Ulster 2013/2014

First topic message reminder :

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

Thats such a pity that some seem to have slipped into the hands of ticket touts. I have people all over my facebook saying they couldn't get as hold of one who I know are fans so its sickening to see these leeches get their hands on them. I had no choice but to stay away for health reasons but if I had of been trying to buy one and these guys got one I would be more than angry.
It will be great to see the team on the day we actually look like we may have something close to everyone available.
Either way in stadium or not, whatever team is put out no doubt Saracens will hear the ring of everyone in Ulster against them when they step out into Ravenhill
SUFTUM

clivemcl wrote:So here, what on earth are we going to do with the second and back row for the QF?

Muller Tuohy Henderson Henry Diack Williams Wilson Ferris

Its gutting that some of these names won't even be in the match day squad...

I would seriously feel for Diack if he gets squeezed out after the season he has had.

I thin they wil lall make the match day squad as I think we wil lgo for a 6-2 split

Bottom line is other a scrum half Gilroy is th only standout back to put on the bench.
I think we will start with Tuohy if he has a full game against Cardiff + Muller, Wilson, Willaims, Henry
Bench: Henderson, Ferris, Diack - some bench !

If I am wrong and we go 5-3 the third back will be McCloskey

Notch wrote:Yeah, it's gonna be a close call on his fitness I think. I can't see the decision be made early.

Interesting that we might be bringing back Humphreys AND signing O'Hagan. I'm very concerned about getting another lock in though.

I would say iHumph is coming home to wind down.

He will be backup to start, and will be phased out as O'Hagan progresses.

O'Hagan is pretty young still I think? 19 or 20?

You don't know what length of contracts we are talking here. iHumph is 32 next month. He may only get a year to fill the gap in O'Hagans step up.

O'Hagan is 20 I think

IHumph will be 2 years I beleive

A Lock remains the intended big NIQ signing

Wouldn't be a fan of Williams starting against Saracens. Not had as good a season as Diack, not as good a player in my view, not at full match fitness and last season Saracens well and truly worked him out and will identify him as a weak link in our carrying game in terms of ball security and win turnovers off him.

Diack on the other hand is exactly the kind of player we need against Saracens. High work rate, technically solid, will rack up the tackles and contribute a LOT more at the breakdown both when we are on defence and on attack. Saracens are sure to target us at the breakdown when we have the ball again and the last thing we need is Nick Williams putting his head down, carrying the ball in one hand and getting himself isolated.

I will be hugely worried if the back row is anything other than Diack, Henry, Wilson. For me the only debate over Nick Williams is whether he features as an impact sub, or isn't included at all. He carries hard but he turns the ball over waaaay too much to be staring for Ulster in a big game. Not when Diack and Wilson are playing well.

Ian Humphreys returns to the offices at Ravenhill to sign his new contract;

Spoiler:

I actually agree with you but I get the impression that pre Ferris return
Wilson, Williams, Henry has been Anscombe go to back row if every one is 100%

Now given Williams recent MIA if he has any doubts Diack will start and Williams will join Hendo and 1F on the bench - which would be interesting

I suspect the Cardiff team will reveal a lot as it will be as close to the Saracens team as possible with the thinking get them off after 50mins if the job is done

I'd start Henderson as well. Tuohy is a definite starter if fit but he's coming back from a layoff whereas Henderson is coming back from the high of being in the Ireland squad and has more game time. Only concern is Hendersons discipline.

That why I said Tuohy starting is conditional on a full 80 mins against Cardiff.
If he is not ready for that he will not start against Saracens - if he is he will

Fair enough, it's still a bit early to be picking the team- a lot of players need to get more game time under their belts.

http://www.translink.co.uk/selfie/

Translink competition with the prize being two tickets to the QF, who's brave enough to enter  

Notch wrote:Fair enough, it's still a bit early to be picking the team- a lot of players need to get more game time under their belts.

Not really in his own mind I am sure Anscombe has picked the team - pending certain performances against Cardiff - Tuohy, Williams and Ferris being the ones with something to prove

Williams has been carrying a knock but should be OK for the Blues. I'd heard Rory will be rested but angry Andy and cheeky Chris will be back in the fold. Tuohy should be fit to start as will 1F.

Sean O'Hagan is a done deal, and AFAIK even though he was playing U20s this year (before his injury), he's a year young.

Herbst rumour firming up as is a top lock.

However the club seem to have tighten up a lot re rumours this year.
More professional but frustrating for those of us trying to get infor.

The club is not the sieve it was

This is really worth a look if you haven't got a ticket yet.

http://www.errigle.com/events/2014-events/march-2014/match-ticket-event.aspx

BelfastDickVet wrote:This is really worth a look if you haven't got a ticket yet.

http://www.errigle.com/events/2014-events/march-2014/match-ticket-event.aspx

Good luck to anyone going to it, some of us have to sit through a talk on micro financing instead  

Justin Fitzpatrick is now Forwards Coach of the USA national team; Ulster Rugby should be tracking his progress as a possible long-term option...

http://usarugby.org/mens-eagles-coaches

Neil McMillan on their coaching staff as well! Wondered what happened to him. It's weird how the Assistant coaches both have far more on their CV than the Head Coach.

I got a couple of west terrace/Prom tickets for the Ulster Leinster game for someone I know. Did not take into account the reduced mobility of one of them. If any of you have 2 seats and fancy swapping for West terrace let me know. Will pay any difference in price.

Thanks chaps and chapesses.

Sorry we're in the same part of the ground. Hope you get sorted.

Ruan not being risked against Cardiff

Macklin away to Rotherham

Rory out with a slight rib injury - will ok next week.

Team seems to be - Court, Herring, Afoa, Tuohy, Muller, Ferris, Williams, Henry, Heaney, Jackson, Trimble, Marshall, Cave, Bowe, Payne

Gees things not looking great for the QF, we could be doing with getting a closer to full strength side on the pitch than that.

Not liking the unsettled look of the backrow either - I'd forget about starting Ferris - start Henderson at 6, with Wilson at 8. Use Ferris and Diack from the bench.

If that's the starting back row for the sarries game we're in trouble I think. They easily dealt with Williams last year and he was in far better form then than now.

Saracens are a brutal side and not the team for Ferris to continue his rehabilitation against - at least not from the start - if he's not 100% I'd forget about starting him.

rodders Diack and Wilson have played more than most, they deserve a well earned rest and given the chance to freshen up for the QF

Ferris and Williams need game time and if Ferris comes through the Cardiff game it'll be a good sign for his ankle

Yes not disputing that Marty but really you want to get the full team out in advance of the QF as the units haven't played together since before the 6N.

The lack of consistency in the backrow plus Rory and Ruan not starting would worry me with no more games to prepare for the QF. Injuries can't be helped but this isn't ideal preparation I think.

I agree with rodders, it's worrying me. I hope Cowboy at least puts Diack and Wilson back in for next weeks game... a half-cooked Ferris and Williams just isn't the way to go against Saracens.

We should forget about 'winning in style' against Saracens. The more expansive rugby we play the more we'll let them into the game- give me three scrappers in the back row please. Pretty worried to see Tommy talking about opening up against Saracens. Our error rate is too high to run a lot of ball in a quarter-final.

I know what you mean rodders and it is a worry but you have to strike a balance and not burn players out

Saracens are lucky they aren't missing some players through suspension for it after some of the tackles and cheap shots during their game with Harlequins last week

Thanks guys, you've officially got my stomach in knots a week early!   

It would be a huge mistake to leave out Diack for the QF (like last year actually) after the season he is having, he is also extremely good at the breakdown for a blindside. Wilson should also start at 8. Use Ferris,Williams and Henderson (covers 2nd row) for massive impacts off the bench.

If Anscombe doesn't pick Diack again in the same fixture, against the same opponents, I think serious questions will be asked if we lose! After the doing we got at the breakdown much of our focus should be on supporting the ball carrier and making the clean-out as quick and efficient as possible. If it's Ferris and Williams, I can see it now- a fully fit Ferris is no slouch at the breakdown but he's undoubtedly rusty after such a long lay-off. The parts of his game that rely on natural power and athleticism will be quicker to get up to full speed than the trickier, technical parts of his game.

Please, please pick Diack and Wilson along Chris Henry and Chris Henrys nose.

If Ferris comes through Saturday unscathed he will start in the 1/4 - he's the last person Saracens want to see lining out against them. Ulster will probably go a 6/2 split so Henderson, Diack and Williams on the bench.

Wilson will start next week absolutely no question - he could do with a rest though.
Played more than anybody. Good call I say.

If Tuohy comes through ok he will start as well

Literally the only decision for next week is who starts in the backrow with Henry and Wilson - 4 to choose from
Williams, 1F, Diack, Henderson

The Great Aukster wrote:If Ferris comes through Saturday unscathed he will start in the 1/4 - he's the last person Saracens want to see lining out against them. Ulster will probably go a 6/2 split so Henderson, Diack and Williams on the bench.

Mistake imo, as i don't think he has a 80min performance at the highest level in him yet.

Get him on the bench and bring him on for the last 20-25, imagine the huge boost to his team mates to see 1F comes in if it's a close game.

McKinney to Rotherham as well - the clear out gathers speed

I'm on Team Diack! Last year I thought he was treated shabbily enough, we went to the RDS and he was one of our best players in a very good win... dropped the week after.

Team is as follows Geoff right as usual!

Ulster XV and replacements to face Cardiff Blues, RaboDirect PRO12, Arms Park, Saturday 29th March (kick off 18:30) (15-9): J Payne, T Bowe, D Cave, L Marshall, A Trimble, P Jackson, M Heaney; (1-8): T Court, R Herring, J Afoa, J Muller (Captain), D Tuohy, S Ferris, C Henry, N Williams; Replacements (16-23): N Annett, A Warwick, R Lutton, I Henderson, R Diack, S Doyle, P Marshall, C Gilroy.

VinceWLB wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:If Ferris comes through Saturday unscathed he will start in the 1/4 - he's the last person Saracens want to see lining out against them. Ulster will probably go a 6/2 split so Henderson, Diack and Williams on the bench.

Mistake imo, as i don't think he has a 80min performance at the highest level in him yet.

Get him on the bench and bring him on for the last 20-25, imagine the huge boost to his team mates to see 1F comes in if it's a close game.

If Ferris comes through the Blues game then he will obviously have had an 80 minute game in him. It's pretty likely that Anscombe will go with a 6/2 split next week as well so Ferris doesn't need an 80 minute game anyway, he can wreck havoc for as long as he can to build a lead. Saracens aren't good chasers so Ulster will be putting maximum pressure on them from the first whistle to build as big a lead as they can.

McCall will be far more worried about seeing Ferris starting than Diack - so will Farrell. The crowd will be up for the game but Ferris will immediately involve them, and Ulster will want that as much and as early as possible. He is the one of the best backrows in the world - so if he comes through on Saturday unscathed, he should start against Saracens.

The big worry is whether Tom Court makes it through unscathed... but this is massive chance for us with Leinster and Munster playing and Glasgow and Ospreys playing. We've got a pretty rough run-in so if we can nab a couple of bonus point wins against Cardiff and Connacht that could be crucial...

Wiehahn Herbst has been officially annnounced. Signed up for 3 years. He any good?

Apparently. Hope his wife likes the rain!

Ah well if she doesnt theres always sunny............Gloucester   

Her husbands going to be an Irishman so she may just get used to it

Yeah he is highly regarded and plays on either side of the scrum from the snippets I had heard of. Could be a good signing as long as he doesn't get a free pass to visit home at every opportunity.

Why don't ulster play diack at 8?

We have two guys who play there already- Diack has actually really reinvented himself as a blindside. When he came he was really a footballing number 8 but now he's a proper blindside.

Pleased to see us get a tight head to sign on the dotted line. He'll add to a very mobile front row. Will start a match thread for Cardiff Blues vs Ulster momentarily.

Paddy McAllister away as well! Worrying loss. Hope he comes back sooner rather than later.

Where are you getting the Paddy Mc info? Where is he away to?

Dunno, possibly Rotherham. Seen it said about McAllister in several different places.

I love Andy T's typical Ulster sense of humour in this.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26774469

About him, Rory, Chris etc not knowing what the form was on the pitch at the end of the France game and having to ask the Leinster lads what you do when you win something !

  

I see no reason why a Wilson, Henry, Williams backrow isn't good enough for Sarries. Bear in mind we started Henderson at 6 against them last year and coupled with Williams and a half fit Henry at 7 that's what did for us. Wilson and Henry did plenty of grunt work in the Leicester game and in fairness Williams did too with plenty of turnovers.

Now since then big Nick has had his jaunt to NZ so I don't know if that changes things but I wouldn't be surprised to see the three of them again. The only thing I would be wary of is the lack of a lineout presence in the backrow if we go for the same backrow as Leicester away.