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

bilston · 03-09-2019 12:01am

So we're just missing Stockdale, Henderson and the injured Coetzee for the World Cup period.

We have a chance to get of to a good start

Sinbad_NI · 03-09-2019 8:35am

bilston wrote: »

I don't think there any scandals about the Ulster guys cut today. Addison probably missed out due to lack of minutes, his time will come. Murphy was a bit unfortunate. He could easily have got the nod.

I still think the Ulster player most hard done by was someone who didn't even make the training squad and that's Stuart McCloskey.

Totally agree on SMcC, have any of the other centres been that much better. I don't believe so.

To pickup on the word scandal. I always wonder does the fact that we're slightly outside the media of ROI have an impact?

Anyway, let's hope for a great world cup, hopefully we can break new ground.

Paul Smeenus · 03-09-2019 9:02am

bilston wrote: »

So we're just missing Stockdale, Henderson and the injured Coetzee for the World Cup period.

We have a chance to get of to a good start

McGrath
Herring
Moore
Treadwell
Carter
Rea
Murphy
Timoney
Cooney
Burns
Faddes
McCloskey
Marshall
Gilroy
Addison

That is a hell of a team to field in the Pro14 during the RWC. Our problem is, it's not vastly improved afterwards, with only three players to come back.

Also, I'd fully expect Addison to be called up at the first injury to a back.

RobbieRuns · 03-09-2019 9:14am

Jacob Stockdale and Iain Henderson would improve any team.....

jacothelad · 03-09-2019 9:44am

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

McGrath
Herring
Moore
Treadwell
Carter
Rea
Murphy
Timoney
Cooney
Burns
Faddes
McCloskey
Marshall
Gilroy
Addison

That is a hell of a team to field in the Pro14 during the RWC. Our problem is, it's not vastly improved afterwards, with only three players to come back.

Also, I'd fully expect Addison to be called up at the first injury to a back.

Add in O'Sullivan, O'Toole, O'Connor, Baloucoune, Lyttle, McCann, Allison et al and it begins to look really competitive. I think Baloucoune will soon be in the Ireland training squad. He looks the most natural winger I've seen for decades and Ulster have had a few good guys historically. Lyttle isn't far behind and is perhaps one of the most completely skilled guys around.

Hands Like Flippers · 03-09-2019 10:12am

jacothelad wrote: »

Add in O'Sullivan, O'Toole, O'Connor, Baloucoune, Lyttle, McCann, Allison et al and it begins to look really competitive. I think Baloucoune will soon be in the Ireland training squad. He looks the most natural winger I've seen for decades and Ulster have had a few good guys historically. Lyttle isn't far behind and is perhaps one of the most completely skilled guys around.

Based on what I saw in the A game I reckon McCann and Allison will get capped this year for the seniors.

Locke_Lamora · 03-09-2019 10:20am

Hands Like Flippers wrote: »

Based on what I saw in the A game I reckon McCann and Allison will get capped this year for the seniors.

Maybe, but Marcus Rea and Greg Jones are with the senior squad and haven't featured with the A team this year, so you would assume that the coaches would be planning on playing them first.

Hands Like Flippers · 03-09-2019 11:23am

Locke_Lamora wrote: »

Maybe, but Marcus Rea and Greg Jones are with the senior squad and haven't featured with the A team this year, so you would assume that the coaches would be planning on playing them first.

Who was 6 for the A's? He looked decent and at one stage made a nice break but let himself get tackled into touch which is a fairly basic no no.

Paul Smeenus · 03-09-2019 11:48am

Hands Like Flippers wrote: »

Who was 6 for the A's? He looked decent and at one stage made a nice break but let himself get tackled into touch which is a fairly basic no no.

Dunleavy

Paul Smeenus · 04-09-2019 7:51am

RobbieRuns wrote: »

Jacob Stockdale and Iain Henderson would improve any team.....

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.

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.

bilston · 08-09-2019 9:54pm

damianmcr wrote: »

No idea and I just wondered where Robert Baloucoune was.

Good shout...and Rob Lyttle

mogwai81 · 08-09-2019 10:06pm

McCloskey, Lyttle, Baloucoune, Johnston, Marty Moore, Ludik......I wonder if we’ll see all these next week

damianmcr · 08-09-2019 10:18pm

Id like to see McCloskey and Moore anyway

mogwai81 · 08-09-2019 10:24pm

I thought Eric O’Sullivan looked full of energy when he came on. I’d imagine he wants to lay down a marker with McGrath arriving soon!

bilston · 08-09-2019 10:38pm

damianmcr wrote: »

Id like to see McCloskey and Moore anyway

Stewart?

That could be an exciting midfield partnership, although is Moore not seen more as a 12?

It would be nice to be able to give big Stu a break from time to time this season. We relied heavily on him last season. Hopefully Angus Curtis steps up and most importantly keeps his head out of trouble. He looked pretty sharp when he came on yesterday, albeit against a pretty relaxed Glasgow defence.

bilston · 08-09-2019 10:40pm

mogwai81 wrote: »

McCloskey, Lyttle, Baloucoune, Johnston, Marty Moore, Ludik......I wonder if we’ll see all these next week

Ludik was doing the Facebook commentary yesterday. That suggests he may not be about next week. Might be completely wrong though.

Weird the way they worked the scrum halves yesterday. 40 mins for Stewart (he played well BTW), 20 for Shanahan and then 20 for Cooney. That's pre season for you...

damianmcr · 08-09-2019 10:45pm

bilston wrote: »

Stewart?

That could be an exciting midfield partnership, although is Moore not seen more as a 12?

It would be nice to be able to give big Stu a break from time to time this season. We relied heavily on him last season. Hopefully Angus Curtis steps up and most importantly keeps his head out of trouble. He looked pretty sharp when he came on yesterday, albeit against a pretty relaxed Glasgow defence.

Nah Marty

Hands Like Flippers · 08-09-2019 10:53pm

bilston wrote: »

Stewart?

That could be an exciting midfield partnership, although is Moore not seen more as a 12?

It would be nice to be able to give big Stu a break from time to time this season. We relied heavily on him last season. Hopefully Angus Curtis steps up and most importantly keeps his head out of trouble. He looked pretty sharp when he came on yesterday, albeit against a pretty relaxed Glasgow defence.

Don't know. Played plenty at 13.

launish116 · 08-09-2019 11:11pm

Weird the way they worked the scrum halves yesterday. 40 mins for Stewart (he played well BTW), 20 for Shanahan and then 20 for Cooney. That's pre season for you...

Guessing they know what Cooney, Shanahan can deliver. Need Stewart to get more exposure and start pushing on?

Scythica · 09-09-2019 6:54am

Only saw patches but the one thing I did notice was our willingness to run the ball.

Seemed to have good support lines for most breaks and dare I say it.. it just looked like the lads were having fun.

Genuinely excited to see what we can do this season, some good signings made IMO.

Also, anyone heard the rumour that we've signed the Du Toit prop? Maybe our new Georgian is injured.

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

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