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

Another 2 years on the TV contract but we are trying to get them to change kick off before then.

Look I'm not having a whinge, I understand the Friday thing and if I was in Belfast I'd love it, would go all the time.

Ulster have to support the clubs and grassroots too and I applaud that.

But in terms of growing the supporter base and increasing crowd numbers it can be counterproductive. For selfish reasons I'd like to see more Saturday games.

roddersm wrote:Look I'm not having a whinge, I understand the Friday thing and if I was in Belfast I'd love it, would go all the time.

Ulster have to support the clubs and grassroots too and I applaud that.

But in terms of growing the supporter base and increasing crowd numbers it can be counterproductive. For selfish reasons I'd like to see more Saturday games.

I wonder if Ulster have ever considered moving a game to the west of the province? Such as the Dragons or Aironi? They wouldn't be close to sell outs in Ravenhill, so, they could move them to the west, get bigger crowds because of the novelty and in return have committed supports coming to Ravenhill on buses?

Just an idea, I'm sure you'll ignore it.

No its a good idea and its been discussed on here before.

The overwhelming majority of supporters are in Belfast or the east so I don't know how feasible that is. Maybe a Ravens game or preseason friendly is more realistic?

There are 2 or 3 decent sized rugby clubs up this way so there must be some interest? Anyways I'm sure Ulster branch know what they are doing.

There is one regularly from Coleraine I think Mrs. P.
In the past, the pub where my son-in-law's brother (you met him) is manager, have run a mini-bus maybe four or five times a season. That seems to have petered out though.

I hope they look at all sorts of new initiatives to start to fill all those lovely new seats!

Special deals for clubs etc.

roddersm wrote:No its a good idea and its been discussed on here before.

The overwhelming majority of supporters are in Belfast or the east so I don't know how feasible that is. Maybe a Ravens game or preseason friendly is more realistic?

There are 2 or 3 decent sized rugby clubs up this way so there must be some interest? Anyways I'm sure Ulster branch know what they are doing.

Problem taking it away from Ravenhill would be the stadiums. There has to be turnstiles, etc. so most Rugby Clubs would be non starters.
There are a couple of soccer stadiums that might be of use but they don't have great capacities. For example the Ballymena Showgrounds is hosting the League Cup Final this weekend. I understand the capacity for that is 3500.

Where does the Coleraine one leave from Rava? The Rugby club?

Edit: still a bollix but might be an option.

I've always said that provincial rugby shouldn't conflict with club rugby.

by that i mean no Ulster games between 12-7pm on a sat.

Friday night games are fine by me but I can see why people with further to travel may not like them, Sat evenings are fine by me also, they may even be th ebest for all concerned.

Sunday at anytime is fine by me also (but I can see Ulster don't want to cause a stir if they can help it) and also i'd get less pints after, as work is monday.

For me Ulster games could be ny time but between 12-7pm on a sat, as this is Ballymena's/club teams time.

Saturday night or Sunday works for me..Friday night is the worst for me unfortunately but works best for the club.

Might get a chance to get a quick chat with the IRFU develoment officer next week....I'll maybe ask him whats happening up this way, in terms of transport to games of whatever...I'm a bit disconnected with the clubs these days

A match out of Belfast would have to have a capacity of a 7000 crowd and the infrastructure to handle TV. Is there any ?

Whilst I accept that Saturdays would attract some extra people it would also lose other people for the reason I mentioned. Recent evidence still point to Friday being the better crowd puller.

For the record I would go whenever it is played - makes no difference to me

That's a big problem Geoff...not sure how big institutes ground is?

I always though a pre season friendly in Donegal would be good, Finn harps ground being prob the best chance.

ok so Ulster would get less fans at it, and have to pay to rent the ground and would be lucky to come away with any profit, but in the long run they mayy get it back with Donegal ones then supporting Ulster in rugby (I think they are mostly, impartial to rugby) get some back in shirts and people making an effort to maybe come to Ravenhill for a big game, but mostly for students that then go to UUJ or Queens from Donegal to put it in thier kmind to go to a game or two to see what they think.

I think that's a great idea Kinghsu.

Agreed a pre season friendly would be perfect.

Also Ravens games would be another good idea

roddersm wrote:That's a big problem Geoff...not sure how big institutes ground is?

Wiki has institute's ground as 3,110..

It also has the Brandywell down as 7,700 so that could be a possibility? Also as the stadium is owned by the council not the team, I'd assume Derry City F.C wouldn't be in a position to object.

Derry will do me. Brother-in-law lives there.

Accomodation sorted - bring it on

I always though Geoff that a ravens game may not catch the attention of non rugby supports, which is what this idea is about attracting, I think a pre season Ulster v Saracens, would have a better chance of getting people than a competative Ravens V Ponty. A ravens game however would risk less money and may be good to test the water with before a pre season friendly. However if it fails to attract a crowd I still see that a full Ulster game may still attract a crowd.

Just to add Finn park Capacity: 7,500, think that we can agree it would be difficult to use GAA grounds or the Brandywell.

Cough cough maybe the Brandywell is not the ideal venue.......

Time to change perceptions and barriers.

If we can succeeed taking the word to Donegal we can succeeed in Derry as well.

I was just about to say that I wasn't sure if the Ravens would be a big enough "draw" for the non-rugby fanatics. There may be more who would turn up to watch Pienaar/Afoa/Best/Ferris/Trimble etc. It's hard enough getting a crowd to Ravenhill for the Ravens despite it being free for STHs.

When the ground is expanded I would also like to see them getting school kids down on a really cheap/free deal and the same for clubs.

...er Derry might be a tougher nut to crack,at least parts of it....I was thinking though a preseason friendly or Ravens game in the uk city of culture 2013 year might be nice.

There is funding available for sporting projects I think.

It would appear that one of Wannenberg or Kaino will definitely be an Ulsterman next year.

Here are the rumours as I know them:

Kaino is supposedly coming over in a week to have a chat - he would only be coming to discuss terms. A long way just to talk to his old mucker Afoa

Wannenberg something was pencilled in for Stade but now some white smoke is suggesting he will stay (cash bonus from QF qualification perhaps ?

Heres a curve ball - maybe as part of the new NIE negotiations we would be allowed both with Kaino replacing Danielli i.e. as a sop will the Provinces be allowed 5+1 for 1 more year (This one is pure specualtion on my part)

In would fit with my third snippet. Rumours that another backrower is going and that it could be Diack. Just married and home sick for SA alledgedly. Would explain his body language

Tommy Bowe - ?

This is going to kill as I probably wont get an update till next Thursday

Certainly a backrow squad of Kaino, Ferris, Wannenberg, Henry, Wilson, Faloon would give us something very very special

I would be happy with eithermog them. With my head I would prefer Kaino as he is the better player and a back row with him and ferris would be devastating but the heart would be delighted if Pedrie stays. Given his all for the province and deserves an extension.

Great news, would love Pedrie to stay but getting Kaino would be something else.....

...what would trump it all though is the return of Mr Bowe......

Danielli has been a great servant for Ulster these last years. But I think his time has come to move on, or even hang up those boots.
We have talent coming through all over the backs and we can not let a NIQ player get in the way of that.

So if your rumours are correct and replace Danielli with Kaino, with the added strength in depth of Pedrie, we'll have a team that could smash anybody. And the great news is that it's all done through a strong young Ulster core!

So many options!

To be clear having both Pedre and Kaino is pure specualtion on my part - I have heard nothing to this effect.

Just putting 2+2 together with respect to the Wannenberg and Kaino rumours. Probably I've come up with 5

I'll actually make a suggestion to you - we are not that strong with respect to wingers - centres and 15 yes but wingers I am not so sure.

Centres - Wallace, Cave, Whitten, Spence, Marshall, Farrell
15 - Payne, D'Arcy, Nelson
Wing - Trimble, Gilroy, Gaston eh thats it (I think it is doubtful Cochrane will get a full contract).

I can see Spence and Whitten playing a fair few games on the wing next year

geoff998rugby wrote:I'll actually make a suggestion to you - we are not that strong with respect to wingers - centres and 15 yes but wingers I am not so sure.

Thats true actually. Take Trimble out and theres no one top,top class there, Gilroy is still learning his trade, Danielli is past his prime and everyone else is a makeshift winger.

A certain Monaghan man would be a very hand addition indeed......

geoff998rugby wrote:
I'll actually make a suggestion to you - we are not that strong with respect to wingers - centres and 15 yes but wingers I am not so sure.

Centres - Wallace, Cave, Whitten, Spence, Marshall, Farrell
15 - Payne, D'Arcy, Nelson
Wing - Trimble, Gilroy, Gaston eh thats it (I think it is doubtful Cochrane will get a full contract).

I can see Spence and Whitten playing a fair few games on the wing next year

I would agree Geoff but neither would have to out and out pace of Trimble or Gilroy. It may be Spences ideal route to a starting place though, given what we have seen from Cave this season and the potential of Marshall and Farrell.

I'd say Spence certainly has the pace. He also began his career as a winger IIRC.

MrsP wrote: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?

This is exactly what UR should be doing.

The majority of the NI population live in greater Belfast and this has to be the market to target first. If it is easy to get to and from the ground without long walks or parking worries more people will come, (there should be a shuttle from Central Station as well).

They should organise a few Saturday games at strategic times of the year, so for say a PRO12 in December folk could tie in the game with the Christmas shopping in Belfast trip, or have a Valentine's Special for couples. Offering a ticket/travel package from a few rugby club centres around the province would get them better rates with the volume, and for Saturday club players they could get the bus from their ground straight after their match and be returned back there later.

I can't agree that taking the first team matches away from Ravenhill is a good thing for UR. Why would someone who knows nothing about rugby be more likely to want to go to see John Afoa rather than Adam Macklin? They won't know John from Adam if you get my drift. It's true that those fans who already follow rugby in say Londonderry but can't make the long trip to Belfast will get a bonus game close to them, but the overall gate will be considerably down, and Derry will still be as far from Belfast as before.

Thats a really insulting post Aukster...everyone knows Macklins that kiwi bloke......

Actually agree with a lot of that. No one is suggesting playing 1st team games outside Ravenhill but maybe a few friendlies or Ravens games in the west to build a presence would be nice as would a few Saturday evening games from time to time.

Anyone heard anything about Paddy Mac's injury?

Wouldn't like to see Wannenburg and Kaino- kind of flies in the face of the IRFU edict! With Wilson coming and EITHER Wannenburg staying or Kaino coming, we are covered if Diack leaves.

Hypothetical 1; Wannenburg and Diack leave, Kaino and Wilson sign. We are stronger.

Hypothetical 2; Wannenburg stays, no Kaino, but Diack leaves and Wilson comes in. We are stronger.

Hypothetical 3; Geoffs suggestion. Leaves us looking the strongest of all options, but worries me. There would be too many games without Ferris where we were playing Kaino and Wannenburg. Wilson and Faloon need to see serious gametime along with Chris Henry. I don't think t's a stretch to say that Henry and Wilson at least are good enough to 'do a job' as Irelands deep cover at backrow.

Both need the benefit of regular gametime. 2 NIQ 6/8s and it's looking a bit sparse for Wilson at least getting as much gametime as possible.

Hypothetical 4; Kaino says "No thanks" and Wannenburg has already been snapped up!

We retain Diack and are only slightly weaker. I imagine we can retain Diack because he is under contract until 2014? But if he no longer wants to be here, better to part amicably.

Of course, this may all be wrong. Maybe he'll have a change of heart or doesn't want to leave at all. Just talking hypotheticals.

Its all smoke and mirrors at the moment to be honest.

I feel like a blind man who wont see again till next Thursday

Thursday?

What's happening next Thursday?

Mrs p. I think Geoffs source has gone into hiding and won't be available to update the info until next week.

By the way Mr Logan has aspirations that you would not believe.

Rava has it spot on - I am unlikely to talk to anyone in the know before next Thursday.

Rava I may have some insight into that - he really does believe in World domination doesn't he

Absolutely Geoff, and within 10years as well.

Actually he is firmly of the belief that there will be a Champions League type tournament in Europe within the next 5-6 years and a World Club competition in the next ten.

Rava wrote:Absolutely Geoff, and within 10years as well.

Actually he is firmly of the belief that there will be a Champions League type tournament in Europe within the next 5-6 years and a World Club competition in the next ten.

I thought rugby already had a champions league type tournament?

Probably talking more like a European Super League.

I wouldn't like a euro super league, a lot of smaller clubs would lose out, like Connacht, Chiefs, etc etc.

The reson I've gone off football (to an extent) is that only a few clubs are capable of winning the prem or champions league unless they get a rich owner.

The reason for this is, in England only 4 teams get into the champions league, and they get loads of money for this, and they then can dominate domestically because they get a lot of extra money other clubs don't, meaning more chance they get into chamions league the next year and hence more money than their rivals and so the cycle continues, so there are only a couple of teams with a chance of winning the domestic league, or Europe unless they get a very rich owner.

I can't see the same happening with the H-cup yet as most pro 12 teams get in, and money goes to the union to devide, and England and France get 6 entries each, meaning nearly half the domestic league gain the extra revenue.

I'd like to see every team in top 3 league in Europe get into the h-cup but instead of groups just have a straight cup knock-out. maybe have it seeded that the top 4 in each league enter the knockout later, and 4-8 enter a round earlier. but it means every team in Europe gets a shot in europe and a share of the money.

If this all changed to a Euopean super league, would there be promotion and relagation, the first division would be so rich a promoted team would have little chance of survial, and 2nd division teams would slowly die will lack of funding, it would be terrible

UAFC rumour mill now focusing on Tommy Bowe with someone claiming he will be in an Ulster shirt soon enough.

Im getting dizzy!

Standulstermen wrote:UAFC rumour mill now focusing on Tommy Bowe with someone claiming he will be in an Ulster shirt soon enough.

Im getting dizzy!

Standulstermen wrote:UAFC rumour mill now focusing on Tommy Bowe with someone claiming he will be in an Ulster shirt soon enough.

Im getting dizzy!

Worthy of Mordor.

JayMaster3000 wrote:

Standulstermen wrote:UAFC rumour mill now focusing on Tommy Bowe with someone claiming he will be in an Ulster shirt soon enough.

Im getting dizzy!

Worthy of Mordor.

Right over my head.

I believe it's in reference to the ' build me an army worthy of mordor' quote for lord of the rings. I'm not sure how big they were into their rugby though.