Ulster, our sleeping giant?

need assistance

If one looks at the history of Irish rugby a good chunk of our best players always came from Ulster. Historically it always had the highest number of players and club rugby was extremely strong there. Now I am aware of rugby being branded for one culture rather than another up there etcetra, but by and large except for the mid 70's Rugby managed to stay above that sort of thing. As an aside the troubles robbed us of a certain grand slam.

But since professionalism (aside from 1999), ulster players have a historically low representation on the national side and in the Magners/Celtic league are more on a par with Connacht than Munster or Ulster?

Our Ulster are sleeping giants and if so what can be done to reawaken them?

buck65

I think they could have a good year this year, will certainly push for top4 in the ML. HCup not sure.

anonymous_joe

They've been a bit unlucky with the players they've had I think.

Both Leinster and Munster are coming to the end of their own 'Golden generations.' Leinster have phased out about half of theirs anyway (The likes of Mal, Girve, Hickie, Shane Byrne, O'Driscoll, etc all have replacements of acceptable if not equal quality behind them.)

Ulster haven't had much in the intervening few years, but on paper, with as many players as Leinster (and a lot more than Munster and Connacht) they should be up there.

I'd love to know what percentage of lads from RBAI (or whatever it is) and Methodist etc are still in Ulster though, and how many have fcuked off to uni in England and Scotland. I know all my Nordie cousins have left as soon as they could go to college.

ScrubsfanChris

Planet Rugby's prediction for Pool 4:

Prediction: 1 Ulster, 2 Bath, 3 Stade Français, 4 Edinburgh.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3822_5617972,00.html

Brewster

Would be great to see Ulster make it through Pool, I can see them winning their home matches starting with a win tonight but winning away from home has always been their achilles heel. Will this year be any different? Im not so sure. A strong Ulster team is important for future of Irish rugby, as they have many Irish qaulified players, many of whom are under 25 years of age....

I think this season may come too soon for them, but if McLaughlin, Doak, Davidson can bring the young guys on and instill some belief and steel in them, perhaps next season Ulster could really be a team to watch. The talent is there in adundance, Humphreys, Cave, Diack, Faloon, Henry, Caldwell, Court, Botha, Nacusa, Trimble etc etc..

Ceartgoleor

Stability is definitely the big issue for them up there, in terms of coaching changes, player turnover etc. McLaughlin looks to be doing a good job though, and they look a dangerous side. Some real quality players up there; a tough pack and a backline that can put points on the board. Its only in Ireland's interest too to continue to see players like Ian Humphreys, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten challenge for the Senior International side.

gavkm27

Brewster wrote: »

The talent is there in adundance, Humphreys, Cave, Diack, Faloon, Henry, Caldwell, Court, Botha, Nacusa, Trimble etc etc..

Not forgetting Stephen Ferris,top of my list of stars in Irish Rugby right now!

Fishtits

I've watched few games at Ravenhill each year for a while now, always got the impression that they underperformed as a team, ie the sum of the parts was less than the total. Hopefully this year they get a good run.

profitius

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Planet Rugby's prediction for Pool 4:


http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3822_5617972,00.html

The final is in Paris so the word is that Stade will be trying this season.

sock puppet

profitius wrote: »

The final is in Paris so the word is that Stade will be trying this season.

They tried last season too but just weren't good enough. Still can't see Ulster getting through the group though. Winning next week will be very tough for them and they could easily lose both games against Stade.

Ceartgoleor

Stade have started well and are caning Edinburgh so far