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

launish116 · 26-10-2020 10:30am

Cooney has been recalled to the Ireland Squad!

Gibson-Park has a tight hamstring

Paul Smeenus · 26-10-2020 10:43am

launish116 wrote: »

Cooney has been recalled to the Ireland Squad!

Gibson-Park has a tight hamstring

Well now, well now, well now. Aren't we glad Dave Shanahan has a bit of rugby under his belt.

Paul Smeenus · 26-10-2020 10:44am

And in a more serious vein, congrats to Cooney. A couple of wayward box kicks aside, thought he was brilliant last night.

launish116 · 26-10-2020 10:47am

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Well now, well now, well now. Aren't we glad Dave Shanahan has a bit of rugby under his belt.

Indeed, Mathewson injured apparently also, Finlay was warming up with Ulster squad yesterday!

Paul Smeenus · 26-10-2020 10:55am

launish116 wrote: »

Indeed, Mathewson injured apparently also, Finlay was warming up with Ulster squad yesterday!

Ruh-roh.

bilston · 26-10-2020 11:05am

Cooney deserves it, I didn't realise Matthewson was injured. This means Lewis Finlay should make the 23 next week unless Alby returns. Although this is exactly the scenario why we signed Matthewson!

launish116 · 26-10-2020 11:43am

bilston wrote: »

Cooney deserves it, I didn't realise Matthewson was injured. This means Lewis Finlay should make the 23 next week unless Alby returns. Although this is exactly the scenario why we signed Matthewson!

Maybe jumped the gun on there injury front, hasn’t been confirmed. Johnathan Bradley on Twitter stating he was described as “unavailable” yesterday. Last game of the bench against Benetton.

Paul Smeenus · 26-10-2020 11:44am

If he's available, I wouldn't be adverse to putting Finlay on the bench instead of Shanahan. If the game's in the balance, you're not going to bring on Shanahan anyway.

launish116 · 26-10-2020 11:51am

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

If he's available, I wouldn't be adverse to putting Finlay on the bench instead of Shanahan. If the game's in the balance, you're not going to bring on Shanahan anyway.

Agreed, Finlay looked very very good in that U20 game against England! (Highly recommend watching if you have the time).

bayern · 26-10-2020 12:14pm

launish116 wrote: »

Agreed, Finlay looked very very good in that U20 game against England! (Highly recommend watching if you have the time).

nowhere to watch it though.

launish116 · 26-10-2020 12:17pm

bayern wrote: »

nowhere to watch it though.

Just noticed that, big shame one of the best games of rugby I’ve seen this year!

Paul Smeenus · 26-10-2020 5:28pm

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/dan-mcfarland-toasts-bonus-in-ulsters-perfect-start-39666488.html

Billy Burns likely available for next week. That would make a difference. Think it was Trimble on the coverage last night said that Burn's kicking might have helped in the second half on Sunday.

Paul Smeenus · 26-10-2020 5:31pm

Also - interesting titbit in another article that Lyttle asked if he could play at 15.

Still don't know how good he is - the Dragons didn't really test him overly - but I like that ambition.

launish116 · 26-10-2020 6:29pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Also - interesting titbit in another article that Lyttle asked if he could play at 15.

Still don't know how good he is - the Dragons didn't really test him overly - but I like that ambition.

Might be a case of adding a few strings to the bow? Show he can do more than wing.

Be a bit like Stockdale, 15 is there to lockdown and he would hopefully get a few more touches of the ball to show what he can offer!

When Addison/Baloucoune are back and fit, gonna be some serious selection dilemmas in the back line.

Paul Smeenus · 26-10-2020 7:31pm

launish116 wrote: »

Might be a case of adding a few strings to the bow? Show he can do more than wing.

Be a bit like Stockdale, 15 is there to lockdown and he would hopefully get a few more touches of the ball to show what he can offer!

When Addison/Baloucoune are back and fit, gonna be some serious selection dilemmas in the back line.

A bit of versatility goes a long way, especially if you want to be considered for the bench when Addison, Stockdale and Baloucoune are back.

Locke_Lamora · 26-10-2020 7:45pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

A bit of versatility goes a long way, especially if you want to be considered for the bench when Addison, Stockdale and Baloucoune are back.

He's played at fullback for us before I think, and he's always struck me as someone who could play there easily enough - he's got a surprisingly big boot, he's excellent in space but isn't afraid of contact, decent in the air, and can't be any worse at tackling than Stockdale. Shows some forward thinking in any case with Addison likely to be out for long periods, Stockdale being away with Ireland, and Ludik and Gilroy not setting the world alight. Baloucoune and Sexton strike me as a pure wingers, but Lyttle would be smart to put his hand up before McIlroy or Rankin are given the minutes that will be available at fullback.

launish116 · 28-10-2020 9:13am

UAFC making a good point on lineout, (appreciate dragons didn’t compete). Carter is maybe having more of an impact on set piece than we realise. If he could just up the open play.

Some very interesting stats on show, well worth a nosey! https://www.pro14.rugby/statistics

bilston · 28-10-2020 10:18am

launish116 wrote: »

UAFC making a good point on lineout, (appreciate dragons didn’t compete). Carter is maybe having more of an impact on set piece than we realise. If he could just up the open play.

Some very interesting stats on show, well worth a nosey! https://www.pro14.rugby/statistics

If you have other players like Henderson or Treadwell strong in the loose then he doesn't need to be.

But he needs to stop giving away silly penalties.

Paul Smeenus · 28-10-2020 11:34am

Those stats make for very interesting reading.

Now, admittedly two of the three teams we've played have been the weaker Welsh teams (although Ospreys showed something against Glasgow). But even with that proviso, there's a lot there that's promising.

First for offloads is no surprise. Light, fast forwards + Dan McF's gameplan + Dan Soper = offload city.
The lineout is a massive, pleasant surprise. I don't know if Sam Carter is at the heart of it's improvement. He wasn't in the squad against the Ospreys (where Treadwell stole at least two LOs himself), and was off for the last half an hour against Benetton. But it looks to be motoring. And our maul off a lineout is a potent weapon these days.
Our restarts. We used to be woeful at receiving the ball. I thought I still saw a bit of that against Treviso, but generally it seems to be so much better.

sydthebeat · 28-10-2020 12:12pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Those stats make for very interesting reading.

Now, admittedly two of the three teams we've played have been the weaker Welsh teams (although Ospreys showed something against Glasgow). But even with that proviso, there's a lot there that's promising.

First for offloads is no surprise. Light, fast forwards + Dan McF's gameplan + Dan Soper = offload city.
The lineout is a massive, pleasant surprise. I don't know if Sam Carter is at the heart of it's improvement. He wasn't in the squad against the Ospreys (where Treadwell stole at least two LOs himself), and was off for the last half an hour against Benetton. But it looks to be motoring. And our maul off a lineout is a potent weapon these days.
Our restarts. We used to be woeful at receiving the ball. I thought I still saw a bit of that against Treviso, but generally it seems to be so much better.

another telling stat is 1 pen from 2 attempts... easily the lowest of the comp.

that says they have very high confidence in their lineout and maul work

Paul Smeenus · 28-10-2020 12:32pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

another telling stat is 1 pen from 2 attempts... easily the lowest of the comp.

that says they have very high confidence in their lineout and maul work

Yeah I was quite taken aback by that one. Two attempts? Really?

sydthebeat · 28-10-2020 12:37pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Yeah I was quite taken aback by that one. Two attempts? Really?

probably a reflection of how far ahead youve been from teams in the games so far. Once your typically 10 points ahead, the TBP becomes a realistic goal rather than worrying about building points through pens... especially when lineouts and mauls are going so well.

launish116 · 28-10-2020 12:37pm

Would it be a case of most of our penalties are in first half and we’re trying to build a lead? We tend to fall off in second half.

Paul Smeenus · 28-10-2020 12:40pm

launish116 wrote: »

Would it be a case of most of our penalties are in first half and we’re trying to build a lead? We tend to fall off in second half.

No - I think it's the mentality. See our final against Leinster as an example. Should have been building a lead, just kept going for the corner, paid the price.

Burkie1203 · 28-10-2020 4:06pm

Toulouse and Glaws.

bilston · 29-10-2020 1:20am

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Toulouse and Glaws.

Hard enough games.

It's difficult to know how many points are needed for the Q/Fs. We should be aiming for 12-14 points from those four games. But it will be very tough.

bilston · 30-10-2020 1:18pm

Callum Reid gone to Munster for 6 weeks as an emergency loan.

Could be a good move for all sides...but we better not lose him permanently!

thomond2006 · 30-10-2020 1:19pm

Ulster Rugby: A Great Bunch of Lads.

launish116 · 30-10-2020 1:39pm

bilston wrote: »

Callum Reid gone to Munster for 6 weeks as an emergency loan.

Could be a good move for all sides...but we better not lose him permanently!

Be nice to see him get some game time, risk free for us.

Losing him permanently be a big concern!

Paul Smeenus · 30-10-2020 4:04pm

launish116 wrote: »

Be nice to see him get some game time, risk free for us.

Losing him permanently be a big concern!

I can't see it. He'll leapfrog McCall easily enough and could be back-up to EOS in a season or so with McGrath on the wane.

launish116 · 30-10-2020 7:05pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

I can't see it. He'll leapfrog McCall easily enough and could be back-up to EOS in a season or so with McGrath on the wane.

Needs game time and to show that for seniors yet though. Hopefully gets game time at Munster to at least highlight why he should be leapfrogging McCall

awec · 30-10-2020 7:07pm

It wouldn't be hard to leapfrog McCall. Doubt McCall will get another contract.

launish116 · 30-10-2020 8:07pm

awec wrote: »

It wouldn't be hard to leapfrog McCall. Doubt McCall will get another contract.

We keep hearing that, then why hasn’t he?

bayern · 30-10-2020 8:16pm

launish116 wrote: »

We keep hearing that, then why hasn’t he?

Reid could easily be overrated, wouldn't be the first ulster prop

bilston · 30-10-2020 8:21pm

bayern wrote: »

Reid could easily be overrated, wouldn't be the first ulster prop

Not sure what his province has to do with it. Young players from all provinces get touted as the next big thing all the time...Jack Kelly and Billy Dardis were meant to be superstars in the making...Kelly may yet make it, hope he does, but overeating young players isn't an affliction exclusive to Ulster!

bayern · 30-10-2020 8:23pm

bilston wrote: »

Not sure what his province has to do with it. Young players from all provinces get touted as the next big thing all the time...Jack Kelly and Billy Dardis were meant to be superstars in the making...Kelly may yet make it, hope he does, but overeating young players isn't an affliction exclusive to Ulster!

who said it was?

Paul Smeenus · 30-10-2020 9:08pm

launish116 wrote: »

We keep hearing that, then why hasn’t he?

He's 21 and a prop. He needs some time.

bilston · 30-10-2020 9:17pm

bayern wrote: »

who said it was?

You were having a wee dig at Ulster and you know you were!!

Paul Smeenus · 30-10-2020 9:19pm

bilston wrote: »

You were having a wee dig at Ulster and you know you were!!

Who was the last over-rated Ulster prop?

Paul Smeenus · 30-10-2020 9:19pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Who was the last over-rated Ulster prop?

Probably Jack McGrath.

bayern · 30-10-2020 9:21pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Who was the last over-rated Ulster prop?

Homegrown? Probably Paddy Mac..

Paul Smeenus · 30-10-2020 9:22pm

bayern wrote: »

Homegrown? Probably Paddy Mac..

So a guy that's now 31? That's quite a long time between over-ratings.

launish116 · 30-10-2020 9:27pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

He's 21 and a prop. He needs some time.

Appreciate that, just don’t think peeps can say he will leap frog McCall when he hasn’t played a minute of senior rugby yet and his first minutes might be on loan.

In other news McCann & Johnson added to 7s squad for Saturday.

Ulster: Cormac Izuchukwu, Azur Allison, Ben Carson, Marcus Rea, Greg Jones, David McCann, Hayden Hyde, Conor Rankin, Bruce Houston, Lewis Finlay, Aaron Sexton, Bill Johnston.

Not looking like much youth getting game time this week either with seniors.

bilston · 30-10-2020 9:30pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Who was the last over-rated Ulster prop?

Bryan Young, who in fairness did play for Ireland a few times, Adam Macklin never quite made it either. But we're going back a fair while.

Don't think either Kyle McCall or Ross Kane were ever expected to superstars.

A lot is expected of Tom O'Toole, and he hasn't been found wanting yet. I'm told Callum Reid had O'Toole in his pocket at schools level, but I can't independently verify that claim!!

bilston · 30-10-2020 9:31pm

launish116 wrote: »

Appreciate that, just don’t think peeps can say he will leap frog McCall when he hasn’t played a minute of senior rugby yet and his first minutes might be on loan.

In other news McCann & Johnson added to 7s squad for Saturday.

Ulster: Cormac Izuchukwu, Azur Allison, Ben Carson, Marcus Rea, Greg Jones, David McCann, Hayden Hyde, Conor Rankin, Bruce Houston, Lewis Finlay, Aaron Sexton, Bill Johnston.

Not looking like much youth getting game time this week either with seniors.

Pretty disappointing as we can now say that Rea, McCann and Allison will not be involved on Monday.

bayern · 30-10-2020 9:39pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

So a guy that's now 31? That's quite a long time between over-ratings.

well who else have ulster produced that were good enough to be overhyped?

launish116 · 30-10-2020 9:42pm

bilston wrote: »

Pretty disappointing as we can now say that Rea, McCann and Allison will not be involved on Monday.

Indeed, had high hopes going forward we’d see more academy integration.

Paul Smeenus · 30-10-2020 9:43pm

bayern wrote: »

well who else have ulster produced that were good enough to be overhyped?

I dunno - you tell me. You're the over-rated Ulster props font of all knowledge.

Paul Smeenus · 30-10-2020 9:45pm

Ah here folks - we're playing the top team in the other conference away from home. The Dragons at home was the time to give the youngsters a crack - the Blues away isn't.

launish116 · 30-10-2020 10:13pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Ah here folks - we're playing the top team in the other conference away from home. The Dragons at home was the time to give the youngsters a crack - the Blues away isn't.

Munster beat them on Monday with a young starting side. We’re not expecting radical team changes, even 20 mins off the bench for the odd academy player.

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

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