Ulster 2013/2014

First topic message reminder :

It had to come eventually.

Squad

HOOKER
Rory Best, Rob Herring, Niall Annett
PROP
Tom Court, Callum Black, Paddy McAllister, Declan Fitzpatrick, John Afoa, Bronson Ross, Adam Macklin, Ricky Lutton
LOCK
Johann Muller (c), Dan Tuohy, Neil McComb, Lewis Stevenson
BACKROW
Iain Henderson, Stephen Ferris, Mike McComish, Sean Doyle, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack, Roger Wilson, Nick Williams
SCRUM-HALF
Ruan Pienaar, Michael Heaney, Paul Marshall
OUTHALF
Paddy Jackson, James McKinney
CENTRES
Stuart Olding, Luke Marshall, Paddy Wallace, Darren Cave, Michael Allen
WING
Tommy Bowe, Andrew Trimble, Craig Gilroy, Chris Cochrane
FULL BACK
Jared Payne, Peter Nelson, David McIlwaine

Confirmed Pre-Season Games
Ulster Rugby vs Leinster Rugby, 23rd August
Leicester Tigers vs Ulster Rugby, 31st August

Heineken Cup Pool 5
Ulster Rugby, Leicester Tigers, Montpellier, Treviso

Ulster Rugby vs Leicester Tigers, 11th October
Montpellier vs Ulster Rugby, 19th October
Ulster Rugby vs Treviso, 7th December
Treviso vs Ulster Rugby, 14th December
Ulster Rugby vs Montpellier, 10th-12th January
Leicester Tigers vs Ulster Rugby, 17th-19th January

RaboDirectPro12

First five games starting on the 6th September;

Newport Gwent Dragons vs Ulster Rugby    
Ulster Rugby vs Glasgow Warriors            
Connacht Rugby vs Ulster Rugby
Ulster Rugby vs Benetton Treviso
Ospreys vs Ulster Rugby

Full fixtures at http://www.ulsterrugby.com/rugby/results_1stxv.php

Yer bollix Jen. If he was a kiwi McCaw and Cane would be carrying his kit bag.

He made Gorgonzilla, who SOB still has nightmares about, look like the stay puffed marsh mallow man on Saturday.

Never heard the likes of it!

SOB is not a 7 - he is a 6/8 playing 7 because Ireland have not replaced Wallace,
Henry is the best 7 in Ireland and should start against Australia otherwise we will be destroyed at the breakdown

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

marty2086 wrote:rodders couldn't agree more about being second to SOB but Henrys been one of the best opensides in the NH in the last few years yet most seem to accept that his natural position is behind SOB irregardless of form

His game going up a level was one of the biggest factors in Ulsters upturn in recent years along with the SA contingent coming in

Steady! One of the best opensides in his house for sure.  Outside of Ulster he is not in the top 10 in the NH

Though he is a very good player indeed.

Go on then, name 10 better opensides in the NH than Chris Henry.

As I have said none in Ireland, as a 7 none better in England.
2 in Wales so you need 8 from Scotland and France

rodders wrote:Yer bollix Jen. If he was a kiwi McCaw and Cane would be carrying his kit bag.

He made Gorgonzilla, who SOB still has nightmares about, look like the stay puffed marsh mallow man on Saturday.

Never heard the likes of it!

Quality.

In all fairness I have not seen the game against Mont yet because I was at ours. I do have it recorded and will eventually get to watch it.

I take it he was a legend then. Hard to compare with French teams. They tend to just play left and right flanker rather that open and blind.

Gorgodze has 7 on his back Dusitoir has 6. Are either of them an openside? At least the Saffers just have the numbers backwards.

As I have said none in Ireland, as a 7 none better in England.
2 in Wales so you need 8 from Scotland and France

If Henry hadn't been crocked playing in the HC Final Jen you'd not be in any doubt about his quality

geoff998rugby wrote:As I have said none in Ireland, as a 7 none better in England.
2 in Wales so you need 8 from Scotland and France

Jaysus lads. The guy was an 8 until a while ago. He has the pace of my granny and yet he is a very good player at 7.

O'Donnell is ahead of him for Ireland (Rightly or wrongly) O'Brien for sure (Obviously) TwoPricks and Warburton you have already conceded.

There are a geansai load of flankers in France I would have ahead of him (2 of them play for Montpellier though so I'll have to look at that)

You could make a case for Barclay or perhaps a couple of other Scots (Help me out here Scots lads) Robshaw? Shane Jennings was man of the match in the Rabo final I wouldn't have Henry in a Leinster HC 23 man squad personally. I'm sure you will disagree.

Can we just leave it at He is an excellent player.   and not be too negative on the lad. (I know. I started it. Sorry. It was a shock to discover that anyone thought he was one of the top opensides in the nh)

Guys, I know we've been told repeatedly not to expect anything other than Afoa going back to NZ at the end of this season, but does this change anything or is this just Afoa outlining what we've already known which is that the heavy odds are on him leaving?

Any chance at all he's staying?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24628105

I knew it! This was all a rouse to bump up Jenno!

Honestly I'd have him top 5-6 easy - behind O'Brien, Warbs and Robshaw. The French play left and right so its hard to judge but outside the top ten?? Tommy O'nobody?.... nay chance....

Delighted to be keeping Chris Henry- do we really have to do the whole Wee weeing match about who's better and all that?

Bottom line is if you look at Ulsters best performances home and away over the past few seasons, Chris Henry is everywhere. He is a leader and a key player for Ulster. Thats all that matters.

As for the John Afoa thing, he says he needs to get his future sorted out- he never indicates he is considering staying with Ulster and it would be a massive shock if he did. What it says in the headline has nothing to do with what Afoa says.

In the video when he is asked about Ulster, he is polite in not ruling them out as befits a currently contracted Ulster player. But when his wife and young family is living on the other side of the world, we're not going to be frontrunners and everyone understands that.

I cannot for the life of me see him staying on at Ulster with his wife and family living in New Zealand. It is a shame as he is a fantastic player and despite the obvious I get the impression he enjoys his time here.

Cardiff sold out. 14000 at a Rabo game is great news!

That's mad you know, potentially 14,000 crepes aren't easy to prepare for. That's a lot of eggs and flower.......not forgetting mayo.

I think there is some genuine anger against the Welsh at the moment given latest events.

Will add some spice !

I hope so Geoff. I hope we go out to embarrass them. Worried we might have a come down after last week. Hopefully this helps focus the mind

I think they are focused.

Last chance for the first XV to play before the International break

geoff998rugby wrote:
Will add some spice !

Are we talking about the crepes or the game?...

Amazing to sell this out. If we beat the Blues, who just beat Toulon does that make us unofficial European champs?....

Well a week ago we'd have been thinking that the result of the forthcoming match was a forgone conclusion but with the Cardiff team on a bit of a high after their latest result at least the lads won't be feeling complacent about the match.
I didn't see the Cardiff/Toulon game so was it the Welsh suddenly raising their performance or was it Toulon losing the plot?

I have deliberately buried my head in the sand about this, but when Jacko goes off to big school Ireland camp, is McKinney first choice ten?

Pete330v2 wrote:Well a week ago we'd have been thinking that the result of the forthcoming match was a forgone conclusion but with the Cardiff team on a bit of a high after their latest result at least the lads won't be feeling complacent about the match.
I didn't see the Cardiff/Toulon game so was it the Welsh suddenly raising their performance or was it Toulon losing the plot?

A bit of both. Cardiff gave it a lash but still seemed to defend poorly.

Toulon seemed both arrogant and disinterested

Don Alfonso wrote:I have deliberately buried my head in the sand about this, but when Jacko goes off to big school Ireland camp, is McKinney first choice ten?

I think both Olding and Pienaer would be selected before McKinney

I see the Ireland squad has been named, and Iain Henderson is not selected due to the toe injury he sustained against Montpellier- anyone know how long he's out for?

Also David Kearney is selected and Andrew Trimble isn't which is just...

Ruan to 10 with PMarsh at 9.

13000 sellout. Bit more work done so access routes are different to last week

Given Ruan will be with SA that gives us an International period 15 of

Black, Herring, Afoa, Henderson, Muller, Wilson, Williams, Doyle, Marshall, McKinney, Gilroy, Olding, Cave, Trimble, Payne
Bench: McCall, Ansett, Lutton, Stevenson, Diack, Heaney/Porter, Allen, McIlwaine

Not too shabby - providing McKinney delivers

geoff998rugby wrote:Given Ruan will be with SA that gives us an International period 15 of

Black, Herring, Afoa, Henderson, Muller, Wilson, Williams, Doyle, Marshall, McKinney, Gilroy, Olding, Cave, Trimble, Payne
Bench: McCall, Ansett, Lutton, Stevenson, Diack, Heaney/Porter, Allen, McIlwaine

Not too shabby - providing McKinney delivers

So you reckon it will be McKinney during the AIs? Hmmm.

And surely Henderson will be unavailable for us as well?

Still a very decent team. Actually, an excellent AI team.

If there is no Jackson, no Pienaer and Olding is the only available 12 then yes I do think it will be McKinney at 10.

Henderson like Gilroy, I think, will be fine by time the Edinburgh game comes round which is the first game all Internationals will be missing.

When exactly are the AIs. Looking at the fixtures the only game they would be at risk of missing is the Edinburgh one

Don Alfonso wrote:

geoff998rugby wrote:Given Ruan will be with SA that gives us an International period 15 of

Black, Herring, Afoa, Henderson, Muller, Wilson, Williams, Doyle, Marshall, McKinney, Gilroy, Olding, Cave, Trimble, Payne
Bench: McCall, Ansett, Lutton, Stevenson, Diack, Heaney/Porter, Allen, McIlwaine

Not too shabby - providing McKinney delivers

So you reckon it will be McKinney during the AIs? Hmmm.

And surely Henderson will be unavailable for us as well?

Still a very decent team. Actually, an excellent AI team.

Isn't Henderson injured?

Even still that's an astonishingly good team.

Yeah it seems we have more depth than ever before, a continuing trait I hope.

Is McCallister not coming back in the next couple of weeks? Or do you guys now rate McCall above him?

Henderson will be ok by Edinburgh.

McAllister has had a minor set back so I reckon McCall will be ahead of hime match fitness wise during November.

Henderson out for six weeks ≠ back for Edinburgh. Maybe back for Zebre at the earliest and a possibility for the Treviso double header. Its a shame because I was really looking forward to him starting this week.

Not sure if Gilroy or Nick Williams will be fit for the Blues? I really want to see Stuart Olding play 12, and I think we should support Paddy Jackson by continuing to trust him with the kicking duties. That would be for the best with Ireland duty on the horizon.

Maybe Afoa to start this week and Stevenson might get a start too- Muller off the bench.

I think Afoa will start this week but Gilroy and Williams will not.

Hendo not back for Edinburgh - really that surprises me - I think someone is being very cautious - I would not rule it out

Uh huh. Well he's out for six weeks.

Says who?

Nothing on the club site and even if there was they usually err on the side of caution.
It is 5 weeks from Montpelier to Edinburgh.

The bench against Edinburgh would be my bet

https://www.facebook.com/ulsterrugby?hc_location=stream



It's not at all impossible he will be back sooner as you say. But officially its six weeks.

OK thanks - I'll stick with my prediction

When is Paddy Wallace due back? Could do with him at 10.

Ferris training

http://telly.com/VBP96

Wallace due back in December - wont help us out over the International period

Ha, flick a few to the right - some craic during a bit of flight turbulence with Nevin Spence in it.

That was good

Look of shock on Cave's face and fear on Macklins - meanwhile Paddy McAllister is oblivious to it all

Brought a tear to my face there hearing Nev's nervous laughter

Link didn't work for me, Geoff.

Newsletter are talking about Stuart Olding potentially slotting in at fullback against Cardiff.

I find that very disappointing- he deserves a chance at 12. He has the potential to be the best 12 at the club.

I would be interested to see the backline but you have a valid point notch. I don't see any harm in starting olding and Payne at centre but we are short on options at 15 with Gilroy out. I don't think Anscombe trust McIlwaine or Nelson. In fairness McIlwaine looked ok last week for the Ravens, Nelson less so

Its simple.

Payne is the heir apparent for 13 for Ireland and will be playing most of the Pro12 in that position, in the same way Henderson will play most of his Pro12 rugby at Lock - that is where Ireland need them.

With Gilroy injured Olding is the best alternative at 15.

When the internationals go you will see Olding at 12

The backline will be - I think - Pienaer, Jackson, Trimble, Marshall, Payne, Bowe, Olding
Bench: Marshall, McKinney, Allen