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

bilston

I was listening to the Ulster Rugby Pod last night. They more or less agreed with your team, except that they had Reidy in the back row over Rea.

There was some debate over the second row.

I think I'd edge towards Treadwell myself, but then O'Connor never fails to give you a 7/10 performance (exactly what they said on the Pod), but when Treadwell peaks he can produce 8 or 9/10. Its also against his old club so the incentive is there. Its a tough one. For what it's worth I reckon Dan will go with O'Connor as he has usually done in the past.

As for 10, to be honest if we had Addison available I think I'd chuck Lowry in at 10. But the argument for Madigan is strong. Obviously Billy could be fit which changes the debate completely.

Paul Smeenus

I know we love our fancy-Dan backs and crazy-skillz tries, but Madigan's boot would be better for keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Quarter-final, away from home, that might be crucial.

launish116

Opinion is Quinn’s will focus on the premiership, there sitting well an on an upward trajectory.

Think Reidy has to bench, one of only players we have can add some impact!

Paul Smeenus

launish116 wrote: »

Opinion is Quinn’s will focus on the premiership, there sitting well an on an upward trajectory.

Think Reidy has to bench, one of only players we have can add some impact!

Hope so...

I haven't heard it, but read someone was referencing an interview with Tadhg Beirne talking about how they divvied up the responsibility for the lineout for Ireland. Hendo is in charge of attacking lineouts, Ryan defensive ones.

Would dearly love to see Hendo call the lineout for Ulster that got us the Earls try against England - imagine Timoney tapping down the ball for Baloucoune in front of an unsuspecting Quins defence...

bilston

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

I know we love our fancy-Dan backs and crazy-skillz tries, but Madigan's boot would be better for keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Quarter-final, away from home, that might be crucial.

Yeah thats true, but Cooney will be kicking anyway.

Madigan has been a bit and cold. Played very well in Glasgow, but not very well in the next couple of matches.

That said he has played 10 in a WC Q/F and deciding pool match so he is clearly the sensible selection. I just have a gut feeling that Lowry would be well up to it.

Paul Smeenus

bilston wrote: »

Yeah thats true, but Cooney will be kicking anyway.

Madigan has been a bit and cold. Played very well in Glasgow, but not very well in the next couple of matches.

That said he has played 10 in a WC Q/F and deciding pool match so he is clearly the sensible selection. I just have a gut feeling that Lowry would be well up to it.

Good point about Cooney kicking - I was just thinking back to Edinburgh in the SF.

bilston

Team announcement today or tomorrow?

thomond2006

All of them will be today.

bilston

Balls

bilston

No debate in the second row unfortunately

Buer

Quins have gone with a hugely weakened side. Didn't think Ulster would win this without Henderson but they're in pole position now for it.

bilston

Buer wrote: »

Quins have gone with a hugely weakened side. Didn't think Ulster would win this without Henderson but they're in pole position now for it.

Yeah, I expected them to rotate, but I didn't think they'd pick a team like that.

I'm saying nothing though. Last time we played a supposedly weakened team they BP us at Kingspan!

Paul Smeenus

Iain Henderson has played twice for us this season in all competitions.

Both appearances were in the Pro14 in October.

Having said that, having seen how Beirne, O'Mahony and Stander played for Munster, maybe a rest is no bad thing.

Should be doable, having seen the Quins team, and good to have Burns back.

Paul Smeenus

https://www.ulsterrugby.com/2021/04/job-vacancies-academy-manager-elite-player-development-officer-forwards-specialist/

As well as an Academy Manager, they're looking for a forwards specialist.

Music to the ears.

mfceiling

No McCann.

Injured?

BossMullet

Apparently there is an A game(s) being played today (as per Adam McKendry's twitter), imagine he is involved in that. Annoyingly there is precious little coverage of this game(s) from what I can see, not even a mention of a team-sheet.

Paul Smeenus

BossMullet wrote: »

Apparently there is an A game(s) being played today (as per Adam McKendry's twitter), imagine he is involved in that. Annoyingly there is precious little coverage of this game(s) from what I can see, not even a mention of a team-sheet.

Yeah, it's this round robin thing with a half against Munster and a half against Leinster.

My main interest is that apparently Angus Curtis is fit again. Hopefully Sheridan, Doak etc are getting a run out.

With all the criticism being levied against Munster about bringing Jenkins in to let their young locks develop, I'm worried that we saw Doak once and didn't see Lewis at all while we had Mathewson on the books.

launish116

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Yeah, it's this round robin thing with a half against Munster and a half against Leinster.

My main interest is that apparently Angus Curtis is fit again. Hopefully Sheridan, Doak etc are getting a run out.

With all the criticism being levied against Munster about bringing Jenkins in to let their young locks develop, I'm worried that we saw Doak once and didn't see Lewis at all while we had Mathewson on the books.

Great worry indeed! Seen more from Lewis than Doak. Though Doak is getting the PR. Ironically I actually thought Shanahan sped the game up, he plays so different when he’s told not to box kick. I cry every time he slows the game down box kicking.

Paul Smeenus

launish116 wrote: »

Great worry indeed! Seen more from Lewis than Doak. Though Doak is getting the PR. Ironically I actually thought Shanahan sped the game up, he plays so different when he’s told not to box kick. I cry every time he slows the game down box kicking.

Shanahan, like almost all players, gets better when he gets a run of games. So his very occasional appearances this season didn't do him many favours. But we need one of those young fellas to come in. I did think Lewis looked excellent for the U20s.

launish116

What has happened to Carter?

bilston

launish116 wrote: »

What has happened to Carter?

Concussion issues

launish116

bilston wrote: »

Concussion issues

Worrying!

Paul Smeenus

So - thoughts as our first(?) Challenge Cup match approaches.

Concerned about Billy Burns and gametime. He might not have covered himself in glory internationally, but he's well able for this level of competition. However, the last gam ehe played was for Ireland at the end of February - he last played for Ulster on the 8th of January. If he's problematically rusty, he needs hoiked.

Delighted for Izuchukwu and McIlroy, on the bench in a do-or-die game. In fairness Izzy is there because Henderson and Carter are out (I suspect he might have been on the bench regardless of O'Connor Jr being fit). But under previous, more conservative coaches, Rea Sr would have been covering second row cover a la Diack, and Jones come onto the bench for back row cover. I'm glad Izzy has been trusted.

McIlroy is there ahead of Lyttle, Gilroy and Faddes, on merit. (He's not the winger Lyttle is, but he's a much better FB.)

We have an great back three. Burns has excelled in cross-field kicks - with Baloucoune back, I expect to see a few tried.

Herring's starting position in the Ireland team was being criticised at the start of the 6N - not so much by the end. The Ireland lineout was precise and reliable - hopefully he brings the same accuracy for Ulster. I think we might see a number of attempts at maul tries, especially given the relative inexperience of the Quin second rows in a very technical field of defence. I think we'll benefit from his leadership as well.

Our major failing these days, for me, is our discipline. The result depends to a great degree it depends on whether we have 15 men on the pitch the whole time. We can usually thole going down to fourteen for a YC - it would be great to just not put ourselves in that position.

Some great bench options, though - Andrew, TOT, Mathewson, Madigan, Moore (if the game opens up and we're not under the cosh defensively).

We can do it, we should do it - I'll be concerned if we don't, to be perfectly honest.

Richie_Rich89

That Jenkins bloke would have been a useful signing for Ulster. Maybe Ulster will sign him after his year at Munster?

Paul Smeenus

Richie_Rich89 wrote: »

That Jenkins bloke would have been a useful signing for Ulster. Maybe Ulster will sign him after his year at Munster?

I'd rather get a grizzled LH, if Jack McGrath continues to be so plagued by injury. Also, his CC will have finished.

Richie_Rich89

Richie_Rich89 wrote: »

Thought they might put the centres the other way round. Isn't 13 supposed to be Moore's better position? I'm looking forward to seeing him play anyway. That was some try he scored against Australia for the U20s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4tRyOwHdqM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

I'd rather get a grizzled LH, if Jack McGrath continues to be so plagued by injury. Also, his CC will have finished.

When was the last time the IRFU okayed the signing of a prop who was tied to another country? Was it Mario Sagario at Munster? And that was only a short term deal, if memory serves, and there appeared to be restrictions around how much they could use him.

Paul Smeenus

Richie_Rich89 wrote: »

When was the last time the IRFU okayed the signing of a prop who was tied to another country? Was it Mario Sagario at Munster? And that was only a short term deal, if memory serves, and there appeared to be restrictions around how much they could use him.

Having to rely on Warwick has cost us this season. He's an earnest battler, but not good enough. I thought Milasinovich might make his mark this season, but I haven't seen much from him. Reid looks pretty promising, but he's 22 and took a year or two out. It's simply our area of greatest need.

Re: Moore, I think he's being bedded in at 13 because of the difficulty of defending at 13. A fair few people expect our future centre combo to be 12. Hume 13. Moore.

Dubinusa

Ulster should win this one handily. It's great seeing McIlroy being included. I have high hopes for him. A good performance today should go a long way. Ulster are developing very nicely under the current coaching ticket and I think they're close to being a top end side.

Utah_Saint

Good start

Utah_Saint

Any front rowers explain vwhy Moore is binding like that? Pulling the quin's players shirt out to the side?