Ulster squad additions

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All things relating to Ulster squad changes

MrsP wrote:

roddersm wrote:Its not about the future Marty its about winning a HEC SF.

The time for showing faith in the kids was before xmas, not now.

Jackson is not ready to play 10 in a HEC SF imo. He's hardly played this season at all, this is not the time to throw him in.

Wasn't this situation the making of Jonny Sexton?

Absolutely. There have been many down the years in all sports.

MrsP wrote:

roddersm wrote:Its not about the future Marty its about winning a HEC SF.

The time for showing faith in the kids was before xmas, not now.

Jackson is not ready to play 10 in a HEC SF imo. He's hardly played this season at all, this is not the time to throw him in.

Wasn't this situation the making of Jonny Sexton?

Sexton was 25 and had been knocking around for a while. PJ is 20 and has played very little Rabo rugby at 10 let alone HEC KO rugby.

If you think hes a better bet than Humph at this stage of the season you've all gone bananas........

Sexton is 26 now!

He would have been 23 in that semi, no?

I agree with you in theory Rodders, but I see no harm in giving him the 10 shirt v leinster just to see if he can change the minds of ... people like you. I don't think Humph missing this match will make him any worse if he ends up playing the SF anyway.

MrsP wrote:

Sexton is 26 now!

He would have been 23 in that semi, no?

I demand to see Sexton's birth certificate!

Couldn't find a banana emoticon!

clivemcl wrote:I agree with you in theory Rodders, but I see no harm in giving him the 10 shirt v leinster just to see if he can change the minds of ... people like you. I don't think Humph missing this match will make him any worse if he ends up playing the SF anyway.

Clive its not that I don't have faith in Jackson, I just don't think he has the experience to play 10 in a game of this magnitude.

Humph is not playing great but this isn't the time for a knee jerk reaction and the Leinster game is not the time to experiment.

I'm not against giving him 25min to see if he's a bench option for the SF but IHumph must start imo.

Standulstermen wrote:Do you genuinely believe they will start anyone other than humph at 10 Geoff. I agree with much of what you write but it would be a gargantuan call to throw Jackson in against Edinburgh. I would applaud it to be honest but I think we need to start Jackson next season between our two experienced guys.

It would almost to good if we were able to reach a heineken final with Macklin at 3 and Jackson at 10. No doubt Farrelly would still complain but still.

Stand I think Humphreys will start at 10 against Edinburgh but I am not convinced it is necessarily the right choice.
We wrap our kids up in too much cotton wool in Ireland.

Is it a risk to play Jackson at 10 - YES
Is it a risk to play Macklin at 10 - YES

However:

It is also a risk to play a man at 3 whose technique to play there is so manifestly lacking
It is also a risk to play a 10 - low on confidence, mentally weak and whose tackling is so a disgrace

I think it is highly questionable whether the former brace of risks are more of a risk than the latter.
So play Jackson and Macklin against Leinster what have we to loose ?
If they deliver start them against Edinburgh - if they dont deliver then we have the older players to fall back on.

They are inexperienced BUT Jackson has a stronger skill set for 10 than Humphreys and Macklin has a better technique to play TH than Court

Sexton had been in and around the team for few years before Contepomi got injured in the semi

rodders other than experience what does Humphrys give the team that Jackson doesnt?
With Pienaar and Wallace either side of him does the team and flow suffer much?
Defensivly he seems stronger too and against guys like Denton Rennie and Talei Humpreys will be targeted

geoff998rugby wrote:So play Jackson and Macklin against Leinster what have we to loose ?

Well we will lose the last opportunity for Court to get him self attuned to the demands of TH and IHumph to find his form.

If Macklin and Jackson were serious options to start the HEC SF, then not only should they have started against Connacht then they should have been starting frequently throughout the season and featuring prominantly in the group stages.

They've been in cotton wool all season and now is not the time to take them out of it imo.

Don't disagree with any of that Geoff. I just don't see it happening

"We wrap our kids up in too much cotton wool in Ireland."

+ 1,000,000

Get back in that cotton wool rory!.....

geoff998rugby wrote:

Standulstermen wrote:Do you genuinely believe they will start anyone other than humph at 10 Geoff. I agree with much of what you write but it would be a gargantuan call to throw Jackson in against Edinburgh. I would applaud it to be honest but I think we need to start Jackson next season between our two experienced guys.

It would almost to good if we were able to reach a heineken final with Macklin at 3 and Jackson at 10. No doubt Farrelly would still complain but still.

Stand I think Humphreys will start at 10 against Edinburgh but I am not convinced it is necessarily the right choice.
We wrap our kids up in too much cotton wool in Ireland.

Is it a risk to play Jackson at 10 - YES
Is it a risk to play Macklin at 10 - YES

However:

It is also a risk to play a man at 3 whose technique to play there is so manifestly lacking
It is also a risk to play a 10 - low on confidence, mentally weak and whose tackling is so a disgrace

I think it is highly questionable whether the former brace of risks are more of a risk than the latter.
So play Jackson and Macklin against Leinster what have we to loose ?
If they deliver start them against Edinburgh - if they dont deliver then we have the older players to fall back on.

They are inexperienced BUT Jackson has a stronger skill set for 10 than Humphreys and Macklin has a better technique to play TH than Court

Macklin at 10? Here lads of we're that short I can give my boots a clean and do 60ish minutes.

[quote="roddersm"]

geoff998rugby wrote:So play Jackson and Macklin against Leinster what have we to loose ?

roddersm wrote:Well we will lose the last opportunity for Court to get him self attuned to the demands of TH and IHumph to find his form.

Court will never get atuned to the TH position because his techique isn't good enough.
Humphreys has had the last 2 games to find his form he blew it - we need to look at alternatives.

roddersm wrote:If Macklin and Jackson were serious options to start the HEC SF, then not only should they have started against Connacht then they should have been starting frequently throughout the season and featuring prominantly in the group stages.

Yes they should have started against Connacht - poor selection by McLaughlin.
Yes they should have played more often - poor selection by McLaughlin.
Court playing TH in preference to Macklin against Aironi was a joke.

roddersm wrote:They've been in cotton wool all season and now is not the time to take them out of it imo.

We are between a rock and a hard place re 3 and 10. In one respect I agree I just would prefer to see what the players with the better skill set for the position would do rather than cross my fingers hoping that somehow a silk purse can be made out of a sows ear.
Make no mistake if Tom Court gets turned over in the scrum against Edinburgh and Humphreys continues to be pants we could lose the SF

Standulstermen wrote:Don't disagree with any of that Geoff. I just don't see it happening

Nor do I

Geoff I'm more concerned about Court than Humphreys.

It seems that the descision has been made regarding Court.

I'm exceptionally concerned about Court. We had the beating of them in the scrum the last two times we met with Afoa in there, but now we are looking at going into a game with no specialist tighthead on the pitch! It's easy to see how he could cost us badly if he scrummages like he did versus Connacht.

Humphreys isn't striking the ball at all well in open play or off the tee. But Macklin and Jackson haven't started a game in their respective positions for... how long? Has Macklin EVER started a game at tighthead for Ulster? Apart from pre-season friendlies.

Start Jackson against Leinster. If he stands up there, he'll do. Bring Humphreys off the bench and tell him he's playing for a spot in the semi-final. See what he can offer.

Notch wrote:I'm exceptionally concerned about Court. We had the beating of them in the scrum the last two times we met with Afoa in there, but now we are looking at going into a game with no specialist tighthead on the pitch! It's easy to see how he could cost us badly if he scrummages like he did versus Connacht.

Humphreys isn't striking the ball at all well in open play or off the tee. But Macklin and Jackson haven't started a game in their respective positions for... how long? Has Macklin EVER started a game at tighthead for Ulster? Apart from pre-season friendlies.

Start Jackson against Leinster. If he stands up there, he'll do. Bring Humphreys off the bench and tell him he's playing for a spot in the semi-final. See what he can offer.

Notch forget that tell Humphries hes playing for his future never mind for a spot in the semi

Court or Macklin are a risk against Edinburgh both could back fire its depends on the build up and the game plan but both need game time against Leinster because start with the wrong one the other will need to come on

Jackson won't start the HEC semi.

He is at least as good as Humphreys but has been woefully underplayed despite Humphreys' abject form. If Ulster lost to Edinburgh all the fingers would be pointing at Paddy and that could be disastrous for his career. OTOH if Ulster won he is unlikely to get much credit as the new guy in the team. So I can't see Ulster gambling with the future of one of their most promising players when they don't have to.
The second issue is Ian Porter. He has not played much and needs to get some time against Leinster. He has at least played with Humphreys at that level before, so rather than make two changes at halfback Humph will get a reprieve.

Jackson will be on the bench though against Leinster
______________________________________

A similar reasoning could be argued for Macklin, but I think his case is different.
Firstly Court is Ulster's best LH so by moving him over they are making two positions weaker.
Secondly Macklin has been involved in more games throughout the season and has generally done well, so he should be confident and have his coaches confidence.
Thirdly Edinburgh aren't a heavyweight scrummaging side.

Macklin to start v Leinster with Fitzpatrick on the bench.

I agree with all of that aukster.

Paul Marshall elbow is not broken!!!!

Happy days Mrs P! When is he due back?

He says he will have to see how it mends over the coming days!

I am in full optimistic reading mode on that one!

Yea ulster rugby website says they 'hope' he will be available for semi but wait and see!

That is fantastic news!

The double is back on!

Does anyone know if we are actually signing some back row cover for next year? Seems we could do with a versatile option who covers 6, 7 and 8.

We looking Rory we are looking

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Does anyone know if we are actually signing some back row cover for next year? Seems we could do with a versatile option who covers 6, 7 and 8.

That's the beauty of McComish...

I know it is some time ago now but I have been told that the 3 guys interviewed for the coaching job were Cheika, Anscombe and Sexton.

The role is very much under Humphreys as Director of Rugby.
It is my understading Cheika wan't happy with that - he wanted more direct control.

Anscombe has more coaching experience than Sexton and is used to working with young players and on that basis got the job.

Interesting info Geoff.

But every time I see this thread bumped up again, I'm expecting to see a backrowers name mentioned! Then time after time, theres still no news!

Humphreys is doing a brillant job, but I hope that he and Anscombe work well together.

I can see some coaches may have a problem with him, but as long as before hand thier roles are well defined, and they don't start crossing over it should be fine.

geoff998rugby wrote:I know it is some time ago now but I have been told that the 3 guys interviewed for the coaching job were Cheika, Anscombe and Sexton.

The role is very much under Humphreys as Director of Rugby.
It is my understading Cheika wan't happy with that - he wanted more direct control.

Anscombe has more coaching experience than Sexton and is used to working with young players and on that basis got the job.

Thats interesting but not surprising Geoff. I don't think anyone high profile or experienced would take the post under the current set up.

Does it indicate that perhaps Sexton was not the first choice? If so I would be a tad worried about that but I'm looking forward to see what he brings to the role.

Given the mismanagement that went on prior to Logan and Humphreys taking up the reins are we certain the IRFU would allow for a coach to have total control or would they not prefer humph to remain as they have turned ulster rugby around (with a little help from McLaughlin)

Sexton was not first choice.

If you like Anscombe gave the better interview.
Plus I think that whilst they wanted someone who would work in the 'Ulster way' they felt a non Ulster face would be good - fresh ideas and all that

I meant Ancombe not Sexton.

What I mean is, would Cheika have got the job if he was willing to work under Humph?

I believe so.

It also fits perfectly with the conversation I overheard with him talking to Ryan Constable.
As I thought at the time that was a man considering an offer.

I don't like the sound of that.

So basically we replaced McLaughlin with a guy who wasn't even our first choice from the guys we interviewed?

Ticket update

IF we make the final tickets will be solved through the club, not Ticketmaster, and it will be 2 per season ticket holder.

Allocation must be about 10,000 per finalist on that basis

Got mine already thanks Geoff! ...whats with the "IF"?

Wannenburg joins Castres

Nooooooooooo!!!!

Thanks for the memories Pedre! Good luck big man!

Saw that. I'd say there'll be some noise tonight for him, Terblanche, Kyriacou and, most of all, B McL.

It'd be nice to see Danielli, Faloon and Whitten take a turn about the pitch as well,after the game.

Anyone any thoughts on a good chant for McGlocks to say thank you?

We already knew Pedrie was leaving unfortunately, I know he'll miss Ulster. He's been great.

We have to bring in at least one more player in the pack really don't we? Another backrow. Nervous about that.

How late on in the season 2 years ago did we sign Wannenburg? Given the Rush fiasco it must have been pretty late.

What potential back row combinations will we see next year? Like what will most likely be our starting HEC back row, and our Pro 12 back row? With our current options I mean. We will probably sign someone for next season to join the ranks.

Don Alfonso wrote:Saw that. I'd say there'll be some noise tonight for him, Terblanche, Kyriacou and, most of all, B McL.

It'd be nice to see Danielli, Faloon and Whitten take a turn about the pitch as well,after the game.

Anyone any thoughts on a good chant for McGlocks to say thank you?

What about,

"Stand uuuuuup for Mc-lock-o-lin,
Stand uuuuup for Mc-Lock-o-lin..."

?

Ferris Wilson Henry

I'm assuming that is for the HEC. What about the Pro 12?

MrsP wrote:

Don Alfonso wrote:Saw that. I'd say there'll be some noise tonight for him, Terblanche, Kyriacou and, most of all, B McL.

It'd be nice to see Danielli, Faloon and Whitten take a turn about the pitch as well,after the game.

Anyone any thoughts on a good chant for McGlocks to say thank you?

What about,

"Stand uuuuuup for Mc-lock-o-lin,
Stand uuuuup for Mc-Lock-o-lin..."

?

Other tunes are available...