Ulster squad additions

First topic message reminder :

You did not imagine that - it was said. A few weeks ago too.

The Great Aukster wrote:

logie28 wrote:Heard a few whispers that NOC deal isn't done, and could well not be happening. Cue much older, and probably better, Irish outhalf lined up instead.
And it could be PJ has summer off.......

Sanity prevails - faith in Humphreys restored!

Humphreys' request to withdraw PJ from the JWC has been agreed...

Decision on Monday on whether Ferris will tour - looks like he'll have the summer off...

Positive news. I understand it's disappointing for Jackson to miss the jrwc but going into a new season with a 20 year old out half and a new coach it is imperative that he spends as much time with ulster as possible.

Ferris shouldnt be anywhere near NZ.

Re. Porters game management and decision making; when I've seen him, it's been very good. He has a snappy pass and he's very decisive on the pitch so he keeps his team going forward at a good tempo.

But obviously if he doesn't play at this level, which he hasn't been, that won't develop. He needs exposure.

Ferris out of NZ tour!

Apparantly a calf injury from the HC final.

Think is this a cover story?

No, I think if you're playing through the pain barrier with a dodgy knee you are going to pick up other injuries.

His season was basically over after the Six Nations, he managed to produce one more big performance at Thomond but he was never above 50% of what he was capable of after that. Which is why I found his inclusion so worrying; Ulster have no other options. Ireland do.

Its enought to have him not go to NZ, but I assume its not overly long term that it would keep him out of pre-season?

Probably not, we'll just have to wait and see if he comes through that next year.

I dont think Ferris was ever going to tour - its all been a bit of a farce imo

Talk that Porter is being droped completely - bad decision imv

Geoff,

Do you mean the talk of Porter going has been dropped or the talk of him staying?

ie. Is he going or staying?

I think geoff is saying we arnt giving him a contract and neither are they. Is that what your saying Geoff?

Essentially the plan was to get him a 2 year contract in the English 1st Division the same as McKinney and Cronin.

For whatever reason this has not materialized.

I assumed that he would just remain as the 3rd choice SH - however the rumours are he is going to play AIB with Bainbridge and be droped form the Ulster squad completely - presumably in favour of McIlroy.

Date for your diaries - 24th August - HOME to Falcons in a friendly

In the maiden city?

Mr Bowe's homecoming?

Humphries is off to Portugal tomorrow on holidays. I would suspect if there isn't an announcement today about signings then we won't hear anything until he returns.

Agreed all gone very quiet.

I don't believe we have a backrower in place

Then why is he going on holiday???

Clive, I think the guy is allowed a break from his job you know.. he isn't there to fill us with information on signings like..

Fupping hell, Clive

You get so angry every time it's revealed the world doesn't revolve around what you want to happen!

clivemcl wrote:Then why is he going on holiday???

Ha, I love how people take an emoticon and imagine me sitting tearing up a room.

Calm down yourselves lads...

Well, as long as you weren't being serious Clive..

clivemcl wrote:Ha, I love how people take an emoticon and imagine me sitting tearing up a room.

Calm down yourselves lads...

I have that image after reading nearly all your posts

clivemcl wrote:Ha, I love how people take an emoticon and imagine me sitting tearing up a room.

Calm down yourselves lads...

You just always seem very . . . .angry

Perhaps I just use the this virtual world as a release of all my tension! I assure you all, I'm a very pleasant chap in real life!

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Clive, I think the guy is allowed a break from his job you know.. he isn't there to fill us with information on signings like..

Nope, that's geoff's job (plus being Sparky)

red_stag wrote:

clivemcl wrote:Ha, I love how people take an emoticon and imagine me sitting tearing up a room.

Calm down yourselves lads...

You just always seem very . . . .angry

This is what happened to Clive when the rumour about Niall O'Connor returning started circulating

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_oNnIk4ZEs

Haha Notch, I think you'll find that I wasnt actually bothered about the NOC thing, In fact calmly saying that he would be 3rd/4th choice and rarely used.

There were many others guilty of 'hulk' moments for the few days after that though!

It's an Ulster fan trademark.

So the mystery is solved. The new backrower is Andrew Trimble.

Quote "I was delighted to get some time in the back row. Since the Bowe signing its something we talked about. I love the physical side and this is maybe the best move for me. We'll see how it goes pre-season anyway"

Always wondered how we were going to handle having three top wingers in the squad.

Problem solved

Having Anscombe coming in with his knowledge of the breakdown then Trimble should have the tools available to pick up the skills necessary to at least provide adequate cover to Henry and Birch for the 7 jersey.

Ruan Pienaar in Springbok squad for June tests. Paul Marshall in the Ireland squad for June tests.

For the love of God give Ian Porter a contract! Nobody wants to see Blane McIlroy starting. You know the Rugby Championship (snappy name that) goes on until October?!

Rava wrote:So the mystery is solved. The new backrower is Andrew Trimble.

Quote "I was delighted to get some time in the back row. Since the Bowe signing its something we talked about. I love the physical side and this is maybe the best move for me. We'll see how it goes pre-season anyway"

Jeebus is this for real!

Ha Rodders, its a joke!

Notch, even if Marshall does get some more Ireland squad selection in the next few years, he and pienaar wont be away at the same time until the World Cup swings round again.

In saying that, I dont see why Porter isnt getting a contract. Is money so tight, like i mentioned before, that we want to see what the new backrower salary demands are before giving any contract to Porter?

The Ireland touring players are generally rested for the first few rounds of the Pro12 Clive. If Pienaar is on duty with the Boks he won't be available either.

I suspect there will not be an issue and the only thing Pienaer and Marshall are likely to get are splinters in their backsides

Notch wrote:The Ireland touring players are generally rested for the first few rounds of the Pro12 Clive. If Pienaar is on duty with the Boks he won't be available either.

They will have been back from the Tour for almost two months by the time the Pro 12 starts. Only Pienaar might miss the start.

I'm just going by whats happened in previous years Rava. Players on previous summer tours have been given the same amount of time off as their provincial squad mates, meaning they start pre-season a month later and are not available for selection for the first couple of Pro12 games. That said, many of our touring players aren't on the Player Management Programme (?) and may be available sooner.

I heard from somewhere Paul Marshall needs an operation on his elbow too?

So on international duty this summer are Rory Best, Declan Fitzpatrick, Kyle McCall, Dan Tuohy, Chris Henry, Iain Henderson, Paul Marshall, Ruan Pienaar, Stuart Olding, Chris Farrell and Peter Nelson.

Those guys will be starting their pre-season with Ulster a little bit later. I'm completely dismayed by the news Ian Porter may not be getting a contract because this is a great opportunity for a 9 to catch the eye of the new coach.

We appear to have signed an SA hooker called Herring 21 years old.

Now the big question is is he IQ. He played for London Irish for 2 years so hopefully he is.
If so it might suggest Brady is retiring after all seeing as we appeared to have blocked Annetts departure (or have we ?).
No way we will have 3 hookers on the squad so either Brady or Annett will not be here.

If he is NIQ it begs the question why was Kyriacou allowed to go.
He would be a Project anyway, if NIQ, but would mean no backrower.

Will try and find out.
A strange one

If he's IQ it's great business. If he's NIQ If Brady isn't retiring and he's blocking Annett

I would be seriously, seriously peed off if that is the extent of our signings. We NEED a 6!

ESPN list his position as "Hooker/Flanker". At 6'2 he could be switched to the backrow...

http://www.espnscrum.com/southafrica/rugby/player/115159.html#

A bit of a strange one that is..

Quite like to raid the Tongan/Samoan/Fijian army for one of their tough guys that has a neck wider than my waist and about 2ish feet on my height. Idealy.

Put it this way though, the only way Diack is going to get game time is at 6. Unless Wilson moves to 6. It seems to me that Wilson is going to be the core member of our back row, and play virtually every game. Ferris/Diack at 6, Henry/Birch at 7. Henderson in the background.

Aren't Munster looking bad in the backrow too? Basically the same as Ulster anyway..

That cannot be the last NIQ signing. Sends the wrong message if so. HEC final and the squad is arguably weaker next season. I think humph will still have something up his sleeve.