Ulster 2013/2014

First topic message reminder :

One guy I think deserves high praise from these two Treviso games is Sean Doyle.
As you know I reported some doubt about his future and that he needed to put his hand - he has done so big time.

Few more games like that and he will be with us next year for sure.

Any news on the coaching front? I expected we would have heard something by now.

One of the numerous announcements I'd expected between 6N's games 2 and 3

just announced that Anscombes signed on for another year, would have expected a 2 year extension though which seems to be the norm

 Happy enough with that! Now... the signings???

The tone of the announcement suggests it is 1 year and that is it nothing after that.

Just rereading it geoff and it seems that way, hes talking about a 3 year project and what he hopes to do over the next 18months

I said when I started at Ulster that I believed that this would be a three-year project. We are half way through that now.

My focus over the next year and a half will be to finish the job that I have started and to bring some silverware back to Ravenhill.

This article states that Ferris will not play for Ulster this season at all. But then doesn't go on to state where this came from. No quote. Who says? Ulster? Or Ferris?

Sad if true. Will he then get another extension without having played a single game?

hmmmmmmm

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/14038.php#.UvI2gHfV8oo

I think and hope they meant he didn't play this season for Mark Anscombe's side (this season being the 2012-2013 one).

 If is not able to play this year I think IRFU will pull the plug - to be honest you cant blame them.
It would then be up to Ulster to decide to sign him or not.

This smacks of a further delay - lets be honest it can't go on like this

Theres only like 5 league games left though...

I'm not enjoying the refusal to hint at a timetable...

Not playing again this season could just equal the media not being given a timetable and a journo adding 2 and 2 and getting 5. Unfortunately, at the same time, it doesn't seem terribly unlikely.

If he doesn't make a return to full fitness and stay there before the end of the season I don't think Ulster can afford to offer him a renewed contract on the basis of the last two years unless he's willing to accept a pay as you play deal with only the most minimal basic wage.

We'll wait and see what comes out over the next few months.

At Christmas, he was penciled in to play against Shannon, on the 15th Feb, and for Ulster sometime during the 6N.
If those are not meet the timetable has slipped

2nd announcement up - Johann to retire

Thank you sir - the best captain we have EVER had (at least in the professional era) and its not even close

 

He has been an inspirational leader to the club, he will be sorley missed. Do we know how further on the talks are in relation to the Lock.

geoff999rugby wrote:2nd announcement up - Johann to retire

Thank you sir - the best captain we have EVER had (at least in the professional era) and its not even close

 

   

One of the greatest rugby players and men to ever grace Irish rugby. A leader of men of the highest order and his impact on Ulster rugby, on and off the field in unquantifiable. Ulster rugby is an immeasurably better club because of this man.

All the best Johann   .

Not a surprise in any way, shape or form. Totally expected and absolutely the right time to retire.

So...why do I have tears in my eyes reading it?

8Studs wrote:He has been an inspirational leader to the club, he will be sorley missed.  Do we know how further on the talks are in relation to the Lock.

We have the 3 signings either done or well advanced but nothing on a lock.

I would not be surprised it is on hold until the European mess is sorted out.
If it goes pear shaped we may not be getting one or another TH (who would not be NIQ in any case - could be a Project)

Hearing rumours that all Provinces have been asked to budget for a cut back which equates to the sort of salary we would give these two positions

Fare ye well, Johann. You've been an inspiration.

Ulster XV and replacements to face Ospreys, RaboDirect PRO12, Ravenhill, Friday 7th February (kick off 19:35):

R Andrew, C Gilroy, J Payne, D Cave, M Allen, J McKinney, R Pienaar; (1-8): T Court, R Herring, J Afoa, J Muller (Captain), L Stevenson, R Diack, S Doyle, R Wilson

Replacements (16-23): N Annett, C Black, R Lutton, I Henderson, N Williams, P Marshall, L Marshall, R Scholes.

Indicates strongly that Henderson and Luke Marshall will not be named in the Ireland 23 to play Wales. I'm looking forward to seeing those two and Nick Williams coming on and wreak havoc with half an hour to go!

Bit more than strong hint - it means they definitely wont be how could they be?

That is some bench with have - will be good to see Scholes get a run

Ospreys: Sam Davies; Jeff Hassler, Jonathan Spratt (Capt.), Ashley Beck, Aisea Natoga; Matthew Morgan, Tom Habberfield; Duncan Jones, Scott Baldwin, Aaron Jarvis; Lloyd Peers, Perry Parker; Tyler Ardron, Sam Lewis, Joe Bearman.

Replacements: Matthew Dwyer, Ryan Bevington, Dan Suter, Dan Baker, Morgan Allen, Tito Tebaldi, Richard Fussell, Eli Walker.

We're certainly in a stronger place than the Os, especially with regards to the pack. This is a crucial game that we simply dare not lose and based on the two teams named I am feeling quite hopeful.

The impact players on the bench are rather good from an Ulster PoV.

Will be an interesting contest, Ospreys do have some impact players from the bench too with Bevington who scored a great try in the same fixture last year, Morgan Allen and the highly rated at 8 Dan Baker.

I will never forget Johan Muller - I'm not even exaggerating when I say he is probably a hero of mine.

Just remembering these words he spoke...

“In the coming weeks, the Ulster Rugby team will return to the pitch. Over the course of the rest of this year and in future seasons we will experience wins and we will no doubt suffer defeats. Players will move on or retire and new players will come in and represent the Province. But going forward, at Ulster Rugby, one thing will never change. As long as this great club exists, the person and the player, Nevin Spence, will never be forgotten.” Johann Muller

Clive there's no exaggerating in saying that at alll, the man oozes heroic qualities. He's a role model the like of which should receive much more press instead of the idiots we see day in day out in the media. If my boy could be half the man Johan is he'd be ten times the man I am.

Superman has Johan Muller wallpaper in his bedroom!!!!!!!

Nigel Owens has announced on twitter that he's reffing the Ospreys match.

Has anyone been able to watch this on the BBC website?

is it just my stream that isn't working?

Working now!

MrsP do you have a link?

Oh dear.

I am used to Gusher getting the Ulster players mixed up but when he gets the Ulster 15 (wearing white) confused with the Ospreys 15 (wearing black) you really do start to worry!

it seems that they are now blocking the stream outside of ulster, When did that start?

Really?

Obviously I won't have been aware of that as I am in Ulster.

Scrum V aren't covering it too by any chance?

Very poor start by Ulster

scrum V link says its for viewers in wales only, i am up in Edinburgh.

Have you tried from the N. Ireland news page?

Mrs P I could kiss you!!!!! thanks very much.

Now we are playing the Dragons!

  

Steady on BDV.

You're welcome though!

Now Muller is Pienaar!

Yes we are according to our gusher on another note Wilson deserves punched for passing to herring there and ruining that opportunity

Will Nige let the O's TH bind on the arm all night?

That was not a penalty Nige

Luckily he missed it

That Morgan is handy mind you!

Commentators not aware of the tackling rules. If you don't use your arms it's illegal wether it's malicious or not

He is Mrs P and Sheep he tried to use his arms it was very harsh

T'was a good scrum that!

Neilthom, what part of that "tackle" made you think he tried to use his arms? It's and illegal tackle. Doesn't matter what part of the body it's done to

Let's hope the wind gives us a boost in the second half!

he brought his arm round sheepard watch it again and see how his arm comes round shoulder hits first then he tries to bring his arm around.
Yes MrsP we need a boost defo

Mrs P considering how you normally are for safety I'm surprised you've not mentioned the tackle.

Neilthom I'll have to disagree with you. Everyone sees things differently.

Come on Ospreys! We need a Morgan special, can't see us holding territory

The sooner Robbie Robinson arrives the better! Bar one decent kick into space, McKinney has been well off the mark, and lost us the ball a few times with failure presenting it after being tackled.