ULSTER RUGBY 2022/2023 - SEASON RUN IN

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Christ on a bike you lot are downbeat for a side that are currently in the top 4 of the league!!

Looks about as strong a 23 as they could have gone with.

They get a rest for a week before the qtrs so thats a plus with another week off before the finals.

I'd imagine that side is too good not to wrap up second place this weekend regardless of what the Stormers do. Although I'm not sure who is ahead of who if points are equal assuming Stormers get 5 and Ulster 4. Someone said on another thread wins were first metric so Ulster would qualify regardless at second spot as long as they win the game.

One up shot is I expect Leinster to be playing the next 5 weeks without breaks so any team meeting them in the final might find Leinster have run out of gas.

Good to get the win and seal second place but a worrying number of injuries there tonight and some truly shocking open field defending.

Hopefully next week off will give them a chance to heal up and sort that.

Looks like we will start next season with a significant number of players less

Front row - losing Sutherland, Toomunga-Allen, D. Moore (maybe) in - Kitshoff
Second Row - losing Carter, Bradshaw-Reid in - no one
Backrow - losing Murphy, Vermuelen, Reffell (maybe), in - Ewers
Half backs - losing Madigan, McDonald (probably), in - no one
Centre - no change
Back row - losing Gilroy, Lyttle, Addison (probably) in - no one

Unlike last year no one coming up from the Academy although Sheridan and McKee have contracts for 24/24
With the reduced salaries for a significant number of players it shows the tightening of belts everywhere in the NH outside France.
If the probably, and maybes, go that is a net reduction of 11 full time contracts.

Are signings normally announced by now? Is there any chance we could be scooping anyone post World Cup that we just haven't heard about yet?

I have to say, the way seasons are now, the smaller squad is probably the most concerning thing. More so that the calibre of those in and those out.

The clubs who do well are the clubs who can rotate squads, and dig into their 3rd/4th choice in each position and still do well.

Key players cannot be relied on to a) remain fit, b) play continually without rest and c) to remain good (individual performance seems to ebb and flow at Ulster).

No new signings to come from what I have heard.
Also no news on the outstanding players which suggest they are away.

Having said that we need to sign a TH and a Lock for certain so I am assuming Miliasinovich and Hnderson will be signed at the very least.

You cant have a squad with 2THs or 3 Locks

Rumoured Declan Moore and McDonald going to Connacht for a year.
I doubt we will see them again.

Madigan may be saying after all - either he, or Ulster, have changed their minds

Dan says no more squad announcements to be made this year

By my reckoning we have 36 Full professionals for next year and 2 development players

4 players unknown:
Gareth Milasinovich, Ian Henderson, Sean Reffell,Will Addison
Given our lack of numbers at TH and Lock I assume Gareth and Ian will/have signed
and I would guess the other two are away.


That gives us a squad of only 40 players the lowest we have had in years

With Cardiff just releasing 16 players, and Scarlets Ospreys Dragons doing similar, I wonder in the IRFU will allow any short term WC cover? Or extra NIQs for a season, after all its the season after a WC, so plenty of time 3 seasons after to be building for next one

Madigan playing for the 'A's today so maybe some truth in the rumour he is staying after all

No prospect of a further NIQ player this side of the World Cup and probably beyond.
The wage bill is being significantly cut back.

Next years wage bill will be around £6 million + Hendersons CC , if he gets one.

I wonder if Madigan will do a Payne and become more involved in casual coaching. He seems to have settled and seems well liked all despite not having much playing time.
If he stays, I feel there's more to it than just hoping for occasional minutes of gametime.

Could be like Addison, if rumours are to be believed, and be a pay when plays player.

Would be great if Addison does make a comeback, but I just can't see it

Very quiet on here lads!
Are we nervous?

I don't know about you all but... despite our high finish and recent run of wins... I still don't feel Ulster have given me much confidence from this season.
Perhaps it's because we have relied heavily online out maul scores, but I haven't seen much danger or spark from our play this season.
If we do manage a win and progress to the semis, I just imagine it will be yet another game we grind out without much flair or excitement.

I was thinking last week - do you remember one of Cooney's biggest attributes was his support runs - he go a lot of tries from being on the shoulder of guy's who broke the defensive line. And then I remembered we used to actually break the defensive line. Hasn't happened much this season, has it?

On paper, 2nd place versus 7th should give us confidence - but I'm just not there yet.

Somebody tell me I'm being too negative!

clivemcl wrote:

I was thinking last week - do you remember one of Cooney's biggest attributes was his support runs - he go a lot of tries from being on the shoulder of guy's who broke the defensive line. And then I remembered we used to actually break the defensive line. Hasn't happened much this season, has it?

Shanahan use to do those runs a lot too - doesn't happen anymore.
No Peel or Payne is probably the reason - inferior coaching.

I still maintain we are not as good as last year although results are better - the maul has saved us.
Munster were so bad at the start they had too much ground to make up.
I also get the impression the Saffers are sending weaker sides to the stronger teams in the NH this year - 3 x Ireland + Glasgow.
Stormers team against Ulster was a 2nd/3rd XV side - they run up the white flag before the game started.

Read somewhere Ulster - Connacht is 85% - 15% in Ulsters favour.
Seems about right

"No Peel or Payne is probably the reason - inferior coaching."

Speaking of which, is there any truth in what has been mentioned on t'other with regards to Payne joining up with Peel again as attack coach at Scaaaaaaalets?

Pete330v2 wrote:"No Peel or Payne is probably the reason - inferior coaching."

Speaking of which, is there any truth in what has been mentioned on t'other with regards to Payne joining up with Peel again as attack coach at Scaaaaaaalets?

His name has been mentioned to replace Blackett who has joined, or will be joining, Bath.

I suspect Payne is destiny for a bigger post

I though Payne was confirmed as moving to Scarlets, as an attack coach, intresting move for him to attack. Adding Van den Berg as forwards coach, and its shaping up to be a very good coaching ticket.

Your right.

The friendship between him and Peel must be a strong one - good luck to them (except when they play Ulster !)

I'd have them both back in a heartbeat tbh.
Out of curiosity, when does DMcF contract expire?

Ulster should never have screwed the pooch where he's concerned and fought to retain him.
I do wonder though, with all that has transpired in Welsh Rugby, if Jared is seeing it as the best move assuming he'd signed up some time ago.

Ulster paying tribute during the game tomorrow to those confirmed as leaving, interestingly no Madigan, Henderson or Addison on that list they have produced, perhaps they have all signed new deals?

Craig Gilroy (212)

Rob Lyttle (64)

Jordi Murphy (63)

Sam Carter (57)

Duane Vermeulen (34)

Gareth Milasinovich (23)

Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (13)

Rory Sutherland (11)

Declan Moore (3)

Frank Bradshaw-Ryan (1)

I can see Rob Lyttle being one of those players that goes elsewhere and then scores tries against us. But did somebody say he's hanging up the boots? He really should keep playing. But maybe he's a real home bird.

Need some props!

It's not great business letting JTA go whilst keeping the ever-injured Addison. I'm glad to see the end of the chocolate teapot but who's cover TH next season? We're short a TH or 2.

Team's Up!

(15-9) Mike Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney;

(1-8) Rory Sutherland, Rob Herring, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Kieran Treadwell, Dave McCann, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen,

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Sam Carter, Jordi Murphy, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore, Craig Gilroy.

neilthom7 wrote:Ulster paying tribute during the game tomorrow to those confirmed as leaving, interestingly no Madigan, Henderson or Addison on that list they have produced, perhaps they have all signed new deals?

Craig Gilroy (212)

Rob Lyttle (64)

Jordi Murphy (63)

Sam Carter (57)

Duane Vermeulen (34)

Gareth Milasinovich (23)

Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (13)

Rory Sutherland (11)

Declan Moore (3)

Frank Bradshaw-Ryan (1)

What's the story there? Only signed last year but made only one senior appearance.

Oakdene wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:Ulster paying tribute during the game tomorrow to those confirmed as leaving, interestingly no Madigan, Henderson or Addison on that list they have produced, perhaps they have all signed new deals?

Craig Gilroy (212)

Rob Lyttle (64)

Jordi Murphy (63)

Sam Carter (57)

Duane Vermeulen (34)

Gareth Milasinovich (23)

Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (13)

Rory Sutherland (11)

Declan Moore (3)

Frank Bradshaw-Ryan (1)

What's the story there? Only signed last year but made only one senior appearance.

Think they took a punt cos he had a good rep in France and they thought with Hendy being away, treadwell too at the time with Ireland and Sam Carter being useless he might get game time.

Sadly he probably wasn't as good as they hoped, Treadwell didn't really play much for Ireland and Carter remembered he was an international lock so never really got much of a look in.

Pete330v2 wrote:Team's Up!

(15-9) Mike Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney;

(1-8) Rory Sutherland, Rob Herring, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Kieran Treadwell, Dave McCann, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen,

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Sam Carter, Jordi Murphy, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore, Craig Gilroy.

That is an elite level team right there on paper... here's hoping it can be an elite level team on the field.
And for the love of God, please no stupid cardings!

How poor have Ulster been? The complete lack of ball carriers in the pack is so frustrating. It's also obvious the lack of ideas in the backs. Instead of getting rid of players, maybe get rid of the coaching ticket.

First scrum of 2nd half, Milasinovich is on and penalty to Connacht. Bag of sh1t.

Very bad day for Ulster

Well. Connacht were good.
We seemed absolutely clueless for most the game.

Sackable season IMO.

Geoff or somebody put up the list of squad players again and mark who has gone backwards in ability since last season. It has to be a large majority.

And when players fail to show their class, that's on the coaching IMO.

Time for change.

carpet baboon wrote:Well. Connacht were good.
We seemed absolutely clueless for most the game.

Well done Connacht they fought for that tooth and nail.

Ulster were just poor, poor, poor. That backline performance has gone to the dogs.

clivemcl wrote:Sackable season IMO.

Geoff or somebody put up the list of squad players again and mark who has gone backwards in ability since last season. It has to be a large majority.

And when players fail to show their class, that's on the coaching IMO.

Time for change.

I've already commented on the Ulster backrow before our game in December, but I genuinely can't believe Ulster are going into next season with a backrow that weak. I know Ewers was signed but how are yous not signing anyone else in that department!?!? Connacht have a stronger backrow and even they've still strengthened there for next season.

On the backline, every player seems to bereft of confidence. I genuinely can't see a single one them going to the world Cup and that includes Mccloskey. Imo they'll take Frawley ahead of him because of his versatility.

Maine man wrote:On the backline, every player seems to bereft of confidence. I genuinely can't see a single one them going to the world Cup and that includes Mccloskey. Imo they'll take Frawley ahead of him because of his versatility.

Its a shame as there are some really talented backs in Ulster. Balacoune should really be a regular by now, Stockdale should have kicked on too. McCloskey may still make it (I hope so)

Balocoune is nowhere near the Irish set up at the moment - not a chance of making the World Cup (Hansen had him in his pocket last night)
Stockdale and McCloskey are hanging by a thread.
I fear centres will be Henshaw, Ringrose, Aki and a player who can play 10 and 12 - either Frawley or Crowley.
I suspect there is only one back three place to go - after Hansen, Lowe and Keenan - probably between Stockdale and O'Brien.

We could go to the World Cup with no Ulster born players in the squad if Henderson fails to make it and only 2 Ulster players - O'Toole and Herring

Last night was a shameful performance they were up for it and we weren't.
The prep was clearly way off.
The performance against Dragons and Edinburgh were poor but the weakness of the opposition masked that fact.

The Front row wasn't great - Bealham and Buckley had the upper hand.
Sutherland has been a real disappointment, Toomunga-Allen didn't look fit to me but had to play because Milasinovich is so bad.
The breakdown - I know Brace is a poor ref but honestly our non existent breakdown work was a joke.
Vermuelen hasn't been worth the money - last night a couple of exceptional interventions but often was AWOL.

Burns inability to kick any distance is starting to really harm us - they totally dominated territory for the first 60 mins.
Hume hasn't got the defensive skill of Marshall at 13.

Next year we serious lack cover, particularly in the front 5, 10 and the back three.
I am VERY pessimistic about next year.
The success of the rolling maul gave us a number of results that covered up the cracks.
I cant see it happening again next year - the squad is weaker next year than this.

Also hate plastic pitches.
For the first time in over 20 years I wont be buying a Season Ticket

Sutherland and JTA linked with Dragons innit?

Sadly Vermeulen is past his prime, his workrate is low, he has lost his speed and it also seems his passion for the game is lost. I thought at the time of his signing Ulster was making a mistake.

He has not had the impact Ulster would have expected from him on the field. Whether he contrubuted more off the field I wouldn't know

He was pretty good in his first season at Ulster. At the time of the signing it did seem a step down on the younger Coetzee though.

Which Ulster players would you class as having ‘progressed’ from last season?

Some perhaps stagnated?

Many went backwards. Too many. And backwards from a not good quite excellent enough starting point.

I feel a lot of you were too positive about Stockdale in recent weeks. I think he’s been a real disappointment. As have most.

We went from hoping to have a few more step up to elite level performers, to actually seeing our stars consistently disappoint.

Given how our lineout mail was out only weapon, we actually had a pretty shocking record on losing our own lineout.

Poor and disappointing all round.

mikey_dragon wrote:He was pretty good in his first season at Ulster. At the time of the signing it did seem a step down on the younger Coetzee though.

He was better but still not worth the money paid

We not have enough grunt up front - Kitshoff and Ewers will help
We have agood front row but, at prop, it falls off a cliff when the subs come on and disappears after that, certainly at TH where we, literally, have no one available - farce. How long will Marty Moore keep going
Second row is solid but nothing special, Henderson is outstanding but hardly ever plays and has yet to sign anyway. Treadwell and O'Connor are honest provincial pros nothing more.
Backrow is not good enough at the breakdown but at least we have some potential in Sheridan, McCann and Timoney is decent
Dead word here - Jones and Matty Rea. Thats leave us with only 5 players at the provincial level

SH should be fine
FH we come up seriously short and I mean seriously short
We have one credible 12 - all other Centers are 13 of whom only Marshall knows how to organise (or should I say marshall:D ) a defense.
Wing Stockdale and Baloucoune and then it falls off a cliff
FB Lowry is brave as they come but his physical size is an issue.
Moore shows signs of great awareness but it is combines with complete brain farts - same when he plays center

It simply is not good enough to compete

Hume for me has been an absolute bag of sh1te this season. What's everyone's opinion on Postlethwaite?

Also is Lowry now only seen as a full back?

Maine man wrote:Hume for me has been an absolute bag of sh1te this season. What's everyone's opinion on Postlethwaite?

Hopeful.

Postlewaite is a ray of hope but early days yet.
To fair in my last post I forgot to include him - he could be a 12.

Him, Stewart, O'Toole and Sheridan are the only lights in a dark tunnel.
Izzy should be there but he needs to buck his ideas up.

Lowry's days as a 10 have past.
If Burns or Flannery don't play it will Cooney or Doak stepping in