Ulster 2014/2015, Part 4

First topic message reminder :

God we love the sound of our own voices.

Jaysus Sin é you can remember certain games when Leinster and Munster were passionless, try whole seasons. I can remember passionless Ulster seasons. This current one for example. Mind you Ulster have lacked the strategy, discipline, organisation and skill as well this year which still leaves me puzzled as to our position in the league.

Pete330v2 wrote:Jaysus Sin é you can remember certain games when Leinster and Munster were passionless, try whole seasons. I can remember passionless Ulster seasons. This current one for example. Mind you Ulster have lacked the strategy, discipline, organisation and skill as well this year which still leaves me puzzled as to our position in the league.

There have been plenty of passionless performances by Munster & Leinster. I just mention those because the difference between Leinster last year and Leinster this year v. Toulon is what I would refer to as 'passion'.

Munster are usually up for a game in France, but that performance against Toulon stood out as being just horrible a few years back. Munster last two semis (Toulon & Clermont), Munster played with passion, but were just not good enough. I can live with that.

A poster on the other forum just made a very valid and worrying point - Rob Herring has not yet agreed a new contract with us. This has to be our number one off field priority!

Please for the love of all things good, get pen to paper on that one!

Yeah -big priority. Good player. He's tied to Ireland now, so I can't see why he would go. Would he start at any other province?

Don Alfonso wrote:Yeah -big priority. Good player. He's tied to Ireland now, so I can't see why he would go. Would he start at any other province?

How are Munster fixed at hooker for next season? With Varley retiring and Sherrys always injured could he go there?

Casey is coming on rightly but possibly would start.

It seems Munster are in the market for a hooker and were after Agustin Creevy who has now signed for the new team in Argentina. I suppose Eusebio could stay. Duncan Casey has been doing really well. Not sure what the story with Sherry is - he is still injured.

By the way, it seems Munster A and Ravens are going to have another go at each other on neutral grounds (Naas) this time next week (according to Munster website).

Good stuff. Good for a lot of those lads to see gametime.

Same question again lads - which teams have the best chance of helping us out this weekend?

Connacht V Glasgow?
Treviso V Munster?
Cardiff V Ospreys?

In terms of a home semi, I'd like to see either of Glasgow and Munster slip up, while a win for Ospreys would fully close the door on Leinster? Is that mean? I don't care, they've broke our hearts more times than enough!

(I love you really Leinster lads!)

If Connacht play like they did against us in their last match, they are in with a shot. Wouldn't count on it, Glasgow are an excellent side.

Would people still be happy enough if Craig Gilroy isn't selected for the RWC? Currently, he is without a doubt the best winger in Ireland. Even in defence tonight he was absolutely ferocious and he literally seemed to put his body on the line to prevent a try in the final few minutes.

Of course we all know that he is devastating with ball in hand and easily the best finisher in Ireland, but his commitment tonight was exemplary.

Bowe will go the the RWC, so it will be between Trimble and Gilroy for a spot but both won't go.

Yeah, I wouldn't be annoyed at all if he's not considered to be honest. He's my vote for Ulster player of the season but he hasn't featured at all under Schmidt so far- would be interesting if he got a chance in the warm-ups but in Bowe, Zebo and Trimble you have three established wings who are proven at test level and under Schmidt already.

He's excelling in a position where we really are very well served with quality players already, and we have fantastic depth. I think he will feature for Ireland post-World Cup but can't see any compelling reason to change from the incumbents before it.

Bowe
Trimble
Gilroy
Zebo
Earls
Kearney
Fitzgerald

Bowe Kearney Trimble and Zebo are tried and trusted under Joe. Gilroy, Earls and Fitzgerald have all been in blistering form. It's shame two of them will probably miss out.

I have heard mumblings that Trimble may not be fit for the RWC.

That would be a pity about Trimble if it turned out to be true... For me, he and Earls are the only two TRUE backs that have the Extra-factor in this post-BOD era so far. Earls looks really good right now....elusive, hard running - and Hard in contact. I hope he gets an opportunity in the warm-ups to work under Schmidt. Hope he stays injury free even more so.

Fitz - gotta say it - still off the boil for me. Still so prone to a mad dash of....utter madness.

SecretFly wrote:That would be a pity about Trimble if it turned out to be true...  For me, he and Earls are the only two TRUE backs that have the Extra-factor in this post-BOD era so far.  Earls looks really good right now....elusive, hard running - and Hard in contact.  I hope he gets an opportunity in the warm-ups to work under Schmidt.  Hope he stays injury free even more so.  

Fitz - gotta say it - still off the boil for me.  Still so prone to a mad dash of....utter madness.

Earls has indeed looked very good, and I hope he is in the RWC squad.

Thoughts on Gilroy, Fly? Has he impressed you?

There will be no more than 5 back three players in the RWC squad, and Bowe, R Kearney and Zebo will be three of them, so there aren't too many places up for grabs. If Trimble is out that is very bad news for Ulster and Ireland.

An interesting debate on the other forum regarding Ludik. Despite not technically being a project player, his contract will wind up one year short of Irish qualification.

If he is settled here the same way as Ruan and Robbie, do you guys think he is worth trying to keep for that extra year, even though Piatau is coming? Can play 11-15 if needed, and very reliable.

I'm sure though his worth will have went up this year and he would likely get some decent offers from elsewhere rather than becoming a bench player behind Charlie Boy.

Thoughts?

Has Ludik just become a Dad?

Yea, somebody said that.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

SecretFly wrote:That would be a pity about Trimble if it turned out to be true...  For me, he and Earls are the only two TRUE backs that have the Extra-factor in this post-BOD era so far.  Earls looks really good right now....elusive, hard running - and Hard in contact.  I hope he gets an opportunity in the warm-ups to work under Schmidt.  Hope he stays injury free even more so.  

Fitz - gotta say it - still off the boil for me.  Still so prone to a mad dash of....utter madness.

Earls has indeed looked very good, and I hope he is in the RWC squad.

Thoughts on Gilroy, Fly? Has he impressed you?

Rory, I'd have to be very honest and say I'd have to see him again in an International context.  He's is great form.  He has a wonderful attacking instinct.  But I'd just need to see him now again against International paced and physical sides (Wales, England for example)...in defence as well as attack.  Earls will have to prove he has it still at that level too and against the increased International pace that's developed in the last few years.  

If either of them could shine there - in defence, attack and attacking defence (big offensive courageous hits when required) then they'd be a natural for the squad.  We need more Can-openers in this Irish side from our back positions.  Tough to do under Schmidt limiting plans perhaps but I don't think Schmidt is banning creativity so much as it just hasn't showed up with many of the players tried out yet.  

You must do your defensive duties or he won't like you of course, but I think he wants to unearth players that will have it all.  He's goading them to be both - defensively sound and disciplined but also able to genuinely throw off the shackles when moments of inspiration hit.  I think our current crop are too afraid to fail now so they keep safe.  It will need one or two players to say 'f**k it' and just assert themselves in an attacking sense.
I think Trimble was a 'F**k it' kind of player.  He'd had tough times during his International career and just wants to make every opportunity he gets now count.  Yeah, maybe Gilroy is primed for another shot at it now too.

MrsP wrote:Has Ludik just become a Dad?

Ludik and Rory Best have both had baby boys arrive this week

Was just watching Against the Head; first item, Ulster vs Leinster. 10 minutes of discussion on Leinsters issues, signings, etc. Then moved straight on to Munster. Not a single mention of Ulster whatsoever. No discussion of the game whatsoever. What a load of bollox! Show is a complete waste of time.

SecretFly wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

SecretFly wrote:That would be a pity about Trimble if it turned out to be true...  For me, he and Earls are the only two TRUE backs that have the Extra-factor in this post-BOD era so far.  Earls looks really good right now....elusive, hard running - and Hard in contact.  I hope he gets an opportunity in the warm-ups to work under Schmidt.  Hope he stays injury free even more so.  

Fitz - gotta say it - still off the boil for me.  Still so prone to a mad dash of....utter madness.

Earls has indeed looked very good, and I hope he is in the RWC squad.

Thoughts on Gilroy, Fly? Has he impressed you?

Rory, I'd have to be very honest and say I'd have to see him again in an International context.  He's is great form.  He has a wonderful attacking instinct.  But I'd just need to see him now again against International paced and physical sides (Wales, England for example)...in defence as well as attack.  Earls will have to prove he has it still at that level too and against the increased International pace that's developed in the last few years.  

If either of them could shine there - in defence, attack and attacking defence (big offensive courageous hits when required) then they'd be a natural for the squad.  We need more Can-openers in this Irish side from our back positions.  Tough to do under Schmidt limiting plans perhaps but I don't think Schmidt is banning creativity so much as it just hasn't showed up with many of the players tried out yet.  

You must do your defensive duties or he won't like you of course, but I think he wants to unearth players that will have it all.  He's goading them to be both - defensively sound and disciplined but also able to genuinely throw off the shackles when moments of inspiration hit.  I think our current crop are too afraid to fail now so they keep safe.  It will need one or two players to say 'f**k it' and just assert themselves in an attacking sense.
I think Trimble was a 'F**k it' kind of player.  He'd had tough times during his International career and just wants to make every opportunity he gets now count.  Yeah, maybe Gilroy is primed for another shot at it now too.

Cheers for the response, Fly.

It will certainly be interesting to see some of these players in the Ireland setup.

Notch wrote:Was just watching Against the Head; first item, Ulster vs Leinster. 10 minutes of discussion on Leinsters issues, signings, etc. Then moved straight on to Munster. Not a single mention of Ulster whatsoever. No discussion of the game whatsoever. What a load of bollox! Show is a complete waste of time.

Did they not say that Ulster are playing really well and peaking nicely for the end of the season run-in, since the bad loss to Toulon, getting some players who were missing back like Henderson & Henry whereas all they said about Munster was that they were poor v Treviso and would need to up their game against Ulster. They did say that Munster has had a fairly decent season considering the group they were in.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

SecretFly wrote:That would be a pity about Trimble if it turned out to be true...  For me, he and Earls are the only two TRUE backs that have the Extra-factor in this post-BOD era so far.  Earls looks really good right now....elusive, hard running - and Hard in contact.  I hope he gets an opportunity in the warm-ups to work under Schmidt.  Hope he stays injury free even more so.  

Fitz - gotta say it - still off the boil for me.  Still so prone to a mad dash of....utter madness.

Earls has indeed looked very good, and I hope he is in the RWC squad.

Thoughts on Gilroy, Fly? Has he impressed you?

Rory, I'd have to be very honest and say I'd have to see him again in an International context.  He's is great form.  He has a wonderful attacking instinct.  But I'd just need to see him now again against International paced and physical sides (Wales, England for example)...in defence as well as attack.  Earls will have to prove he has it still at that level too and against the increased International pace that's developed in the last few years.  

If either of them could shine there - in defence, attack and attacking defence (big offensive courageous hits when required) then they'd be a natural for the squad.  We need more Can-openers in this Irish side from our back positions.  Tough to do under Schmidt limiting plans perhaps but I don't think Schmidt is banning creativity so much as it just hasn't showed up with many of the players tried out yet.  

You must do your defensive duties or he won't like you of course, but I think he wants to unearth players that will have it all.  He's goading them to be both - defensively sound and disciplined but also able to genuinely throw off the shackles when moments of inspiration hit.  I think our current crop are too afraid to fail now so they keep safe.  It will need one or two players to say 'f**k it' and just assert themselves in an attacking sense.
I think Trimble was a 'F**k it' kind of player.  He'd had tough times during his International career and just wants to make every opportunity he gets now count.  Yeah, maybe Gilroy is primed for another shot at it now too.

Cheers for the response, Fly.

It will certainly be interesting to see some of these players in the Ireland setup.

He reminds me a bit of Fionn Carr - very good going forward, but kicking, passing and tackling not top notch. Very fleet of foot and he is still very young with plenty of time to work on the basics of his game.

Sin é wrote:

Notch wrote:Was just watching Against the Head; first item, Ulster vs Leinster. 10 minutes of discussion on Leinsters issues, signings, etc. Then moved straight on to Munster. Not a single mention of Ulster whatsoever. No discussion of the game whatsoever. What a load of bollox! Show is a complete waste of time.

Did they not say that Ulster are playing really well and peaking nicely for the end of the season run-in,  since the bad loss to Toulon, getting some players who were missing back like Henderson & Henry whereas all they said about Munster was that they were poor v Treviso and would need to up their game against Ulster. They did say that Munster has had a fairly decent season considering the group they were in.

That's a sentence not a segment. Didn't bother watching the rest after that.

Well, I think the way to look at it is that RTE are a broadcasting company and not the IRFU.  So they serve their particular chunk of the market and leave the people who have tied up the other chunk (BBC NI) to do the more detailed work on Ulster?  

I mean these two companies are two mutually exclusive companies that are there to sell their sections of the Pro12.  I don't know if BBC NI have a like-minded weekly round up show?  But I'd assume anything rugby orientated on that Channel (perhaps in sports news etc) would be mostly detailed on Ulster, with perhaps quick snippets for the others thrown in if appropriate.

Against the Head can be very dull watching indeed at times.  I think it needs a booster injection of something a little less po-faced than four men greyscaling ideas at each other in bland soundbites.  I'd love the whole circus around rugby to become less starchy and more like how Aussies do their sport - with a lot of irreverence, irony and fun.

ps...and let's face it, the Pro12 is just the kind of backbiting, niggly, moaning, argumentative League that would lend itself to some lovely Nationalistic lampooning.

I was expecting with a World Cup on the horizon there would be some analysis of which Irish players furthered their chances and which didn't in the biggest Irish derby of the season so far. Not five minutes of banalities about MOC and five minutes of banalities about Nacewa.

They are just useless- they barely touched on the game itself at all. All of the actual rugby talk was basically skipped. It's amazing how terrible they are compared to all the amateur discussion in podcasts and so on.

Well...........  what does BBC NI give up on those WC/Irish Players issues?  They're both 'National' Networks.  It isn't only the considered duty of RTE to do the National overviews about the National Team.  I doubt though that the boys up there are too worried about TOD or Henshaw or Daverage at this moment in time.  For now it's all Pro12 biz.

I didn't get to see it this week but I'd take offence to anything about MOC and Nacewa being considered 'banal' in these here parts Notch!   Them's big issues here!  Although it seems one of them might becoming less an issue if rumours prove to be true.

Sin é wrote:

He reminds me a bit of Fionn Carr - very good going forward, but kicking, passing and tackling not top notch. Very fleet of foot and he is still very young with plenty of time to work on the basics of his game.

His tackling this season has generally been very good, he has put in some really big hits, reminding me of Andrew Trimble. His awareness and playmaking is also good, not great or anything, but it is certainly to the required standard.

Notch wrote:I was expecting with a World Cup on the horizon there would be some analysis of which Irish players furthered their chances and which didn't in the biggest Irish derby of the season so far. Not five minutes of banalities about MOC and five minutes of banalities about Nacewa.

They are just useless- they barely touched on the game itself at all. All of the actual rugby talk was basically skipped. It's amazing how terrible they are compared to all the amateur discussion in podcasts and so on.

Really? I would have thought the biggest Irish derby (44K) was Leinster v Munster (23-34) in the Aviva last October.

Every podcast, newspaper, message board is after's MOC's blood - of course Leinster not making the playoffs for the first time in years is big news.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

Sin é wrote:

He reminds me a bit of Fionn Carr - very good going forward, but kicking, passing and tackling not top notch. Very fleet of foot and he is still very young with plenty of time to work on the basics of his game.

His tackling this season has generally been very good, he has put in some really big hits, reminding me of Andrew Trimble. His awareness and playmaking is also good, not great or anything, but it is certainly to the required standard.

Fair enough. I just don't think he is a Schmidt player type. He needs to hit a lot more rucks a la Trimble as well.

SecretFly wrote:Well...........  what does BBC NI give up on those WC/Irish Players issues?  They're both 'National' Networks.  It isn't only the considered duty of RTE to do the National overviews about the National Team.  I doubt though that the boys up there are too worried about TOD or Henshaw or Daverage at this moment in time.   For now it's all Pro12 biz.

BBC NI focuses on Ulster players in their pre and post match analysis, but they don't have a magazine show about rugby, only coverage of the games themselves with brief analysis, so there's nothing to compare Against the Head too on that network.

To be fair, I have no doubt that if BBC NI were to try and do an hour-long magazine show like Against the Head it would be as completely and totally inept and unwatchable as their southern counterparts effort. I'm not slagging off RTE and bigging up BBC NI. BBC NIs rugby coverage is also rubbish; its overly biased for my taste and the pundits are completely useless (apart from Stephen Ferris).

I'm not implying that they have a duty to do anything either- just pointing out that they decide to ignore all the angles that are actually interesting and which require analysis and discussion of rugby in favour of twitter gossip.

Sin é wrote:

Notch wrote:I was expecting with a World Cup on the horizon there would be some analysis of which Irish players furthered their chances and which didn't in the biggest Irish derby of the season so far. Not five minutes of banalities about MOC and five minutes of banalities about Nacewa.

They are just useless- they barely touched on the game itself at all. All of the actual rugby talk was basically skipped. It's amazing how terrible they are compared to all the amateur discussion in podcasts and so on.

Really? I would have thought the biggest Irish derby (44K) was Leinster v Munster (23-34) in the Aviva last October.

Every podcast, newspaper, message board is after's MOC's blood - of course Leinster not making the playoffs for the first time in years is big news.

Attendance has little to do with it. In terms of importance, this one was bigger. Leinsters entire season was on the line and the race for the playoffs has reached the crunch stage. I did say so far. The upcoming game between Ulster and Munster may supersede it.

It's okay to talk about MOC and Leinsters troubles but to completely ignore the game itself and the performance of the various runners and riders for the RWC squad? Terrible decision.

Also, Gilory is much better than Carr. Much better positionally in defence, much better technically in the tackle. He's already played at test level and looked good before Schmidt came in- I agree he's not the kind of player Schmidt most naturally values and it's hard to imagine him getting picked at all until after the Rugby World Cup.

Notch wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Notch wrote:I was expecting with a World Cup on the horizon there would be some analysis of which Irish players furthered their chances and which didn't in the biggest Irish derby of the season so far. Not five minutes of banalities about MOC and five minutes of banalities about Nacewa.

They are just useless- they barely touched on the game itself at all. All of the actual rugby talk was basically skipped. It's amazing how terrible they are compared to all the amateur discussion in podcasts and so on.

Really? I would have thought the biggest Irish derby (44K) was Leinster v Munster (23-34) in the Aviva last October.

Every podcast, newspaper, message board is after's MOC's blood - of course Leinster not making the playoffs for the first time in years is big news.

Attendance has little to do with it. In terms of importance, this one was bigger. Leinsters entire season was on the line and the race for the playoffs has reached the crunch stage. I did say so far. The upcoming game between Ulster and Munster may supersede it.

It's okay to talk about MOC and Leinsters troubles but to completely ignore the game itself and the performance of the various runners and riders for the RWC squad? Terrible decision.

Also, Gilory is much better than Carr. Much better positionally in defence, much better technically in the tackle. He's already played at test level and looked good before Schmidt came in- I agree he's not the kind of player Schmidt most naturally values and it's hard to imagine him getting picked at all until after the Rugby World Cup.

Well, you just said it there. Leinster's entire season was on the line and now you are surprised that they spent more time talking about Leinster than Ulster (whose season is going to plan by at least making the playoffs). Leinster's season is over.

I know Gilroy is much better than Carr - just a similar style player and definately not a Schmidt type player (neither was Carr).

Gilroy and Carr in the same sentence? Noe that's just grinding my gears. Even when he was the top try scorer in the league I wouldn't have had Carr anywhere near an Irish shirt. Little creativity and utter gash defensively. Gilroy is head and shoulders above Carr's level.
On saying that I'd be surprised, all be it pleasantly, if Gilroy was on the RWC panel. He would be top of the list to come in as injury cover on current form.

I don't know.  That Irish team got its 2nd 6N but it still needs some Fire-Starters to come in and take things to the next level.  Schmidt stuck to his 6N guns and punched his slim victory out with the ingredients he mostly stuck with, even though he had players come in that needed to get back to some kind of International form rapidly at forwards level.

So, apart from finding a place for those big-name returnees and giving them vital catch-up playtime, Schmidt stuck as much as he could with the same side because that seems to be his preference when a campaign gets going.

But he has to know that the team needs another level,  and perhaps a different selection of backs to get us there.  I wouldn't say any of the backs are secure except for Sexton (if fit), Murray (if fit) and Henshaw (if fit).  I think all other positions there are up for genuine grabs.  

But the candidates have to show the gamut of skills Schmidt requires over the next few games.  It won't be good enough to simply be visible darting and weaving in attack.  All candidates need to show a willingness to press in on defensive duties hard (as though they loved the contact - slippery backs rarely do )  So candidates will have to show a greediness to be involved in the complete game.  The stage is there.  Ospreys and Glasgow must be pushed back onto their butts now in the endgame of the season.  Grim reaper Provincial rugby at its best now from both Munster and Ulster and I'd say Schmidt will be genuinely watching with an open mind if both those sides rumble to a higher end of season level.

For the back three, Kearney has been little more than going through the motions all season but will still go to RWC as first choice 15 with Payne and Madigan to slot in if he gets injured. A few years ago teams would be scared of kicking the ball to Kearney as he would damage them on the counter-attack. Now he simply runs into contact or hoists an up and under that is usually too long. Wish we had an alternative but Joe seems set on Payne as 13 and I don't think Jones is anything more than a solid Pro12 player.

For the wings, lot depends on whether Kearney and Jones are picked. If they are then only three wings - Bowe a certainty but after that a bit of a lottery. Assuming Trimble comes back the player he was then I'd take him and I think we would be mad not to pick Earls. Like Fitz a lot but if it's a choice between him and Earls then I'd take Earls. If Trimble is not the player he was when he comes back then Zebo back in contention while Gilroy has played some great stuff in the past few games.

More regular Ulster-watchers might be able to say whether Gilroy is up for the down and dirty side of the game - hitting rucks and getting involved in cleaning out etc, as well as his general defensive effort. We know Joe likes his wingers not to just hang around out wide and wait for the ball, he wants them involved. Zebo got that message and played his way back into the team, can Gilroy do the same.


On the wings, only certainty is Bowe - and I'd like to see Trimble

SecretFly wrote:Ospreys and Glasgow must be pushed back onto their butts now in the endgame of the season.  

If that's not illegal, it's certainly unsanitary.

I'm not that kind of a girl and I'm fairly sure Gregor Townsend isn't either...

George Carlin wrote:

SecretFly wrote:Ospreys and Glasgow must be pushed back onto their butts now in the endgame of the season.  

If that's not illegal, it's certainly unsanitary.

I'm not that kind of a girl and I'm fairly sure Gregor Townsend isn't either...

Oh it probably won't happen as dramatically as that, George.  But all I'm saying is it'll take those kinds of performances at this stage to get some of the fringe International hopefuls into contention for selection by Joe.  It won't be enough to just win or compete with a few shimmies and an odd kick.  The players who want in have a limited window to be as dynamic as they can be in defence and attack.
Time to bully back the present Pro12 bullies if Golden Tickets are going to be taken to the WC

It's actually quite relieving to be out of it and the pressure is now mostly on Munster and Ulster to keep our side of the show going. I'll enjoy watching to see how these guys answer the challenge.

Notch wrote:Was just watching Against the Head; first item, Ulster vs Leinster. 10 minutes of discussion on Leinsters issues, signings, etc. Then moved straight on to Munster. Not a single mention of Ulster whatsoever. No discussion of the game whatsoever. What a load of bollox! Show is a complete waste of time.

It is if you don't take the time to watch it.

They focused immediately after the game highlights on Leinster because it is the end of their season and possibly MOC's job. After showing the Connacht and Munster clips they discussed all three provinces in equal measure, including Gilroy's form. They don't do the fawning platitudes like messers Field, McWhirter and Ward but it is wrong to say there wasn't "a single mention".

T'other forum is filled with excitement at the promise of a big signing to be announced before the Munster match. Anyone heard anything?

Pete330v2 wrote:T'other forum is filled with excitement at the promise of a big signing to be announced before the Munster match. Anyone heard anything?

You can have James Downey back if you like. He has played precisely twice for us all season.

We will swap him for CJ Stander or, if you really pushed us, a large white chocolate Toblerone.

You're thinking of Munster GC! Downey played for Munster and I so desperately wish we had CJ Stander up here to give away!

It's George Ford I heard!

Ulster will need cover for Paddy Jackson during the World cup so they forked out big to keep the ship steady when he's gone.

Can we still have the large white chocolate Toblerone?

Rumours of a big backrow saffer signing to be announced during the Munster game. Hope it's true.

Notch wrote:You're thinking of Munster GC! Downey played for Munster and I so desperately wish we had CJ Stander up here to give away!

Oh, I see you mean a signing for Ulster before the Munster match.

In that case, you can have Downey for Gilroy. We'll throw in a job lot of Commonwealth Games mugs and an industrial sized pack of pickled onion Monster Munch.

Throw in Nicola Sturgeon and we in Leinster will send you any two Leinster players you might want (I know, I know..... not much value on them bastards this season ...but with the right conductor.....