Ulster Rugby 2017-18

by marty2086 Wed 05 Jul 2017, 10:42 am

Director of Rugby Les Kiss
Head Coach Jono Gibbes
Assistant Coach Dwayne Peel
Scrum Coach Aaron Dundon
Skills Coach Niall Malone

Players In
John Cooney from Connacht
Schalk van der Merwe from Southern Kings
Jean Deysel from Sharks
David Busby promoted from Academy
Aaron Cairns promoted from Academy
Ross Kane promoted from Academy
Rob Lyttle promoted from Academy
Tommy O'Hagan promoted from Academy
Jack Owens promoted from Academy

Players Out
Franco van der Merwe to Cardiff Blues
Roger Wilson retired
Conor Joyce to Jersey Reds
Mark Best to Jersey Reds
Jonny Murphy to Rotherham Titans
Ruan Pienaar to Montpellier
John Donnan released
Lorcan Dow released
Ricky Lutton released
Stephen Mulholland released

Ulster Rugby 2017/18 Senior Playing Squad

Rodney Ah You (18 ULS, 3 IRE)
John Andrew (27 ULS)
Rory Best (198 ULS, 104 IRE)
Callum Black (128 ULS)
Tommy Bowe (150 ULS, 69 IRE)
Peter Browne (31 ULS)
David Busby (2 ULS)
Aaron Cairns (1 ULS)
Darren Cave (193 ULS, 11 IRE)
Marcell Coetzee (4 ULS, 28 SA)
John Cooney (0 ULS, 1 IRE)
Jean Deysel (0 ULS, 4 SA)
Robbie Diack (193 ULS, 2 IRE)
Craig Gilroy (149 ULS, 10 IRE)
Iain Henderson (74 ULS, 32 IRE)
Chris Henry (165 ULS, 24 IRE)
Wiehahn Herbst (54 ULS)
Rob Herring (120 ULS, 1 IRE)
Brett Herron (7 ULS)
Paddy Jackson (123 ULS, 25 IRE)
Ross Kane (11 ULS)
Louis Ludik (54 ULS)
Robert Lyttle (8 ULS)
Luke Marshall (104 ULS, 11 IRE)
Paul Marshall (195 ULS, 3 IRE)
Kyle McCall (36 ULS)
Stuart McCloskey (58 ULS, 1 IRE)
Johnny McPhillips
Peter Nelson (37 ULS)
Alan O'Connor (39 ULS)
Tommy O'Hagan
Stuart Olding (62 ULS, 4 IRE)
Jack Owens (1 ULS)
Callum Patterson
Jared Payne (78 ULS, 20 IRE)
Charles Piutau (23 ULS, 16 NZ)
Matthew Rea
Sean Reidy (58 ULS, 2 IRE)
Clive Ross (52 ULS)
David Shanahan (13 ULS)
Jonny Simpson (4 ULS)
Jacob Stockdale (24 ULS, 2 IRE)
Kieran Treadwell (21 ULS, 2 IRE)
Andrew Trimble (217 ULS, 70 IRE)
Schalk van der Merwe
Andrew Warwick (74 ULS)

by Pete330v2 Thu 06 Jul 2017, 8:40 pm

At last, a clean slate for the forum and a clean slate for Ulster.

by LordDowlais Fri 07 Jul 2017, 9:01 am

What are your guys expectations for the coming season ?

by Redman Fri 07 Jul 2017, 2:09 pm

I'm hopeful we can avoid relegation.

by mikey_dragon Fri 07 Jul 2017, 4:40 pm

LordDowlais wrote:What are your guys expectations for the coming season ?

Pretty low I imagine. Marshall Kilgore will be their player of the season again.

by Rory_Gallagher Fri 07 Jul 2017, 4:45 pm

LordDowlais wrote:What are your guys expectations for the coming season ?

I expect that the Welsh professional victim squad will infect all of the threads for another season.

by Don Alfonso Fri 07 Jul 2017, 6:04 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:What are your guys expectations for the coming season ?

Pretty low I imagine. Marshall Kilgore will be their player of the season again.

More likely to be one of the players with the Lions, or Piutau (Pro12 Player of the Season last season), or possibly Stockdale. Maybe Coetzee with a full run.

I'd ask who the Dragons' player of the season might be, but I don't really care and it won't mean anything.

by Pete330v2 Fri 07 Jul 2017, 6:52 pm

LordDowlais wrote:What are your guys expectations for the coming season ?

I expect to grow some optimism LD, something sadly missing from rugby life in years because at long last the poison has been removed from Ulster. I fully expect a large upturn in performances and nothing less. That would lead to a playoff place at the very least.

by marty2086 Fri 07 Jul 2017, 9:03 pm

by geoff999rugby Fri 07 Jul 2017, 10:13 pm

Given the change in coaching staff I expect us to make Top 4. reckon we have more to offer than Ospreys and Glasgow will miss Townsend
Also I don't believe the Munster squad is any stronger than ours, no Foley effect next year, no Erasmus

Leinster have more and if Scarlets can recreate the rugby of the second half of last season they will also take some stopping

Big confused by Patterson I was told he hasn't got a full contract and is only training on a part time basis as a backup
Also been told Black retained because he has a contract but is definitely on the way out next summer

by marty2086 Fri 07 Jul 2017, 10:35 pm

I'd heard Patterson was released and then saw his name on the squad list so its a strange one, he seemed like a decent player in the BaaBaas game. Not the best platform but he didnt look out of place

If they don't want Black why not release him? Leicester have released 3 players in Betham, Pietersen and McCaffrey recently because they didn't want them. It seems we need to be a bit more ruthless with players. There are release clauses in coaches contracts, Im sure theres something in players contracts.

by LordDowlais Sat 08 Jul 2017, 6:38 am

Pete330v2 wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:What are your guys expectations for the coming season ?

I expect to grow some optimism LD, something sadly missing from rugby life in years because at long last the poison has been removed from Ulster. I fully expect a large upturn in performances and nothing less. That would lead to a playoff place at the very least.

Thanks for the reply. The only proper one on here. Rolling Eyes

I am tipping Ulster for the league this season.

by geoff999rugby Sat 08 Jul 2017, 10:41 am

LD - why did my reply not meet your criteria of being proper Headscratch

by clivemcl Sat 08 Jul 2017, 10:52 am

Anyone else watching Hendy in the background in the Lions aftermath?
Just standing by himself. And happy to do so. I like to think he's thinking about himself and what he wants from his career. Itoje has two years on him. I think he was coming to terms with not kicking on as much as he might have.
Lions selection shows that coaches see his raw talent, but he really didn't show much of it for Ulster this last season.
Let's hope he comes home with ambition and hunger more than he has had in the past.

by geoff999rugby Sat 08 Jul 2017, 10:56 am

Henderson was excellent on tour and very unlucky not to make the bench

by clivemcl Sat 08 Jul 2017, 10:58 am

I agree Geoff, and he hasn't been that at that level for Ulster. Shows what coaching can do and perhaps he's rediscovered some fervour while away.

by Rory_Gallagher Sat 08 Jul 2017, 11:08 am

The first step would be to stop faffing about with combinations - get him in that 4 shirt alongside Treadwell at 5 and leave him there.

by geoff999rugby Sat 08 Jul 2017, 11:12 am

You've got it one - fortunately that is the plan

by neilthom7 Fri 14 Jul 2017, 4:25 pm

Personally my expectations for this year are that it is better than last season, if it does that at least we ar eheading in the right direction. Mind you might be tough to not be better.

by Don Alfonso Fri 14 Jul 2017, 8:05 pm

We will miss Pienaar - other than that, I find it hard to imagine that we won't be substantially better this season.

If it's going to be a Pro14 in two conferences, though, there's a touch of all bets being off as everyone will have a fairly tough learning curve in the new format. Very hard to predict.

I'd hope the play-offs. Especially if, as has been suggested, there are six teams in the play-offs.

by Pot Hale Sat 15 Jul 2017, 9:38 am

Wonder how they'll pick the 7th spot team for European qualification now that there's no country guaranteed spot. Playoff between 4th place teams in each pool?

by neilthom7 Sat 15 Jul 2017, 4:57 pm

I wonder how they will make the conferences so they are even in quality otherwise you are going to end up with some absolutely farcical playoffs

by Redman Sat 15 Jul 2017, 9:41 pm

Really excited to see the league expanding but not a fan of the conference system.

Other leagues manage 14 teams. Why can we not have 14 and then do away with the playoff system. Winner takes all. Top of the league is the champion.

That means we only need to find 2 more weeks in the calendar.

by neilthom7 Sat 15 Jul 2017, 10:11 pm

I guess the question is where do you find those other 2 weeks, do you have them during 6 nations when some teams are going to suffer more than others or do you have them at the end of the season and lengthen the season evene more.

by The Great Aukster Sun 16 Jul 2017, 8:42 pm

How much does the 6N really skew the table? 26 games is fine with no playoffs.

by marty2086 Sun 16 Jul 2017, 10:05 pm

Playoffs are money spinners though

by marty2086 Tue 18 Jul 2017, 4:12 pm

Leicester apparently are interested in Arno Botha Shocked

They have been speaking to Blue Bulls No 8 Arno Botha who was due to join Ulster this season.

The Springbok who can also play flanker failed a medial at the end of last season and Ulster abandoned plans to sign him.

The 25-year-old who has suffered a number of injury set backs was due to sign a two-year deal with the Belfast side.

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/latest-news/28823/leicester-tigers-move-for-damian-mckenzie-and-a-flanker-show-signs-of-gathering-pace/

by Don Alfonso Tue 18 Jul 2017, 7:18 pm

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/40649652

Conferences it is.

by Rory_Gallagher Tue 18 Jul 2017, 9:57 pm

Don Alfonso wrote:http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/40649652

Conferences it is.

Obviously it will be Leinster and Munster in the same conference. Meaning we play them both only once per season from now on?

by St John The Enforcer Tue 18 Jul 2017, 10:14 pm

Rory_Gallagher wrote:
Don Alfonso wrote:http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/40649652

Conferences it is.

Obviously it will be Leinster and Munster in the same conference. Meaning we play them both only once per season from now on?

If by obviously you mean most unlikely then i almost get it, and why is everyone on about loosing derbies when from the very first Tom English article a few weeks ago it has been stated that all of the derbies will remain. in fact the Scots, Italians and south Africans will play each other 3 times.

by marty2086 Tue 18 Jul 2017, 10:18 pm

St John The Enforcer wrote:
Rory_Gallagher wrote:
Don Alfonso wrote:http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/40649652

Conferences it is.

Obviously it will be Leinster and Munster in the same conference. Meaning we play them both only once per season from now on?

If by obviously you mean most unlikely then i almost get it, and why is everyone on about loosing derbies when from the very first Tom English article a few weeks ago it has been stated that all of the derbies will remain. in fact the Scots, Italians and south Africans will play each other 3 times.

Maybe because every article since has said otherwise and since the BBC are reporting things as fact, as they usually do the day before big announcements because they had a heads up, they are saying its not the case.

by Rory_Gallagher Tue 18 Jul 2017, 10:33 pm

St John The Enforcer wrote:
Rory_Gallagher wrote:
Don Alfonso wrote:http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/40649652

Conferences it is.

Obviously it will be Leinster and Munster in the same conference. Meaning we play them both only once per season from now on?

If by obviously you mean most unlikely then i almost get it, and why is everyone on about loosing derbies when from the very first Tom English article a few weeks ago it has been stated that all of the derbies will remain. in fact the Scots, Italians and south Africans will play each other 3 times.

Okay.

Anyone else?

by St John The Enforcer Tue 18 Jul 2017, 11:51 pm

marty2086 wrote:
St John The Enforcer wrote:
Rory_Gallagher wrote:
Don Alfonso wrote:http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/40649652

Conferences it is.

Obviously it will be Leinster and Munster in the same conference. Meaning we play them both only once per season from now on?

If by obviously you mean most unlikely then i almost get it, and why is everyone on about loosing derbies when from the very first Tom English article a few weeks ago it has been stated that all of the derbies will remain. in fact the Scots, Italians and south Africans will play each other 3 times.

Maybe because every article since has said otherwise and since the BBC are reporting things as fact, as they usually do the day before big announcements because they had a heads up, they are saying its not the case.

Is this what you mean by saying its not the case

The article you are quoting wrote:The current preference is for two conferences of seven teams playing each other home and away. Within this format, the teams would also play one game against all the sides from the other conference, which would deliver 19 fixtures.

Additionally, each club would also play home and away derby fixtures as well, providing a total of 21 league games.

by marty2086 Tue 18 Jul 2017, 11:59 pm

Okay I read that and it didnt register just the first part picard

by Don Alfonso Thu 20 Jul 2017, 1:45 pm

Video with Aaron Cairns on UR Twitter.

Referred to as "scrum-half", interestingly.

by marty2086 Thu 20 Jul 2017, 1:59 pm

Not the first time either, saw something recently from UR saying the same about him.

Never did make sense switching him to the wing when we are overstocked there and crying out for somebody with a pulse and a decent pass at 9

I noticed Peter Stringer has signed with Worcester for 6 months, surely he would have been worth a 1 year deal ahead of Marshall?

by Don Alfonso Thu 20 Jul 2017, 2:23 pm

Stringer's never going to play for Ireland again, so he'd just be blocking a youngster.

And I haven't seen him play in a while now - is he current any good?

by marty2086 Thu 20 Jul 2017, 2:41 pm

Marshalls never going to play for Ireland again either

Stringers still got the pass and the brain, something Marshall can be short on which is why it would seem like a better idea getting Stringer for a year as back up to Cooney

He was Sales player of the year for 2015/16 when they finished 6th, not bad at 39

by Don Alfonso Fri 21 Jul 2017, 9:31 am

Maybe he doesn't want to.

Saw some of the live broadcast of the supporters' club Q&A with the coaches. Nothing of note to report. Lots of whiny, snide "look at me" questions.

by marty2086 Fri 21 Jul 2017, 10:30 am

You could be right, that is what happens in a lot of cases

Watched the video too, only 15 mins on facebook though
https://www.facebook.com/ulsterrugby/videos/vb.126216190790822/1465466800199081/?type=2&theatre

Listening to the questions I thought it may be a few 606 regulars Whistle

by Don Alfonso Fri 21 Jul 2017, 11:01 am

There was such a sense of smug self-righteousness amongst the attendees I can only assume that they, as a group, had successfully achieved the abolition of slavery, coached the Finland rugby team to a RWC final and are weeks away from curing cancer.

Such a missed opportunity to ask pertinent questions, for the sake of showing off and getting digs in.

by marty2086 Fri 21 Jul 2017, 11:21 am

Yeah the guy asking Kiss who was picking the team I thought was going to get a slap from Les at one point

by Don Alfonso Tue 25 Jul 2017, 6:22 pm

Jackson and Olding charged. That's the season gone without Jacko.

by marty2086 Tue 25 Jul 2017, 6:34 pm

And relieved of their duties according to the news

Think you are being short sighted though Don, I think thats them done with Ulster. I don't know any of the details of the charges but if the PPS took a year to decide and decide to charge, it doesn't look good for them

by marty2086 Tue 25 Jul 2017, 6:37 pm

Two Ulster rugby stars are among four men to be prosecuted for offences relating to allegations of r***, the BBC understands.
Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding were arrested in June 2016 with two other men, and questioned about allegations of a sexual assault in south Belfast.
The PPS confirmed a decision has been taken to prosecute four men in relation to allegations of r***.
Both Mr Jackson, 25, and Mr Olding, 24, deny the allegations.
The Public Prosecution Service said: "Following a careful review of all of the available evidence, in accordance with our Code for Prosecutors, it has been decided that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute four individuals."
Solicitors representing Mr Jackson and Mr Olding confirmed their clients are to be prosecuted for alleged r***.
Another man is to be charged with a sexual offence and a fourth man is to be charged with intent to pervert the course of justice.
Solicitor Joe Rice, representing Stuart Olding said: "I would like to point out that my client has fully co-operated with the investigation and is not on any bail conditions and is of previous good character.
"He should be allowed to uphold his right to the presumption of innocence and rejects any allegation of wrong-doing and is confident his name will be cleared through the courts."
In a similar statement, Paddy Jackson's solicitor Kevin Winters said: "He rejects the allegations completely and we're very disappointed at the PPS decision to prosecute on these particular facts."
"We say there is no basis for the decision to prosecute and we are confident that our client will be cleared of any charge."
The PPS statement added: "As the criminal proceedings against these individuals have commenced and each has a right to a fair trial, it is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice proceedings."
All four men are due to appear in court next month.
The Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby said the players have agreed that they be relieved of their duties and obligations until the conclusion of the legal process, to allow them time to address the matter fully.
Mr Jackson and Mr Olding have been involved in legal proceedings against the BBC in relation to the reporting of their arrests.

by Don Alfonso Tue 25 Jul 2017, 6:39 pm

If they're found innocent, they'll come back. If not, they'll got to jail and Ulster will be the least of their worries.

by Don Alfonso Tue 25 Jul 2017, 7:05 pm

Although the "intent to pervert the course of justice" is worthy of note.

by Rory_Gallagher Tue 25 Jul 2017, 7:14 pm

Morons.

by toml Tue 25 Jul 2017, 7:34 pm

Innocent or not they are braindead

by Pete330v2 Tue 25 Jul 2017, 8:23 pm

So if they've been relieved of duties by Ulster and the IRFU where does that leave us for a usable out-half. Jacko being the number one 10 and Olding being one of our possible backups where does that leave us and what are Ulster planning to do now? Are we left with Nelson as our leading runner for the 10 shirt with Herron as first backup and Cooney shifting from 9 when needed?

Contingency plans needed Ulster in case legal proceedings go against the two lads?

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