Ulster Pre-Season

by **Notch** Thu 09 Aug 2012, 11:43 am

First topic message reminder :

Because we need a new thread to succeed the Ulster Signings one.

There was more encouragement for Ulster last weekend as they held a near full-strength Leicester Tigers to a draw in a sun-drenched Ravenhill. The team was considerably more callow than their opponents but they acquited themselves admirably; with the majority of Ulsters Irish internationals not expected to be involved until the third round of the Pro12, Mark Anscombe is happy to give the same group of players a run again in the final pre-season game against Newcastle. The only changes to the team that started against Leicester are the additions of Mike McComish at openside, Craig Gilroy on the wing, Paddy Jackson at outhalf and Rob Herring at hooker.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/10710.php

Ulster (15-9):J Payne, M Allen, C Farrell, L Marshall, C Gilroy, P Jackson, M Heaney (1-8): C Black, R Herring, D Fitzpatrick, J Muller (c), L Stevenson, R Diack, M McComish, N Williams;
Replacements: N Annett, N Brady, R Lutton, J Afoa, A Macklin, N McComb, A Birch, S Doyle, B McIlroy, N O’Connor, P Nelson, C Cochrane

Match report from Bayonne;

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/rugby/10692.php

Match report from Leicester;

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/rugby/10701.php

by **Notch** Thu 09 Aug 2012, 8:24 pm

Woohoo! Go on Heaney...

by Rava Thu 09 Aug 2012, 8:43 pm

Returning Ulsterman O'Connor puts ulster in the lead with a 45m penalty 13-12, 8 mins to go

by **Notch** Thu 09 Aug 2012, 8:44 pm

Getting any kind of result would be massive given the teams out out in each half and the fact Bayonne are two weeks ahead of us in pre-season. Sounds like a great performance!

by Rava Thu 09 Aug 2012, 8:45 pm

Bayonne regain lead with penalty, 15-13. 7 to go

by Rava Thu 09 Aug 2012, 8:46 pm

It is Notch. Conditions there as well would favour the home side. I am liking the noises coming from Bayonne.

by Thomond Thu 09 Aug 2012, 8:49 pm

Stand up for the Ulstermen! Last minute drop goal to win it. Jackson will replace ROG as the guy in the clutch for Ireland.......

by **Notch** Thu 09 Aug 2012, 8:51 pm

Jackson is off now, it's the prodigal son O'Connor in the drivers seat!

by Rava Thu 09 Aug 2012, 8:51 pm

Big bad Neil McComb strides like a Seabiscuit from 20 out in to score!!!! O'Connor converts 20-15, 1 min left

by **Notch** Thu 09 Aug 2012, 8:51 pm

TRY! Neil McComb! O'Connor converts!

Ulster lead 20-15 in the last minute!

by Thomond Thu 09 Aug 2012, 8:52 pm

If he can land penalties and drop goals in the Showgrounds in the driving wind and rain then the south of France should be a cake walk. Ulster!!!!!!

Just hear try, who the feck is doing the twitter updates for Ulster, strides liek Seabiscuit! Great stuff.

by Cari Thu 09 Aug 2012, 8:54 pm

And WHERE is Ulster's boyband backline?! Oh it's not on telly?...well that's all right then. Carry on. laughing

by Rava Thu 09 Aug 2012, 8:55 pm

Final score 20-15. This is a fantastic result.

First ever win in France as well Yahoo

by **Notch** Thu 09 Aug 2012, 8:57 pm

Darren Cave and Adam D'Arcy are on twitter duty for Ulster tonight Thom. Sounds like they're having fun. And it's over... VERY encouraging! Good win and performance in a hostile environment.

It's a meaningless game ultimately, but there's no such thing as a friendly in the South of France and, you know, other cliches.

by Thomond Thu 09 Aug 2012, 9:03 pm

Have Ulster never won in France? I'm a bit surprised at that, nice start to the season and here's hoping more of the same from the men in red tomorrow.

by neilthom7 Thu 09 Aug 2012, 9:36 pm

Good way to start the friendlies always nice to have a win for confidence if nothing else. Also was a big night for the young guys because this is Mark Anscombe first chance to see these players in a match enviroment and this off course will be important for the season especially when internationals are away.

by **rodders** Thu 09 Aug 2012, 10:00 pm

Great result

.

by **Notch** Sat 11 Aug 2012, 5:45 pm

Niall O'Connor interview on the PRO12 website;

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/14405.php

"It feels like I've been away a bit longer than a season but not too much has changed.

"There are a few new faces, but most of the backroom staff has stayed the same, and pre-season is just as tough.

"The decision to come back really came when Ian Humphreys decided to move to London Irish.

"They needed someone to fill in that position and although I had another year left on my contract at Connacht they were happy to let me go. Dan Parks was obviously arriving there so it made sense for me to return to my home club.

"It's a great opportunity for me. I know Paddy Jackson has taken his chances very well and stepped up in the second part of last season.

"He will be seen as first choice but we will get an equal chance to stake a claim for the fly-half spot."

Having spent the majority of his first spell at Ulster battling with Humphreys for the first-choice fly-half jersey, O'Connor admits the move away did him good.

But having sampled the life in Galway and worked with former Irish fly-half Elwood, he insists he has come back a much better player.

He added: "It was a good experience for me to get away for a year. Before I left a lot of people were saying that the only way to improve was to get more game time.

"I got that opportunity in Connacht and it did me a lot of good, it gave me a lot of confidence being first choice.

"I've definitely got more game awareness than when I left, and that's something I'll be looking to show at Ravenhill.

"We're ambitious going into the new season with Mark Anscombe in charge who is settling in well. The guys have really taken to him well and he's come in here with some fresh ideas."

I really do think he's come back as a much better player. No world beater but he will not let us down in the coming season. G'wan Niall- SUFTUM.

by Cari Sat 11 Aug 2012, 6:33 pm

NOC!! He's loovely heart

Speaking of interviews with Ulster's prodigal sons, there's a good one in Rugby World this month with Tommy. I think it's healthy for players to take time away from their provinces/local clubs if they feel they need it. It seems they come back as improved players.

by **Notch** Sat 11 Aug 2012, 7:15 pm

Paddy McAllister has a potentially quite bad knee injury and could be out for a while.

Callum Black is a good prop though, I think we'll be okay. Just disappointing for Paddy- hope it's not too bad.

by Rory_Gallagher Sat 11 Aug 2012, 7:21 pm

Unfortunately I can't see Paddy McAllister living up to his potential, due to how extremely fragile he seems to be. He gets injured almost every game he plays. Not sure why, maybe he is a bit too big at the moment? He is nearly 10kgs heavier than Healy I believe.

Also, regarding what Cari said, I also think certain players are better playing abroad, in terms of their development at least. There are a good few players I can think of who might thrive in another team against different opposition, and get more game time.

by **rodders** Sat 11 Aug 2012, 7:22 pm

Here comes the NOC bandwagon! Chancers the lot of you Very Happy

... I always said he was a good player... Whistle

by Cari Sat 11 Aug 2012, 7:28 pm

rodders wrote:Here comes the NOC bandwagon! Chancers the lot of you ... I always said he was a good player...

Rodders, I am more than happy to admit I'm chasing NOC - I fancied him when he was rubbish long before he went to Connacht... laughing

by **rodders** Sat 11 Aug 2012, 7:30 pm

by Don Alfonso Sun 12 Aug 2012, 10:42 am

I'd particularly like to have seen the second half. We came from behind to win with two tries, despite the fact that both Muller and Payne had gone off. Considering how poor we looked at the start of last season without Muller on the field, I'd be keen to know where the leadership came from. I think Stevenson and Afoa both captained a game last season. Youthful self-belief?

by **Notch** Sun 12 Aug 2012, 11:53 am

I think Anscombe may well be able to instil some leadership qualities into the younger members of the squad. The New Zealand U20s certainly didn't lack for confidence or poise.

I think his policy on picking on form and the natural bounce any team gets when everyone is trying to impress a new coach has inspired some of the other members of the squad who were maybe under performing previously.

by neilthom7 Sun 12 Aug 2012, 11:57 am

The youth really wanted to prove themselves Don maybe it was all to do with them wanting to prove themselves?

by **Notch** Sun 12 Aug 2012, 8:25 pm

Paddy McAllister just confirmed on twitter; he's out for the season. Hopefully he'll be back bigger and stronger in 2013/2014.

Our loosehead props this year will be Tom Court, Callum Black and Ricky Lutton.

by Don Alfonso Sun 12 Aug 2012, 8:47 pm

Gutted for him. Didn't the same happen to Macklin a season or two ago? Callum Black looked good when he first arrived, but his scrummaging seemed to go down the pan during the course of the season. Hopefully, that was just a lack of game time. The Ricky Lutton signing seems like a masterstroke now.

At Leinster, Luke Fitz is out til at least January, SOB til at least November. Rugby is becoming a good way to ensure you spend your dotage with serious mobility problems.

Any sign of Nick Williams?

by **Notch** Sun 12 Aug 2012, 9:01 pm

nah, think its fair to say he won't be involved for a while.

by Rory_Gallagher Sun 12 Aug 2012, 9:16 pm

Notch wrote:Paddy McAllister just confirmed on twitter; he's out for the season. Hopefully he'll be back bigger and stronger in 2013/2014.

Our loosehead props this year will be Tom Court, Callum Black and Ricky Lutton.

Wow. That is awful news. Hope the guy can fully recover.

by **Notch** Sun 12 Aug 2012, 9:20 pm

He's snapped his lateral and cruciate ligaments in his knee. The important thing is he gets rehab right. Because he's the greenest of puppies in front row terms. Get it sorted and he could have a long career ahead of him. Rush back too soon and he could have a recurring problem...

by Rory_Gallagher Sun 12 Aug 2012, 10:41 pm

He already seems to have a recurring problem though. He gets hurt every game. Is it anything to do with this injury?

by Don Alfonso Sun 12 Aug 2012, 11:26 pm

As I mentioned, Mackln had a season out a couple of years ago, and Deccue Fitzpatrick was out for lengthy stretches of last season. Rory Best was out supposedly for the season after the Lions (but instead started the 6Ns with a single AIL game under his belt from the week before!) Is this the price of a decent scrum?

by **rodders** Mon 13 Aug 2012, 8:52 am

Notch wrote:Paddy McAllister just confirmed on twitter; he's out for the season. Hopefully he'll be back bigger and stronger in 2013/2014.

Ah for flip sake, thats awful news. Yikes

by Kingshu Mon 13 Aug 2012, 8:53 am

we're going to miss Paddy Mac,
Is John Andress tighthead or loose head, if we need cover maybe we sshould be looking at him again

by Rava Mon 13 Aug 2012, 9:28 am

Notch wrote:Niall O'Connor interview on the PRO12 website;

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/14405.php

I really do think he's come back as a much better player. No world beater but he will not let us down in the coming season. G'wan Niall- SUFTUM.

Are you basing this observation on half a pre-season game in France?

I agree he will not let us down in the coming season. I don't think he ever let us down.

by Rava Mon 13 Aug 2012, 9:31 am

Gutted for Paddy Mac. Rory, you are right. He does seem a bit injury prone.

by **Notch** Mon 13 Aug 2012, 6:21 pm

Nah I'm not Rava, I'm basing it on what I saw of him last season. Last year for Connacht there were a number of occasions I was impressed with his all-round play and the maturity he showed in game management. Also standing up and nailing the pressure kicks. Those were things he did well at the start of his Ulster career but then went on to struggle with for a long time.

He did much better in Connacht than at Ravenhill and I actually think he was very hard done by; his performances merited a starting place for this season yet they brought in Parks. Would he have still jumped at the chance to rejoin Ulster had Parks not been signed? I don't know. But now he's back I expect him to be a good solid squad player.

by **Notch** Mon 13 Aug 2012, 6:23 pm

Kingshu wrote:we're going to miss Paddy Mac,
Is John Andress tighthead or loose head, if we need cover maybe we sshould be looking at him again

Tighthead. But I think we have enough cover if we have Tom Court, Callum Black and Ricky Lutton. Lutton is going to find himself getting rather more gametime than he expected if anything happens to Black Shocked

by **Notch** Mon 13 Aug 2012, 6:27 pm

Good assessment of our squad by the FRU;

http://thefrontrowunion.com/2012/08/ulster-squad-for-2012-13/

by Artful_Dodger Mon 13 Aug 2012, 7:39 pm

Interesting that the FRU can be added to those who think Gilroy should start ahead of Trimble - can't wait to see our back three go.

by Rava Mon 13 Aug 2012, 9:00 pm

Notch wrote:Good assessment of our squad by the FRU;

http://thefrontrowunion.com/2012/08/ulster-squad-for-2012-13/

Enjoyed that read. Would agree with most of the assessments.

Gilroy / Trimble will be the subject of a great deal of debate on the forums I suspect. Nice position to be in mind.

by Rava Mon 13 Aug 2012, 9:06 pm

Artful_Dodger wrote:Interesting that the FRU can be added to those who think Gilroy should start ahead of Trimble - can't wait to see our back three go.

"Now aged 28 Trimble will need to be on his game this season if he is to see off the challenge of Gliroy both for Ulster and Ireland, but I suspect his physical play and experience will still give him the edge".

by Artful_Dodger Mon 13 Aug 2012, 9:21 pm

Yeh but at the same time they've given Gilroy 4 stars and Trimble 3 stars which is a bit contradictory. Thats why I thought they were saying Gilroy should start ahead of Trimble.

by Artful_Dodger Mon 13 Aug 2012, 9:32 pm

Unless of course they are saying that Gilroy should start but they think Trimble will. ^^

by MBTGOG Mon 13 Aug 2012, 9:37 pm

It's a decent article but I wouldn't take what was put in there as gospel. They stated that Trimble was the least talented of the back three players, which I certainly could not agree with.

by Rava Mon 13 Aug 2012, 9:41 pm

Its probably the latter Dodger. No worries I am looking forward to some great shirt battles in our backline and back row.

If the guys in the backs play to their potential and our back row keep pressurising the opposition then we could be in for some fantastic attacking rugby this season.

by **Notch** Mon 13 Aug 2012, 10:04 pm

MBTGOG wrote:
It's a decent article but I wouldn't take what was put in there as gospel. They stated that Trimble was the least talented of the back three players, which I certainly could not agree with.

It's the same as what is posted on here by any number of people. One fan's opinion! He's a well informed fan who knows his stuff by and large, and it's a good read, but it is just the opinion of a fan.

by Rory_Gallagher Mon 13 Aug 2012, 10:33 pm

It seems that the real battles for starting places will in these positions:

Wing: Trimble or Gilroy?
Centre: Cave or Spence?
Number 8: Wilson or Diack?

To be honest I don't know who I would choose in any of those scenarios.

by toml Tue 14 Aug 2012, 3:52 am

The FRU on D'Arcy

" Nothing against the 27 year old who has given his all during his time here but, I must admit, I would much rather have seen his 50 caps going to the likes of David McIlwaine and Timmy Seymour. FRU Stars **"

Pretty sure if they had of, we would have lost to Clemont at home and not went to the final IMO

by Sponsored content