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

Just came here to post that. Surely we have to have a prop coming in?

Yea I can see why they were released, but I hope McGrath was let go with a backup in place. We're really light on props - quality ones anyway.

Reidy wasn't playing much anyway, Rea jr has overtaken him and there's Timoney, Murphy and Reffell who can all play openside.

Two backup 2nd rows being released presumably means more game time for Izzy and Sheridan.

Saunderson is no where near ready, he got destroyed in u20 scrums I think it was

Callam Reid? There's no sense in keeping a lad who's physically wrecked. Jack was fantastic and obviously the hip problems have derailed his career. Ulster are right to let him go.

Is there anyone available to sign? I would expect Ulster to pick up a loose head. I doubt it will be a world class player.

I do hope Mick Kearney gets picked up. He is a good player and is still young. I rate him above Carter.

Next season, Izzy should get minutes and Bradshaw- Ryan could be a good pick up. Sheridan is also a good prospect and could make his debut. There's been some good locks in the pipeline for Ulster; McNamee and Glasgow! Both could be in the academy.

John Andrew is very decent - very under-rated. Loved the fact that Bradley Roberts came through the clubs and had mad hair but not convinced he was ever better than Andrew in any aspect other than carrying.

Sorry to see Jack McGrath go, but that's entirely sentimental - he never really played for us and and never made it as a starter. I'd rather have someone half as good as he was in his pomp but who actually lines out for us.

The bigger loss in real terms is Kane, who has never been great but actually took the field and allowed us to rest Moore/ cover for TOT when he was in Ireland camp.

Warwick has been quietly great this season, and I'd say won't be properly appreciated until we no longer have him to rely on. His skills have sharpened, he's never injured, he's faced down all sorts of opposing international THs in the scrum. He's massively improved under the current coaching set-up. While the media have their fortieth repetitive conversation about how Molony is an "unsung hero" of Irish rugby, Warwick actually is.

How many times did McGrath actually play for us? Warwick and O'Sullivan have had a brutal workload for two years now. We definitely need more props, but that has literally been true for a few seasons now.

To answer my own question, McGrath joined in summer 2019 and has 24 appearances. I'd say the majority were off the bench. He's basically been on our books in little more than theory.

I dunno, you could look it up on the Ulster website. Yeah, Milasinovich has probably made less appearances,but that's cause he's a back-up, not because he's been unavailable through injury.

If Callum Reid's scrummaging improves then he will be some player. Moving McGrath on may give him more game time next season. Not that McGrath has featured much this season at all.

It looks like our props are...

Warwick, O'Sullivan, Reid

Moore, O'Toole, Milavonesvich

I've probably forgotten someone, but 6 props is nowhere enough, especially as O'Toole will likely be in Ireland squads.

McNabney is hasn't even made the academy yet and he's still u20 next year, so I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't play at all. His tackling looked a real weakness as well, so I doubt the coaches are in a rush to play him right now.

Looking at that list we really lack some forwards that you can count on to make metres and hit players behind the gainline, even Vermuelen isn't really that sort of player anymore. Timoney is very effective when gets the ball in the right situation.

Between Rea jr, Timoney and Vermuelen we're good for a turnover or two.

Can't pretend I know anything about him or could pick him out of lineup - but I'll bet you anything I'll be calling him 'criminally underrated' after his first good game in an Ulster shirt, and I'll be calling for him to replace JVDF after his second.

Milasinovich arrived with a very serious (ACl?) injury and missed his entire first season because of it.

Yep! Dooley at the very least would have provided depth. Murphy could have forced his way into the 23.

Warwick is having a very good season. Quite surprising how good he's been. E.O.S has not developed as I thought he would but, he's still young enough and I think can improve. Reid is still developing and is very young.

Who could they sign right now? I can't see them getting a top end loose head.

That’s a pretty good signing. Give Marty Moore a bit of break.