Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

I might be in the minority, but I think he should go.

Get a year of not quite test standard rugby in, get some consistent gametime, put himself in S15 window too.

Get himself some cash in case he genuinely isn't going to be able to play in 2/3 seasons time.

Avoid massive impacts and injuries whilst trying to clear up his current situation.

Experience a new culture.

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So many positives.

Quint2010

thomond2006 wrote: »

Ferris to Japan brought up again: http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/blow-for-ireland-as-ferris-set-for-lucrative-japanese-switch-29156866.html

Good luck to him. Hope he stays injury free

irishbucsfan

emmet02 wrote: »

I might be in the minority, but I think he should go.

Get a year of not quite test standard rugby in, get some consistent gametime, put himself in S15 window too.

Get himself some cash in case he genuinely isn't going to be able to play in 2/3 seasons time.

Avoid massive impacts and injuries whilst trying to clear up his current situation.

Experience a new culture.

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So many positives.

100% how I see it.

And in fairness a lot of people have been planning without him for a while anyway. Who knows, might be a path to greatness

toomevara

Deleted User wrote: »

I might be in the minority, but I think he should go.

Get a year of not quite test standard rugby in, get some consistent gametime, put himself in S15 window too.

Get himself some cash in case he genuinely isn't going to be able to play in 2/3 seasons time.

Avoid massive impacts and injuries whilst trying to clear up his current situation.

Experience a new culture.

---

So many positives.

+1. Spot on. Ferris has an appalling injury record, and if I'm not mistaken the IRFU were offering him pay for play. Realistically, top-level rugby, assuming he can remain (against the odds) injury free, he's got a season or two at most. He's done his bit, more than his bit, for province and country. Time for a pay-check and some travel methinks. Good luck to him.

vienne86

Deleted User wrote: »

I might be in the minority, but I think he should go.

Get a year of not quite test standard rugby in, get some consistent gametime, put himself in S15 window too.

Get himself some cash in case he genuinely isn't going to be able to play in 2/3 seasons time.

Avoid massive impacts and injuries whilst trying to clear up his current situation.

Experience a new culture.

---

So many positives.

I think you are spot on, even though, as Leinster fan, my opinion shouldn't count. We were rightly pissed off when Sexton signed for Racing, but these guys have a small enough window of opportunity to make good money, and are only a big injury away from ending their careers, and having to deal with crocked bodies for the rest of their lives......and in ten years's time, we, the fans, will not be paying their utility bills.

They have to take their opportunities, and if they can enjoy living in another country for a while, all the better. Ferris has had dreadful luck with injury, and has served Irish rugby well, so we should wish him the best if he decides to head away.

bilston

From Fez's point of view I can understand it, plus it all works out for a return to Ireland well in time for the WC.

Still I'd also like to see him back fully fit for Ulster next season. A Ferris/Henry/Williams back row is frankly an awesome prospect.

CatFromHue

I think Ferris will be big in Japan

thomond2006

CatFromHue wrote: »

I think Ferris will be big in Japan

I think defenders will direct him to the tryline.

MolBee

bilston wrote: »

From Fez's point of view I can understand it, plus it all works out for a return to Ireland well in time for the WC.

Still I'd also like to see him back fully fit for Ulster next season. A Ferris/Henry/Williams back row is frankly an awesome prospect.

I'd be of the same thinking. Selfishly I want him to stay but I can see no reason why he shouldn't leave given the circumstances.

That back row is dreamy. I'm pretty sure we've seen it once and it was against Connacht, incidently though I missed that match!

jacothelad

CatFromHue wrote: »

I think Ferris will be big in Japan

You would presumo that........:eek:

awec

Fezilla.

.ak

awec wrote: »

Fezilla.

IP thief!! :mad: :pac:

bilston

It's been increasingly suggested that Ferris needed two operations at the same time. One to clean the ankle up and one to repair the raptured tendon. Doing both at the same time would have ruled him out of the 6Ns (which he didn't play in anyway) however he'd be back now and would have HEC and Rabo play off rugby to look forward and potentially a Lions tour as well.

The IRFU wouldn't allow this as they wanted him fit for the 6Ns despite knowing they were jeopardising the rest of his season. Now I can understand why they did it given they want their best players available for the 6Ns. However if this did happen surely they have to realise it was their decision that has prevented him from actually proving his fitness and they should consider this with their new contract offer?

awec

Anyone know if we will have a new kit next season?

decisions

Wasn't that shirt new this year?

The ulster training top they were wearing in the warm up is a beaut. The red checkered top. Anyone know if you can buy it? My uncle is an Ulster man and its his birthday in a few weeks, it would be perfect.

awec

decisions wrote: »

Wasn't that shirt new this year?

The ulster training top they were wearing in the warm up is a beaut. The red checkered top.

Yea, will we keep the same top for next season?

I love our kits, but the current "leisurewear" type stuff is brutal. The polo tops are horrific, and I HATE that American college-esque logo thing they're trying.

decisions

awec wrote: »

Yea, will we keep the same top for next season?

I love our kits, but the current "leisurewear" type stuff is brutal. The polo tops are horrific, and I HATE that American college-esque logo thing they're trying.

I saw a few of those polo shirts around the rds, horrible things. Leinsters off field stuff this year is brilliant in comparison.

rchendz92

Any way to know how full Twickenham is going to be? Just interested since my tickets arrived during the week!

awec

Bottom tier and some of the middle tier I think.

hype101

Any word on a Paddy McCallister/Chris Farrell return?

lurtz

Farrells meant to be back for the JWC

bilston

rchendz92 wrote: »

Any way to know how full Twickenham is going to be? Just interested since my tickets arrived during the week!

20-25k is my guess.

rchendz92

Thanks. Just did some research, and apparently two weeks ago 20,000 had been sold in total http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/11280.php
so 25-30k would be my guess now.

bilston

rchendz92 wrote: »

Thanks. Just did some research, and apparently two weeks ago 20,000 had been sold in total http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/11280.php
so 25-30k would be my guess now.

There may be a few Leinster and Munster fans who are over who will buy tickets on the day...hope they will be supporting us though...!

thomond2006

ERC just confirmed that Ulster's semi-final venue would be Aviva Stadium.

MolBee

Okay so it may be an April Fools, but supposedly Bowe will make the bench at the weekend. He did say a couple of weeks ago that he was a couple of weeks away.

Fitzpatrick is also likely to be available for selection, but to be honest, I was satisfied with Lutton's performance and would have Afoa playing the full 80 anyway.

If true we're almost at full strength

awec

It would be amazing to get Bowe back now at the business end of the season!

mfceiling

Leinster v Ulster on now on setanta

bilston

MolBee wrote: »

Okay so it may be an April Fools, but supposedly Bowe will make the bench at the weekend. He did say a couple of weeks ago that he was a couple of weeks away.

Fitzpatrick is also likely to be available for selection, but to be honest, I was satisfied with Lutton's performance and would have Afoa playing the full 80 anyway.

If true we're almost at full strength

Would you pick Bowe though?

I'd be looking at another 6-2 split and assuming Paul Marshall is one my other back would be Olding (again assuming Marshall is back). Olding is in electric form but also covers a multitude of positions. I suppose Tommy does as well but he will be rusty as hell.

MolBee

bilston wrote: »

Would you pick Bowe though?

I'd be looking at another 6-2 split and assuming Paul Marshall is one my other back would be Olding (again assuming Marshall is back). Olding is in electric form but also covers a multitude of positions. I suppose Tommy does as well but he will be rusty as hell.

6-2 split again would be good with regards to not having to leave out any of Wilson, Diack or Stevenson but there's cover there regardless, so I would go for a 5-3 split if Bowe is available, with Paul Marshall and Olding in there too. Yes he will be rusty, but, it's Bowe. First match back for us earlier in the season he scored two tries...







against Cardiff... but still.