Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

Hagz · 12-04-2014 10:11pm

jacothelad wrote: »

Why would Payne move south to a team on the down slope when he can stay where he is and play in the Ireland backline alongside the likes of Jackson, Olding, Marshall, Bowe, Trimble, Gilroy, McCloskey and Scholes.....

Probably has ambitions of winning silverware.

jacothelad · 12-04-2014 10:16pm

Hagz wrote: »

Probably has ambitions of winning silverware.

Which is why he's staying here rather than go down to the pensioners club...oooops I forgot they are retiring......:D

DGRulz · 12-04-2014 10:22pm

He's not exactly a spring chicken himself, maybe he'd prefer a retirement home with cheese and wine down here instead bread and Harp.

Hagz · 12-04-2014 10:24pm

jacothelad wrote: »

Which is why he's staying here rather than go down to the pensioners club...oooops I forgot they are retiring......:D

It makes sense that Ludik would come in for Payne. With Johann Muller leaving, Ulster would have been so light on Saffers, that they actually would have been distinguishable from Saracens.

mfceiling · 12-04-2014 10:33pm

Trimble on the Saturday night show now!!

Tox56 · 12-04-2014 10:45pm

Hagz wrote: »

It makes sense that Ludik would come in for Payne. With Johann Muller leaving, Ulster would have been so light on Saffers, that they actually would have been distinguishable from Saracens.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_burn_centers_in_the_United_States

jacothelad · 12-04-2014 10:59pm

Hagz wrote: »

It makes sense that Ludik would come in for Payne. With Johann Muller leaving, Ulster would have been so light on Saffers, that they actually would have been distinguishable from Saracens.

We can't let Leinster and Munster have them all can we. We like to have the same number as everyone else. I mean Zane Kirchner, Ricardt Strauss, Quinn ,Roux, B.J., C.J. and G.v.d.H. need some folks from home to chat too. Does that make Leinster and Munster also indistinguishable from Saracens also?....Why, it must......or have you conveniently forgotten about your boys:D:D:D

awec · 12-04-2014 11:05pm

Payne would be totally wasted playing MOC-ball.

It won't happen, best move on lads.

Hagz · 12-04-2014 11:46pm

But in all seriousness, the signing of Ludik (unconfirmed though it may) suggests that Payne will move to 13 next season.

Morf · 13-04-2014 12:52am

Last time I saw Ludik he had a serious moustache going.

Going on that Ulster should sign him.

bilston · 13-04-2014 1:53am

Morf wrote: »

Last time I saw Ludik he had a serious moustache going.

Going on that Ulster should sign him.

The 1980s were like 30 years ago...

.ak · 14-04-2014 10:14am

bilston wrote: »

The 1980s were like 30 years ago...

Depends on where abouts in Ulster you live.

case885 · 14-04-2014 2:36pm

Hagz wrote: »

But in all seriousness, the signing of Ludik (unconfirmed though it may) suggests that Payne will move to 13 next season.

Would cave be moving then if that happens?

jacothelad · 14-04-2014 2:48pm

case885 wrote: »

Would cave be moving then if that happens?

Payne will fill in for Cave while Darren is away with Ireland.

:D:D

I am pie · 14-04-2014 2:48pm

case885 wrote: »

Would cave be moving then if that happens?

Would be tough on Cave, Anscombe might think that 13-Payne/15-Ludik is better than 13-Cave/15-Payne though.

Not seen enough of the other lad to have an opinion. I guess our ambition should be to have internationals in as many positions as possible.

irishbucsfan · 14-04-2014 2:51pm

Cave is too good to be 2nd choice. He should definitely move to Leinster...

.ak · 14-04-2014 2:53pm

Not sure why people think a player coming in means a player moving on. Cave can play 12 as well as 13 and may or may not be required for Irish camps. At the moment outside of Payne there's no real genuine threat at 15 for Ulster. What if there's an injury before a HEC game? Ulster are blessed with Payne because he can play anywhere but if needs be they'd be screwed without a decent backup at 15. All the young players coming through seem to be excellent centres and solid wings.

jacothelad · 14-04-2014 4:09pm

I am pie wrote: »

Would be tough on Cave, Anscombe might think that 13-Payne/15-Ludik is better than 13-Cave/15-Payne though.

Not seen enough of the other lad to have an opinion. I guess our ambition should be to have internationals in as many positions as possible.

On all the evidence I've seen, Cave is a much better 13 than Payne. On the other hand, Payne at 15 is superb. We should wait until Ludik's signing is confirmed before getting any more convoluted mechanisms in an endeavour to squeeze the best 15 in Ireland into a shirt better filled by someone else I think.

bilston · 14-04-2014 4:13pm

On the basis of what I've seen of Payne at 13 (and I didn't see him.play there for the Blues), Tommy Bowe is a much better option. Maybe that is something that both Ulster and Ireland should be investigating. The form of Trimble, the return of Earls, Fitzgerald and the potential of Zebo and Gilroy could allow for this. That said Bowe is our best winger so maybe that is where he should stay.

shuffol · 14-04-2014 4:50pm

I dont think Bowe's passing is good enough for midfield, plus he's one of the best footballing wings in the world which you'd lose a lot of if he's in the center.

bilston · 14-04-2014 8:20pm

Put a 12 who can pass alongside him and he would be fine. He is one of the best offloaders/pop passers around at the minute, but yes anything over 5 metres can sometimes be a test for him!

CatFromHue · 14-04-2014 8:33pm

Any more news on Paddy Wallace?

Buer · 14-04-2014 8:39pm

There are plenty of outside centres around now who don't have much of a passing game. Once they can give a standard pass off either hand and are able to offload decently they're in business and Bowe can certainly do those things.

Guys like Bastareaud, Burrell and Tuilagi are not anything special with in terms of passing. Even the great BOD wasn't a fantastic passer. I think Bowe has enough footballing talent to be am effective centre. If he could do it well for the Lions, it's worth looking into.

Swiwi. · 14-04-2014 8:45pm

I haven't really heard of Ludik, so that makes me think he's probably a van den Heever-type selection. Probably decent enough, but not a Habana or Le Roux...or Payne or Kearney. However, that doesn't mean he won't prove to have the goods.

bilston · 14-04-2014 8:49pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

Any more news on Paddy Wallace?

Sadly I fear he is done. Apparently his knee didn't react well on his return.

Sad as that is for Paddy this is what I worry about with regards to Stuart Olding who has his entire career ahead of him. Anyway if confirmed it will be a sad end to Paddy's career. He probably discovered 12 was his best position too late in his career.

bilston · 14-04-2014 8:51pm

Swiwi. wrote: »

I haven't really heard of Ludik, so that makes me think he's probably a van den Heever-type selection. Probably decent enough, but not a Habana or Le Roux...or Payne or Kearney. However, that doesn't mean he won't prove to have the goods.

We don't need a world class back though (assuming we don't lose Payne), Ludik seems like he will fit the bill perfectly and despite the fears in my previous post we also have Olding returning so whatever about our pack we will have a stronger set of backs next season.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 14-04-2014 8:53pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

Any more news on Paddy Wallace?

He has almost certainly played his last.

awec · 15-04-2014 10:10pm

Ricky Andrew and Ricky Lutton have both signed pro contracts.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestNews/TabId/149/ArtMID/793/ArticleID/1425/Lutton-and-Andrew-agree-full-time-contracts-with-Ulster-.aspx

Both are decent squad players. Good enough signings.

awec · 17-04-2014 12:43pm

Ulster XV and replacements to face Glasgow Warriors, RaboDirect PRO12, Scotstoun Stadium, Friday 18th April (kick off 19:35)

(15-9): R Andrew, T Bowe, D Cave, L Marshall, A Trimble, P Jackson, P Marshall; (1-8): T Court, R Herring, R Lutton, J Muller (Captain), I Henderson, C Henry, S Doyle, N Williams; Replacements (16-23): N Annett, A Warwick, D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, M McComish, M Heaney, J McKinney, C Gilroy.

Bowe back to the wing. Henderson starts in the second row again. No Ferris again. Fitzpatrick returns from wherever he was.

CatFromHue · 17-04-2014 12:54pm

That's a fairly weak bench.

Glasgow will be favourites for this I think.

yuinc · 17-04-2014 12:55pm

Ferris injured his ankle... hopefully its his good one..

bilston · 17-04-2014 1:32pm

yuinc wrote: »

Ferris injured his ankle... hopefully its his good one..

Aye, its a bit worrying. Hopefully nothing to worry about.

.ak · 17-04-2014 1:37pm

Being out for that long it takes a while for your body to get accustomed to playing again, you'll easily pick up little knocks and strains, even just getting your running balance back will take a while. I suspect Ferris will probably pick up a few niggles between now and the off season. In a way it's great for him to get this into his system now, then he'll have a strong pre-season.

awec · 17-04-2014 1:53pm

.ak wrote: »

Being out for that long it takes a while for your body to get accustomed to playing again, you'll easily pick up little knocks and strains, even just getting your running balance back will take a while. I suspect Ferris will probably pick up a few niggles between now and the off season. In a way it's great for him to get this into his system now, then he'll have a strong pre-season.

Agreed - got to expect a bit of pain.

For what it's worth he's taking part in the Circuit of Ireland on Saturday (some motor racing type thing - not exactly sure what it is).

overshoot · 17-04-2014 2:11pm

awec wrote: »

Agreed - got to expect a bit of pain.

For what it's worth he's taking part in the Circuit of Ireland on Saturday (some motor racing type thing - not exactly sure what it is).

Rallying round, part of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, Northern Ireland Rally Championship & this year the European Rally Championship.
Used to follow a huge coastline route thus 'circuit of ireland' but now confined to one area like most rallies and kept the name.

Must be taking part in an historic or junior section or something like that if he is only doing 1 day

former legend · 17-04-2014 2:21pm

yuinc wrote: »

Ferris injured his ankle... hopefully its his good one..

Does he have a good one?

jacothelad · 17-04-2014 11:01pm

awec wrote: »

Ulster XV and replacements to face Glasgow Warriors, RaboDirect PRO12, Scotstoun Stadium, Friday 18th April (kick off 19:35)

(15-9): R Andrew, T Bowe, D Cave, L Marshall, A Trimble, P Jackson, P Marshall; (1-8): T Court, R Herring, R Lutton, J Muller (Captain), I Henderson, C Henry, S Doyle, N Williams; Replacements (16-23): N Annett, A Warwick, D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, M McComish, M Heaney, J McKinney, C Gilroy.

Bowe back to the wing. Henderson starts in the second row again. No Ferris again. Fitzpatrick returns from wherever he was.

Has been suffering from chronic migraines since January... after a concussion.:eek:

awec · 17-04-2014 11:08pm

jacothelad wrote: »

Has been suffering from chronic migraines since January... after a concussion.:eek:

That sounds... bad?

Buer · 19-04-2014 10:03am

Some injury list for Ulster in the front row at this point (as it was last season).

Front row of Warwick, Herring and Macklin for rest of season?

jacothelad · 19-04-2014 10:21am

Buer wrote: »

Some injury list for Ulster in the front row at this point (as it was last season).

Front row of Warwick, Herring and Macklin for rest of season?

Need to name 4 props. MCall is now a hooker so the cupboard is bare unless we can parachute 4 emergency props in. Would Leinster lend us Furlong?????

CIARAN_BOYLE · 19-04-2014 10:24am

jacothelad wrote: »

Need to name 4 props. MCall is now a hooker so the cupboard is bare unless we can parachute 4 emergency props in. Would Leinster lend us Furlong?????

5.5. No player is eligible to play for a Team in the RaboDirect PRO12 if he transfers or is registered after the 20th March 2012 during the relevant season (although there is an exception for under 18 players in certain circumstances)

jacothelad · 19-04-2014 10:39am

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

5.5. No player is eligible to play for a Team in the RaboDirect PRO12 if he transfers or is registered after the 20th March 2012 during the relevant season (although there is an exception for under 18 players in certain circumstances)

Yes I know but Geoff Cross has just moved to and played for Glasgow from Edinburgh last month. Maybe Ulster should claim the points if he's ineligible....:D It would be ironic if so, given that scandalous awarding of the 'try'.
A fully fit Ulster would comfortably beat Glasgow but we have no chance of winning the last two games. Injury is a cruel and sadly increasing part of pro rugby.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 19-04-2014 11:30am

jacothelad wrote: »

Yes I know but Geoff Cross has just moved to and played for Glasgow from Edinburgh last month. Maybe Ulster should claim the points if he's ineligible....:D It would be ironic if so, given that scandalous awarding of the 'try'.
A fully fit Ulster would comfortably beat Glasgow but we have no chance of winning the last two games. Injury is a cruel and sadly increasing part of pro rugby.

http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2014/03/rabodirect-pro12-geoff-cross-joins-glasgow-from-edinburgh/

Deadline day move. 20th of march.

awec · 21-04-2014 2:26pm

Declan Fitzpatrick released from hospital this afternoon in Glasgow after having a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat. Will have to undergo further tests when he gets back to Belfast, so you would imagine his season is over.

Hopefully not too serious for Declan.

Tom Court to resume training this week.

phog · 21-04-2014 2:48pm

awec wrote: »

Declan Fitzpatrick released from hospital this afternoon in Glasgow after having a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat. Will have to undergo further tests when he gets back to Belfast, so you would imagine his season is over.

Hopefully not too serious for Declan.

Tom Court to resume training this week.

I didn't realise he had been taken ill I thought he picked up an injury.

Just read about it here.

phog · 21-04-2014 3:10pm

From the man himself

Declan Fitzpatrick (@DfizzyP) tweeted at 2:05 PM on Mon, Apr 21, 2014:

Thanks to all medics at the game and Glasgow west infirmary. heart back to normal and heading home. Cheers for the kind messages

Buer · 21-04-2014 5:25pm

So looking likely that Court will be available for Leinster and possibly Lutton as well who is undergoing physio on an injured toe (no break). No update on Afoa. Things looking a bit brighter. The potential Ulster side should be well able to beat Leinster. I'd be expecting something along the lines of:

Court, Herring, Lutton, Muller, Henderson, Ferris, Henry, Williams, Marshall, Jackson, Trimble, Marshall, Cave, Bowe, Payne.

That's a strong side, well able to beat anyone on their day. They'll need to improve their focus and defence significantly though. Missed tackle count has been far too high in recent games. Tackling success hasn't been above 84% in the last 3 games which has caused significant problems.

rockbeast · 21-04-2014 5:38pm

phog wrote: »

From the man himself

Great to hear. Was thinking of Simon Best when first heard about it so hopefully nothing as serious as Best had.

awec · 22-04-2014 1:46pm

Player rumour time.

Who is this:

Pictured recently having lunch with a certain Mr Anscombe and a certain Mr Humphries in a Belfast hotel.

Also the person who took this photo said that a certain Mr Hogg was also at said lunch. Is that him with his back to the camera?

.ak · 22-04-2014 1:46pm

and did they have the beef or salmon?

Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

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