Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

I think that we'll do ok this season. We've lost a few players, but Muller was on his last legs as a player, Callum Black was very close to overtaking Court as first choice LH anyway, Afoa was never here, Ferris and Wallace hadn't really played for over a year and losing Humphreys as DoR will have zero impact on the team. As for Anscombe leaving, there are many who believe this to be a good thing. We haven't made any stellar signings to replace those leaving but there appear to be some astute acquisitions nonetheless.

Europe is very hard to predict, with three best runners up progressing to the last eight added to the fact that most of the pools are tougher than before it's not inconceivable that a team could progress with just three wins, albeit with a few bonus points to boot. Leicester, Toulon and the Scarlets represents a tough pool for us but we are capable of winning our home games and nicking a win in Wales. It will be very hard though and just qualifying will be an achievement.

I'm happier to make a firmer prediction about the Pro 12. I think we should be targeting it in a big way and actually I'd be disappointed if we don't reach the final. Nobody in the league is better than us, or at least not to the point where we can't beat them on any given day. Leinster will be rightly favourites, Glasgow will fancy their chances of kicking on and Munster will be tough, the Welsh sides have lost a lot of talent, although I notice a lot of pundits backing Cardiff to do well, I also think the Dragons could finish significantly higher than in the past, but nobody in this league should scare Ulster in the slightest.

Player wise there is big pressure on Wiebhan Herbst, it seems that the pre season signs are encouraging, if he can help us have solid foundations up front then we have a lethal backline to exploit good ball. Our first choice back row and our first choice half backs simply have to stay fit, we have a bit of depth at No.8 but if we lose Diack, Henry, Pienaar or Jackson for the big games then we're snookered. I guess Marshall and Humphreys are capable of pulling a rabbit out of the hat on a one off occasion but if they are required consistently then forget it. That said Humphreys is an improvement on James McKinney and his return might aid a better Pro 12 showing.

As for the emerging talent I'm hoping Andrew Warwick kicks on from a promising start last season and I desperately want to see Stuart Olding back in the team as well, he could add some much needed spark to our midfield which was at times predictable last season. Hopefully this is Rory Scholes's breakthrough season and keep an eye out for Sean O'Hagan who Connacht fans will know all about, he might well get a few caps under his belt when Jackson is away as backup to Ian Humphreys.

Just getting out of the pool in Europe will be and achievement but if ulster do that then who knows what might happen in the knockout stages. Domestically I predict Ulster will reach the Pro 12 final.

Are you saying there's something wrong with my hair..?


I'll brb, afk.

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Expecting a decent season from this chap. He's done well so far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEh2X5k8Okk

Good shout although he is probably third choice behind Marshall and Olding. Different player to the other two so he will be a great option.

http://www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/15434.php

At Parc y Scarlets, 2.40PM. Live on Sky Sports
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU, 56th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Ian Davies, Jon Mason (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Aurwel Morgan (WRU)
TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)

15 Liam Williams, 14 Harry Robinson, 13 Regan King, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Phil John, 2 Ken Owens (c), 3 Rhodri Jones, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Johan Snyman, 6 Rob McCusker, 7 John Barclay, 8 Rory Pitman

Replacement: Emyr Phillips, Rob Evans, Peter Edwards, Richard Kelly, Aaron Shingler, Rhodri Williams, Steven Shingler, Gareth Owen

The following players are unavailable for selection; Samson Lee (suspension), Chris Hala'ufia (conditioning), Frazier Climo (ankle), Josh Lewis (AC joint), Connor Lloyd (knee), Will Boyde (shoulder), George Earle (ankle), Aaron Warren (knee), Jacobie Adriaanse (knee)

Ulster XV and replacements to face Scarlets, Guinness PRO12, Parc Y Scarlets, Saturday 6th September (kick off 14:40): (15-9) L Ludik, M Allen, J Payne, S Olding, C Gilroy, I Humphreys, P Marshall; (1-9); C Black, R Herring, W Herbst, D Tuohy, F van der Merwe, R Diack, C Henry, R Wilson (C); Replacements: J Andrew, A Warwick, D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, N Williams, M Heaney, L Marshall, A Trimble.

Trimble back is great.

awec wrote: »

Yay Liam Williams.

Ulster should have signed Cudmore to eh...welcome him.

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Is McCloskey fit at the moment? He's exactly the sort of player I'd want in my midfield against that Scarlets team.

No, out for a month I think.

Hope Trimble gets on early for Round 2 with Williams

Deleted User wrote: »

Bargain - http://www.rugbystore.co.uk/clubs/pro12/ulster/ulster2-ulstr-kohilo-home-rugby-shirt-ss-2014

starting at xl

im 6,4 and small in that top.

Id hate to see the person who fills xxxl haha