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

I'd be very happy with Cheika....why are other people against it? I thought he did a really good job at Leinster, turned them from ladyboys into HEC and Celtic league winners.

Im not saying I'm against him, in fact on reflection I would definitly welcome his appointment. I think he is the right caliber of coach and he has experience working with irfu which would be a bonus. I'm just excited about finding out who it'll be and who our last niq signing for 2012/13 will be. Exciting time to be an ulsterman!

Wow.

Didnt notice that (although i wouldnt from the terrace).

I definitely think he would add something. Im trying to remember Leinsters backplay during his tenure though. I really think that addressing our backplay is going to be the key to success in the future. One thing i would say i have heard (and our leinster fans on here can correct me) is that he takes no sh1t. Intriguing.

Standulstermen wrote: Im trying to remember Leinsters backplay during his tenure though. I really think that addressing our backplay is going to be the key to success in the future. One thing i would say i have heard (and our leinster fans on here can correct me) is that he takes no sh1t. Intriguing.

I think the takes no Sh!t could be the reason he is in the frame.

As for the Sexton rumour the more I think about it I think something has got lost in the translation. I think it is far more likely he is being lined up as scrummage coach - the job he wanted last year - that would fit.
Which suggest the item stopping the full coaching staff being announceed is who will be the new backs coach.

Having said all that the body language I saw was not a man who has made up his mind but one seriously considering if this is the job for him

he must like Ireland but speaking as someone who was born and raised in belfast i would have to think long and hard about leaving paris to come back

Standulstermen wrote:he must like Ireland but speaking as someone who was born and raised in belfast i would have to think long and hard about leaving paris to come back

Belfast every time Stand, Belfast every time....

Funnily enough I never understood the hype around Paris - I would rather be in Rome or Madrid.

However having lived in Sydney that is somewhere I could return to

Geoff, is John Kirwan just trying to talk his way into this job or what? Again he's in the media talking about 'what an honour' it would be to coach Ulster or Munster before admitting he's had no contact with either team.

http://www.espnscrum.com/rabodirect-pro12-2011-12/rugby/story/160183.html

He seems like a man desperate to insert himself into the frame.

Maybe hes just being polite Notch?

Hey here's a thought....BOD once considered moving to Stade to work under Cheika again so maybe he might fancy a wee stint at Ravers if Cheika gets the nod...

He'd have to get past Darren Cave first

You need a strong bench these days Notch....

Wasn't Dean Ryan seen in Belfast as well last week?

I'm taking all coach speculation with more salt than a box of chips at Ravenhill.

It is my understanding that neither Kirwan or EOS have a hope getting the job.
There was a reason Dean Ryan was in town and it wasn't for the Ulster job - I just forget why though.
The fact Natal Sharks have started the season with Plumtree suggests to me he is out of the frame.

I am left with Cheika and Sexton (althouh Sexton is more likely to part of the team).

As mentioned before 3 have been approached.

Right so Cheika and Sexton it is! Mind you I thought the rumour was Sexton for the head job but the hold up was he wanted some rookie guy as his no2, rather than Mauger?

Anyways we need a Tommy Bowe update Geoff!

I see Rory is on course for the world No1 spot after beating westwood 3and1.

I say we just buy the all blacks next year and give them all ten minute cameos whilst they spend the other 70 minutes feeding iHumph and Paul marshall grapes.

Standulstermen wrote:I see Rory is on course for the world No1 spot after beating westwood 3and1.

Happy days!!!

roddersm wrote:Right so Cheika and Sexton it is! Mind you I thought the rumour was Sexton for the head job but the hold up was he wanted some rookie guy as his no2, rather than Mauger?

Anyways we need a Tommy Bowe update Geoff!

As I mentioned I think the Sexton business was a mis understanding of of what the other guy over heard.

Having seen Cheika I have to say it still look at a man who was seriously considering a role.

Bottom line is one of the three interviewed may not be subject to any rumour.

All I am saying is I am 100% convinced that Cheika has been interviewed for the main job, I am 100% convinced Matt Sextion has been interviewed for a coaching job. Over and above that would be speculation on my part.

As for Tommy Bowe I have been told it was a done deal but like everyone else it would be good to get confirmed.
Remember Rush was a done deal, Andres was also a done deal till Ulster pulled the plug so until legal contracts are submitted to the appropriate authorities things can go wrong.

I'm sorry boys...I'll see if I can chivvy T. up a bit...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nckS9KRpibY

I imagine Tommy Bowe knows where he's going and we'll hear an announcement at a time that is mutually agreeable to him and his people, Ulster (or, you know, whoever!) and the Ospreys.

Probably not during the Six Nations.

True. There's no point in saying anything during the Six Nations, and as you say, it has to be mutually convenient to everyone involved.

geoff999rugby wrote:
There was a reason Dean Ryan was in town and it wasn't for the Ulster job - I just forget why though.

Thanks Geoff. That really helped

Sky Sports Quarter Final, features for the pre-match buildup.

Cari wrote:I'm sorry boys...I'll see if I can chivvy T. up a bit...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nckS9KRpibY

Sorry Cari ...... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsTNxVtS4c8

Rava wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:
There was a reason Dean Ryan was in town and it wasn't for the Ulster job - I just forget why though.

Thanks Geoff. That really helped

Sorry should have clarified the reason was not related to Ulster.

What I meant to convey weas that his presence in Belfast had nothing to do with the coaching vacancy

Nice piece on Jared Payne on the Ulster rugby site. Sounds like he's making good progress with his rehab.

Hope he's enjoying life in Ulster. Tough first season for him so hopefully there will be good times ahead for him.

Mind you I thought the rumour was Sexton for the head job but the hold up was he wanted some rookie guy as his no2, rather than Mauger?

Hands off Aaron Mauger he's supposedly coming back to Tigers as the new backs coach. He took on the role with Geordie after Cockers took over in 2009 and was behind the attacking play that took us from being a bit average to a GP win and a HEC final runners up medal (shame we ran out of 10s). If Ulster wanted to inject some class into their backs then he would be an excellent coaching option, which is why there's a lot of hopeful Tigers fans wanting the rumours to be true!

roddersm wrote:Nice piece on Jared Payne on the Ulster rugby site. Sounds like he's making good progress with his rehab.

Hope he's enjoying life in Ulster. Tough first season for him so hopefully there will be good times ahead for him.

I saw a picture of that machine on his Twitter. Crazy, it takes his weight off the ground. So he is running but only on 14% of his weight or something. Technology amazes me sometimes!

I think he has got a few dogs which is normally a good sign of someone 'settling'. I hope that the socialising is still there with the team mates despite his absence from training.

I'd say he was bored, bored bored, the few weeks after his injury.

Read a pice and after teh injury he was house bound for a few weeks, was new so didn't have many friends or know his neighbours, and couldn't leave to meet people- that must have been a hard time in a new country and not able to try to make new friends.

Said that Gilroy, cave and a few others visited him from time to time, so hopefully this helped him settle, as he was missing out on the settleing in period.

clivemcl wrote:

roddersm wrote:Nice piece on Jared Payne on the Ulster rugby site. Sounds like he's making good progress with his rehab.

Hope he's enjoying life in Ulster. Tough first season for him so hopefully there will be good times ahead for him.

I saw a picture of that machine on his Twitter. Crazy, it takes his weight off the ground. So he is running but only on 14% of his weight or something. Technology amazes me sometimes!

I think he has got a few dogs which is normally a good sign of someone 'settling'. I hope that the socialising is still there with the team mates despite his absence from training.

I have a funny notion it's the one based up at Jordanstown that Rob Kearney and Ferris both used to get back to full fitness... Think a few of the GAA boys used it too... Amazing machine!

I'm presuming you are talking about the Anti-gravity treadmill yoke they have at the SINI.

Great machine! Only one on the island as far as I know!

Allows you to have an almost normal running action whilst bearing very little and gradually increasing weight. So much better than just water training as your gait can be normal and the trainer can get a really good view of it too!

Only drawback I've heard is that you really want to be the first user of the day otherwise you have to joy of putting on the very sweaty neoprene shorts which have just been vacated by someone else!!!



Yuk!

I'm told Fez and Fla used to strive to first user!

Mrs P that's disgusting!

You think with it being the only one theyd at least invest in a few pairs they can switch with new users

Maybe they only have one pair in "rugby player" size?

I think I'd be willing to buy my own individual pair.

When I get to Ravenhill, I'm gonna invade the pitch on a unicycle and give Sparky a punch in the chops.

Cari wrote:When I get to Ravenhill, I'm gonna invade the pitch on a unicycle and give Sparky a punch in the chops.

Sparky... sparky....sparky

Well he's a scabby looking thing Rodders. Let's the side down...I mean with all these big name signings you'll have next year - you'll be the new Galacticos, and need a better mascot.

How dare you Cari! Forget Pieenar, Ferris, Muller, Bowe etc. Sparky is Ulsters talisman!

Still needs a wash...

I want to punch a few mascots actually, so it's nothing personal.

Talk behind the scenes David Humphreys is back in his happy hunting ground; Durban, South Africa. Apparently he's been tapping up this individual...

Spoiler:

You'll warm to old sparky Cari! Get those flights booked to Belfast!

I'd prefer if DH could get this fella to sign

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=baltimore+ravens+mascot&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1029&bih=672&tbm=isch&tbnid=4d2IMk-uLVQKFM:&imgrefurl=http://kids.aol.com/pictures/nfl-mascots/&docid=7UJAUu-lfZw-KM&imgurl=http://o.aolcdn.com/photo-hub/5B47B90353DCE961408D7319555F7CB9CA62FD7F/Ravens-mascot-430a081108.jpg&w=362&h=394&ei=z5ZMT7mfB6SP0AWC3eidBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=97&vpy=297&dur=1140&hovh=234&hovw=215&tx=114&ty=115&sig=107018046206037266194&page=1&tbnh=144&tbnw=132&start=0&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0


I have to agree with Cari Sparky is a bit of an embarrassment, but I have grow fond of him. He's like a mole on your face, some people would call it a beauty spot.

I'd love a rivally with Scarlets (if they had a mascot) {just picking Scarlets as we are building a little rivalary with them] where the winner gets to keep the others mascot untill you win him back.

Would be fun if we won there macot and got to throw wet sponges at him, before kick off in food court area, and other things to him untill they won him back, half time Sparkey getting to parade him round in a cage, each game till Scarlets win him back. Would add a little edge, and entertain the kids, and if Scarlets won sparky they could keep him, we'll get a Raven.

Have to agree I think Sparky is a poor mascot.
Sorry to say it he looks a scaggy old thing.
Lets the side down.

Same with our Rockettes - pretty amateurish.

When we are top of the World, playing in a new staduium someone is going to have to sort this out !

Not top priority I suppose

Your not going to like this lads.
Tommy has taken a look a look round at Munster.

Now don't panic yet as he has agreed to join us.

Hopefully just using it as a bargaining chip and I am unsure as to when this occurred.

As mentioned before until the name is on the dotted line nothing is safe.

I'll make a suggestion - is he waiting for the coach - if Dublin force Eddie on us Tommy would probably sign for Munster

ahhhhhhhh nooooo Geoff!!! ............

Just send him a link to the thread where Sin said he doesn't want him!

Is eddie even an option? Other than you mentioning cheika, sexton seems to be the front runner. Would be very disappointing if tommy went elsewhere and would really mean we are reliant on a couple more youngsters making it.

I'm not liking this guys...the pendulum seems to be swinging towards Munster regarding Bowe...... I'll be devastated if he doesn't join us......

Not too bothered really. Munster seemed to have given up the hunt not too long ago. I see the hand of a canny agent at play.

Would the IRFU really force a coach we didn't want on us? Seems unlikely.