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

got that but French teams are very different (full-strenght and motivation) in a final, even Challenge Cup, lots of fans there, even for Montpellier small fanbase, and they are used to win this competition too… + looking at their lineout you'd know how strong they are! Except the wingers, area they dominated more than they should in theory, the rest was likely to go their way.

I did think Ulster had a chance, that's why I worried for Connacht spot, but still less chance than focusing on Glasgow game which would have gone your way, only with Augustus and Postlethwaite added

My implicit point is maybe Murphy slightly underestimated/anticipated optimistically, the "only slightly weakened Glasgow team in the end", picked to come to Ravenhill

In the two head coaching jobs he’s had, Richie Murphy has shown himself to be a good coach whose biggest strengths are implementing a good style of rugby and improving young players. Given where Ulster are right now, that’s probably good enough in the short to medium term. This also works for the IRFU, because ultimately if Ulster are supplying players to the national team, they’re happy. However, it also has to be said that in the two finals he’s gotten to, his teams have been well and truly pumped, looking like they had stage fright while the opposition showed up for a cup final. And as others have said, he made an absolute balls of the end of this season. He should have played his strongest side at home against Glasgow, secured Champions Cup rugby and a URC playoff spot, and let this week take care of itself.

I'm just a casual enough rugby follower, but I can still say for a fact that if Ulster had played a stronger team against Glasgow and won before getting the beating they took last night, we'd have the same posters here saying "Ulster threw away a European title by tiring out their players against Glasgow."

I think by the time the Glasgow game round Ulster were all in for Europe so I don't think the Glasgow selection was relevant.

It is important to say that we were missing our four most experienced players for the final, and run in in general, so that limited our options.

Yea losing Kok, Moxham, Kenny and Graham seemed a little too much given Moore's injury as well. Stockdale, Lowry, McIlroy and Baloucoune don't exactly have stellar injury histories either. I liked the look of Kenny and Graham but we have to remember that the coaches see them a whole lot more than we do and have obviously made a decision there. I see Johnny Scott has been filling in at wing for the A's and maybe they think Aitzol King is worth persisting with?

I posted at the start of this season that our biggest problems were the scrum and depth - I can't pretend to know anything about Snyman but if he's not a starter then the scrum doesn't exactly improve for the important games. He seems more like a big body to partner with the likes of Irvine and Hopes while they develop, which isn't the worst thing. The halfback depth should be improved immediately with Devine and Benson. We had a big clear out but as someone highlighted before, most of those players are very inexperienced so it looks like we are going to need players to improve from within the squad to improve the depth across most positions (Irvine, Hopes, McAllister, B Ward, Carson etc).

saw elsewhere that Chay Mullins from Connacht is rumoured to be heading our way. He was tidy for the u20’s under Murphy but I’m not sure I’ve seen him since. Perhaps a Connacht fan could let us know a little more but I’m assuming he’s at least at upgrade on Mox and will help with back three depth? Can he play 15?

Bello all but confirmed i think.

Hasnt really played in 2 seasons but could be good if fit, almost a Marty Moore type signing again

3 Ulster lads in the U20 squad for the World Cup.

Blake McClean - Prop (came off the bench through the 6Ns)

Paddy Woods - Second Row (I think)

Daniel Green - Utility back/mostly Full Back I think.

I don't think any of them are starters for the big games, although I think Woods may have another year to go at U20s.

So apparently Keynan Knox is coming to Ulster after a couple of years being toughened up in France.

I think as well as? So yeah, I'd say TOT is definitely playing LH next season

I could be wrong but isn't he leaving to pursue medicine or something like that?

Definitely needed another winger. Sexton must think he can add something.

I thought Knox would no longer be IQ through residency once he moved to France?