Ulster squad additions

First topic message reminder :

All of the following will be contracted to Ulster next year - I don't know the nature of each contract though

Niall Annett
Jerry Cronin
Craig Gilroy
Paddy Jackson
Adam Macklin
Luke Marshall
James McKinney
Ian Porter

Will supply a fully list shortly - still no mention of Bryan Young. Also no mention of Gaston yet

"Word from inside the Ulster Squad is that they are in serious talks with Jerome Kaino, possible 2/3 year deal! He is coming over in the next couple of weeks! Wannenberg out Kaino in, good bit of business! Wannenberg possibly going to Stade!"

From the UAFC. Have heard it a few times that he is coming over for a break anyway. Looks relatively postive but we will see.

Just droped in as I have to tell you - hence the different name.

The Kaino story has jumped from chats/speculation to something tangible.

This looks like it really may happen.
Keep you posted if I hear more.

It might not be the end of our signings either

Please dont pinch me I dont want to wake up

Looks like someone else has heard the same thing - Ulster clearly struggling to keep a lid on this. My hopes rose when I realized the guy was 29

Other signings????

Positions????

Cant say - and I really mean cant

Oh Geoff!

Gowan!!!

Please please please!



Sure no-one else is listening!!!!!

geoff999rugby wrote: Cant say - and I really mean cant

God bless you geoff!

Kaino! Kaino!

[quote="Standulstermen"]

geoff999rugby wrote: Cant say - and I really mean cant

Cough........





Private message........



geoff.....
cough.....

Interesting. Very Interesting.

An army worthy of Mordor perhaps?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gebkMXQ5U04

geoff999rugby where do you get all your information??

Wow is Humph Snr working is magic yet again Geoff??? Kaino would be a hell of a signing and if we could get Bowe back too, the rise of UlsterRugby is on track

I am very very excited for Ulster right now I don't just mean these speculations either, but for the match this weekend also, which I think we have a real shot at winning. SUFTU!

Indeed whether Kaino or Bowe sign or not I think we are on an upwards trajectory. Took Leinster years to crack winning Europe but look at them now.

Stand if we keep the squad we have I will be very happy ...but if we sign Kaino and Bowe then flip that would be just amazing!!

JayMaster3000 wrote:geoff999rugby where do you get all your information??

As I said on other matters can't say.

Kaino talks seem to be a matter of public debate.
Speculation on other players is just that - what is known cant be spoken I am afraid

I think Bowe is a real possibilty, Ospreys have been very good to the IRFU releasing him at the same times they have released Welsh players to the WRU, even though they have no obligation to do so.
But I think at this stage in his career that he may be thinking of the future and a central IRFU contract, with the rest periods, that extend a top career, may be more appealing now than when he was a younger man. He is prob noticing the games catching up on him a little now, and may fancy rest periods to help keep him at the top of his game longer.

Something afoot an announcement today, I believe - could be players could be ground redevelopment - watch this space

ignore

The beeb site says ground development.

Did we not already know this?

We still haven't received the green light to start the work.

Current a 'the money is there' , 'you are good to go when', 'anytime now'

Everything short of actually getting the diggers in and doing the business

BBC news did a piece about the Ravenhill expansion to 18,000...I thought that was anounced last year?

So it's a Planning Permission announcement then?

Thats my assumption - that all resident, bat and noise objections have been dealt with and we are good to go

No didn't mention planning permission...maybe its just the details and plans are to be released?

They had already done that Rodders.

Just had it confirmed that Planning Permission has been granted!!!

And 15,000 means we can host a HEC quarter final!!!!!

So they have either got the capacity wrong, or as I suspect, this is the go ahead for the 2 ends only.

Pretty sure the beeb website said 15,000 but the news report said 18,000? Anyone else see it?

It will be confirmed today around lunch time. All issues have been sorted out and full Planning has been granted.

I am part of the Design Team that will take the project to completion. We are having a meeting with Ulster Rugby tomorrow to get things underway.
We have known for some time ours was the winning Tender but for obvious reasons we couldn't go public.
From a Practice point of view it couldn't have come at a better time.

So is it 15,000 with the end bits going up to 18,000 when they replace the old stand?

The final Capacity will be 18,000.

IRFU Ulster Branch proposes to increase the capacity of Ravenhill in Belfast from its current capacity of 11,712 to a venue capable of holding approximately 18,000 spectators by 2015. The total projected cost of this proposal is estimated at between £13 and £14 Million by IRFU Ulster Branch.

Right Rava is my seat in the new stand is not as good as the one in the old stand I'll searching you out

In all seriousness are we talking the replacement of the old stand as well as the two ends in this announcement.
Also any hint of timeline.

I'm guess 2013 for 2 ends
2014 for replacing the old stand

Wow. Is Rava the most discrete person on 606v2? Surely a contender.

Congrats on getting the work Rav!

geoff998rugby wrote:Right Rava is my seat in the new stand is not as good as the one in the old stand I'll searching you out

In all seriousness are we talking the replacement of the old stand as well as the two ends in this announcement.
Also any hint of timeline.

I'm guess 2013 for 2 ends
2014 for replacing the old stand

Geoff

Programming is as you have guessed.

New Aquinas Stand, Car Park(Memorial End) Stand and redevelopment of terracing at the Promenade to be completed for the start of 13/14 season.

Replacement of Main Stand to be completed by May 2014 and ready for use at the start of 14/15 season.

All new stands will afford unobstructed views of the pitch. There will be various watering holes and dining areas. The Changing Rooms and fitness suites etc will be under the Aquinas Stand.

Ohhhh I could crush a grape, I'm so excited.

And the V2 box will be.....?

Mrs P once we get the go-ahead then I will take you on a site visit and you can indicate your preferred position for the V2 box

Grand!

Are the final plans available anywhere?

I have plans that I came across on the Internet which shows two screens for replays and what not. And a players entry and exit onto the field. And a museum as well, but I suspect that this could be the education centre?

Can this be confirmed?

pretty picture time

http://img.ly/d4UC

The final plans are hefty documents

Looks fantastic!
One thing I love about Ravenhill is its charm & cosy feel i.e being close to the action and being open plan so you can freely wander around most parts of the ground. Looks like we will retain the same match day atmosphere you get with a tightly packed small ground.

I do find it sad when watching the likes of Cardiff, Scarlets, Edinburgh, Ospreys in these anonymous grounds that seem to loose match day atmosphere because they are nowhere near being filled.

So we get a capacity of circa 18,000..What are your thoughts on average attendance...can we regularly fill it or get circa 15-16 for a wet & windy friday night bread & butter match?

Unfortunately RF, given that we continue to prefer Friday nights, and with the BBC covering live games I can't see the gates for the normal Pro 12 games increasing significantly but for top HC and Interpro games we should be getting up near capacity.

We will do well to get 15-16 for games against Munster, Leisnter and the English and French opponents in the HC - the rest of the games no chance.

We did sell out against Tigers but only just.

MrsP wrote:And the V2 box will be.....?

You can take the Lady out of Jellybean, but you can't take the Jellybean oot o'the Lassie

geoff998rugby wrote:We will do well to get 15-16 for games against Munster, Leisnter and the English and French opponents in the HC - the rest of the games no chance.

We did sell out against Tigers but only just.

Geoff I imagine if we were to be selling tickets for that game now (After the last two performances) they would go a bit faster. <youknowworramean>

Rava wrote:Unfortunately RF, given that we continue to prefer Friday nights

I've posted it in the pub too...but the Friday night thing is great but its a nightmare for people in the West. Leaving work at 4 barely gets you there in time for a 7pm KO. Then you're looking at a 3hr round trip with no

Noticed a few faces from up this way at the Tigers game and spoke to a guy from Fermanagh who said he just comes for the HEC games. So theres definitely supporters out there.

Hopefully the Dungiven and Drumahoe bypass will go ahead as well as the A6 upgrade. I'd love to come up for more games but there isn't enough Saturday games for me.

But by playing Saturday you would lose other support.

Those involved in AIB rugby and lower who commit to their clubs on Saturday and cant make it - I know a few.

It remains Ulster policy to push for Friday's where possible. They would prefer a later kick off though - trying to get the BBC to agree.

geoff998rugby wrote:But by playing Saturday you would lose other support.

Those involved in AIB rugby and lower who commit to their clubs on Saturday and cant make it - I know a few.

It remains Ulster policy to push for Friday's where possible. They would prefer a later kick off though - trying to get the BBC to agree.

That would be a massive, even a half hour.
Any idea how long the BBC have been signed up for? Is there any likelihood that it might not be renewed?

I totally understand that Geoff. I'm just stating my point of view.

The poor road and transport infrastructure makes it very difficult for a lot of people to attend regular Friday night games.

Like I say I just about made the Tigers game and I left work at 3. I'd love to attend more often but it just isn't feasible if it means time off work and maybe staying in a hotel every game.

Saturdays work well because you can spend the day in Belfast, watch the match and go home.

Has anyone looked at the possibility of organising buses from the North and West?

Folk could relax on the journey, no worries about parking and could have a pint if they felt the urge.

Would there be enough interest?

Thats a good question MrsP...there may already be one but I'm not aware of it. Always meant to check with the clubs but never got round to it.

Its the timing thing too, if people work until 5 or so then you're hrd pushed to make KO.