Ulster Team Talk Thread III: Les Miserables SEE MOD WARNING POST #1924 + #2755

MJohnston

Brewster wrote: »

What are standards you refer to though?? As I say, the txts were private, and had circumstances been different they would never have come to light. They got drunk, sexual activity occurred, and they privately bragged about it. Is this what the IRFU is passing judgement on?

We can't discuss the details of the trial, so we can't answer you.

stephen_n

If this thread and the supposed social media **** storm (don't have twitter or FB anymore), are anything to go by. The IRFU and Ulster rugby are in a very hard place, as this is a massively divisive issue and that impacts directly on both brands.

People can have their opinions of what went on and will view that based on their own moral outlook. One things for sure, 5 peoples lives have been fairly damaged by this incident. It's hard to see how any of them can remain in Belfast after this amount of coverage in the media. For that reason alone I don't think that the IRFU or Ulster will have final say here, I think both players will probably move abroad.

Brewster

MJohnston wrote: »

We can't discuss the details of the trial, so we can't answer you.

I think we are allowed to discuss issues pertaining to why or why not the IRFU should back them? I could be wrong though....

MJohnston

Brewster wrote: »

I think we are allowed to discuss issues pertaining to why or why not the IRFU should back them? I could be wrong though....

Can't do that without discussing details of the trial, plainly.

joseywhales

I think we've almost tired ourselves out in one day, I feel like this will be forgotten by next year

bilston

stl.ire wrote: »

Both are out of contract at the end of the season right?
Can see them being kept out for fitness or something until their contracts are up and then let leave.
Big headache if the play or sign a new deal.

Pretty sure Jackson signed a 2 year contract about this time last year.

bilston

Maybe Ulster will test the waters in the last game or two of the season and pick them. That gives them room to manoeuvre based on the reaction. If it is really bad then they have the summer to work out how to release them and let them move on. If it goes ok then the worst of it may be over and by next season people will have moved on.

Ireland is different. I detect (on social media only) a lot more hostility to them from some down south. I'm not sure I can see them playing for Ireland again anytime soon. That may impact on whether Ulster keep them.

The Black Stags

bilston wrote: »

stl.ire wrote: »

Both are out of contract at the end of the season right?
Can see them being kept out for fitness or something until their contracts are up and then let leave.
Big headache if the play or sign a new deal.

Pretty sure Jackson signed a 2 year contract about this time last year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39132828
March 2017..  he was given a new contract deal after being arrested in 2016. Maybe they didn't think it would go to trial then? Anyway..
I do think the Ulster supports will be more forgiving than the rest of the Island as you said. Don't know if they will test the waters by letting them play this season though.

ClanofLams

bilston wrote: »

Maybe Ulster will test the waters in the last game or two of the season and pick them. That gives them room to manoeuvre based on the reaction. If it is really bad then they have the summer to work out how to release them and let them move on. If it goes ok then the worst of it may be over and by next season people will have moved on.

Ireland is different. I detect (on social media only) a lot more hostility to them from some down south. I'm not sure I can see them playing for Ireland again anytime soon. That may impact on whether Ulster keep them.

I think it's largely gender based rather than location based, certainly seems to be the majority from what I have seen. I saw different female Ulster supporters tweeting today that they would never attend a match again if either were selected for Ulster. I wasn't sure how seriously to take such statements but when I looked at their historic tweets they had photos at Ulster games etc so were genuine fans.

Former Former

joseywhales wrote: »

I think we've almost tired ourselves out in one day, I feel like this will be forgotten by next year

I really don't think so but whether it's forgotten about or when it dies down will depend heavily on what IRFU do next. This is potentially a PR nightmare.

Chex LeMeneux

On the (possible) need for a new OH, is there any point at looking at getting Steenson to come back. Being IQ would be a big plus for the IRFU so they should have no problem sanctioning it. He's probably the most talented IQ player playing abroad at the minute. I admit to having no idea about his contract in Exeter but it could be a great opportunity to get him back in an Irish set up with the carrot of a WC around the corner (likely his last chance).

Brewster

Chex LeMeneux wrote: »

On the (possible) need for a new OH, is there any point at looking at getting Steenson to come back. Being IQ would be a big plus for the IRFU so they should have no problem sanctioning it. He's probably the most talented IQ player playing abroad at the minute. I admit to having no idea about his contract in Exeter but it could be a great opportunity to get him back in an Irish set up with the carrot of a WC around the corner (likely his last chance).

Just signed a new corntract recently.
Will be interesting to see how long this review process lasts. It could take days, or weeks. Ulster could have a big play off game with ERC qualification on the line at the end of the season.

bilston

Chex LeMeneux wrote: »

On the (possible) need for a new OH, is there any point at looking at getting Steenson to come back. Being IQ would be a big plus for the IRFU so they should have no problem sanctioning it. He's probably the most talented IQ player playing abroad at the minute. I admit to having no idea about his contract in Exeter but it could be a great opportunity to get him back in an Irish set up with the carrot of a WC around the corner (likely his last chance).

He is 34 or 35.

irishfan9

steenson has no interest

Chex LeMeneux

Still playing at a very high level and playing well. Regardless a new contract will likely take him to retirement

Burkie1203

Rumour mill on Twitter suggests several clubs in England and France chasing PJ

Dubinusa

Not surprising. He'll do fine overseas but, his international career would probably end.

Zzippy

Would imagine he'll head off. His earning power here has taken a hit - while he may still command a good salary for playing rugby, his image rights are worth zilch in Ireland now, and employers here (IRFU/UR) face a PR nightmare when/if he plays for them again. Same goes for Olding.

Boscoirl

Heard both are premiership bound

prawnsambo

The word a good while ago was Exeter. Haven't heard anythiing to the contrary since.

MDunne14

Chex LeMeneux wrote: »

Still playing at a very high level and playing well. Regardless a new contract will likely take him to retirement

Playing at a High level on the bench for exeter

nc6000

Dubinusa wrote:

Not surprising. He'll do fine overseas but, his international career would probably end.

It's hard to see either of them playing for Ireland again.

Vinnie222

prawnsambo wrote: »

The word a good while ago was Exeter. Haven't heard anythiing to the contrary since.

Apparently deal done with London Irish , all will be known down the line

prawnsambo

Vinnie222 wrote: »

Apparently deal done with London Irish , all will be known down the line

That would be a surprise. LI are going nowhere except down and the prospects of going up again are diminishing rapidly.

torqtorq

Vinnie222 wrote: »

Apparently deal done with London Irish , all will be known down the line

Such nonsense.

Do you really think PJ will go anywhere near the very coach who is just possibily the worst coach Ulster have had in the past 10 years.

torqtorq

ClanofLams wrote: »

I think it's largely gender based rather than location based, certainly seems to be the majority from what I have seen. I saw different female Ulster supporters tweeting today that they would never attend a match again if either were selected for Ulster. I wasn't sure how seriously to take such statements but when I looked at their historic tweets they had photos at Ulster games etc so were genuine fans.

And I have seen female Ulster supporters posting that they will not buy season tickets if they do not play for Ulster.

CIARAN_BOYLE

I hope if Jackson does go that he publicly states that he did leaving because of not wanting to be in Ulster with the rampant media attention etc.

Podge_irl

Vinnie222 wrote: »

Apparently deal done with London Irish , all will be known down the line

Jackson is still under contract. There is no deal done with anyone.

Tigerandahalf

I doubt if both stay on. Jackson could be kept on as he is a needed asset to Irish rugby with the lack of depth at 10. Olding is more dispensable.
He hadn't nailed down a position that fitted his talents upto now.

However the irfu may be happy to let both go elsewhere. It would be interesting whether key sponsors have an input.

Hurrache

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

It would be interesting whether key sponsors have an input.

Fans have an input too. Remember internationals are big family day outs. Regardless of the verdict, their actions have not gone down well with many people, something the IRFU will be keen to remain disassociated with.