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

This was likely to be a super spreader of latest variant so there will be some relief it has been postponed.

I see Michael Lowry has made most metres of any player in the first two rounds of Europe with 220. James Hume is second in 214.

Now OBVIOUSLY Ulster are one of only a few teams to have played two matches so comparing with other players is pointless...however in particular 214 metres over two matches for a centre is really impressive.

Anyone who captains the Ireland U20s is generally a decent prospect. Good to hear.

We seem to be developing some homegrown back rows at last.

Marcus Rea finally seems to be living up to potential

David McCann is getting better with every game.

Reuben Crothers captaining the U20s is a good sign.

Then there's that U19 James McNabney, so it all sounds promising.

Also I was watching the videos of the Ulster U18s/19s earlier in the season and there was an absolutely enormous No.8 playing for one of the Ulster sides. Think he is still at school so won't mention names, but he may be another to keep an eye on.

I see the Irish 20s bench 10 was an Ulster U19 player today, I'd be interested to hear if he is any use.

I was never optimistic about our backrow prospects tbh, but Rea has really put his hand up this year. Always thought Crothers was a little small as well, but he get's high praise from people who're a lot more knowledgeable than me, and the irish coaches must be impressed if they see him as captain. A good ball carrier is a profile we're probably missing from the academy, but we can't be too greedy I suppose.

Some quick searching online says that ross taylor is a centre, no idea if he can cover 10.

I had forgotten all about Allison. He's still in the Academy.

And I came here to post the Milasinovich news. Bit of a weird one.

https://twitter.com/UlsterRugby/status/1476927929766617090?t=E5B86_DNB7ja4ot-pCF0jA&s=19

Another backrow signed as well and Addison signed a new deal, good bit of business but do Ulster really need another back row??

Great news on Cooney and Addison. Cooney is essential to the way we play and he's a difference maker when he's at his best. Addison is always going to be an injury worry but there aren't too many players kicking about with his skill set. Great player when fit and he's probably a leader within the squad.

Honestly never heard of Sean Reffell. Quick google says he has a few appearances for Saracens and England u20's, managed 39 tackles in one game, and won their young player of the season last year, but you would wonder if they really rated him if they're letting him leave. Bit of an odd signing, probably more of a throw in for the Milasinovich loan rather than someone we were particularly chasing.

Sean Reidy is 32 so might wind down soon, and Jordi Murphy who's 30 and has been injured for ages now. I think the only other openside's we have in the squad are Timoney, who may well be away for periods with Ireland, and Marcus Rea who's upped his game but competition will do him good . McCann has been shoehorned there as well but hopefully he won't need to anymore.

Reffell is 23, IQ and probably cheap, so hopefully he's someone who can develop and be around the squad for years.

Sorry Locke - your message wasn't up when I replied.

Reffell may also be hoping that he can carve out an international career at Ireland more easily than in England. He's IQ and he has only to look to Timoney to see how Ulster has facilitated a player working hard and earning caps after being overlooked elsewhere.

As much as I love our players, I really hope this isn't us sorted for the next decade. We would be in trouble lol

Sheridan at second row - impressed at U20s and for the As.

I wonder is Sean Reffell related to Leicester's Tommy Reffell? He would be a good pickup for a province if so, looks a quality player.

Don't know the contract lengths of Cooney and Addison. Odd that it was not mentioned in the press release.

Can imagine internally there was feedback during the recent press release when 2 players got 2 years and 3rd got 1 year.

Is Aaron Sexton injured or just struggling to get game time with so many quality wingers at Ulster?

Cooney is still vital to us. Doak is good and could be great, but Cooney is still the man. Clermont away proved this.

Addison is more debatable. When he is fit and playing well he is top class...a seriously classy player...a rolls Royce if you will...but he rarely plays and presumably isn't on a small contract. What I'm saying is that player quality wise it makes sense to keep him, but financially I don't know.

Ulster didn't announce the length of contracts for either player. It may be a year for both. A year for Addison to prove his fitness and a year for Cooney which means he is still a decent age to get a big contract in France and another year for Doak to develop.

Pure speculation on my part though.