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

You know Hume got selected for the 6Ns squad right? He’s not being ignored.

The problem with Hume is that he starts or doesn’t feature in the 23. And Ringrose has been playing very well plus is proven at this level. I’d like to see Hume get a game but the same as at lock, I’m just happy we actually have 2 good options there that aren’t completely different players.

I agree, Carter is poor. Definitely 4th choice. I'd say Kearney is a better player.

Ulster just about had me fill me drawers at the end!

Madigan has been very poor outside of his clutch kicks imo, Lowry and Burns are the better players.

Wasn't Kearney was signed more for depth once Izzy went down? It's getting to the stage where I'd rather he play ahead of Carter but we still have better 2nd rows.

Disappointed in Andrew's fall from grace though, he was on a great run of form a while back. Not sure if injury's played a part but we'll need him back to his best once Roberts is off.

McCann not being able to force his was past Greg Jones is awful even if he is still young, especially as his u20 teammate who plays the same position just got called up to the six nations squad as an apprentice.

The McCann situation is bizarre. He was playing really well at No.8 before Vermuelen arrived, I have no idea what is going on there.

Andrew was good last year, maybe he's nursing some niggles? McAnn is still very young and will improve. The depth isn't poor. Jordi Murphy has yet to play and he will add to the side.

The lads Togged out and warming up with the team last night (and who would presumably have stepped in should someone have pulled up injured) were David O'Connor, McCann, Lewis Finlay and Rob Lyttle. The only surprise in that list for me is O'Connor - I thought Kearney had done an excellent job when called on.

McCann, Reidy (who was at the game), Lyttle will hopefully all feature against Scarlets. It'd be great for Curtis to get another game.

We all want to see McCann et al feature, but these have been our toughest games, against serious European outfits. You play your strongest teams so you can qualify as best as possible. We took nineteen points from twenty possible. If we can do it against Toulouse, we have a home QF. That's more important than prioritising our young players' game time.

Really not convinced Kearny is still here or not injured, hasn't played since 4th December.

I appreciate Ulster want their strongest Players out, but is there much difference between McCann & Jones? likewise Reidy surely offered experience and always gives his all.

How is it fair on Curtis to have his first start in a Euro match, we want to win. Boxham has had senior game time at centre this season, yet wasn't trusted. My point being Ulster parachute players in.

Just look at Doak (how lucky we are), with Cooney injured we're relying on a 20 year old who's only played a handful of senior games. Not to mention if he gets injured, Shanahan starts with Finlay benching and has he even played a senior game?

Until Ulster bring the standard/depth up across the board, we're always 1 injury from a crisis (bar back 3). We have 1 or 2 good players in most positions, then depth goes shallow and we're up **** creek.

I don't fear Toulouse I fear their size/physicality and potential injuries for return fixture.

Just with a bit more distance from Saturday.

Was pleased for EOS. Seems to be motoring again. Was concerned when we gave away a penalty in the second(?) scrum, but the difficulties I was worried we'd face there, for the most part, didn't happen.

Watching the game back on the TV, it was obvious how much Burns and Hume lead the whole team, never mind the backs. The lads were huddled and it seemed to be those two doing the talking. Burns is never going to be amazeballs, but that's two good performances in a row - he's getting back to where he was a season or two ago. Think the Ireland stuff really shook his confidence, and it seems to be returning. He can just get on with playing as well as he can with Ulster, and we're seeing that variety he's capable of re-emerge. Dunno how far we can go with him; he's not the answer, but it's good to see him perform again.

Pleased for Curtis, who I've always rated. Considering how long it had been since he say any game time, thought he did very well. If we want multiple distributors, he's a good option at 12. His issue has been injury and the sheer quality of competition. He's one, like Marcus Rea, who was given just a year's contract extension. Would like to see both of them kept on.

Of course, the last ten minutes was disappointing, and there was a bit more to it than the disparity between the two benches. Lopez and Penaud were already on when Baloucoune scored his try. So there was a degree of "switching off". I don't know why Carter is there - given his lacklustre physical contributions, I'd assumed it was something to do with leadership. But I didn't see him helping right the ship in the last ten on Saturday night. regardless, we tightened up, and saw the game out. c

More widely, there's a raft of players stepping up and grabbing this campaign by the scruff of the neck - Lowry, Hume, Baloucoune, Doak. Treadwell, O'Sullivan and Timoney are still only 26, Marcus Rea is 24. Marty Moore is on fire, Stewart Moore looks to have improved his defence.

Dan has been doing a great job (not without hiccups) for a couple of seasons, but it feels like this season these players are taking ownership of this Ulster team.

There's a pretty objective and unsentimental barometer of success we can turn to, as well. There's just been a Six Nations Ireland squad named, and we had Herring, O'Toole, Henderson, Treadwell, Timoney, Hume, Lowry and Baloucoune. Eight players. When was the last time we had eight players in an Ireland squad? (We'd probably also have Stockdale and Addison if all were fit, although in turn Treadwell's only there through injuries to others.) Of those eight, six graduated from our Academy. Three are twenty-three years old.

It's quite the turnaround from last year's European season.

Think Curtis pretty much showed his worth based on that game, even with our centre stock.

There is no doubt Ulster have a serious backbone growing in the backline. If we could find the same in the forwards. Good start would be Reid, Stewart, O'Toole.

As you say Ireland Camp is a barometer of the young guns success. Looking forwards to the 6 Nations more so, with so many gone we might see more of the academy players. Fingers crossed Stewart, Sheridan, Finlay & Allison might get some minutes.

Matches over 6 Nations

Ulster v Scarlets

Ulster V Connacht

Dragons V Ulster

Ulster v Cardiff

Ulster V Leinster

Scarlets potentially without 7 Players.

Kinda hope Roberts is away, be forced to Play McCormick if Stewart is still injured.

Would give McGrath a start depending on the bench hooker.

Could do with a few bodies back all the same, McCloskey would help. Be nice to see some more academy step in though!

Stewart's foot was injured last I heard, big shame as he looked good and more than capable ball carrier. McCormick seems to get plaudits everytime he plays. Munster guy wasn't really rated.

Moxham hasn't really had an opportunity to attack from all I can remember. He is a lump though. Odd when you think Lyttle could probably do the same job.

Postelwaite is bigger again? would also love to see him.

Will Curtis been given some time at 10?

Looking forward to this block of games and hopefully seeing these players.

Not sure who our hookers will be against the Scarlets. I suppose we might get Roberts back.

Roberts and McCormick possibly.

Roberts confirmed as moving to Dragons next season.

Also see he's been released from Welsh Squad, so should be available.