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

Hands Like Flippers · 14-01-2020 1:42am

bilston wrote: »

Particularly second row. I don't even know if there are any decent prospects out there, even below Academy level.

As Loch Lamora suggests we are ok in the short term anyway at Ulster, but it would be nice to see someone emerge in the year or two at age grade level who will be 21/22/23 by the time Henderson hangs up the boots in 5+ years time or whenever he calls it a day.

There are a couple of good prospects at age grade but probably best not to mention names as still at school. Both getting a crack at Irish u18 camps a year early.

Utah_Saint · 15-01-2020 11:32am

Update from Ulster

Matt Faddes sustained a shoulder injury in the game against Clermont, and will not be fit for this week’s game versus Bath.

Will Addison (calf) and Marty Moore (ankle) both sustained injuries in the Clermont match. Their fitness to play will be monitored throughout the week.

Locke_Lamora · 15-01-2020 2:03pm

Stewart Moore replaces Angus Curtis in the European squad.

jacothelad · 15-01-2020 4:41pm

Locke_Lamora wrote: »

Stewart Moore replaces Angus Curtis in the European squad.

Was there ever an update on the injury Curtis sustained? Poor guy. He looks a good player but very unlucky.

Squidgy Black · 15-01-2020 4:48pm

jacothelad wrote: »

Was there ever an update on the injury Curtis sustained? Poor guy. He looks a good player but very unlucky.

ACL, has to go for surgery and they're saying 'long term' injury. So likely the usual year or so out.

Utah_Saint · 15-01-2020 9:12pm

Just checked and McCloskeys contract runs until 2022 so he might not get away for that payday...

jacothelad · 15-01-2020 10:07pm

Disappointed for Moore and McCloskey. Tom O'Toole is not ready for this. Moore is probably asking "W.T.F." Soon for TOT maybe but not yet. Jack McGrath hasn't been anything special either. O.K. but not the player of 2017 but he is getting there. EOS may be rightly disconcerted also.

Squidgy Black · 15-01-2020 10:15pm

O'Toole is such a strange call to me. Not that he's not a decent prospect and isn't playing well, but picking a firm second choice who's only had two seasons of senior rugby and is behind an experienced player who's come into some of his best form in years is such a bizarre call. The only thing I can think of is potentially Moore's fitness/weight going against him maybe.

awec · 15-01-2020 11:31pm

O'Toole being in the squad proper rather than a development player is a weird one.

Buer · 16-01-2020 9:34am

awec wrote: »

O'Toole being in the squad proper rather than a development player is a weird one.

Is it due to Moore being injured? And basically none of the others available are deemed useful into the future i.e. it's far better to invest time in TOT rather than have John Ryan holding tackle bags?

awec · 16-01-2020 10:39am

Buer wrote: »

Is it due to Moore being injured? And basically none of the others available are deemed useful into the future i.e. it's far better to invest time in TOT rather than have John Ryan holding tackle bags?

I don't think Moore is that injured. He hasn't been ruled out of the game this weekend at this stage.

Locke_Lamora · 16-01-2020 3:51pm

Ulster A vs Leinster: CIYMS RFC on Friday 17th January, kick off 6pm.

(15-9) Conor Rankin, Ben Moxham, Stewart Moore, Ben Power, Luke Pollock, Bruce Houston, Lewis Finlay.

(1-8) Callum Reid, Zack McCall, Kyle McCall, Matthew Dalton, Jack Regan, Joe Dunleavy, Marcus Rea, Azur Allison (Capt.)

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Adam Hanna, Peter Cooper, Conor McMenamin, Matthew Agnew, Jack Milton, Conor McKee, Gregg Hutley, Ethan McIlroy, Andy Bryans.

Locke_Lamora · 16-01-2020 4:09pm

Not sure what sort of team Leinster will put out, but realistically they should hammer us. Could see them playing a lot of u19/u20's like they did against Munster.

Reid, Moore, Stewart, McIlroy and maybe Allison I expect to have good futures with Ulster. Glad to see Stewart Moore back getting a run of games since his injury problems - I could see him getting minutes in the pro14 with Hume out for a while yet.

The scrumhalves would be interesting to watch, as I could see our next academy intake bringing in an extra 9 besides Doak. Finaly looks likely to start for the u20's and I think he's training with the sub-academy, and McKee is with the irish u20's as an u19. Not really sure on their quality though.

Interesting to see Moxham moved out to the wing. Thought he was primarily a 12 and I'm not sure about his pace, but it would be useful if he could add more strings to his bow. Not sure where he is in the pecking order for the irish u20's, but I hope he gets some game time as an u19.

Jack Milton is still u18 but never seen him play. Lots of players there who will want to put their hand up for one reason or another - some hoping to make the academy, some probably hoping to stay in it. Leinster's a tough game to do it in anyway.

mogwai81 · 16-01-2020 6:00pm

Locke_Lamora wrote: »

Ulster A vs Leinster: CIYMS RFC on Friday 17th January, kick off 6pm.

(15-9) Conor Rankin, Ben Moxham, Stewart Moore, Ben Power, Luke Pollock, Bruce Houston, Lewis Finlay.

(1-8) Callum Reid, Zack McCall, Kyle McCall, Matthew Dalton, Jack Regan, Joe Dunleavy, Marcus Rea, Azur Allison (Capt.)

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Adam Hanna, Peter Cooper, Conor McMenamin, Matthew Agnew, Jack Milton, Conor McKee, Gregg Hutley, Ethan McIlroy, Andy Bryans.

Is Kyle McCall being converted to a Tighthead?

Locke_Lamora · 17-01-2020 1:53pm

Ulster team to play Bath Rugby, Heineken Champions Cup Round 6, Saturday 18 January at Kingspan Stadium, kick-off 3.15pm:

(15-9) Will Addison, Robert Baloucoune, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney.

(1-8) Jack McGrath, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Iain Henderson (Capt.), Sean Reidy, Jordi Murphy, Marcell Coetzee.

Replacements: Adam McBurney, Eric O’Sullivan, Ross Kane, Kieran Treadwell, Nick Timoney, David Shanahan, Bill Johnston, Craig Gilroy.

awec · 17-01-2020 1:54pm

Strong team. What sort of side are Bath sending?

Locke_Lamora · 17-01-2020 1:54pm

15. Tom Homer

14. Gabe Hamer-Webb

13. Jackson Willison

12. Max Wright

11. Ruaridh McConnochie

10. Freddie Burns

9. Ollie Fox

1. Beno Obano

2. Jack Walker

3. Will Stuart

4. Matt Garvey

5. Charlie Ewels (C)

6. Tom Ellis

7. Sam Underhill

8. Josh Bayliss

Replacements

16. Ross Batty

17. Lucas Noguera

18. Sam Nixon

19. Josh McNally

20. Mike Williams

21. Chris Cook

22. Rhys Priestland

23. Aled Brew

RobbieRuns · 17-01-2020 1:54pm

That back line kind of picks itself now. A very good sign for Ulster

Locke_Lamora · 17-01-2020 1:56pm

Was hoping Bath would send a weaker side, but there's still some very good players there. We should win, but this has the potential to be a bad slip up imo. I think this is pretty much a must win game as far a permutations go.

RobbieRuns · 17-01-2020 1:58pm

Ulster should fear no one at home.

Former Former · 17-01-2020 3:32pm

Ulster will win this at a canter.

Paul Smeenus · 17-01-2020 4:04pm

Delighted to see EOS back. Hopefully he gets more time during the Six Nations.

My rule of thumb is to give every new signing a season to settle in before writing them off, but not surprised at Faddes' absence. I'd have him behind every player named, Ludik, Hume at centre and Lyttle on the wing. Will the "development players" - Baloucoune et al - be available during the Six Nations? Might be the only way Faddes starts.

Hope FF is right and we handle them easily, and get some of the bench on early for some gametime. Treadwell, Shanahan, McBurney, Johnson going to be crucial over the next few months. Aren't Lowry and Carter due back soon?

bilston · 17-01-2020 6:17pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Delighted to see EOS back. Hopefully he gets more time during the Six Nations.

My rule of thumb is to give every new signing a season to settle in before writing them off, but not surprised at Faddes' absence. I'd have him behind every player named, Ludik, Hume at centre and Lyttle on the wing. Will the "development players" - Baloucoune et al - be available during the Six Nations? Might be the only way Faddes starts.

Hope FF is right and we handle them easily, and get some of the bench on early for some gametime. Treadwell, Shanahan, McBurney, Johnson going to be crucial over the next few months. Aren't Lowry and Carter due back soon?

Most of the players not in the Ireland matchday squad will be available during the 6Ns, so Balacoune, O'Toole, Burns and possibly McGrath should all be available.

bilston · 17-01-2020 6:18pm

RobbieRuns wrote: »

That back line kind of picks itself now. A very good sign for Ulster

I remember under Kiss our backline changed every bloody week. There was no chance to build cohesion.

Burns, McCloskey and Marshall have played a lotmof rugby together this season which is great.

Hands Like Flippers · 18-01-2020 11:04am

Went to A game.

Leinster just bigger, faster and smarter, not to mention ruthless in Ulster's 22. Adam Byrne 14 v Luke Pollock 11 perfect example of size and experience difference.

Scrums were even.

1 try down within 2 min. Ulster fought back. Held up. Penalty under posts etc. Went to corner. Lineout ball over the top to Leinster who clear it. It was one of those nights. Chance to level game gone.

Marcus Rea & Azzur Allison pick of the pack. Rea's try was superb. Real speed. Leinster's O Dowling 4 nearly had a long range run in but his team mate impeded a tackler so was ruled out but both freakishly quick for forwards.

Ulster backs rarely had the ball and generally messed it up when they did. S Moore the pick of the bunch. Hardly had the ball but beat his opposite man easily twice but then dropped one and cover got him on the other. Another time sub 10 (first year out of school) took too much out of the ball and by the time he passed it was behind S Moore (who was on a hard line) who couldn't catch it and got smashed. Not good.

Hard to understand why one or two boys are playing on that team. A few of the Leinster's tries were just too easy. Eg,
Missed clearance kick caught on halfway line by L 15. L 15 runs in under posts.
L 10 (still 18 apparently) runs between Ulster 9 and 10 off scrum in his own half. Try.
U sub 10 got a bad pass in his own 22 and threw an even worse pass, a daisy cutter to noone. L 13 ran through picked it up and ran under posts unopposed.

Ulster tbf defended well for periods but Leinster had very fast direct runners, lots of ideas and options. L dominated most of the collisions.

I felt sorry for the v young and the very good Ulster players.

Paul Smeenus · 18-01-2020 11:57am

Hands Like Flippers wrote: »

Went to A game.

Leinster just bigger, faster and smarter, not to mention ruthless in Ulster's 22. Adam Byrne 14 v Luke Pollock 11 perfect example of size and experience difference.

Scrums were even.

1 try down within 2 min. Ulster fought back. Held up. Penalty under posts etc. Went to corner. Lineout ball over the top to Leinster who clear it. It was one of those nights. Chance to level game gone.

Marcus Rea & Azzur Allison pick of the pack. Rea's try was superb. Real speed. Leinster's O Dowling 4 nearly had a long range run in but his team mate impeded a tackler so was ruled out but both freakishly quick for forwards.

Ulster backs rarely had the ball and generally messed it up when they did. S Moore the pick of the bunch. Hardly had the ball but beat his opposite man easily twice but then dropped one and cover got him on the other. Another time sub 10 (first year out of school) took too much out of the ball and by the time he passed it was behind S Moore (who was on a hard line) who couldn't catch it and got smashed. Not good.

Hard to understand why one or two boys are playing on that team. A few of the Leinster's tries were just too easy. Eg,
Missed clearance kick caught on halfway line by L 15. L 15 runs in under posts.
L 10 (still 18 apparently) runs between Ulster 9 and 10 off scrum in his own half. Try.
U sub 10 got a bad pass in his own 22 and threw an even worse pass, a daisy cutter to noone. L 13 ran through picked it up and ran under posts unopposed.

Ulster tbf defended well for periods but Leinster had very fast direct runners, lots of ideas and options. L dominated most of the collisions.

I felt sorry for the v young and the very good Ulster players.

Looking at the teams, it was a c complete mismatch. However, if the scrums were even, that is very promising.

bilston · 18-01-2020 12:52pm

Hands Like Flippers wrote: »

Went to A game.

Leinster just bigger, faster and smarter, not to mention ruthless in Ulster's 22. Adam Byrne 14 v Luke Pollock 11 perfect example of size and experience difference.

Scrums were even.

1 try down within 2 min. Ulster fought back. Held up. Penalty under posts etc. Went to corner. Lineout ball over the top to Leinster who clear it. It was one of those nights. Chance to level game gone.

Marcus Rea & Azzur Allison pick of the pack. Rea's try was superb. Real speed. Leinster's O Dowling 4 nearly had a long range run in but his team mate impeded a tackler so was ruled out but both freakishly quick for forwards.

Ulster backs rarely had the ball and generally messed it up when they did. S Moore the pick of the bunch. Hardly had the ball but beat his opposite man easily twice but then dropped one and cover got him on the other. Another time sub 10 (first year out of school) took too much out of the ball and by the time he passed it was behind S Moore (who was on a hard line) who couldn't catch it and got smashed. Not good.

Hard to understand why one or two boys are playing on that team. A few of the Leinster's tries were just too easy. Eg,
Missed clearance kick caught on halfway line by L 15. L 15 runs in under posts.
L 10 (still 18 apparently) runs between Ulster 9 and 10 off scrum in his own half. Try.
U sub 10 got a bad pass in his own 22 and threw an even worse pass, a daisy cutter to noone. L 13 ran through picked it up and ran under posts unopposed.

Ulster tbf defended well for periods but Leinster had very fast direct runners, lots of ideas and options. L dominated most of the collisions.

I felt sorry for the v young and the very good Ulster players.

So basically Marcus Rea, Azur Allison and Stewart Moore the best players? Hardly a surprise.

You say the scrums were even...how did Callum Reid go?

David McCann wasn't playing was he?

I hope Moore, Allison and Rea Jnr get a shot during the 6Ns. We have the Cheetahs and Dragons at home during that period so while we still need to win the games involving one or two even from the bench shouldn't hurt us

Hands Like Flippers · 18-01-2020 4:06pm

bilston wrote: »

So basically Marcus Rea, Azur Allison and Stewart Moore the best players? Hardly a surprise.

You say the scrums were even...how did Callum Reid go?

David McCann wasn't playing was he?

I hope Moore, Allison and Rea Jnr get a shot during the 6Ns. We have the Cheetahs and Dragons at home during that period so while we still need to win the games involving one or two even from the bench shouldn't hurt us

I'm a back so not qualified re the front row but didn't really notice him in open play.

No MCCANN.

Agree with the last point.

Banbridge Academy prop was on the bench and Jack Milton, u18, from Ballyclare RFC was also there so fair do's to both of them. Milton was MOTM for Irish u18 clubs v Italy u18 recently and is involved with the u18 B side this year. Played 7 for Ulster Clubs u18 in the summer and was a real influence on the games. Great to see a young club player coming through.

Squidgy Black · 19-01-2020 6:23pm

Toulouse away is going to be a massive battle, will require a top performance but I think a fit Ulster team can put up a fight

bilston · 19-01-2020 7:32pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Toulouse away is going to be a massive battle, will require a top performance but I think a fit Ulster team can put up a fight

It will be very tough. We will see where we are post Six Nations with injuries.

It's a big chance though, if we win we get a semi at the Aviva against either Exeter or Northampton.

Brewster · 19-01-2020 7:55pm

The commentators were saying that Toulouse were playing for 2nd place and a possibly home semi? Was that incorrect, and by finishing 3rd seed they can get home semi? I forget the pre determined draw formula.

Edit: I checked rules on epc website. there is an advantage for second seeds. If Exeter and Ulster both win, Ulster are away to Exeter. Toulouse would have been in that position had they scored another try??

Squidgy Black · 19-01-2020 8:03pm

Brewster wrote: »

The commentators were saying that Toulouse were playing for 2nd place and a possibly home semi? Was that incorrect, and by finishing 3rd seed they can get home semi? I forget the pre determined draw formula.

They finished 3rd due to points difference behind Exeter, I'd they'd scored another try they'd have leapfrogged Exeter into 2nd and gotten a guaranteed home semi as long as they won their quarter.

Brewster · 19-01-2020 8:05pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

They finished 3rd due to points difference behind Exeter, I'd they'd scored another try they'd have leapfrogged Exeter into 2nd and gotten a guaranteed home semi as long as they won their quarter.

Yeah that’s it, Bliston saying Ulster would get a home semi if they win confused me. The only way Ulster can get a home semi is if Saints beat Exeter also....

bilston · 19-01-2020 8:43pm

Brewster wrote: »

Yeah that’s it, Bliston saying Ulster would get a home semi if they win confused me. The only way Ulster can get a home semi is if Saints beat Exeter also....

Fair enough

awec · 20-01-2020 12:14am

The last time we played Toulouse in a quarter didn’t work out too badly.

Squidgy Black · 20-01-2020 12:26am

awec wrote: »

The last time we played Toulouse in a quarter didn’t work out too badly.

When Balacoune and Stockdale were still in nappies and Tom O'Toole was about 3 months old!

Squidgy Black · 20-01-2020 8:10pm

McCloskey called up to the Six Nations squad. Delighted for the bloke, should have been in the original squad and just hope he gets a chance to show how he's improved over the last couple seasons.

Rigor Mortis · 20-01-2020 10:13pm

What was the score in the A match?

jacothelad · 20-01-2020 10:27pm

Rigor Mortis wrote: »

What was the score in the A match?

62 - 12.

Sinbad_NI · 21-01-2020 2:33pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

McCloskey called up to the Six Nations squad. Delighted for the bloke, should have been in the original squad and just hope he gets a chance to show how he's improved over the last couple seasons.

Yeah should have been in the from the start without a doubt.
Looks like Farrell's knock has ruled him next up.

You'd imagine he's third choice at 12 was it stands with Aki and Henshaw preferred.
Hopefully he can shine in training and give AF something to think about.

Paul Smeenus · 22-01-2020 10:32pm

Just watching Rory Best on Off the Ball. Jesus.

Rory, why did you go to the trial?
Rory, why do you feel Irish?
Rory, why can't you throw?
Rory, why did you slag off Joe Schmidt?
Rory, why did youse fail at the 2019 RWC?
Rory, was it worth it?
That's enough, Rory, thanks for that.
Blydy hell.

prawnsambo · 22-01-2020 10:34pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Just watching Rory Best in off the wall. Jesus.

Rory, why did you go to the trial?
Rory, why do you feel Irish?
Rory, why can't you throw?
Rory, why did you slag off Joe Schmidt?
Rory, why did youse fail at the 2019 RWC?
Rory, was it worth it?
That's enough, Rory, thanks for that.
Blydy hell.

What's 'off the wall'?

22-01-2020 10:34pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Just watching Rory Best in off the wall. Jesus.

Rory, why did you go to the trial?
Rory, why do you feel Irish?
Rory, why can't you throw?
Rory, why did you slag off Joe Schmidt?
Rory, why did youse fail at the 2019 RWC?
Rory, was it worth it?
That's enough, Rory, thanks for that.
Blydy hell.

I thought the bit where they told him that he was in fact bald was a bit harsh. He didn't take it well.

Paul Smeenus · 22-01-2020 10:38pm

prawnsambo wrote: »

What's 'off the wall'?

Autocorrect. Fixed it.

Paul Smeenus · 22-01-2020 10:40pm

I loved the bit where the presenter told Best he didn't really think the team get-togethers on the mornings of games could be that important.

ionadnapokot · 23-01-2020 12:06am

The more i hear Best speak since he retired.....

Edit: deleted. dont want to derail this or besmirch a former Ireland Captain
Suffice to say im just not happy with the stuff he is saying

mfceiling · 23-01-2020 10:09am

Too much looking back with a lot of journalism nowadays.

Rory finished up at the world cup. Then it was his last ever game for the Barbarians. Then his last appearance off the bench. Then his last time talking at the post match interview. Then his last time leading out a team. Then his last time taking off his scrum cap.
Now we have to have a microphone in front of his face every 2nd day to get his thoughts. Any little soundbite and the vultures are ready to pounce. Any sentence needs to be used out of context for "clicks".
To be honest Rory should be standing ankle deep in cow shìte at this time of year not rehashing the same answers that he's been giving the last 4 months.

2020Vision · 23-01-2020 11:55am

mfceiling wrote: »

Too much looking back with a lot of journalism nowadays.

Rory finished up at the world cup. Then it was his last ever game for the Barbarians. Then his last appearance off the bench. Then his last time talking at the post match interview. Then his last time leading out a team. Then his last time taking off his scrum cap.
Now we have to have a microphone in front of his face every 2nd day to get his thoughts. Any little soundbite and the vultures are ready to pounce. Any sentence needs to be used out of context for "clicks".
To be honest Rory should be standing ankle deep in cow shìte at this time of year not rehashing the same answers that he's been giving the last 4 months.

Two possibilities occur to me:

1. He's missing the limelight a bit. That's understandable and will fade away after a while.

2. He's too decent to turn down requests from the Irish media for a few words.

Other possible cause: he resents Joe Schmuck's demands for omerta from his players and is getting everything off his chest so he can get on with his life after rugby.

errlloyd · 23-01-2020 4:48pm

It's one hundred percent because he has a book coming out.

Former Former · 23-01-2020 5:09pm

I'm glad he's been pulled up on his attendance at the trial. It was madness.

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

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