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

I'm talking about Ulster playing a touring team, not Ireland in Ravenhill, which can't happen because of the naming deal with the Aviva.

Fir some unfathomable reason, Munster are the only province to have a licence to host teams as they have in the last few years -SA etc.

Could Ulster use the Aviva to host a touring international A side? It would probably defeat the purpose of getting a home fixture, but it might raise much needed funds perhaps? (Same goes for Connacht I suppose.)
Munster have SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh which has a capacity of 45k so they can generate a large amount of revenue, I'm sure the travelling team will want to take a good share of that, so maybe Ravenhill Kingspan Stadium wouldn't be able to raise enough revenue to justify it?
I'm not sure why Leinster couldn't use the Aviva to host touring teams.

There was an article that I shared on here not long ago that said that only Munster has a "licence" to host touring international teams. What exactly that means, I don't know. Ulster did get to host Uruguay in 2018 - nothing since.

With only 18/20k tickets available they could charge more and make more money uthat way. I'd hope that's something Humphreys could sort. Would love to see Ulster (or even Ireland A) against an international. Surely we could double down on the Ulster-Scots angle and get Scotland over? I'm sure loads of Scots would come over for the weekend to watch.

Ulster did host the Barbarians, could we get something like that again?

I wouldn't put much stock in those claims about a "licence". Unless it's a game by game licence where the IRFU signs off subject to conditions being met.

Any team, particularly an international one, will demand a big appearance fee if they are to send players somewhere for an exhibition game. 18k fans might be enough to cover the fee after other costs are taken out.

I don't think Munster branch use the same process to get SA or the Maoris to play as a secondary school setting up a game with a team from a school in Wales, tbf.

And given the reported loss from the La Rochelle game, those figures would see a healthy profit for Ulster branch, before you take into accoubt charging higher ticket prices than a European game

Interesting. Why not Oz, but SA?

Anyway, sounds like you know thereof which you speak. But multiple sources (including journos) have spoken/written about Munster being the only province to get (a) licence(s).

I can't see how it wouldn't be profitable at Ravenhill.

I could 100% believe it, but I don't know anything to that effect.

I do think it's a bit weird the Leinster, one of the best clubs sides in the game, doesn't seem to do it.

I still can’t understand this Werner Kok transfer. Do we have any wingers leaving next season?

Currently have:

1. Stockdale
2. Baloucoune
3. McIlroy
4. Lowry
5. Sexton
6. Moore (utility)
7. Moxham (presumed leaving)

It is Ulster’s most well stocked position, this transfer make no sense at all. I would have liked to have seen Aaron Sexton get more development, he’s the fastest man in Ireland.

I think it may be because Ireland were playing Australia in that years November internationals. When you look at it, Munster aren't playing any Tier 1 countries, they're playing Select XV & Maori sides which you could probably equate to Tier 2 (maybe even Tier 3?). Leinster played Chile in 2022. The reference for a licence stems back to a single Irish Examiner article which was rehashed and regurgitated.

It would be worth asking the question to someone within Ulster Rugby if another Q&A was done.

As has been said, Munster does have a tradition in playing touring sides while it may be a case someone within their commercial dept has a contact with a company representing some of the sides they play. When you look at it, in the last 18 months or so Munster have played SA Select XV, Barbarians and Crusaders, in the same time Bristol have played the same 3 teams around the same time.

I don't think it's anything to do with the Thomond loan. Terms of the loan were included in the IRFU reports.

A new schedule of loan repayments was agreed with the Branch in 2022. Under the new repayment schedule the principal terms of repayment are as follows:

— Annual loan repayments in the amount of €200,000 plus;
— 50% of any additional multi-year ticket sales, 50% of any multi-year corporate box sales and 50% of net Thomond Park naming rights income on an annual basis.
— The interest rate chargeable on the loan is at 1% per annum.

I actually applied for the first Q&A with the new CEO to ask exactly that, but didn't get a ticket.

I would say every province has a history of those games, Ulster beating an all-conquering touring Australia team in '84 is a touchstone up here. But again, it was the amateur era.

As far as Kok goes, we lost Lyttle last season, we're losing Addison (at least) this season, and there are questions over the eventual quality of Sexton/Moxham. The majority of our talented U20s in the last few seasons have been forwards. I don't think it's that outlandish at all.

Kok looks a very good signing. Let's be honest you can list 8 wingers if you want, but only 3 or 4 of them are URC standard or above (Stockdale, Baloucoune, McIlroy and Lowry). Moore isn't a winger.

I believe Kok also plays centre so his versatility will be useful.

Deegan is a brilliant player. Good on him for taking the plunge.

He should just say no...easy for me to say of course...but a one year contract is a nonsense.

It may also change how he approaches the season. A quick fix will be necessary for him to keep his job and that may not be in Ulster's long term interests.