Ulster 2016/2017

by marty2086 Mon 13 Feb 2017, 9:43 am

First topic message reminder :

And it's been confirmed

Ulster Rugby has today announced that Jono Gibbes will join the Province as Head Coach ahead of the 2017/18 season, having signed a two-year contract.

The former New Zealand player is currently Forwards Coach at French giants ASM Clermont Auvergne and he previously held a similar position at Leinster Rugby.

Gibbes joined Leinster in 2008, helping the squad to win three Heineken Cup titles during a six-year spell in Dublin. The first of those successes came under the stewardship of Michael Cheika in 2009, before he assisted Joe Schmidt in the 2011 and 2012 triumphs.

He moved to France in 2014 and was part of a coaching set-up that guided Clermont to the Top 14 and Champions Cup finals in his debut season.

In addition to his expertise in forward play, the 40-year-old has also gained valuable experience in coaching other aspects of the game, such as attack, during his stints at Leinster and Clermont.

Gibbes said that there were many contributing factors in his move back to Ireland:

"The respect that I have for Les (Kiss), as a coach and as a person, was one of my main reasons for making this decision. He really sold his vision of where he wants to take Ulster over the next few years.

"Ulster is a team that I know well, having come up against them on a number of occasions. The Clermont-Ulster games this season gave me an insight into the strengths of the squad and it's exciting to think that I'll be part of that environment from next season.

"With 6 years at Leinster and 3 years at Clermont in the Top 14, I've been afforded many different experiences, working with some very talented coaches and players. I hope to apply what I've learned to the role at Ulster and my family and I are looking forward to integrating into a strong community in Belfast."

Welcoming the news, Director of Rugby Les Kiss, added:

"Jono's CV speaks for itself and I know that he's looking forward to joining Ulster and working with the team. Jono has vast experience on both the playing and coaching fronts, having worked in many different environments such as Super Rugby, PRO12, the French Top 14 and European competitions.

"Since his retirement from playing, Jono has had an integral role in the coaching teams of two of European rugby's most successful sides. He was a key part of the Leinster set-up that won three Heineken Cups in four years and he has continued to be hugely successful during his time in France.

"Jono's expertise as a Forwards Coach is obvious, however his wealth of knowledge in other areas of the game will be really important for us."

"A review of the coaching structure is ongoing ahead of next season and the appointment of Jono as Head Coach is the first part of that process. A further announcement will be made in the coming weeks, which will focus on getting the right balance in our coaching team."

by Guest Sun 26 Mar 2017, 2:02 am

Geen sport voor watjes wrote:Enough of the booing. Next thing is we will all start speaking with Welsh accents

We can never allow that. Might improve my singing though king

by Geen sport voor watjes Sun 26 Mar 2017, 2:14 am

Really can't stand it. The Munster crowd were starting it in the Scarlets game a couple of weeks ago. Very poor. The usual thing in Munster is to abuse your own players for losing...i.e the limerick crowd abuse the cork players and vice versa. It's usually easy to abuse the limerick players as they can't understand English, them and the new crowd from Tipperary.

by Guest Sun 26 Mar 2017, 2:31 am

I don't like it myself, and it's something that is creeping into the game.

People think Ulster are bad for booing, but they're far from the worst. Ulster weren't known for booing until the Ulster v Saracens game, and Garces red carded Payne. I think the crowd were just right to boo on that occasion, but that booing has stuck in peoples minds, and so we have been classed as booing supporters, since. That said; it is something that is creeping into the Ulster supporters when at Ravers, and probably due to an increase in support of fans new to going to games.

Glasgow, Dragons and Scarlets boo a lot,but what's worse is the chanting rant of "cheat, cheat, cheat', by some morons at the Scarlets and Dragons grounds. That really annoys more than anything else. The booing can often be a pantomime thing, but the squealing "cheat, cheat, cheat", is meant to be abusive, and has no place in the game. Neither do those who call it.

by The Great Aukster Sun 26 Mar 2017, 10:00 am

The booing is a consequence of gaining new support. It was obvious in the Glasgow game that the supporters doing the booing didn't know the laws and thought Davies had got the decisions wrong.
The Scarlets fans are perhaps different in that they are more one-eyed and want every 50:50 to go their way, so probably feel it is a perfectly legitimate means to put home pressure on the referee.

by marty2086 Sun 26 Mar 2017, 11:37 am

Munchkin wrote:
I think one of Glasgow's player's should have seen a yellow for the tackle on Adeolokun, if the ref had been consistent. Might have missed the Marmion one, as I missed the first half. Glasgow have developed into a niggly side who like to play on the edge. Ulster could learn a thing or two from them.

It was Reid on Adeoloukun, it was a far more dangerous tackle than Cartys though it looked far more dramatic because of how Horne landed

Marmion took a high shot to the jaw which was replayed a few times, think someone pushed the TMOs mute button at that point though Rolling Eyes

I think though Glasgow have went over the edge in recent times, their treatment of Murray a while back and the way they played yesterday its reckless and dangerous but because they play pretty rugby it gets overlooked

Ulster do need more of a edge and Coetzee seemed to bring that to the group and hopefully Botha will follow suit next year too

by marty2086 Sun 26 Mar 2017, 11:45 am

Treviso beat Ospreys last night, 13-5, rested quite a few players and were punished for it.

This could be a fascinating end to the season and with the right results a home semi isn't out of the question

by Guest Sun 26 Mar 2017, 6:25 pm

marty2086 wrote:
Munchkin wrote:
I think one of Glasgow's player's should have seen a yellow for the tackle on Adeolokun, if the ref had been consistent. Might have missed the Marmion one, as I missed the first half. Glasgow have developed into a niggly side who like to play on the edge. Ulster could learn a thing or two from them.

It was Reid on Adeoloukun, it was a far more dangerous tackle than Cartys though it looked far more dramatic because of how Horne landed

Marmion took a high shot to the jaw which was replayed a few times, think someone pushed the TMOs mute button at that point though

I think though Glasgow have went over the edge in recent times, their treatment of Murray a while back and the way they played yesterday its reckless and dangerous but because they play pretty rugby it gets overlooked

Ulster do need more of a edge and Coetzee seemed to bring that to the group and hopefully Botha will follow suit next year too

I agree with all that. There's a fine line between playing close to the edge, and tipping over, and some of the tactics used by certain sides I completely disagree with. It is a tough game, but targeting the head is very poor, and should have no place on the field.

Coetzee made a huge difference since he started, and shows just what we were missing. Since Muller left we have been without a real leader. I can only hope Coetzee makes a full recovery, and before the start of next season.

I have high hopes that Gibbes will transform our pack. I really believe he will, and think he will raise the level of our current forwards, and trust that he will bring players through the academy. Something that Ulster Rugby have failed miserably in doing.

by Guest Sun 26 Mar 2017, 6:32 pm

marty2086 wrote:Treviso beat Ospreys last night, 13-5, rested quite a few players and were punished for it.

This could be a fascinating end to the season and with the right results a home semi isn't out of the question

Wow! Didn't know that. Just took for granted an Ospreys win. So Scarlets, Ulster and Ospreys fighting for top 4. I'm not confident that Ulster will make top 4 though. Just don't think we're good enough, and certainly not good enough to win a knock-out.

All my hopes are for next season.

by marty2086 Mon 27 Mar 2017, 9:25 am

Munchkin wrote:
marty2086 wrote:Treviso beat Ospreys last night, 13-5, rested quite a few players and were punished for it.

This could be a fascinating end to the season and with the right results a home semi isn't out of the question

Wow! Didn't know that. Just took for granted an Ospreys win. So Scarlets, Ulster and Ospreys fighting for top 4. I'm not confident that Ulster will make top 4 though. Just don't think we're good enough, and certainly not good enough to win a knock-out.

All my hopes are for next season.

I think Ospreys took for granted they would win

I think everyones go tough fixtures in the run in and it leaves the door open until the very end I feel

Ospreys: Leinster (H), Cardiff (A), Ulster (H), Scarlets (A)
Scarlets: Treviso (H), Dragons (A), Connacht (A), Ospreys (H)
Ulster: Cardiff (H), Munster (A), Ospreys (A), Leinster (H)

by Don Alfonso Mon 27 Mar 2017, 10:18 am

Sean Dougall possibly coming home?

by Pete330v2 Mon 27 Mar 2017, 10:51 am

marty2086 wrote:
Munchkin wrote:
marty2086 wrote:Treviso beat Ospreys last night, 13-5, rested quite a few players and were punished for it.

This could be a fascinating end to the season and with the right results a home semi isn't out of the question

Wow! Didn't know that. Just took for granted an Ospreys win. So Scarlets, Ulster and Ospreys fighting for top 4. I'm not confident that Ulster will make top 4 though. Just don't think we're good enough, and certainly not good enough to win a knock-out.

All my hopes are for next season.

I think Ospreys took for granted they would win

I think everyones go tough fixtures in the run in and it leaves the door open until the very end I feel

Ospreys: Leinster (H), Cardiff (A), Ulster (H), Scarlets (A)
Scarlets: Treviso (H), Dragons (A), Connacht (A), Ospreys (H)
Ulster: Cardiff (H), Munster (A), Ospreys (A), Leinster (H)

Plenty of room there for everyone to slip up, it's going to be interesting.

by Pete330v2 Mon 27 Mar 2017, 10:58 am

Don Alfonso wrote:Sean Dougall possibly coming home?

@midi_olympique says that Sean Dougall is set to leave Pau & head home. Ulster are "particularly interested" in him.

by marty2086 Mon 27 Mar 2017, 11:02 am

Pete330v2 wrote:
marty2086 wrote:
Munchkin wrote:
marty2086 wrote:Treviso beat Ospreys last night, 13-5, rested quite a few players and were punished for it.

This could be a fascinating end to the season and with the right results a home semi isn't out of the question

Wow! Didn't know that. Just took for granted an Ospreys win. So Scarlets, Ulster and Ospreys fighting for top 4. I'm not confident that Ulster will make top 4 though. Just don't think we're good enough, and certainly not good enough to win a knock-out.

All my hopes are for next season.

I think Ospreys took for granted they would win

I think everyones go tough fixtures in the run in and it leaves the door open until the very end I feel

Ospreys: Leinster (H), Cardiff (A), Ulster (H), Scarlets (A)
Scarlets: Treviso (H), Dragons (A), Connacht (A), Ospreys (H)
Ulster: Cardiff (H), Munster (A), Ospreys (A), Leinster (H)

Plenty of room there for everyone to slip up, it's going to be interesting.

The top 2 don't have it easy either

Leinster: Ospreys(a), Connacht(a), Glasgow(h), Ulster (a)
Munster: Glasgow(h), Ulster(h), Treviso(a), Connacht(h)

by marty2086 Mon 27 Mar 2017, 11:04 am

Pete330v2 wrote:
Don Alfonso wrote:Sean Dougall possibly coming home?

@midi_olympique says that Sean Dougall is set to leave Pau & head home. Ulster are "particularly interested" in him.

Funny how he wants to come to Ulster when Clarke has left, wonder if we will see a few more forwards want to come back

by Pete330v2 Mon 27 Mar 2017, 12:23 pm

marty2086 wrote:
Pete330v2 wrote:
Don Alfonso wrote:Sean Dougall possibly coming home?

@midi_olympique says that Sean Dougall is set to leave Pau & head home. Ulster are "particularly interested" in him.

Funny how he wants to come to Ulster when Clarke has left, wonder if we will see a few more forwards want to come back

Right enough, we might have to form an orderly queue

by Redman Tue 28 Mar 2017, 12:46 am

When was Clarke running our academy? How many players do we think he personally binned?

by Pete330v2 Tue 28 Mar 2017, 9:48 am

Is there some form of dinner event this Thursday involving Ruan?
The posters on t'other forum keep mentioning 'the dinner' that Nucifora definitely won't be at etc.

by Rory_Gallagher Tue 28 Mar 2017, 11:36 am

No idea but I wouldn't read much into it. We always get excited over obscure rumours and end up looking silly when it ends up being nothing.

by Pete330v2 Wed 29 Mar 2017, 8:20 pm

So big Rodney AhYou gets a 1 week ban for the red carding, a token ban to ensure the panel didn't have to admit the referee was a complete clampit.

by marty2086 Wed 29 Mar 2017, 9:03 pm

One of the stupidest bans in history and the reasoning behind it all backs that up.

Cited for a shoulder charge which he plead guilty to but reduced because it wasnt intentional?

Is it just me or does a shoulder charge have to deliberate otherwise its just a collision? Headscratch

by carpet baboon Wed 29 Mar 2017, 9:30 pm

marty2086 wrote:One of the stupidest bans in history and the reasoning behind it all backs that up.

Cited for a shoulder charge which he plead guilty to but reduced because it wasnt intentional?

Is it just me or does a shoulder charge have to deliberate otherwise its just a collision?

On the day Mrs may sent a letter to Europe i didn't think i could of heard a more ridiculous thing. And rugby goes and surpasses it.
I love this sport

by Guest Wed 29 Mar 2017, 9:47 pm

The citing panel decided to punish Ulster, and not Ah You mad

Will Herbst be available for the next game?

by clivemcl Wed 29 Mar 2017, 10:23 pm

I found I was the only one defending Ah You at the time. Glad to see i wasn't the only one who saw the reality. Big Rodney didn't seem to slow for the contact. Didn't move towards Pyrdie. Rodney is hard to miss.the crazy thing is Prydie thread a dummy and ran straight into Rodney as he bought the dummy and was focused on the next man. Farcical. furious

by Pete330v2 Thu 30 Mar 2017, 12:05 pm

clivemcl wrote:I found I was the only one defending Ah You at the time. Glad to see i wasn't the only one who saw the reality. Big Rodney didn't seem to slow for the contact. Didn't move towards Pyrdie. Rodney is hard to miss.the crazy thing is Prydie thread a dummy and ran straight into Rodney as he bought the dummy and was focused on the next man. Farcical.

Oh no Clive, you were not alone. It was a collision the like of which shouldn't even be penalized let alone red carded. Rodders is a big lump to run into and Prydie didn't exactly take avoiding action. He also went down like a sack of fairies to try and milk it.
Anyway nobody misses gametime but we won't win the specsavers fairplay trophy now which would have been the only silverware we had a chance at on current form Smile

Ruan's final hurrah will be silverless.

by marty2086 Thu 30 Mar 2017, 1:25 pm

McCloskey and Ludik playing for the As tomorrow night against Leinster in an experimental side

Ah You will be a big loss for that game Whistle

by Pete330v2 Fri 31 Mar 2017, 11:43 am

So Ruan's dinner was indeed last night. Apparently he got very emotional when speaking.
Trimble said Ruan is going to Montpellier on a 2 year deal then has an agreement in place to return to NI to continue his life but hey, if he's reminded of what sunshine and blue skies are like he may stay there.

by marty2086 Fri 31 Mar 2017, 1:10 pm

by SecretFly Fri 31 Mar 2017, 3:17 pm

Pete330v2 wrote:So Ruan's dinner was indeed last night. Apparently he got very emotional when speaking.
Trimble said Ruan is going to Montpellier on a 2 year deal then has an agreement in place to return to NI to continue his life but hey, if he's reminded of what sunshine and blue skies are like he may stay there.

Yeah. The Ulster Secret Service will have to surrepticiously wire up his new Montpellier home to be a house sized fridge - it's doable. "Ello, Mister Pienaar, we are 'ere to rewire your home, compliment of your new club, so that you will 'ave no worries when you make ze fush and chups................ OOPs!.......... Run lads, we blew it!" Run

by SecretFly Fri 31 Mar 2017, 3:19 pm

marty2086 wrote:

Were any of his team mates at that gig? Seems to be all the blazer boys.

by marty2086 Fri 31 Mar 2017, 3:37 pm

SecretFly wrote:
marty2086 wrote:

Were any of his team mates at that gig? Seems to be all the blazer boys.

They were all out the back knocking lumps out of Nucifora boxing

by SecretFly Fri 31 Mar 2017, 3:50 pm

by marty2086 Wed 05 Apr 2017, 12:54 pm

Ulster Rugby wrote:Ulster Rugby has been boosted by the news that exciting youngsters Jacob Stockdale, Ross Kane and Rob Lyttle have signed new contracts with the Province.

Stockdale, who graduated from the Hughes Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy last year, has enjoyed a fine season to date with the senior squad, scoring 8 tries in his 14 competitive appearances, which includes 7 starts.

The versatile back, who turned 21 earlier this week, attended Wallace High School and is a former Irish U20 international.

Kane and Lyttle, both of whom are current members of the Academy, have been rewarded for their excellent development this season with a place on the senior panel. They have already made significant contributions to Les Kiss' squad, having made 11 and 8 appearances respectively.

Kane captained Methodist College to Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Cup success in 2013 before taking his place in the Academy. He is affiliated to Ulster Bank League 1B club Ballymena RFC.

Lyttle lined out for Ireland in the recent U20 Six Nations and he plays his club rugby for Queen's University RFC.

Les Kiss was understandably delighted to retain the services of the three players:

"Jacob, Ross and Rob are outstanding talents who, even at a young age, have demonstrated their qualities for our senior team.

"In addition to having the physical attributes to be top class players, they also possess a positive mental aptitude and a strong understanding of the game. Their development has really accelerated under Kieran Campbell and Willie Anderson in the Academy and they have shown great appetite to continue that with the senior squad.

"All three were identified in the school game at a young age and have come through our player development pathway, which is essential for the sustainable future of Ulster Rugby. We have significantly increased investment in this area over the past couple of years and we are starting to reap the rewards.

"The challenge for us is to bring players through from outside of the school game and it was pleasing to see club youth players Tommy O'Hagan, John McCusker and Joe Dunleavy starting for our Ulster A team last Friday, while we also had Adam McBurney and Aaron Hall on the bench. This is hugely positive for us and hopefully we'll see even more of this in the years ahead."

by marty2086 Wed 05 Apr 2017, 12:56 pm

Les talking again about bringing players through outside of the schools system, seems he really could be the chosen one Hero

or not

by clivemcl Wed 05 Apr 2017, 3:27 pm

Leinster have announced their annual contract extension list. We are officially not signing Conan, Murphy, Leavy or Mick Kearney.

Josh Van Der Flier anyone? Cool

Or a more serious suggestion - Dom Ryan? the only one I definitely know is out of contract.

by Redman Wed 05 Apr 2017, 4:37 pm

Would take him in a heartbeat.

Nothing flashy but has over 100 Leinster caps and has only just turned 27.

by clivemcl Wed 05 Apr 2017, 4:44 pm

Himself and Dougal would certainly bolster our backrow squad depth pretty well!

by Don Alfonso Wed 05 Apr 2017, 8:21 pm

Come on guys. We've been really slack recently. I know we haven't played a game in a while, but that never used to stop us - it would be a constant stream of hysteria and doom on here. What happened to us?

If our backrow were to be bolstered by Dougall and Ryan that would be welcome. Neither's a world-beater, but both are better than (No Disrespect To) Clive Ross and Wilson, who can't be far off retiring. Would really like to see Rea come through as well. Can't wait until Gibbes starts clanging some heads together.

Did anyone see how Angus Lloyd went against Toulouse? Did he get on? I recorded the game but then deleted it.

Glad to see Stockdale and Kane, particularly, being recognised as able to make the step up.

by marty2086 Thu 06 Apr 2017, 11:37 am

Don Alfonso wrote:
Did anyone see how Angus Lloyd went against Toulouse? Did he get on? I recorded the game but then deleted it.

He didn't get much game time but Duncan Williams was impressive

by carpet baboon Thu 06 Apr 2017, 12:51 pm

I see Nicky timoney is on the bench. What's he like?

by marty2086 Thu 06 Apr 2017, 12:54 pm

by Pete330v2 Thu 06 Apr 2017, 12:54 pm

Ulster team & replacements to play Cardiff Blues, Guinness PRO12, Friday 7th April, Kingspan Stadium (7.35pm):

(15-9): J Payne, C Gilroy, L Marshall, S Olding, C Piutau, P Jackson, R Pienaar;
(1-8): A Warwick, R Best (captain), W Herbst, K Treadwell, A O'Connor, I Henderson, S Reidy, R Wilson;
Replacements (16-23): R Herring, C Black, R Ah You, R Diack, N Timoney, P Marshall, J Stockdale, A Trimble.

by marty2086 Thu 06 Apr 2017, 12:55 pm

carpet baboon wrote:I see Nicky timoney is on the bench. What's he like?

Good to see him make the bench but can't see how old man Wilson makes the team ahead of him

by Pete330v2 Thu 06 Apr 2017, 1:08 pm

marty2086 wrote:
carpet baboon wrote:I see Nicky timoney is on the bench. What's he like?

Good to see him make the bench but can't see how old man Wilson makes the team ahead of him

Wilson must know some deep, dark things about Les Kiss to be selected repeatedly ahead of young players who would do a better job.

by carpet baboon Thu 06 Apr 2017, 1:12 pm

Pete330v2 wrote:
marty2086 wrote:
carpet baboon wrote:I see Nicky timoney is on the bench. What's he like?

Good to see him make the bench but can't see how old man Wilson makes the team ahead of him

Wilson must know some deep, dark things about Les Kiss to be selected repeatedly ahead of young players who would do a better job.

It really is confusing. I may not see what goes on in training but what i see in games is he is slow to everything, his tackling is getting worse and his support play is pretty non existent. Surely a young back row charging round the pitch would serve all involved a lot better.

by marty2086 Thu 06 Apr 2017, 1:14 pm

Timoney I think captained most underage teams he has played from school through to Leinster and Ireland, you'd think that would mean he has a good head on his shoulders

by Guest Thu 06 Apr 2017, 2:09 pm

This is a must win game to make top 4, and probably need a bonus point win. Cardiff won't be easy, and if our pack doesn't turn up we could lose.

Looking forward to seeing Timoney when he comes on.

by marty2086 Thu 06 Apr 2017, 2:23 pm

Munchkin wrote:This is a must win game to make top 4, and probably need a bonus point win. Cardiff won't be easy, and if our pack doesn't turn up we could lose.

Looking forward to seeing Timoney when he comes on.

Seen the last few minutes of their game with Gloucester last week, the commentary team described them as beat up and battered so hopefully they are feeling that this week

by Rory_Gallagher Thu 06 Apr 2017, 2:45 pm

I really hope that Timoney gets more than a minute at the end. He was considered a really impressive prospect when he came into the Leinster academy. Since moving to Ulster I've barely heard a word about him. It is sad that this is the case.

by Guest Thu 06 Apr 2017, 2:59 pm

marty2086 wrote:
Munchkin wrote:This is a must win game to make top 4, and probably need a bonus point win. Cardiff won't be easy, and if our pack doesn't turn up we could lose.

Looking forward to seeing Timoney when he comes on.

Seen the last few minutes of their game with Gloucester last week, the commentary team described them as beat up and battered so hopefully they are feeling that this week

Forgot about their game. Hopefully they're held together with sticky tape Very Happy

by SecretFly Thu 06 Apr 2017, 3:16 pm

You forget what the Cardiff Captain said in the tunnel: "Yeah, no, look...we're happy with that performance. We were pretending to be absolutely f**king dreadful in order to lay a surprise ambush on them Ulster bollixes."

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