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

Paul Smeenus

Here we go.

Ulster v Hollywoodbets Sharks, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Round 12, BKT United Rugby Championship, Saturday 23 March, KO 1pm UK/Ireland time

(15-9) Will Addison, Ethan McIlroy, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Mike Lowry, Billy Burns, John Cooney;

(1-8) Steven Kitshoff, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson (C), Harry Sheridan, David McCann, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Matty Rea, Nathan Doak, Jude Postlethwaite, Sean Reffell.

Like the look of that team, although what is up with Baloucoune I have no idea. Few youngsters in there as well. Murphy seemed to be a fan of Sheridan at U20s.

ulsteru20s

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121913753#Comment_121913753

I don't love that idea but i can see why ireland want it. Puts a lot of pressure on Wilson.

launish116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121925841#Comment_121925841

Hopefully Sheridan can't be left to lock down blindside now.

Clegg

Both Sharks and Ulster have been hilariously bad. Missed tackles, poor passes, knock ons the lot. Breakdown tie over everywhere because neither side knows how to protect a ruck.

Shehal

The most Sharks try ever, Ulster knock on, Sharks kick the ball down field, win the chase and score...

bingobango12

Was that Addison jogging back? Looked like a prop after doing 60 minutes running back there.

Locke_Lamora

Will Addison having a casual stroll back as the sharks fly past him

Shehal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121930511#Comment_121930511

Why would he bust a gut, he know's he wont be dropped no matter how badly he plays and it shows.

Shehal

Whitehouse gives Sharks a try for touching it with his stomach, **** go home Whithouse you big homer!

Ferris, I know you want to say every decision the ref gives for Sharks is okay in an attempt to look neutral but please do get f**cked for you're own self respect's sake....

Shehal

Ulster score a try! Tbh that is an absolute penalty against Ulster from Sheridan at the ruck but poetic justice after the laughable try the Sharks were given.

Burkie1203

That hand to the face should have been checked properly

Clegg

Jesus Christ.

Ulster catch a lineout on their own 5m line, drop the ball in the transfer, but the Sharks knock on on the process of crossing the try line.

Clegg

Ulster just the second side to lose to Sharks this season.

So poor in every aspect of the game.

bingobango12

Whoever gets that Ulster head coach job at the end of the season has a massive job on their hands. Looked absolutely clueless today.

StormForce13

Is Hume auditioning for MMA or is he merely extremely sexually frustrated?

He appears to believe that he won't get paid unless he starts a row (normally over little or nothing) in every bloody game that he plays - drives me mad.😡

Shehal

Ulster lost to a side who's attacking game plan is kick the ball down field and chase after it 😂😂

Rugbymad2020

Kitshoff going back to Stormers.just been told from one of the Stormers coaches.waiting to hear on when tho

Locke_Lamora

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121931489#Comment_121931489

I'm guessing this is why I've seen a couple of puff pieces about Tom O'Toole learning loosehead. Are we really so broke that we don't want a world cup winner to see out his contract? There was a rumour that McCloskey had the go-ahead to leave as well before we called it off at the last minute as well. I get that we need to cut costs but surely this is getting to there has to be some sort of plan to build a competitive squad?

Rugbymad2020

I think it’s more him homesick,was the same when he had a stint in France

Pete_Cavan

Maybe Ulster are getting a release fee (plus saving a pile in wages) for Kitshoff so have decided that they can keep McCloskey now.

launish116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121931954#Comment_121931954

losing either isn't great, but our prop depth....

Genuinely why wouldn't any coach want to come to Ulster

Pete_Cavan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121932025#Comment_121932025

If Kitshoff is leaving, presumably EOS gets renewed. If Kitshoff wants to go back to SA, better to let him go and save on his wages. Wouldn't surprise me if he left before the end of the season.

Dubinusa

Ulster are dire! Richie Murphy has an awful lot to do.

Paul Smeenus

Think I got eye-plague from watching that game. Woejus. If Kitchsoff wants to go, and someone will pay for him for an early release,take it, and get an NIQ 10. Do it now.

There is one positive. 21 year old Scott Wilson quietly and adeptly handled Ox Niche (both off the bench) with zero fuss.

It doesn't change the fact that the game was a dull mistake-fest that made me start reading brochures for Dignitas.

But God almighty, if Oli Jager had performed that way against a man wisely considered to be the most destructive LH prop in the world, we'd be hearing about it for the next decade. Well done Scottie.

Rugbyf565

If the rumours about Doak moving to fly half are true he can kiss his career goodbye because that’s a dead end. If I were Andy Farrell I’d be ringing up Ulster rugby and demanding they start Doak at 9 every game and bench Cooney. This just isn’t sustainable anymore, Doak is not a fly half.

StevenToast

I like Steven Kitschoff... but what a shìt signing....

jacothelad

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121935122#Comment_121935122

Cooney is a far better player...at 9 and 10 than Doak. Why would he be dropped?

Rugbyf565

To Develop the youth at a position which Ireland has poor depth.

Happyhouse22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121935637#Comment_121935637

Brings up an interesting point- if the Irish system has quotas for NIQs should the provinces also have quotas for non international IQ players in their 30s?

If the goal is to provide and develop players for the national team then do aging players who haven’t played for Ireland in years (or never) really aid this?

ulsteru20s

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121935691#Comment_121935691

Jackman talked about this on a podcast. Its tricky because you don't want to go too far down the alley of the provinces just being feeder teams for the national team. Like, you still want to win.