Ulster Rugby 2018-19

First topic message reminder :

https://www.606v2.com/t68145-ulster-rugby-2017-2018-part-2


Last thread was at risk of self combusting, so started a new one for you. 


Bye.

geoff999rugby wrote:

rodders wrote:

It would be great to see Stockdale back. Not sure about Ludik on the wing though, I think Lyttle or Lowry offer a bit more in attack especially with the style of rugby we are playing.

Ludik is being picked for his superior defence

Sure, don't get me wrong Ludik is a solid player and good under the high ball but lacks a bit of pace these days out wide. It seems a bit of a conservative pick.

Ireland Under-20 World Cup squad includes six Ulster Academy players; Azur Allison, David McCall, (both back row), Bruce Houston (outhalf), Iwan Hughes, Angus Kernohan (both back three) and Stewart Moore (centre), as well as sub-Academy prop Callum Reid.

That is the same as Munster and more than Connacht, as usual Leinster dominate

I have high hopes for Reid, Allison, McCall and Moore

Got one wrong Cave on the bench not Lyttle - didn't thing he would make it

Stockdale versus Hogg. Does that get anyone else a little giddy?
Stockdale is a player who can change the etire teams fortunes.
Maybe... just maybe....


Roll on tomorrow night! SUFTUM

Why not have Ludik at fullback and stockdale on the wing, that way everyone is in their best position?

Kingshu wrote:Why not have Ludik at fullback and stockdale on the wing, that way everyone is in their best position?

I like Stockdale at full back actually, he's a real attacking threat from the back and defensively pretty solid too. He and Balacoune linking down the right channel offers a lot of strike threat.

rodders wrote:

Kingshu wrote:Why not have Ludik at fullback and stockdale on the wing, that way everyone is in their best position?

I like Stockdale at full back actually, he's a real attacking threat from the back and defensively pretty solid too. He and Balacoune linking down the right channel offers a lot of strike threat.

Will they not interchange Stockdale and Ludik for different plays. It gives Stockdale more freedom to run either side

Well done Dan (McFarland and Soper).
You brought through some academy players, got rid of a pile of deadwood, got out of the ERCC pool and made the semis of the P14. This was way above expectations.
Thank you.

Don't lose faith.

Unfortunately, we squeezed a round further in maybe both comps than we really were in terms of progress. Call it luck or whatever, but I think that result shows we somehow found ourselves at a level beyond where our ability lay.
As much as we all agree this seasons has been incredibly positive and we’ve made brilliant progress. The results at the business end perhaps allowed some Ulster supporters (myself included) to believe the progress was that bit greater than it actually is.
Perhaps some more stoic grounded individuals felt we were lucky to be in a semi.
You have to admit, the mentality for both players and supporters going into the summer break and a new season might have been better served by a narrow quarter final defeat than to end it on that horrendous note!

clivemcl wrote:Unfortunately, we squeezed a round further in maybe both comps than we really were in terms of progress. Call it luck or whatever, but I think that result shows we somehow found ourselves at a level beyond where our ability lay.
As much as we all agree this seasons has been incredibly positive and we’ve made brilliant progress. The results at the business end perhaps allowed some Ulster supporters (myself included) to believe the progress was that bit greater than it actually is.
Perhaps some more stoic grounded individuals felt we were lucky to be in a semi.
You have to admit, the mentality for both players and supporters going into the summer break and a new season might have been better served by a narrow quarter final defeat than to end it on that horrendous note!

I think we finished exactly where we are right now, the 4th best team in the league last season. Last nights result while disappointing is not a show that we are not the 4th best team.
Glasgow have the most try bonus points this season and the highest regular points total in the tournament and were on their best form last night. Its disappointing but we were the 4th best team in terms of points in the league just a couple ahead of connacht and we just slipped past them in the last round. We were 18 points behind Glasgow and that gap also showed so I think that is a good reflection of the season as a whole

When you put it like that...

neilthom7 wrote:

clivemcl wrote:Unfortunately, we squeezed a round further in maybe both comps than we really were in terms of progress. Call it luck or whatever, but I think that result shows we somehow found ourselves at a level beyond where our ability lay.
As much as we all agree this seasons has been incredibly positive and we’ve made brilliant progress. The results at the business end perhaps allowed some Ulster supporters (myself included) to believe the progress was that bit greater than it actually is.
Perhaps some more stoic grounded individuals felt we were lucky to be in a semi.
You have to admit, the mentality for both players and supporters going into the summer break and a new season might have been better served by a narrow quarter final defeat than to end it on that horrendous note!

I think we finished exactly where we are right now, the 4th best team in the league last season.  Last nights result while disappointing is not a show that we are not the 4th best team.
Glasgow have the most try bonus points this season and the highest regular points total in the tournament and were on their best form last night.  Its disappointing but we were the 4th best team in terms of points in the league just a couple ahead of connacht and we just slipped past them in the last round.  We were 18 points behind Glasgow and that gap also showed so I think that is a good reflection of the season as a whole

The first team is competitive and McFarland has been building depth but that is still too shallow to be winning trophies. Getting Luke Marshall back at the end of the season probably tipped the balance for the last few games, but that is how close Ulster were from being mid table rather than top 4. Ulster have been lucky that O'Sullivan was not only able to step up but stay injury free, similarly McCloskey avoided injury but played more games than desirable.
The summer recruits will address the threadbare areas in the team so maybe that extra depth will be enough to propel Ulster into a top 4 contender rather than a top 4 outsider.

Ulsters tactics were too easy to defend for Glasgow, they knew just to shoot up outside Burns and they'd cut off space and it worked, Connacht tried the same and stifled Ulster for large parts too. When Ulster did try something different it came down to Ludik and Stockdale who didn't look to have their match sharpness after being out though were unlucky the forward pass was given.

The defence was as poor as we've seen in the last 18 months and neglect of the rucks was a throw back to the old days

Glasgow were well prepared, fired up and willing to play on the edge and go beyond at times and were able to get away with it but Ulster were almost resigned to defeat it seemed at times

Disappointing end to a very good season.

Our position is an accurate one - 4th seed in the European Cup.
We are better than Connacht, and all Italian, Welsh and Saffer teams.
Still some way to go to match Leinster and Glasgow and closing in on Munster.

The coaches have done a great job and strength in depth is improving.
McGrath and Carter means our front 5 will be a source of strength next year.
We need to address our strength in depth at half back though.
Johnson is, hopefully, a key signing.
also we have permission to sign an IQ 9 , if we can find one.

geoff999rugby wrote:
We need to address our strength in depth at half back though.
Johnson is, hopefully, a key signing.
also we have permission to sign an IQ 9 , if we can find one.

Any word on McPhillips situation? He'll probably play as much whether he stays or goes

Is Stewart not seen as being up to taking the 9 shirt or is it still too early for him?

The general opinion is Stewart will be no more than a squad filler - I agree with that

Lets see what young Curtis can do

Very disappointing way to finish, considering our last couple of performances were so good.

Glasgow were excellent but we were equally poor and a apart from a couple of big moments in the first half by Henderson and Marcel we were blown away physically.

We have a young side and they will learn but we do need to match teams physically as well as wanting to play around them.

That's why the likes of McGrath and Carter are coming in

As I mentioned before we are now in a position of playing Henderson in the backrow.

We also need to play smarter - we are a decent side who with a close to our best 15 can compete against anybody, except this year Glasgow.

We will analysis why and correct next year

As a aside if the play off results count, which I think they will, my understanding is our conference next year will be

Ulster
Munster
Ospreys
Dragons
Edinburgh
Cheetahs
Treviso

Anyone able to confirm ?

geoff999rugby wrote:As a aside if the play off results count, which I think they will, my understanding is our conference next year will be

Ulster
Munster
Ospreys
Dragons
Edinburgh
Cheetahs
Treviso

Anyone able to confirm ?

Think over than Cheetahs you are spot on

Our group gets the strongest Saffer side - I am pretty certain Sun Kings were considered the strongest at the time the Saffers joined

I thought the play-offs didn't count, and that the groups would be much as you were?

I read it as Conference B based on league positions gets 2nd and 3rd Irish teams (Ulster and Munster) 1st and 4th Welsh teams (Ospreys and Dragons) 2nd Scottish team (Edinburgh) and 2nd South African team (Kings) plus the 1st Italian team (Treviso)

marty2086 wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:As a aside if the play off results count, which I think they will, my understanding is our conference next year will be

Ulster
Munster
Ospreys
Dragons
Edinburgh
Cheetahs
Treviso

Anyone able to confirm ?

Think over than Cheetahs you are spot on

That would have Glasgow and Leinster in the same conference. Both finalists together? Not sure that is possible.

The two sections are to be re-shaped, based on finishing positions at the end of this season's regular fixtures.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/guinness-pro14-conferences-overhauled-next-16077439

From Wales Online, but still - fairly categoric.

Also, Bill Johnson confirmed.

Conference A
Munster
Cardiff Blues
Scarlets
Connacht
Glasgow
Zebre
Cheetahs


Conference B
Ospreys
Leinster
Ulster
Dragons
Edinburgh Rugby
Benetton
Southern Kings

RugbyFan100 wrote:Conference A
Munster
Cardiff Blues
Scarlets
Connacht
Glasgow
Zebre
Cheetahs


Conference B
Ospreys
Leinster
Ulster
Dragons
Edinburgh Rugby
Benetton
Southern Kings

By my reckoning Munster would be in our conference not leinster but the rest is correct

neilthom7 wrote:

RugbyFan100 wrote:Conference A
Munster
Cardiff Blues
Scarlets
Connacht
Glasgow
Zebre
Cheetahs


Conference B
Ospreys
Leinster
Ulster
Dragons
Edinburgh Rugby
Benetton
Southern Kings

By my reckoning Munster would be in our conference not leinster but the rest is correct

Not if the positions are decided on points totals.

RugbyFan100 wrote:Conference A
Munster
Cardiff Blues
Scarlets
Connacht
Glasgow
Zebre
Cheetahs


Conference B
Ospreys
Leinster
Ulster
Dragons
Edinburgh Rugby
Benetton
Southern Kings

That is definitely wrong

The best Irish side will be with the best Scottish side and the two middling Welsh sides.
Whichever way you read it Leinster are the top Irish side and Glasgow are the top Scottish side and as such are in the same group
Reading the Wales online link I reckon Marty is right and we have Kings not Cheetahs

I do believe the play offs count
Read this from the original set up
'Final placings are determined by the order in which teams progress through the Guinness Pro14 Final Series. So for example the
Scarlets finished third in the league format last season but went on to win the title. They would be seeded one in the Guinness Pro14
rankings the following season. '

The draw for the first 3 rounds of the competition is going to be interesting, to draw 3 of yhe bigger teams could actually be what is best for Ulster.
The Likes of Leinster and Glasgow would have large numbers away at the RWC and while they are used to this there squads would still be quite a bit weaker than normal.  By Contrast Ulster may not actually lose that much to the world cup. Best and Cave will be gone either way, Henderson, McGrath, Stockdale and Jordi Murphy will all likely go to the world cup but 4 of our 5 new signings would likely be available from the first game

We could conceivably be starting next season with a team of
O'Sullivan, Herring, Moore
Treadwell, Carter (would suggest he is unlikely to go to RWC)
Coetzee (might go to world cup), Timoney, Reidy
Cooney (might go to world cup) Burns/Johnson/Lowry
McCloskey (doesn't seem likely to go to world cup) Marshall
Gilroy Faddes Rob. B
Haven't included him because he could play in any one of a number of positions but Addison will likely be there too and the experience of Ludik

Thats not a bad team really

geoff999rugby wrote:

RugbyFan100 wrote:Conference A
Munster
Cardiff Blues
Scarlets
Connacht
Glasgow
Zebre
Cheetahs


Conference B
Ospreys
Leinster
Ulster
Dragons
Edinburgh Rugby
Benetton
Southern Kings

That is definitely wrong

The best Irish side will be with the best Scottish side and the two middling Welsh sides.
Whichever way you read it Leinster are the top Irish side and Glasgow are the top Scottish side and as such are in the same group
Reading the Wales online link I reckon Marty is right and we have Kings not Cheetahs

I do believe the play offs count
Read this from the original set up
'Final placings are determined by the order in which teams progress through the Guinness Pro14 Final Series. So for example the
Scarlets finished third in the league format last season but went on to win the title. They would be seeded one in the Guinness Pro14
rankings the following season. '

Interesting.

I'm going by this line from the most recent article:

The two sections are to be re-shaped, based on finishing positions at the end of this season's regular fixtures.

neilthom7 wrote:The draw for the first 3 rounds of the competition is going to be interesting, to draw 3 of yhe bigger teams could actually be what is best for Ulster.
The Likes of Leinster and Glasgow would have large numbers away at the RWC and while they are used to this there squads would still be quite a bit weaker than normal.  By Contrast Ulster may not actually lose that much to the world cup. Best and Cave will be gone either way, Henderson, McGrath, Stockdale and Jordi Murphy will all likely go to the world cup but 4 of our 5 new signings would likely be available from the first game

We could conceivably be starting next season with a team of
O'Sullivan, Herring, Moore
Treadwell, Carter (would suggest he is unlikely to go to RWC)
Coetzee (might go to world cup), Timoney, Reidy
Cooney (might go to world cup) Burns/Johnson/Lowry
McCloskey (doesn't seem likely to go to world cup) Marshall
Gilroy Faddes Rob. B
Haven't included him because he could play in any one of a number of positions but Addison will likely be there too and the experience of Ludik

Thats not a bad team really

There's also the potential of McGrath not going to the RWC

Herring will definitely be going to the World Cup

marty2086 wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:The draw for the first 3 rounds of the competition is going to be interesting, to draw 3 of yhe bigger teams could actually be what is best for Ulster.
The Likes of Leinster and Glasgow would have large numbers away at the RWC and while they are used to this there squads would still be quite a bit weaker than normal.  By Contrast Ulster may not actually lose that much to the world cup. Best and Cave will be gone either way, Henderson, McGrath, Stockdale and Jordi Murphy will all likely go to the world cup but 4 of our 5 new signings would likely be available from the first game

We could conceivably be starting next season with a team of
O'Sullivan, Herring, Moore
Treadwell, Carter (would suggest he is unlikely to go to RWC)
Coetzee (might go to world cup), Timoney, Reidy
Cooney (might go to world cup) Burns/Johnson/Lowry
McCloskey (doesn't seem likely to go to world cup) Marshall
Gilroy Faddes Rob. B
Haven't included him because he could play in any one of a number of positions but Addison will likely be there too and the experience of Ludik

Thats not a bad team really

There's also the potential of McGrath not going to the RWC

Yeah I thought he will likely go so didn't include him but he is by no means nailed on to go to RWC and if he doesn't I'm sure he will be pretty annoyed and might choose to use that anger on the pitch for us.

RugbyFan100 wrote:
I'm going by this line from the most recent article:

The two sections are to be re-shaped, based on finishing positions at the end of this season's regular fixtures.

The season ends after this weekend not when the Conference matches are completed.

The play offs are part of the season's regular fixtures

neilthom7 wrote:

marty2086 wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:The draw for the first 3 rounds of the competition is going to be interesting, to draw 3 of yhe bigger teams could actually be what is best for Ulster.
The Likes of Leinster and Glasgow would have large numbers away at the RWC and while they are used to this there squads would still be quite a bit weaker than normal.  By Contrast Ulster may not actually lose that much to the world cup. Best and Cave will be gone either way, Henderson, McGrath, Stockdale and Jordi Murphy will all likely go to the world cup but 4 of our 5 new signings would likely be available from the first game

We could conceivably be starting next season with a team of
O'Sullivan, Herring, Moore
Treadwell, Carter (would suggest he is unlikely to go to RWC)
Coetzee (might go to world cup), Timoney, Reidy
Cooney (might go to world cup) Burns/Johnson/Lowry
McCloskey (doesn't seem likely to go to world cup) Marshall
Gilroy Faddes Rob. B
Haven't included him because he could play in any one of a number of positions but Addison will likely be there too and the experience of Ludik

Thats not a bad team really

There's also the potential of McGrath not going to the RWC

Yeah I thought he will likely go so didn't include him but he is by no means nailed on to go to RWC and if he doesn't I'm sure he will be pretty annoyed and might choose to use that anger on the pitch for us.

Given he's not starting the big games for Leinster I think he will have a real battle on his hands to go, will Joe offer him the chance in the warm ups to show he can go?

geoff999rugby wrote:

RugbyFan100 wrote:  
I'm going by this line from the most recent article:

The two sections are to be re-shaped, based on finishing positions at the end of this season's regular fixtures.

The season ends after this weekend not when the Conference matches are completed.

The play offs are part of the season's regular fixtures

The play offs are part of the season's regular fixtures? Are you sure about that?

Is this likely to be what our depth looks like next season?

LH: McGrath, EOS, Warwick, McCall, Milasinovich
Hooker: Herring, McBurney, Andrew, McCall Jr?
TH: Moore, Kane, O'Toole, Milasinovich
Lock: Henderson, Carter, Treadwell, AOC, Dalton?
Blindside: Henderson, Timoney, Reidy, Rea, Ross, Jones
Openside: Murphy, Reidy, Timoney, Ross
8: Coetzee, Murphy, Timoney, Reidy
9: Cooney, Shanhan, Stewart +1?
10: Burns, Johnston, Lowry, Curtis, McPhillips?
Wings: Stockdale, Baloucoune, Gilroy, Faddes, Ludik, Addison, Lyttle, Kernohan
12: McCloskey, Marshall, Curtis, Moore
13: Marshall, Addison, Faddes, Hume, Ludik
Full Back: Faddes, Addison, Lowry, Stockdale

Herring is actually an interesting one because he's not exactly unsurpassable as an Ulster player. Lets say he goes to the world cup, he likely goes in a battle to be 2nd choice with Cronin meaning his gametime will be limited.
Meanwhile whichever of the young guns Ulster choose in his absence will start at least 3 games and be fully up to speed. If they do well Herring could find himself coming back to not being the 1st choice anymore.

The way they did it for the first two years was union ranking to decide on the seeding of their teams according to conference table positions. For the four-team unions, it was Scarlets going first as the top seeds, joined by 4th Welsh seed Dragons in Conf B. In the other conference, similarly, Munster (1st) and Connacht (4th) were grouped together. Irish 2nd & 3rd are combined with Welsh 1st & 4th in Conf B and vice versa. That may end up looking too similar to first two years based on this seasons's rankings, so they may change it to putting Welsh 1st &3rd with Irish 2nd & 4th.

Combined conference table points and using current method of Welsh/Irish 1/4 with Irish/Welsh 2/3:
1. Glasgow 81 - SC1 - Conf A
2. Munster 77 - IR1- Conf A
3. Leinster 76 - IR2 - Conf B
4. Ulster 63 - IR3 - Conf B
5. Connacht 61 - IR4 - Conf A
6. Ospreys 58 - WA1 - Conf B
7. Benetton 57 - IT 1 - Conf B
8. Cardiff 54 - WA2 - Conf A
9. Scarlets 52 - WA3 - Conf A
10. Edinburgh 51 - SC2 - Conf B
11. Cheetahs 46 - SA1 - Conf A
12. Dragons 26 - WA4 - Conf B
13. Kings 22 - SA2 - Conf B
14. Zebre 19 - IT2 - Conf A

Resulting in only Ospreys and Scarlets changing conferences:

1. Glasgow 81 - SC1 - Conf A
2. Munster 77 - IR1- Conf A
5. Connacht 61 - IR4 - Conf A
8. Cardiff 54 - WA2 - Conf A
9. Scarlets 52 - WA3 - Conf A
11. Cheetahs 46 - SA1 - Conf A
14. Zebre 19 - IT2 - Conf A

3. Leinster 76 - IR2 - Conf B
4. Ulster 63 - IR3 - Conf B
6. Ospreys 58 - WA1 - Conf B
7. Benetton 57 - IT 1 - Conf B
10. Edinburgh 51 - SC2 - Conf B
12. Dragons 26 - WA4 - Conf B
13. Kings 22 - SA2 - Conf B

A switch to combining Welsh/Irish 1st and 3rd with Irish/Welsh 2nd and 4th and possibly switching the Italian sides:

1. Glasgow 81 - SC1 - Conf A
2. Munster 77 - IR1- Conf A
4. Ulster 63 - IR3 - Conf A
7. Benetton 57 - IT 1 - Conf A
8. Cardiff 54 - WA2 - Conf A
11. Cheetahs 46 - SA1 - Conf A
12. Dragons 26 - WA4 - Conf A

3. Leinster 76 - IR2 - Conf B
5. Connacht 61 - IR4 - Conf B
6. Ospreys 58 - WA1 - Conf B
9. Scarlets 52 - WA3 - Conf B
10. Edinburgh 51 - SC2 - Conf B
13. Kings 22 - SA2 - Conf B
14. Zebre 19 - IT2 - Conf B

And finally, a straightforward alternate pick from the combined points table for this season would give:

1. Glasgow 81 - SC1 - Conf A
3. Leinster 76 - IR2 - Conf A
5. Connacht 61 - IR4 - Conf A
7. Benetton 57 - IT 1 - Conf A
9. Scarlets 52 - WA3 - Conf A
11. Cheetahs 46 - SA1 - Conf A
13. Kings 22 - SA2 - Conf A


2. Munster 77 - IR1- Conf B
4. Ulster 63 - IR3 - Conf B
6. Ospreys 58 - WA1 - Conf B
8. Cardiff 54 - WA2 - Conf B
10. Edinburgh 51 - SC2 - Conf B
12. Dragons 26 - WA4 - Conf B
14. Zebre 19 - IT2 - Conf B

RugbyFan100 wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:

RugbyFan100 wrote:  
I'm going by this line from the most recent article:

The two sections are to be re-shaped, based on finishing positions at the end of this season's regular fixtures.

The season ends after this weekend not when the Conference matches are completed.

The play offs are part of the season's regular fixtures

The play offs are part of the season's regular fixtures? Are you sure about that?

YES

neilthom7 wrote:Herring is actually an interesting one because he's not exactly unsurpassable as an Ulster player.  Lets say he goes to the world cup, he likely goes in a battle to be 2nd choice with Cronin meaning his gametime will be limited.
Meanwhile whichever of the young guns Ulster choose in his absence will start at least 3 games and be fully up to speed. If they do well Herring could find himself coming back to not being the 1st choice anymore.

Andrew will not pass Herring and whilst McBurney has the talent to go to a higher level he wont have gained sufficient game time to be no !
Herrin will be first choice when it returns

It is far from certain Cronin will be in the squad - he has blotted his copybook

marty2086 wrote:Is this likely to be what our depth looks like next season?

LH: McGrath, EOS, Warwick, McCall, Milasinovich
Hooker: Herring, McBurney, Andrew, McCall Jr?
TH: Moore, Kane, O'Toole, Milasinovich
Lock: Henderson, Carter, Treadwell, AOC, Dalton?
Blindside: Henderson, Timoney, Reidy, Rea, Ross, Jones
Openside: Murphy, Reidy, Timoney, Ross
8: Coetzee, Murphy, Timoney, Reidy
9: Cooney, Shanhan, Stewart +1?
10: Burns, Johnston, Lowry, Curtis, McPhillips?
Wings: Stockdale, Baloucoune, Gilroy, Faddes, Ludik, Addison, Lyttle, Kernohan
12: McCloskey, Marshall, Curtis, Moore
13: Marshall, Addison, Faddes, Hume, Ludik
Full Back: Faddes, Addison, Lowry, Stockdale

add O'Hagan, Rea jnr
Also you will start to see Allison, McCann and possibly Agnew and Dunleavy in the backrow
Providing his injury is not serious Hall will definitely start games
Regan at lock and young Curtis at SH maybe

Forgot to say I'd left the young back rows out and thought I'd added Rea Jr

Will O'Hagan be staying then? Thought his injuries might have derailed him, the same with Hall

In the balance for both but I think O'Hagan is going to be given 1 more year; but he desperately needs a run injury free
Hall will be a purely medical condition.
If they think he has a realistic chance he will stay

geoff999rugby wrote:

RugbyFan100 wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:

RugbyFan100 wrote:  
I'm going by this line from the most recent article:

The two sections are to be re-shaped, based on finishing positions at the end of this season's regular fixtures.

The season ends after this weekend not when the Conference matches are completed.

The play offs are part of the season's regular fixtures

The play offs are part of the season's regular fixtures? Are you sure about that?

YES

What are the season's irregular fixtures...?

geoff999rugby wrote:

marty2086 wrote:Is this likely to be what our depth looks like next season?

LH: McGrath, EOS, Warwick, McCall, Milasinovich
Hooker: Herring, McBurney, Andrew, McCall Jr?
TH: Moore, Kane, O'Toole, Milasinovich
Lock: Henderson, Carter, Treadwell, AOC, Dalton?
Blindside: Henderson, Timoney, Reidy, Rea, Ross, Jones
Openside: Murphy, Reidy, Timoney, Ross
8: Coetzee, Murphy, Timoney, Reidy
9: Cooney, Shanhan, Stewart +1?
10: Burns, Johnston, Lowry, Curtis, McPhillips?
Wings: Stockdale, Baloucoune, Gilroy, Faddes, Ludik, Addison, Lyttle, Kernohan
12: McCloskey, Marshall, Curtis, Moore
13: Marshall, Addison, Faddes, Hume, Ludik
Full Back: Faddes, Addison, Lowry, Stockdale

add O'Hagan, Rea jnr
Also you will start to see Allison, McCann and possibly Agnew and Dunleavy  in the backrow
Providing his injury is not serious Hall will definitely start games
Regan at lock and young Curtis at SH maybe

Is Matt Faddes not a straightforward replacement for Cave?
What about Mr Utility, Peter Nelson - is he not still around?

Faddes can play wing and 15 as well as centre

He has been signed in large part because of his versatility

Nelson is another like McPhillips - still don't know if retained or not
Faddes and Johnson may well be a sign he will be culled