Ulster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread II

Buer

awec wrote: »

Just saw where jaco got the picture from: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/news/wood-v-food-titanic-ulster-fry-challenge-at-east-belfasts-newton-cafe-34681960.html

They sent a child to do a man's job there.

Buer

Ulster team and replacements to play Ospreys, Guinness PRO12, Saturday 7th May, Liberty Stadium (kick-off 3pm):
(15-9): J Payne; A Trimble, L Marshall, S McCloskey, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): C Black, R Best (c), R Lutton, P Browne, F van der Merwe, I Henderson, C Henry, S Reidy;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, K McCall, A Warwick, R Diack, R Wilson, P Marshall, S Olding, D Cave

Very curious as to what the future holds for Darren Cave. He's currently no. 23 in the squad and this is with Ludik and Bowe absent both who are probably more likely to be included in the 23 than him. He hasn't started a game since the 21st of February which is a very long stretch for a guy who started games in the RWC.

Decent line up. The Ospreys getting a big result last week though keeps them just about in the hunt and they're not going to make it easy for Ulster who will need to keep their performance levels high again.

15 Dan Evans

14 Ben John

13 Owen Watkin

12 Josh Matavesi

11 Eli Walker

10 Dan Biggar

9 Rhys Webb (Capt)



1 Nicky Smith

2 Scott Baldwin

3 Dmitri Arhip

4 Rynier Bernardo

5 Rory Thornton

6 Dan Lydiate

7 Sam Underhill

8 James King

Fortunately for Ulster there's a significant number of key injuries for the Ospreys.

thomond2006

Is Sam Underhill that good? I have read a lot about his performances but I've barely seen Ospreys play this season.

irishbucsfan

thomond2006 wrote: »

Is Sam Underhill that good? I have read a lot about his performances but I've barely seen Ospreys play this season.

Yes, he's an exceptional talent.

Buer

thomond2006 wrote: »

Is Sam Underhill that good? I have read a lot about his performances but I've barely seen Ospreys play this season.

It's hard to say given he hasn't played much. He was very good against Munster.

But, if you take into account his age, he's a big prospect. He only turns 20 this summer.

The Elk

Buer wrote: »

Very curious as to what the future holds for Darren Cave. He's currently no. 23 in the squad and this is with Ludik and Bowe absent both who are probably more likely to be included in the 23 than him. He hasn't started a game since the 21st of February which is a very long stretch for a guy who started games in the RWC.

As far as I'm aware he only started one game - agaisnt Romanian.

He hasn't had a great season after the WC, he's picked up one or two knocks here and there meant he missed a few games then on the 2-3 times he did play, he was horrendously bad. His tackling had gone to pot.

No form, no game time. Unless there is an injury he's going to have to wait until next season to get a start again. Stu and Marshall have been too good.

Sad though, he had been playing very well end of last season and before the WC. Being selected as a specialist 13 and having someone who 'usually' plays wing picked ahead of him has maybe played on his mind. He's only human after all and he has been vocal in the past about being overlooked.

jacothelad

The Elk wrote: »

As far as I'm aware he only started one game - agaisnt Romanian.

He hasn't had a great season after the WC, he's picked up one or two knocks here and there meant he missed a few games then on the 2-3 times he did play, he was horrendously bad. His tackling had gone to pot.

No form, no game time. Unless there is an injury he's going to have to wait until next season to get a start again. Stu and Marshall have been too good.

Sad though, he had been playing very well end of last season and before the WC. Being selected as a specialist 13 and having someone who 'usually' plays wing picked ahead of him has maybe played on his mind. He's only human after all and he has been vocal in the past about being overlooked.

He was included several times in the 23 while still recovering from his shoulder injury and while he was ill as a 'break glass in emergency' player. Unfortunately for him he was needed early on in both games. After 8 minutes in one I think and it was evident that he was mad to agree to do it. He looks as if he is back to full fitness.

The Elk

jacothelad wrote: »

He looks as if he is back to full fitness.

That's good to hear then.

rsh118

I would give my left leg to see Reidy continue the form he was in last game. Really starting to come into his own.

awec

Seems the IRFU aren't letting us sign a medical joker to cover Coetzee.

thomond2006

awec wrote: »

Seems the IRFU aren't letting us sign a medical joker to cover Coetzee.

Perhaps you will sign someone on a one year deal though, as opposed to a medical joker?

bilston

awec wrote: »

Seems the IRFU aren't letting us sign a medical joker to cover Coetzee.

To be honest it may be better for us in the long run if someone like Dow gets a shot or Reidy continues his good form (couple of missed tackles at the weekend though) at 8. Put it this way I have nuch more faith in Kiss being able to make the most of what we have than I would if Clarke or Doak were calling the shots.

DDC1990

Pretty funny stuff. Pity Trimble couldn't keep it up for longer.

launish116

Have we given up hope on another signing to be announced?

Mahatma Geansai

awec wrote: »

Seems the IRFU aren't letting us sign a medical joker to cover Coetzee.

It should never have been allowed tbh. Ulster are already over the NIE limit and other provinces have had to deal with much worse injuries without getting a medical joker.

thomond2006

Bowe and Ludik gone for the season: http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/14911.php#.VzH9OoQrLs0

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Bowe likely not going to South Africa then?

bilston

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Bowe likely not going to South Africa then?

No chance.

At his age he should just concentrate of getting back. I hope we see him again.

rsh118

I'd be tempted to say Bowe's seen his last Ireland cap, but he's just so damn classy that I certainly wouldn't make that a cast-iron guarantee!

Billysays no

Don't think ye have too much to worry about. If I was picking the Irish back line it would include Payne, Trimble, McCloskey, olding and Jackson. And I am a Connacht fan.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Paddy Jackson won player of the year at the Ulster awards tonight. Is he the only Irish player to win that award in the provinces this year? Aki and Te'o won it for Connacht and Leinster. Not sure about Munster?

CatFromHue

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Paddy Jackson won player of the year at the Ulster awards tonight. Is he the only Irish player to win that award in the provinces this year? Aki and Te'o won it for Connacht and Leinster. Not sure about Munster?

Don't think the Munster ones are out, it's between Scannell, Stander, and B. Holland.

I think Scannell had a fine season but it'll probably go to Stander.

Didn't know Te'o was the Leinster one, kinda surprised at it too.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

CatFromHue wrote: »

Don't think the Munster ones are out, it's between Scannell, Stander, and B. Holland.

I think Scannell had a fine season but it'll probably go to Stander.

Didn't know Te'o was the Leinster one, kinda surprised at it too.

Not sure now who won the Ulster one now because they seem to be giving awards to everyone. McCloskey just won a player of the year one too.

CatFromHue

just looked at the ulster twitter and it seems there were

ulster rugby supporters player of the year : PJ
Rugby Writers' Player of the Year award: Van der Merwe
Ulster player of the year: McCloskey

they like giving out player of the year awards up there!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

McCaul got young player of the year.

My original question about Jackson still stands for McCloskey. I guess Stander winning for Munster would count as an Irish player as he is technically.

ulster_Beef

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Good to see. I would put his joint league and Europe stats even higher when combined. That doesn't fit into d2 rhetoric

former total

ulster_Beef wrote: »

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Good to see. I would put his joint league and Europe stats even higher when combined. That doesn't fit into d2 rhetoric

d2 rhetoric?

Jackson had a success rate of 78% in the league so his joint stats would be low 80s. A good return.

bilston

ulster_Beef wrote: »

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Good to see. I would put his joint league and Europe stats even higher when combined. That doesn't fit into d2 rhetoric

I think Jackson had a couple of dodgy games right at the start of the season which maybe have affected his league stats. But since Christmas his stats must be very high. Hopefully I haven't put the scuds on him for next week!

jacothelad

One that really did get away due to dreadful player judgement.

He is one of six players involved in the two games six years ago still with the Chiefs and has remained an integral part of the side, spending more minutes on the pitch than any other player in the Premiership this season, starting 27 of Exeter’s league and Champions Cup matches and on the bench for the other two.

awec

Who?

Bazzo

Steenson?

irishbucsfan

awec wrote: »

Who?

Steenson I guess?

gleesonisgod

Sorry if this has been asked and answered before, but are AOC and Hebst expected back for the Leinster clash?

jacothelad

gleesonisgod wrote: »

Sorry if this has been asked and answered before, but are AOC and Hebst expected back for the Leinster clash?

AOC is out until next season. Herbst might bench but we'd be better sticking to Warwick as t/h cover.

ulster_Beef

1 north stand ticket for sale. Face value etc

bilston

I see heavy rain is forecast for Dublin for 7pm on Friday night...FFS...

awec

Ulster team and replacements to play Leinster, Guinness PRO12 play-off, Friday 20th May, RDS Arena (kick-off 7.45pm):
(15-9): J Payne; A Trimble, L Marshall, S McCloskey, C Gilroy; P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): C Black, R Best (c), R Lutton, P Browne, F van der Merwe, I Henderson, C Henry, S Reidy;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, K McCall, A Warwick, R Diack, R Wilson, P Marshall, S Olding, D Cave.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Is this on TV, anyone know? Other than Sky?

MJohnston

Pro12 website has a broadcast schedule page, it's "Live on Sky Sports/TG4 and BBC Sport NI"

awec

If we can get parity in the forwards we can beat them with our back line which IMO is better in every single position other than 10.

If we can get parity in the forwards.

bilston

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Is this on TV, anyone know? Other than Sky?

BBC were advertising it last night.

bilston

awec wrote: »

If we can get parity in the forwards we can beat them with our back line which IMO is better in every single position other than 10.

If we can get parity in the forwards.

What's the forecast?

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

bilston wrote: »

What's the forecast?

Cool, windy and possibility of rain.

Buer

bilston wrote: »

What's the forecast?

Gusts of hot air followed by heavy drops down Ulster fans cheeks.

bilston

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

bilston wrote: »

What's the forecast?

Cool, windy and possibility of rain.

That is like the least Ulster benefiting forceast imagineable

awec

bilston wrote: »

That is like the least Ulster benefiting forceast imagineable

Will suit Leinster perfectly who I imagine will be trying to avoid a game of rugby breaking out tomorrow night.

former total

bilston wrote: »

That is like the least Ulster benefiting forceast imagineable

You sure?

Cool - doesn't matter
Windy - will disadvantage a team who rely on kicking for territory and their set-piece. Doesn't affect running and short passing as much.
Possibility of rain - it's Ireland, "possibility of rain" is as good as it ever gets.

Billysays no

awec wrote: »

Will suit Leinster perfectly who I imagine will be trying to avoid a game of rugby breaking out tomorrow night.

Now dont be like that. I wouldnt go with that for a second, a minute, an hour two hours yawnnn ok maybe

bilston

I haven't gone near the match thread yet so no idea what the board narrative is.

Anyway my thoughts would be well done to Leinster, you were excellent. In the first 20 mins we hardly got the ball. Reddan just kept putting the ball on a sixpence for Fitzgerald to put pressure on Trimble. You turned a strength into a weakness for us. Sexton was outstanding. He showed his class this evening. As I feared the Leinster tight 5 (plus Cronin, Furlong and Maloney from the bench) was decisive in the set piece, but credit to the Leinster back row too especially Heaslip.

Anyway enough about Leinster, different year, same old s*** for Ulster. There were some stupid handling errors and Leinster had us going backwards at the breakdown. When we did get front foot ball we were dangerous but we just didn't get enough. I think we are getting the 12 selection wrong at the moment. Olding should be starting with McCloskey coming on in the final 20-30 minutes, not the other way round. Gilroy showed tonight why he will never become a regular in the Irish team. The only thing bringing an utterance of a smile to my face at the moment is the prospect of Henderson on the hard and dry South African pitches in a few weeks time. Feck he was good tonight, in fact I'd go so far as to say that he was probably deserving of the man of the match award irrespective of the score.

Anyway it seems to me that the best way we can avoid the same disappointment happening again next year that has happened year after year is to finish in the top 2. Get a home semi final and then see where that takes us.

For now I'm afraid I'm going to have file tonight's game in the bulging choke cabinet. Pity, as there isn't much room left.

awec

Same old, same old.