Ulster 2013/2014

First topic message reminder :

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

I know! Isn't it just so... satisfying when we win against the Scarlets. Nothing tastes sweeter than someone else's sour grapes.

There are some decent Scarlets fans out there as well, but that forum is hilarious.

Not as good as beating Munster. Not even close. How I love beating them. It even turns me on a little bit But sure. Here we go today lads. Can't wait. We go for the championship while DOD, BlueMuff and Sin play soggy biscuit with Simon Zebo. There's no losers in that game.

Should someone point out that the ref was Welsh?

Absolutely over the moon for our guys!!!   

Lets get some more silverware for the rest of the ulstermen this year though!!

Did anyone else notice Paddy Jackson on the pitch after the match in Paris yesterday?

So glad they flew him out to be part of the celebrations even if he didn't get to have his medal presented on the pitch.

The Scarlets 16 (Phillips?) carefully positioned himself to block the TV view of the line after the bonus try had been scored. Is this something players are now coached?

It's fitting MrsP, he really played his part this year.

I hope there are also medals for Dan Tuohy, Tommy O'Donnell, Rhys Ruddock, Isaac Boss and Luke Marshall!   

The Great Aukster wrote:The Scarlets 16 (Phillips?) carefully positioned himself to block the TV view of the line after the bonus try had been scored. Is this something players are now coached?

I would think not, but the amount of players that fall over the ball sometimes allows for that possibility. I had thought that one of the camera angles showed the ball touch the line, but having watched the replays I was wrong. Very close, but not possible to tell if it was actually on the line.

Anywho, it was a try. Scarlets don't like it then tough cookies   

MrsP wrote:Did anyone else notice Paddy Jackson on the pitch after the match in Paris yesterday?

So glad they flew him out to be part of the celebrations even if he didn't get to have his medal presented on the pitch.

Strauss and Henshaw were also there

I know I should not be singling out players but how wonderful was it to hear Horgan and ROG single out Trimble for such incredible praise last night?

I missed that, is there a link to the Horgan/ROG interview?

I also just had a look at that Scarlets forum. WOW, there are so many delusional people out there. So many comments about how they want out of the Pro12 and into the Aviva premiership. My good lord do they think they would survive in it? Not a snowballs chance in hell.

Try this Pete.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/player/

There is a link straight to the interview there.


Just soooo pleased for the guy.

MrsP wrote:Try this Pete.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/player/

There is a link straight to the interview there.


Just soooo pleased for the guy.

listening to ROG it seems so many people have been waiting for Trimble to do it for Ireland and they're delighted to see him do it, BOD was right when he said it was a bit of a joke him getting MotM Trimble and Bastareaud were probably the two best players out there yesterday

marty2086 wrote:

MrsP wrote:Try this Pete.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/player/

There is a link straight to the interview there.


Just soooo pleased for the guy.

listening to ROG it seems so many people have been waiting for Trimble to do it for Ireland and they're delighted to see him do it, BOD was right when he said it was a bit of a joke him getting MotM Trimble and Bastareaud were probably the two best players out there yesterday

Not sure about Basteraud - he broke our line on many occasions and then demonstrated that his passing game is of the same standard as that of a 14 year old Colt.

Poster on the other forum who knows things has said there will be signings announced 'very soon'.

Another poster says all signings are secured bar one which is waiting on some 'NIQ peculiarities'.

What do you guys reckon is the real likelihood in iHumph returning to accept his lot as second fiddle to Jackson? He would be the best option as a backup IQ 10.

clivemcl wrote:Poster on the other forum who knows things has said there will be signings announced 'very soon'.

Another poster says all signings are secured bar one which is waiting on some 'NIQ peculiarities'.

What do you guys reckon is the real likelihood in iHumph returning to accept his lot as second fiddle to Jackson? He would be the best option as a backup IQ 10.

I'd rather have Steenson to be honest, idealistically of course.

MrsP wrote:Try this Pete.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/player/

There is a link straight to the interview there.


Just soooo pleased for the guy.

Great to see Trimble get the praise he deserves. Fair play to Joe for finally getting the best out of Trimble for Ireland - he was a force of nature yesterday. Horgan and ROG don't give out praise lightly and they seemed genuinely gobsmacked with the level of Trimble's performance.

New to the forum. Likewise Rodders. Trimble must be buzzing after those compliments from Rog and Horgan. Great to see. Can't wait to see him against Saracens. Take it Bowe will have to move to the other wing? Doesn't seem to have the same impact there though. Not the worst dilemma though!

Welcome aboard!

Cheers. Been following for a bit waiting for Geoff to tell us how many All Blacks we are signing! :} #1willdo

Welcome!

Been trying to collate a lot of information and also been busy so that's why I have been away.
With respect to next year this is my summary for the information I have gatherered:

LH - Black and Murphy seen as a straight head to head and of a similar standard. McCall likely number 3.
      McAllister likely to go to England to get back up to speed
Hooker - Other than Annett going no change - one of the youngsters will become 3rd choice. Jackson seen as the best prospect but may
      be to early for him.
TH - By far the biggest area of concern - Lutton and ??? I have heard a Project type name mention - young Saffer good enough to play
      now.
      No idea what is happening with Fitzpatrick but I know someone I can ask. Provided he is ok Macklin may also go to England  
       otherwise he stays. Ross looks like a waste of space to me
Lock - I understand a big signing been made but no name. Tuohy, Stevenson, Henderson will cover the rest. O'Connor played well for
         the Ravers last Friday and I can see him getting more game time next year. If he and Donnan progress as expected, McComb will
        be packing his bags.
Back row - Keegan Daniel deal is dead in the water and I believe because of the continued uncertainty over what competitions we are in
         next year. Having said that with Ferris returning, Williams issue now resolved and Doyle continuing to improve their is a feeling
         that combined with the every improving Diack, Henry, Wilson and Henderson we have  7 good backrowers and we may not sign a
         backrow. It also will help us getting a 'Project' TH if we only have 3 NIQ players next year (Lock, Williams, Pienaer).
         Joyce need to kick on otherwise Taggart and Low will be going past him - McCormish some as McComb not good enough and will
         be off at the end of his existing contract
9 - After Pienaer Marshall and Heaney are probably going head to head for the number 2 spot and far from certain who wins - Marshall
    is going backwards. Shanahan seen as one of the 3 scrum halfs for 2015-16. Porter is away
10 - Both iHumph and Hagan being lined up as new signings. iHumph being seen as the perfect cover for Jackson. McKinney will be
     leaving
12/13 - Olding, Marshall, McCloskey, Cave, Payne will fill the positions. McCloskey has stepped up big time - superb with his chock
     tackles and turn overs on Friday.  Farrell is away, Wallace likely to retire
11/14 - The big three plus Allen and Scholes. McIlwaine and Cochrane can pack their bags
15 - Payne, Andrew, Nelson. Nelson had a good game for the Ravens last Friday

Some of the 'bag packers' may be around next year because of their contracts.

Re injuries on Friday

Pienaer should be fine for Saracens and probably the week before
Callum Black I doubt it - so Tom Court is now key for that game

Robbie Robinson not coming then?

Robinson is injured with no set return date. Apparently it's one of those recurring issues (can't recall if it was his hip). Read a report that wasn't too rosy. Humph won't have gone near that signing I suspect.

The TH will be key. If we don't get a good one we are in trouble.

The saffer prop Geoff mentions is rumoured to be Wehahn Herbst

I have to say it all feels a little like failure...

But hey, you could almost think of Ferris as a new signing and a super one! As long as he lasts a while...

As long as the big name lock comes through, I'll be happy!




Is it possible we were only courting Daniels because of the Ferris doubt, and that Daniels perhaps knew fine rightly?

Ferris makes it back = Daniel deal off.

What happened to Luke Marshall? Did he miss the Scarlets game because he got another concussion or was it just a normal knock?

Clive if we get a NIQ TH I would be absolutely amazed so options limited.

I also believe that the management are of the opinion that the change in the scrummaging laws and the fact the interpretation is a bit of a lottery means they are concentrating on skilful technical props e.g. Black rather than big powerful hitters.
Their is a perception that quick mobile 4 - 8's are the key to success in forward play these days e.g. Tuohy, Ferris, Henderson etc
I sense a change in emphasis in what is regarded as important.

Daniel not coming had nothing to do with Fez returning but I do think that the healthier state of our backrow, from even a month ago, is giving us leverage to get a Project TH when previously we were not going to be allowed.
Only 3 NIQ is a very useful bargaining tool

Marshall - it was decided to extend the rest period because McCloskey has done so well.
I would not be totally surprised if it is extended a further week given Fridays performance

In fairness, I'd be really happy with only three NIQs. Kinda getting fed up with the idea that we are only good because of our NIQs.

It does a massive injustice to Best, Tuohy, Diack, Henry, Jackson, Lukey, Cave, Payne, Trimble and Bowe.

Not to mention players like Black, Herring, Stevenson, Doyle who have been mostly very good, and the return of Ferris who whilst not out of the woods has appeared to have lost VERY LITTLE of his unbelievable talent.


Is it safe to say Geoff that the lock signing will probably be an improvement in playing ability? Despite there being a huge loss in Muller's leadership?

Happy St. Paddy Wallace day! Paddy doing some punditry on the Schools Cup Final on the BBC atm. Probably aren't going to see him on the pitch again, what a shame...

Methody are looking comfortable, Sullivan spirited but less clinical.

Oh dear.

Rodders will be back to his grumpy best.

Don't say I didn't warn ya!

 

Well done MCB!

MrsP, no-one likes Methody and you should go away   

I mean, er, well done MCB (give someone else a chance)

Well that's not very nice, is it?

I am a bit shocked to see some nice back play from the Boys in Blue (White). I'm not sure either wing saw the ball in the first half but at least they got it a couple of times in the later stages.
Sorry to see CJ go off injured for Sullivan. Real speed merchant.

I really think the difference in the opposition each side faced in the earlier rounds was a factor.

Sullivan certainly did their school proud though.

Notch wrote:Happy St. Paddy Wallace day! Paddy doing some punditry on the Schools Cup Final on the BBC atm. Probably aren't going to see him on the pitch again, what a shame...

   Pity ex-future Ulster Rugby star Mike McGoldrick didn't get some air-time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VBhQeAi_PI

I see the inherent problem with posting suspicion and educated guess work is open to misinterpretation.
Having read the Ulster Forum it seems someone has mistakenly assumed what I posted is fact.

My belief Ruan will be ok is just from casual conversation with some Uslter folk.
I have no medical background and obviously the outcome of any checks done on Sunday has yet to be made public.
I have heard hopeful noises nothing more - sorry if people thought differently

'Are you in lower sixth or upper sixth?'   

theslosty wrote:

Notch wrote:Happy St. Paddy Wallace day! Paddy doing some punditry on the Schools Cup Final on the BBC atm. Probably aren't going to see him on the pitch again, what a shame...

   Pity ex-future Ulster Rugby star Mike McGoldrick didn't get some air-time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VBhQeAi_PI

Thats cracker! 'alright Rory!'   

Notch wrote:I've got a bad habit I'm not terribly proud of, but it's so so satisfying; go onto Scarlets Fever after Ulster beat them and read the match thread.

Their Tears Sustain Me:

It's just so satisfying to read their schadenfreude! One-eyed Scarlets is a stereotype with considerable basis in fact, at least on that forum... don't think there's ever been a game where they weren't cheated by the ref. No go and have a read, it's a great laugh.

Some very paranoid people on that forum. Welsh under-performance in the Rabo is attributed to biased refs as part of an Irish conspiracy. I wonder what their excuse is for Welsh under-performance in the Heineken Cup? Maybe the conspiracy extends to France and England as well?

geoff998rugby wrote:I see the inherent problem with posting suspicion and educated guess work is open to misinterpretation.
Having read the Ulster Forum it seems someone has mistakenly assumed what I posted is fact.

My belief Ruan will be ok is just from casual conversation with some Uslter folk.
I have no medical background and obviously the outcome of any checks done on Sunday has yet to be made public.
I have heard hopeful noises nothing more - sorry if people thought differently

They even named you on there Geoff, it's a little creepy to know they are spying on us.......hold on, I spy on them too

Has there been any news on how Ferris' ankle responded to his 20 minutes on the pitch?

Pete330v2 wrote:

geoff998rugby wrote:I see the inherent problem with posting suspicion and educated guess work is open to misinterpretation.
Having read the Ulster Forum it seems someone has mistakenly assumed what I posted is fact.

My belief Ruan will be ok is just from casual conversation with some Uslter folk.
I have no medical background and obviously the outcome of any checks done on Sunday has yet to be made public.
I have heard hopeful noises nothing more - sorry if people thought differently

They even named you on there Geoff, it's a little creepy to know they are spying on us.......hold on, I spy on them too

Has there been any news on how Ferris' ankle responded to his 20 minutes on the pitch?

Big whoop! I got a whole 7 page thread about me!   

geoff998rugby wrote:I see the inherent problem with posting suspicion and educated guess work is open to misinterpretation.
Having read the Ulster Forum it seems someone has mistakenly assumed what I posted is fact.

My belief Ruan will be ok is just from casual conversation with some Uslter folk.
I have no medical background and obviously the outcome of any checks done on Sunday has yet to be made public.
I have heard hopeful noises nothing more - sorry if people thought differently

maybe not just the Ulster forum taking your word as gospel

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26629513

Well that would be a great relief if he was to be deemed fit. We need our strongest players together to proceed any further in the HC lets face it.

Ack, a lot of journalists just look at any old nonsense online as well marty- either that or pull stories out of their rear ends.

Yes, even with the BBC! When there is a direct quote from an employee of Ulster Rugby in a story then fair enough,otherwise I take it with pinch of salt no matter the reputation of the paper or broadcaster or website. Geoff I take with a whole salt-shaker... no offence Geoff   

As I said just optimistic words I heard from insiders - never claimed as fact.
In truth until the results of Sundays tests are seen no one is certain

Fingers crossed

Go on the lads!

Rory and the Lads:

Chris Henrys nose is just getting more and more deformed isn't it? He really puts his nose on the line, every match. What a tournament he had. Obviously Ulster have been on a quest for the holy grail for a while now, the silverware that'll be a tangible measure of our improvement and we've just missed out on it a few times. I think it's massive for us that these guys have basically just won a Cup Final. I think they'll give us a massive boost coming back into the group now.

Where's Dan Tuohy?

Don't mention it to the other Irish posters but I think the 6N will have a negative short term impact on Leinster - due to fatigue- and a positive one for Ulster and Munster .....  

 Dinger has gone public saying what I said

Ruan a definite for Sarcens and probably ok for Cardiff

Wooooop!!!!!

Nice one. He's just a little bit important to us

rodders wrote:Don't mention it to the other Irish posters but I think the 6N will have a negative short term impact on Leinster - due to fatigue- and a positive one for Ulster and Munster .....  

Its probably already had a positive impact on Ulster if you look at the form of Cave and Jackson, every Ulster player in the squad came out with their reputation enhanced