Ulster 2015/2016 Part 2

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Continue your discussion of all things Ulster here.

Pete330v2 wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:Yer Humph has been reported as injured

Season ending?

I know, I'm a bad man but he shouldn't be in Ulster colours again IMO

Nope knock on the head usual protocols.

In my opinion mentally he has gone and not giving him a contract next year will be the merciful thing to do.

Ireland match day squad announcement delayed by 20 mins.
Ulster announcement therefore delayed until after that

geoff999rugby wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:Yer Humph has been reported as injured

Season ending?

I know, I'm a bad man but he shouldn't be in Ulster colours again IMO

Nope knock on the head usual protocols.

In my opinion mentally he has gone and not giving him a contract next year will be the merciful thing to do.

Was he not talking about wanting a new contract next season too?

So no Jacko or McCloskey in the Irish side, send them home Joe

Joe has said Paddy Jackson will be released to Ulster, and not travel with the squad

That's a huge relief

marty2086 wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:Yer Humph has been reported as injured

Season ending?

I know, I'm a bad man but he shouldn't be in Ulster colours again IMO

Nope knock on the head usual protocols.

In my opinion mentally he has gone and not giving him a contract next year will be the merciful thing to do.

Was he not talking about wanting a new contract next season too?

He was - provided we sign the rumoured 10 from Leinster - he wont get one.

The belief is you need 4 10's in the squad - Jackson, Nelson are 2 certainties. Olding, Pienaer, Windsor (if his contract covers 2 years) and possibly McPhillips are considered adequate for the 4th choice.
That leaves 1 left

clivemcl wrote:
14 ireland caps at age 24

Sure they throw Ireland caps around like confetti to anyone with Leinster tracksuit!

Is McCloskey being released?

McCloskey isn't named in the team, Baboon of Carpets.

Ulster team and replacements to play Glasgow Warriors, Guinness PRO12, Kingspan Stadium, Friday 12th February, 7.30pm:

(15-9): S Olding, C Gilroy, D Cave, S McCloskey, J Stockdale, S Windsor, R Pienaar;
(1-8): C Black, R Herring (capt), R Lutton, A O'Connor, F van der Merwe, R Diack, S Reidy, N Williams;
Replacements (16-23): J Andrew, K McCall, B Ross, C Henry, R Wilson, P Marshall, P Jackson, S Arnold.

I think this is Sam Windsors first competitive start? Hopefully Jackson is on at half-time... no offence Sam.

MCCloskey at 12
or did you mean Ireland ?
That was never going to happen - he doesn't play for Leinster

Actually a decent team except for 10.
Anyone here prepared to trip Windsor up in the warmup - it will be for the greater good

That's actually a very solid pack. And backline, the only worry really is Windsor, and maybe Stockdale being a little green.

Not been following Ravens much, so my opinions of Windsor are limited to the fact he has not yet usurped Humphries. That alone rings the alarm bell for me...

Not very enthused with Windsors inclusion, but thank goodness we have Jackson to come off the bench. Great to see Henry back, and McCloskey starting.

Had hoped to see L Marshall.

If we can hold it together for 40 minutes, seeing Henry and Jackson come on would certainly be a massive boost to the guys on the pitch. I just really hope Windsor can be at least solid for 40 minutes! Come on Sam!

So is like a non playing reserve for Ireland then?

Luke

Oh, I thought Marshall was named at 12. Stupid me skim reading. Luke must be the 24th man with Ireland.

So if sexton breaks down in the warm up mad starts Luke on bench is he covering 10?

clivemcl wrote:That's actually a very solid pack. And backline, the only worry really is Windsor, and maybe Stockdale being a little green.

Not been following Ravens much, so my opinions of Windsor are limited to the fact he has not yet usurped Humphries. That alone rings the alarm bell for me...

Well he started the season at 10 for the Ravens but was moved to 12 after McPhillipps usurped his place. Not a great sign.

Personally I would gone with Paul Marshall and Pienaar at 10 before Windsor, but I hope Sam makes me eat my words.

carpet baboon wrote:So if sexton breaks down in the warm up mad starts Luke on bench is he covering 10?

Yeah probably, with McFadden covering place kicking.

Notch wrote:

clivemcl wrote:That's actually a very solid pack. And backline, the only worry really is Windsor, and maybe Stockdale being a little green.

Not been following Ravens much, so my opinions of Windsor are limited to the fact he has not yet usurped Humphries. That alone rings the alarm bell for me...

Well he started the season at 10 for the Ravens but was moved to 12 after McPhillipps usurped his place. Not a great sign.

Personally I would gone with Paul Marshall and Pienaar at 10 before Windsor, but I hope Sam makes me eat my words.

If you cant get a start ahead of someone who cant make the bench/team ahead of iHumph I think that's the barrel well and truly being scrapped

Coetzee is playing for the Sharks against toulouse if anyone wants a look, stream is pretty bad though ( c r i c f r e e )

He is captain and playing openside

geoff999rugby wrote:MCCloskey at 12
or did you mean Ireland ?
That was never going to happen - he doesn't play for Leinster

Actually a decent team except for 10.
Anyone here prepared to trip Windsor up in the warmup - it will be for the greater good

Not saying I would ever do such as thing Geoff or condoning such actions but I may have to think of a plan for this. Now where to get someone who would break the law in Belfast?

toml wrote:Coetzee is playing for the Sharks against toulouse if anyone wants a look, stream is pretty bad though ( c r i c f r e e )

He is captain and playing openside

Good game, and Coetzee was immense in defence. Easily their motm.

Neil - no long term injury just something that ensures Paddy starts.

In reality I think we will see Paddy for the 2nd half.

Windsor is ok ball in hand but he cant kick, bit like Marsh by all accounts.
Ruan will be busy with the boot tomorrow

This is very fun. Got to love Big Nick

http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/10163485/watch-the-softer-side-of-nick-williams

Thoroughly enjoyed that!

Would have to say that as a person Nick Williams is one of the nicest people I have met in the game.

A completely genuine individual and good company.

geoff999rugby wrote:Would have to say that as a person Nick Williams is one of the nicest people I have met in the game.

A completely genuine individual and good company.

Sure he is a well known thug according to some...

I'm sad to see him go, but when he's replaced with a guy like Coetzee it's hard to argue with the logic of it. Professional sport can be a harsh place. Whatever happens hope the Ulster fans gave him an amazing send off and the URSC gives him some kind of memorial for his excellent service, just like we did with Wannenburg.

Tell you what, not looking forward to facing him when we play the Blues next year! I'd say he'll be out to make a few points!

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:Would have to say that as a person Nick Williams is one of the nicest people I have met in the game.

A completely genuine individual and good company.

Sure he is a well known thug according to some...

I've only met him off the pitch
Thankfully

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:Would have to say that as a person Nick Williams is one of the nicest people I have met in the game.

A completely genuine individual and good company.

Sure he is a well known thug according to some...

Really! Who?

Oh, there's quite a few who think that way. Not so much on this site, but I have seen the claims on other sites.

How confident do people feel about the game tonight? Is Sam Windsor really that bad? Worse than Humphreys based on current form?

I haven't ever watched him, but from what I'm told, he can defend, but not kick. Unlike Humphs who can kick, but not defend. I think he will probably work out better than Humphs, with Pienaar doing most with the boot.

geoff999rugby wrote:Would have to say that as a person Nick Williams is one of the nicest people I have met in the game.

A completely genuine individual and good company.

He will be missed regardless of who we have coming in. Not may players better to watch playing rugby than big Nick on form

Well that ended up being a tight one despite our territory dominance, still a win is a win in a game like that

Chat on the other forum of Scholes going to Edinburgh. Can't say I blame him. Bowe, Trimble, Gilroy, Piutau all better wingers. Bowe should be bottom of that pile, except he's centrally contracted.

I guess I can't be annoyed at him wanting to go if true. Just hope he has ambitions to return once Bowe/Trimble are done. At least he doesn't have Scottish eligibility. (I hope!!)

Well if he does plan to come back he is better to get the gametime. 5th on the depth chart with only 1 likely international is too far down.
Bit of a shame as he has probably been our form winger this year and looks like he could be an accomplished full back as well. That was a beautiful try he scored away to oyonnax that really got us back in the game.

How has Michael Allen got on in Edinburgh

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/14602.php#.VsNDvvmLTGI

Olding signs until 2019 - does this lend itself to the Luke Marshall leaving rumours? If one of Olding, McCloskey and Marshall are going South, its almost certainly Marshall at this stage??

Massive signing right there. As for Marshall leaving, I still very much hope not. A lot of the rumours are based on this idea that because we are getting Leinster players, there must be a trade.

Of course this is baseless, and it is entirely possible Nucifora was able to encourage players to move south to north, and at the same time failed to persuade any players north to south.

His role wasn't to create 'swapsies', just to encourage players to move to where they would get better exposure.

Also, Cathal Marsh just renewed his Leinster contract...

So were the rumours of leinster fly-half nonsense? Or is it Carberry we are signing? Would maybe make more sense - he's not Leinster home grown and would feel less sentimental attachment maybe?

We did let Sam Arnold move South, so maybe thats part of any trade?

See Marsh signed for Leinster, but no mention of Ryan, Conan or Murphy don't know if they are all still in contract for another year or so, but it still leaves us hope that one will move North.

TBH a few years ago when we were trying to encourage players from Leinster up, they would have got more game time, but I could see why they stayed as Leinster were dominating Europe, but since then things have changed.

Leinster are not as good as they were,
Ulster are bringing in the big name players.
Ulster look to be building to be the top Irish Province.
Ravenhill and the training facilities are the best of all the Provinces.
Sterling is stronger against the Euro than before.
Kiss as DoR has close ear of Schmidt

These factors I can see now make is much more tempting to move North.

Judging by this years Six Nations, I'd say it still appears to be beneficial to play for Leinster rather than Ulster...

clivemcl wrote:Judging by this years Six Nations, I'd say it still appears to be beneficial to play for Leinster rather than Ulster...  

I think that while this years Irish jersey has a hint of Blue about it, in a few years it will have a White thinge.

Kingshu wrote:We did let Sam Arnold move South, so maybe thats part of any trade?

See Marsh signed for Leinster, but no mention of Ryan, Conan or Murphy don't know if they are all still in contract for another year or so, but it still leaves us hope that one will move North.

TBH a few years ago when we were trying to encourage players from Leinster up, they would have got more game time, but I could see why they stayed as Leinster were dominating Europe, but since then things have changed.

Leinster are not as good as they were,
Ulster are bringing in the big name players.
Ulster look to be building to be the top Irish Province.
Ravenhill and the training facilities are the best of all the Provinces.
Sterling is stronger against the Euro than before.
Kiss as DoR has close ear of Schmidt

These factors I can see now make is much more tempting to move North.

Not in team selection anyway. Maybe Les is just looking after Ulster first and foremost....

My mates little sister's best friends elder brother is telling me from a very reliable source that Ulster have signed Jack Conan. Hope they're right - that would give some serious options in the row

If he gets picked for one of those charity matches, will he be Conan the Barbarian?

clivemcl wrote:Chat on the other forum of Scholes going to Edinburgh. Can't say I blame him. Bowe, Trimble, Gilroy, Piutau all better wingers. Bowe should be bottom of that pile, except he's centrally contracted.

I guess I can't be annoyed at him wanting to go if true. Just hope he has ambitions to return once Bowe/Trimble are done. At least he doesn't have Scottish eligibility. (I hope!!)

I would have Scholes ahead of Bowe now. Shame if he goes, and it does look likely. Letting him go to Edinburgh might come back to bite us considering our form against them.

Munchkin wrote:

clivemcl wrote:Chat on the other forum of Scholes going to Edinburgh. Can't say I blame him. Bowe, Trimble, Gilroy, Piutau all better wingers. Bowe should be bottom of that pile, except he's centrally contracted.

I guess I can't be annoyed at him wanting to go if true. Just hope he has ambitions to return once Bowe/Trimble are done. At least he doesn't have Scottish eligibility. (I hope!!)

I would have Scholes ahead of Bowe now. Shame if he goes, and it does look likely. Letting him go to Edinburgh might come back to bite us considering our form against them.

Bowe is a class act, but I fear for him a bit. Glad he's started with the punditry work, which he was his usual charming best at during the weekend. He has a long road back. If the most recent injury doesn't cost him too much pace, his class will show out though.

If Scholes does sign for Edinburgh we'll know more about his, and Scottish Rugby's, intentions when we learn the length of the contract. 3 years and he could well be a project for them. Less and he always has the chance to come back. Still can't really believe the sheer number of backs we produce sometimes. It really is a golden age for us at the moment in that department, and I know it's been mentioned before, but it must be something to do with the school system that produces them. Maybe because it's easier for school backrowers to move to the backline? I don't know, but we have a lot of athletes there at the minute. Just need to make sure we maximise the skill levels.