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

Jump_In_Jack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119000278#Comment_119000278

Because there are two teams from the URC left in the Heineken Cup that could advance to a semi final that weekend.

Also, some of those sides with nothing to play for are playing off postponed matches over the next 2 weekends.

bilston

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119000278#Comment_119000278

I can't see the Scarlets beating the Stormers...I know they're at home but have they anything to play for?

Not sure how European qualification works? Maybe they still have a chance of that which might spur them on a bit. Welsh regional is an absolute disaster at the moment, worse than its ever been.

Dubinusa

Good win! Delighted to see a response from Ulster. They will need to grab the bull by the horns v Sharks. They can win and there should be no excuse.

It's like a knock out match for them. A win secures a home qf. They should be fully prepped and rarin to go!

Digifriendly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119000842#Comment_119000842

Top of Welsh conference qualifies for Champions Cup and as Ospreys can catch Scarlets, the latter have still a lot to play for.

Also S. African teams have struggled away from home so far.

Agree re Welsh teams. Dragons and Cardiff in particular have been poor. They should be merged IMHO.

launish116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119004405#Comment_119004405

Cardiff have quite a few big names joining next season do they not?

Though I agree, merging of Welsh teams would have helped. Scottish teams have a few good signings as well. Feels like we don't and the rest are catching up.

salmocab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119004744#Comment_119004744

Oddly I’m not sure the Welsh issue is quality of player really, I don’t think having 3 teams or even 2 would do much for them, maybe move them up a bit but I think they have big issues that Gatland was able to cover up by getting so much out of players and systems.

Dubinusa

The signing season isn't over yet. Maybe Ulster can get another couple of signings. The squad is good and deep, they have performed well, imo. The glaring weakness is at out half. After Burns.... they are weak. Flannery could be a nice pick up! They certainly need to be looking for more depth. But, most sides do.

RichieRich_89

Maybe they can get Paddy Jackson to black up (again) and sign him with him using a fake name. Jaddy Packson into the team at 10.

Digifriendly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119005724#Comment_119005724

Paddy playing very well at London Irish so they would be reluctant to let him go. He is very consistent and IMHO better all round than Billy Burns.

RichieRich_89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119008296#Comment_119008296

I haven't seen any of him lately, but better all round than Billy Burns? Well, duh...

Former Former Former

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119008296#Comment_119008296

I'm not sure it matters what London Irish think. In terms of former Ulster out-halves, a return for Jack Kyle is more likely than for Paddy Jackson.

Paul Smeenus

Folks, he wasn't making a serious suggestion; he just wanted to remind everyone that there's pictures of Paddy Jackson in blackface.

Utah_Saint

Does anyone know why D McCann hasn't been in senior match day squad? Was he injured?

I see he's playing for A's

Dubinusa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119027948#Comment_119027948

Jordi returns from injury? I'd reckon he isn't trusted enough yet. The back row is deep. Vermuellen and Timoney obviously start, with Jordi with them or on the bench. Then there's the Rea's. His time will come soon enough.

launish116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119028022#Comment_119028022

UAFC mentioned he's been told to focus on his carrying.

bilston

Judging by the match report on the A game on the Ulster website Shea O'Brien seems to have gone well at FB.

Paul Smeenus

He seems to be pretty good. Had hoped Sexton might have been more noteworthy.

RichieRich_89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119027948#Comment_119027948

Because McFarland is being very conservative in how quickly he's bringing him through.

Work on his carrying. Pah! Josh van der Flier wouldn't have broken through till 18 months ago if selectors had taken the same attitude with him.

TRC10

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119034897#Comment_119034897

McFarland is anything but conservative. He's shown consistently over his tenure, that he'll select who he thinks is best regardless of age. Doak, McIlroy and Moxham all got regular game time and started European games straight out of 20s when he could easily have stuck with older, more experienced guys. So if McCann isn't playing he obviously has a reason for it. Did he not also give Lowry his debut in a H Cup match when he was just 20?

van der Flier is a 7, carrying isn't his primary role. Ball carrying is literally the main job of a number 8. If McCann's carrying is weak, that's something he needs to improve if he's to ever make it.

Dubinusa

McAnn is still young. No need to be worried about his minutes. He will get opportunities next season. Vermuelen playing automatically decreased his minutes.

bilston

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119041086#Comment_119041086

I still would have expected McCann to have got a few minutes here and there. I think actually the emergence of Marcus Rea this season is probably a bigger factor in his lack of minutes than the arrival of Vermuelen.

Rea has been outstanding and to be honest has as much right to be part of the conversation for the NZ tour as some other young back rows being mentioned in dispatches.

Actually I'd say Rea has been the breakthrough player of the season....actually that's not true, Doak has been, but we saw that coming a mile off, not so much with Rea.

awec

I always mix the Rea's up.

The good one is Marcus right? He's the younger one?

Paul Smeenus

That's the one. Serious, if overdue, breakthrough for him

Locke_Lamora

Conor rankin seems to have left the academy. Not sure where he's heading.

Dubinusa

Massive match upcoming! I fancy Ulster and think they'll be ready to go. A home qf would be ideal.

Lsdrugbyfan

The Ulster Rugby Medical Performance team has issued a squad update ahead of Friday’s United Rugby Championship fixture against Cell C Sharks at Kingspan Stadium.

The following players are currently unavailable for selection due to injury:

Jack McGrath (hip)

Will Addison (lower leg)

Jacob Stockdale (ankle)

Cormac Izuchukwu (shoulder)

Greg Jones (thumb)

Marty Moore (concussion)

Tom Stewart (hamstring)

Stuart McCloskey sustained a groin injury in the recent URC win against Edinburgh. His availability for selection for the Cell C Sharks game will be monitored through training this week.

Paul Smeenus

Problem is TH - with O'Toole banned, we're looking at Milasinovich and Kane.

No issue with Moore coming in for McCloskey if needs be. Presumably it means Hendo is ready to rock. When did he last play for Ulster without going off injured?

awec

Said it already, a league final is the absolute minimum this year. Given how flaky our team is, we absolutely have to win this one to get a home knockout game.

Paul Smeenus

Apparently O'Toole has served his ban and is available, Hendo might still be injured.

I had forgotten all about him, but would be delighted to see Marshall slot into 12 - I seem to recall him going well before with Hume. Much more likely to get a nice grubber through with Luke than Big Stu.

Paul Smeenus

KOTH on T'Other Forum saying McCloskey starts