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

bilston · 14-02-2021 1:44pm

molloyjh wrote: »

And even if Murray isn't there, Cooney is behind JGP and Casey as it stands so wouldn't be starting anyway. He isn't competing with Murray. Another fact pointed out numerous times in recent months.

I think he should be in the squad...but I've no problem with him being behind Murray and Casey...but from my own POV I dont see what Gibson Park brings that Cooney doesn't.

I thibk a lot depends on the out half.

I'd be a lot more confident if Cooney was at 9 today alongside Burns rather than Gibson Park, but if Ross Byrne was at 10 I'd probably go with Gibson Park.

Dubinusa · 14-02-2021 2:00pm

Cooney has been the form 9 in Ireland for years now, imo. He started this season poorly. But is playing very well again. I think that's the point. Cooney had a poor spell and was dropped. Murray was awful for 2 plus seasons....
My opinion is if Murray wasn't on the central contract, he's going to bench. Just an opinion.

razorblunt · 14-02-2021 2:05pm

Dubinusa wrote: »

Cooney has been the form 9 in Ireland for years now, imo. He started this season poorly. But is playing very well again. I think that's the point. Cooney had a poor spell and was dropped. Murray was awful for 2 plus seasons....
My opinion is if Murray wasn't on the central contract, he's going to bench. Just an opinion.

Years? He was dropped from Ireland before after going through a really bad spell.

stephen_n · 14-02-2021 7:41pm

bilston wrote: »

I think he should be in the squad...but I've no problem with him being behind Murray and Casey...but from my own POV I dont see what Gibson Park brings that Cooney doesn't.

I thibk a lot depends on the out half.

I'd be a lot more confident if Cooney was at 9 today alongside Burns rather than Gibson Park, but if Ross Byrne was at 10 I'd probably go with Gibson Park.

Cooney has had numerous chances in camp at this stage and hasn’t impressed the coaches enough. There have been consistent rumors about being a poor trainer. No real idea what that relates to but it has been mentioned by a few commentators. The problem is there is not much difference between, Cooney, JGP and probably Blade too at this stage. So what they show in camp is probably what divides them.

damianmcr · 14-02-2021 11:29pm

I heard Stockdale is getting the blame for today.

Paul Smeenus · 14-02-2021 11:44pm

damianmcr wrote: »

I heard Stockdale is getting the blame for today.

He didn't make a single successful tackle.

bilston · 15-02-2021 12:06am

damianmcr wrote: »

I heard Stockdale is getting the blame for today.

Presumably OTB will be dissecting Lowe's defensive efforts tomorrow with Alan Quinlan...:rolleyes:

bilston · 15-02-2021 12:09am

stephen_n wrote: »

Cooney has had numerous chances in camp at this stage and hasn’t impressed the coaches enough. There have been consistent rumors about being a poor trainer. No real idea what that relates to but it has been mentioned by a few commentators. The problem is there is not much difference between, Cooney, JGP and probably Blade too at this stage. So what they show in camp is probably what divides them.

Possibly...I'm not that bothered about it either way, I've never heard those rumours before so I'll take them with a pinch of salt, but purely on what I see on the pitch, which unless you're in the camp or close to it, is all we can judge on, I'd say he is unlucky not to be there.

ionadnapokot · 15-02-2021 1:12am

bilston wrote: »

Presumably OTB will be dissecting Lowe's defensive efforts tomorrow with Alan Quinlan...:rolleyes:

I think we can all see Lowe made the mistake. And yes again!
The defence in general over 2019, 20 and this 6N is a glaring weakness.
It’s been exacerbated by individual errors from Stockdale, Lowe, Earls, Keenan and Park since Farrell has been in charge.

& If your listening to that channel for rugby insights you are wasting your time and increasing your blood pressure!

damianmcr · 15-02-2021 11:31am

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

He didn't make a single successful tackle.

bilston · 15-02-2021 1:28pm

It's game week...whoop whoop...

Any thoughts on the team? Will McCloskey and O'Toole be set free from Camp Ireland? I assume they will, as other players have moved back and forth. Will Stockdale get a run to get minutes before Italy? Will any of our long term injured (Balacoune, Addison, Lyttle and Reidy) be available? Will McCann get another game? Should be interesting anyway.

Paul Smeenus · 15-02-2021 1:58pm

Locked and loaded. We need the best team we can possibly field - I suspect we'll be frustratingly rusty

bilston · 15-02-2021 2:18pm

bilston wrote: »

Presumably OTB will be dissecting Lowe's defensive efforts tomorrow with Alan Quinlan...:rolleyes:

Turns out their contributor Neil Treacy managed to drop Henderson, possibly completely from the 23 for James Ryan and maybe even Ryan Baird for the Italy match...I genuinely believe these "experts" don't actually watch these matches properly and just look for any kind of evidence to back up their pre conceived ideas, either that or they are on the wind up and therefore aren't a serious sports media organisation. I'm undecided on it.

launish116 · 15-02-2021 2:19pm

Would hope a sprinkle of academy players, though can’t see it. Would expect Glasgow to have bare bones of a squad.

Paul Smeenus · 15-02-2021 2:23pm

launish116 wrote: »

Would hope a sprinkle of academy players, though can’t see it. Would expect Glasgow to have bare bones of a squad.

Good point. Maybe McCann in, maybe McIlroy instead of the likes of Gilroy.

To be honest, I'm as excited to see who might be back available fit. Think Reidy is supposed to be April? But Boaby Baloucoune, Addison, McGrath would be great to have starting to work their way back.

launish116 · 15-02-2021 2:26pm

The following players are currently unavailable for selection due to injury:

Luke Marshall (knee)
Jack McGrath (hip)
David O’Connor (shoulder)
Will Addison (back)
Angus Curtis (knee)
Rob Baloucoune (hamstring)
Sean Reidy (shoulder)
Jacob Stockdale (knee)

bilston · 15-02-2021 2:27pm

Marshall, McGrath, D.O'Connor, Reidy, Balacoune, Addison, Stockdale and Curtis all unavailable...so that answers a few of the earlier questions

bilston · 15-02-2021 2:28pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Good point. Maybe McCann in, maybe McIlroy instead of the likes of Gilroy.

To be honest, I'm as excited to see who might be back available fit. Think Reidy is supposed to be April? But Boaby Baloucoune, Addison, McGrath would be great to have starting to work their way back.

Surely McIlroy is ahead of Gilroy at this stage

Interesting that Lyttle is available..

Possible backline?

Cooney, Madigan, McIlroy, McCloskey, Hume, Lyttle, Lowry

Paul Smeenus · 15-02-2021 2:32pm

Ah just saw that.

Presumably McCloskey and O'Toole have to be released for some sort of game time? Unless it breaks Covid rules.

Paul Smeenus · 15-02-2021 2:34pm

bilston wrote: »

Surely McIlroy is ahead of Gilroy at this stage

Interesting that Lyttle is available..

Possible backline?

Cooney, Madigan, McIlroy, McCloskey, Hume, Lyttle, Lowry

That's a great backline for a 6N period.

Paul Smeenus · 15-02-2021 2:38pm

If McCloskey isn't released, we could be looking at McIlroy (20), Moore (21), Hume (22), Lytlle (24) and Lowry (22). Youth-tastic.

Although I suppose Faddes might feature.

bilston · 16-02-2021 10:10am

Sounds like Balocoune would have been back by now but went and badly sprained his ankle in training...

Doesn't sound so promising for Addison.

launish116 · 16-02-2021 11:42am

Mccloskey & OToole released for Pro14 this week

launish116 · 16-02-2021 12:26pm

bilston wrote: »

Sounds like Balocoune would have been back by now but went and badly sprained his ankle in training...

Doesn't sound so promising for Addison.

As great as it would be to have Balocoune & Addison back. With how messed up this season is, I’d almost let them sit it out completely and make sure there right for next season.

bilston · 16-02-2021 12:47pm

launish116 wrote: »

As great as it would be to have Balocoune & Addison back. With how messed up this season is, I’d almost let them sit it out completely and make sure there right for next season.

Addison yes, but if the Rainbow Cup happens, then the season will continue to mid June, so that would be loads of time for Balocoune to return.

launish116 · 16-02-2021 12:59pm

Could really do with McGrath finally getting a run of games as well. Seems to be constantly be injured as well.

CMcsporty · 16-02-2021 1:16pm

Cooney isnt been released back to Ulster!!

If Cooney isnt on the bench at the very least v Italy he should march straight up to Farrell and tell him "I want to play and you are messing me around"

thomond2006 · 16-02-2021 1:19pm

CMcsporty wrote: »

Cooney isnt been released back to Ulster!!

If Cooney isnt on the bench at the very least v Italy he should march straight up to Farrell and tell him "I want to play and you are messing me around"

Cooney wasn't actually named in the squad though. He was only there as cover right?

CMcsporty · 16-02-2021 1:21pm

Yea...Oh!
So he is back at Ulster?

16-02-2021 1:39pm

CMcsporty wrote: »

Yea...Oh!
So he is back at Ulster?

Yes, as per the IRFU article:

"The three players who provided specialist cover at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday – Harry Byrne, John Cooney and Eric O’Sullivan– have also returned to their respective provinces."

https://www.irishrugby.ie/2021/02/16/ireland-release-players-to-get-guinness-pro14-game-time/

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

Comments