Ulster 2014/2015

by **Notch** Mon May 19, 2014 11:16 pm

First topic message reminder :

Details of pre-season games to confirmed- we take on Exeter Chiefs at Ravenhill on Friday the 22nd August and then travel to Donnybrook to face Leinster on Friday the 29th August. On the transfer front, it seems like our business for the year is concluded. Second row looks strong and our back line is stronger than ever, but there are concerns about our depth in the front row and back row of the pack. A lot depends on Wiehahn Herbst turning out to be a hit and Chris Henry staying fit- our decision to spend a valuable NIQ spot on Louis Ludik and Sean Doyles departure leaves us exposed at open side with two new, extremely untested players in Reidy and Butterworth vying to be Henrys understudy. Rob Herring is another player who needs to avoid injury at all costs. Niall Annett has been allowed to leave along with Brady in recent seasons and the 3rd choice hooker is not obvious. With seedings in Europe determined by league performance, Ulster may very well rue their lack of depth in the forward pack come May.

Players Out
Johann Muller (retired), Paddy Wallace (retired), Stephen Ferris (retired), Chris Cochrane (retired), Chris Farrell (Grenoble), Niall Annett (Worcester), John Afoa (Gloucester), Tom Court (London Irish), James McKinney (Rotherham), David McIlwaine (Rotherham), Paddy McAllister (Aurillac), Sean Doyle (ACT Brumbies), Adam Macklin (Rotherham), Ian Porter (Connacht)

Players In
Franco van der Merwe (Golden Lions), Louis Ludik (Agen), Wiehahn Herbst (Natal Sharks), Ruaidhrí Murphy (ACT Brumbies), Dave Ryan (Zebre), Ian Humphreys (London Irish), Charlie Butterworth (Lansdowne), Sean Reidy (Counties Manukau)

Ulster don't do turbulent off seasons but if we did...

We've also been rocked with the seismic revelation David Humphreys is leaving the province- indeed has already left- for Gloucester. Anscombe was slated to be seeing out the last year of his contract before being quietly let go but the Humphreys bombshell left him as the odd man out, and he's been pushed out the door. The decision was partly because he was hired to work under a Director of Rugby and Ulster are looking for someone with more experience in the market to take on Humphreys role in addition to the coaching responsibilities. As usual, the rumour mill is on overdrive and opinions are polarised- but this is Ulster Rugby after all. Les Kiss is our interim Director of Rugby and it seems Allen Clarke is filling the role of forwards coach in the short term. More changes or appointments could be forthcoming.

If all that wasn't enough we've been dealt a real group of death in the new Champions Cup- double-winners Toulon will brave the Ravenhill roar along with old friends Leicester Tigers and old foes the Scarlets. All in all, this team should be capable of securing a Top 4 finish at the very least in the Pro12 and we need to target the top two, our prospects in Europe look more occluded- it might come down to best runners-up and our pool promises to be tight and competitive.

Opening fixtures

F; Exeter Chiefs (H)
F; Leinster (A)

Pro12; Scarlets (A)
Pro12; Zebre (H)
Pro12; Cardiff Blues (A)
Pro12; Zebre (A)
Pro12; Edinburgh (H)

by The Great Aukster Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:27 am

Is is fairly obvious from the evidence of the last four seasons that Ulster's top 23 can compete with anyone but the stark truth is that when the business end of the season arrives too many of them are injured or fatigued.

To compete on both fronts Ulster need a bigger more experienced squad. They can't buy that quality in so they have to develop their own. That's going to take time and until then Ulster should settle to be competitive in one competition and use the other one to develop their players.

by **Notch** Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:30 am

Well, we will never use the European Cup to 'develop our players' as that is the biggest mover of season tickets. You never see Ireland fielding development sides in the Six Nations for the same reason and you will never, ever see an Irish province go anything but full tilt at Europe. You would be killing the goose that lays the golden egg.

by Welly Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:31 am

I'm more confident in the tigers set up this season than I was last season.

Made some very good signings in areas needed, hopefully less injuries.

Also have signed a Aus rugby league defence coach which was very poor last season.

Bring it on.

by **Notch** Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:37 am

The prospect of going to Toulon and Leicester may be daunting, but in terms of them coming to Ravenhill you have two guaranteed sell-outs right there and a potentially big spike in season ticket sales. That paying public wants to see Ulster going all-out to win this pool.

by asoreleftshoulder Wed Jun 11, 2014 1:06 am

[quote="rodders"]I don't think its too bad a draw actually - Munster's is worse.

Toulon won't fancy the kingspan, we have a good record against the Tigers and whatever about the Scarlets we can win our home games comfortably and 2 on the road.

I do agree that the League has to be high priority but wouldn't throw the towel in here although its hard to look past the big guns in England and France./quote]

Bar Toulon it's pretty easy to look past them all imo,Clermont have a fierce home record but seem to be a team in decline and the new coaching ticket could improve things or make them worse,who knows.Racing are improving but I think it'll be another season or two before they are a real force,Toulouse are a busted flush and Castres and Montpellier always seem to promise big things but never deliver.

Sarries and Leicester could only qualify as runners up last year and Northampton are the only other English team that are a threat,they're 3 decent teams but I wouldn't be fearing them.

by The Great Aukster Wed Jun 11, 2014 2:16 am

Notch wrote:Well, we will never use the European Cup to 'develop our players' as that is the biggest mover of season tickets. You never see Ireland fielding development sides in the Six Nations for the same reason and you will never, ever see an Irish province go anything but full tilt at Europe. You would be killing the goose that lays the golden egg.

Players need exposure at the highest level to let them know what standard they need to achieve. Obviously Ulster won't be putting Ravens sides out against Toulon, that would be ridiculous. For example we keep saying that Ulster have Marshall, Olding, Cave, Payne, and McCloskey competing for centre spots and they are all potentially good enough. How can they be good enough if there is no confidence to try them in the biggest games? Do they have to wait in the wings for an injury to give them a chance? Eddie O'Sullivan thought he could win things with a team of undroppables but in tournaments of any length that strategy was exposed time and again when they couldn't last the course.

Perhaps the season ticket holders are happy to put their heads in the sand and believe that Ulster can suddenly unearth squad depth at the flick of a switch, but already some fans are complaining about Ulster's lack of seeding because the wheels came off at the end of the league season. The League will be much tougher next season, because those not in the ERC Cup will prioritise the league and develop their players in the Challenge Cup. Would the season ticket holders be happy with another quarter, semi or final loss in the Cup and losing out on qualifying to Connacht in the League?

by SecretFly Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:10 pm

Reading between the lines, Logan seems more charmed that the Great Warrior Army and Victors of many Battles in the Great European Wars - Toulon - are actually going to grace Ulster with their Magnificent Presence, Medals and actually set foot in his new Stadium........ more than he's ready to beat the bejaysus out of them when they do show up!

To Hell with Toulon.

If the Pro12 bosses and teams start bowing before the Great Ones for coming to our shores with their World Class Gods, if Provincial bosses begin to think of the money they'll get from filling new stadiums by 'attracting' Heroic and Brilliant Top Class Heavily Decorated European Sides to their new stadiums, then the battle is already lost, even before the first shots are fired in this new European war.

It just seemed very pointed that Logan was highlighting the economic issues (new stadium, probably best club stadium in Europe, crowds that will come, crowd attractors Toulon being icing on a cake) rather than suggesting his side will want to brush Toulon aside and move on with a shoulder shrug of no big deal.

Fighting talk is all I want to hear, and I know Logan didn't exactly raise a white flag in his other comments. But no cowpat genuflecting talk about the Great Ones from Central Europe (Top Top14 sides) coming to actually be amongst us little Pro12 guys. Toulon have only won one more HEC than Ulster. They're just another side to be dropped off their perch.

by geoff998rugby Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:19 pm

Lets be clear we will not be experimenting in the first two games - absolutely no chance.
However if we lost both we would priorities the Pro12.
Likewise if we were out of it after the head to head we would do likewise.
Whilst we have a good chance of qualifying we will go for it.

In previous years we would have played the strongest team regardless in the first 5 games.
The change is a marginal one but a sensible one.

by geoff998rugby Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:24 pm

Something mentioned on the 'darkside' which is worthy of note.

Basically soccer is losing out to Rugby in attracting 15 to 19 years olds in Ulster.
We have been making a big effort, including areas previously not visited (both sides of the border) and now have 250 kids in that age bracket who are undergoing some sort of managed training program.

This is the way to go.

Apparantly soccer clubs are noticing a big down turn in interest by young lads as they are now losing out to both GAA and rugby.

Also heard from a different quarter that most of the Irish league teams are on their last legs and have unsustainable debts.

As someone who totally disillusioned with football, and find the local variety a joke (they are no better than I was - and that ain't very good) if it helps rugby develop -bring it on.

by SecretFly Wed Jun 11, 2014 12:47 pm

geoff998rugby wrote:
The change is a marginal one but a sensible one.

The change - and yes, perhaps a good few sides will feel the compulsion to be 'sensible' depending on results - is that European Progress becomes even easier still for the heavily moneyed sides. Side that wilt will stop trying. But trying is the keys to the kingdom of actually surprising the bookies.

Rather than prioritisation of competitions based on the need to 'qualify' in the first place to actually have a chance in Europe; rather than get into the English cycle of trying hard in their league to get to Europe and then not having the puff left to succeed in it, I think Pro12 (or more particularly Irish Provincial sides) must simply drive, drive and drive the idea that wise use of Academy and lesser players should continue even more resolutely than before rather than dissolve.
Pro12 MUST be used as a training ground now more than ever for young promising players to reach the grade. Coaches must have the confidence in their abilities to be able to contruct and trust sides that use more of their younger geener players in certain Pro12 games. Don't be dragged into the Catch 22 graveyard of believing you need your best players shooting hard in Pro12 in order to qualify for the top European contest, only to concede success in that contest because of the efforts required to get there. That's just a recipe for a downward spiral.
Pro12 has the chance to become an exiting brand where younger players charge through games with a fire and reckless industry that makes the more guarded and professional pacing of older players look pedestrian and yesteryear. Embrace the Pro12 as a testing ground for eager youthful players looking to make European grade quality.

by marty2086 Wed Jun 11, 2014 1:14 pm

geoff998rugby wrote:Something mentioned on the 'darkside' which is worthy of note.

Basically soccer is losing out to Rugby in attracting 15 to 19 years olds in Ulster.
We have been making a big effort, including areas previously not visited (both sides of the border) and now have 250 kids in that age bracket who are undergoing some sort of managed training program.

This is the way to go.

Apparantly soccer clubs are noticing a big down turn in interest by young lads as they are now losing out to both GAA and rugby.

Also heard from a different quarter that most of the Irish league teams are on their last legs and have unsustainable debts.

As someone who totally disillusioned with football, and find the local variety a joke (they are no better than I was - and that ain't very good) if it helps rugby develop -bring it on.

geoff, is the hope that this will also boost the ranks of the local clubs and improve their fortunes in the AIL?

The problem with local football is that the big wigs at the IFA don't care, the international game is their focus because it makes them money and all the while local clubs don't have the money or proper infrastructure to develop the local game.

by SecretFly Wed Jun 11, 2014 1:22 pm

marty2086 wrote:

The problem with local football is that the big wigs at the IFA don't care, the international game is their focus because it makes them money and all the while local clubs don't have the money or proper infrastructure to develop the local game.

Is 'local football' - both sides of the border - a premonition of where rugby might be in 10 or 15 year's time with the IRFU not caring about the home game as most of their International hopefuls ply their trade in England or Europe, and all Irish fans seem to have a variety of external European side as 'their personal "home" clubs'?

Local football might be suffering now and considered a relic of the past, but it might actually be a mirror to a future for local rugby if we're not careful.

by geoff998rugby Wed Jun 11, 2014 1:45 pm

The big big difference is we have the Provinces which are sustainable professional teams - soccer didn't have that.

At club level both soccer and rugby are not able to compete with the big boys of Europe.
Rugby can aurvice professionally if the provinces are managed right and IRFU actively pursue policies to keep players in Ireland as they are now.

Marty it is indeed the hope that many of those 250 go on to play AIB rugby as opposed to joining the Coleraine, Glentoran and Portadown soccer teams.

by marty2086 Wed Jun 11, 2014 1:48 pm

Fly this is why I'm asking about the AIL and the strategy of the IRFU and the Ulster, geoff mentioned numerous times about the likes of Macklin and McAllister coming back from long layoffs but not being able to get up to standard because the Ulster clubs aren't playing at a sufficient level and the Ravens not playing enough games.

A better standard can help retain some of the younger players who are currently are heading to England and now France to get the game time they need and build some of the depth that Ulster need.

by **Notch** Wed Jun 11, 2014 2:24 pm

The movement of Cooney and Roux to Connacht on loan raises questions of when Ulster might benefit from something similar- both in strengthening areas where we are weak and giving decent players who have left/are going to leave Ulster an option to stay in Ireland by moving sideways to another province.

by Monkeyan Wed Jun 11, 2014 2:49 pm

geoff998rugby wrote:Something mentioned on the 'darkside' which is worthy of note.

Basically soccer is losing out to Rugby in attracting 15 to 19 years olds in Ulster.
We have been making a big effort, including areas previously not visited (both sides of the border) and now have 250 kids in that age bracket who are undergoing some sort of managed training program.

This is the way to go.

Apparantly soccer clubs are noticing a big down turn in interest by young lads as they are now losing out to both GAA and rugby.

Also heard from a different quarter that most of the Irish league teams are on their last legs and have unsustainable debts.

As someone who totally disillusioned with football, and find the local variety a joke (they are no better than I was - and that ain't very good) if it helps rugby develop -bring it on.

I can only speak for what I have witnessed at my club, but over the past couple of years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of GAA guys coming along to try their hand at rugby. I think the fact that rugby is increasingly seen as a politically neutral sport is part of the appeal.

by **Notch** Wed Jun 11, 2014 6:03 pm

Funniest thing I've read in yonks- Saracens complained to Ulster after the Heineken Cup quarter-final about the crowd! See comments;

http://whiffofcordite.com/2014/06/11/end-of-an-era-2/

What an absolute shower of bar stewards Laugh

by marty2086 Wed Jun 11, 2014 6:32 pm

Notch wrote:Funniest thing I've read in yonks- Saracens complained to Ulster after the Heineken Cup quarter-final about the crowd! See comments;

http://whiffofcordite.com/2014/06/11/end-of-an-era-2/

What an absolute shower of bar stewards

'first home knockout game, and first final – lots of successes'

Headscratch

by **Notch** Wed Jun 11, 2014 6:36 pm

Qualified successes.

by geoff998rugby Thu Jun 12, 2014 12:36 pm

And the bad news news just keeps coming

Mike Ennis who has been on the backroom staff for 6 years has gone into a coma whilst on holiday

Word is Brendan O'Connor not interested in being Chris Henrys backup.
They may be non NIQ backrower signing now.

I need a break roll on 6th July and my hols............ censored

by clivemcl Thu Jun 12, 2014 12:54 pm

Weirdly, when a players says he’s ‘not interested in being a backup’. They are basically saying that they aren’t as good as that player, and don’t believe they can be better given time. That lack of ambition isn’t overly attractive.

So the IRFU are allowing us another NIQ then?

by Standulstermen Thu Jun 12, 2014 1:25 pm

He is currently backup anyway. I suppose it depends on how much ££££ it would take to be a backup half a world away for him

by Pete330v2 Thu Jun 12, 2014 1:28 pm

If his heart's not in it he'd be better off staying where he is, we don't want another Afoagate Smile

by **Notch** Thu Jun 12, 2014 2:45 pm

Indeed. God, this is the worst summer in a long time for Ulster Rugby...

Very sad news about Mike Ennis. Thoughts with him and his family.

by geoff998rugby Thu Jun 12, 2014 2:57 pm

by geoff998rugby Thu Jun 12, 2014 2:59 pm

O'Connor may not make the first XV if all are available but he does seem to get into the team as soon as someone is missing - with Kaino being so versatile.
Doubt he would be certain of that coming here.

by geoff998rugby Thu Jun 12, 2014 3:03 pm

clivemcl wrote:Weirdly, when a players says he’s ‘not interested in being a backup’. They are basically saying that they aren’t as good as that player, and don’t believe they can be better given time. That lack of ambition isn’t overly attractive.

So the IRFU are allowing us another NIQ then?

I think that is very unfair.
He knows Henry is key to the Ireland set up and will get preference, if only from IRFU directives.
He may actually like Auckland and prefer playing there.

As to a NIQ - No and I do not think they should.
Does show to me the stupidity of signing Ludik to accomodate the desire of Payne to play 13.
Unless a southerner comes north or Butterworth can make the jump from AIB to Pro12 to be honest I think we could be screwed

We have made our bed and we will need to lie in it

by marty2086 Thu Jun 12, 2014 3:13 pm

Next season it could be a problem but long term could it be beneficial to some of the young lads in the Academy who may be called upon to fill gaps

by **Notch** Thu Jun 12, 2014 3:25 pm

That NIQ fullback where we have a young talent in Nelson and an established star in Payne looks like really good business now.

Chris Henry is never allowed to get injured.

by clivemcl Thu Jun 12, 2014 3:32 pm

geoff998rugby wrote:And the bad news news just keeps coming

Mike Ennis who has been on the backroom staff for 6 years has gone into a coma whilst on holiday

Word is Brendan O'Connor not interested in being Chris Henrys backup.
They may be non NIQ backrower signing now.

I need a break roll on 6th July and my hols............

Sorry Geoff, I think I read this in a different way to you intended it.

Not to be a stirrer, but do you think Humph and Anscombe maybe didn’t see eye to eye on the Payne to 13 and NIQ full back thing?

Or is that just me hoping too much that Davey didn’t leave us with a dodgy last act as DOR?

by geoff998rugby Thu Jun 12, 2014 4:36 pm

Sorry Clive very badly expressed - should have said
'There may be no backrower signing now from outside Ireland'
I think discussions for a southerner to come north are under way.
No idea who though and no idea if any realistic chance of success.

I dont think Humphreys leaving has anything to do with Anscombe and the way he has conducted himself.
Humphrey has done what he thinks is best for him - in any conflict internally if Humphreys had fallen out with Anscombe Anscombes feet would not have touched the ground as he was kicked out the door.

I do know that some of his comments regarding Payne, McKinney and Nelson have been badly received at both management and staff levels

by clivemcl Thu Jun 12, 2014 5:13 pm

Well then, it does appear that the Doc hasn't had a great last season on the squad contracts front. Surely Anscombe and Humph are aware that the backrow is a bit of a problem now. SUrely we knew the writing was on the wall re Ferris before deal was done with Ludik.

Maybe there wasn't any NIQ backrowers willing to come though. Maybe we looked at full back after coming up short on an NIQ backrower.

Either way, failure to secure signings in backrow is exactly that - failure.

Here's hoping we get somebody to come up north. Its either that, or rely on Joyce and Dow next year unless we are very lucky.

by SecretFly Thu Jun 12, 2014 5:33 pm

Clivemci??? Humph????

Humph: "And another thing.................. oh there's my phone................. another thing, and the most important thing we have to.................. who is this anyway?........ the most important thing we have to get nailed down for next year is backrow alterna.............................. yes, .......................yes............................ yes.................. sorry guys, that was Gloucester. Well, I'm outta here folks. Just got a new job. Bye!!!!"

by clivemcl Thu Jun 12, 2014 5:37 pm

Are you suggesting that Humph didn’t try to sort it because he knew he was leaving? I think thats unfair.

by SecretFly Thu Jun 12, 2014 5:45 pm

I'm not no. I'm just having a joke at the expense of the rapidity of Humph's departure.

But now that you brought it up!!!!.... someone should ask him how long he had been chatting with Gloucester, why he hadn't informed Ulster that he was looking to leave; - and yeah, maybe someone should ask him too if his thoughts of leaving, and who he might want to be hiring at Gloucester, interfered with his thought processes about Ulster's future. Yep, maybe some journalists should follow him down to Gloucester and ask him a few things.

by marty2086 Thu Jun 12, 2014 6:43 pm

Fly, Shane Logan in his statement said that they always expected this so the idea that he was looking to leave isn't necessarily true. The right offer can tempt anyone in any role. He owes no one an explanation and if asked do you think he would say he gave anything less than 100% to Ulster after the approach?

by SecretFly Thu Jun 12, 2014 6:55 pm

I'll 'hmmm' most of that and move along, marty.

And the 'hmmmm' wouldn't in any way be making light of your comments, but merely me not being altogether sure about the idea that a guy making big plans for a new year in one place can so suddenly realise he wants to be somewhere's else.
If a guy's mind is drifting to new shores/new challenges over the course of some months or even a year then his mind is on what he'd be doing at his new home rather than fully on the challenges of home. The mind just can't be everywhere. It prioritises.
No big deal, and again I'm not blaming a man for furthering his personal career - but 100% is a relative idea in such circumstances.

by marty2086 Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:33 pm

SecretFly wrote:I'll 'hmmm' most of that and move along, marty.

And the 'hmmmm' wouldn't in any way be making light of your comments, but merely me not being altogether sure about the idea that a guy making big plans for a new year in one place can so suddenly realise he wants to be somewhere's else.
If a guy's mind is drifting to new shores/new challenges over the course of some months or even a year then his mind is on what he'd be doing at his new home rather than fully on the challenges of home. The mind just can't be everywhere. It prioritises.
No big deal, and again I'm not blaming a man for furthering his personal career - but 100% is a relative idea in such circumstances.

If said plans are not coming together because of the change in circumstances faced by Ulster and Gloucester show up with a nice pay bump, a squad all set for next season, a bigger budget to work with and no pesky limits on NEQ players why would he not decide that that challenge is worth taking up.

Throw in the blueprint Ulster have used to develop rugby in the province and the World Cup in England next year it's a great chance to create something there.

by geoff998rugby Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:40 pm

What Logan said was he always expected Humphreys to move but not now.
Humphries is an ambitious man and his long term goal is a job in Dublin - Logan knows that - he just didn't expect him to go now

On the quality of signings there simple isn't the same money for NIQ players - that is true for all Provinces.

The days of the Afoa, Muller, Elsom, Howletts of this world are over.
I suspect Botha and Pienaer will be the last big players.
This has been further compounded by being the year before the WC.
Look at the NIQ across the board, in Munster, Leinster and Ulster not the same quality as in the past.

Munster - Botha 2015, Stander 2016*, Van den Heever 2015*, Bleyendaal 2017*, Smith 2015*
Ulster - Herbst 2017*, Van der Merwe 2016, Williams 2016, Pienaar 2017, Ludik 2016*
Leinster - Douglas 2017, Roux 2015, Gopperth 2015, Kirchner 2015.

* NIQ as opposed to NIE i.e could become an Irishman

by **Notch** Thu Jun 12, 2014 8:11 pm

geoff998rugby wrote:Sorry Clive very badly expressed - should have said
'There may be no backrower signing now from outside Ireland'
I think discussions for a southerner to come north are under way.
No idea who though and no idea if any realistic chance of success.

Help us Obi Wan Nucifora. You're our only hope.

by clivemcl Thu Jun 12, 2014 9:46 pm

geoff998rugby wrote:

The days of the Afoa, Muller, Elsom, Howletts of this world are over.
I suspect Botha and Pienaer will be the last big players.

Not helped by the fact rivalry among the provinces (among other factors) means Irish players are more likely to move to france or england rather than elsewhere within Ireland. It leaves clubs with no options but graduating academy or SH mediocrity.

This really needs addressed. IRFU need to get involved. Stuart McCloskey starting for emerging ireland, and yet due to be behind Marshall, Olding and Cave at 12 next season.
He should be at Connacht or Munster, if only on loan. Getting game time, and giving the country as a whole more (experienced) options and more competition for green shirts. Whilst potentially improving results at all FOUR clubs, which in turn improves revenue.

I reckon some players lack ambition. playing the odd game for their own club is their dreams come true. Do they dream any higher? Are they not willing to go north/west/south in a bid to gain experience?

by geoff999rugby Thu Jun 12, 2014 9:52 pm

Either players move between provinces or I fear our desire to pick players only playing in Ireland will not succeed.

The next three years are absolutely vital - I agree Nucifora is key.

by neilthom7 Fri Jun 13, 2014 1:16 pm

Ulster have just confirmed the signings of 2 new back rows Charlie Butterworth a 7 or 6 who was playing for Lansdowne and Sean Reidy a utility back row who was playing in new Zealand for Counties Manukau Steelers but is Irish qualified through his grandfather.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestNews/TabId/149/ArtMID/793/ArticleID/1578/Ulster-Rugby-signs-Butterworth-and-Reidy.aspx

by geoff999rugby Fri Jun 13, 2014 1:36 pm

What is interesting is as written it implies Butterworth is a full contract, before the indications were he was a development contract.
Reidy has probably been given a 6 month contract the same way Ian Porter was

Both affectively on trial

So we have got someone from outside Ireland - albeit for 6 months

Depth wise a players from Leinster would still be useful I suspect that is the only outstanding issue squad wise for next year.
Other than Fitzpatricks health which is still undecided I believe.

by **rodders** Fri Jun 13, 2014 1:40 pm

Well there we go then - players moving North, backrow cover in place, who needs humph anyways...long live kingspan! bring on Toulon..... Run

by geoff999rugby Sat Jun 14, 2014 4:46 pm

I actually would put my money on our squad being set now with the only decision being over Fitzpatrick and which Development squad players will get full contract

Warwick, McCall, McCloskey and Scholes seem the mot likely

by **Notch** Sat Jun 14, 2014 4:55 pm

This interview with Ferris underlines how his decision to retire really was inevitable and unavoidable;

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/stephen-ferris-rugby-1516682-Jun2014/

Sad to read- he really tried everything but his ankle was never going to let him back for long. And he'll need to live with that for the rest of his days Crying or Very sad

by **Notch** Tue Jun 17, 2014 2:24 pm

Updated the OP. Pre-season games confirmed;

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestNews/TabId/149/ArtMID/793/ArticleID/1584/Ulster-Rugby-Confirm-Pre-season-Friendlies.aspx

by Pete330v2 Tue Jun 17, 2014 3:37 pm

Nice one Notch, I'll be trying my utmost to get up to welcome the Chiefs to The Kings.......Ravenhill.
I'm excited at what the new season holds for Ulster. We surely can't have an injury list like last season. Lady luck has really abandoned us for a season so perhaps we can have a little smooth sailing for the 2014/15 season. I think we'll be just fine Smile

by clivemcl Tue Jun 17, 2014 3:45 pm

The time has come whether by design, or poor fortune - we will never know, but this is these season where we test the final part of the plan. Have our IQs developed to the point where they can do the job with less NIQ stars? Pienaar now is the only real NIQ superstar on our books. The other NIQs are not even guaranteed starters.

Its time for our buys to step up, has it worked? Time will tell. I’m hopeful. If we match last season without Muller and Afoa, I reckon it would be classed as an improvement in development terms.

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