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

As always, the proviso that it's maybe just media bollocks. But if there were a killer coach available in a year .. I dunno.

More than happy to have Richie. We've a load of talent to bring on. If Payne is coming back maybe he's edging into top job after a year?

Who knows?

'IRFU take over Ulster Rugby'.

You can see the reaction among the unionist populace if that headline appears!

Sean Reffell as well if he can stay fit for 20 minutes. I think Reuben Crothers may have a big season ahead of him as well and James McNabney is one to watch. Our homegrown back row stocks look pretty good moving forward. Adding Deegan won't hurt, but I almost feel like he'd have been a better signing a year or two ago. But he's still young enough and hopefully hungry enough to have Ireland ambitions so it's a good move.

Yeah my fear is that Deegan has left it too late to make the move. Not that he is too old, more that he would be joining (assuming he is) with Ulster at a low point and if he was reluctant to make the switch (which presumably he was given he didn't do it easier), it could be a difficult transition going from a settled and mostly winning Leinster environment to an Ulster who are rebuilding.

Ulster also have a few good young backrowers who should play a big role in the rebuild. The big question mark remains at 10, not sure you can rebuild without one of the essential tools.

Don't want him blocking McNabney.

What mentality is that? Maybe he just doesn’t want to move to a current basket case, without a confirmed head coach, not guaranteed Champions Cup rugby and pretty unlikely win just about anything for the foreseeable future.

The money is probably the same on offer, his family and friend close by, working with some of the best players and coaches in the world. Doubt his mentality is the thing to question in all of this.

Alternatively, moving could be looked at as giving up on trying to get past Conan, Baird and Doris instead of staying and striving to overtake them.

Ok fair enough. But there's also two ways to look at it. You see a guy who's happy to 'coast and phone it in', I'd see someone who wants to stay at the club he loves and fight for that starting jersey. Someone who's willing to play the long game to try and achieve this, when yeah he could probably be playing week in week out else where. That to me isn't someone with a weak mentality. He's a mountain to climb and he's probably very aware of that. That takes character.

There's been a few others at Leinster over the years who decided not to stick around and fight for the jersey and tbh they haven't always lit it up at other clubs, Ulster included

About the same as Ulster players next season so. In that case why not watch from the comfort of your sofa around your mates instead of in Belfast on your own.

what a bizarre statement to make

I don't think Deegan is what Ulster need now so not too bother. If offering money to a guy who has international caps over the past few years, it would be better going towards a LHP or 10.

On his mentality, if he's getting a good wage, picking up a few medals, setting himself up for life after rugby and not getting major damage to his body, maybe he's got the right idea.