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

launish116 · 26-04-2018 10:36AM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

If we genuinely saw the team being rebuilt, with Kane, Dalton, O'Toole, Stewart et al becoming regular players and a game plan evolving, how much would other fans be prepared to see us sacrifice results next season? If the team starts to come together in a palpable way, would you be happy to miss out on any play-off? I think I would. This is a long-term rebuild, I think. I suppose it depends on who the coach is and how much faith we have in him.

Ulster for first time in a long time have a really good foundation of young players coming through! Really think 2-3 seasons we’ll have a very good young senior squad! I’d give up play off’s etc fro some consistency and bringing in this home talent. We could potentially in a season or two have only 2 players over 30 in a starting team.

I’ve really been impressed with McPhilps and think he could lock down first choice. Throw in a aging mentor and next season could be good! That’s not even including that Lowry is rated higher!

Curtis is more a 12 I think! And looks to have a big future.

Until a coach is nailed down and see what links he can bring can’t see much else happening. A coach with contacts is what we need!

Squidgy Black · 26-04-2018 10:41AM

irishfan9 wrote: »

Keats never actually played for leinster.

Never played with the senior squad but had a couple of A team appearances

foxyladyxx · 26-04-2018 10:45AM

I thni Ross Byrne to go North for a 12 month period and give everyone involved breathing space. A lot can happen in a year.

prawnsambo · 26-04-2018 10:47AM

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Never played with the senior squad but had a couple of A team appearances

Yeah. He was listed as part of the senior squad, but never played. He wore the jersey though, so it has to be counted as part of the collection.

irishfan9 · 26-04-2018 10:47AM

foxyladyxx wrote: »

I thni Ross Byrne to go North for a 12 month period and give everyone involved breathing space. A lot can happen in a year.

Ross Byrne thinks he is good where he is though.

foxyladyxx · 26-04-2018 11:09AM

irishfan9 wrote: »

Ross Byrne thinks he is good where he is though.

Everybody has a price

Hands Like Flippers · 26-04-2018 11:33AM

Utah_Saint wrote: »

stephen_n wrote: »

How big is Lowry? Will he need a few seasons to develop physically or is he going to be able to move up quickly?

176cm @ 76Kg. At 19 he has finished growing, but obviously he will add weight with professional training.

You sure? That's over 5'9". He must have shot up since I last saw him.

$ausage$ · 26-04-2018 11:35AM

Who cares about his height? He is not a second row.

irishfan9 · 26-04-2018 11:36AM

Lowry listed at 1.70 on ulster website but 1.76 on the banbridge RFC website.

irishfan9 · 26-04-2018 11:37AM

$ausage$ wrote: »

Who cares about his height? He is not a second row.

defensively it's quite clearly a factor.

$ausage$ · 26-04-2018 11:38AM

How? if anything its an advantage. He wont give away high tackle pens and will chop tackle everyone.

irishfan9 · 26-04-2018 11:39AM

$ausage$ wrote: »

How? if anything its an advantage. He wont give away high tackle pens and will chop tackle everyone.

or get targeted and run over.

i'm not sure how your outhalf being 5'7 is an advantage defensively.

Hands Like Flippers · 26-04-2018 11:50AM

$ausage$ wrote: »

Who cares about his height? He is not a second row.

Well much as I would love to agree it is clearly a factor in rugby even in the backs.

Anyway that wasn't my point. Mine was that I thought the other poster was at least 2 inches out. If that doesn't bother you don't worry.

I was not commenting on his ability one way or the other but there will be quite a contrast size wise with the OH behind him next year who is a big chap.

launish116 · 26-04-2018 11:57AM

Realistically are hardest tackler hasn't been a forward a huge lump? I'd say it's Ludik. Plenty of smaller/shorter players have done well.

blackdog1 · 26-04-2018 12:03PM

foxyladyxx wrote:

Everybody has a price

Think his father is a big ceo so don't think money will be a factor for Byrne also Carberry was our 2nd choice full back before larmour and with Kearneys injury profile we would be crazy to let him go. Both are needed but both won't get huge gametime. Tough decision all round. We have the same situation at loose head but guys are young so they don't see the need to leave just yet.

Hands Like Flippers · 26-04-2018 12:10PM

irishfan9 wrote: »

$ausage$ wrote: »

How? if anything its an advantage. He wont give away high tackle pens and will chop tackle everyone.

or get targeted and run over.

i'm not sure how your outhalf being 5'7 is an advantage defensively.

Tbf I have seen some great tackler who are not big so I would prefer the individual player is judged on his own merit.

As far as Lowry is concerned He looks like an exciting 10 but I do wonder how he will get on in senior rugby if he is behind a pack going backwards as he played in a fantastic team basically winning all the time.

Why was he injured more or less all year.

Are there any clips of him playing senior rugby?

bilston · 26-04-2018 12:11PM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

I would hope that McPhilips would be our usual starting OH next season, but I just think that if we can find someone to bring on Curtis and Lowry, we could end up with three talented 10s in the near future.

Maybe we could let one go to Leinster.

Or, in all seriousness, maybe Curtis ends up as a Paddy Wallace type 12.

I have a feeling Curtis will end up at 12. Hard to predict though.

launish116 · 26-04-2018 12:15PM

Most of his U20 has been at 12. Think it’s his best position.

prawnsambo · 26-04-2018 12:17PM

I always think this guy is the epitome of what makes rugby so great. Tiny little fecker and an absolute menace.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqV5ZIZ3o1o

stephen_n · 26-04-2018 12:18PM

Regarding Lowry I think it makes a rather big difference really. Cathal Marsh would be a prime example of someone who was fantastic at underage but struggled to cope with the step up to senior rugby. If Lowry was bigger then the transition might happen quicker.

irishfan9 · 26-04-2018 12:19PM

stephen_n wrote: »

Regarding Lowry I think it makes a rather big difference really. Cathal Marsh would be a prime example of someone who was fantastic at underage but struggled to cope with the step up to senior rugby. If Lowry was bigger then the transition might happen quicker.

Marsh didn't really have an ireland u20 career, but I suppose Lowry hasn't either.

Lowry has a decent frame so may be able to carry enough bulk.

launish116 · 26-04-2018 12:21PM

Was thinking that looking at Jackson and Mcphilips? McPhilips looks so light! But couple of seasons they’ll mature more.

Has anyone considered Dalton potentially to be a better blindside? With his power and athleticism. I know he came to the game late and is still learning?

Hands Like Flippers · 26-04-2018 12:25PM

launish116 wrote: »

Was thinking that looking at Jackson and Mcphilips? McPhilips looks so light! But couple of seasons they’ll mature more.

Has anyone considered Dalton potentially to be a better blindside? With his power and athleticism. I know he came to the game late and is still learning?

He played 6 in the cup for BRA last year.

irishfan9 · 26-04-2018 12:29PM

Hands Like Flippers wrote: »

He played 6 in the cup for BRA last year.

and looked like a fish out of water there for ireland u20

Hands Like Flippers · 26-04-2018 12:30PM

Personally I wish there were far more nippy smaller guys. Watching bash ball with the big guys at times is like watching a poorer version of RL.

Also the big guys get a lot of injuries with bash ball so it is debatable if it is the way to go especially if we don't have the genetics for it.

launish116 · 26-04-2018 12:34PM

irishfan9 wrote: »

Hands Like Flippers wrote: »

He played 6 in the cup for BRA last year.

and looked like a fish out of water there for ireland u20

That’s what worried me. But he has the attributes, bar his handling. He’s still young to the game I suppose. Just think with his athletics background and aggression would hate it to be sapped in scrums all the time.

Bazzo · 26-04-2018 12:37PM

launish116 wrote: »

That’s what worried me. But he has the attributes, bar his handling. He’s still young to the game I suppose. Just think with his athletics background and aggression would hate it to be sapped in scrums all the time.

You can be an athletic second row. See: Leone Nakarawa or even Ultan Dillane closer to home.

Faugheen · 26-04-2018 01:05PM

If Johnny McPhillips is staying then I can't understand what moving Carbery or Byrne does for Ulster or for him. Both are good players but neither are ready to be given the responsibility to be the first choice 10 anywhere imo (especially Carbery).

If McPhillips is staying then Ulster need an experienced 10 to supplement his development. I saw him when he came on vs Leinster over the winter and he looked very good.

If McPhillips is going, then Carbery or Byrne makes more sense. I'd like to see him stay not just because it benefits Leinster but it's always exciting to see a new 10 come through.

launish116 · 26-04-2018 01:33PM

Faugheen you’ve hit the nail on the head! Some have said we’re crazy turning our noses up!

prawnsambo · 26-04-2018 01:36PM

launish116 wrote: »

Faugheen you’ve hit the nail on the head! Some have said we’re crazy turning our noses up!

A lot of that's based on the strong rumour that McPhilips is leaving. As yet unconfirmed, but it's been said a few times on here.

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

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