Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

bilston

the_doctor199 wrote: »

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.

The issue is whether the returning players can gel straight away. In saying that Hartley, Lawes and Foden are all short on games so maybe it evens itself out.

I was trying to do a had to head earlier and I was trying to decide between Foden and Payne. What do you all think? Foden at his best is a contender for the Lions IMO but Payne is such a classy player.

shaungil

whats Annscombe like for using the bench, will Marhall and Gilroy get a decent run?

Tox56

bilston wrote: »

The issue is whether the returning players can gel straight away. In saying that Hartley, Lawes and Foden are all short on games so maybe it evens itself out.

I was trying to do a had to head earlier and I was trying to decide between Foden and Payne. What do you all think? Foden at his best is a contender for the Lions IMO but Payne is such a classy player.

If Foden has only just come back it has to be Payne, from what I can remember he has played nearly every game this season (and he wasn't called away for internationals) so he'll be completely match fit, unlike Foden.

Sinbad_NI

the_doctor199 wrote: »

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.

Yeah I know, but they were hard to watch even with getting the wins.

Fez101

Tomtom364 wrote: »

Should be Gilroy starting not Trimble.

Away from home on cold wintery night, its absolutely the right decision to go with experience, Trimble is a fine winger, fronts up well for Ulster, just never seems to get a fair crack with Ireland.

Fez101

Fez101 wrote: »

Away from home on cold wintery night, its absolutely the right decision to go with experience, Trimble is a fine winger, fronts up well for Ulster, just never seems to get a fair crack with Ireland.

this, plus if needs be, Anscombe wont be afraid to get him off the bench for a bit of electricity.

jm08

Fez101 wrote: »

Away from home on cold wintery night, its absolutely the right decision to go with experience, Trimble is a fine winger, fronts up well for Ulster, just never seems to get a fair crack with Ireland.

He has 49 caps. To put in context, Jamie Heaslip (the same age) has 52.

Edit: Tommy Bowe has 51 (and they are both 28).

backawaygo onahead

Rock solid selection, Maaaak has gone with experience all the way in the tight choices. What actually compliments this is that it leaves game changing possibility on the bench. Pretty much exactly what you would look for.

Saints will provide a big test but the latest weather forecast indicates a dry night which will suit Ulster.

People a little too hung up on the Italian job & West Wales whipping. Italy was with the bare bones of the squad, Llanelli a wet wee hole but we were never really troubled.

Tomorrow comes down to the guys gelling quickly after a month apart. My guess is that they will be like frustrated lovers who can't wait to get it on.

As for Stevie, my sources say no HC pool games but possibly ready for the home quarter final serious but not terminal ..............yet. By the time he is fit to return who knows if he will be ahead of Henderson in the pecking order? Young lad is a bit special.

CIARAN_BOYLE

backawaygo onahead wrote: »

As for Stevie, my sources say no HC pool games but possibly ready for the home quarter final serious but not terminal ..............yet. By the time he is fit to return who knows if he will be ahead of Henderson in the pecking order? Young lad is a bit special.

Ferris could be forced to 7 or 8 yet

CIARAN_BOYLE

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Ferris could be forced to 7 or 8 yet

Far more likely we'd see him at 6 with Henderson in the second row.

Or else Ferris being used as a super sub to prolong his career.

Imagine playing 60minutes of top pace rugby and then see Stephen ****ing Ferris coming off the bench to take up the blindside flanker role against you.

Glass Prison 1214

Deleted User wrote: »

Far more likely we'd see him at 6 with Henderson in the second row.

Or else Ferris being used as a super sub to prolong his career.

Imagine playing 60minutes of top pace rugby and then see Stephen ****ing Ferris coming off the bench to take up the blindside flanker role against you.

As awesome as that sounds, if Ferris is fit to play I would want him starting. He is simply too good to leave out of any team.

irishbucsfan

Don't think we'll be seeing Henderson in the row too much this year

backawaygo onahead

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Ferris could be forced to 7 or 8 yet

I'm afraid that mightn't be the issue. With the many and varied injuries it is becoming an uncomfortable question, how long can he play now? Contract up at the end of the season, I am beginning to wonder will he be offered a new contract.

The number of times he has played in the last few seasons makes it a question a club will ask and I know it sounds like heresy but I am worried, furthermore insurers must be twitchy and lastly I hope the stress he is putting his body through doesn't leave him wrecked for the rest of his days.

bilston

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Don't think we'll be seeing Henderson in the row too much this year

He played most of the second half last week in the row. In fact one of the first things he did when he moved to lock was steal a Scarlets lineout jumping at 2, but with Ferris out then Henderson will play 6, although Robbie Diack is playing well also and Williams has played 6 a couple of times for us so even without Ferris there is competition.

leonard7

15 Ben Foden, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 George Pisi, 12 Dom Waldouck, 11 Jamie Elliott, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Calum Clark, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Samu Manoa, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.

is a strong team but i think individually ulster are better and only courtney lawes, george pisi, tom wood and soane tonga'uiha would make it into the ulster starting team

CIARAN_BOYLE

leonard7 wrote: »

15 Ben Foden, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 George Pisi, 12 Dom Waldouck, 11 Jamie Elliott, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Calum Clark, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Samu Manoa, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.

is a strong team but i think individually ulster are better and only courtney lawes, george pisi, tom wood and soane tonga'uiha would make it into the ulster starting team

Who would Wood be ahead of?

I'd take Foden and play him at 15 moving Payne to 13 and dropping Cave to the bench rather than Pisi. Yeah Lawes and Tonga'uiha would get into the Ulster team too.

leonard7

id say after his performance at the weekend wood could take hendersons spot at 6 and yeh payne is a better 13 than pisi although i hadnt considered that

.ak

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Who would Wood be ahead of?

I'd take Foden and play him at 15 moving Payne to 13 and dropping Cave to the bench rather than Pisi. Yeah Lawes and Tonga'uiha would get into the Ulster team too.

I think dunno, I think Cave is criminally under rated. Pisi looked good in the AIs, but I fancy the no-frills Cave will show him a trick or two. Wouldn't be surprised if Cave puts him on his arse early on in the game.

irishbucsfan

Pisi is one of the best players in the premiership imo, especially beside Ken. Wouldn't have Cave or Payne ahead of him.

.ak

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Pisi is one of the best players in the premiership imo, especially beside Ken. Wouldn't have Cave or Payne ahead of him.

This season, I'd agree with you. But he's been prone to absolute nightmare games previously.

irishbucsfan

.ak wrote: »

This season, I'd agree with you. But he's been prone to absolute nightmare games previously.

"Prone" is a complete overstatement! You must be able to give a few examples if that's the case?

Tox56

I love watching Pisi, great athlete. Cave and Payne are different types of players but there isn't much in it. Pisi has been electric whenever I've seen him recently though

Deano7788

.ak wrote: »

This season, I'd agree with you. But he's been prone to absolute nightmare games previously.

In fairness the only nightmare I can think of was Munster last season and that was out of position at full back. He's an excellent centre.

Tox56

.ak wrote: »

I think dunno, I think Cave is criminally under rated. Pisi looked good in the AIs, but I fancy the no-frills Cave will show him a trick or two. Wouldn't be surprised if Cave puts him on his arse early on in the game.

Well played..

jacothelad

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Pisi is one of the best players in the premiership imo, especially beside Ken. Wouldn't have Cave or Payne ahead of him.

Still wouldn't?????????????????????? boots lace fit not up to their. Arrange into a well known phrase or saying.

leonard7

after todays match id struggle to put any player from northampton on that ulster team despite thinking beforehand tonghuia, lawes, pisi and wood would be worth a shout.... i love being corrected by ulster when they play like this...c'mon the boys

CIARAN_BOYLE

Ravens team for tomorrow

(15-9): Adam D’Arcy; Ricky Andrew, Michael Allen, Niall O’Connor, Chris Cochrane; Stuart Olding, Michael Heaney;
(1-8): Conor Carey, Niall Annett, Richard Lutton, James Simpson, Neil McComb (capt), Conor Joyce, Ali Birch, Mike McComish;
Replacements (16-22): Rob Herring, Adam Macklin, Alan O’Connor, Sean O’Connell, Blane McIlroy, Stuart McCloskey, Rory Scholes.



Nice to see Allen and Macklin returning.


Interesting to see NOC at 12 rather than 10.

bilston

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Ravens team for tomorrow

(15-9): Adam D’Arcy; Ricky Andrew, Michael Allen, Niall O’Connor, Chris Cochrane; Stuart Olding, Michael Heaney;
(1-8): Conor Carey, Niall Annett, Richard Lutton, James Simpson, Neil McComb (capt), Conor Joyce, Ali Birch, Mike McComish;
Replacements (16-22): Rob Herring, Adam Macklin, Alan O’Connor, Sean O’Connell, Blane McIlroy, Stuart McCloskey, Rory Scholes.



Nice to see Allen and Macklin returning.


Interesting to see NOC at 12 rather than 10.

Yeah I wonder if they are trying something with NOC at 12 or whether it's a vote of confidence in Olding. In fairness NOC has done ok for Ulster in the last few weeks. Good to see D'Arcy back.

irishbucsfan

bilston wrote: »

Yeah I wonder if they are trying something with NOC at 12 or whether it's a vote of confidence in Olding. In fairness NOC has done ok for Ulster in the last few weeks. Good to see D'Arcy back.

Hopefully they're using this period to give Olding a chance to integrate himself into the side. Maybe we'll even see him for the 1sts before the end of the season? Of course he has u20 rugby to play as well

irishbucsfan

jacothelad wrote: »

Still wouldn't?????????????????????? boots lace fit not up to their. Arrange into a well known phrase or saying.

Well I'd have Payne ahead of him, not Cave though. Pisi is a special player (although not sure about Ken, he seems very dodgy).

bilston

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Well I'd have Payne ahead of him, not Cave though. Pisi is a special player (although not sure about Ken, he seems very dodgy).

Cave was outstanding last night, had his opposite number in his pocket all night...of course one game doesn't make a summer and all that but on the basis of last night Pisi over Cave...not for me...

irishbucsfan

bilston wrote: »

Cave was outstanding last night, had his opposite number in his pocket all night...of course one game doesn't make a summer and all that but on the basis of last night Pisi over Cave...not for me...

You're just comparing them directly here and not taking into account what was going on around them. I think if you put Pisi into a team like Ulster he would run riot. He's a quality player. I'd have Payne ahead of him though, there's something special about him.

I am pie

Are the highlights available on line ? Am abroad, missed the game and itching to at least see the tries!

Deano7788

I am pie wrote: »

Are the highlights available on line ? Am abroad, missed the game and itching to at least see the tries!

Here are the 4 tries anyway:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-V8LPt5rvk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iAGgljrAFU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PysgiNExp6M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nar6Psr694

backawaygo onahead

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Pisi is one of the best players in the premiership imo, especially beside Ken. Wouldn't have Cave or Payne ahead of him.

Which just goes to prove my friend that hindsight can make a mug of the best of us.;)

Daren still massively underrated, The Payne has more class than a classroom fully of top class, classy people.:D

backawaygo onahead

Ooops just noticed its not just hindsight, you still don't rate Darren.:eek:

Oh well.

phog

Just saw on twitter that Muller is out for 8 weeks, going to be missed.

CIARAN_BOYLE

phog wrote: »

Just saw on twitter that Muller is out for 8 weeks, going to be missed.

How long is Stevenson out for?

His return could cushion the blow but if Ulster has to go without Muller and Stevenson there could be trouble.

QwertyIII

Suggested 6 weeks at the time, which would put his return next week but haven't heard anything recently about him close to a return or training.

backawaygo onahead

There is good news and bad news.

Lewis may well be back next week. Good

Johann may not be the only broken bone last night. Sorry sworn to secrecy. Bad

What a bastard, Johann is so important to us. That said Big Lewis was in cracking form before injury, McComb did a reasonable job & of course Henderson naturally & Diack at a pinch can do a job.

Fooker

Could possibly see Henderson at 5 and Williams at 6?

Swiwi

Do you guys think Payne will stay & try and qualify for Ireland, or return to NZ and push for an AB spot?

shuffol

Swiwi wrote: »

Do you guys think Payne will stay & try and qualify for Ireland, or return to NZ and push for an AB spot?

Do you think he's good enough to hold down a spot for NZ?

mfceiling

Swiwi wrote: »

Do you guys think Payne will stay & try and qualify for Ireland, or return to NZ and push for an AB spot?

I would say his age would count against him returning and making the AB's.

backawaygo onahead

Swiwi wrote: »

Do you guys think Payne will stay & try and qualify for Ireland, or return to NZ and push for an AB spot?

I've no doubt he will become Paddy Payne, rumour was he stayed here last year so it didn't effect his qualification.

Like most of out NIQ brigade he is said to love things here and the rugby isn't going too badly. Why would he gamble with a career now on track to get him a well paid Irish central contract and play for a successful club?

Surely it would involve a significant pay cut to try his hand in NZ again?

Swiwi

shuffol wrote: »

Do you think he's good enough to hold down a spot for NZ?

Too much competition at 11/14/15 but in terms of the midfield:

Nonu & Smith are ageing
Kahui is prone to injury
Ellison & B Smith are fairly untested at international level

Other players such as Freuan, Crotty, Bateman are probably never going to make it. The little of Francis Saili (Blues) I have seen looked reasonable.

And all Kiwis hope SBW comes back from league.

It would be no guarantee, but I would say he would have a better than even chance.
***
You would think he would be in the running for the Irish midfield, given BOD & Darcy are nearing the end, and that there is not a lot of other Irish players saying pick me, maybe Marshall & Cave excepted.

Swiwi

backawaygo onahead wrote: »

I've no doubt he will become Paddy Payne, rumour was he stayed here last year so it didn't effect his qualification.

Like most of out NIQ brigade he is said to love things here and the rugby isn't going too badly. Why would he gamble with a career now on track to get him a well paid Irish central contract and play for a successful club?

Surely it would involve a significant pay cut to try his hand in NZ again?

Therein lies the rub...

Tox56

Swiwi wrote: »

***
You would think he would be in the running for the Irish midfield, given BOD & Darcy are nearing the end, and that there is not a lot of other Irish players saying pick me, maybe Marshall & Cave excepted.

He probably would be but the problem is he is playing for the same province as Marshall and Cave.

Cave had another good game last night, and he is 2 years younger than Payne. If Payne wanted to play 13 for Ireland, he would have to play there for Ulster, and it's hard to see that happening (in the big games anyway)

In terms of fullbacks we are well stocked with Rob Kearney and Felix Jones only 26 and 25 respectively (Zebo is 22, Henshaw in Connacht only 19).

I should also probably say I'm totally opposed to him (and project players in general) playing for Ireland.

QwertyIII

IMO i think he is good enough to maybe get a few AB caps, but he'll be 28 by the time his ulster contract is finshed, so age could be a problem for him, plus less ££££! Stating the obvious but theres a much better chance for him to get plenty of caps for ireland.

I think a big thing is the fact that he is here, on a 3 year contract & not for 1/2 seasons, if he wanted to go for caps AB, would he have left? Paddy Payne all the way. Love watching him, just seems so effortless for him.

QwertyIII

Does anyone know how the ravens are getting/got on, cant seem to find anything on them.