Ulster Rugby 2017-2018 Part 2

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Part 2

Paddy mc signs for Connancht, did we miss out on not resigning him?

Kingshu wrote:Paddy mc signs for Connancht, did we miss out on not resigning him?

Did he not have another new on his contract?

Folks, he never turned out to be as good as his early promise suggested. We need another LH prop, but one better than him.

Don Alfonso wrote:Folks, he never turned out to be as good as his early promise suggested. We need another LH prop, but one better than him.

Agreed, if he was being signed as a third or fourth choice he'd be a great signing. Worrying that so many would love to see him signed yet were happy to see the back of vDM

Thornley saying in the Irish Times that Hendo may be in the Six Nations squad - well on the way to recovery.

Kingshu wrote:Paddy mc signs for Connancht, did we miss out on not resigning him?

Probably - the GP still prizes power over mobility, so Paddymac was never a great fit there, but McFarland's blueprint is based on mobility. If Warwick is going to move to 3 then he would have been a great signing (unless Buckley is coming North?). Paddy was hit hard when Nevin died so maybe he didn't want to come back to the reminders?

You'd have thought Paddy Mc would have wanted to come back if he was asked? I did wonder myself if the signing by Connacht was a sign that they were set to lose one of their own props.
Were any of their props particularly good mates of Cooney I wonder?

If Ulster make it to the European Cup quarter-finals, but don't qualify (again) for the Pro14 playoffs is that an acceptable season for McFarland?

The Great Aukster wrote:If Ulster make it to the European Cup quarter-finals, but don't qualify (again) for the Pro14 playoffs is that an acceptable season for McFarland?

I'd say it would be a great season.

Last season we just about scraped into the champions cup so that is definitely progress despite all the personnel changes and MacFarland missing preseason.

The Great Aukster wrote:If Ulster make it to the European Cup quarter-finals, but don't qualify (again) for the Pro14 playoffs is that an acceptable season for McFarland?

That depends on what missing the play off entails, the way things are at the minute that would also include missing next years Champions Cup which would be disastrous given the implications it would have on finances and recruitment.

Agree completely with Marty - as and of itself, it's a great return. It would just be a clear illustration of what we all know - we have a formidable first 15, and little reliable depth. We have taken steps this season to cull everyone that doesn't deliver, knowing it would reduce our depth by even more. The young bucks are learning. So in the league, where depth is crucial, we will struggle.

But that's provided we have European rugby next season. If we don't, that will be a serious issue.

Looking at the Pro14 run in there is no reason why we can't make the playoffs, our main competitors have, in my opinion, a more difficult run in. Results can never be taken for granted and unfortunately there's also no reason why our competitors can't make it so it'll be the usual nail biter.
IF....we can get the away win tomorrow we'll have already overachieved for this season but we need to continue the overachievements in the Pro14 too, next season depends upon it.
I think we're still in better health than most of us had anticipated.

I think it's important not to underestimate the importance of the experience of playing in the European KO stages, it isn't just about the financial implications of not being there.

I think it was BelfastDickVet made the point that there is a lot to be gained even in losing, particularly with the young players - we may not be seen as genuine contenders this year for Europe but that doesn't mean playing in and losing in a European QF or SF isn't of real value to the overall development of the squad.

I don't think anyone has a particularly easy run in, trips to Glasgow and Edinburgh then home to Leinster will be tough for Ulster. They need to target 5 points from the Treviso, Zebre and Dragons games as every point will count and with a likely QF it will be require a lot of rotation

I get the whole playing ourselves down mental protection thing, but didn't we just beat a team who has been in the final twice in the last 3 seasons, and without Henderson and Cooney, a pretty young green winger and a busted fly-half.

If we can get a team out that is closer to 100% than 80/90, is losing a QF really the foregone conclusion some seem to be suggesting?

We beat them at home though, while Ulster might not be the same team that lost in Paris would you have fancied Ulster to have gone to Paris last weekend and won?

That's what we might have to do in a QF, or go to Saracens or Leinster. Not many teams will fancy that

Yea fair point. I'd say though if Cooney had been passed and Burns remained fit we might have sealed that game earlier. Fine margins.

But yea, away matches will make it tougher for sure.

Anyone any update on Luke Marshall?

Was he not tipped to return around now?

Will it take him some time to get match fitness back. Wonder if there is a liklihood that Addison might go to 15 and Ludik to the wing.

Would be great to see him return to his former glory.

Even if he doesn't break into starting 15, it would be nice to have that extra depth along with Hume. Especially with Addison away with Ireland.

It looks like we might get Racing again, but we need to beat the Tigers first.

I don't think its a foregone conclusion but wouldn't fancy our chances against any of the top sides on the road, although Sarries and Leinster will have a lot of players in the 6N so you don't know what will happen during that period.

rodders wrote:It looks like we might get Racing again, but we need to beat the Tigers first.

I don't think its a foregone conclusion but wouldn't fancy our chances against any of the top sides on the road, although Sarries and Leinster will have a lot of players in the 6N so you don't know what will happen during that period.

If Edinburgh beat Montpellier tonight, Ulster just need 1 point from the Leicester game to guarantee a QF

marty2086 wrote:

rodders wrote:It looks like we might get Racing again, but we need to beat the Tigers first.

I don't think its a foregone conclusion but wouldn't fancy our chances against any of the top sides on the road, although Sarries and Leinster will have a lot of players in the 6N so you don't know what will happen during that period.

If Edinburgh beat Montpellier tonight, Ulster just need 1 point from the Leicester game to guarantee a QF

Fair enough but the point is we haven't qualified yet, it looks good on paper but we aren't guaranteed anything at Welford road, they may have nothing to play for but won't roll over at home.

Leicester rested a lot of their front liners last week, they'll be raring to go this weekend at home

@JBradleyBT wrote:Ulster team to face Tigers due in an hour. Expecting one sizeable and welcome surprise ahead of the big game.

7 Ulster players in the U20 Six Nations squad

Forwards:
Azur Allison (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
David McCann (Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
JJ McKee (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)

Backs:
Bruce Houston (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
Iwan Hughes (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
Angus Kernohan (Queen's University RFC / Ulster)
Stewart Moore (Malone RFC/Ulster)

marty2086 wrote:Leicester rested a lot of their front liners last week, they'll be raring to go this weekend at home

@JBradleyBT wrote:Ulster team to face Tigers due in an hour. Expecting one sizeable and welcome surprise ahead of the big game.

Henderson ??
KOTH on t'other forum has hinted at this.

If it is hendo his thumb ligament wasn't as bad is thought or he's some sort of wolverine healing mutant

(15-9): L Ludik; R Baloucoune, W Addison, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; B Burns, D Shanahan;
(1-8): E O’Sullivan, R Best (captain), M Moore, I Henderson, K Treadwell, S Reidy, J Murphy, M Coetzee;

Replacements (16-23): R Herring, A Warwick, R Kane, A O’Connor, N Timoney, J Cooney, M Lowry, D Cave.

Hendo isn't human

Someone needs to test his DNA

Other than Ellis Genge that is as strong a lineup as we have available to us. So we are at least taking this game seriously.

Excited about this one. Saw elsewhere that the Premiership teams don't have a game next week, so can go full strength. Hendo to be best forward on the pitch, but seriously concerned about Tuilagi and May.

Toulouse will win - so if Ulster get nothing at Leicester, Exeter need to get 5 AND Munster get a bonus at Thomond to put them out.

Any analysis on this so far? I’m scratching my head here to be honest.

Ulster seem to be under resourcing the ruck and and Tigers have turned up with some physicality for a change. Ulster seem to think they're playing last week's Tigers team and not the one that's turned up today.

Ford has to release the tackle before competing for the ball, no??

We ain't playing well, but tigers are doing a good job of delaying just enough on the wrong side to stop us getting the ball away quick.
But my god were making some terrible mistakes.

Good score Marty

clivemcl wrote:Ford has to release the tackle before competing for the ball, no??

Knock on as Reidy stands up to let go. He's lucky to still be on screaming at the ref like that.

Have to say both teams have got some lucky calls today from the ref.

Get in Balcoune.

Balacoune try saver

What a cover tackle from Balacoune. His defence the last few weeks has been brilliant

Congratulations Ulster, good luck in the knock out stages.

That win was earned in the first half with the defence and discipline to keep Tigers out when we were on top, would have been easy to concede penalties and give us three pointers.

My post disappeared.
Commiserations to Tigers and Murphy both of whom Ulster have a lot of respect for. I am sure Tigers will come through this difficult time.

Cooney was the difference when he came on. Shanahan is a good guy to have in the squad but not in Cooneys class. Stockdale is the best wing around right now, I agree with Monye.

Good shoft from the pack, Baloucoune also looks very very promising on the wing.

We need to give Balacoune a nick name, I can't spell his name right

Artful_Dodger wrote:My post disappeared.
Commiserations to Tigers and Murphy both of whom Ulster have a lot of respect for.   I am sure Tigers will come through this difficult time.

It's getting there, we can at least defend now and today showed some intensity at the breakdown.

Only real benefit to the nightmare season is that we've got lots of young lads coming through and getting game time. Replacement tighthead today is only 19 and he gave nothing away at scrum time and carried well in the loose.

Hopefully next year we can give Europe more of a go.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:My post disappeared.
Commiserations to Tigers and Murphy both of whom Ulster have a lot of respect for.   I am sure Tigers will come through this difficult time.

It's getting there, we can at least defend now and today showed some intensity at the breakdown.

Only real benefit to the nightmare season is that we've got lots of young lads coming through and getting game time. Replacement tighthead today is only 19 and he gave nothing away at scrum time and carried well in the loose.

Hopefully next year we can give Europe more of a go.

Tigers did themselves proud today

So if I have the math correct if Leinster beat Toulouse tomorrow then we would have a quarter final v them in Dublin but if Toulouse were to win then we would take on Edinburgh away?
Or am I completely wrong

neilthom7 wrote:So if I have the math correct if Leinster beat Toulouse tomorrow then we would have a quarter final v them in Dublin but if Toulouse were to win then we would take on Edinburgh away?
Or am I completely wrong

They aren't playing each other

Also we won 5 out of 6 matches and picked up 2 bonus points along the way and still finished second in the group by 4 points, that's kind of crazy.

Brendan wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:So if I have the math correct if Leinster beat Toulouse tomorrow then we would have a quarter final v them in Dublin but if Toulouse were to win then we would take on Edinburgh away?
Or am I completely wrong

They aren't playing each other

Oh yeah you are right, don't know why I thought they were, complete brain meltdown

I wonder will we be allowed a medical joker to the end of the season Since we have reached a QF and it would give us a better chance of a semi? After all we only have one NIQ and hopefully he isnt injured.

Suppose if we get drawn against Leinster we will not be allowed one.

So it's a Leinster v Ulster quarter final. I feel a day out xoming.