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

Was the same old last night to some degree, Zebre just fanned out and defended, we then struggled with go forward ball! a win but far from pleasant to watch!

Rea Snr is lucky we don’t have any other serious options! Still think I’d like to see McCann at blindside with a ball carrying 8.

Stewart isn’t a crash ball 12 and shouldn’t be used like that!

Good to see another storming run by Reid!

Next week will be a step up again, we’re lucky how the season draw has started! A few of the South African teams would just steam roll us!

Stewart Moore is a good young player, but the reality is that because we don't have huge ball carriers in the pack we need Stuart McCloskey in the team.

With Henderson, Vermeulen and McCloskey in our team and throw in the class of Hume and Addison (if he stays fit) then I think we'll be a very good side. Still short of Leinster and possibly Munster. But we'll have a team capable of reaching the URC final and making the Champions Cup knockouts.

Also if we can get Callum Reid's scrummaging up to scratch then we will have another quality carrier as well.

I think we'll be OK.

Would like to see Timoney at 6 with Reidy and McCann at 7 and 8. Thinking ahead to Europe and the big Inter Pros and bigger URC games, I'd want Timoney, Murphy and Vermuelen as our starting back row with Reidy on the bench, so giving Timoney a run at 6 would be useful. It also means another game for McCann who is beginning to become more influential.

I'd also start Lowry at 10.

Other than that I'd keep the team more or less the same as it was last week. I'd maybe consider trying Reid from the start as well. Stick him in alongside Herring and Moore.

A good weekend of action for the youngsters in the AIL. Aaron sexton with a score for malone, Harry Sheridan put in a shift for trinity and James mccormick scored a hat trick for Ballymena in their defeat to queens who had James humphreys and Conor McKee pulling the strings at half back

Missing Marty Moore too. Atm would have him slightly ahead of O'Toole, who is also v good.

I had completely forgotten about him.

its looking that way, when he can’t get a game against Zebre or Treviso

Agreed. Given how many we're missing, I'm pretty concerned.

Has Garbisi left Benetton or is he injured or rested?

Thought the backrow was the main positive to take from that. McCann looked busy and ready for more games this year, Rea had one of his better games and Timoney continued his form at the breakdown.

O'Toole and Reid mostly held up in the scrum until later on, but Reid managed to win a good penalty at the end there.

Though Doak had a mixed bag this time round, felt his passing wasn't always accurate and was maybe guilty of forcing things at times.

Moore wasn't great again, keeps falling off tackles too easy even though he isn't shy about the initial contact.

Yeah, well I thought Doak had a mixed first 20 mins, but after that he showed his class. He isnt the finished article, but this guy is 19. You have to remember that. The kid is special. He plays like a 50 capped international.

But actually the player who pleased me most was David McCann. He is getting there with every game he plays. Some really effective carries and some great defensive work.

I'm also a big fan of Ethan McIlroys. He just looks really composed.

Those three are serious talents.

15 points from 3 games with McGrath, Moore, Henderson, Treadwell, Murphy, Vermuelen, Cooney, McCloskey, Baloucoune and Stockdale to come back. Granted a few of then have had bits and pieces of gametime, but there are signs of real depth this year.

Wer'e still lacking a few big carriers, hopefully Henderson, Vermuelen and McCloskey remedy that soon.

On another note - thought the ref was great.

Very handy win. Doak very impressive. His goal kicking is exemplary and his box kicking on the money too.

Only real negative for me is Carter who ambles around the pitch and doesn't look that interested at times. Reminds me a bit of Neil Francis.

Vermuelen will bring extra ballast to the pack and will definitely improve the pack as well as bringing on the younger back row players.

Good bit of business signing Kearnet! He's very handy and physical. I think he's better than Carter.

Doak is the best Irish prospect I've seen in a while. As a 9 of course. He's just so mature for his age! His ability is great too!

McElroy is very impressive and Addison brings so much to the back line. It's great seeing lads like Moxham getting minutes, it will deepen the pool.

Ulster will be a force when Henderson; Nordi and Vermuellen play. I think they could win the URC!

Thought Matty Rea went well. Got stuck in and carried bravely.

Glad Addison came through unscathed.

Doak is very good. Good passer of both hands and just sets those little pop passes to his forwards right into their hands.

Good vision and kicks well also. One for the future.