Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

I am pie

i'd hope they would have called the other 2 stores for you. Hmm..that is a surprise as they looked to have a good few on Mon / Tues night.

If the other Elvery's don't have them, i'm at a loss !

Blut2

The Leinster rugby shop in Donnybrook might be worth a phone call as well. Theres also a rugby shop in the Merrion center in Ballsbridge and one in Blackrock shopping center, I'd give both of them calls too.

Macartan

Dawson St. have them, they said they are getting new stock tomorrow morning as well, as the jerseys are selling quite well

errlloyd

Thats funny, the lad at Elveries Dawson street just said that the supporters Jersey was never made available to retailers. Guess he'll be getting the home jersey then.

Macartan

Well she said the home jersey and the european jersey were there now, didnt ask about the supporters one to be honest, but its worth asking if they are getting fresh stock?

errlloyd

Macartan wrote: »

Well she said the home jersey and the european jersey were there now, didnt ask about the supporters one to be honest, but its worth asking if they are getting fresh stock?

Nah the dude on the phone seemed real clued in, like the guy in DD elveries walked off and checked the shelf, the guy in Dawson knew exactly what I was talking about.

Possible an official ulster rugby merchandise stand near the aviva on match day will stock it.

Tox56

errlloyd wrote: »

Nah the dude on the phone seemed real clued in, like the guy in DD elveries walked off and checked the shelf, the guy in Dawson knew exactly what I was talking about.

Possible an official ulster rugby merchandise stand near the aviva on match day will stock it.

If I were you (if you haven't already) I'd go onto the Ulster supporters forum, and I'm sure someone there would be able to give you an answer. Too many southerners in here.

errlloyd

Tox56 wrote: »

If I were you (if you haven't already) I'd go onto the Ulster supporters forum, and I'm sure someone there would be able to give you an answer. Too many southerners in here.

Good idea, did just that.

bilston

Ian Humphreys to sign for London Irish for next season.

fitz

bilston wrote: »

Ian Humphreys to sign for London Irish for next season.

Now that's an interesting development...

bilston

bilston wrote: »

Ian Humphreys to sign for London Irish for next season.

what!?

justsomebloke

any official source on this yet?

ongarite

bilston wrote: »

Ian Humphreys to sign for London Irish for next season.

WOW. That it massive. Huge step up for Paddy Jackson..

OUTHALF Ian Humphreys is set to leave Ulster at the end of the season and return to the English Premiership with London Irish.

Humphreys, who returned to Ulster in 2008-09, after a successful stint with Leicester Tigers, is believed to have agreed a deal with the Exiles.

The recently turned 30-year-old has been to the forefront of the Ulster team for the past four years, but some indifferent form this year had resulted in his position being weakened.

Although he played in the entire Heineken Cup quarter-final win over Munster last month, he missed out on a start in the semi-final against Edinburgh.

However, Humphreys was instrumental in steering Ulster to the crucial home win over Clermont Auvergne in the opening European pool win, displaying the talent most Ravenhill fans have been accustomed to seeing from a player who has scored 617 points in 81 appearances.

The Ballymena man was also instrumental in guiding Ulster to the Heineken Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 12 years the previous season, with one of the stand out moments being a long rang and crucial last gasp penalty against Biarritz at Ravenhill which kept the side on course for the last eight from their pool.

Humphreys, who is on the bench for tomorrow’s last PRO12 game in Munster, is expected to feature in the Heineken Cup final.

Meanwhile, Ulster head coach, Brian McLaughlin will give young Academy player, Ian Henderson, his first competitive start tomorrow in the RaboDirect PRO12 game against Munster at Thomond Park, Limerick.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/humphreys-set-to-leave-ulster-for-premiership-1-3806685

Tox56

TOL and iHumph to be flakiest halfback combo in history?

wow.
wow.
wow.

irishbucsfan

Humphreys could be surplus to requirements.

They have a good few potential half back partnerships without him. Pienaar/Jackson, Marshall/Pienaar, Marshall/Jackson, Porter/Jackson, Porter/Pienaar. I'm not sure if McKinney would stay or if he can, but even if he can't Stuart Olding looks like a top prospect.

It's a very strange development though given his brother etc.

ongarite

He is 30 though. Last chance for a big money move and it looked like he was being pushed to the side in the 2nd half of this season.

irishbucsfan

Unless of course this means...

shuffol

Would the incoming coach have had any input into this I wonder, what a couple of weeks for Jackson, a month ago he was just another talented youngster struggling for gametime.

Great to see Henderson starting against Munster tomorrow, looking forward to seeing how he fares against O'Connell.

bilston

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Humphreys could be surplus to requirements.

They have a good few potential half back partnerships without him. Pienaar/Jackson, Marshall/Pienaar, Marshall/Jackson, Porter/Jackson, Porter/Pienaar. I'm not sure if McKinney would stay or if he can, but even if he can't Stuart Olding looks like a top prospect.

It's a very strange development though given his brother etc.

I think Porter and McKinney are leaving as well.

I think we'll need to bring another 10 in either to mentor or to be back up to Jackson.

Surely they'll need an experienced head or is it all guns blazing for Jackson now?

I'm a huge fan of his, but is he ready to be 10 for a season? Perhaps iHumph realised that he'd be phased out over the next 12/18 months if he stayed, and decided that wasn't for him?

irishbucsfan

The McKinney rumour came around the same time as the Annett rumour. Given the Annett deal fell through, maybe the McKinney deal did as well?

Hadn't heard Porter was leaving. It would make some sense. There's always McIlroy behind him.

lologram

Deleted User wrote: »

Surely they'll need an experienced head or is it all guns blazing for Jackson now?

I'm a huge fan of his, but is he ready to be 10 for a season? Perhaps iHumph realised that he'd be phased out over the next 12/18 months if he stayed, and decided that wasn't for him?

I'd say that's probably his logic. I still think he could have got another decent season at Ulster, despite being in and out of the 10 slot. However, his probability of getting a good-paying multi-season contract is better at 30 than 31. Probably made sense for him.

shuffol

Maybe its a promotion for Marshall rather than Jackson with Pienaar to play more at 10.

justsomebloke

shuffol wrote: »

Maybe its a promotion for Marshall rather than Jackson with Pienaar to play more at 10.

I can't remember where I heard it but I thought Pienaar had it in his contract that he was there to primarily play at 9 so that mightn't be an option

shuffol

justsomebloke wrote: »

I can't remember where I heard it but I thought Pienaar had it in his contract that he was there to primarily play at 9 so that mightn't be an option

Think you're correct there but didnt he sign another one.

irishbucsfan

justsomebloke wrote: »

shuffol wrote: »

Maybe its a promotion for Marshall rather than Jackson with Pienaar to play more at 10.

I can't remember where I heard it but I thought Pienaar had it in his contract that he was there to primarily play at 9 so that mightn't be an option

That was a bit of a rumour though that spiralled though. He said when he was in talks with Ulster that he only wanted to play 9 so that he could make the Springboks squad for the world cup. He has played 10 a couple of times.

I'm sure he'd still want to stay at 9 though, so I think the more likely starting combination is himself and Jackson

cp

This brings up lots of interesting questions;

Was this the reason why Jackson has started nearly every game since the q/f?

Or is it a case that iHumph is moving BECAUSE Jackson has started every game since the q/f?

Also from a LI perspective this is interesting - iHumph, TOL and even Geraghty; bit of an Irish renaissance going on there, wonder are they just trying to cash in on the now considerable (again) Irish immigrant presence in greater London? or is it all just coincidental? Cos those three wouldn't exactly constitute the most consistent of half-back rosters around....

totallegend

Tox56 wrote: »

TOL and iHumph to be flakiest halfback combo in history?

But it's grand, cos if Humphreys is having an off-day, LI can send on Shane Geraghty to steady the ship.

Good lord.

GerM

totallegend wrote: »

But it's grand, cos if Humphreys is having an off-day, LI can send on Shane Geraghty to steady the ship.

Good lord.

It reminds me of Northampton last summer. Geraghty wasn't cutting it and wasn't the steady hand they needed at the tiller to guide the team so they went out and signed Ryan Lamb. Shock horror, Lamb is deemed flakey and unreliable and Stephen Myler ends up in the team again.

Think it's a vote of confidence in Jackson more than anything and I'm sure Humphreys was taken aside and told the score a couple of weeks ago ahead of the Leinster game. I massively rate Jackson and I think the Ulster coaching staff do too. They were giving him starts as a 19 year old in the ML last season. McKinley was the only one getting a start at that age at outhalf. Fully believe that Jackson will be a 50 cap international. He's 20 and playing with a simple effectiveness that many 30 year olds don't.

I am pie

Stunned by this. I hope it goes well for Ian and also for PJ. Hope he get's his chance and we don't draft in a big name replacement from the sourthern hemisphere.

the_doctor199

Ulster match day squad to face Munster, Saturday 5th May 2012, Thomond Park (kick-off 7.30pm)

(15-9): A D'Arcy; A Trimble, N Spence, I Whitten, C Cochrane; P Jackson, P Marshall;

(1-8): P McAllister, N Brady (c), D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, D Tuohy, I Henderson, W Faloon, R Diack;
Replacements

(16-23): N Annett, C Black, T Court, M McComish, A Birch, B McIlroy, I Humphreys, C Gilroy

Unavailable due to injury: J Payne (achilles), S Danielli (hamstring), T Barker (back), C Henry (ankle), N McComb (neck), A Kyriacou (shoulder)

Tox56

Good chance for Fitzpatrick to build on his SF scrummaging performance.

Clegg

So will Ulster be looking to pick up a new outhalf as back up for Jackson? You have Olding coming through but he has no experience at all and I doubt Ulster will want 2 inexperienced 10's playing for them. Pienaar will only ever play the odd game at 10.

So they'll be looking for a player that has some experience, willing to leave his current club and is preferably Irish qualified..........

Lads I think Jeremy Staunton fits that criteria. God help you.

Wexfordboy89

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Unless of course this means...

he was dropped from their 22 for there last game being giving the blamed for their poor results lately

shuffol

Clegg wrote: »

So will Ulster be looking to pick up a new outhalf as back up for Jackson? You have Olding coming through but he has no experience at all and I doubt Ulster will want 2 inexperienced 10's playing for them. Pienaar will only ever play the odd game at 10.

So they'll be looking for a player that has some experience, willing to leave his current club and is preferably Irish qualified..........

Lads I think Jeremy Staunton fits that criteria. God help you.

Luke Marshall also covers 10, a likely IQ replacement might be Gareth Steenson, Ulsterman and a solid enough player, doesnt start for Exeter these days.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Out
Cronin
Kyriacou
Annette??
Barker??
Faloon
Wannenberg
McKinney??
Humphries
Whitten
Danielli
Terblance

In
Wilson
Bowe

Ulster have to make some signings soon imo too many players going out and not enough players ready to step up within the Ulster system.

thomond2006

I'm absolutely stunned if this is true, first choice 10 to surplus to requirements in 3 weeks. Wow.

I am pie

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Out
Cronin
Kyriacou
Annette??
Barker??
Faloon
Wannenberg
McKinney??
Humphries
Whitten
Danielli
Terblance

In
Wilson
Bowe

Ulster have to make some signings soon imo too many players going out and not enough players ready to step up within the Ulster system.

Yep. Need an experienced steady hand willing to play back up at 10, a terblanche type figure. Need back row reinforcements. Remember we'll have Payne back in. Terblanche was cover for him whilst in recuperation. He covers FB, we're well stocked at centre & wing positions. Just need backrow and no. 10. Didn't realise Andy Kyriac...yeah him, was going. He's been a trooper and will def be missed. Not sure what we coming through in behind him, Nigel Brady will cover Rory when he's away. Have we any strength in the youth set up?

I guess Anscombe will come with some ideas for replacements. Might have to wait until he gets a look at the squad.

totallegend

I am pie wrote: »

Yep. Need an experienced steady hand willing to play back up at 10, a terblanche type figure. Need back row reinforcements. Remember we'll have Payne back in. Terblanche was cover for him whilst in recuperation. He covers FB, we're well stocked at centre & wing positions. Just need backrow and no. 10. Didn't realise Andy Kyriac...yeah him, was going. He's been a trooper and will def be missed. Not sure what we coming through in behind him, Nigel Brady will cover Rory when he's away. Have we any strength in the youth set up?

I guess Anscombe will come with some ideas for replacements. Might have to wait until he gets a look at the squad.

Am I getting confused or is Brady leaving as well?

I am pie

totallegend wrote: »

Am I getting confused or is Brady leaving as well?

No, sorry what i meant was that Kyriacou had a good number of apprearances this year as hooker with Brady as back up. Brady will cover Rory Best while Rory is away on international duty, which leaves us short of backup for those periods.

Not sure what the development squad is like for hookers?

I am pie

I am pie wrote: »

No, sorry what i meant was that Kyriacou had a good number of apprearances this year as hooker with Brady as back up. Brady will cover Rory Best while Rory is away on international duty, which leaves us short of backup for those periods.

Not sure what the development squad is like for hookers?

Niall Annett..sorry, answered my own question!

irishbucsfan

Brady is retiring, I think but Annett is staying. They need more depth at hooker though with Kyriacou leaving

At 10 you've got 2 12s and a 9 capable of covering. Olding is coming through and he's a top talent.

Squad seems like

McAllister, Court, Fitzpatrick, Afoa, Macklin, McCall
Best, Annett (!)
Tuohy, Muller, Stevenson, Barker, Henderson
Ferris, Henry, Wilson, Diack, Birch, McComb

Pienaar, Marshall, McIlroy
Jackson, McKinney?, Olding
Wallace, Marshall, Spence, Farrell, Cave
Trimble, Gilroy, Bowe, Cochrane
Payne, D'Arcy, Nelson

To me the only position that lacks cover there is hooker.

thomond2006

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_7730941,00.html

Move confirmed, 3 year deal. At 30 years old a contract at that length is quite appealing. Big step down in terms of club though, London Irish are a mid table Premiership team these days.

CIARAN_BOYLE

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Brady is retiring, I think but Annett is staying. They need more depth at hooker though with Kyriacou leaving

At 10 you've got 2 12s and a 9 capable of covering. Olding is coming through and he's a top talent.

Squad seems like

McAllister, Court, Fitzpatrick, Afoa, Macklin, McCall
Best, Annett (!)
Tuohy, Muller, Stevenson, Barker, Henderson
Ferris, Henry, Wilson, Diack, Birch, McComb

Pienaar, Marshall, McIlroy
Jackson, McKinney?, Olding
Wallace, Marshall, Spence, Farrell, Cave
Trimble, Gilroy, Bowe, Cochrane
Payne, D'Arcy, Nelson

To me the only position that lacks cover there is hooker.

Are you sure Annett is staying? Anyway with Brady and Kyriacou leaving someone needs to be signed, I'm sure Anscombe has ideas but I have to wonder if Ulster missed a trick by not signing Fogarty and letting him off to France. Solid experienced backup similar standard to brady and the Kyriacou.

irishbucsfan

Last I heard Annets move had been cancelled when Brady decided to retire?

CIARAN_BOYLE

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Last I heard Annets move had been cancelled when Brady decided to retire?

ok thanks I didn't know about that but good to know

porterbelly

Niall O Connor to return to Ulster to fill the gap vacated by ihumph as backup to Jackson?

Blut2

porterbelly wrote: »

Niall O Connor to return to Ulster to fill the gap vacated by ihumph as backup to Jackson?

Ulster to win surprise victory in Twickenham, ROG to declare his wish to play for a team currently capable of winning the Heineken Cup and demand a move North? ....roughly about as likely I'd say.

CIARAN_BOYLE

porterbelly wrote: »

Niall O Connor to return to Ulster to fill the gap vacated by ihumph as backup to Jackson?

Maybe its being explored. To be honest Ulster could play with only halfback (marshall on the bench) and with Jackson having no international involvement he could play a lot more games for Ulster than ROG or Sexton for their provinces and as such any signing at 10 would probably only get a few games if so (With my Ulster hat on) I wouldn't mind NOC returning.

If however the plan is to sign someone who will usually be on the bench and will start a number of games I really wouldn't like to see it being NOC.

There is room for a NIQ signing although there is a clamour from the fans to sign another backrow.