Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

Proud Orange

lurtz wrote: »

rumour ulster signed a dublin based australian,any idea who this is or is it spoof?

Who'd be an Aussie based in Dublin, Shaun Berne is the last one I could think of but he's off in Calvisano these days!

Buer

Proud Orange wrote: »

Who'd be an Aussie based in Dublin, Shaun Berne is the last one I could think of but he's off in Calvisano these days!

He's actually back in Dublin now. Going to be player/coach of Belvedere next season.

the_doctor199

Some images of the redevlopment at the hill, looks very strange! Full set here (Facebook): Link

jamiedav2011

Going to be a lovely ground when it's done though by the looks of it.
Franklins Gardens esque?

LeeroyJones

What's the timeline for the redevelopment?

.ak

Looking great so far. Simple, but effective!

bilston

LeeroyJones wrote: »

What's the timeline for the redevelopment?

I believe the Aquinas and Memorial Clock ends should be ready for the new season and the main stand will be ready for the start of the 2014/15 season.

I don't know what this means for the capacity of the ground next season, I'd say our chances of hosting a HEC home Q/F or Pro 12 final would be touch and go.

LeeroyJones

The completed capacity will be 18,000, yea?

I wonder if Ulster may regret not upping it an extra few thousand. I could foresee the HCup QF Stadium requirements to rise from the current 15,000 and/or the Pro12 final requirements rising from 18,000.

However, I'm sure the costing, demand, likelihood of such events were all assessed.

It should be a cracking rugby venue though

damianmcr

As fair as I know theres the option to fill in the corners increasing the capacity to about 24k in the future if necessary.

bilston

damianmcr wrote: »

As fair as I know theres the option to fill in the corners increasing the capacity to about 24k in the future if necessary.

Yep think that's right.

bilston

LeeroyJones wrote: »

The completed capacity will be 18,000, yea?

I wonder if Ulster may regret not upping it an extra few thousand. I could foresee the HCup QF Stadium requirements to rise from the current 15,000 and/or the Pro12 final requirements rising from 18,000.

However, I'm sure the costing, demand, likelihood of such events were all assessed.

It should be a cracking rugby venue though

The Ulster Branch need to be cosying up to the GAA and trying to get use of Casement Park if needs be. It's going to be a much bigger stadium than Ravenhill once it is completed so IF for some reason Ulster couldn't use Ravenhill they could go there rather than Dublin.

ulster_Beef

damianmcr wrote: »

As fair as I know theres the option to fill in the corners increasing the capacity to about 24k in the future if necessary.

That's why the roofs are all the same height... so everything matches.

ulster_Beef

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Going to be a lovely ground when it's done though by the looks of it.
Franklins Gardens esque?

The funny thing is the pitch is still pristine haha. Chaos all around and its perfect

awec

ulster_Beef wrote: »

The funny thing is the pitch is still pristine haha. Chaos all around and its perfect

The pitch would be strictly off limits to all workmen and machinery, as any damage to it could cause serious problems that could take years and a lot of money to fix.

Sinbad_NI

Going to be a superb stadium once it's all done.

ongarite

Looks like Ferris is staying with Ulster. New 2 year deal to be signed by end of week.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23061494

awec

Ferris.
Henderson.
Williams.

Swan Curry

Would Ulster fans be okay with Ferris moving to 7 to accommodate Henderson at 6?Alternatively,would they like to see Henderson moved into the 2nd row to keep Henry at 7?

I'm glad Ferris has stayed,he's too good to waste two years of his career running through players for fun in the Japanese League.

the_doctor199

Swan Curry wrote: »

Would Ulster fans be okay with Ferris moving to 7 to accommodate Henderson at 6?Alternatively,would they like to see Henderson moved into the 2nd row to keep Henry at 7?

Given the two options, I'd probably prefer to see Henderson move up and have a back three of Ferris - Henry - Williams.

bilston

the_doctor199 wrote: »

Given the two options, I'd probably prefer to see Henderson move up and have a back three of Ferris - Henry - Williams.

Yeah me too.

This pack would be nice...

Court (that would the British and Irish Lion), Best, Afoa
Muller, Henderson
Ferris, Williams, Henry

Bench - Herring, McAlistair, Fitzpartick, Tuohy, Wilson

However while it's great that Stevie is set to stay, let's get him fit. I guess he is going to miss the start of the season.

.ak

I'd go with Touhy, Henderson, Fez, Henry, Williams. Power, pace, mobility and great hands. Henry would have a great time in that pack, he'd have a lot of free time to be an absolute nuisance at the breakdown.

bilston

.ak wrote: »

I'd go with Touhy, Henderson, Fez, Henry, Williams. Power, pace, mobility and great hands. Henry would have a great time in that pack, he'd have a lot of free time to be an absolute nuisance at the breakdown.

No chance Muller wouldn't be there. He runs the lineout. He is Ulster's O'Connell.

.ak

bilston wrote: »

No chance Muller wouldn't be there. He runs the lineout. He is Ulster's O'Connell.

Doh, sorry I thought this season gone was his last?

the_doctor199

Blindside flanker, Stephen Ferris, has signed a six-month contract extension with Ulster and Ireland that will see him remain at Ravenhill until at least the end of 2013.

The short-term contract will enable the 27 year-old to undergo rehabilitation with the medical and strength and conditioning staff at the club with the aim of making a full and complete return to rugby.

Ferris suffered an ankle injury playing against Edinburgh in the RaboDirect PRO12 in November last year and hasn’t played since.

Following consultation with medical experts in Belfast, Dublin and London, Ferris underwent a third ankle operation in May. He is expected to miss at least the first four months of the new season.

The flanker has played 102 times for Ulster and has been capped 35 times by Ireland. He toured South Africa with the British and Irish Lions in 2009.

Commenting on the contract extension, Ulster’s Director of Rugby, David Humphreys, said: ‘Stephen has had a difficult year with the injuries that he has suffered, but when he is fit, there is no doubt that he is one of the best back-row forwards in the game.

‘Stephen is passionate about playing for Ulster and Ireland and our aim in giving him this contract extension is to provide him with the best possible care to enable him to get back playing.’

Speaking about his new deal with Ulster, Stephen Ferris said: ‘I am delighted that I can continue my recovery and rehab from injury within the Ulster Rugby set-up.

‘I believe that working with the medical team at Ulster, along with the excellent strength and conditioning coaches, offers me the best chance of regaining full fitness and of representing Ulster and Ireland again.’

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/11577.php

the_doctor199

.ak wrote: »

Doh, sorry I thought this season gone was his last?

One more season remaining (same for Afoa and Pienaar, I think).

.ak

the_doctor199 wrote: »

One more season remaining (same for Afoa and Pienaar, I think).

Has Afoa not gone back to NZ?

CIARAN_BOYLE

.ak wrote: »

Has Afoa not gone back to NZ?

He has one year left on his contract. Not sure he wants to finish the contract though. You know with his wife staying out there with the kids. He will follow through on the contract though.

.ak

Is he trying to do something like finding another NZ prop to replace his contract or something? Or was that just made up?

ongarite

So 6 month contract for Ferris, basically up to when he is back from injury bar another setback.
I imagine the IRFU will look to extend that if medical results are good.

awec

.ak wrote: »

Is he trying to do something like finding another NZ prop to replace his contract or something? Or was that just made up?

I had heard that yes. He wants to go but will stay unless he can find someone of similar ability to replace him.