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

big-al · 17-05-2026 09:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475306#Comment_124475306

Baloucoune will essentially be Koks replacement.

I don’t think Kok will be a huge loss. He’s very industrious, but he’s also a complete and utter headless chicken in defence.

Pete_Cavan · 17-05-2026 09:25AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475400#Comment_124475400

Baloucoune will either be in Ireland's plans for the 6N/AIs/WC or he'll be injured, either way next season he is unlikely to take up much of the 1000+ minutes Kok played over and above his own minutes this season. Baloucoune won't be playing in the big standard URC games where Kok was one of the leaders on the pitch.

Kok has his limitations but overall has been very good for Ulster, also his durability counts for a lot, particularly in a paper thin squad which always has multiple injuries. He would definitely be worth keeping and if not, needs replacing. His pace was important in the way Ulster play and without similar pace to convert line breaks into trys, Ulster will definitely struggle to get top 8 in URC next season. Ulster definitely need another winger with pace and a good open field runner and Larmour fits the bill really well imo.

bilston · 17-05-2026 06:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124475400#Comment_124475400

I dunno Al, this leaves us with three wingers next season, Stockdale, Ward and Balacoune. A few others like McIlroy can certainly do a job, but I think we're a bit light there. Kok also seems like a good character.

In saying that we need a prop more, so this presumably frees up more cash and obviously a NIQ spot. I still don't really get why signed this South African second row from Benetton though.

FtD v2 · 17-05-2026 08:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124476984#Comment_124476984

I think Aitzol King will get a contract - he wasn’t in the group announced as leaving as was a Y3 academy player; but he’s clearly very raw still, albeit a great athletic prospect with a nose for the tryline.

big-al · 17-05-2026 08:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124477390#Comment_124477390

He’s only here 12months.

mid day he will have a 24 months contract. But IMHO I don’t think he’s all that

Pete_Cavan · 17-05-2026 09:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124476984#Comment_124476984

I still don't really get why signed this South African second row from Benetton though.

I'd assume they are worried about a lack of a tight head lock in games where the pack will likely be a bit lightweight already (i.e. any game Henderson doesn't start).

ionadnapóca · 19-05-2026 12:45PM

My guess at the teams.

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2026/05/18/ulster-get-rob-baloucoune-boost-ahead-of-challenge-cup-final-against-montpellier/

1. Angus Bell

2. Tom Stewart

3. Tom O’Toole

4. Harry Sheridan

5. Charlie Irvine

6. Cormac Izuchukwu

7. Nick Timoney (C)

8. Juarno Augustus

9. Nathan Doak

10. Jack Murphy

11. Zac Ward

12. Jude Postlethwaite

13. James Hume

14. Werner Kok or Baloucoune?

15. Michael Lowry

Replacements:

16. James McCormick

17. Sam Crean

18. Scott Wilson

19. David McCann ?

20. Bryn Ward

21. Conor McKeee

22. Jake Flannery

23. Ethan McIlroy

v

1. Baptiste Erdocio

2. Jordan Uelese

3. MPrison

4. Florian Verhaeghe

5. Tyler Duguid

6. Yacouba Camara

7. Alexandre Becognee

8. Billy Vunipola

9. Ali Price

10. Domingo Miotti

11. Donovan Taofifenua or Mael Moustin

12. Justo Piccardo ?

13. Arthur Vincent

14. Gabriel Ngandebe

15. Tom Banks

Replacements:

16. Christopher Tolofua

17. Enzo Forletta

18. Valentine Welsch ?

19. Adam Beard

20. Lenni Nouchi

21. Alexis Bernadet

22. Thomas Vincent

23. Auguste Cadot ?

On paper its not a frightening Montpellier team. Dont know enough about them all the same, but the Top 14 table doesnt lie. They are 2nd.

They have a huge game at home on Sat week v 3rd place Pau (1 pt behind them) to secure a home SemiFinal.

Confident that a spine of the Ulsters team will deliver on their basics to implement their game plan/style of pace, identifying attacking areas if they can get Timoney, Augustus, Doak, Murphy & Lowry on the ball.

If Stewart can hit his LOs and Postlethwaite and Izy have stormers like they did v Exeter there is every chance of Doak & Murphy will put Ulster in position to score tries.

It's a big ask if they can perform physically in the pack and defensively against a Top14 side (power & size) for 80mins without SMcC, Henderson and Baloucoune.

I have a feeling they are going to do it. For some reason, I dont know why, but Ethan McIlroy is going to play some vital part in it. An intercept try to win it at the death or something like that.

big-al · 19-05-2026 01:14PM

Bell

Stewart

O’toole

Izzy

Irvine

McCann

Timoney

Augustus

Doak

Murphy

Ward

Postlewaithe

Hume

Baloucoune

Lowry

bench

mccormick

O’Sullivan

Wilson

Sheridan

Ward

McKee

Mcilroy

Kok

bilston · 19-05-2026 08:11PM

If Balacoune is fit then he plays IMO.

I think McCann plays as well if fit as it means Izzy can go to the second row.

I think we can put out a very competitive XV, I'm just not sure the bench will add much beyond Ward.

I saw a tweet earlier (apologies I can't remember the name of tweeter to credit) that showed a URC table based on matches ending at 70 minutes this season and Ulster were 3rd. I think that tells you everything you need to know about our squad depth and bench options.

mogwai81 · 20-05-2026 10:07AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124483042#Comment_124483042

Any chance you could post a screenshot of that table Bilston?

Paddy_Mag · 20-05-2026 10:22AM

New forwards coach

https://twitter.com/i/status/2057027678432014537

phog · 20-05-2026 11:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124484207#Comment_124484207

I think this might be what he was referring to

ionadnapóca · 20-05-2026 11:30AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124484367#Comment_124484367

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124483042#Comment_124483042

Good Stat that & Painful Stat!

Interesting to note that Montpelier played 4 of the bottom 6 in that table in the CC.

More positive stat is how much stronger the opposition Ulster have had to beat in comparison to Montpelier to get to the final.

Montpelier:

Black Lion, Zebre, Connacht, Ospreys, Perpignan, Connacht and Newport-Dragons

Connacht only lost 33-31 over there in Group and then lost agin in QF after receiving 2 YC in the opening 7mins & another on 27mins!!

https://www.irishrugby.ie/video/epcr-challenge-cup-montpellier-v-connacht-highlights/

Ulster:

W Racing 92 - Try Racing 7min, Stockdale 14 min

L Cardiff - Try Cardiff 6min, Stewart 21 min

W Stade F - Try TOT 1min

W Ospreys - Try Izy 3min

W LaR - Try ZWard 5mn

W Exeter - Try Augustus 27min

"Do it for the Gipper" - is generally rubbish talk.

But!! No McCloskey and No Henderson. It might feed into that type of emotion and Ulster come out "with their hair on fire" score an early try, "blow the doors off" and "take them to the woodshed".

FtD v2 · 20-05-2026 11:33AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124484367#Comment_124484367

Interesting stats alright - shows how Connacht's fitness has come to bear as the season went on.

I sense checked the Leinster outcome and they're correct. The differential for Leinster:

-1 match point v Bulls (conceded late try)
+1 match point v Dragons (late TBP try)
+4 match point v Ulster (74th min TBP and match winning try)
+1 v Edinburgh (scored late TBP try)
-3 v Benetton (conceded late try and penalty to lose game)
+1 v Lions (scored late TBP try)

Overall we gained 3 match points over the final 10 mins.

bilston · 20-05-2026 01:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124484207#Comment_124484207

Sorry, just seeing this now, but yes the table from Phog is the one

bilston · 20-05-2026 01:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124484367#Comment_124484367

That's the one

sydthebeat · 20-05-2026 01:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124484246#Comment_124484246

That's an incredible signing for ulster.

Real flexing of where they want to be

awec · 20-05-2026 01:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124484760#Comment_124484760

Know nothing about him, but I know you're knowledgeable about Super Rugby, so I assume he's rated then?

ionadnapóca · 20-05-2026 01:37PM

https://ulster.rugby/content/ulster-rugby-confirm-clarke-dermody-as-new-forwards-coach

This looks like a good addition. Experienced coach. Good Irish name. Interesting he also has the head coach experience before JJoseph was appointed ahead of him last year.

https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360563263/best-clarke-dermody-happy-move-aside-jamie-joseph-highlanders

Dermody was head coach for two seasons before Jamie Joseph’s return.
Coach admits last year’s arrangement left both men feeling awkward at times.
Joseph will run the lineout, Dermody the scrum, maul and contact work.

https://thehighlanders.co.nz/our-teams/highlanders-super-rugby/clarke-dermody/

Maybe Dermody is coming to convert TOT!

-After four years of balancing both duties, in 2018 he joined Tasman Mako as co-coach alongside current Ireland senior Men’s backs coach Andrew Goodman. The duo won two successive National Provincial Championships in 2019 and 2020.-

https://www.irishrugby.ie/2026/05/20/ulster-appoint-dermody-as-new-forwards-coach/

https://www.irishrugby.ie/2005/06/19/lions-sloppy-in-southland/

sydthebeat · 20-05-2026 02:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124484829#Comment_124484829

Well I'm a Highlanders fan so I'm maybe a bit biased.

He has loads of head coach experience as well, which will be beneficial for Murphy.

He was head coach of tasman makos for two winning NCP seasons, head coach of Highlanders for a season (leading to the trans tasman final) and assistant coach under Jamie Joseph.

He's worked with Tony Brown, Andrew Goodman and Aaron mauger.

Scrum coach and forward coach experience for over 12 years.

We'll miss him at the Highlanders!

big-al · 20-05-2026 02:56PM

he has a good CV to be forwards coach.

Shows that the rugby public have noticed Ulsters improvement and relative youthfulness this season.

South Island New Zealand is a long way from Belfast!!!

a coach with his experience could opt for a head coach role, but he obviously sees potential in the Ulster forwards to further his career.

ionadnapóca · 20-05-2026 03:29PM

Dermody may also see the potential for career progression up to the Test team.

Fogarty wouldn't have anything like his CV, or indeed any of the Forward/Scrum coaches at the provinces.

Pete_Cavan · 20-05-2026 06:36PM

Looks like a very good appointment, would be even better if he brought a(any) THP with him.

I'd definitely say he's taking the job with an eye on career development, not that that's necessarily a bad thing. Maybe he's hoping to progress to forwards coach with Ireland or hoping to succeed Murphy at Ulster.

awec · 21-05-2026 12:09PM

We are going to need that starting XV to do the job.

Irvine, Ward and McIlroy are the only real impact we have on the bench.

FtD v2 · 21-05-2026 12:11PM

Brilliant to see Baloucoune and McCann make it; especially Baloucoune. Is Werner Kok hurt?

bigmac86 · 21-05-2026 12:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124487197#Comment_124487197

Wilson on form is a great carrier.

Brief_Lives · 21-05-2026 12:14PM

damn good team from the Nordies..

good luck lads..

Former Former Former · 21-05-2026 12:20PM

Jesus, how cruel is it that Herring, Henderson and McCloskey are missing this?

But it's a good team. Should be well able to compete.

Utah_Saint · 21-05-2026 12:20PM

great team - strange to see Kok drop out of the 23 completely. Maybe the thinking is Mcilroy covers centre?

CatFromHue · 21-05-2026 12:55PM

Montpellier are really in form at the moment. Out of the 11 Top 14 games they've played this calendar year they've only lost 2, away to Toulon and away to Toulouse. They're up to 2nd in the Top 14 now. Then there's the 5 Challenge Cup games they've won in this time too.

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

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