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.

Summary on the other board.

Sounds fair from my recollection of the meeting

I stand corrected on Dondon

1. Whole new system of play this year - "we've thrown out the playbook" - last year they played a system he referred to as mapping i.e. players will be in pre-organised and rehearsed positions on the field for numerous phases. This year the plan is to be more fluid and play whats in front of you with the hope the ball can be played wide more effectively.

2. The decision to overhaul the coaching setup was made 5 or 6 weeks before christmas 2016. He made the initial approach to Jono over the two clermont fixtures. He offered the post after the away game jono accepted a few weeks later. the deal wasn't revealed to D4 until it was done. Dwayne Peel was part of a 10 or 12 strong long list and impressed les the most of the 3 he took to short list. No other names mentioned. Dundon was a pick made in conjunction with jono. Niall is staying and will move into doing more skills work. The basic coaching setup will look like this :
Backs : Peel
Forwards and set piece : Jono and Dundon
Defence : Les
Skills and technique : everyone to include malone. He made reference to the fact that he didn't want coaches only focusing on "their bit" but everyone being able to make an impact across the board.

3. Injuries were a problem last year - at most times 30 percent of the squad were injured this peaked at about 38 at one point and an unusually large amount of long term injuries 28 days + he said they had looked into this but nothing was really identified as to why this may be the case.

4. Rodney needs a run of games to be good apparently, treadwell arrived last year fat but has since worked it off.

5. He acknowledged we could do with a world class lock but that due to money and NIQ rules this simply wasnt possible.

6. Injuries - only real worry seemed to be olding as far as i can remember - they won't know where he is with his injury at all until end of july apprarently. everyone else should be in or around ready to go by start of season or first few games.

7. IRFU dont tell him where to play people but do manage how long people can play for.

Wasps, La Rochelle and Quins confirmed in our group from ERC next season, dodged Saracens and Clermont

Yep delight - London and La Rochelle here I come

I'm more than happy with that draw. Could have been better but it so nearly was very much worse considering our seeding and the pool next door with the big boys.

Lets hope this new playbook is compatible with Ulster players

It's gonna be a better season, I feel it in my bones.

I see our new prop has been injured and needs an operation on his shoulder.

Of course he has.

It is becoming Spinal Tap's drummer levels of ridiculousness.

Those Saffers are a fragile bunch

Any word on recovery time?

Schalk: I was on Facebook with Ruaidhrí Murphy, and he gave me his Costa loyalty card.
Bryn: er... yes well let's move on - you won't have much time to frequent the Coffee shops
Schalk: He also gave me his favourite Barrista's phone number, to get the special beans and
Bryn: Schalk! Listen to me - you won't have time.
Schalk: Sure boss, now you said something about a rigorous medical?
Bryn: Yes we'll do it now if that's OK, so are you OK?
Schalk: Yup
Bryn: Well that's the formalities over, welcome to Ulster Rugby.

We need to scrap Schalk's contract. Why do we sign so many sicknotes?

Munchkin wrote:We need to scrap Schalk's contract. Why do we sign so many sicknotes?

I agree. He was hardly an exciting prospect anyway so let him go, set him free. It's a dice worth rolling.

Unless he has torn his labrum I cant see him missing the start of the season

Just seen confirmation from Ulster he should be fit for the start of the season

Probably best for Ulster to be honest, means he comes into the season a bit fresher

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

It is becoming Spinal Tap's drummer levels of ridiculousness.

Kingspinal Tap stadium.

I didn't realize John Cooney was 27, I thought he was about 22 and had potential to grow, at 27 he should be the finished article.
A little disappointed as I though he was one to build for the future on, it looks like there is 5 years less in him than I expected.
Hopefully there is a good SH in the acamady, or in the exiles?

How has Stewart done for the U20s?

Cooney should have been signed along with a young project 9 but that's too much for Nucifora to think that one up but Cooney could stick around for a long time, plenty of scrum halves going into their mid to late 30s

Stewart looked no more than OK at the JWC and 6N but then Nick McCarthy and Luke McGrath didn't really impress either. OTOH Paul Marshall actually looked really sharp at that level.

What little I've seen of Cooney has been largely positive. Obviously he's no Ruan but if he can bring any of the form I've seen he'll be a large step above Small Paul. With a new coaching team and hopefully a much more positive feel in the Ulster camp he just might flourish.

Notice how positive I'm trying to be here

I except both Stewart and O'Donnell to be better than any home grown player since at Doak and hopefully further back.
Should at least get good coaching from Peel
Marshall looked good at this level because of his pace but has always had huge skills problems in certain areas - notably poor passing and far too excitable. The hope was always he would develop and become ore level headed - he hasn't

As to our new LH - prop with poor technique gets shoulder injury shock.
As I have said before I simply don't think he is that great a prospect - delighted to be proved wrong.

Word is that Leicester are having a bit of a clear out and MOC wants to bring in his own players, aren't there a few IQ forwards on their books in Fitzgerald and O'Connor?

Would be decent additions if they became available, I hope Bryns at least watching the situation as O'Connor has a bit of that dog we say we lack

O'Connor says he is not qualified, although some in the IRFU seemed to think they both were

It is a 2nd row we need - Fitzgerald would be a big help

Keep getting warnings from Norton saying this site isn't safe.
Also recently has been locking up and having to turn off computer.

Now getting viruses which my Norton is stopping.

Will try back at the start of the season but someone on 606v2 needs to get their act together.

Who still uses Norton is this day and age? 

Anybody know where is showing the Lions game on Saturday morning, I know The Bot have it on is there anywhere else anyone knows of?

Going to record it and avoid tech and watch it about 12 with a mate and a few beers, 8.30 is a bit early for me, would be wrecked and back in bed for 3pm

Kingshu wrote:Going to record it and avoid tech and watch it about 12 with a mate and a few beers, 8.30 is a bit early for me, would be wrecked and back in bed for 3pm

That doesn't help me at all

I tried getting up for the Ireland game last week, wish I hadn't

So lads whos up for an away day to South Africa?

Read over the weekend that Dow has been released

marty2086 wrote:Read over the weekend that Dow has been released

Disappointing that he hasn't made it considering we are in dire need of even Rabo standard backrowers. I'm assuming everyone is on holiday and Gibbs isn't in place/hasn't had a chance to look at him?

Wasn't there chat previously that they needed to make space for the likes of Rea the Younger and the new crop coming through?

Redman wrote:

marty2086 wrote:Read over the weekend that Dow has been released

Disappointing that he hasn't made it considering we are in dire need of even Rabo standard backrowers.  I'm assuming everyone is on holiday and Gibbs isn't in place/hasn't had a chance to look at him?

Wasn't there chat previously that they needed to make space for the likes of Rea the Younger and the new crop coming through?

It was the Ulter Supporters page on Fb so not sure how official it is

We'd like to wish Ruan Pienaar, Franco van der Merwe, Ricky Lutton, Stephen Mulholland, Lorcan Dow, Conor Joyce, Craig Trenier, Conall Boomer, Alexander Thompson, Mark Best, John Donnan, Jonny Murphy and Callum Patterson all the very best with their new ventures. A great bunch of lads who put everything in the Senior and A jersey down the years. Safe travels lads and once again thank you

I did check the website and Dow isn't listed though Patterson another on the list is

Things aren't looking good with Payne, still suffering from migraines and being sent for tests to get to the bottom of it.

Passed all the concussion protocols and it's been ruled out

Might be lucky to see him before Christmas

Caleb Montgomery,young player from Portadown who's been playing in France is now training with Ulster. Geoffrey?

He also spent time in NZ at Zinzan Brookes old club, Mahurangi

LOOSEHEAD
Schalk van der Merwe *
Kyle McCall (36 ULS)
Andrew Warwick (74 ULS)
Tommy O'Hagan *
Callum Black (128 ULS)

HOOKER
Rory Best (198 ULS, 104 IRE)
Rob Herring (120 ULS, 1 IRE)
John Andrew (27 ULS)

TIGHTHEAD
Wiehahn Herbst (54 ULS)
Rodney Ah You (18 ULS, 3 IRE)
Ross Kane (11 ULS)
Jonny Simpson (4 ULS)

LOCK
Iain Henderson (74 ULS, 32 IRE)
Kieran Treadwell (21 ULS, 2 IRE)
Alan O'Connor (39 ULS)
Peter Browne (31 ULS)
Robbie Diack (193 ULS, 2 IRE)

BACK ROW
Jean Deysel (0 ULS, 4 SA)
Chris Henry (165 ULS, 24 IRE)
Marcell Coetzee (4 ULS, 28 SA)
Sean Reidy (58 ULS, 2 IRE)
Clive Ross (52 ULS)
Matthew Rea *

SCRUMHALF
John Cooney (0 ULS, 1 IRE)
Paul Marshall (195 ULS, 3 IRE)
David Shanahan (13 ULS)

OUTHALF
Paddy Jackson (123 ULS, 25 IRE)
Brett Herron (7 ULS)
Johnny McPhillips *

CENTRE
Stuart McCloskey (58 ULS, 1 IRE)
Luke Marshall (104 ULS, 11 IRE)
Stuart Olding (62 ULS, 4 IRE)
Darren Cave (193 ULS, 11 IRE)
Callum Patterson *

WINGS
Charles Piutau (23 ULS, 16 NZ)
Andrew Trimble (217 ULS, 70 IRE)
Tommy Bowe (150 ULS, 69 IRE)
Jacob Stockdale (24 ULS, 2 IRE)
Craig Gilroy (149 ULS, 10 IRE)
Robert Lyttle (8 ULS
)Aaron Cairns (1 ULS)
Jack Owens (1 ULS)

FULLBACK
Jared Payne (78 ULS, 20 IRE)
Louis Ludik (54 ULS)
Peter Nelson (37 ULS)
David Busby (2 ULS)

Senior squad by position. Thin everywhere we had expected – lock, back row, scrumhalf. There’s actually a few young props further down the pecking order who I’d be hopeful will kick on – Kane, O’Hagan, Simpson. Timoney still in academy, but good to see one of the Reas surface properly.

Time to start phasing out Trimble and Bowe, especially. With Piutau, Gilroy, Stockdale and Lyttle fighting to establish a place, we should hopefully never have to see Tommy and Andy on the field at the same time.

We need to work out our best centre combination for our style of play (whatever that will be under Gibbes). Outhalf looks scary, but with Nelson and Olding in the squad, it isn’t as bad as it first looks, actually.

Scrumhalf is what it is.

Deysel can cover second row but losing Dow and Donnan even as in case of emergency options is crazy given the lack of depth there. Cairns can cover 9 too as well as wing, thought I read something at the tail end of last season of him playing more there going forward

Kane though is on a full contract now is he not?

Piutau is in his final year though so we should be looking at Stockdale and Lyttle getting plenty of game time this season and saving Piutau for the big games and on the bench for some of those games we need a spark in

Apart from the back 3 that's a fairly weak looking squad it has to be said.

Ach,we're laughing in the centres, if we can just get someone to coach them well.

Apparently Montgomery is playing for a development contract r some such. Would really help if he's up to it.

If the coaching is an improvement on what this squad has been accustomed to we're bound to see some kind of turnaround. Lets face it, if they aren't a vast improvement I'd eat my hat and everyone's on this forum. Glasgow showed what a good coaching ticket can bring with their rise to glory. There's no reason we can't do exactly the same if the entire squad buys into the leadership being offered to them.
I am optimistic that we'll see a much different attitude and therefore less frustration than last.

We'd bloody better!!!!

Townsend, Lam, Rassie - coaches have made a monumental difference to a team's fortunes in the recent history of the Pro12.

I just hope we hit the ground running and don't take Half the season to find our form, we have players that are winding down their careers and haven't many season left, we really need the silverware we have been so close to.

We hit the ground running last season, what we need is to be consistent through the season if we do

Learning to utilise the squad properly would be a nice change