Ulster 2013/2014

Any reason why he didnt make an appearance for the Ravens?

Well, thank goodness thats dealt with.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26536934?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Actually had to check the day after reading that. It is Tuesday, not Wednesday.

Golden wrote:Any reason why he didnt make an appearance for the Ravens?

Not sure but if anyone saw Daniel Dass come on for Conor Joyce, he is a fantastic prospect. Great guy too.

BRA are certainly producing a lot of great Ulster players these days.

From the 'other' forum

"Ireland coach Joe Schmidt will not risk playing Tommy Bowe in Saturday’s Six Nations shootout with France and will instead make the winger available for Ulster duty.

After recovering from a long-term groin injury, Bowe played his first game for Ulster since November the Friday before last, marking his return with a brace of tries against the Newport Gwent Dragons.

He trained with the Ireland squad in the build-up to last weekend’s win over Italy and was again expected to join up with the international panel as they prepare to face France, leading to speculation that he may conceded force his way into the squad for Saturday’s title-decider.

However, team manager Mick Kearney told reporters this afternoon that Bowe would be released for Ulster’s Pro12 meeting with the Scarlets on Friday night. That match could also see  Stephen Ferris make his long-awaited comeback from an ankle injury with the backrow forward expected to be named on the bench".[/b]

The Great Aukster wrote:Fez is 100% ready.

  

Ian Humphreys on his way back to Ravenhill?

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Ian Humphreys on his way back to Ravenhill?

 

 

rodders wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Ian Humphreys on his way back to Ravenhill?

 

 

It was rumoured. Strong rumours have linked us with a young lad from Connacht too. It would be sensible to have someone with humphs experience there for Rabo games when Jackson is off gallavanting with Ireland to mentor the young lad. Whether it happens or not I don't know. It's a tad unnerving the silence regarding signings when numerous players are leaving

I wouldn't worry stand, I think given the uncertainty about the Rabo and European competitions people will be reluctant to commit. I don't believe this is down to Ulster or something we can control.

Re: Humph I think he would be an ideal signing and would give us extra cover for Jackson as you say.

On Ferris, hope he's back for a while now as I think another long term injury will be the end of the road. It will be interesting to see what happens with Henderson next year who recently stated his preference for the back row. Presumably he'll alternate next season between 6 and lock.

After a bit of advice, I have been offered my friends season tickets for Friday nights game. So I am taking my daughter with me as she has missed going since we gave up our season tickets 2 seaons ago (ordered my tickets for next seaon on Sunday). She used to wait after the game to get signings from the players. As the changing rooms have moved to a different part do they still do this?, if so where is the best place to wait. Any advice welcome.

I'm not sure they do it. The only place there would be access is the tunnel where they come out but I haven't been down that end to see if it is feasible or if they just walk off

There may be an opportunity for some autographs if you wait between the side door of the family stand and the Aquinas gate (the big green one that leads through to the school where the players park) If the players stay in the stand for post match food etc it may be a long wait, but I think a good few usually head off fairly sharply and this is the way they come and go on match nights

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/rabodirect-pro12/ulster-rugbys-stephen-ferris-is-back-in-a-jersey-and-set-to-end-injury-hell-at-ravenhill-30088864.html

BelTel saying Payne could start at 10 against Scarlets, doesn't bode well for Marshall and McKinney

Also, from T'other forum apparently Ferris has picked up a few niggles in training and it's one game too soon for him. More likely to get some gametime away to Edinburgh. Damn it, I mean even Anscombe is off sick for goodness sake

marty2086 wrote:http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/rabodirect-pro12/ulster-rugbys-stephen-ferris-is-back-in-a-jersey-and-set-to-end-injury-hell-at-ravenhill-30088864.html

BelTel saying Payne could start at 10 against Scarlets, doesn't bode well for Marshall and McKinney

I'm not sure there's much difference in Payne's ability to play 10 than Pieenars, so its worth exploring.... the fact that either are needed to play at all there isn't ideal.....

More worryingly, where is Geoff ??????

Just read a couple of rumours that we may have Jackson this weekend.

Standulstermen wrote:Just read a couple of rumours that we may have Jackson this weekend.

I really don't see this happening, Joe is more astute than that.

Depends on the make up of his bench. They are getting louder, the rumours. Solves a problem for ulster

Just saw mulligans tweet stating that he is starting for ulster. I think that's a bit cruel, he is in all the match day squads for the games up to now, even comes on to score a try, and is then dropped for the deciding match, if they do win he won't get to lift the trophy with his fellow team mates. That must be a tough pill to swallow.

Thats very harsh on Jackson, but if thats how it is it'll be because Schmidt has a cunning plan... not because of anything Jackson has done wrong or because the pecking order at 10 has changed.

To be honest, whoever is on the bench I bet that Sexton will play 80 minutes unless his leg is hanging off so it's more of a boost for Ulster than a blow for Ireland!

I'm very happy to hear that Paddy might be playing for Ulster this weekend, but I hope he gets on a plane to Paris after the match to join in the potential celebrations.

Yep, Madigan is on the bench.

Is there a lack of faith in Jackson within the Ireland setup? At times it seemed ideal to introduce him against Italy and let him pin Italy back with his kicking but he just got the last few minutes of the game

"One thing that happened in England is we had a couple of niggles (BODs injury) and we didn't have the coverage... If Jonny was unavailable, Paddy would be starting but we need the coverage"

Fair enough!

marty2086 wrote:Is there a lack of faith in Jackson within the Ireland setup? At times it seemed ideal to introduce him against Italy and let him pin Italy back with his kicking but he just got the last few minutes of the game

He got the last 20 minutes and he would have been hauled right back off again if he started kicking the ball away! Because they were knackered and the tries were there for the taking.

Notch wrote:

marty2086 wrote:Is there a lack of faith in Jackson within the Ireland setup? At times it seemed ideal to introduce him against Italy and let him pin Italy back with his kicking but he just got the last few minutes of the game

He got the last 20 minutes and he would have been hauled right back off again if he started kicking the ball away! Because they were knackered and the tries were there for the taking.

Your right I could have sworn it was later in the game  

FERRIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!       

Team is up

Ulster XV and replacements to face Scarlets, RaboDirect PRO12, Ravenhill, Friday (kick off 19:05) (15-9): J Payne, T Bowe, D Cave, S McCloskey, R Scholes, P Jackson, R Pienaar; (1-8): C Black, R Herring, J Afoa, J Muller (Captain), R Diack, R Wilson, S Doyle, N Williams; Replacements (16-23): N Annett, T Court, R Lutton, L Stevenson, S Ferris, M Heaney, C Gilroy, R Andrew.

Ferris on Bench!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nick back all is forgiven?? Scoles preferred over Gilroy looking forward to this one missed the last match.

As I said on the Ireland thread, Ulster are doing pretty well when they can start Paddy Jackson and Tommy Bowe on an international weekend and have Stephen Ferris and Craig Gilroy on the bench! On the other hand, this time last year Paul Marshall was all lined up to win his first cap coming off the bench for Ireland, now he can't even make the Ulster bench... shame.

Very strong team. Any word on Marshall? Was he concussed in the end?

Great to see Ferris on the team sheet. Its been far too long

I wouldn't read too much into the absence of Small Parcel - Heaney is playing for his professional future.

That's a strong team considering we are without Trimble, Henderson, Henry, Best and Marshall.
Really looking forward to seeing Ferris back in action!
Disappointed for Jackson. Not sure I agree with Schmidt's reasoning, but more than a little happy to see Jackson playing for Ulster this weekend, and more confident of an Ulster win now that he is.

SUFTUM!

I am also disappointed for Jackson but really relieved about the fact we have him available... and I mean really relieved. He's the difference between thinking we might lose and hoping we can get the bonus point.

That and One f'n big blindside...   

Couldn't agree more Notch. Without Jackson I had little in the way of optimism, with this lineup it surely has to be an Ulster win.

As for 1F......'GO ON BIG MAN!!!!!!!!!'

Absolutely cannot wait to se Stevie back on Ravenhill's sacred turf. Wooohoooo

Both gutted and delighted with PJ's situation. Delutted?

Thats a fairly decent team with a pretty good bench to match. Not gonna lie, i am gutted that Paddy isnt in green this weekend but at the end of the day i trust Joe and his game plan so there must be a reason for his action.

It is fantastic to see Ferris take to the field again, i do hope he is 100% and not coming back a match early, as Neil Doake was alluding to in some articles.

I read that too BDV and I know there have been instances in the past when players were rushed back by Anscombe but fingers crossed not this time. I want to see a lot more of Stevie Ferris for Ulster and Ireland.

On another note, how pleased must Andy Trimble be starting all the matches of this campaign. I am utterly chuffed for him.

Ferris back is fantastic,hopefully he can get back to something near his best and we can see him pick up and dump world class scrumhalves again.

Lads, I like a joke as much as the next guy. But I want to be absolutely serious for a second so that I'm not misquoted or misunderstood.

I have just pitched a manrection tent in my pants with news of Ferris on the bench. If he comes off the bench and scores and Ireland win I cordially invite everyone to a party underneath said tent. Your collectives mas have been then and thoroughly enjoyed it. High praise indeed. Rodders ma has an ass that won't quit. That's another story for another day. It'll put hairs on your chest.

ooooh I love camping. Is Stevie coming?

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:Lads, I like a joke as much as the next guy. But I want to be absolutely serious for a second so that I'm not misquoted or misunderstood.

I have just pitched a manrection tent in my pants with news of Ferris on the bench. If he comes off the bench and scores and Ireland win I cordially invite everyone to a party underneath said tent. Your collectives mas have been then and thoroughly enjoyed it. High praise indeed. Rodders ma has an ass that won't quit. That's another story for another day. It'll put hairs on your chest.

You seriously scare me. Are you more jacked about Ferris or Rodders or Rodders' ma or the thought of all of them together? Glad you have a big tent. You must be very popular.

Its a great shame that this game could not be played at some other time when both sides (particularly the Scarlets) could field stronger sides. The Ulster Scarlet's fixtures used to be one of the highlights of the Magners League, but the differences in the playing budgets now mean that this fixture, played during the 6N has lost most of its appeal.

As Gusher says,

Are you watching Joe Schmidt?

I've a theory - the suspension, the unusual press release rather than journo article, the haircut, the picking of fights and not a single smile tonight.

Are UR in the business of trying to manufacture and totally fabricate a bad boy image for Nick Williams since he hasn't been as feared this season???

lol

Callum Black get mullered in the scrum and get injured wich could be costly for Ulster.

Where is Paddy McAllister when you need him?

On the telly that tackle looked fairly innoculous.

Woooooo Hooooooo!!!!

On the academy prospects front - This 12 McCloskey is looking a very very tidy player. Scholes on the other hand, who I've heard much hype about has looked poor enough.

I think theres plenty of potential in Scholes (far more than Allen) but he's lacking composure tonight