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

Looks like Kenny came on later for Wed. I've no idea then, in all honesty.

Not sure who was on where. I remember the commentator pointing out Graham had knocked on his first high ball but had been assured since. Think he came on at right wing and made the one-on-one tackle there. Graham would be skinny and quick, while Kenny is heavier and stronger.

What is everyone's hopes for the season ahead?

I was thinking a top 8 finish in the URC and a place in the Champions Cup is probably essential from a financial POV if nothing else but definitely has to be the goal.

Securing at least one and preferably two home knockout games in the Challenge Cup and therefore reaching at least the semi finals should be our European goal.

The final thing, and probably the hardest and most unrealistic of the lot, is that an Ulster player has such a good season that by the end of the season they will have forced themselves into the Ireland 23 and preferably starting XV. Right now there isn't a single Ulster player making the 23. I'm not sure who it would be and it's hard tonsee it happening, but I am intrigued to see how Zac Ward goes this season.

Has to be top eight. Everything else is secondary.

What I think we definitely need is some second rows to start asserting themselves. We should see a lot more of Sheridan, and hopefully Hopes (who has been impressive for the As) and Irvine.

Same for loose head. Think we're okay at TH with the addition of McGuire, but with no standout starting LH, we need someone to come in and out down a marker. O'Sullivan, Reid, Crean, whoever.

To be honest, what I really want is to see the nuts and bolts of this team sorted out. Andy Warwick and Matty Rea, despite neither being world-beaters, were mainstays of our squad last season. The lion's share of the cull is done, finances should be levelling out, it's time to build a team around the lads coming through.

You're right, it will be tight for 8th. I dont think we're likely to be streets ahead of last season. That said Jack Murphy will hopefully been further down the line development wise which will make a big difference. Augustus looks a good signing, as does Bell obviously, but losing McNabney for probably 75% of the season and maybe more is a big blow.

We're so light in the second row, I maintain there's a player in Dalton if he could get rid of the brainfarts, but I still think losing Treadwell and AOC in the same summer was careless.

On a brighter note I read elsewhere that Bryn Ward scored a couple of tries for the As at the weekend, I wonder if he'll get a shot sooner rather than later.

Have heard there is another sponsor "in the pipeline" - a significant one, that everyone would recognise. I could well believe they will have a wider sponsorship with Irish rugby, although it was just put to me that it was another sponsor coming on with Ulster. It would not surprise me if that's the basis on which we could afford to splash out for a good 10 mid-season, if that's the case. Although presumably the actual sponsorship would start next season.

HA. Way off.

All the best teams have top class 10s but I'd be happy enough to invest in Murphy as I think he could become a very decent 10, our best since PJ. Plus I'd love a world class 15 and I'm sure we all agree we need another second row.

If all bets were off, who would you think would suit us best?

If all bets were off and we are talking a short term 6 month contract then without a second thought I'd want Will Jordan. Never going to happen though.

If it's a 10 on a short term contract then I'm not really sure to be honest, who can we get? It would have to be a NZer or Australian, or someone playing in Japan. If I could pick anyone then Feinberg Mngemozulu would be the top pick. I loved watching him at Ravenhill last season.

So the medical bulletin advises that O'Sullivan, McIlroy, Moxham, Baloucoune Shanahan, McNabney and McLoughlin are unavailable through injury for Friday. Apparently that means 84% of the squad is available.

So I'd like to see...

Reid, Herring, O'Toole

Henderson, Dalton

Izuchwuchu, Timoney, Augustus

Doak, Murphy

Stockdale, McCloskey, Hume, Ward

Lowry

Tough on McCann, but Izzy is arguably our best forward, and while you could play him the row and start McCann, I think you have to play your best players in their best positions. Hume v Postlethwaite is another very tight call.

By the end of the season Stewart will need to be our first choice hooker but right now I'm leaning towards Herring to start because winning and laying down a marker is all that matters on Friday.

That team should be well able for 5 points against the Dragons. Anything other than a win would be disastrous.

Well he wasn't included in the medical bulletin. I suppose that doesn't necessarily mean anything, but they did specifically say 84% of the squad is fit and named 7 injured players, so makes sense that the bulletin covers the whole squad. We'll know tomorrow...

Nope - he's in.

Ulster Rugby v Dragons RFC, Friday 26th September, 8.05pm, BKT United Rugby Championship, Round 1, Affidea Stadium, Live on Premier Sports and URC.tv

1. Callum Reid (30)

2. Rob Herring (254)

3. Tom O’Toole (123)

4. Iain Henderson (C) (163)

5. Harry Sheridan (41)

6. Cormac Izuchukwu (42)

7. Nick Timoney (167)

8. David McCann (68)

9. Nathan Doak (89)

10. Jack Murphy (13)

11. Jacob Stockdale (133)

12. Stuart McCloskey (204)

13. James Hume (99)

14. Zac Ward (10)

15. Michael Lowry (124)

Replacements:

16. Tom Stewart (55)

17. Sam Crean (2)

18. Scott Wilson (35)

19. Matthew Dalton (14)

20. Juarno Augustus

21. Conor McKee (1)

22. Jake Flannery (19)

23. Ben Carson (12)

Cracking team, Gromit.