Ulster Team Talk Thread III: Les Miserables SEE MOD WARNING POST #1924 + #2755

Buer · 25-04-2018 07:19PM

So, Aviva Premiership...to the best of my Google ability as per below. I'm not going beyond the top 2 at each club.

Sale: McGinty has just signed a 4 year contract. James O'Connor is 1 year into a 3 year deal. No viable options.
Gloucester: Billy Burns signed a new deal last season. Unless it was only a 1 year deal, he's under contract. Getting plenty of game time and is Irish qualified. Still only 23. Definitely one that Munster or Ulster should be tracking. Owen Williams joined from Leicester last season. Supposedly on big money and under contract next season.
Leicester: George Ford supposedly 1 year into a 3 year deal. Will probably retire a Tiger after already leaving once. Matt Toomua is signed up until 2020.
Northampton: Piers Francis is under contract for next season. Stephen Myler is being released. Turns 34 this summer but one of the few in the AP that's available.
Saracens: Owen Farrell. Lads. Stop. Alex Lozowski is signed up until 2020.
Wasps: Danny Cipriani set to leave this summer. No destination confirmed. Jimmy Gopperth would be ideal if he was 2 years younger. But he's not. He's also apparently contracted for one last season.
Quins: Marcus Smith just signed a long term deal to make him the highest paid teenager in rugby history. Demetri Catrakillis only joined last summer in a contract of undisclosed length so unlikely to be available.
Newcastle: Toby Flood would be a good shout but has only returned to his boyhood club last summer and is likely under contract. He'll probably retire there. Joel Hodgson is his back up. Experienced campaigner. Don't know contract status but shouldn't be someone that interests Ulster.
Bath: Freddie Burns joined last summer and I believe is under contract next season. Rhys Priestland is under contract until 2019.
London Irish: James Marshall. Regardless of contract length, he's likely to have a relegation clause in his contract which makes him available. He's 29, plenty of Super Rugby experience and could be a genuine option although has played more at 15. I have no idea who the back up is at London Irish. Ulster shouldn't be interested in him whoever he is.
Worcester: They have a gaggle of outhalves that Ulster should run a mile from. When Duncan Weir is going to be a star for your team, you know your current options are poor.
Exeter: Gareth Steenson has recently signed an extension and will retire a Chief. Joe Simmonds has a year to run on his contract. Would be a great player to steal.

So, from that, it's Cipriani or Marshall from the AP. Not great choices. It would have to be Marshall for me but that's not saying much. Billy Burns is my most interesting candidate given he's Irish qualified and David Humphreys will at least answer the phone before telling Ulster to shag off.

I expect Ulster to end up with someone like Catrakillis though. He was an established Super Rugby outhalf before starting a lot of games for Montpellier in the T14. He's no world beater but he's solid enough and experienced. He's also South African which doesn't hurt when it comes to Ulster although that core group of South Africans is dwindling now.

Goes to highlight just how few top level outhalves there are and even fewer who are available.

Squidgy Black · 25-04-2018 07:30PM

If Jackson joined an AP team, there could potentially be a player available from the team he signs with.

In theory. Good chance it doesn't happen though, and the player that is available could be useless.

sydthebeat · 25-04-2018 08:02PM

Buer wrote: »

I expect Ulster to end up with someone like Catrakillis though. He was an established Super Rugby outhalf before starting a lot of games for Montpellier in the T14. He's no world beater but he's solid enough and experienced. He's also South African which doesn't hurt when it comes to Ulster although that core group of South Africans is dwindling now.

Goes to highlight just how few top level outhalves there are and even fewer who are available.

I've mentioned him a few times already but Lionel cronje might be a decent choice. Maybe not at catrakellis level but plenty of super rugby experience and an ulster move could be attractive to him to get a move back to SA.

launish116 · 25-04-2018 08:39PM

Lionel cronje (he’s jumped ship a lot?) Catrakellis be a good shout? Did Joseph Mogg ever play out half?

If Mallinder was appointed, do you think think Myler would follow? Shore things up till after RWC.

Anyone searching players, download Ultimate Rugby app! Worth a nosey. Been nosing at potential forwards on it.

jacothelad · 25-04-2018 08:57PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Ulster will 100% be allowed sign an NIQ at 10 as they had to remove 2 international (Irish capped) players from their squad at short notice, both of whom could play at 10 (one to a v high standard!).

" The IRFU would like one of Leinster pair Joey Carbery or Ross Byrne to move north and ease the load, following in the footsteps of John Cooney, Alan O'Connor and Nick Timoney.
Gibbes admitted fly-half is a position Ulster may need to strengthen but refused to comment on players under contract elsewhere.
"It's quite a big story but there's nothing official," said the Kiwi, who is set to return to his homeland in the off-season.

"I don't know what it's got to do with us. We work in a system where if we need to add to or supplement what we've got, we need to go to the IRFU for that.
"Their preference is always Irish qualified players, it's our job to help build Irish internationals. When they're not available you might look at a foreign player and that's in consultation with them, it's a partnership. That's what we do.
"It's a position we will look to add to and supplement. We've got some young guys in there, Angus (Curtis) has covered ten, Mike Lowry is behind and Johnny has been front and centre. On balance it's a position we would look to add to. We work with the union on how that's facilitated.
"Those guys (Carbery and Byrne) aren't in our conversations, they're Leo Cullen's responsibility, he's responsible for Leinster and Joe (Schmidt) is responsible for Ireland and making the national team as competitive as possible. We're not part of that situation."

prawnsambo · 25-04-2018 09:13PM

jacothelad wrote: »

" The IRFU would like one of Leinster pair Joey Carbery or Ross Byrne to move north and ease the load, following in the footsteps of John Cooney, Alan O'Connor and Nick Timoney.
Gibbes admitted fly-half is a position Ulster may need to strengthen but refused to comment on players under contract elsewhere.
"It's quite a big story but there's nothing official," said the Kiwi, who is set to return to his homeland in the off-season.

"I don't know what it's got to do with us. We work in a system where if we need to add to or supplement what we've got, we need to go to the IRFU for that.
"Their preference is always Irish qualified players, it's our job to help build Irish internationals. When they're not available you might look at a foreign player and that's in consultation with them, it's a partnership. That's what we do.
"It's a position we will look to add to and supplement. We've got some young guys in there, Angus (Curtis) has covered ten, Mike Lowry is behind and Johnny has been front and centre. On balance it's a position we would look to add to. We work with the union on how that's facilitated.
"Those guys (Carbery and Byrne) aren't in our conversations, they're Leo Cullen's responsibility, he's responsible for Leinster and Joe (Schmidt) is responsible for Ireland and making the national team as competitive as possible. We're not part of that situation."

Not sure why you're posting this? I'd hardly expect Gibbes to say anything else.

bilston · 25-04-2018 09:38PM

prawnsambo wrote: »

jacothelad wrote: »

" The IRFU would like one of Leinster pair Joey Carbery or Ross Byrne to move north and ease the load, following in the footsteps of John Cooney, Alan O'Connor and Nick Timoney.
Gibbes admitted fly-half is a position Ulster may need to strengthen but refused to comment on players under contract elsewhere.
"It's quite a big story but there's nothing official," said the Kiwi, who is set to return to his homeland in the off-season.

"I don't know what it's got to do with us. We work in a system where if we need to add to or supplement what we've got, we need to go to the IRFU for that.
"Their preference is always Irish qualified players, it's our job to help build Irish internationals. When they're not available you might look at a foreign player and that's in consultation with them, it's a partnership. That's what we do.
"It's a position we will look to add to and supplement. We've got some young guys in there, Angus (Curtis) has covered ten, Mike Lowry is behind and Johnny has been front and centre. On balance it's a position we would look to add to. We work with the union on how that's facilitated.
"Those guys (Carbery and Byrne) aren't in our conversations, they're Leo Cullen's responsibility, he's responsible for Leinster and Joe (Schmidt) is responsible for Ireland and making the national team as competitive as possible. We're not part of that situation."

Not sure why you're posting this? I'd hardly expect Gibbes to say anything else.

Not sure why you're not sure why he posted it!

It's official comment from the current Ulster Head Coach on the matter!

Former Former · 25-04-2018 09:54PM

bilston wrote: »

Not sure why you're not sure why he posted it!

It's official comment from the current Ulster Head Coach on the matter!

"Current" being the operative word. He'll be gone next month, he probably isn't that bothered and Schmidt and Nucifora are unlikely to be looping him in on much.

I wouldn't read anything into those comments one way or the other.

prawnsambo · 25-04-2018 09:58PM

bilston wrote: »

Not sure why you're not sure why he posted it!

It's official comment from the current Ulster Head Coach on the matter!

It says nothing. As you'd expect. Ulster can't be seen to be part of the conversation. Whether they are or not. Other than telling the IRFU to pony up one way or another.

Paul Smeenus · 25-04-2018 11:09PM

Jeebus it's like two pub bores.

We get it, lads. You're canny operators, in the know. You've got the low-down on how these things work. You can read between the lines... zzzzz...

So I take it neither of you will ever cite an interview or press release in a argument for anything? Cause we all know what they're worth.

Paul Smeenus · 25-04-2018 11:11PM

Talk about confirmation bias. "That Gibbes is lying about this just proves it all the more!"

Former Former · 26-04-2018 05:37AM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Talk about confirmation bias. "That Gibbes is lying about this just proves it all the more!"

No one said he's lying, just that it doesn't prove anything one way or another. I'd have thought at this point we'd all realise that what gets said in press conferences isn't always borne out in reality. Apparently not.

Why do you always get so angry about these things? You'll give yourself an ulcer.

Pm me if u want 2 talk hun. Boi X

Paul Smeenus · 26-04-2018 07:00AM

I wasn't really angry.

For what it's worth, it does get immensely frustrating on this thread when Leinster fans land mob-handed, and all of a sudden you go from having a conversation or debate to having what you say picked apart from six different angles at once. It's just a slew of often contradictory criticism. Especially given the likes of Molloy's "what Ulster fans need to realise" approach.

I'm not saying everyone shouldn't be able to post on everything. But it does mean this place is often tedious and a place where you're going to get lectured by a raft of people who know no more about rugby (or indeed, anything) than you, but act like they do because they, by a geographical accident of birth, support a team that other people have made more successful than the team that you support, also due to where you were born.

I'm not looking for sympathy, but given the ratio of Leinster fans to all other fans on this forum, it's inevitable that it becomes wearying for the rest of us. Especially if you wander into any of the trigger topics for Leinster fans (we all have them).

Look at what it's done to poor awec...

Paul Smeenus · 26-04-2018 07:12AM

Also, James Ryan is very good, but you guys massively over-rate him.

irishfan9 · 26-04-2018 07:14AM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Also, James Ryan is very good, but you guys massively over-rate him.

:rolleyes:

molloyjh · 26-04-2018 07:23AM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

I wasn't really angry.

For what it's worth, it does get immensely frustrating on this thread when Leinster fans land mob-handed, and all of a sudden you go from having a conversation or debate to having what you say picked apart from six different angles at once. It's just a slew of often contradictory criticism. Especially given the likes of Molloy's "what Ulster fans need to realise" approach.

I'm not saying everyone shouldn't be able to post on everything. But it does mean this place is often tedious and a place where you're going to get lectured by a raft of people who know no more about rugby (or indeed, anything) than you, but act like they do because they, by a geographical accident of birth, support a team that other people have made more successful than the team that you support, also due to where you were born.

I'm not looking for sympathy, but given the ratio of Leinster fans to all other fans on this forum, it's inevitable that it becomes wearying for the rest of us. Especially if you wander into any of the trigger topics for Leinster fans (we all have them).

Look at what it's done to poor awec...

Yeah, but what Ulster fans need to realise is......

Buer · 26-04-2018 07:44AM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Also, James Ryan is very good, but you guys massively over-rate him.

How would you rate him, as a matter of interest in light of his performances in his first season?

Buer · 26-04-2018 07:46AM

sydthebeat wrote: »

I've mentioned him a few times already but Lionel cronje might be a decent choice. Maybe not at catrakellis level but plenty of super rugby experience and an ulster move could be attractive to him to get a move back to SA.

Someone like Cronje would completely depend on what standard Ulster are looking for. He's had more teams than hot dinners and, if Ulster are looking for someone to be able to step in and lead the back line at ECC level, I don't think he's the man.

If they're looking to supplement their squad and rotate game time with McPhillips who is seen as their long term option, then I'd say he could be suitable. Not sure that's what they're after.

Paul Smeenus · 26-04-2018 08:15AM

Buer wrote: »

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Also, James Ryan is very good, but you guys massively over-rate him.

How would you rate him, as a matter of interest in light of his performances in his first season?

Oh is it his first season? I had literally no idea. No-one ever mentioned that.

Out of interest, can anyone tell me if he's ever been on a losing team professionally? I think that would be invaluable, brand new information.

Yeah, I'm not touching that, for precisely the reasons I alluded to in my previous post.

26-04-2018 08:15AM

jacothelad wrote: »

" The IRFU would like one of Leinster pair Joey Carbery or Ross Byrne to move north and ease the load, following in the footsteps of John Cooney, Alan O'Connor and Nick Timoney.
Gibbes admitted fly-half is a position Ulster may need to strengthen but refused to comment on players under contract elsewhere.
"It's quite a big story but there's nothing official," said the Kiwi, who is set to return to his homeland in the off-season.

"I don't know what it's got to do with us. We work in a system where if we need to add to or supplement what we've got, we need to go to the IRFU for that.
"Their preference is always Irish qualified players, it's our job to help build Irish internationals. When they're not available you might look at a foreign player and that's in consultation with them, it's a partnership. That's what we do.
"It's a position we will look to add to and supplement. We've got some young guys in there, Angus (Curtis) has covered ten, Mike Lowry is behind and Johnny has been front and centre. On balance it's a position we would look to add to. We work with the union on how that's facilitated.
"Those guys (Carbery and Byrne) aren't in our conversations, they're Leo Cullen's responsibility, he's responsible for Leinster and Joe (Schmidt) is responsible for Ireland and making the national team as competitive as possible. We're not part of that situation."

The bit in the middle is pretty relevant no?

Their preference is always Irish qualified players, it's our job to help build Irish internationals. When they're not available you might look at a foreign player and that's in consultation with them, it's a partnership. That's what we do.

26-04-2018 08:17AM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Oh is it his first season? I had literally no idea. No-one ever mentioned that.

Out of interest, can anyone tell me if he's ever been on a losing team professionally? I think that would be invaluable, brand new information.

Yeah, I'm not touching that, for precisely the reasons I alluded to in my previous post.

Instead of alluding, why not just say? Its hardly cloak and dagger stuff, Buer just asked how you'd rate Ryan?

Buer · 26-04-2018 08:25AM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Oh is it his first season? I had literally no idea. No-one ever mentioned that.

Out of interest, can anyone tell me if he's ever been on a losing team professionally? I think that would be invaluable, brand new information.

Yeah, I'm not touching that, for precisely the reasons I alluded to in my previous post.

Jesus Christ. It was a simple question. No need for the bizarre attitude.

prawnsambo · 26-04-2018 08:32AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Instead of alluding, why not just say? Its hardly cloak and dagger stuff, Buer just asked how you'd rate Ryan?

As he alluded in his earlier post, he likes to say stuff without having to defend it. Apparently that's too wearying.

26-04-2018 08:35AM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Oh is it his first season? I had literally no idea. No-one ever mentioned that.

Out of interest, can anyone tell me if he's ever been on a losing team professionally? I think that would be invaluable, brand new information.

Yeah, I'm not touching that, for precisely the reasons I alluded to in my previous post.

Top notch contribution. Tell us more about Leinster fans' poor posting contributions.

Burkie1203 · 26-04-2018 08:36AM

AdamD wrote: »

Top notch contribution. Tell us more about Leinster fans' poor posting contributions.

Can we get back to talking about the Jackson/Olding trial

launish116 · 26-04-2018 08:37AM

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Can we get back to talking about the Jackson/Olding trial

Can we get back to talking about actual rugby?

Squidgy Black · 26-04-2018 08:38AM

launish116 wrote: »

Can we get back to talking about actual rugby?

Fairly certain that goes against the charter of the forum.

Bridge93 · 26-04-2018 08:39AM

Has a date been set for the playoff?

Paul Smeenus · 26-04-2018 08:47AM

I made a joke post about the kind of thing that will trigger multiple Leinster fans to descend on a thread and post superciliously and humourlessly. Irishfan9 got it. Others, not so much.

I don't actually have much interest in starting a discussion about James Ryan on the Ulster thread this morning.

In the future, I'll post THIS WAS A JOKE so the buzzers don't go off on your desks telling you someone, somewhere, is questioning a young Leinster player and you need to ride to their defense.

Paul Smeenus · 26-04-2018 08:48AM

So. Repeal the 8th, eh?

Ulster Team Talk Thread III: Les Miserables SEE MOD WARNING POST #1924 + #2755

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