bit.

dregin · 30-05-2014 4:21pm

Won't lie. Every time I see a new post marked for this thread, I fear the worst...

jacothelad · 30-05-2014 4:33pm

dregin wrote: »

Won't lie. Every time I see a new post marked for this thread, I fear the worst...

Me too but I think we can relax. I've been reliably informed that Tommy Bowe will not be singing in public ever again.

>>>...unless of course you are referring to Fez's situation.

Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

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