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

RobbieRuns · 04-09-2019 10:12am

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Absolutely, but look at the sheer numbers of players that Munster and Leinster have returning. A whole front row each. Munster have almost a whole pack and Leinster almost a whole backline. Their teams will be transformed after players return from the RWC - ours will just be (substantially) improved.

But if they have them returning, then that means the first choice players for Ulster (bar Jacob and Iain) will already be here and you can steal a march. Ulster have a good squad, a better group than in previous years in my opinion. They need improvement on last season. They need a good start to the season.

Having large numbers in the Irish squad can have its problems as well, the players can come back battered and damaged, they will need a rest. Connacht have Aki and Carty missing and I would say that those players will be missed a lot more than Ulsters two. Munster and Leinster have the big numbers which is true, so it is time for Ulster to make that great start. I think that they will.

Sinbad_NI · 04-09-2019 10:29am

Have to expect a better season then last year with the recruitment that has been done coming into this season.
+ a full pre season with the coach

What those expectations amount to I don't know. Still going to have to get past some very strong teams to win silverware, don't think that'll happen realistically.

I think the OH position is going to be our potential weakest link now. Hopefully Burns can push on, had a few flashes last year but plenty of quiet games as well, maybe Johnston can add another useful option.

bilston · 04-09-2019 10:46am

Sinbad_NI wrote: »

Have to expect a better season then last year with the recruitment that has been done coming into this season.
+ a full pre season with the coach

What those expectations amount to I don't know. Still going to have to get past some very strong teams to win silverware, don't think that'll happen realistically.

I think the OH position is going to be our potential weakest link now. Hopefully Burns can push on, had a few flashes last year but plenty of quiet games as well, maybe Johnston can add another useful option.

From what I've seen in the past (admittedly mainly at U20 level) I'd be hopeful that if Bill Johnston stays fit he will turn out to be the best signing of the lot this summer. I expect Burns to start the season as first choice, but Johnston will push him hard.

launish116 · 04-09-2019 10:48am

bilston wrote: »

Sinbad_NI wrote: »

Have to expect a better season then last year with the recruitment that has been done coming into this season.
+ a full pre season with the coach

What those expectations amount to I don't know. Still going to have to get past some very strong teams to win silverware, don't think that'll happen realistically.

I think the OH position is going to be our potential weakest link now. Hopefully Burns can push on, had a few flashes last year but plenty of quiet games as well, maybe Johnston can add another useful option.

From what I've seen in the past (admittedly mainly at U20 level) I'd be hopeful that if Bill Johnston stays fit he will turn out to be the best signing of the lot this summer. I expect Burns to start the season as first choice, but Johnston will push him hard.

Where does that leave Lowry?

Sinbad_NI · 04-09-2019 11:20am

launish116 wrote: »

Where does that leave Lowry?

I really don't know.
He's a skillful guy no doubt about that, but is he just to small and light for modern rugby in any position other than 9. Maybe not an issue at pro14 level perhaps.

RobbieRuns · 04-09-2019 2:54pm

Lowry is a great young player, but lacks size. Bill Johnson is not the biggest either. Agree that OH is the link that Ulster are still looking for.

Paul Smeenus · 05-09-2019 12:12pm

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/from-azur-allison-to-nathan-doak-five-players-who-have-been-standing-out-ulsters-a-side-this-season-38470062.html

bilston · 05-09-2019 1:13pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/from-azur-allison-to-nathan-doak-five-players-who-have-been-standing-out-ulsters-a-side-this-season-38470062.html

It's just great that we now have genuine homegrown talent coming through in the pack.

launish116 · 05-09-2019 1:23pm

bilston wrote: »

It's just great that we now have genuine homegrown talent coming through in the pack.

Does genuinely look like Academy is shaping up!

Can seriously see a young core of the future senior team developing now.

Paul Smeenus · 05-09-2019 2:07pm

Ulster A team to play Connacht Eagles, Celtic Cup Round 3, Friday 6th September, 4.00pm, Ballymena RFC:

(15-9): Conor Rankin(U19); Ross Adair, Hayden Hyde(U20), Ben Power(U20), Luke Pollock(U19); Bruce Houston, Nathan Doak(U19);
(1-8): Callum Reid, Zack McCall, Peter Cooper, Matthew Dalton, Jack Regan, Joe Dunleavy, David McCann(U20) (Capt), Azur Allison.

Replacements: Claytan Milligan, Paul Mullen, Jonny Blair, JJ McKee, Matthew Agnew, Aaron Hall, Lewis Finlay(U20), Michael Stronge

bilston · 06-09-2019 1:41pm

So can we put to bed the argument that Ethan McIlroy didn't make the Academy because of guilt by association?

On the bench against Glasgow tomorrow.

bilston · 06-09-2019 1:45pm

Faddes starts at 13, Stewart starts at 9. Burns is captain. Rea Jnr is at openside which is interesting

mogwai81 · 06-09-2019 3:47pm

Ulster Rugby
(15-9): Michael Lowry; Craig Gilroy, Matt Faddes, James Hume, Angus Kernohan; Billy Burns (captain), Jonny Stewart;
(1-8): Kyle McCall, Adam McBurney, Ross Kane, Alan O’Connor, David O’Connor, Clive Ross, Marcus Rea, Greg Jones;
Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Tom O’Toole, Sam Carter, Kieran Treadwell, Matty Rea, Sean Reidy, Nick Timoney, David Shanahan, John Cooney, Angus Curtis, Luke Marshall, Graham Curtis, Ethan McIlroy.

Lucas44 · 06-09-2019 4:58pm

bilston wrote: »

So can we put to bed the argument that Ethan McIlroy didn't make the Academy because of guilt by association?

On the bench against Glasgow tomorrow.

Should that not build up his case for an academy contract even more then? Clearly the coaches rate him higher than rankin but corporate only signed off on one of them having an academy deal

Lucas44 · 06-09-2019 4:59pm

bilston wrote: »

So can we put to bed the argument that Ethan McIlroy didn't make the Academy because of guilt by association?

On the bench against Glasgow tomorrow.

Should that not build up his case for an academy contract even more then? Clearly the coaches rate him higher than rankin but corporate only signed off on one of them having an academy deal

launish116 · 06-09-2019 6:23pm

Taken from UAFC - Ulster won 33-13. Tries from Adair, Rankin, McCann and Cooper x 2.

Why isn't Cooper stepping up? seems to be always scoring.

Locke_Lamora · 06-09-2019 6:59pm

launish116 wrote: »

Taken from UAFC - Ulster won 33-13. Tries from Adair, Rankin, McCann and Cooper x 2.

Why isn't Cooper stepping up? seems to be always scoring.

He seems to do well enough in open play, but he's smaller than the likes of Reid, O'Sullivan and O'Toole, who aren't exactly the bigger props around either. Struggles in scrums from what I've seen as well.

Hands Like Flippers · 06-09-2019 8:02pm

launish116 wrote: »

Taken from UAFC - Ulster won 33-13. Tries from Adair, Rankin, McCann and Cooper x 2.

Why isn't Cooper stepping up? seems to be always scoring.

Adair was the pick of the backs but as with last week the fwds were better. 2, 7 and 8 best fwds though Agnew put in a few thumping hits when he came on.

Quite a few silly errors from a few players eh Dalton giving away needless penalties though he wasn't the only one.

Hyde was quiet at 13. Played much better at 12 last week.

V effective team but not exactly exciting to watch.

Connacht were a better side. 2 and 4 played in the u20 world Cup but didnt do much. 4 was v quiet.

Utah_Saint · 07-09-2019 10:20am

Is today's game on TV anywhere? Thought tickets were a bit dear for a preseason... should've be £10 at most.

Squidgy Black · 07-09-2019 10:35am

Utah_Saint wrote: »

Is today's game on TV anywhere? Thought tickets were a bit dear for a preseason... should've be £10 at most.

Being streamed on the Ulster Rugby Facebook page.

launish116 · 07-09-2019 2:12pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Being streamed on the Ulster Rugby Facebook page.

pretty good stream to be fair also

Hands Like Flippers · 07-09-2019 2:18pm

Hands Like Flippers wrote: »

Connacht were a better side. 2 and 4 played in the u20 world Cup but didnt do much. 4 was v quiet.

Better than Cardiff that is.

mfceiling · 07-09-2019 4:15pm

Ulster 50

Glasgow 19

Very good start and nice to see Gilroy back with a brace.

bilston · 08-09-2019 10:18am

Yesterday's game is on the Ulster Facebook page if anyone wants to see it.

Hard to pick out individuals, and also I've no real idea of the relative strength of the Glasgow side, the second half was virtually unopposed at times, but one thing that stood out to me was the skill level from Ulster. It looks like Dan Soper is having a positive effect. Some lovely handling from Ulster, some of which led to tries.

The Cooney/Lowry/Marshall axis in the final quarter was a joy to watch, but again the Glasgow defence was hardly intense. A couple of impressive second half performances by Sean Reidy and Sam Carter. Again, it's only a pre season game, but Carter looks like he could be a good signing.

bilston · 08-09-2019 2:33pm

Feck me. The UAFC experts have decided Faddes isn't up to it after 40 minutes of a pre season game.

Someone should put that place out of its misery.

Sinbad_NI · 08-09-2019 3:09pm

Glasgow were pretty weak. They've something like 12 away to WC I think.

They feel off the pace pretty badly in the second half as Ulster kicked on.

damianmcr · 08-09-2019 7:55pm

bilston wrote: »

Feck me. The UAFC experts have decided Faddes isn't up to it after 40 minutes of a pre season game.

Someone should put that place out of its misery.

You mean the one post?

bilston · 08-09-2019 8:37pm

damianmcr wrote: »

You mean the one post?

Fair enough, I thought a few others. On second look one or two were sarcasm.

Anyway, a couple of players were missing yesterday that I thought would have been involved. Anyone know what the story is with Bill Johnston and Louis Ludik. I think Stewart Moore is still injured and I assume Marty Moore is still recovering.

bilston · 08-09-2019 8:40pm

Lucas44 wrote: »

Should that not build up his case for an academy contract even more then? Clearly the coaches rate him higher than rankin but corporate only signed off on one of them having an academy deal

That's another way of looking at it I suppose.

He looked pretty good. Some nice handling skills and looks to have good feet.

damianmcr · 08-09-2019 9:33pm

bilston wrote: »

Fair enough, I thought a few others. On second look one or two were sarcasm.

Anyway, a couple of players were missing yesterday that I thought would have been involved. Anyone know what the story is with Bill Johnston and Louis Ludik. I think Stewart Moore is still injured and I assume Marty Moore is still recovering.

No idea and I just wondered where Robert Baloucoune was.

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

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