Ulster Squad 2013/2014

First topic message reminder :

Thought I'd start a thread we can use to discuss next seasons squad, signings, departures etc.

Kicking off with the news James McKinney looks set to return. That, coupled with the news that Michael Heaney is set to for another two seasons after this year and the emergence of Stuart Olding, leaves us with great depth in the halfback positions.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/james-mckinney-set-for-ulster-return-1-4875769#.UTk2IS-FU4Q.twitter

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/11252.php

So where else do we need to strengthen- tighthead?

Who are these irish journeymen in France?

To expand - IF Lutton shows promise I would be ok with us starting with someone like Moore/Furlong (1 years loan only), McAllister, Lutton, Fitzpatrick with Court in emergencies.

Moore or Furlong would get more game time with Ulster than Leinster and in the interim Lutton and McAllister will have developed further. No need to looks for a foreign based Irishman and Leinster would benefit as well from the experience that player gets.

Send Macklin to the English Div 1 with someone like Rotherham to get a year of serious game time.
Tell Fitzpatrick to shape up or he is out on his ear in the summer of 2014

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Who are these irish journeymen in France?

Theres one at Narbonne Brian McGovern (Dublin born I believe) and another but I cant remember the club.

They may well be poor players but they do exist

red_stag wrote:Ok lads serious question. I'm off to Make Twickenham Home next week by supporting Ulster. I have my white shirt all ready and I know Stand Up for the Ulstermen. Anything else I need to know? Have you another song?

I'm going too. Will be wearing my blue shirt, but perhaps someone will pack an extra white scarf for me?

Having been to a Sarries game in Wembley and many Ulster games in Ravers I can say that Ulster's stand up song is about a millionth as irritating as the Sarries one.

Only negative for me is having to pick the tickets up at the ground. Fecken waste of time but posting was not an option when I bought. Bang on halfway in L25 I think.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

red_stag wrote:Ok lads serious question. I'm off to Make Twickenham Home next week by supporting Ulster. I have my white shirt all ready and I know Stand Up for the Ulstermen. Anything else I need to know? Have you another song?

I'm going too. Will be wearing my blue shirt, but perhaps someone will pack an extra white scarf for me?

Having been to a Sarries game in Wembley and many Ulster games in Ravers I can say that Ulster's stand up song is about a millionth as irritating as the Sarries one.

Only negative for me is having to pick the tickets up at the ground. Fecken waste of time but posting was not an option when I bought. Bang on halfway in L25 I think.

I like Stand Up for the Ulsterman. Its a good tune and above all else the fans have bought into it. I just thought they might have another one like Munster have both Fields of Athenry and Stand Up and Fight. Leinster use Molly Malone and Come On You Boys in Blue etc.

Ditch the blue shirt. Leinster have finished playing. Wear white (and especially wear red the next day for Munster). Don't be that guy

Jammy feicers ....

Stag I've got everything you need to know;

Ball goes out wide;

(chanted) "He's fast! He's Nimble! His name is Andrew Trimble, Andrew Trimmmmbleee, Andrew Trimble!"

Scrum;

(shouted repeatedly) "Angry Tom!"

Beating English side;

(sung) "Swing low, Sweet Chariot. You'll need it to carry you home"

Lull in play;

sing- Black Velvet Band (Her eyes they shone like diamonds, they call her the Queen of the Land- and her hair hangs over her shoulderblades, held back by a Black Velvet Band.)

sing- I'll Tell Me Ma ("I'll tell me ma, when I go home, the biys won't leave the girls alone. They pull my hair, they stole my comb, but thats alright 'til I go home. She is handsome, she is pretty, she is the belle of Belfast city, she is courting one two three, please won't you tell me who is she")

Things are going badly;

"Sparky! Sparky! Sparky get your boots on..."

Good stuff Notchy!

red_stag wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

red_stag wrote:Ok lads serious question. I'm off to Make Twickenham Home next week by supporting Ulster. I have my white shirt all ready and I know Stand Up for the Ulstermen. Anything else I need to know? Have you another song?

I'm going too. Will be wearing my blue shirt, but perhaps someone will pack an extra white scarf for me?

Having been to a Sarries game in Wembley and many Ulster games in Ravers I can say that Ulster's stand up song is about a millionth as irritating as the Sarries one.

Only negative for me is having to pick the tickets up at the ground. Fecken waste of time but posting was not an option when I bought. Bang on halfway in L25 I think.

I like Stand Up for the Ulsterman. Its a good tune and above all else the fans have bought into it. I just thought they might have another one like Munster have both Fields of Athenry and Stand Up and Fight. Leinster use Molly Malone and Come On You Boys in Blue etc.

Ditch the blue shirt. Leinster have finished playing. Wear white (and especially wear red the next day for Munster). Don't be that guy

Going to Bristol for our A game on the Sunday. Tickets for the Stoop will be impossible and are probably best left to the brave and the faithful for that reason.
I think a Leinster Jersey with an Ulster Scarf is the way to go. I love SUFTUM and Ulster but not enough to buy a jersey. I fecken only have 3 or 4 Leinster ones ffs. Someone wants to drag along an extra large one on the day I'll wear it for sure.

Actually talking of the Munster game anyone know some pubs in the Ricmond area who will be showing it.

Be a nice way to spend the afternoon after our glorious victory the evening before

Theres always the

Give us a U (everyone shouts 'U')
Give us a S 'S'
Give us a T 'T'
Give us a E 'E'
Give us a R 'R'
Give us a R 'R'
Give us a R 'R'
Give us a R 'R'
Give us a R 'R'
Give us a R 'R'
Give us a R 'R'
Give us a R 'R'

put it all together
ULSTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR


or my plane Fav
"Sparky Sparky give us a wave"
(don't use this now, not talking to new Sparky.)

I know he is half the bear he used to be

both inside and out

He's a bear? I thought he was a dog.

Dog?????

DOG?????

This is how your Leo tried to hide the last time he met our brave (you'd want to be brave to wear thon suit!) Bear Sparky!

http://www.sportsfile.com/winshare/w540/Library/SF649/469323.jpg

MrsP wrote:Dog?????

DOG?????

This is how your Leo tried to hide the last time he met our brave (you'd want to be brave to wear thon suit!) Bear Sparky!

http://www.sportsfile.com/winshare/w540/Library/SF649/469323.jpg

Absolutely not Mrs P.

Leo was sent to a nice cats home and was returned totally tame.

I think we may be talking about different Leos GT!

We should come up with more songs... I was thinking a tribute to our front rowers.

"Callum Black, Paddy Mac, Rory, Tom and John- The Ulstermen go marching on!"

Rory Best, Tom and John, Johann Muller he's so strong,
Ferris, Williams, Henry, Hit you you go bendy

Paddy Jackson, Pienaar, Kick the ball so far.
Callum Black, Paddy Mac, Lets go out and have some crack

We didn't start the fire
It was always burning
Since the world's been turning

MrsP wrote:Dog?????

DOG?????

This is how your Leo tried to hide the last time he met our brave (you'd want to be brave to wear thon suit!) Bear Sparky!

http://www.sportsfile.com/winshare/w540/Library/SF649/469323.jpg

You sure Sparky is a bear? Looks like he's a cross between a dog and a bear to me.

I suspect there is a bit of squirrel in there somewhere too if I'm honest!

I thought Sparky was some sort of squirrely thing...

Notch wrote:We should come up with more songs... I was thinking a tribute to our front rowers.

"Callum Black, Paddy Mac, Rory, Tom and John- The Ulstermen go marching on!"

What about this one to the Conga theme:

His name is Andrew Trimble,
He's very quick and nimble
la la la la la ooh! la la la la...

As you can tell I'm not a creative song writing sort of person...

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:We didn't start the fire
It was always burning
Since the world's been turning

Some men just want to watch the world burn. Like Angry Tom.

Spoiler:

I thought of another one we have;

"I'm Ulster 'til I die, I'm Ulster 'til I die- I know I am, I'm sure I am, I'm Ulster 'til I die"- Which is more of a Windsor Park song.

I've heard "I'd like an Ulster Fry! I'd like an Ulster Fry! I know I would, I'm sure I would I'd like an Ulster Fry!"

How about;

"I bought Tom Court some pies, I bought Tom Court some pies- He ate them all, he ate my hand, he killed me for my pies."
"Peroxide blone hair dye, peroxide blonde hair dye- Its Paddy Macs, he waxes his back, he's just that kind of guy."
"Well John Afoas beard, makes him widely feared- but then again, he gets the train 'cos they won't let him near a plane."

Spoiler:

Excellent Notch!

UTV reporting that Ferris has turned down a pay as you play contract and looks set to head to Japan....pretty much what Geoff said yesterday....

...good news is that it looks like a 1 year contract so maybe he'll make his way back if he can prove his fitness out there?

rodders wrote:...good news is that it looks like a 1 year contract so maybe he'll make his way back if he can prove his fitness out there?

Seems a bit strange that Ulster are pointing fingers at Dublin for him going saying their 'hamstrung as the player is centrally contracted by the IRFU' but so was Fitzgerald and Leinster got him signed up.

Maybe their happy to see him go over and not be pushed physically as he has been for Ireland and Ulster.

At most he'd play 15 league games, if whoever he signs for, goes to their finals and essentially he'll be plaing for less than 6 months

Yup a nonsensical situation. Surely if Ulster want him they should be allowed to make an offer?

Maybe its for the best. I'll be gutted if he leaves, best player we've produced in the pro era in my opinion, but it's the Ferris of last year I want to see again, not this years version and maybe the former doesn't exist any more......

Does anyone know if you can catch any japan league games on online streams? I'd love to take a look at Ferris, Williams, Sonny Bill etc.. in that environment.

Not sure Clive but Sonny Bill is back in RL I think, watched some footage on Youtube of him getting bashed about there recently.....

rodders youe right SBW is playing for the Roosters now, think it was his first game back and Sam Burgess of the Rabbitohs went through him like he wasnt there but I think there are a few websites with streams of the Japanese games not sure what the quality of the picture would be like

Just my tuppence on the chanting, it's not something done really at rugby matches, really. My claim to fame is coming up with a chant for Cork City that got a good airing.



You could try and come up with one around Ravenhill, or any famous Belfast song, I suppose.


As for Ferris, IRFU made the right move not to to give him a central contrat, as talented as the guy is he has big injury issues. A year in Japan probably won't prove he is up to top flight rugby either in my opinion.

Thomond, I don't think anyone expects him to be back if he leaves for Japan.

Guys like Iain Henderson, Peter O'Mahony and Chris Henry (with SOB moving to 6) should all be able to step up in his absense.

Yeah. Fitz wasn't on as big a contract as ferris which is perhaps why Leinster were able to offer him terms. As I recall Fitz was initially holding out forma bigger IRFU offer last season and got injured, causing the IRFU to withdraw their offer and Leinster stepped in. I wonder could ulster afford fez's size of contract as it would be pretty hefty.

It makes sense to let him go with Henderson coming through and looking the real deal. It pains me to say that but ulster is bigger than one player. If he proves his fitness and form the IRFU will break their arm to get him back.

Those guys won't have the impact of Ferris, that's how good the guy is, he would be a pretty big loss to the team (I know he barely plays now but still).

I think the way Ferris played always meant he would burn out eventually. He gave it everything and right now there is little in the tank. It has been said by many pundits for years.

I don't see him ever being the destructive force he once was. I can see him coming back to Ireland at the age of 30 and being a good provincial player. But for me his Ireland days are finished.

I know some of you guys havn't seen as much of Henderson as we have, but truthfully, I believe he could more than fill Ferris' boots. He's got unreal strength and he hasnt really fully bulked yet. A lot more to come from this young lad. Watch this space!

It's similar enough to Nadal in tennis, incredibly physical game that will hurt his career later on and probably his life too. Would be a shame to see him done but you wouldn't be surprised. He might be better off picking up a hefty paycheck in Japan.

I think henderson at 20 is a better player than ferris was at 20. Whether that translates we will see but I think he is the most exciting forward prospect since O'Connell

red_stag wrote:
I don't see him ever being the destructive force he once was. I can see him coming back to Ireland at the age of 30 and being a good provincial player. But for me his Ireland days are finished.

I think the opposite, the problem is injuries not a waning of ability. He'll either stay top class or not able to play at all.

Agree with Clive that Henderson is potentially better than Ferris but no one else comes close, Massive loss to Ireland and Ulster but we all knew it was coming....

Standulstermen wrote:I think henderson at 20 is a better player than ferris was at 20. Whether that translates we will see but I think he is the most exciting forward prospect since O'Connell

Seconded.

clivemcl wrote:I know some of you guys havn't seen as much of Henderson as we have, but truthfully, I believe he could more than fill Ferris' boots. He's got unreal strength and he hasnt really fully bulked yet. A lot more to come from this young lad. Watch this space!

Don't care about the physicality side to be honest, I'm interested in him having the brain, speed and breakdown work of Ferris, we have this at times ridiculous view that bigger= better. It does my head in at underage in particular.

Henderson is probably a similar weight to ferris (if not heavier) but has the frame to carry it off better. He gives away too many penalties at present but that will come with experience as will his awareness. Still early days

Itll be interesting to see if Ferris' body changes in Japan, with not as many big guys maybe he'll shed some muscle and we'll see something different from him

Thomond wrote:

clivemcl wrote:I know some of you guys havn't seen as much of Henderson as we have, but truthfully, I believe he could more than fill Ferris' boots. He's got unreal strength and he hasnt really fully bulked yet. A lot more to come from this young lad. Watch this space!

Don't care about the physicality side to be honest, I'm interested in him having the brain, speed and breakdown work of Ferris, we have this at times ridiculous view that bigger= better. It does my head in at underage in particular.

Henderson has the physical strength, was it Parisse he knocked on his backside against Italy?

The rest of his game isstill developing, he has shown great maturity in hisshort career so far and hasnt let himself down with the challenges thrown at him so far. His overall game is as good as many far more experienced but he is still learning

Henderson is also a better footballer than Ferris in my opinion....remeber the subtle dummy and offload for Marshall try against Fiji?

I also believe he is a better athlete naturally, his strength is unbelievable... I've never seen anyone drive Parisse back before. Not as fast as Ferris but potentially better in every other way.

Easily the best forward prospect since O'Connell, and dare I see it potentially better than him too....

rodders wrote:Henderson is also a better footballer than Ferris in my opinion....remeber the subtle dummy and offload for Marshall try against Fiji?

I also believe he is a better athlete naturally, his strength is unbelievable... I've never seen anyone drive Parisse back before. Not as fast as Ferris but potentially better in every other way.

Easily the best forward prospect since O'Connell, and dare I see it potentially better than him too....

To be fair there are some wingers not as fast as Ferris at his best but was it against Munster last season Henderson scored the try out wide? I seem to remember him being fairly quick then

marty2086 wrote:

rodders wrote:Henderson is also a better footballer than Ferris in my opinion....remeber the subtle dummy and offload for Marshall try against Fiji?

I also believe he is a better athlete naturally, his strength is unbelievable... I've never seen anyone drive Parisse back before. Not as fast as Ferris but potentially better in every other way.

Easily the best forward prospect since O'Connell, and dare I see it potentially better than him too....

To be fair there are some wingers not as fast as Ferris at his best but was it against Munster last season Henderson scored the try out wide? I seem to remember him being fairly quick then

OK yeah true he can fair shift too... if only he could kick goals too he'd be an all rounder!

marty2086 wrote:Itll be interesting to see if Ferris' body changes in Japan, with not as many big guys maybe he'll shed some muscle and we'll see something different from him

Thomond wrote:

clivemcl wrote:I know some of you guys havn't seen as much of Henderson as we have, but truthfully, I believe he could more than fill Ferris' boots. He's got unreal strength and he hasnt really fully bulked yet. A lot more to come from this young lad. Watch this space!

Don't care about the physicality side to be honest, I'm interested in him having the brain, speed and breakdown work of Ferris, we have this at times ridiculous view that bigger= better. It does my head in at underage in particular.

Henderson has the physical strength, was it Parisse he knocked on his backside against Italy?

The rest of his game isstill developing, he has shown great maturity in hisshort career so far and hasnt let himself down with the challenges thrown at him so far. His overall game is as good as many far more experienced but he is still learning

There was this incident of note:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXjOQlCECgs

and also Parisse picked up from a scrum on five metres, Henderson drove him right back with ease.

Thomond wrote:Those guys won't have the impact of Ferris, that's how good the guy is, he would be a pretty big loss to the team (I know he barely plays now but still).

It's not a case of won't, its a case of haven't.

I'm not sure I agree with Stag- I think this could be a good move for his Ireland career. If he's playing less rugby at a lower intensity, he can play more test matches. I think the guy only has six/seven big performances in him every year. No reason they can't come in green and I think he should be considered as an Ireland impact sub/starter.