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?

Think that was Favaro in the clip but the one I was thinking about was a tackle on Henderson, pretty sure it was Parisse he just pushed him off

One of Ferris's main strenght was his choke tackles, i have never seen another player doing it so easily against forwards, it's like hitting a wall and staying up, you need unreal upper body strenght to do that.

The only reason that Ferris would go to Japan is because he knows he is finished and his body can't get his through the tougher schedule for Ulster and Ireland. If he was fit enough he would stay as he was on really good money as it was. Obviously the money in Japan is excellent, but if he was really serious about playing for Ireland he could have that matched or close to it in France. The big French teams would be kicking down doors to get to someone like Ferris. His body isn't up to it, he's done.

According to the reports Hookie Ferris had offers from France but had decided Japan was the only feasible option.

You are spot on, Ferris is going to Japan because it will be much less physical and he'll get big money for less games. Its pretty much an admittance that he and his advisers don't have much more faith in his body than the IRFU do.

Exactly Rodders. If he felt he could handle it he would go to France, collect big money and still play for Ireland. Can you imagine if he played to his best for Toulon, Clermont, Toulouse or the like? He would be an absolute hero down there. Despite his protestations, his body can't handle it. The guy is done.

I think if the IRFU felt he could handle it he wouldn't be going anywhere... unfortunately it looks like Mike McGurn was spot on with his comments a few months ago.

Playing in the Top14 and playing for Ireland is exactly what he needs to avoid, his body has taken a severe beating during his career but its taken its toll it needs to be looked after right now and not pushed to its limit.

Going to France would mean him playing week in and week out, no Irish management wanting him rested most weeks and playing in the odd league game it would be constant.

Maybe Geoff can shed some light on the details but what were the Franch offers in terms of contract length? If Im not mistaken he's doing a degree so that may have played a factor in only signing up for what is said to be a year

geoff998rugby wrote:

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

He is playing with Doncaster now. He is on the bench along with Cronin- another irish prop. I don't think he is really an option considering how bad Doncaster are this season. Doncaster are playing on sky now btw.

Ferris to Japan is confirmed- huge loss to Ulster and Irish rugby but the writing has been on the wall I suppose

where is it confirmed?

from the horses mouth- expect an announcement soon

Best get it out of the way now then. I dont see any point in keeping it quiet. No blame on the IRFU, they should be investing in guys like Henderson, Zebo etc

Yea you can’t hold it against the guy- he’s provided some great memories. Watching his performance down in Thomond this time last year was a joy.

Onwards and upwards - suftum

Have we just taken a step towards alleviating our Irish TH problem? I know,
"5 mins doth not an international TH make" but did anyone even dare to dream that either Lutton or McCall could come close to that level of performance?

Totally surprised me Mrs P. I've always rated McCall at junior level but never thought he'd do as well on his debut against the likely Lions LH this soon. He has obviously come on leaps since last year when Nigel Brady was brought on ahead of him against Treviso! He has a great attitude as well.

Lutton was even more of a surprise. He seems to be learning all the time, so someone needs credit for the scrum coaching.

Callum black was excellent when he came on too, seemed to fair better than Court actually.

All the front rows did a good job which bodes well should Afoa go in the summer.

I actually believe the 2 TH yesterday showed more potential than Macklin and Fitzpatrick (is this guy ever fit?).

MacCall is 6 years younger than Lutton, what a prospect he is.

The difference is that Ulster scrummaged as an 8. The power coming through was great. Ireland should take note!

I feel obliged to retract my earlier views regarding Tom Court to tighthead.

Lutton did exceptionally well.

red_stag wrote:I feel obliged to retract my earlier views regarding Tom Court to tighthead.

Lutton did exceptionally well.

So did McCall when he came on.

McCall, Lutton, Moore and Furlong with Hagan improving this year and heading to England where he is sure to improve his scrummaging.

TH issue solved in the mid to long term?

Artful_Dodger wrote:

red_stag wrote:I feel obliged to retract my earlier views regarding Tom Court to tighthead.

Lutton did exceptionally well.

So did McCall when he came on.

Wasnt it McCall at the end too who stopped Cronin getting the ball down?

Too early to say LeinsterFan.

One thing I should mention, everything Stag has been saying about the tighthead situation and NIQs over the past few seasons has come true so far. We might be in big trouble unless this changes soon. Even if it does mean we lose a few games. However we did win against Leinster at the RDS without Afoa..

LeinsterFan4life wrote:McCall, Lutton, Moore and Furlong with Hagan improving this year and heading to England where he is sure to improve his scrummaging.

TH issue solved in the mid to long term?

I wouldn't rule out Macklin either - THs don't really come good in Ireland until their mid 20s.

marty2086 wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:

red_stag wrote:I feel obliged to retract my earlier views regarding Tom Court to tighthead.

Lutton did exceptionally well.

So did McCall when he came on.

Wasnt it McCall at the end too who stopped Cronin getting the ball down?

It was indeed Marty. Black scrum cap and he was the only one wearing one I think.

The Great Aukster wrote:Lutton was even more of a surprise. He seems to be learning all the time, so someone needs credit for the scrum coaching.

I think Allen Clarke is looking after the Academy forwards scrummaging education and doing some sessions with the seniors whilst John Afoa is de facto scrum Captain week in and out...

Ulster are trying to grow the numbers of juniors playing the game by 40%. they have regional training sessions and now have McLaughlin, Clarke and Campbell focusing on the Academy as well as Longwell - that's a serious commitment to the Academy.

Shane Logan said recently his vision is that Ulster have 15 Test class players who came through the Academy, and fifteen more playing for Ireland!

Haven't posted in a bit - been up to my ears. Delighted with win on Saturday, though.

Two thoughts.

I was in Galway and Dublin over the last week, and - especially in Galway - the profile of the rugby team, with large posters draped over pubs and the big tourist office in the town centre, puts the general level of publicity for Ulster rugby to shame. You could walk around Belfast city centre as a tourist or visitor and not really know we had a rugby team. A couple of banners outside SS Moore's wouldn't go amiss. I know the Taphouse, McHugh's etc haves banners and so on, but we should have something outside the Tourist office on Royal Avenue.


Also - an interesting insight into how much of a role Paddy Jackson actually plays in putting togther Ulster's gameplan -

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ulster-back-paddy-jackson-once-again-1.1345664

Don - Why would Ulster spend on advertising when they are getting sell-out games?

Thanks for the IT article.

Because we're going to have a bigger stadium next season? And because Logan wants more Juniors playing the game? That's what I meant about the "general level" of publicity - not just about tickets. They are visibly working hard to make Connacht Rugby part of the fabric of Galway - we should be doing the same.

Don Alfonso wrote:Because we're going to have a bigger stadium next season? And because Logan wants more Juniors playing the game? That's what I meant about the "general level" of publicity - not just about tickets. They are visibly working hard to make Connacht Rugby part of the fabric of Galway - we should be doing the same.

Ive noticed that the Giants are starting to do more to draw people in and they are competing with Ulster for the same market.

Ulster don't just want to be filling Ravenhill next season they should be working on filling it for decades to come by bringing in new fans who maybe wouldnt come into the sport otherwise. With greater demand it'll mean that redeveloping Ravenhill further down the line

To be fair though I read last week about the development officers going into schools and teaching kids touch rugby and some competed for a pack for their school but I was amazed that they were only awarding one school a pack, surely it would be more beneficial to get as many out there as possible

marty2086 wrote:

Don Alfonso wrote:Because we're going to have a bigger stadium next season? And because Logan wants more Juniors playing the game? That's what I meant about the "general level" of publicity - not just about tickets. They are visibly working hard to make Connacht Rugby part of the fabric of Galway - we should be doing the same.

Ive noticed that the Giants are starting to do more to draw people in and they are competing with Ulster for the same market.

Ulster don't just want to be filling Ravenhill next season they should be working on filling it for decades to come by bringing in new fans who maybe wouldnt come into the sport otherwise. With greater demand it'll mean that redeveloping Ravenhill further down the line

Absolutely - that's exactly what I think. The Giants do a promotion where kids go free to some games - if Ulster earmarked a game or two like that - maybe during the holidays - I can't help feeling they would be laying down a real foundation for the future.

I agree in principal Don but we have sold out an awful lot of games this season. I'm not sure that turning away paying customers for free kids is an attractive business plan.

Next season we will have reduced capacity.

I do agree we could get the city behind us and get the whole place to "own" the team more.

Had forgotten about reduced capacity - when will we be up to our full capacity?

I definitely think Belfast doesn't seem to "own" Ulster the way Dublin "owns" Leinster, and Galway Connacht. Part of that is historical, I'd say - not having equal support across both communities - but we should really remedy it.

Is it the start of next season when there'll be a friendly played up in Derry?

We have to pre-empt the "brand awareness" (hateful PR phrase, but you know what I mean) dropping when the games stop being on BBC 2 NI and move to Sky, as well. The raised profile from having games free-to-air on a Friday night should not be underestimated, and it will be gone at the end of next season.

MrsP it isnt about turning away paying customers its about creating new ones, there are some games that are traditionally harder to sell out so ideally these are the kind you target plus it isnt just about whats paid at the door its about what they spend once they are through the door too

marty2086 wrote:MrsP it isnt about turning away paying customers its about creating new ones, there are some games that are traditionally harder to sell out so ideally these are the kind you target plus it isnt just about whats paid at the door its about what they spend once they are through the door too

We;ll have to se what demand is like when the new stand opened. The only game that hasn't sold out since we beat Saints away is Zebre, which only missed out on being full by one or two hundred. So its impossible to gauge demand for the increased capacity.

marty2086 wrote:MrsP it isnt about turning away paying customers its about creating new ones, there are some games that are traditionally harder to sell out so ideally these are the kind you target plus it isnt just about whats paid at the door its about what they spend once they are through the door too

I agree wholeheartedly that we need to continue to attract a new audience but when almost every game is a sell out it is very difficult to justify giving away tickets which you know you can sell.

Which games would you suggest we do this for? Next season will be tighter as we will have fewer tickets available for paying customers.

I really like the idea I'm just not convinced it is practical in the current situation. We will see how things go when the ground is at full capacity.

Agree Mrs P.

Considering that Mr Logan has raised ticket prices, and they're all being sold, he's hardly likely to be giving away too many free any time soon. I suspect the former coca cola man knows a fair bit about marketing, and how to increase his revenues further.

Agree with Don on this. The long term solution is to knock down the odyssey and rebuild Ravenhill there .

Hi guys anyone recommend a good pub to watch the Ulster game in Belfast?

rodders wrote:Hi guys anyone recommend a good pub to watch the Ulster game in Belfast?

Are you being deliberately provocative?

I can't judge anyway, I'm in sligo this weekend

Stand Ulsterman - PM coming your way.

Nah just messing Stand, thought your place might be rammed so just weighing up the alternatives

Stag

Sorted

Rodders

Depends what time you come down at. We will have the Clermont game on somewhere and being honest if you are out to watch that you will find no shortage of spaces I'm assuming. Another plan was to have the Ulster HEC win playing before KO but finding that in the right format is the trick!

Shouldn't you save that one for the final stand?

Might give us more time to find it on bloody DVD right enough. £2.50 btls of heineken on during the game too rodders. You can't beat it!

Bowe back to training this week. Will we stick with trimble and Gilroy though?? Anyone, want to make a match thread?

I'm still coming to terms with the fact I've got a booking on Saturday and so will be watching on skyplus at about midnight by myself having spent the whole evening avoiding all technology.

Stand - do you currently have the final in some other sort of format?

No but the only thing I have been able to find is a video of it. A few of the other guys I work with are tech heads so I'm meeting them today to see what they can do.

With the Clermont game on earlier I'm not too worried either way. As rodders says it might be best saved for a final or even a semi should we make it.

PM, Stand.