Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

thomond2006

Stephen Ferris just tweeted: "And so another journey begins..."

jacothelad

thomond2006 wrote: »

Stephen Ferris just tweeted: "And so another journey begins..."

Enigmatic. Like your revision schedule.....:D:D

jacothelad

...or he's just trying to get out of the one way system in Lisburn or the roundabouts at Sprucefield.

mfceiling

thomond2006 wrote: »

Stephen Ferris just tweeted: "And so another journey begins..."

I'm hoping he's on his way to training or to the shop or just to visit a brazzer....anything other than bad news!!

bilston

jacothelad wrote: »

I don't see why Kidney would want Payne at 13 ahead of a guy who can actually play for Ireland now as opposed to maybe 18 months away when hopefully Kidney will be long gone. Also why would Kidney want Bowe at 15 when he has Zebo there if needed, Earls, Noddy, Hurley, Big Agnes, the Munster Tea lady, the fat bird who howls before the games at Thomond and then Dave Kearney. Also Big Bro Kearney will be back soon.

Someone who usually has some good info on RR made this claim Jaco. Apparently Deccie sees Payne as the long term Irish 13. I have to say that some of it doesn't add up, for a start Payne isn't eligible for 18 months, secondly he hasn't committed to Ireland afaik, thirdly Deccie may not even be coach in 18 months time so why would he be thinking that far ahead at the moment.

If anything if the call has come from Kidney (a call I expect to be ignored for the big games anyway) it will be more to do with getting Gilroy onto the team than playing Payne at 13.

CatFromHue

thomond2006 wrote: »

Stephen Ferris just tweeted: "And so another journey begins..."

I presume Ulster are heading over to Northampton today so they can train there tomorrow for the game on Friday evening?

Or do they head over on the night before?

Hagz

I don't see the point in playing Payne at 13 now, when he still has a long way to go to become eligible. But I would say, I agree, that he is the long term option at 13 for Ireland.

Fooker

bilston wrote: »

Someone who usually has some good info on RR made this claim Jaco. Apparently Deccie sees Payne as the long term Irish 13. I have to say that some of it doesn't add up, for a start Payne isn't eligible for 18 months, secondly he hasn't committed to Ireland afaik, thirdly Deccie may not even be coach in 18 months time so why would he be thinking that far ahead at the moment.

If anything if the call has come from Kidney (a call I expect to be ignored for the big games anyway) it will be more to do with getting Gilroy onto the team than playing Payne at 13.

Well...
#1 If Cave doesn't play then Earls cannot be disputed as Bods successor for now.
#2 Payne would become eligible not long after Bod's predicted retirement..

It's hard to second guess the man..

.ak

Personally I'd rather see him developed at 15. When he's eligible in 3 years time RK will be getting on, and he's already prone to injuries.

Glass Prison 1214

.ak wrote: »

Personally I'd rather see him developed at 15. When he's eligible in 3 years time RK will be getting on, and he's already prone to injuries.

Payne(27) is older then Rob Kearney(26), he is quite injury prone though so another option would be good.

Podge_irl

.ak wrote: »

Personally I'd rather see him developed at 15. When he's eligible in 3 years time RK will be getting on, and he's already prone to injuries.

Payne is eligible in 2 years time - he was here all of last season, just injured.

.ak

Ah, didn't realize he was 27...

Glass Prison 1214

.ak wrote: »

Ah, didn't realize he was 27...

Ye it makes me question people's view that he can be a 'long term' option at 13, medium term(next world cup) sure but long term would be playing in the following world cup at which time he will be 34 which I think will be too old.

bilston

.ak wrote: »

Ah, didn't realize he was 27...

Just turned 27 it seems, so depending on when he would qualify he'll either still be 28 or just turned 29 if it's the 2014 November tests when he would first become eligible.

Either way he can't really be described as a long term option at either 13 or 15, he'd only have a year to play before the 2015 WC (which is time enough I suppose) and he's unlikely to make the 2019 WC.

Hagz

Glass Prison 1214 wrote: »

Ye it makes me question people's view that he can be a 'long term' option at 13, medium term(next world cup) sure but long term would be playing in the following world cup at which time he will be 34 which I think will be too old.

By long term I meant he's our best option for the coming world cup. I try not to think of what our options at 13 will be for the WC in 2019. It's hard enough figuring out what it will be for the next 6N never mind in 6 years.

EDIT: Plus, he'll only be 29 during the WC. If he plays up till he's 32/33 (which he will probably do considering he hasn't played international rugby), then he'll be an option right up to the 2017/18 season, and it's not inconceivable that he could still be the best option when he's 34. I would call that a long term option....would you not?

Glass Prison 1214

Hagz wrote: »

By long term I meant he's our best option for the coming world cup. I try not to think of what our options at 13 will be for the WC in 2019. It's hard enough figuring out what it will be for the next 6N never mind in 6 years.

I would view short term as this season, medium term as up to the next world cup, and long term beyond that.....

Hagz

Glass Prison 1214 wrote: »

I would view short term as this season, medium term as up to the next world cup, and long term beyond that.....

Well like I said, he's got plenty of rugby to play beyond the next world cup, so I would definitely view him as a long term option.

Glass Prison 1214

Hagz wrote: »

Well like I said, he's got plenty of rugby to play beyond the next world cup, so I would definitely view him as a long term option.

Ye your right we could get a couple of years out of him after the world cup, anyway regardless of his future Irish prospects he should be starting 15 for Ulster, not 13 IMO, for the time being anyway.

leonard7

when is the team announced?

CIARAN_BOYLE

Glass Prison 1214 wrote: »

Ye your right we could get a couple of years out of him after the world cup, anyway regardless of his future Irish prospects he should be starting 15 for Ulster, not 13 IMO, for the time being anyway.

Agreed, that said if he can get a few league games a season at 13 and maybe a couple on the wing too he could fill the role that Nacewa fills in Leinster of being a utility back, playing nearly every game and allowing the development of young talent at FB.

Ulster have a few good young talents across the backline but Peter Nelson is a FB and should get a chance to develop in that position

Glass Prison 1214

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Agreed, that said if he can get a few league games a season at 13 and maybe a couple on the wing too he could fill the role that Nacewa fills in Leinster of being a utility back, playing nearly every game and allowing the development of young talent at FB.

Ulster have a few good young talents across the backline but Peter Nelson is a FB and should get a chance to develop in that position

If he can become another Nacewa that would be fantastic because the great thing about Nacewa is that his versility allows him to be moved around to accommodate developing players in the league which means he doesnt stand in the way of youngsters getting gametime, so he effectively is without the negative effect of the NIQ. When I said Payne should play 15 I was talking about the big games(HEC + Leinster, Munster) so I agree about a few league games at 13.

bilston

leonard7 wrote: »

when is the team announced?

99% sure it will be announced around about midday tomorrow.

CIARAN_BOYLE

bilston wrote: »

Someone who usually has some good info on RR made this claim Jaco. Apparently Deccie sees Payne as the long term Irish 13. I have to say that some of it doesn't add up, for a start Payne isn't eligible for 18 months, secondly he hasn't committed to Ireland afaik, thirdly Deccie may not even be coach in 18 months time so why would he be thinking that far ahead at the moment.

If anything if the call has come from Kidney (a call I expect to be ignored for the big games anyway) it will be more to do with getting Gilroy onto the team than playing Payne at 13.

A poster on Ulster fans reported that Payne's family wanted him to move back to NZ during his recuperation from the season long injury last year but he refused because it would delay him becoming Irish eligible.

Not sure how accurate that was though.

CIARAN_BOYLE

thomond2006 wrote: »

Stephen Ferris just tweeted: "And so another journey begins..."

surgery this morning
http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/11009.php

totallegend

Fuuuuuck. I do not like the sound of:

Ulster Rugby wrote:

Stephen will be reviewed in the coming weeks to establish an accurate time period for recovery and to assess when he will fit to return to play

That sounds like a season ender to me.

Glass Prison 1214

totallegend wrote: »

Fuuuuuck. I do not like the sound of:


That sounds like a season ender to me.

You think? I know its the glass man but I still think you are being a bit pessimistic. All injuries have to be assessed to see how long it will last. Might only be a month or two.

CIARAN_BOYLE

totallegend wrote: »

Fuuuuuck. I do not like the sound of:


That sounds like a season ender to me.

my guess is that its one of those that could go either way.

50% he'll feature in the six nations 50% he won't make it back till september.

Tox56

totallegend wrote: »

Fuuuuuck. I do not like the sound of:


That sounds like a season ender to me.

They said something similar about Best when he got injured recently, and he got back reasonably quickly.

CatFromHue

So much for that tweet to be about going to Northampton!

I remember before the Fiji game that Donal Lenihan was saying that Ferris's injury was fairly serious and he'd be out for a fair bit.......and then he was interrupted!

bilston

If Ferris misses the rest of the season and therefore misses the Lions tour it MAY be the price he has to pay to pkayun in the 2015 WC. Ulster are covered thanks to the emergence of Henderson and Ireland will be okay provided O'Brien is fit and of course they have the benefit of Henderson's emergence as well.

Then again he may be back by round 5 of the HEC!

.ak

Seriously puts a dampener on his Lions potential too.

durkadurka

Poor old fez. I really feel sorry for the guy.

CatFromHue

(15-9): J Payne; T Bowe, D Cave, P Wallace, A Trimble; P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (c), D Tuohy, I Henderson, C Henry, R Wilson;
Replacements (16-23): N Brady, C Black, R Lutton, R Diack, N Williams, P Marshall, L Marshall, C Gilroy.

So much for Kidney directing Ulster to play Payne at 13 with Bowe at full back :rolleyes:

Gilroy on the bench too.

Good to see Best back and Wilson up against his old club.

Northampton team is out too
15 Ben FODEN, 14 Ken PISI, 13 George PISI, 12 Dom WALDOUCK, 11 Jamie ELLIOTT, 10 Ryan LAMB, 9 Martin ROBERTS
1 Soane TONGA'UIHA, 2 Dylan HARTLEY (capt), 3 Brian MUJATI, 4 Samu MANOA, 5 Courtney LAWES, 6 Calum CLARK, 7 Tom WOOD, 8 GJ VAN VELZE

Replacements
16 Mike HAYWOOD, 17 Alex WALLER, 18 Paul DORAN JONES, 19 Mark SORENSON, 20 Phil DOWSON, 21 Lee DICKSON, 22 Stephen MYLER, 23 Tom MAY

CIARAN_BOYLE

Fitzpatrick still injured?

Ulster could really do with him on the bench.

Has Lutton overtaken Macklin or is Macklin also injured.

jamiedav2011

CatFromHue wrote: »

(15-9): J Payne; T Bowe, D Cave, P Wallace, A Trimble; P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): T Court, R Best, J Afoa, J Muller (c), D Tuohy, I Henderson, C Henry, R Wilson;
Replacements (16-23): N Brady, C Black, R Lutton, R Diack, N Williams, P Marshall, L Marshall, C Gilroy.

So much for Kidney directing Ulster to play Payne at 13 with Bowe at full back :rolleyes:

Gilroy on the bench too.

Good to see Best back and Wilson up against his old club.

Serious team that!

This could be a cracking game.

bilston

CatFromHue wrote: »

So much for Kidney directing Ulster to play Payne at 13 with Bowe at full back :rolleyes:

Ermm, I think what was said was that Kidney wanted that but Ulster didn't so it wasn't going to happen;)

bilston

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Fitzpatrick still injured?

Ulster could really do with him on the bench.

Has Lutton overtaken Macklin or is Macklin also injured.

Both Fitzpatrick and Macklin are injured.

CatFromHue

bilston wrote: »

Ermm, I think what was said was that Kidney wanted that but Ulster didn't so it wasn't going to happen;)

Fair enough, it's still ridiculous though!

Ridiculous on two fronts
1) It doesn't make sense for Kidney to request it
2) If Kidney had requested it, due to his position in the IRFU, it should have been implemented.

What a team, and what a bench!

Impact and form everywhere.

Can't watch it live so will be steering clear of t'internet and boards.ie until I catch up in a hungover state on Saturday morning.

iamjenko

Deleted User wrote: »

What a team, and what a bench!

Impact and form everywhere.

Can't watch it live so will be steering clear of t'internet and boards.ie until I catch up in a hungover state on Saturday morning.

Was just about to say the same, nice looking team and serious options to come off the bench!

Fooker

zebo

CatFromHue wrote: »

(15-9)
So much for Kidney directing Ulster to play Payne at 13 with Bowe at full back :rolleyes:

I would think Kidney can't give directives for the European Cup. And if he were to, I would think Gilroy would be starting. Then again maybe he doesn't want someone taking Earls or Zebo's place. :rolleyes: He has criminally overlooked Gilroy in the past. :mad:

bilston

CatFromHue wrote: »

Fair enough, it's still ridiculous though!

Ridiculous on two fronts
1) It doesn't make sense for Kidney to request it
2) If Kidney had requested it, due to his position in the IRFU, it should have been implemented.

I agree

Sinbad_NI

Lets hope they play better than the last 3 matches. Although all should be well up for the big games.

Tomtom364

Should be Gilroy starting not Trimble.

kennyb3

What do people think of the chances of an Ulster win? I would of fancied it but would be worried about Court at scrum time.

CIARAN_BOYLE

kennyb3 wrote: »

What do people think of the chances of an Ulster win? I would of fancied it but would be worried about Court at scrum time.

Court is an excellent lh and wont let anyone down.

i would be more worried about afoa going down insured. it would be game over.

jamiedav2011

kennyb3 wrote: »

What do people think of the chances of an Ulster win? I would of fancied it but would be worried about Court at scrum time.

What's the worry around Court about?
He's a very solid LH.

bilston

No concerns over Court...but in saying that the form pick at LH would definitely be Callum Black who has superb recently and part of a dominant scrum in the last few games.

totallegend

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

What's the worry around Court about?
He's a very solid LH.

Exactly. People hear the word "Court" and immediately associate it with "Twickenham", it's a bit annoying.

the_doctor199

Sinbad_NI wrote: »

Lets hope they play better than the last 3 matches. Although all should be well up for the big games.

In fairness, two of those was virtually a b side, even last week wasn't a full side so it's a little harsh to hold those against them, as horribly poor as they were.

This game has the potential to be an absolute cracker.