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

16-05-2019 1:46pm

I'm very intrigued at seeing Stockdale at fullback again

Dylbag · 16-05-2019 5:06pm

Next Season Depth Chart - assuming Jacob now a 15

1. Jack McGrath/ EOS/ Andy Warwick/ Kyle McCall / O'Hagan
2. Herring/ McBurney/ Andrews
3. Moore/ Kane/ TOT/ Mila
4. Hendy/ AOC/ Dave O'Connor
5. Carter/ Treadwell
6. Timoney/ Matty Rea/ Marcus Rea
7. Jordi/ Reidy
8. Marcel/ Greg Jones

9. Cooney/ Shanahan/ Stewart
10. Billy/ Lowry/ Bill?
11. Gilroy/ Lyttle/ Kernohan
12. McCloskey/ Luke/ Curtis
13. Addison/ Hume/ Hyde
14. Faddes/ Balacoune/ Sexton
15. Stockdale/ Ludik/ Nelson

Pretty decent options - maybe slightly light in back row depth and 9 depth quality.

Paul Smeenus · 16-05-2019 5:14pm

Dylbag wrote: »

Next Season Depth Chart - assuming Jacob now a 15

1. Jack McGrath/ EOS/ Andy Warwick/ Kyle McCall / O'Hagan
2. Herring/ McBurney/ Andrews
3. Moore/ Kane/ TOT/ Mila
4. Hendy/ AOC/ Dave O'Connor
5. Carter/ Treadwell
6. Timoney/ Matty Rea/ Marcus Rea
7. Jordi/ Reidy
8. Marcel/ Greg Jones

9. Cooney/ Shanahan/ Stewart
10. Billy/ Lowry/ Bill?
11. Gilroy/ Lyttle/ Kernohan
12. McCloskey/ Luke/ Curtis
13. Addison/ Hume/ Hyde
14. Faddes/ Balacoune/ Sexton
15. Stockdale/ Ludik/ Nelson

Pretty decent options - maybe slightly light in back row depth and 9 depth quality.

Think that's massive assumption about Stockdale.

stl.ire · 16-05-2019 5:38pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm very intrigued at seeing Stockdale at fullback again

Interestingly, a few weeks ago when Ulster were hammered by Glasgow Lowry got injured around 20 minutes in and Stockdale switched to fullback and finished the game there. Maybe McFarland saw something.

bilston · 17-05-2019 5:22pm

Balacoune out

Stockdale moves to the wing and Lowry goes to FB.

Kernohan goes onto the bench.

Is Rob Lyttle injured? There is no way Kernohan is ahead.of him

awec · 17-05-2019 5:45pm

Lyttle has to be injured.

Trojan · 17-05-2019 6:50pm

What channel(s) is tonights game on?

jacothelad · 17-05-2019 7:06pm

Trojan wrote: »

What channel(s) is tonights game on?

Sky 412

troyzer · 17-05-2019 7:07pm

#SUFTUM

Bring it home lads. Deny the ****ers a home final.

Dave_The_Sheep · 17-05-2019 7:20pm

Is this just on Eir sport or anywhere else? Hotel Im in doesn't have the poxy channel.

awec · 17-05-2019 7:33pm

Match thread open

Paul Smeenus · 19-05-2019 11:51am

So... The Glasgow game was brutal to watch... But overall I, for one, am very happy at the way the season has gone.

launish116 · 19-05-2019 11:59am

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

So... The Glasgow game was brutal to watch... But overall I, for one, am very happy at the way the season has gone.

Season has gone better than anyone could imagine. Litterally a dream season for a few academy players. Couldnt be grudge anyone moving Province to be involved.

Really looking forward to see what other players can be brought through from the academy. Think thats what i'm moe excited for!

bilston · 19-05-2019 12:11pm

Yeah good season overall.

Good European campaign, yes Leicester and the Scarlets were poor, but let's not forget we beat Racing at home without Henderson and Cooney.

The league went well, especially after Christmas.

Glasgow and Leinster are a good bit ahead of everyone else in the league with Munster 3rd and then we are the best of the rest, that's progress on where we stood 12 months ago.

Losing Best and Cave is a blow, but others will step into their shoes. I think we will be better next year.

bilston · 19-05-2019 12:13pm

launish116 wrote: »

Really looking forward to see what other players can be brought through from the academy. Think thats what i'm moe excited for!

I'm hoping to see the likes of O'Toole, McBurney and Marcus Rea really kick on next season. Best needs replaced and McBurney might be the long term answer. Also as much as I like Timoney I think we could do with an upgrade at 6 alongside Murphy and Coetzee. Maybe, given time, Marcus Rea could be that guy

Who knows who will be the next cab off the academy rank but I'm looking forward to seeing Callum Reid, David McCann, Azur Allison and Stewart Moore playing for the U20s over the next few week's (if they make the final cut of course!)

launish116 · 19-05-2019 1:29pm

McBurney has impressed, looks more like a Best mold hooker with the samw turnover threat.

Agreed we need a more traditional 6 to help the backrow out. Snr Rea really needs to push on and lock the blindside down.

For the first time it seems like the talent in the academy may actual push on. Not becoming abother name sake to dissapear.

Reading on Ball.ie Aaron Sexton recording 10.49 on the 100 metres.

Paul Smeenus · 19-05-2019 3:20pm

Ulster is an utterly different beast to this time last year.

That '17-'18 season was a long, disheartening grind of constant upheaval. Jackson and Olding had gone, leaving a lot of people with a bad taste in their mouth, and making Ulster Rugby the centre of a media storm that was very unpleasant to be a part of. Jared Payne had incurred a weird injury for the B&I Lions that mean he never featured again in an Ulster shirt. Coetzee managed a handful of games. Trimble and Bowe started to show their ages, and both retired, as did Paul Marshall and Ricky Lutton. Less talented players who were nevertheless stalwarts - like Callum Black and Robbie Diack - moved on. Charles Piutau went to earn serious moolah in Bristol.

In January, Les Kiss left by "mutual consent". I for one was perfectly happy to see him go - especially as that meant Jonno Gibbes would assume control. Our backs had long been the most talented half of the team - with Gibbes working some magic with the pack, I reasoned, we could turn things around. Nope. Then Gibbes announced he was going home to Waikato to coach, then actually went to coach La Rochelle. It was massively demoralising. And consistency? In the last ten years we'd had Matt Williams, Brian McLaughlin, Mark Anscombe, Les Kiss, Neil Doak, Les Kiss again, Jonno Gibbes as head coaches. That's seven stretches, amongst six coaches, in a decade. It felt, quite frankly, like we were uncoachable.

When we were told Dan McFarland was to be the new head coach, it seemed inevitable that there would be some kind of typically Ulster vibe to it - Scotland seemingly unwilling to release him until November, and actually unwilling to let him go until August, after the pre-season, ticked that box. Payne becoming official, full time defence coach was a concern, in that it was his first coaching job. But Johnny Petrie replacing Shane Logan was massive - an ex-player replacing a businessman. More grounded, more willing to communicate with fans, infinitely more knowledge about rugby. When racist taunts were thrown at Simon Zebo, the actions were swift, decisive and sent out an unambiguous message.

Make no mistake - we continued to shed players throughout the season. Deysel, Henry and Browne retired. Ah You and Herbst simply left to go to other teams. But this season gave a glimpse of a bright future. The lineout is still an issue - some days fine, but on other occasions woeful. But our restarts, mauling, maul defence and scrum have come on massively. Payne has transformed our defence (Glasgow game notwithstanding). Ten academy players - Lowry, Kernohan, Baloucoune, Hume, O'Sullivan, Houston, O''Hagan, Rea, Jones and Curtis have made senior debuts. Several of them have been bumped up onto senior contracts already. The end of last season saw debuts for Dalton, O'Toole and Hall. All we need is some of the young second rows to start to break through, and some talent at nine.

Next season should be even better. Carter, Johnson, Faddes and Milasinovich coming in, and Roddy Grant is coming as a specialist forwards coach. We'll miss Best and Cave, obviously, but still... It all looks pretty hopeful. Bryn said at the start of the season that it was imagined we'd be properly competitive in three to five yesrs. It feels like we're soundly ahead of schedule.

For me, Henderson and Coetzee were at the heart of this season. Hendo absolutely stood up in terms of fantastic performances, leadership and grabbing games by the scruff of the neck. Coetzee added - and inspired in other players - an amazing physicality. Treadwell really looked capable of a great deal more than last season. O'Sullivan looks to the manor born. Hume and Lowry look both comfortable and exciting. Baloucoune has come from nowhere and I'm not sure Gilroy automatically starts ahead of him when fit. Moore and Addison very influential, and Marshall has come back with a roar.

Bring it on.

Squidgy Black · 19-05-2019 3:51pm

I'm not an Ulster man, but I watch most games, and for me the biggest sign of progress is the young players coming through.

Ulster of two years ago was based around ageing players and mercenaries, with no real succession plan in place for them.

Now you've the likes of O'Sullivan, O'Toole, Rea, Burns, Stockdale, Treadwell, Lowry, Kernohan, Timoney, Balacoune, Lyttle, all under the age of 25 and getting significant game time and putting a foundation in place to build around. Particularly the backrow which I believe two seasons ago was the oldest backrow in the Pro14 at one stage.

A sprinkle of decent imports and some top notch IQ signings this season as well as the likes of McGrath coming on board, the future's definitely bright for Ulster if they keep on this path.

bilston · 19-05-2019 5:16pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Ulster is an utterly different beast to this time last year.

That '17-'18 season was a long, disheartening grind of constant upheaval. Jackson and Olding had gone, leaving a lot of people with a bad taste in their mouth, and making Ulster Rugby the centre of a media storm that was very unpleasant to be a part of. Jared Payne had incurred a weird injury for the B&I Lions that mean he never featured again in an Ulster shirt. Coetzee managed a handful of games. Trimble and Bowe started to show their ages, and both retired, as did Paul Marshall and Ricky Lutton. Less talented players who were nevertheless stalwarts - like Callum Black and Robbie Diack - moved on. Charles Piutau went to earn serious moolah in Bristol.

In January, Les Kiss left by "mutual consent". I for one was perfectly happy to see him go - especially as that meant Jonno Gibbes would assume control. Our backs had long been the most talented half of the team - with Gibbes working some magic with the pack, I reasoned, we could turn things around. Nope. Then Gibbes announced he was going home to Waikato to coach, then actually went to coach La Rochelle. It was massively demoralising. And consistency? In the last ten years we'd had Matt Williams, Brian McLaughlin, Mark Anscombe, Les Kiss, Neil Doak, Les Kiss again, Jonno Gibbes as head coaches. That's seven stretches, amongst six coaches, in a decade. It felt, quite frankly, like we were uncoachable.

When we were told Dan McFarland was to be the new head coach, it seemed inevitable that there would be some kind of typically Ulster vibe to it - Scotland seemingly unwilling to release him until November, and actually unwilling to let him go until August, after the pre-season, ticked that box. Payne becoming official, full time defence coach was a concern, in that it was his first coaching job. But Johnny Petrie replacing Shane Logan was massive - an ex-player replacing a businessman. More grounded, more willing to communicate with fans, infinitely more knowledge about rugby. When racist taunts were thrown at Simon Zebo, the actions were swift, decisive and sent out an unambiguous message.

Make no mistake - we continued to shed players throughout the season. Deysel, Henry and Browne retired. Ah You and Herbst simply left to go to other teams. But this season gave a glimpse of a bright future. The lineout is still an issue - some days fine, but on other occasions woeful. But our restarts, mauling, maul defence and scrum have come on massively. Payne has transformed our defence (Glasgow game notwithstanding). Ten academy players - Lowry, Kernohan, Baloucoune, Hume, O'Sullivan, Houston, O''Hagan, Rea, Jones and Curtis have made senior debuts. Several of them have been bumped up onto senior contracts already. The end of last season saw debuts for Dalton, O'Toole and Hall. All we need is some of the young second rows to start to break through, and some talent at nine.

Next season should be even better. Carter, Johnson, Faddes and Milasinovich coming in, and Roddy Grant is coming as a specialist forwards coach. We'll miss Best and Cave, obviously, but still... It all looks pretty hopeful. Bryn said at the start of the season that it was imagined we'd be properly competitive in three to five yesrs. It feels like we're soundly ahead of schedule.

For me, Henderson and Coetzee were at the heart of this season. Hendo absolutely stood up in terms of fantastic performances, leadership and grabbing games by the scruff of the neck. Coetzee added - and inspired in other players - an amazing physicality. Treadwell really looked capable of a great deal more than last season. O'Sullivan looks to the manor born. Hume and Lowry look both comfortable and exciting. Baloucoune has come from nowhere and I'm not sure Gilroy automatically starts ahead of him when fit. Moore and Addison very influential, and Marshall has come back with a roar.

Bring it on.

The big thing for me during the season just gone is that it seemed increasingly evident that Hendy had overtaken Rory as our talisman. When Hendy played our levels went up significantly. That's not to diminish Rory at all, as he was still our fearless leader, but Henderson was and still is our most important player.

Dubinusa · 20-05-2019 12:30am

The young lads will make or break Ulster. I feel they will be great. Ulster finally have a high level back row. Coetzee is incredible and Jordi is great too. Reidy is very capable as is Timoney. I think Timoney will get better. Rea's both look good.
E.O.S is fantastic. A huge improvement on the other lads. Jack McGrath will add a lot next year. Marty Moore was great. He will work his way back into the national set up.
I thought they would sign Nagle. He did very well for them. Treadwell had a great second half to the season and A.O.C was good also.
Ulster will contend next season.

launish116 · 20-05-2019 9:29am

Dubinusa wrote: »

The young lads will make or break Ulster. I feel they will be great.

Ulster finally have a high level back row. Coetzee is incredible and Jordi is great too. Reidy is very capable as is Timoney. I think Timoney will get better. Rea's both look good.

E.O.S is fantastic. A huge improvement on the other lads. Jack McGrath will add a lot next year. Marty Moore was great. He will work his way back into the national set up.

I thought they would sign Nagle. He did very well for them. Treadwell had a great second half to the season and A.O.C was good also.
Ulster will contend next season.

Young lads will indeed, we have a crazily young squad now. I still think it will be 2 more seasons before we truly lock down the potential of our young lads. The likes of EOS, Baloucoune, Lyttle are way a head of schedule and will only improve more in the incoming season.

We do have a very good first string backrow, but any long term injury to Coetzee and that dynamic drastically changes. Blindside is still open and opportunities awaits. Rea Snr needs a decent injury free run and needs to lock down Blindside. Very much looking forward to seeing the likes of Rea Jnr, Allison, Dunleavy, Agnew after a full pre-season. Any academy player capable of ball carrying, fast track!

Front row next season is going to be very interesting. Bar tighthead and hooker there will be real competition between EOS & Mcgrath and bench spots.

Secondrow also an area of improvement, Carter to arrive with Treadwell now showing what he's capable off. I too would have been happy to sign Nagle. I didn't think he had the chance to show how good he could have been. Not to forget Dan also sees potential in Dalton.

All in all I'm very excited to see how pre-season goes, with our new arrivals and integration of more academy player.

kingofthekong · 20-05-2019 9:43am

bilston wrote: »

I'm hoping to see the likes of O'Toole, McBurney and Marcus Rea really kick on next season. Best needs replaced and McBurney might be the long term answer. Also as much as I like Timoney I think we could do with an upgrade at 6 alongside Murphy and Coetzee. Maybe, given time, Marcus Rea could be that guy

Who knows who will be the next cab off the academy rank but I'm looking forward to seeing Callum Reid, David McCann, Azur Allison and Stewart Moore playing for the U20s over the next few week's (if they make the final cut of course!)

Cant see Marcus R. being the answer, solid player through the age groups but thats it, Azur Allison is another story he would be your best bet.

I think Timoney could be very good but he doesnt get enough involvments in with ball in hand, if he could get close to the amount of ball carries Marcell makes he could be a weapon but just doesnt get involved as much

Sinbad_NI · 20-05-2019 1:13pm

Confirmed Bill Johnson is joining

Squidgy Black · 20-05-2019 1:20pm

Sinbad_NI wrote: »

Confirmed Bill Johnson is joining

Good signing. Wonder what this means for McPhillips, will he head back over to the UK? I'd imagine he'd be a target for championship sides.

thomond2006 · 20-05-2019 1:32pm

A good signing as it stands and potentially a very good one. Gutted to see Johnston leave Munster but it's in his best interests.

stellenbosch · 20-05-2019 2:09pm

kingofthekong wrote: »

Cant see Marcus R. being the answer, solid player through the age groups but thats it, Azur Allison is another story he would be your best bet.

I think Timoney could be very good but he doesnt get enough involvments in with ball in hand, if he could get close to the amount of ball carries Marcell makes he could be a weapon but just doesnt get involved as much

Where is Jones in all this do people think? Hasnt really had much of a run of games?

Dubinusa · 20-05-2019 2:27pm

I think Jones is a good back up to Coetzee. He can also fit in as a blindside. Timoney is a similar type to Deegan imo. He can be very dynamic in space and can move like a gazelle.
I really hope Rea comes good. All in all, the back row looks good. Jones can step in when Coetzee is being rested. Timoney can also play at 8.

Hands Like Flippers · 20-05-2019 10:28pm

https://amp.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/watch-ulster-rugbys-rising-star-aaron-sexton-breaks-two-ulster-schools-sprint-records-38128839.html

Squatter · 20-05-2019 10:32pm

Not wumming or anything, but what has happened to Gilroy - he appears to have vanished off the face of the earth?

Squidgy Black · 20-05-2019 10:35pm

Squatter wrote: »

Not wumming or anything, but what has happened to Gilroy - he appears to have vanished off the face of the earth?

Was injured with his back since October, kept missing his return date and I think he still hasn't returned to full training but could be wrong as I haven't heard anything over the past couple of weeks.

launish116 · 20-05-2019 10:35pm

Squatter wrote: »

Not wumming or anything, but what has happened to Gilroy - he appears to have vanished off the face of the earth?

Was rehabbing a back injury that wasn't healing, went for a second opinion and found a hairline crack in his spine I believe.

He's going to struggle to get his shirt back. For all his flare, I'd have Baloucoune start.

Squatter · 20-05-2019 11:03pm

Thanks guys. Hopefully he'll make a full recovery.

launish116 · 21-05-2019 8:38am

Squatter wrote: »

Thanks guys. Hopefully he'll make a full recovery.

Hopefully! Scary to think he may struggle to start. Honestly think Baloucoune would be better suited to start with Gilroy coming on to a more open game. Some serious options in the backline next season bar 9 & 10.

Squatter · 21-05-2019 10:13am

launish116 wrote: »

Hopefully! Scary to think he may struggle to start. Honestly think Baloucoune would be better suited to start with Gilroy coming on to a more open game. Some serious options in the backline next season bar 9 & 10.

He could always move to Dublin! It's about time you lot repaid our generosity in providing the backbone of your team.

stl.ire · 21-05-2019 6:50pm

Squatter wrote: »

He could always move to Dublin! It's about time you lot repaid our generosity in providing the backbone of your team.

I know you're joking but Ulster backs moving south will almost certainly become a reality. Ulster have always produced an overabundance of them (wings and centers in particular) and if winges like Stockdale, Baloucoune, Sexton, Lyttle, etc reach their potential and start to pile up they'll get the call to move.

Ireland cannot tolerate Ulster backs moving overseas like they used to. Situations like Bowe to Ospreys, Farrell to Gernoble, Steenson and Whitten to Exeter or Tommy Seymour to Glasgow need to stop. I doubt Leinster will be the chief beneficiaries but Ulster backs will be moved.

launish116 · 21-05-2019 8:02pm

stl.ire wrote: »

I know you're joking but Ulster backs moving south will almost certainly become a reality. Ulster have always produced an overabundance of them (wings and centers in particular) and if winges like Stockdale, Baloucoune, Sexton, Lyttle, etc reach their potential and start to pile up they'll get the call to move.

Ireland cannot tolerate Ulster backs moving overseas like they used to. Situations like Bowe to Ospreys, Farrell to Gernoble, Steenson and Whitten to Exeter or Tommy Seymour to Glasgow need to stop. I doubt Leinster will be the chief beneficiaries but Ulster backs will be moved.

It's inevitable and could honestly see it by end of next season.

Do wonder will some of the young wings see fullback as the position to lock down. Not just at provincial level but at international level,

A fully fit squad is going to be the cause of a really good head ache for the backline 11-15.

Try and fit McCloskey, Marshall, Addison, Faddes, Ludik, Stockdale, Gilroy, Baloucoune, Lyttle, Lowry, Curtis into your team.

I honestly think Baloucoune and Lyttle will continue to progress and put serious pressure on Gilroy/Ludik as well.

bilston · 21-05-2019 9:09pm

It will be interesting to see how Angus Curtis goes next season. He missed a big year in his development. It would be handy having for him for some of the "gentler" Pro 14 games where we could take a bit of pressure of McCloskey.

Can Faddes play 12? Hume can probably play there too.

bilston · 21-05-2019 9:11pm

launish116 wrote: »

It's inevitable and could honestly see it by end of next season.

Do wonder will some of the young wings see fullback as the position to lock down. Not just at provincial level but at international level,

A fully fit squad is going to be the cause of a really good head ache for the backline 11-15.

Try and fit McCloskey, Marshall, Addison, Faddes, Ludik, Stockdale, Gilroy, Baloucoune, Lyttle, Lowry, Curtis into your team.

I honestly think Baloucoune and Lyttle will continue to progress and put serious pressure on Gilroy/Ludik as well.

Given Rob Lyttle has already made one controversial transfer as a schoolboy who is to say he won't do the same as a pro if he isn't getting the chances at Ulster. If I had one criticism of the coaches in regards to selections, it would be the back three, for me Lyttle should be the next name down after Stockdale.

launish116 · 21-05-2019 9:20pm

bilston wrote: »

It will be interesting to see how Angus Curtis goes next season. He missed a big year in his development. It would be handy having for him for some of the "gentler" Pro 14 games where we could take a bit of pressure of McCloskey.

Can Faddes play 12? Hume can probably play there too.

Or Marshall back to 12 and Addison/Faddes/Hume/Stewart and Harlequins Hyde at 13.

So many options/combinations for next season. But your right about Curtis, he looked very good at jnr and might be another to thrive in this new environment,

Given Rob Lyttle has already made one controversial transfer as a schoolboy who is to say he won't do the same as a pro if he isn't getting the chances at Ulster. If I had one criticism of the coaches in regards to selections, it would be the back three, for me Lyttle should be the next name down after Stockdale.

It's been great for him to get an injury free run. He has shown a lot of promise. During RWC would hope see Baloucoune, Faddes, Lyttle hold down starters.

The Parish King · 21-05-2019 9:22pm

bilston wrote: »

Given Rob Lyttle has already made one controversial transfer as a schoolboy who is to say he won't do the same as a pro if he isn't getting the chances at Ulster. If I had one criticism of the coaches in regards to selections, it would be the back three, for me Lyttle should be the next name down after Stockdale.

Excuse the ignorance, but what was Lyttle’s first controversial transfer? Just between schools, or was it provinces?

I think he’s a great player going forward, similar to the Shane Williams mould. I probably haven’t seen enough of him to comment defensively, but he strikes me as being a bit lightweight - is that an unfair bias on my part?

The Lost Sheep · 21-05-2019 9:25pm

The Parish King wrote: »

Excuse the ignorance, but what was Lyttle’s first controversial transfer? Just between schools, or was it provinces?

Went from RBAI to Methody and in year he played with Methody they got knocked out of schools cup in semis while RBAI went on to win cup
Always been playing in Ulster

Locke_Lamora · 21-05-2019 10:33pm

The Parish King wrote: »

Excuse the ignorance, but what was Lyttle’s first controversial transfer? Just between schools, or was it provinces?

I think he’s a great player going forward, similar to the Shane Williams mould. I probably haven’t seen enough of him to comment defensively, but he strikes me as being a bit lightweight - is that an unfair bias on my part?

He's certainly not the biggest guy which might stop him from ever becoming an elite player, but he's proven to be quite strong in contact and an excellent going forward. He's also a great goal kicker, and I'd bet money on him being a better fullback than lowry. I'd quite like to see him fill in there, but I really hope the rumour posted on here a while back about him possibly being cut is false, or premature considering the run of games he's put in since.

bilston · 21-05-2019 10:42pm

Locke_Lamora wrote: »

He's certainly not the biggest guy which might stop him from ever becoming an elite player, but he's proven to be quite strong in contact and an excellent going forward. He's also a great goal kicker, and I'd bet money on him being a better fullback than lowry. I'd quite like to see him fill in there, but I really hope the rumour posted on here a while back about him possibly being cut is false, or premature considering the run of games he's put in since.

He signed a new contract since that rumour was posted

Locke_Lamora · 21-05-2019 11:22pm

bilston wrote: »

He signed a new contract since that rumour was posted

Must have missed that, that's great news. We have a great mix of experience and youth in the backline to work with over the next few years, just need to find the best combinations.

stl.ire · 21-05-2019 11:34pm

bilston wrote: »

Given Rob Lyttle has already made one controversial transfer as a schoolboy who is to say he won't do the same as a pro if he isn't getting the chances at Ulster. If I had one criticism of the coaches in regards to selections, it would be the back three, for me Lyttle should be the next name down after Stockdale.

This is exactly why Ulster fans need to prepare ourselves for the fact that players will likely move - the squad is even now beginning to strain with the upcoming talent at certain positions. Like Leinster have found that's great short term but it's unrealistic to think everyone will remain happy.

I would hate to see it but honestly if I was Lyttle's agent I'd have a cheeky phone call to Munster. Earls will be retiring soon and Conway is quality but after them their back 3 consists of Haley, Sweetnam, Wooten, Calvin Nash and academy guys. It's not unrealistic to think that he'd have a real shot at European Cup games, particularly if he thinks he can play 15. At Ulster he's in a dogfight with Stockdale, Baloucoune, Gilroy, Faddes, Ludik, Lowry, Addison etc. etc. Next season will be big for him, he'll get Pro14 games but if he has any Ireland ambitions then he'll need European ones.

The best we can hope for is that players move to other provinces and not overseas. If only the academy could churn out forwards at the same rate!

troyzer · 21-05-2019 11:44pm

We'll take Aaron Sexton please.

stl.ire · 22-05-2019 12:04am

troyzer wrote: »

We'll take Aaron Sexton please.

Sure thing. You just have to catch him first.

Burkie1203 · 22-05-2019 6:59am

stl.ire wrote: »

Sure thing. You just have to catch him first.

Sean Cronin accepts that challenge.

mfceiling · 22-05-2019 9:23am

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Sean Cronin accepts that challenge.

100 metres in 10.49 seconds.

Paul Smeenus · 22-05-2019 10:32am

Maybe we could give Cronin a net to throw over him? He'd be pretty safe then.

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

Comments