Ulster squad additions

by geoff998rugby Tue 21 Jun 2011, 12:27 pm

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

by clivemcl Wed 07 Mar 2012, 3:18 pm

Couple of things:

1) Hope Terblanche gets a coaching role
2) Hope Wannenberg signs
3) I wonder who the third unnamed candidate is!
4)Would like Whitten to stay

5) and lastly, when are we going to talk about the current season? in the running for Heineken and Rabo with our CURRENT squad.

Wish the Hairsprays had done better at the weekend! Gona be a tight few months, will we achieve less than last season? How annoyed would we be if we did?

by MrsP Wed 07 Mar 2012, 3:22 pm

WillyGilly wrote:That Annett thing is pretty dissapointing. I thought he was pretty highly rated. I was also under the impression McIlroy was being hung out to dry after his antics during the u20s 6n last year. Besides don't we have Pienaar, Marshall and Porter?

Is this on or off the pitch?

Really sorry to see Annett go but if it is only a short term thing then I'll be happy.

Is this so he can go to Uni there?

by **Notch** Wed 07 Mar 2012, 3:29 pm

Don Alfonso wrote:Concerned about Whitten going. He got a decent amount of gametime this season. He was needed.

Our problems clearly don't lie in the quality of our front-line players, but the fact that our squad is tissue-thin. and that seems to be getting worse in some areas.

Let's tale a for-instance. Next year's Six Nations. Let's say we're missing (for the training squad at least) Bowe, Trimble, Wallace and Cave. The only name there that isn't certain or probable is Cave, and he would have been there this 6N but for injury. That leaves us with a backline to assemble out of - Marshall, Spence, Gilroy, Cochrane, Gaston, Nelson, Farrell, Payne, D'Arcy.

Depending on who we're playing, we could be in for a torrid time. A couple of injuries and we're up a creek. Being able to play Whitten on the wing would greatly boost the experience of a backline like that.

Think Wallaces race is run as an Ireland player unfortunately, he'll probably be much more available.

by MrsP Wed 07 Mar 2012, 4:56 pm

Looks like an MCB v Ballyclare Schools Cup Final!

by WillyGilly Wed 07 Mar 2012, 6:14 pm

Wallace very unfortunate monday. Pack never got going. Some very talented players on display. Methody only won in the last 10 minutes. Still can't really see past them.

by Rory_Gallagher Wed 07 Mar 2012, 6:21 pm

Can't see Ballyclare winning - got to see them against Inst, who forget they had any backs on the team.

by Standulstermen Wed 07 Mar 2012, 6:48 pm

Ravens beat Connacht at deramore park this evening 17-7. 4 Mckinney penalties and a try for Luke Marshall

by MrsP Wed 07 Mar 2012, 6:51 pm

Did MCB not win 3 tries to one?

Revenge for all three of the quarter finals last year.

Kicker didn't have the best day I heard, till he scored a try himself.

WillyG,

At least your lot have a shot at the Medallion Shield.

by **rodders** Wed 07 Mar 2012, 6:57 pm

Methody were the bane of my schoolboy years! Feicers KO'd us from the medallion shield and I haven't forgotten it boxing

..some wounds never heal Sad

BAD news! David Wallace will be fit for the HEC QF! Shocked

by MrsP Wed 07 Mar 2012, 7:36 pm

Rodders,

?

chin

Andrew T's alma mater?

by **rodders** Wed 07 Mar 2012, 7:43 pm

by Cari Wed 07 Mar 2012, 7:44 pm

roddersm wrote:

David Wallace will be fit for the HEC QF!

OMG I hope you're telling the truth Ulster squad additions - Page 19 3933776953

by WillyGilly Wed 07 Mar 2012, 7:48 pm

MrsP wrote:Rodders,

?

Andrew T's alma mater?

Was Andrew T not Coleraine Inst?

by **rodders** Wed 07 Mar 2012, 7:49 pm

Afraid so Cari! Shocked

....

https://www.606v2.com/t25414-munster-boosted-by-wallace-return

by Cari Wed 07 Mar 2012, 7:50 pm

is all I can say Rodders!!!!

by **rodders** Wed 07 Mar 2012, 7:51 pm

WillyGilly wrote:
MrsP wrote:Rodders,

?

Andrew T's alma mater?

Was Andrew T not Coleraine Inst?

Yes and I'm not his Mother if thats what the question was.

by MrsP Wed 07 Mar 2012, 7:59 pm

Rodders,

Not sorry to say that a whole new generation of young lads were probably left with a similar feeling on Saturday.

I wonder if they will be posting somewhere in 20 years time about that day?

by **rodders** Wed 07 Mar 2012, 10:43 pm

Not more rodders! ..... Run

Special days in a young mans rugby life though mrs p, you never forget the medallion shield Hug

by Jenifer McLadyboy Wed 07 Mar 2012, 10:45 pm

Rodders. Is you after gettin MrsP up the duff?

by MrsP Wed 07 Mar 2012, 10:47 pm

I've only just read that back and realised how it could be seriously misinterpreted!!!!!

Editing required, as much for the reputation of Rodders as for my own!

by **rodders** Wed 07 Mar 2012, 10:52 pm

by MrsP Wed 07 Mar 2012, 11:00 pm

I should have just said that MCB had knocked CAI out of the Medallion Shield again on Saturday!

Doh

by MrsP Wed 07 Mar 2012, 11:38 pm

Now I've just been accused on another thread of having 8 kids!

I feel an almost overwhelming compunction to point out that none of them are Rodders'!

But I think that might just cause more confusion!

by **Notch** Thu 08 Mar 2012, 12:34 am

Looks like Ian Whitten and Willie Faloon are leaving Ulster.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby/exeter-to-swoop-for-ulster-s-whitten-1-3599582

And Pedrie W probably staying. McComish and Birch would be our cover for Henry... hmm. Wish they would retain Faloon; they must really see something in Ali Birch.

by WillyGilly Thu 08 Mar 2012, 12:41 am

That's very dissapointing re Faloon especially given how poor McComish is.

by **Notch** Thu 08 Mar 2012, 12:46 am

So next season we might look like this;

PROPS
Tom Court, John Afoa, Paddy McAllister, Adam Macklin, Declan Fitzpatrick, Jerry Cronin, Callum Black
HOOKERS
Rory Best, Nigel Brady, Andi Kyriacou
LOCKS
Johann Muller, Dan Tuohy, Lewis Stevenson, Tim Barker, Neil McComb, Ian Henderson
BACKROW
Stephen Ferris, Chris Henry, Pedrie Wannenburg*, Roger Wilson, Robbie Diack, Ali Birch, Mike McComish
SCRUM HALF
Ruan Pienaar, Paul Marshall, Ian Porter, Blane McIlroy
OUT HALF
Ian Humphreys, Paddy Jackson
CENTRE
Paddy Wallace, Darren Cave, Nevin Spence, Luke Marshall, Chris Farrell
BACK THREE
Andrew Trimble, Tommy Bowe, Jared Payne, Craig Gilroy, Adam D'Arcy, Chris Cochrane, Peter Nelson

Ins
Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Roger Wilson (Northampton)

Outs
Ian Whitten (Exeter Chiefs), Wille Faloon (possibly Connacht), James McKinney, Niall Annett (Bristol), Simon Danielli (possibly Wasps)

* Unconfirmed

I'm actually very happy with our squad. We only lack depth at 7 and 10. I think even with a few lads leaving that may be our strongest squad of the professional era.

by Standulstermen Thu 08 Mar 2012, 4:04 am

Disappointed about the faloon rumour. He isnt anywhere near as effective as he used to be at the breakdown mind you and his tackling (which was unbelievably good) has dropped. His link play is still up there as evidenced by the trys we have scored recently though. Great signing for Connacht mind you.

I still think we need another decent backrow though.

Ferris, Henry, Wannenburg
McComish, Birch, Wilson ....Diack
the bottom three/four dont inspire confidence.

by clivemcl Thu 08 Mar 2012, 8:31 am

Radio Ulster this morning saying they know the new coach. Unfortunatly, i couldnt catch his name. NZ man, relatively unknown. I'll try to find his name.

by clivemcl Thu 08 Mar 2012, 8:32 am

Mark Anscombe

by geoff998rugby Thu 08 Mar 2012, 8:45 am

Standulstermen wrote:Disappointed about the faloon rumour. He isnt anywhere near as effective as he used to be at the breakdown mind you and his tackling (which was unbelievably good) has dropped. His link play is still up there as evidenced by the trys we have scored recently though. Great signing for Connacht mind you.

I still think we need another decent backrow though.

Ferris, Henry, Wannenburg
McComish, Birch, Wilson ....Diack
the bottom three/four dont inspire confidence.

Stand I think that is incredibly unfair on Wilson who is a far better player than when he left - as good as Wannenberg and Henry in my book. We have gained Wilson and lost Faloon - we are stronger in the backrow next year than we are in this. The feeling at the club is that Birch can do at least a good a job as Faloon

by clivemcl Thu 08 Mar 2012, 8:47 am

Hello? Geoff? I just told you the new head coach...

by geoff998rugby Thu 08 Mar 2012, 8:49 am

Mark Anscombe coached Northland, Auckland and New Zealand U-20's. He is known as a specialist forwards coach. He would have worked with Payne and Afoa.
A back coach to be announced - please make it Stefan

I understand that Sexton and Cheika were the other two interviewed.
Ulster have done a brilliant job of keeping this under wraps after the McLaughlin farce.

Were the other two paid to play a diversionary roll while Ulster went for the man they wanted or am I reading too much into it.

by clivemcl Thu 08 Mar 2012, 8:52 am

U20 all black level will do me just fine! Hope he has an enjoyable but more importantly a successful time here with us at Ulster!

by Rava Thu 08 Mar 2012, 8:53 am

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17289654

by Rava Thu 08 Mar 2012, 8:58 am

geoff998rugby wrote:
Standulstermen wrote:Disappointed about the faloon rumour. He isnt anywhere near as effective as he used to be at the breakdown mind you and his tackling (which was unbelievably good) has dropped. His link play is still up there as evidenced by the trys we have scored recently though. Great signing for Connacht mind you.

I still think we need another decent backrow though.

Ferris, Henry, Wannenburg
McComish, Birch, Wilson ....Diack
the bottom three/four dont inspire confidence.

Stand I think that is incredibly unfair on Wilson who is a far better player than when he left - as good as Wannenberg and Henry in my book. We have gained Wilson and lost Faloon - we are stronger in the backrow next year than we are in this. The feeling at the club is that Birch can do at least a good a job as Faloon

Agree about Wilson, Geoff. Anyone who has watched Northampton over the past few years will know how good he is. He could easily be our first choice 8 next season. I wouldn't be surprised.
Its a bit early to rate Birch but of the little I have seen him he does look the part. Has got real pace.

by Standulstermen Thu 08 Mar 2012, 8:59 am

Geoff, Wilson is the exception. It was a late night post and i couldn't have been arsed clarifying. Of course I have no issue with Wilson. It's the other three that worry.

by geoff998rugby Thu 08 Mar 2012, 9:01 am

Understood but basically no change from this year with respect to those three players - other than Birch for Faloon.

As I say overall we are slightly stronger due to the addition of Wilson

by **rodders** Thu 08 Mar 2012, 9:06 am

Can't read the link Rava. Whats the deal with this Anscombe chap? Are people happy?

Would love to see Steffan stay but will we see a clash of styles/philosphy here between our growing Kiwi and established Saffer contingient??

Can't believe we are letting Whitten and Falloon go...very poor descisions imo. Humphreys is talking about building teh squad around local talent but we are letting our talented young guys go? Bowe v Whitten I can understand, Bowe is world class and in his prime but Faloon v Wilson is a very poor call.

by Standulstermen Thu 08 Mar 2012, 9:07 am

Anscombe then. Any chance he can bring his son to play 10 Wink

Interesting appointment. I eagerly await to see who his technical coaches will be.

by Standulstermen Thu 08 Mar 2012, 9:09 am

The back up still doesn't inspire though. I agree the first four of ferris, Pedrie, Henry and Wilson is as good as we could hope. W really need birch to be the real deal from the back up point of view.

Rodders we have paddy, cave, spence, Farrell and Marshall as centres with Bowe, trimble, Payne who can all fill in.

Time forthe youngsters I think.

by geoff998rugby Thu 08 Mar 2012, 9:11 am

Sorry Rodders but for me Wilson for Faloon is an excellent call especially with Birch coming through.

Harsh though it may be - Whitten and Faloon are not quite top draw and the club will as a result be giving more game time to the likes of Marshall and Farrell at 12 and Birch at 7.

If you dont quite shape up then there is a young buck coming through to take your place - that is a great situation to be. We are overloaded with youngsters in some positions such that we are loaning them out now.

Players like Fitzpatrick and Barker, for example, need to be on their toes otherwise they could go the same way as Whitten and Faloon. You cant keep everybody and sometimes hard choices need to be made.

by clivemcl Thu 08 Mar 2012, 9:11 am

Does anyone fancy writing up a 1st 2nd 3rd XV for us to check out depth? It would be interesting to look at.

by marty2086 Thu 08 Mar 2012, 9:14 am

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17289654

Just came across this BBC are reporting Mark Anscombe is the man for Ulster. Dont know much about him so a good move?

by geoff998rugby Thu 08 Mar 2012, 9:15 am

Here is the 2nd XV

McAllister
Kyriacou
Macklin/Fitzpatrick
Stevenson
Barker
Diack
Wilson
Birch
Marshall
Jackson
Cochrane
Marshall
Spence
Gilroy
D'Arcy

Not too shabby

by clivemcl Thu 08 Mar 2012, 9:16 am

U20 All Blacks coach Marty, so you could say he's been producing All-Black internationals. Decent enough pedigree for me!

by clivemcl Thu 08 Mar 2012, 9:18 am

geoff998rugby wrote:Here is the 2nd XV

McAllister
Kyriacou
Macklin/Fitzpatrick
Stevenson
Barker
Diack
Wilson
Birch
Marshall
Jackson
Cochrane
Marshall
Spence
Gilroy
D'Arcy

Not too shabby

Not bad at all there, assuming Luke Marshall gets form back. Are there any areas that 3rd choice is VERY ropey?

by Rava Thu 08 Mar 2012, 9:21 am

Rodders the Whitten move is great for Ulster, Chiefs and him. Hopefully he will get to play at 12 which is his best position and who knows he could be back a better player just like Tuohy and Stevenson.

As the guys say it frees up space for the likes of Marshall and Farrell. Don't we co,plain enough that these are not getting enough game time.

by Standulstermen Thu 08 Mar 2012, 9:21 am

According to Uafc, Joyce played very well yesterday.

Payne- D'arcy - Nelson
Bowe - Cochrane
Cave - Spence
Wallace - Marshall
Trimble - Gilroy
Jackson - humph
Pienaar - Marshall- Farrell
Wannenburg - Wilson- Diack
Henry - birch
Ferris - McComish
Tuohy - barker- McComb
Muller - Stevenson- henderson
Afoa - Macklin
Best- kyriacou - Brady
Court- mcallister- black

That's as good as i can do off the top of my head. Jackson in front of humph is my own little hope

by Rava Thu 08 Mar 2012, 9:23 am

Geoff is Jerry Cronin away at the end of this season?

by **rodders** Thu 08 Mar 2012, 9:23 am

Standulstermen wrote:
Rodders we have paddy, cave, spence, Farrell and Marshall as centres with Bowe, trimble, Payne who can all fill in.

Time forthe youngsters I think.

Paddy is 33, Payne is only here for 3 seasons and he along with Marshall, Cave and Spence have spent large chunks of this season out injured.

Spence as I am regularly reminded cannot play 12, nor can Trimble or Bowe. If the IRFU get their way from 2014 Payne will have to stay at the back.

I do not see the logic of setting a guy go who is only 24 and can cover both centre positions as well as the wing when we only have Wallace, Cave and at a push Spence and Trimble who are proven centres at this level.

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