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

Paul Smeenus

Also, Rob Lyttle in wider squad for Exeter.

Welcome back, Rob!

awec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123058945#Comment_123058945

Good to see McNabney called up so quickly. Not usual for Ulster player's to get called up in their breakthrough seasons.

awec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123058266#Comment_123058266

It's bizarre in the sense that we've gone from basically letting O'Sullivan go for not being good enough to him staying for a further 3 years beyond that point.

launish116

What I find odd is Herring retires, Andrew only signed for 1 year. Leaves us with 2 senior hooks, 1 who has had injury issues. Makes me thing we haven't signed a hooker for 2026 surely?

Then again looking at Ulster's player management Re. o'Sullivan. Little etc nothing surprises me.

big-al

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123059558#Comment_123059558

probably pinning their hopes on Tom Stewart, James McCormick and then Henry walker at u20 level.

think Herring will have another 2 seasons in him.

RichieRich_89

I wonder why Scott Wilson doesn't make it - at least as a development player. I think it would have been the perfect opportunity to accelerate his development by exposing him to training with the big guns, especially with an 'A' game on the horizon. He's been under a bit of pressure in the scrum at times this season but I wouldn't have too many concerns long term. He looked very good in the scrum when he first broke through. Is he not a good enough tackler or does he not have enough ruck presence or something? I'm curious where the selectors think he's lacking.

awec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123059615#Comment_123059615

His only issue is the scrum.

Hey_Ho_Lets_Go_3

John McKee headed back north?

awec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123059651#Comment_123059651

I think this is a move that would make sense for all parties.

Paul Smeenus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123059691#Comment_123059691

I'd be very surprised.

He's not good enough. He's not as good as Herring, Stewart, possibly Andrew, possibly McCormick currently but certainly doesn't have the same ceiling, which is true of Walker as well.

Scythica

Ulster Team

15. Stewart Moore (73)

14. Werner Kok (11)

13. Ben Carson (8)

12. Jude Postlethwaite (21)

11. Michael Lowry (114)

10. Jack Murphy (3)

9. Nathan Doak (77)

 

1. Eric O’Sullivan (126)

2. Rob Herring (244)

3. Scott Wilson (24)

1. Iain Henderson (Capt) (160)

5. Cormac Izuchukwu (36)

6. James McNabney (11)

7. Nick Timoney (156)

8. David McCann (57)

 

Replacements:

16. Tom Stewart (47)

17. Callum Reid (20)

18. Corrie Barrett (6)

19. Kieran Treadwell (168)

20. Harry Sheridan (36)

21. John Cooney (147)

22. Jake Flannery (15)

23. Rob Lyttle (64)

About as strong as we could go. Lyttle back just proves he never should have been let go….

15 Harvey Skinner

14 Ben Hammersley

13 Joe Hawkins

12 Will Rigg

11 Paul Brown-Bampoe

10 Will Haydon-Wood

9 Niall Armstrong

1 Will Goodrick-Clarke

2 Jack Innard (c)

3 Josh Iosefa-Scott

4 Rusi Tuima

5 Christ Tshiunza

6 Martin Moloney

7 Richard Capstick

8 Ross Vintcent

Replacements:

16 Max Norey

17 Kwenzo Blose

18 Jimmy Roots

19 Jack Dunne

20 Lewis Pearson

21 Joe Bailey

22 Tom Cairns

23 Zack Wimbush

Exeter not quite throwing this, but this is far from a first choice team

awec

If we don't get anything from this game I would guess this would be the first time we ever end a euro campaign with 0 points.

So from that perspective getting something is important.

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123062271#Comment_123062271

Ah exeter are completely throwing this.

only 2 starters retained from last weeks 1st XV in the win over benetton, 6 of the 8 reserves from that game starting.

a back row at 4…. a 9 with 1 start this season…. academy players at 11, 21 and 23

Thats a very callow exeter line up

Utah_Saint

"...Thats a very callow exeter line up..."

Never underestimate Ulster's ability to find a defeat in the most unlikely of places...

launish116

Short term injury cover deal for Lyttle. An Dalton has re-signed.What has happened our academy locks?

ljsulster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123063512#Comment_123063512

Hopes and Irvine both move onto senior deals also. Treadwell and O’Connor likely away

launish116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123064011#Comment_123064011

Would see us lacking true experience and true 2nd rows. Sheridan and Izzy really aren't out & out second rows.

Paul Smeenus

Dalton getting another rattle as well. And James Humphreys moving into one year senior deal.

launish116

Can't deny the home grown approach!

Hey_Ho_Lets_Go_3

Richie didnt wait around with moving Jack up the depth chart at 10.

Paul Smeenus

Not undeserved, in fairness.

Scythica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123065111#Comment_123065111

Agreed, I had high hopes of Morgan after seeing him tear it up at Canes 2 seasons ago when he played. I think unfortunately his style doesn't suit sitting inbetween Doak and inexperienced centres at the moment.

Paul Smeenus

I wouldn't write him off - he's arrived at a time of massive upheaval and we haven't had any scintillating backs moves with anyone at ten this season. I suspect things will improve under Sextin next season, if he is indeed coming.

Jake Flannery is now our oldest outhalf at 25 - Morgan and Humphreys are 23, Murphy is 20. There's a hell of a lot of maturing and learning to be done amongst that bunch, as well as getting to grips with pressure in big games.

There'll be a lot of growing pains before whichever of them is capable of it comes good.

Scythica

Yeah I agree. With a full strength backline I think Morgan will come good. Albeit the same could be said for the rest I suppose. Ultimately depends on what our attacking structure is going to be in the future.

With Augustus coming we will absolutely be getting front foot ball off set piece, although with our current backrow stocks it almost seems a slight luxury signing again. I suppose Izzy will primarily be lock. Hopefully we have 1 or 2 more big lads coming in for the tight 5. Oh for the likes of a Muller again..

fitz

Not a great start against Exeter.

Clegg

WTF was that

Clegg

Wilson looked like he was ruck inspecting rather than filling in at pillar.

fitz

Oh my, that's poor.

Shehal

Ulster genuinely need to be studied, they have an amazing ability of making literally any side they play look good.

awec

the two years out have really affected Lyttle. He is seriously slow.