Ulster 2016/2017

First topic message reminder :

Redman wrote:

clivemcl wrote:Any inside info on Dom Ryan yet? 27 and the only IQ backrower not tied up for next year. Where do you put his out of interest in a pecking order? Better or worse than Clive Ross? My hunch is better, but I've not really ever watched him closely.

Has to be better.  I looked him up before and he has something like 100 or so caps for Leinster.  Ross has about 50 for us, and it's got to be tougher to get a cap for Leinster than it is for Ulster in the backrow - even allowing for international call ups.  

Dryan ®, as he shall be known if he signs, also has 20 or so U20 caps.  

That said, I haven't seen him play.

marty2086 wrote:Matthew Rea playing tonight against the BaaBaas, will be interesting to see how he gets on. Nick Timoney is in Moscow this weekend playing for the Ireland 7s

I was wondering why Timoney wasn't featuring in this game. Good experience for the both of them.

Just hope the BaaBaas go easy on us tonight, not sure who is more throw together, them or us

Dom Ryan has been officially announced as having signed....for Leicester Tigers

Should we be getting hold of some discarded #WengerOut signs and changing them to #Bryn/NuciforaOut ?

Doesn't surprise me. Ulster Rugby is anathema to the other Provinces, it appears.

Nobody likes us

Any hopes on Sean Dougal, is his contract up with Pau?

on 27th March the irish indo reported
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/sean-dougall-leaving-pau-to-return-to-ireland-report-35568446.html

Sean Dougall is on the verge of a move back to Ireland, according to reports in the French meda.
Midi Olimpique are reporting that the back rower, who left Munster for Pau in 2015, is returning home but will link up with Ulster rather than former side Munster.
The 27-year-old is a product of the Ulster academy and the Midi report that they are 'particularly interested' in his services.

He spent three years at Thomond Park before moving to the Top 14.

When he moved it 2015 it was reported that French second division leaders Pau have signed back-row forward Sean Dougall from Munster on a two-year deal.

That would make him a free agent, I still hope that he joins.

Le 3ème ligne irlandais Sean Dougall a été reçu par la direction du club, afin de parapher un contrat qui prolonge son aventure avec Les Vert et Blanc. Arrivé au club en 2015 en provenance du Munster, Sean Dougall (26 ans) s’est rapidement acclimaté au Top 14. Auteur d’une deuxième partie de saison très solide avec notamment des statistiques de placages impressionnantes, l’irlandais est un véritable combattant et travailleur infatigable. Il poursuit donc l’aventure pour deux nouvelles saisons avec la Section !

Apparently that means he signed a new 2 year deal at Pau

Sean: Hello Irish provinces, I'd like to come home - anyone interested?
Leinster: Na
Munster: Not really
Connacht: Nope
Bryn: Oh hi there Sean!
Sean: Nobody really??
Bryn: Sean... yes, Bryn here from ulster
Sean: Not a single province???
Bryn: Yes Sean, we'd love you at Ulster!
Sean: Nobody at all then???
Bryn: Yes Sean... Ulster, come to Ulster!
Sean: Right then so... I'll stay in France so...
Bryn: Darn it! So close that time......

I'm sure you Ulster Guys already know this, but for other rugby fans the Ulster v Barbarians game is on the BBC Red Button now.

Flip me - McCloskey is having some game here. What happened to him this season?

Mattie Rea looks promising.

He also looks like he's six years old, never mind playing at six.

Don Alfonso wrote:Mattie Rea looks promising.

He also looks like he's six years old, never mind playing at six.

If he turns out to be anything like our other baby faced six (or 4/5) then he will be doing alright.

Sure is that himself Colin Farrell refereeing?

I'm only 27 mins into the game but Rae is throwing himself about a bit. Good lad

Listening to Ruan Pienaar there, it really is horrible that he is leaving Ulster. The man clearly loves the place. I will never understand why he had to go but I imagine he will return, maybe not as a player but as a coach when he retires.

New Zealanders just love the high and cheap shots don't they?

That was a red if it wasn't a BaaBaas game. Shoulder right to the face, and the player didn't duck into it or anything.

Then he tries to argue with the referee and says "are you kidding me?"

Typical New Zealanders. Think they are above the game.

Does not get better in slow motion does it...

It must be really confusing for Kiwis playing in the NH finding out that they can't get away with taking someone's head off.

Ben Whitehouse has really regressed; looked a good young ref a couple of years ago but he missed and/or got a good few things wrong tonight.

Nothing to do with result which hardly mattered either way but Pro12 could do with some of the refs kicking on if such a thing is possible.

Rea did look good tonight, put in a big hit on Dusatoir early on and Patterson looked decent tonight too

marty2086 wrote:Rea did look good tonight, put in a big hit on Dusatoir early on and Patterson looked decent tonight too

Knocking the opposition back in the tackle, scrapping for the ball - it'll never catch on.

Don Alfonso wrote:

marty2086 wrote:Rea did look good tonight, put in a big hit on Dusatoir early on and Patterson looked decent tonight too

Knocking the opposition back in the tackle, scrapping for the ball - it'll never catch on.

Its just not the Ulster way

All the young children of Ulster are reared on the old fable of the Horse who never stopped scrapping and knocking people back. And one day that Horse knocked back and scrapped one too many times and his knees caved in, and as much as the Horse tried and tried and tried, he couldn't be the Horse he was again. SO... boys and girls, if you want to have a full career and earn your full salary before the comparatively young retirement age... you must be very careful to look after your body and NEVER EVER scrap and knock back !


(Now I need to find a children's illustrator )

Don Alfonso wrote:

marty2086 wrote:Rea did look good tonight, put in a big hit on Dusatoir early on and Patterson looked decent tonight too

Knocking the opposition back in the tackle, scrapping for the ball - it'll never catch on.

Probably the last time you will see the guy before he signs for a team in the English Championship for the 2018/19 season after playing one game around Christmas time for Ulster.

clivemcl wrote:All the young children of Ulster are reared on the old fable of the Horse who never stopped scrapping and knocking people back. And one day that Horse knocked back and scrapped one too many times and his knees caved in, and as much as the Horse tried and tried and tried, he couldn't be the Horse he was again. SO... boys and girls, if you want to have a full career and earn your full salary before the comparatively young retirement age... you must be very careful to look after your body and NEVER EVER scrap and knock back   !


(Now I need to find a children's illustrator   )

The Horse Who Should Have Been A Lion

Sorry to intrude on your Ulster musings but can you tell me if there is any redeeming feature to Allen Clarke's forward coaching or is he genuinely Poopie in all aspects?
Did he have a bad situation at Ulster or did he contribute to it?

Fiddler wrote:Sorry to intrude on your Ulster musings but can you tell me if there is any redeeming feature to Allen Clarke's forward coaching or is he genuinely Poopie in all aspects?
Did he have a bad situation at Ulster or did he contribute to it?

A bit like some of our players who've moved to other clubs, Clarke may well flourish with the change of environment. He was part and parcel of what was toxic in the Ulster coaching setup but take him away from that culture and he could well be an asset.

I see our Head Coach for next season has just won the Top 14, albeit as an assistant coach. Bodes well.

Don Alfonso wrote:I see our Head Coach for next season has just won the Top 14, albeit as an assistant coach. Bodes well.

And it means this past season we beat the champions of all 3 top European leagues

Pete330v2 wrote:

Fiddler wrote:Sorry to intrude on your Ulster musings but can you tell me if there is any redeeming feature to Allen Clarke's forward coaching or is he genuinely Poopie in all aspects?
Did he have a bad situation at Ulster or did he contribute to it?

A bit like some of our players who've moved to other clubs, Clarke may well flourish with the change of environment. He was part and parcel of what was toxic in the Ulster coaching setup but take him away from that culture and he could well be an asset.

Anyone know whats happening with his son? Is he staying in the academy or is he moving?

marty2086 wrote:

Don Alfonso wrote:I see our Head Coach for next season has just won the Top 14, albeit as an assistant coach. Bodes well.

And it means this past season we beat the champions of all 3 top European leagues

It makes our unmentionable performances even less excusable when we can pull off wins against those sides. Next year we will be kings I tells ya.

Pete330v2 wrote:

marty2086 wrote:

Don Alfonso wrote:I see our Head Coach for next season has just won the Top 14, albeit as an assistant coach. Bodes well.

And it means this past season we beat the champions of all 3 top European leagues

It makes our unmentionable performances even less excusable when we can pull off wins against those sides. Next year we will be kings I tells ya.

The game at Ravenhill was maybe our best performance of the season and one of Clermonts best, it goes to show that our first XV can compete with the best its when we need to go beyond that that we suffer

marty2086 wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:

marty2086 wrote:

Don Alfonso wrote:I see our Head Coach for next season has just won the Top 14, albeit as an assistant coach. Bodes well.

And it means this past season we beat the champions of all 3 top European leagues

It makes our unmentionable performances even less excusable when we can pull off wins against those sides. Next year we will be kings I tells ya.

The game at Ravenhill was maybe our best performance of the season and one of Clermonts best, it goes to show that our first XV can compete with the best its when we need to go beyond that that we suffer

A fit Coetzee will make a big difference. Surprised no Irish team has gone after Tadig Beirne

One theory is that Irish teams know that Beirne only LOOKS good because he's surrounded by exceptional Welsh players. Stick him in an Irish pack and he'll look as fearsome as the Andrex puppy.
OTOH he might not be available - is he available?

The Great Aukster wrote:One theory is that Irish teams know that Beirne only LOOKS good because he's surrounded by exceptional Welsh players. Stick him in an Irish pack and he'll look as fearsome as the Andrex puppy.
OTOH he might not be available - is he available?

Belive he has another year left on his contract

I'd say Beirne will come back when international prospects re mooted. He's part of a Scarlets team that just comfortably beat Leinster and Munster away to be crowned Pro12 champs

I reckon he will come back but as we all know it will be Munster or Leinster both who would benefit from him on their squads

The Great Aukster wrote:One theory is that Irish teams know that Beirne only LOOKS good because he's surrounded by exceptional Welsh players. Stick him in an Irish pack and he'll look as fearsome as the Andrex puppy.
OTOH he might not be available - is he available?

He's another year to go but he's never really played at 100% outside of the Scarlets team, Leo Cullen obviously saw something in him to give him a contract for a year to prove himself but he was never fully fit with a shoulder injury

Anyone know anything about this Aaron Dundon fella?

Pete330v2 wrote:Anyone know anything about this Aaron Dundon fella?

He's our new scrum coach

Pete330v2 wrote:Anyone know anything about this Aaron Dundon fella?

Well liked by the Grenoble players. Apparently very good on the technical side.

Never really seen him up close. Looks hard as nails. Hope so. Even if he ends up being a second string player, he's probably a significant step up in the quality of our second string back rowers historically.
Reidy has been really solid and at only 28 could still improve a little still. Here's hoping Henry can get back to his best too and we will have some good competition for backrow shirts.

Pete330v2 wrote:Anyone know anything about this Aaron Dundon fella?

This signing is huge for the very simply reason we can now state, with certainty, Gibbes will be in charge and Kiss will be moving upstairs

Fiddler wrote:Sorry to intrude on your Ulster musings but can you tell me if there is any redeeming feature to Allen Clarke's forward coaching or is he genuinely Poopie in all aspects?
Did he have a bad situation at Ulster or did he contribute to it?

He does have some abilities as a coach but as a man not sure.
If I had to use one word to describe his personality it would be Spiteful

geoff999rugby wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:Anyone know anything about this Aaron Dundon fella?

This signing is huge for the very simply reason we can now state, with certainty, Gibbes will be in charge and Kiss will be moving upstairs

I wouldn't be so sure geoff, the official statement talks about him taking the scrum and assisting with lineouts, I took that to mean that Gibbes would be calling the shots there. Also seemed to say that it was the coaching ticket complete for next season so that leaves us without a defence coach, unless Gibbes is taking responsibility there too I know who my money's on for looking after it.

The appointment confirms the make-up of the coaching ticket for the next two seasons, following the confirmation of Jono Gibbes as the new Head Coach and Dwayne Peel as Assistant Coach. Kiss has retained Niall Malone in a video analysis and skills development capacity.

Aaron is a very good technical coach who relates well to the modern challenges of the scrum. He will also be a resource for our line out throwers and will assist with our skill development. He has worked under some of the best coaches in the game, such as Greg Feek, Joe Schmidt, Matt O'Connor, Leo Cullen and Bernard Jackman. In particular, the experience he has gained of the set piece in France can only be good for us.

"He has an astute analytical brain and I'm excited to see him working alongside Jono in building on our forwards game, especially with our young front row players such as Kyle McCall and Ross Kane.

We will not be employing 2 coaches for the forwards

He's not a forwards coach though, he's a scrum coach who will assist Gibbes with the forwards

So he will be coaching the forwards

I hope so otherwise our scrum is screwed next season