Ulster Team Talk Thread IV... Go On My Henderson...

ionadnapóca

I would like to see Hume get called in to the Ireland squad this summer.

molloyjh

I would have like to see Hume get called up in the Autumn. We don't have a Ringrose-type player to back up, well, Ringrose. Addison is class, but cannot be relied upon to be fit available and Hume has been pretty good any time I've seen him (and I've seen relatively little really). This is a perfect opportunity to get a look at him and have him start vs USA.

Paul Smeenus

Three forwards, seven backs in the U20s.

That's 3 out of 19 forwards, 7 out of 15 backs. Our talent production is so skewed.

Forwards:
George Saunderson (Sullivan Upper School/Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
Harry Sheridan (Sullivan Upper School/Dublin University FC/Ulster)
Reuben Crothers (Wallace High School/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)

Backs:
Conor McKee (Sullivan Upper School/Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
Nathan Doak (Wallace High School/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
James Humphreys (Dean Close School/Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
Ben Carson (Wallace High School/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
Ben Moxham (Larne High School/Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
Conor Rankin (Campbell College Belfast/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
Jude Postlethwaite (RBAI/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)

Doak and Moxham both have two senior caps, I think?

Crothers, Carson and Postlethwaite all U19.

No Tom Stewart?


A worrying rumour on UAFC that Nakarawa has failed his medical. I really hope we get a replacement if so.

theVersatile

Nakarawa failed medical confirmed

https://twitter.com/UlsterRugby/status/1402962882267172868?s=19

sydthebeat

Ulster got away with one there I feel

thomond2006

sydthebeat wrote: »

Ulster got away with one there I feel

Based on the limited times I saw Nakarawa this season, I agree.

awec

How bizarre. I am hoping this was not the first medical on him by us.

Paul Smeenus

So as it stands, 1 NIQ next season - Sam Carter?

CMcsporty

Surreal. His medical report must have read "knackered"

Clegg

Ulster are better off. They're down a body but might have a chance of recruiting someone better. With all respect to Nakarawa he was a world class player once, but his form has fallen off a cliff in recent years. He played against Leinster soon after the Ulster signing announcement was made and he was the worst player in the pitch. Had none of the aggression in the carry or offloading ability that won him European Player of the Year back in 2018. Looks unfit and slow.

Hey boy

Is Tom Stewart injured?

Former Former Former

CMcsporty wrote: »

Surreal. His medical report must have read "knackered"

Or "not arsed"...

FACECUTTR

theVersatile wrote: »

Nakarawa failed medical confirmed

https://twitter.com/UlsterRugby/status/1402962882267172868?s=19

Might be a blessing in disguise. I'm sure there are a few 8s available now in the SH.

jacothelad

Leone Knackered

Locke_Lamora

Delighted for Moxham and Postlewaite, thought them playing 7's might have hinted at them being surplus to requirements - especially Postlewaite as he's u19 and hasn't played much senior rugby. Liked what I saw of him so far anyway, not the quickest but he's definitely strong and very skillful. There were a couple of decent older centres that missed out so the coaches must like him. Think I previously predicted moxham would struggle to make the sqaud so I was wrong on that, good for him.

Not convinced from what I've seen of Carson and Doak but both have a bit of hype around them.

Would love for one or two of the forwards to come good because we're desperate. Tom stewart has had a rotten year with injury, which must be why he's absent.

sydthebeat

jacothelad wrote: »

Leone Knackered

2/10 jaco.. not to your usual standards !!

launish116

Not sure to laugh or cry now.

Awaits for the no signings required we’ll stick with youth media update.

awec

launish116 wrote: »

Not sure to laugh or cry now.

Awaits for the no signings required we’ll stick with youth media update.

Going to be building toward that "next season" that never seems to arrive.

In reality without some money being spent we aren't going to win anything next year.

Paul Smeenus

“Further updates on the 2021/22 season squad will be released in due course"

Hopefully they pull something out of the bag. Just in terms of numbers of bodies, as much as anything.

awec

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

“Further updates on the 2021/22 season squad will be released in due course"

Hopefully they pull something out of the bag. Just in terms of numbers of bodies, as much as anything.

Yea, but the concern I have is it's very late to be going shopping.

bilston

awec wrote: »

Yea, but the concern I have is it's very late to be going shopping.

Bargain bucket stock is still left.

Dubinusa

Ulster dodged a bullet. They still should be able to pick someone up. At worst, McCann will see plenty of minutes next season.

Paul Smeenus

Ironically, seems that Allison is gone.

Dubinusa

Where too? He didn't break through and I think he had some injuries.

Paul Smeenus

Dubinusa wrote: »

Where too? He didn't break through and I think he had some injuries.

Yeah, I thought he night be getting a fourth year in the Academy, which they do occasionally when injury has been an issue, but heard on the Ulster rugby podcast he's gone.

bilston

Feels like Ulster have dropped the ball a bit over the last few months both on and off the pitch. All sorts of reasons for that, but this break now is exactly what everyone needs.

launish116

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Yeah, I thought he night be getting a fourth year in the Academy, which they do occasionally when injury has been an issue, but heard on the Ulster rugby podcast he's gone.

Argh! Looked good at U20! Was really hoping he’d make it!

Dread to think who they will scramble for now!

bilston

Great numbers in the Ireland U20s set up...albeit it is a big squad.

I'm interested to see Harry Sheridan and Jude Postlewaite.

Shame Tom Stewart didn't make it. I assume he isn't fit, or not match fit anyway. Might do no harm for him to get another couple of months of. He's played in an U20 6Ns already so getting him ready for next season may be more important.

bilston

launish116 wrote: »

Argh! Looked good at U20! Was really hoping he’d make it!

Dread to think who they will scramble for now!

Back row options at the moment

Matthew Rea
Greg Jones
Marcus Rea
Sean Reidy
Jordi Murphy
Nick Timoney
David McCann

Anyone else?

Harry Sheridan and Reuben Crothers in the Academy

We definitely need someone to come in.

Paul Smeenus

bilston wrote: »

Back row options at the moment

Matthew Rea
Greg Jones
Marcus Rea
Sean Reidy
Jordi Murphy
Nick Timoney
David McCann

Anyone else?

Harry Sheridan and Reuben Crothers in the Academy

We definitely need someone to come in.

Definitely the most shallow stretch of the squad. And in the traditional fudge - second row to blindside - the only player who really looked comfortable was Henderson.

We need more bodies there, be they world-beaters or journeymen.

Given the upskill in our forwards, in their handling, awareness and off-loading, I would kill for a prime Nick Williams right now.