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

Agreed. Anyway, Ulster vs Dragons...

bayern wrote: »

any chance Sexton plays?

A lot of hype around Sexton, is he actually deserving of it? or is it just because of his sprinting backround?

serious question i've never seen him play,

But not even guys like Lyttle whos outstanding got talked about as much as Sexton who hasnt really done anything yet...

bayern wrote: »

any chance Sexton plays?

Nope

Would rest Coetzee, start Lowry and McCann or Rea. Maybe start Milasinovich. Treadwell deserves a start over Carter. Continue with Moore and Hume.

Ludik looks done - can anyone else play 15 to let Lowry start at ten? Faddes? Madigan?

I don't think we ca go too biccies. I'd rather have experienced heads on the bench in case a rescue is required. Personally, I'm not sure why McGrath is starting ahead of O'Sullivan generally.

I'm not sure what the crack is with Murphy. But I would be a bit concerned by a Rea Sr - Reidy - Allison backrow. Maybe that's not fair - Rea Sr is our first choice blindside now.

launish116 wrote: »

Wouldn’t mind seeing a Reidy, Murphy, Allison backrow. With Coetzee (used depending on score), Rea/McCann, Treadwell on bench to add some tempo from bench.

Can’t decide about loosehead to Stick with Mcgrath/O’Sullivan or go with a O’Sullivan (60Mins+) then blood Reid. Really depends how much risk we take with back row.

I like the look of that. Allison was up and running in the sevens and Rea + McCann got their minutes already, so I wonder if he's in line for a game. Might start Coetzee as we've had a week off but there is a run of games coming up and I guess it just depends which teams we want him playing against the most.

bilston wrote: »

I wouldn't be resting Coetzee...he could be gone until Christmas very soon, plus he just had a week off.

First choice props, McBurney at Hooker, Super Al and Treaders in the row. Coetzee at 8, bring Jordi back, and maybe rest Matty Rea and start Reidy at 6.or possibly even Greg Jones. I'd have Allison on the bench to get him 20 minutes.

Cooney at 9, its probably Bill Johnston's turn to start at 10. I wonder if McCloskey will be available? Either him or Moore at 12. Hume at 13. Lyttle and Gilroy on the wings and I'd maybe have a look at Madigan at FB.

To be fair never even considered Coetzee being called up. McCloskey being back could really help the case for academy backrowers getting abit more game time.

Would Milasonvich maybe get the nod to start, in case Moore gets called up for Ireland in next few weeks? He needs game time and brought up to speed.

jacothelad wrote: »

One thing that can't be coached is pace like that. Imagine the hype if he played at Leinster.

I’m looking forward to seeing him coming of the bench against a tiring team with space opening up.

Yeah, I'd forgotten about Coetzee being called up as well. But my wanting to "rest" him was poorly phrased regardless - it's more about getting McCann, ReaJ or Allison more embedded in the team.

To be honest, I'd forgotten about Timoney, which pretty unfair given what a stalwart he's been over the previous couple of seasons.

All the Dragons' talk about coming over and beating Leinster was bullish and way off, but I am concerned that they're not the walkovers they have been.

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/ulsters-young-midfield-pair-have-proven-quality-ahead-of-jamie-roberts-test-says-dwayne-peel-39649067.html

Marshall and Billy Burns back in training as of yesterday. Name checks Stewart Moore, Hume and Lowry as "ready to step up".

Marshall could of been handy. Roberts could give us a few issues in midfield if it’s a Lowry, Stewart, Hume, partnership.

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Yeah, I might have Lowry at fifteen. Roberts is still a beast, and there's not much experience between 10-12 with Lowry and Moore.

No doubting them going forwards, be just worried defending. Would expect Roberts to be used to grab a foot hold and set some go forward.

https://www.ulsterrugby.com/2020/10/ulster-rugby-statement-7/

next two games behind closed doors

bilston wrote: »

It probably wouldn't have been a good look given the situation at present, but as I've said before I was at the game two weeks ago and it felt perfectly safe to me...a lot safer than Tescos or any other shop I've been in recently.

Obviously social distancing rules could be better enforced in shops, but I think the main point is that a trip to watch the rugby is an entirely unnecessary risk (unlike shopping), and the lockdown is supposed to be minimising this. Some people might be alright with taking that risk, but a pandemic is a social issue and it affects everyone else - going to a rugby match requires travel and encourages friends to meet up (despite not being allowed to), both of which facilitates the spreading of the virus.

If kind of waffling on but we can't think of just going to a rugby match as a singular event that seems safe enough. Keep in mind that everyone in the country has an event they'd like to just pop out to each week and things don't seem too safe again.

Anyway, I've got confidence that our squad is strong enough to deal with the dragons...I'm less confident about our government and the virus.

Locke_Lamora wrote: »

Obviously social distancing rules could be better enforced in shops, but I think the main point is that a trip to watch the rugby is an entirely unnecessary risk (unlike shopping), and the lockdown is supposed to be minimising this. Some people might be alright with taking that risk, but a pandemic is a social issue and it affects everyone else - going to a rugby match requires travel and encourages friends to meet up (despite not being allowed to), both of which facilitates the spreading of the virus.

If kind of waffling on but we can't think of just going to a rugby match as a singular event that seems safe enough. Keep in mind that everyone in the country has an event they'd like to just pop out to each week and things don't seem too safe again.

Anyway, I've got confidence that our squad is strong enough to deal with the dragons...I'm less confident about our government and the virus.

I can't understand people just giving up on all normal life including this sort of thing. The IRFU and UR are going well beyond Govn requirements and being very careful in training etc etc. No evidence that I know of saying watching UR last game was spreading virus.

"Not a good look" etc is all part of the same mindset. Freedoms easily given up will be hard to regain. Schools clubs etc will be lucky to have any kind of season if we all go above and beyond what the Govn is asking.

Obviously anyone who is nervous or chooses to shield can stay home as they see fit.

Very disappointing decision.

A family member plays at a good level and is very depressed about it all. Can see a lot of guys packing it in. Hearing reports of school coaching staff quite enjoying not having to stay after school to coach and regaining their time on Saturday mornings. Friend at 1 of the big 3 rugby schools in Belfast reckons he won't get all his coaches back now. Ballynahinch head coach packed it in earlier than planned last week. I can see the sport really suffering for an illness that barely affects the u40's who are statistically more likely to die in an accident.

So South Africa aren’t defending the Championship and it’s looking like Coetzee will be available throughout international window, News Letter reporting.

Dragons have lost 5 to Wales, with fullback Holmes returning and now available.

bilston wrote: »

Could give Coetzee a week off I suppose. Cardiff away (randomly at 6.15 on Mon 2nd November) is up next where we will definitely need him. But if Coetzee doesn't play against the Dragons then Murphy probably needs to come back in.

Shame about the Springboks though, but good news for Ulster...and Munster...

Dragons & Zebre are two games we could potentially rest Coetzee, without flogging for 6 straight. Having McCloskey for Sunday would really help.

Would love to see 6/2 split

1. McGrath
2. McBurney
3. Milasonovich
4. Alan O’Connor
5. Tread well
6. McCann
7. Murphy
8. Coetzee
9. Cooney
10. Lowry > Johnston
11. Little
12. McCloskey > Stewart
13. Hume
14. Gilroy
15. Madigan > Faddes

16. O’Sullivan (If he starts, bench Reid 20mins)
17. Andrew
18. Moore
19. Carter
20. Reidy (2nd half @ 6)
21. Allison (last 20-25 mins @ 8)
22. Mathewson
23. Faddes

Think 10 & 15 could dictate the team. Appreciate a lot of academy there. Biggest concern would be that 12 channel against Roberts! Not a lot of experience without McCloskey. If we go for a 5/3 split bring sexton on to bench.

kingofthekong wrote: »

Regularly seen him in person I'd be extremely skeptical about his Leinster profile listing of 95kg which i doubt hes even close to,

Still doesnt change my point in the slightest of trying to shield S.Moore who is the same size as T.o'BRIEN from an aged Jaime Roberts

No way he's 95. But definitely more than 85 alright.

Given he's 6'0" I reckon he's at about 90. Similar frame to Keenan and that's what Keenan is billed as

Bit of press for ReaJea over the last day or so wouldn't be surprised to see him start again.

Have been doing a bit of thinking this morning. (Unprecedented times, unprecedented measures.)

I watched a toothless Scarlets struggle against the absolute bare bones of a Treviso team last night.

We were finalists last season in the ProWhatever, and during this international window (which runs for over a month, am I right?) we are missing no more than four players to international call ups. Less than the Dragons.is there any other team less impacted?

I have been saying for the last week that I want to see young lads bedded in. And I still think that's critical... But what an opportunity to try and establish an early lead in the league. Personally, I think it's a mistake not having Cooney in camp, and I'd also make the case for EOS. But as long as they're home with us... We should be pushing to absolutely maximise our points over the next month and a half.

We're away to Cardiff on the 2.11, at home to Glasgow the 9.11, away to Zebre on 16.11, away to Scarlets 22.11, and at home to Edinburgh 30.11. That could be quite the run. Go much more locked and loaded against Cardiff, Glasgow and Edinburgh, we still get to let a younger team have a crack at Zebre. If we're canny, we could make a real push. Especially with Burns, Marshall and TOT at least returning from injury.

I'll say it again though, we need Lewis Finlay to be there or thereabouts at the end of this season. Otherwise, that's a crucial area where we haven't progressed. Anyway, team at 12:00.

Locke_Lamora wrote: »

Half-back stocks are looking a little problematic aren't they? Don't see Matthewson staying another year, and I'd be worried if we go into next season with Shanahan as our main back-up scrumhalf.

Johnston doesn't seem to be highly thought of by the coaches as they parachuted Madigan in, Lowry is probably too small, and Burns is inconsistent. Houston the only academy fly half and I'm uncertain he has a future here tbh.

Less worried about outhalf. I think Madigan's there to allow Johnston and Lowry to grow into it over this year. For Lowry, that's already started to happen (he might be too small at international level, but club level I'd be markedly less concerned). But we'd already be better off there than when Madigan arrived. Not so at nine.

Ulster team to play Dragons, Guinness PRO14 Round 3, Sunday 25 October 2020, at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 3pm, live on Premier Sports):

(15-9) Rob Lyttle, Matt Faddes, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Louis Ludik, Ian Madigan, John Cooney.

(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Sam Carter (Capt.), Sean Reidy, Jordi Murphy, Marcell Coetzee.

Replacements: Adam McBurney, Kyle McCall, Ross Kane, Kieran Treadwell, Nick Timoney, David Shanahan, Bill Johnston, Michael Lowry.

Disappointed, honestly. Five points should be possible, though.

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Ulster team to play Dragons, Guinness PRO14 Round 3, Sunday 25 October 2020, at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 3pm, live on Premier Sports):

(15-9) Rob Lyttle, Matt Faddes, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Louis Ludik, Ian Madigan, John Cooney.

(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor, Sam Carter (Capt.), Sean Reidy, Jordi Murphy, Marcell Coetzee.

Replacements: Adam McBurney, Kyle McCall, Ross Kane, Kieran Treadwell, Nick Timoney, David Shanahan, Bill Johnston, Michael Lowry.

Disappointed, honestly. Five points should be possible, though.

Also disappointed no youth getting an opportunity.