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

bilston · 20-09-2020 5:54pm

awec wrote: »

When we’re playing young lads to give them experience it needs to happen with better players around them.

The games when we send glorified A teams are worthless.

Agree with this...when David McCann makes his debut, stick him in a back row with Jordi Murphy and Marcel Coetzee, not Greg Jones and Nick Timoney (no disrespect to those two)

Paul Smeenus · 20-09-2020 6:11pm

100%

What use it is to feel like your debut is a knockabout? Start in a game against half-decent opposition (Treviso / Scarlets / Edinburgh), being told you have to deliver.

I know the interpros against Leinster where we have Allison, McIlroy and Moore are exciting and unpredictable, but does it position them right to kick on?

Paul Smeenus · 20-09-2020 6:18pm

According to the draft fixtures we are up against Treviso at home and then Ospreys away.

Would like to see a young forward or two involved.

awec · 20-09-2020 6:57pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

100%

What use it is to feel like your debut is a knockabout? Start in a game against half-decent opposition (Treviso / Scarlets / Edinburgh), being told you have to deliver.

I know the interpros against Leinster where we have Allison, McIlroy and Moore are exciting and unpredictable, but does it position them right to kick on?

No.

It just teaches them how to take a beating.

launish116 · 20-09-2020 7:18pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

According to the draft fixtures we are up against Treviso at home and then Ospreys away.

Would like to see a young forward or two involved.

Definitely get McCann/Alison on for 20 minutes and start building that exposure up, but with a dominant back row. Blindside for the taking.

Thinking forward:
- Are there any A games planned before Treviso?
- Ireland Games 24 Oct onwards, who are we likely to lose and who would replace them? (Henderson/O’Toole)
- Lowry to get more time at 10?
- Where is Milasonvich?
- O’Connor Jnr offer more than Rea at blindside?

bilston · 20-09-2020 11:26pm

launish116 wrote: »

Definitely get McCann/Alison on for 20 minutes and start building that exposure up, but with a dominant back row. Blindside for the taking.

Thinking forward:
- Are there any A games planned before Treviso?
- Ireland Games 24 Oct onwards, who are we likely to lose and who would replace them? (Henderson/O’Toole)
- Lowry to get more time at 10?
- Where is Milasonvich?
- O’Connor Jnr offer more than Rea at blindside?

Not sure about A games, there was a schedule posted somewhere on the rugby MB but then I think Ulster and Leinster were meant to play yesterday, but it was postponed.

I'd go as strong as possible in the first match, but with two exceptions. I'd throw someone like McCann or Allison in from the start, and I'd probably start Lowry at 10.

But surround both players with first teamers. I'd maybe get Stewart Moore in as well, especially if McCloskey is injured. I'd far rather him than Faddes.

launish116 · 21-09-2020 10:40am

bilston wrote: »

I'd go as strong as possible in the first match, but with two exceptions. I'd throw someone like McCann or Allison in from the start, and I'd probably start Lowry at 10.

But surround both players with first teamers. I'd maybe get Stewart Moore in as well, especially if McCloskey is injured. I'd far rather him than Faddes.

Completely agree! If Dan could bring McCann/Alison along this season as well as he has with O’Toole we’d be shaping up rightly.

Not sure we’d see Lowry at 10 if Mccloskey/burns are injured for first game. Could end up Lowry, Hume, Moore. As much I’d lick my lips at that attack, not a lot of experience.

Paul Smeenus · 21-09-2020 11:19am

If McCloskey and Burns are both out, I'd consider Lowry-Madigan-Hume.

bilston · 21-09-2020 11:27am

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

If McCloskey and Burns are both out, I'd consider Lowry-Madigan-Hume.

Good idea.

Or stick Madigan even to 15 where can be a second playmaker as well.

I'll be really disappointed if we don't see Lowry at 10 again for a while.

IMO he might be the most talented 10 we have...we know the elephant in the room, but in fairness he doesn't the shirk his tackles. Is he any less effective than the Humphreys brothers were?

The problem is when he gets himself into rucks. He just gets blown away. Ulater can surely come up with a plan to avoid that or reduce the chances significantly.

Paul Smeenus · 21-09-2020 11:36am

Our back-row support was very poor yesterday. We had a dreadful time at the breakdown.

Timoney's athletic but not particularly good on the deck, Murphy is way off the pace, Rea Sr is no whiz on the ground.

Lowry should have been better supported. I wouldn't put the "getting isolated" problem heavily on him.

awec · 21-09-2020 11:46am

Timoney hasn't enough grunt for games at that level. He's a decent ProWhatever player.

Rea Sr still has a lot to prove.

launish116 · 21-09-2020 11:55am

awec wrote: »

Timoney hasn't enough grunt for games at that level. He's a decent ProWhatever player.

Rea Sr still has a lot to prove.

Sadly I think they’ve both peaked. Shame really wanted Rea to kick on.

Buer · 21-09-2020 12:18pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Lowry should have been better supported. I wouldn't put the "getting isolated" problem heavily on him.

It's a tricky situation. Obviously, he's very small and that doesn't help him stay on his feet or fight into the tackle to prevent the tackler getting a good poaching position. But he's also so bloody good on his feet that he not only evades the first up tackler but his own support can be a half yard further back than they'd normally be.

stellenbosch · 21-09-2020 12:25pm

awec wrote: »

Timoney hasn't enough grunt for games at that level. He's a decent ProWhatever player.

Rea Sr still has a lot to prove.

What about giving Greg Jones a good run? Otherwise why have him there at all?

Paul Smeenus · 21-09-2020 12:31pm

stellenbosch wrote: »

What about giving Greg Jones a good run? Otherwise why have him there at all?

Dunno that he'll be any better than Timoney or Rea, but maybe he deserves the shot.

launish116 · 21-09-2020 1:02pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Dunno that he'll be any better than Timoney or Rea, but maybe he deserves the shot.

David O’Connor has looked hungry when he has come off the bench! If he has the same work ethos as his brother I’d give him a go first.

bilston · 21-09-2020 1:56pm

stellenbosch wrote: »

What about giving Greg Jones a good run? Otherwise why have him there at all?

Greg Jones usually does quite well when gets a chance, but for whether reasons those chances seem few and far between.

Paul Smeenus · 22-09-2020 9:38am

Looks like Dan McFarland is on the same page:

“We’ll take a couple of down days now as we’ve got a lot of battered bodies in very high-profile games. Guys have put a lot of effort into that and we’ll come back in and do a bit of training, review as support staff, review as players, and take the learnings we can from this period and move on.

“I anticipate the next period of games will be an opportunity for us to try and broaden our squad. Starting with these last five games, we’ve mainly focused on the key men in the team and now is an opportunity to look at the guys coming through to see if they can stake a claim. The nature of the competition allows us to do that.”

https://www.ulsterrugby.com/2020/09/mcfarland-well-take-the-learnings-from-this-period/

Also, Johnny Petrie saying, yes, we need to check down the settee for any pound coins.

Amid subsequent decline in ticket sales for matches at the Kingspan Stadium - including a drop in season ticket sales - Ulster's revenue suffered in the immediate aftermath of the 2017/18 controversy.

"As Philip pointed out, there were a number of legacy issues that made things financially challenging for us a couple of years ago," Ulster chief executive Petrie told BBC Radio Ulster's Sportsound Extra Time.
...

With no real indication when large number of fans will be permitted to return to rugby venues, Petrie said Ulster's task now is to "cut our cloth accordingly to nurse us through this period until such time as we can really drive that growth again".

Petrie revealed that Ulster, along with other sporting bodies as Ulster GAA and the Irish FA, have been in discussion with the Department of Communities about running possible pilot events which could see larger numbers of supporters that the current 400 limit attending matches.

"We would hopefully have something in place over the next couple of weeks, perhaps even for the start of the Pro14 tournament.

"We're working very closely with the Department for Communities on that and hopefully we'll get there.

"But the health picture creates challenges for us all. We understand that and that has to come first."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54240065

launish116 · 22-09-2020 10:16am

Supposely Ravens playing Leinster on Friday, yet to be confirmed. Though twitter saying it’s going ahead and it’s Dan Leavy return.

Paul Smeenus · 22-09-2020 10:31am

launish116 wrote: »

Supposely Ravens playing Leinster on Friday, yet to be confirmed. Though twitter saying it’s going ahead and it’s Dan Leavy return.

I thought it had been cancelled because of the outbreak in the Ulster Academy? Although that was a few weeks ago now.

launish116 · 22-09-2020 10:44am

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

I thought it had been cancelled because of the outbreak in the Ulster Academy? Although that was a few weeks ago now.

Irish Independent reporting it

bilston · 22-09-2020 10:45am

Any sign of some fixtures being announced for the Pro X competition?

Squidgy Black · 22-09-2020 10:55am

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

I thought it had been cancelled because of the outbreak in the Ulster Academy? Although that was a few weeks ago now.

Almost a month ago now, I'd say everyone's probably tested negative multiple times at this stage

launish116 · 22-09-2020 12:12pm

bilston wrote: »

Any sign of some fixtures being announced for the Pro X competition?

Announced tomorrow I beleive.

Paul Smeenus · 22-09-2020 2:07pm

https://www.ulsterrugby.com/2020/09/ulster-and-leinster-to-meet-in-inter-provincial-a-fixture

No team yet, just.

launish116 · 22-09-2020 2:27pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

https://www.ulsterrugby.com/2020/09/ulster-and-leinster-to-meet-in-inter-provincial-a-fixture

No team yet, just.

What we thinking? Few seniors involved as well? Who needs game time?

Paul Smeenus · 22-09-2020 3:26pm

Assuming no-one from Sunday... I'd go very heavily on youth.

The only non-Academy players I would want to see are some lads getting up to speed - David O'Connor, Milasinovich, Johnston.

Maybe Shanahan, if they don't think Finlay will make it to third choice this season, and maybe Greg Jones.

I am on the fence about having McBurney or Gilroy there - I don't know that both won't be leapfrogged by academy players this season - Stewart and Sexton/McIlroy? On balance, probably not.

Other than that, youngsters.

bilston · 22-09-2020 3:59pm

launish116 wrote: »

What we thinking? Few seniors involved as well? Who needs game time?

Could be literally anything. If Dan is going to use the broader squad against Benetton (who we think we start against next week), then he might want to use this as a warm up match

thomond2006 · 22-09-2020 4:00pm

Munster and Connacht played a mixture of senior and academy players.

Paul Smeenus · 22-09-2020 4:01pm

1) Callum Reid
2) Tom Stewart
3) Gareth Milasinovich
4) Cormac Izuchukwu
5) David O'Connor
6) David McCann
7) Reuben Crothers
8) Azur Allison
9) Finlay Lewis
10) Bill Johnston
11) Aaron Sexton
12) Hayden Hyde
13) Stewart Moore
14) Ethan McIlroy
15) Conor Rankin

That's just a spurious team. I don't know that either O'Connor or Izzy is big and heavy enough to play TH lock - might be Conor McMenamin, but I don't think he's a heavy one either?

Back row - seems mad not to have Rea Jr there, but I don't know where he would fit. Not clear at all yet what positions these guys are being seen in. Maybe McCann at seven, Rea Jr at six?

Don't know either which of Rankin and McIlroy should be FB.

Anyway, my tuppence-worth, Obviously, the bench is Everyone Else.

launish116 · 22-09-2020 4:50pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

1) Callum Reid
2) Tom Stewart
3) Gareth Milasinovich
4) Cormac Izuchukwu
5) David O'Connor
6) David McCann
7) Reuben Crothers
8) Azur Allison
9) Finlay Lewis
10) Bill Johnston
11) Aaron Sexton
12) Hayden Hyde
13) Stewart Moore
14) Ethan McIlroy
15) Conor Rankin

Happy enough with that team, trying to think what others seniors need game time. Is Sexton back focusing on 15s?

Paul Smeenus · 22-09-2020 4:55pm

launish116 wrote: »

Happy enough with that team, trying to think what others seniors need game time. Is Sexton back focusing on 15s?

Training with seniors, apparently.

Paul Smeenus · 22-09-2020 4:57pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster and Connacht played a mixture of senior and academy players.

I'd rather go heavy on academy - our seniors have been playing hard-earned knockout rugby.

rayd3 · 22-09-2020 6:12pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

our seniors have been playing hard-earned knockout rugby.

They’ve been involved in hard-earned knockout rugby fixtures. Wouldn’t say they were playing much knockout rugby though.

Paul Smeenus · 22-09-2020 7:10pm

Either way, Munster and Connacht have been involved in hard-earned scratching of collective holes, so the point stands

rayd3 · 22-09-2020 7:20pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Munster and Connacht have been involved in hard-earned scratching of collective holes,

Scratching holes is much more of an athletically engaging endeavour than playing golf like Munster and Connacht have been doing.

launish116 · 23-09-2020 10:35am

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

I'd rather go heavy on academy - our seniors have been playing hard-earned knockout rugby.

Would it do any harm to throw Carter, Faddes, Gilroy in for more game time as a reminder where they could end up. McCall probably needs game time as well.

Iamabeliever · 23-09-2020 3:52pm

Has there been any update on McCloskeys injury?

Paul Smeenus · 24-09-2020 9:31am

ROUND 1 FRI 02 OCT · 20:15 ULSTER VS BENETTON
ROUND 2 SAT 10 OCT · 17:15 OSPREYS VS ULSTER
ROUND 3 SUN 25 OCT · 15:00 ULSTER VS DRAGONS
ROUND 4 MON 02 NOV · 18:00 CARDIFF BLUES VS ULSTER
ROUND 5 MON 09 NOV · 20:15 ULSTER VS GLASGOW WARRIORS
ROUND 6 MON 16 NOV · 18:00 ZEBRE VS ULSTER
ROUND 7 SUN 22 NOV · 19:35 ULSTER VS SCARLETS
ROUND 8 MON 30 NOV · 20:15 EDINBURGH VS ULSTER
ROUND 9 SAT 26 DEC · 00:00 CONNACHT VS ULSTER
ROUND 10 SAT 02 JAN · 00:00 ULSTER VS MUNSTER
ROUND 11 SAT 09 JAN · 00:00 LEINSTER VS ULSTER

launish116 · 24-09-2020 9:39am

Monday night games, very odd!

Paul Smeenus · 24-09-2020 10:04am

A start that allows us to get the weans on-pitch.

launish116 · 24-09-2020 12:36pm

Ulster ‘A’ team to play Leinster ‘A’ at RDS Arena, Friday 25 September, kick-off 7pm:

(15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Craig Gilroy, Matt Faddes, Stewart Moore, Aaron Sexton, Bill Johnston, David Shanahan.

(1-8) Kyle McCall, Adam McBurney (Capt.), Gareth Milasinovich, David O’Connor, Kieran Treadwell, David McCann, Marcus Rea, Greg Jones.

Replacements from: Tom Stewart, Callum Reid, Ross Kane, Azur Allison, Reuben Crothers, Lewis Finlay, Bruce Houston, Conor Rankin, Hayden Hyde.

Hope this has a live stream! Be keen see how they get on. Few interesting selections!

Utah_Saint · 24-09-2020 1:03pm

Looking forward to this

Interested to see how back row perform.

Also will they play 'Give it to Sexton'

Paul Smeenus · 24-09-2020 1:05pm

Bit disappointed, to be honest. Probably more sensible than a mostly academy team. But still...

Interesting that McBurney is captain, just as I was wondering if Dan didn't like his attitude, or just didn't rate him.

McIlroy has looked like he has something special, so delighted to see him as fullback, particularly. He could be a long-term answer there.

Some interesting positional choices - didn't know if we'd see him at loose or tight, but hopefully that's the start of Milasinovich fighting his way into some senior 23 appearances. Rea at seven - thought he was more of a six/eight. Also Stewart Moore at inside centre - had thought he was more of a thirteen.

Everyone else is just getting up to speed for the start of the ProWhatever, I suppose. No second rows on the bench?

Utah_Saint · 24-09-2020 1:09pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Bit disappointed, to be honest. Probably more sensible than a mostly academy team. But still...

Interesting that McBurney is captain, just as I was wondering if Dan didn't like his attitude, or just didn't rate him.

McIlroy has looked like he has something special, so delighted to see him as fullback, particularly. He could be a long-term answer there.

Some interesting positional choices - didn't know if we'd see him at loose or tight, but hopefully that's the start of Milasinovich fighting his way into some senior 23 appearances. Rea at seven - thought he was more of a six/eight. Also Stewart Moore at inside centre - had thought he was more of a thirteen.

Everyone else is just getting up to speed for the start of the ProWhatever, I suppose. No second rows on the bench?

Yes thought the same about McBurney.

Moore could be a great 12, in the Darcy mould. Maybe trying him there if Hume is set at 13

launish116 · 24-09-2020 1:13pm

Leinster’s side is strong!

Back row gonna be up against it v Murphy, Penny, Deegan.

Was expecting to see Allison start over Jones tbf.

Paul Smeenus · 24-09-2020 1:30pm

In fairness, Leinster have gone locked and loaded. No point fielding the youngsters to get a shoeing from the likes of Ruddock, Deegan and Josh Murphy.

launish116 · 24-09-2020 1:41pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

In fairness, Leinster have gone locked and loaded. No point fielding the youngsters to get a shoeing from the likes of Ruddock, Deegan and Josh Murphy.

Ruddock only on the bench, is a scary barometer of where Leinster are currently!

bilston · 24-09-2020 1:47pm

Bit of a mixed team.

Part me questions why Faddes, Gilroy and Treadwell are playing, but then the likes of McIlroy and Sexton will benefit having Gilroy in the team. Faddes (as underwhelming as he may or may not have been) should be useful to Moore because of his experience. Treadwell maybe needs the gametime.

launish116 · 24-09-2020 1:55pm

bilston wrote: »

Bit of a mixed team.

Part me questions why Faddes, Gilroy and Treadwell are playing, but then the likes of McIlroy and Sexton will benefit having Gilroy in the team. Faddes (as underwhelming as he may or may not have been) should be useful to Moore because of his experience. Treadwell maybe needs the gametime.

Agreed little bit of senior experience will help!

Think Faddes has suffered a lot from lack of continuity, constantly being rotated and starting in different positions. He was our top try scorer last season? Would love him to come good, but so much quality in academy he’s blocking.

Treadwell looks like he has almost fallen out of favour, but he does need game time.

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

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