Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

jacothelad wrote: »

Need to name 4 props. MCall is now a hooker so the cupboard is bare unless we can parachute 4 emergency props in. Would Leinster lend us Furlong?????

5.5. No player is eligible to play for a Team in the RaboDirect PRO12 if he transfers or is registered after the 20th March 2012 during the relevant season (although there is an exception for under 18 players in certain circumstances)

jacothelad wrote: »

Yes I know but Geoff Cross has just moved to and played for Glasgow from Edinburgh last month. Maybe Ulster should claim the points if he's ineligible....:D It would be ironic if so, given that scandalous awarding of the 'try'.
A fully fit Ulster would comfortably beat Glasgow but we have no chance of winning the last two games. Injury is a cruel and sadly increasing part of pro rugby.

http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2014/03/rabodirect-pro12-geoff-cross-joins-glasgow-from-edinburgh/

Deadline day move. 20th of march.

So looking likely that Court will be available for Leinster and possibly Lutton as well who is undergoing physio on an injured toe (no break). No update on Afoa. Things looking a bit brighter. The potential Ulster side should be well able to beat Leinster. I'd be expecting something along the lines of:

Court, Herring, Lutton, Muller, Henderson, Ferris, Henry, Williams, Marshall, Jackson, Trimble, Marshall, Cave, Bowe, Payne.

That's a strong side, well able to beat anyone on their day. They'll need to improve their focus and defence significantly though. Missed tackle count has been far too high in recent games. Tackling success hasn't been above 84% in the last 3 games which has caused significant problems.

Beef so.

awec wrote: »

Hogg would be a strange signing given he would obviously be NIQ and also unavailable during the 6N / AI etc.

Unless we have been told to move Payne to 13 and are getting Hogg as an incentive to do so.

Sounds like you're a little in denial :P

awec wrote: »

That is definitely not happening.

I've heard it was brought up by Leinster and that Payne himself didn't want to commit to Ulster until he saw who was coming in. That said I also heard he was now content with what Ulster were bringing in. The appointment of David Nucifora may make these kind of moves more likely.

Hogg would be a great signing and anyone who says different is deluded. Arguably, along with North, the best young attacking back in Britain and Ireland why on earth would we not want him. Ok so he wouldn't be available, during the 6Ns but I don't have a problem with that.

Anyway IMO suspect it's unlikely, not least because he is tied up to Glasgow until 2015. Mind you he has connections to Ulster as well (some relation to George Best I believe).

bilston wrote: »

Hogg would be a great signing and anyone who says different is deluded. Arguably, along with North, the best young attacking back in Britain and Ireland why on earth would we not want him. Ok so he wouldn't be available, during the 6Ns but I don't have a problem with that.

While Hogg is obviously a fine player, I'd be very reluctant to part with a large chunk of money for him, if I was Ulster. The bloke is 21 and is still developing. His form this season already has not been near what it was last season. He's a known quantity now and the line breaks have diminished significantly.

My concern would be that he struggles to live up to such hype and that he'll ultimately end up as a solid international whose career highlight was being selected for the Lions at 20.

Regardless, I don't see the rationale in Ulster signing someone like Hogg. You've a top class back 3 already and an international winger in the 23 jersey. It'd be like Leinster going out and signing an international full back when we already have Rob Kearney and that would just be silly.

Hagz wrote: »

So not content with having one full-back who saw red in a pressure match, they opt for another.

Maybe Heaslip should come here as well?

I suspect that red cards are actually the link. They probably wanted to ask about the specifics of Hogg's hearing when deciding whether to appeal. The photo - or the first one, certainly - is a week old.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27150308

Franco van der Merwe on a two year deal with Paddy McAllister has signed for Aurillac, the French Division Two club

awec wrote: »

Interesting that he's 31 but got a 2 year deal.

Ah the whole guideline thing is best ignored at this stage. Ulster have just replaced a lock with a lock. The departing lock was over 30 and given another contract. The incoming lock is over 30 and given a 2 year deal. Those guidelines are all but dead in the water. I think it's just a case by case basis now.

Anyway, interesting signing but definitely a step down from Muller but very much in the same mould. Tough South African lock with a decent amount of experience and has captained his side on a number of occasions. Doesn't have the pedigree that Muller had but will hopefully do a solid job. On the plus side, he's extremely durable. His injury record is excellent and he keeps ticking along, doing his job week in, week out.