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

launish116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123469361#Comment_123469361

That is my fear, him and a heavy second row would be nice

pickarooney

Maybe entice Spicer up

Paul Smeenus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123469516#Comment_123469516

Not convinced another young player with a potentially high ceiling and little actual experience is what we need, whatever size he is.

launish116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123469685#Comment_123469685

He was very very good against Ireland last Summer!

But it's Ulster all over, paper over the cracks with one big signing rather than giving the tight 5 a decent prop & 2nd row.

launish116

Rags confirming it now, please please give us a 2nd row, not even a champions cup quality, just a heavy South African Grunt and we would have a serious pack.

Paul Smeenus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123469869#Comment_123469869

I was referring to Pickarooney's idea of Spicer coming up. Bell is an absolutely tremendous player.

typhoony

Great signing and it's also only a matter of time before the academy system starts to improve Ulster's form

Scythica

In terms of what we need, not sold but glad my rumour sources are legit.

In terms of profile signing and show of endorsement, huge. Will be a starter v the lions this summer etc and bring a very different skillset for us.

Psteve232

Aidan Morgan leaving

https://ulster.rugby/content/aidan-morgan-to-leave-ulster-rugby?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwKahXtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHlMQc7euH1TXCyVFGpCeeFyTMaxbdCgowS24ty-p1Nb4FCvwXj5Q-7VltNdR_aem_QcH-cNE_aGzN9z4i1DI8RA

sydthebeat

https://ulster.rugby/content/aidan-morgan-to-leave-ulster-rugby?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwKahXtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHlMQc7euH1TXCyVFGpCeeFyTMaxbdCgowS24ty-p1Nb4FCvwXj5Q-7VltNdR_aem_QcH-cNE_aGzN9z4i1DI8RA

fixed your link

Paul Smeenus

Pinching every penny.

launish116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123470222#Comment_123470222

Might be some truth in Frawley? Though the article highlights we have 3 fly-half in the early 20s to focus on.

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123470265#Comment_123470265

id imagine its the fact hes been unexpectedly usurped by a younger irish out half this season. Murphy and Flannery going into next season, with Lowry as a break glass?

Leinster will have Prendergast, H Byrne and Frawley (with Gabriel as a year two academy player). Tector looks to be a center at this stage. Prendergast will be off with Ireland for much of the season hopefully, so i don't think Leinster can actually afford to let Frawley go.

awec

Morgan was worth a punt but it didn't work out. Presumably he was more expensive than the local options so good to get him off the books.

Our situation at 10 is very inexperienced.

big-al

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123469931#Comment_123469931

hopefully. The current u19/u20 year groups aside, the academy/underage sides are producing considerably better players in recent seasons than between 2010-2019.

current u18 champions and this summers u18 group beat Munster away from home recently, so they will also be competitive.

Ben Bailey

from the Irish Times :

Ulster sign Australian prop Angus Bell on short-term contract

Waratahs frontrow will link up with Irish province after November Tests.

bilston

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123470016#Comment_123470016

We desperately need a loosehead prop, with him at loosehead we have a decent pack. Not that they will play much at the same time!

Paul Smeenus

Ulster Senior Squad finalised.

The squad make-up consists of 41 fully contacted senior players, with 2 Development players. 32 players are a product of the Ulster Rugby Player Pathway.

Ulster Rugby Senior Men’s Squad 2025/26

Iain Henderson* (Captain) (IQ)

John Andrew* (IQ)

Juarno Augustus

Rob Baloucoune*(IQ)

Angus Bell

Ben Carson* (IQ)

Sam Crean (IQ)

Matthew Dalton* (IQ)

Nathan Doak* (IQ)

Jake Flannery (IQ)

Rob Herring (IQ)

Joe Hopes* (IQ)

James Hume* (IQ)

James Humphreys* (IQ)

Charlie Irvine* (IQ)

Cormac Izuchukwu* (IQ)

Werner Kok

Mike Lowry* (IQ)

David McCann* (IQ)

James McCormick* (IQ)

Stuart McCloskey* (IQ)

Rory McGuire (IQ)

Conor McKee* (IQ)

Ethan McIlroy* (IQ)

Lorcan McLoughlin* (IQ)

James McNabney* (IQ)

Stewart Moore* (IQ)

Ben Moxham* (IQ)

Jack Murphy (IQ)

Bryan O’Connor (IQ)

Eric O’Sullivan* (IQ)

Tom O’Toole* (IQ)

Jude Postlethwaite* (IQ)

Marcus Rea* (IQ)

Sean Reffell (IQ)

Callum Reid* (IQ)

David Shanahan* (IQ)

Harry Sheridan* (IQ)

Tom Stewart* (IQ)

Jacob Stockdale* (IQ)

Nick Timoney* (IQ)

Zac Ward (IQ)

Scott Wilson* (IQ)

* denotes players developed through the Ulster Rugby Player Pathway – with (IQ) listed beside Irish-Qualified players. Development players are in italics.

Paul Smeenus

LOOSEHEAD PROP

Angus Bell (2nd half of season)

Callum Reid

Eric O’Sullivan

Sam Crean

HOOKER

Rob Herring

Tom Stewart

John Andrew

James McCormick

TIGHTHEAD PROP

Tom O’Toole

Scott Wilson

Rory McGuire

Bryan O’Connor

SECOND ROW

Iain Henderson

Cormac Izuchukwu

Harry Sheridan

Matthew Dalton

Joe Hopes (Development)

Charlie Irvine (Development)

FLANKERS

Nick Timoney

David McCann

Sean Reffell

Marcus Rea

Lorcan McLoughlin

NUMBER EIGHT

Juarno Augustus

James McNabney

SCRUMHALF

Nathan Doak

David Shanahan

Conor McKee

FLYHALF

Jack Murphy

Jake Flannery

James Humphreys

CENTRE

Stuart McCloskey

James Hume

Jude Postlethwaite

Ben Carson

WINGER

Jacob Stockdale

Rob Baloucoune

Werner Kok

Mike Lowry

Zac Ward

Ben Moxham

FULLBACK

Ethan McIlroy

Stewart Moore

bilston

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123475477#Comment_123475477

It's not terrible by any means. It's arguably more balanced in terms of a spread of talent than it has been in theast 2 years or so. The signings of Bell and Augustus look pretty tidy efforts, so fair play to Bryn who cops a bit of flak.

We need a lot of luck with injuries, much luckier than we have been of late. Also Doak and Murphy need to be very good as well. It will be interesting to see what effect Mark Sexton has on our attack.

jacothelad

We simply don't have a 9 or 10 that are good enough. Murphy is o.k. Flannery is not great and Humphreys is meh. Doak is funereally slow. He has skills but continents move faster. Shanahan is more like a pet. McKee might be o.k. Both 15s are below standard. They have different skill sets. McIlroy is simply too slow and Stewart Moore is a centre. Again, make do and mend even before the season even starts. Another season possibly on the skids before a ball has been kicked.

awec

Half back is a huge area of concern there. When was the last time we had such a weak depth chart there?

Paul Smeenus

Just watching the Richie Murphy video sent out to season ticket holders.

End of the season was "unacceptable".

Angus Bell coming in early December.

Four new members of the Athletic Performance team.

Lukas Kenny, Ethan Graham and Bryn Ward name-checked as doing well. Ward probably would have gotten a run out if not for a broken leg.

There were 13 new caps this season, including 5 guys from the Academy.

Paul Smeenus

Niall Annette and Jonathon Graham appointed Elite Player Development Officers.

Good to have someone of Niall's status and respect in the role.

ShineyShiney

It's hard to accept that success next season is top 8 when you're used to being closer to the pointy end of the table. I think this squad is good enough for 6-8th and there aren't too many would fancy Ulster in a knockout game.

Murphy seems to have added quality and experience in 2 key areas but I feel the season could hinge on the fitness of a few of the stalwarts like Henderson, herring, McCloskey and Stockdale. These guys are really needed to bring the young guys through. I would have liked to see a seasoned 15 added.

Utah_Saint

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123499266#Comment_123499266

A Jarred Payne type sign would be fantastic. Added to a big lump of a tighthead lock.

bilston

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123499266#Comment_123499266

Totally agree about 15. Ethan McIlroy is the one I feel most confident about back there but he may not be back this side of Christmas, yes Mike can spark some decent counter attacks but his size is always a concern unfortunately.

We'll see how our youngsters develop next season, but I think our squad depth is a problem. The starting XV is fairly strong if they are ever all fit and available at the same time, albeit question marks at 9 and 10. Will Doak take ownership now Cooney is gone? Can Murphy continue to develop? There isn't much after those guys.

awec

McMillan at Munster, Nienaber at Leinster, Lancaster at Connacht.

It definitely seems like we are being short changed by the IRFU when it comes to coaching. I absolutely back Murphy but our overall ticket is definitely the budget version compared to everyone else now.

shimmieandshake

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123510652#Comment_123510652

Rumours that Jared Payne will be joining Lancaster in Connacht on the coaching ticket… that would also be galling from an Ulster POV.

Paul Smeenus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123510652#Comment_123510652

I don't normallly worry about that sort of thing, but the difference is stark. Maybe it's the difference between Nucifora and Humphreys being in charge?