Ulster 2015/2016 Part 2

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Continue your discussion of all things Ulster here.

I'm confident enough we have enough pieces of the puzzle that we can see the picture before it's complete! I'm confident enough that I am going to use the following emoticon...







now then.... Jordi Murphy please.

Well, someones knows something, but it's not any of us

It's reported in a few papers now, but nothing is confirmed, and until it is it's just rumour. I would say it's a very strong rumour though.

I checked the Sharks fans site, to see if I could glean anything from them. They are very upset at the news, but really know as much as us.

Really, really, hope it is true. Coetzee would be a fantastic signing.

After the BBC wrongly stated it was Kankowski, the BelTel then said that whilst it was not Kankowski, it WAS a saffer returning from Japan.

I think at that time, they guessed. Perhaps they even knew Skarks were the club. But I'm not sure they would just right an article for the next name on the list, having been embarrassed previously.

I would assume they did a bit more digging, and that this time the article is more reliable.

But it's Northern Irish media after all... so who knows!

It seems unlikely that we won't be getting anyone, but they could be negotiating with Coetzee (or someone else) and not have it confirmed yet. Until all the Ts are crossed and the is are dotted we will have to wait...

Also Clive, its the Irish Independent/Belfast Telegraph (same group owns both papers) who broke this news, not the BBC.

I would trust nothing from the 'Irish Independent/Belfast Telegraph' they, literally, make it up.

Mulligan is a bit more believable though.

The thing is Bryn has given the impression all deals in, and out, have been done just not announced.

Jacob Stockdale and Rob Lyttle are in the squad for the Glasgow game

By contrast McPhillips stays with the U20 - good decision nowhere near ready to play 1st XV rugby

geoff999rugby wrote:Jacob Stockdale and Rob Lyttle are in the squad for the Glasgow game

By contrast McPhillips stays with the U20 - good decision nowhere near ready to play 1st XV rugby

Not one for needlessly bashing Ian Humphries, but is it not worth giving McPhillips a run out as he can't really be much worse!

greygoose wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:Jacob Stockdale and Rob Lyttle are in the squad for the Glasgow game

By contrast McPhillips stays with the U20 - good decision nowhere near ready to play 1st XV rugby

Not one for needlessly bashing Ian Humphries, but is it not worth giving McPhillips a run out as he can't really be much worse!

I know nothing of McPhillips, and have been a big supporter of Humphreys for years ... but I quite like this idea. I think the problem is Jackson, and the shadow of an injury to Sexton. That means we'll only get Paddy for 40 mins of rugby incase he gets called up short notice. If we had him for 80 mins, and we had Pienaar then even in a worst case scenario and Paddy gets injured we could move Pienaar to 10 and have McPhillips in reserve for the last 20 mins IF the game was won.

In general, even if they're not strictly ready for XV rugby I think it's good to blood a youngster or two just to say "Look, this is what you're aiming for. This is the intensity of Pro12/Champions Cup/International rugby." They can take that experience back to the U20s or Ravens and reapply themselves.

Humphrey's problem now, as I said at the weekend, is that he's looking scared in attack. He's playing so deep and passing so early (seemingly to avoid contact) that the opposition can just drift and we go nowhere. He's always been fairly useless in defense, but losing the appetite for the physical stuff in attack only leaves his kicking stats which are acceptable (and the obligatory 1 missed penalty to touch a game).

Again, McPhillips may be a poor example to hang this idea on. But I think we as a team should aim to have 1 youngster either playing or on the bench for every home Pro12 game (possibly not the play offs).

It'd keep the youngsters engaged and who knows, they may rise to the occasion. In recent history we've had a host of young players being thrown in at the deep end and performing well.

I would be surprised if Schmidt releases Jackson this weekend. I'm fairly sure he will want him travelling as cover, considering Sexton is prone to injury.

Munchkin wrote:I would be surprised if Schmidt releases Jackson this weekend. I'm fairly sure he will want him travelling as cover, considering Sexton is prone to injury.

Could well be. That'd be disastrous for us. As Geoff mentioned before Jackson and McCloskey were the difference between winning and losing against the Dragons, and Glasgow will be that bit stronger.

geoff999rugby wrote:The thing is Bryn has given the impression all deals in, and out, have been done just not announced.

Thats true actually.

The Great Aukster wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:Also special thanks to Sky for preventing me from watching Against the head tonight.  

Was that Sky or ITV?

Good point Aukster it was probably ITV because I could watch the saturday matches on RTE but not the one match that ITV had

What I don't understand is why?

I agree, I mean I kind of get the actual match bit because they have the rights in the UK and want the biggest audience possible to attract sponsors but why with the Against the Head? its not like they have their own competing program or anything.

Redman wrote:

Munchkin wrote:I would be surprised if Schmidt releases Jackson this weekend. I'm fairly sure he will want him travelling as cover, considering Sexton is prone to injury.

Could well be.  That'd be disastrous for us.  As Geoff mentioned before Jackson and McCloskey were the difference between winning and losing against the Dragons, and Glasgow will be that bit stronger.

I think it will be a tough game, but I'm not sure Glasgow will offer more than Dragons did. Actually, I don't think they will. The Dragons played really well, and Glasgow are missing a huge number of players, and are also having issues with half backs.

We won't have Owens refereeing us either

Belfast Telegraph haven't corrected their article on Coetzee, unlike the last player they named.

If Sexton is any kind of doubt, as this article implies, we're unlikely to get Jackson back you would think

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/johnny-sexton-in-race-against-time-to-be-fit-for-french-battle-34442900.html

McPhillips is nowhere near ready and will not , and should not, be considered.

If Jackson, Humphreys, Olding, are all missing our 10 will be Windsor or Pienaer

Please be Pienaar and not Windsor, for the love of god...

Looks like we are ok Olding says he is almost certain to make it.

So

Pienaer, Olding, Stockdale, Cave, Arnold, Gilroy, Lyttle would not be too shabby

I also would not be surprised if we get at least one of Marshall and McCloskey back in which either Arnold on the wing and Gilroy 15 or Arnold on the bench

I agree Windsor is awful

Great news if Olding is fit!


A question I probably shouldn't ask since it's not official yet....


but....

Is it possible Coetzee will play flanker, hendo will be a second row, and we are getting another province's IQ number 8 who needs first team rugby to challenge internationally?

I always thought the IRFU would put an end to our NIQing of a single position for so long. Perhaps the agreement was made that if Hendo would be an out and out second row, we would give Jordi Murphy an opportunity to push on, but our NIQ replacement of Nick would be a flanker instead of a number 8. Just guessing.

I'm sure Coetzee either has, or can play number 8 quite well. I am merely speculating.

Can you imagine...

4. VDM
5. Hendo
6. Henry
7. Coetzee
8. Murphy

19. Tuohy
20. Diack/Reidy

I've gone too far haven't I??

I need a few slaps to the face, and a cold shower.

Calm down Colin

Kiss has said 2 big signings on the way and one of them has to be IQ.
Many, including myself, have been assuming it is a backrower from Leinster and that remains favourite, but as we
know we have had a number of instances of southerners turning us down - McFadden McLaughlin, Conway to name but three.
Don't rule out the granny option.

On your suggested team I'll say two things.
AOC instead of Tuohy now - Tuohy needs to show he has the fight to get his place back.
Although Henderson will play most of his rugby in the 2nd row don't discount him in the backrow for the HC.

So VDM, AOC, Hendo, Coetzee, Henry/Unnamed IQ backrower may be closer.

that says it all a backrow strong enough that Henry is not a guaranteed starter - we can dream  

I think we're looking pretty sweet for next season if we can keep our injuries down of course.
We can field a backline the envy of most sides in Europe and with a pack to match who will attempt to tear silverware from our grasp ???

Inadequate cover at half back is our Achilles heal - although 10 should be better next year compared to this.

Apparently both Henderson and Bowe could be back sometime in April

clivemcl wrote:
Can you imagine...

4. VDM
5. Hendo
6. Henry
7. Coetzee
8. Murphy

19. Tuohy
20. Diack/Reidy

Murphy ahead of Diack or Reidy, are you serious?? .....if VDF wants to come up however.....

Just watched a youtube compilation of Henderson.

God but he's a good player.

Is it wrong I'm really hoping Jackson isn't picked by Ireland? It's just this is a big game, and Humph has been... well he's not been great at all.

rodders wrote:

clivemcl wrote:
Can you imagine...

4. VDM
5. Hendo
6. Henry
7. Coetzee
8. Murphy

19. Tuohy
20. Diack/Reidy

Murphy ahead of Diack or Reidy, are you serious?? .....if VDF wants to come up however.....

14 ireland caps at age 24, whilst at a club competing with O'Brien and Heaslip. Is he not as good as I think? I can't say I've watched him closely, but I'm a bit surprised to hear some don't rate him.

Coetzee confirmed

Don Alfonso wrote:Just watched a youtube compilation of Henderson.

God but he's a good player.

Imagine an Ireland back 5 of:

Henderson
POC
Ferris,
Heaslip
SOB

If only we had seen these guys together in green.

oh my....

geoff999rugby wrote:Coetzee confirmed Yahoo Yahoo Yahoo Yahoo Yahoo

wow

David Humphries wears Bryn Cunningham pyjamas.....

I've been kind of telling myself it's too good to be true, but it is true. Piutau and Coetzee... thank you very much.

Les Kiss wrote:"It is a major coup for us to sign a player of Marcell's quality and experience. His age profile, positional versatility, leadership ability and character were some of the key ingredients as to why he was such an important target for us.

"He has played most of his international rugby between 6 and 7, but he has also played a huge amount at number 8, where we feel he could have a big impact for Ulster. That versatility is absolutely vital for us, as not only can Marcell be hugely effective across the three positions, but this can also accommodate the development of a number of our home-grown Irish-qualified players.

"Being appointed as the Sharks' vice-captain for the season shows that even at the young age of 24, Marcell has undoubted leadership ability. On the park, with his skilled and aggressive approach, he clearly leads from the front.

"Bryn (Cunningham) has done a marvellous job in securing the services of such a talented player and I look forward to working with him. When you factor in the additions of Charles Piutau, Rodney Ah You and Kieran Treadwell, it will give us improved quality and depth across the squad in the coming seasons."

Bryn Cunningham wrote:"To attract someone of Marcell's stature is a real statement of intent on our behalf. We have very high aspirations of what we want to achieve over the next two to three years and as a result, we are trying to build a squad that is capable of being extremely competitive in both the Guinness PRO12 and in Europe.

"At 24, we believe his best years are still ahead of him, which is hugely exciting and shows the commitment Marcell has given to Ulster Rugby. I know that this was an incredibly difficult decision for him to make with the attachment he has to the Sharks, not to mention the high level of interest from other clubs.

"Having spent plenty of time talking with Marcell, it is also evident that he has all the key character attributes, like many South Africans that have gone before him at Ulster, to fit into our culture seamlessly and have a massively positive impact on our environment.

"We are all very excited about what he will bring to Ulster in the coming seasons and we wish him success this season with the Sharks."

BOOOOOOM

And theres still at least one more signing to be announced....

What a fantastic signing

Coetzee is a great player. World class. Wonderful work from Bryn.

I'm massively jealous that he's not going to be playing in the Aviva, but what a signing for you guys!

Not a bad statement to have Piutau and Coetzee lining up for your side next year

Glasgow players in the Scotland match day squad:

Stuart Hogg
Mark Bennett
Tommy Seymour
Finn Russell
Jonny Gray
Gordon Reid
Sean Lamont
Zander Fagerson
Tim Swinson
Duncan Weir

15. Peter Murchie 14. Lee Jones 13. Glenn Bryce 12. Sam Johnson 11. Rory Hughes 10. Gregor Hunter 9. Ali Price
1. Ryan Grant 2. Pat MacArthur 3. Sila Puafisi 4. Greg Peterson 5. Leone Nakarawa 6. Rob Harley 7. Simone Favaro 8. Ryan Wilson (Captain)

16. James Malcolm 17. Alex Allan 18. D’arcy Rae 19. Josh Strauss 20. Chris Fusaro 21. Grayson Hart 22. Peter Horne 23. Taqele Naiyaravoro

geoff999rugby wrote:
15. Peter Murchie 14. Lee Jones 13. Glenn Bryce 12. Sam Johnson 11. Rory Hughes 10. Gregor Hunter 9. Ali Price
1. Ryan Grant 2. Pat MacArthur 3. Sila Puafisi 4. Greg Peterson 5. Leone Nakarawa 6. Rob Harley 7. Simone Favaro 8. Ryan Wilson (Captain)

16. James Malcolm 17. Alex Allan 18. D’arcy Rae 19. Josh Strauss 20. Chris Fusaro 21. Grayson Hart 22. Peter Horne 23. Taqele Naiyaravoro

Not a bad bench there, guys like Strauss and Naiyaravoro coming on late on is not what you want to see

Might be doing well to get an lbp here.

Don Alfonso wrote:Might be doing well to get an lbp here.

That all depends on the iHump factor, we can't operate at all with him on the pitch

Hopefully it's Olding. Is Arnold back from injury?

That's why we need Olding at 10 with Pienaer taking all the kicks
Arnold reported to be available for selection


Ulster a bit slow announcing the team today - all got a bit excited about Coetzee and forgot perhaps !

Don't think Humphs will be playing.

Coetzee captains the Sharks this evening against Toulouse. Might just watch that one

Yer Humph has been reported as injured

geoff999rugby wrote:Yer Humph has been reported as injured

Season ending?

I know, I'm a bad man but he shouldn't be in Ulster colours again IMO

Sean Cronin on the bench for Leinster so we may have lost Herring - its him or Strauss for the Irish bench

geoff999rugby wrote:
Ulster a bit slow announcing the team today - all got a bit excited about Coetzee and forgot perhaps !

More likely the team is contingent on the Irish one i.e. does Sexton make it through training today? If so, changes whether or not we have Jackson available.