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

No there was an email on Wednesday that said “We are currently awaiting ticketing information from the Toyota Cheetahs, which will we communicated to supporters at the earliest convenience.”

Ulster Rugby have announced Rory Best is the new General Manager for the province.

In his new role, Rory will oversee rugby operations, player development, and performance pathways, bringing his vast experience, leadership qualities, and deep understanding of the club’s culture to the fore.

Was thinking the same, but I'm gping to be positive in that he should have good contacts when it comes to potential signings (assume this falls under "rugby operations"), I think he's also been working with the academy too so will have a good grasp of who is coming through and where the gaps are.

I'm sceptical, but I do think getting a phone call form Rory Best to ask if you might come to Ulster is of a magnitude more enticing than a call from Bryn Cunningham. A Grandslam-winning Irish captain who also led the Ireland team to their first win over the All Blacks and went on two B&I tours, four World Cups, and has been involved in American and Fiji rugby set-ups. In an outward-facing capacity, he's absolute gold.

Our last experienced head was Jon Petrie, who as an absolute car crash.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c93d9ejlzv1o

It was only a year extension I thought? Why does Rory's appointment imply he's staying?

To be clear, I would love him to stay on. He has done an absolutely fantastic job in righting the ship. Gave a sensible, realistic timeframe for improving our finances, and is notably ahead of schedule. If he continues in this vein, it will be one of the most noteworthy jobs done in the Irish rugby set-up for a while.

McCloskey was excellent. The most physical player on the field for the first 45 mins or so. He was skittling guys in contact and making huge hits. Apparently he was injured, hopefully not badly as I’d love to see him continue in that shirt for at least this series.

I didn’t think Henderson was particularly poor, certainly not compared to the levels of abuse he’s getting on the Ireland thread. He was getting grief for stuff like that farcical incident where Brousset called tackle, and the All Black carried it for another 20m then and Henderson ultimately was penalised I think.

I think it's remiss to not mention Jude Postlethwaite when discussing Ulster's centre options, he played some really good stuff in the 13 shirt towards the end of last season.

Your last point could be on the money, Moore hasn't really kicked on in the 5 years since his breakthrough in the way most probably expected, and he seems to be underperforming relative to his talent level. I don't think he's had significant issues with injury, in the way that Hume, Baloucoune, Stockdale etc. have, but open to correction on that.

From the report (currently free) in the42.ie, Moore has connections to the place, so it might be something that he's driven. And obviously Red Bull have money to hurl about (albeit there's a salary cap).

I hope it does give him a new lease of life - he's a seriously talented player whose development has stalled, as far as I can see, because of a lack of game time. Selfishly, what would be fantastic is if he gets a lot of time at FB - that's where Ulster's need is greatest.

I think Moore is a lovely ball playing 12 with a decent step. Would have loved to see him play with a powerful 13 outside but Ulster have such quality at center its difficult to get a run of games.

The website I’m looking at is saying each ticket is £64 + £15 service fee + £4 delivery fee

That can’t be right surely?

Cheers, knew something didn’t seem right