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

Well predictably I got into the match as much as I usually do.

Maybe rugby fatigue and the fact there is some roundball tournament on had as much impact upon my pre match enthusiasm.

bilston wrote: »

I was until his first lineout went wrong, other than that he played well, as did Scannell.

I don't think there was anything wrong with the throw, though. Good read by Australia and Toner was outsmarted.

We should have just gone to POM at 2 particularly with a new thrower coming on.

bilston wrote: »

Serious question for my fellow Ulster fans, are you as excited as usual about watching Ireland later on against Australia given there isn't a single Ulster player starting?

I'm not, I hate to say it but I don't feel like I have as much connection to the team as I normally do. I still want Ireland to win and I'm not criticising the selection, I'd never want a player picked just because of where he is or she is from (I suspect Best, Henderson and Stockdale would all start if it were a GS decider tomorrow anyway). But tomorrow there is definitely less buzz about watching Ireland for me.

Bit of a late reply but...supporting Ulster has probably left me numb to disappointment. After years of 'at least it can't get any worse,' I've honestly just learnt to laugh when it doesn't go our way. However, I absolutely love international rugby. Ireland are my team, and thank goodness they are because I don't think I'm mentally capable of handling the sheer volume of added disappointment that supporting a northern irish team would bring. 

Although, it's possible that the only reason I'm able to get so excited is because of the success and quality of our current side - basically it gives me an excuse to feel part of Leinster's success. It's a smooth ride on the James Ryan hype train, and long may it continue. 

Herring also played well so there we go.

launish116 wrote: »

Lowry has been called up for the u20's at 15....

He's playing very well...as is Stewart.

launish116 wrote: »

bilston wrote: »

launish116 wrote: »

Lowry has been called up for the u20's at 15....

He's playing very well...as is Stewart.

Sadly only awake, was it a good game? saw the final score there, plenty of action by sounds of it. how'd Agnew/Dunleavy/Hume get on?

Only really saw the second half. Dunleavy replaced Agnew at half time. He did pretty well defensively. Hume defended well, made a good break just before half time but made a high profile mistake towards the end by kicking the ball straight out in a good attacking position.

But crucially with next season in mind Lowry and Stewart played very well. Stewart made some lovely arcing runs and was constantly looking for an offload, Lowry's one on one tackling was very impressive, he also showed great hands on occasions. Size certainly wasn't an issue for him today...but then it was Japan!

Agnew fine.
Dunleavy injured.
Hume ok.
Lowry better especially as it is first game.

Hands Like Flippers wrote: »

Agnew fine.
Dunleavy injured.
Hume ok.
Lowry better especially as it is first game.

Lowry was out fo position also?

Throw in O’toole, Curtis & Dalton (bucks up basics, is he a blindside?) Good back bone starting to build.

UAFC peep stating he’s reasonable confident we will not be getting a NIQ 10 aswell.

launish116 wrote: »

Some hope for next season then! More excitement around progressing u20/academy players than the seniors! Says it all....


Re. Lowry just saw this online

“Told you he had been shafted. Conor Dean was selected ahead of him because his father was the Ireland team manager. Lowry was told after an impressive performance vs Scotland that he was going to to the tournament, then 2 weeks later told he wasn't going, because of a lack of gametime, even though the IRFU didn't let him play in the AIL for Bandbridge to prepare for this tournament. That is a rumour that came from within Ulster rugby.

Rugby politics at its finest.”

I wouldn't be surprised by this. Byrne also seems to be favoured over Dean at Leinster so I was surprised to see him starting.

Thought Hume has played better on the wing than at centre. He has a natural step and broke a few tackles out wide - I wonder if Ulster are going to consider him playing there as well.

Hands Like Flippers wrote: »

Locke_Lamora wrote: »

Thought Hume has played better on the wing than at centre. He has a natural step and broke a few tackles out wide - I wonder if Ulster are going to consider him playing there as well.

How did his performance compare with previous ones on the wing? He made a nice break or two but I didn't think he was great.  Japanese 11 had a much bigger impact.

Aye the Japanese 11 was fantastic. He played on the wing a little in the 6 nations and I thought he played decent enough then as well. He always seems to play better out wide than at centre imo, but it's a small sample size. I think we're a bit short or back three players coming through, so Hume could well be an option there.

Angus Kernoghan might be in the frame too.

Hands Like Flippers wrote: »

Agnew fine.
Dunleavy injured.
Hume ok.
Lowry better especially as it is first game.

Very disappointed in Hume-he certainly is not a winger. Doesnt look to have the skill set to progress at pro level what so ever. Doesnt look as if he has the pace either.

Dubinusa wrote: »

Time will tell with Hume, but the others have been good. If Dalton gets the basics he will be very good. Agnew is a ball of energy and from what I saw is a very good openside prospect. Dunleavy obviously needs work but he has the tools and could be a good pro. Curtis was the best player imo during the 6 nations and Stewart will be backing up Cooney in the near future. O'Toole will get time with the senior team and he looks great. Could be a banner year.

Agree with all that! Hume hasn’t really shown me much for all the hype, hopefully our new coach can help.

Agnew seems to be a right find, considering all the talk of Hall, he has leap frogged him. Finally we have a proper 7 coming through!

Dalton, does anyone think he would be better suited to blindside? Really needs his basics to improve! Has the size,explosiveness & aggression! Just worry he won’t progress!

I keep saying this, but for once we truely have potential backbon of a squad coming through with lik a of Rea jnr also. 2-3 seasons we could see these guys as starters and have a very good young developing squad!

Dubinusa wrote: »

Plus Regan and Jones. Both of these guys have potential and could really kick on. I thought Jones was incredibly good for the u20s and was shocked that Leinster let him go.
McBurney will be a future international imo.

Jones frustrates me tbh, he is a big lump and he had chances last season! Never held on to them! There is gonna be a great atmosphere/competion next season in th back row! Regan never seen sadly!

Mcburney is another one, loads of hype and good U20’s but yet to impact for seniors! With Herrring potentially away now on international duty will we see him. How is Clarke getting on? He is huge!