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

Deramore

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123937726#Comment_123937726

No there was an email on Wednesday that said “We are currently awaiting ticketing information from the Toyota Cheetahs, which will we communicated to supporters at the earliest convenience.”

bilston

Anyone know why we played the Lions away this season when we played them away last season as well? Is it not meant to be one year home, the next away unless it's an Inter Pro in which case it's home and away?

Other side of the coin is that we play the Stormers at home again this season after having played them at home last season as well.

Jump_In_Jack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123939710#Comment_123939710

The fixtures are done in two-year batches.

This is the 5th year, so it’s a new batch. That means the teams at home this season will be away next season, and away this season will be at home next season.

big-al

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123936346#Comment_123936346

Tom Stewart at 7 didn’t work, for most of the final 10 minutes we had a backrow of McCormick, Stewart and Rea .

shouldn’t be a surprise that Ulster faded badly (climate not balling them either obviously)

FtD v2

Ulster Rugby have announced Rory Best is the new General Manager for the province.

https://www.irishrugby.ie/2025/10/29/ulster-rugby-welcomes-rory-best-as-new-general-manager/#:~:text=Ulster%20Rugby%20has%20today%20announced,the%20club's%20new%20General%20Manager.

In his new role, Rory will oversee rugby operations, player development, and performance pathways, bringing his vast experience, leadership qualities, and deep understanding of the club’s culture to the fore.

Paul Smeenus

Not sure whether that's a great call or just jobs for the boys.

bilston

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123945876#Comment_123945876

Was thinking the same, but I'm gping to be positive in that he should have good contacts when it comes to potential signings (assume this falls under "rugby operations"), I think he's also been working with the academy too so will have a good grasp of who is coming through and where the gaps are.

ionadnapóca

Its a strange appointment. Ulster need an experienced head to take over from Cunningham. Not someone who is learning on the job.

Who made the appointment? Hugh McCaughey or IRFU?

Paul Smeenus

I'm sceptical, but I do think getting a phone call form Rory Best to ask if you might come to Ulster is of a magnitude more enticing than a call from Bryn Cunningham. A Grandslam-winning Irish captain who also led the Ireland team to their first win over the All Blacks and went on two B&I tours, four World Cups, and has been involved in American and Fiji rugby set-ups. In an outward-facing capacity, he's absolute gold.

Our last experienced head was Jon Petrie, who as an absolute car crash.

Lost Ormond

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948179#Comment_123948179

I would assume it's both mccaughey and irfu. Could be a good move but yeah ulster probably would be better off with more experienced head and best involved in set up with progression plan to move into role in few years time

Paul Smeenus

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c93d9ejlzv1o

ionadnapóca

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948384#Comment_123948384

Probably. Which then would mean McCaughey is staying on as CEO. I thought he was leaving.

https://www.irishrugby.ie/2024/08/05/hugh-mccaughey-to-continue-as-ulster-rugby-ceo/

Paul Smeenus

It was only a year extension I thought? Why does Rory's appointment imply he's staying?

To be clear, I would love him to stay on. He has done an absolutely fantastic job in righting the ship. Gave a sensible, realistic timeframe for improving our finances, and is notably ahead of schedule. If he continues in this vein, it will be one of the most noteworthy jobs done in the Irish rugby set-up for a while.

bilston

Just in the safety of the Ulster thread I thought I'd mention how made up I was for McCloskey last night. He was excellent, his best performance for Ireland and maybe he has just nailed down the 12 jersey for the Australia and SA matches and beyond. It was great to see him finally deliver a performance that we Ulster fans have known he was capable of if ever given a chance. The only downside being that he was hooked after 50 odd minutes which I assume (hope!) was a premeditated move rather than a reflection of his performance.

On Hendy, I see him getting a bit of stick on the Ireland thread, I thought he actually carried really well last night, obviously he was part of a malfunctioning lineout (a problem for Ulster too this season), albeit those issues were apparent before he was even on the pitch. I still think he has something in him, but he'll never have the dynamism of McCarthy now or Edogbo when he eventually breaks through.

FtD v2

McCloskey was excellent. The most physical player on the field for the first 45 mins or so. He was skittling guys in contact and making huge hits. Apparently he was injured, hopefully not badly as I’d love to see him continue in that shirt for at least this series.

I didn’t think Henderson was particularly poor, certainly not compared to the levels of abuse he’s getting on the Ireland thread. He was getting grief for stuff like that farcical incident where Brousset called tackle, and the All Black carried it for another 20m then and Henderson ultimately was penalised I think.

mfceiling

Still no word on the tickets for the Amsterdam Cheetah's game tickets?

I've booked my flights but I'm hesitant to book a hotel before knowing I'm guaranteed a ticket.