Ulster 2016/2017

by marty2086 Mon Feb 13, 2017 10:43 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 marty2086 Tue Feb 14, 2017 12:18 pm

Only Munster and Ospreys have conceded less points so far this season rodders and only Connacht, Dragons and the Italians have scored less

by Redman Tue Feb 14, 2017 12:21 pm

I guess you have to ask where is Kiss's next move?

Maybe he's decided provincial rugby isn't for him and has an medium / long term eye on Nucifora's job or something similar within the IRFU setup. Just speculation that.

I think Kiss and Gibbs could work together initially but agree the ship looks too small for the both of them long term.

If I were Gibbs, I'd want to ease myself into the Head Coach role, especially when he knows there's a lot of work to do with the players first. To immediately take on recruitment, strategy, media responsibilities and everything else that Logan can't do would be huge, especially when your new Backs coach (and possibly Defence coach if we get one) will have to start learning the players names.

Ambitious as I'm sure he is, if he was told "Get your feet under the table. Kiss won't be there in 2 years." - I can see him be quite happy with that.

by **rodders** Tue Feb 14, 2017 12:41 pm

marty2086 wrote:Only Munster and Ospreys have conceded less points so far this season rodders and only Connacht, Dragons and the Italians have scored less

Damn stats.

by marty2086 Tue Feb 14, 2017 12:48 pm

rodders wrote:
marty2086 wrote:Only Munster and Ospreys have conceded less points so far this season rodders and only Connacht, Dragons and the Italians have scored less

Damn stats.

I do feel they are misleading to an extent

Our attack is decent but we don't convert good territory and possession into points and the territory and position takes the pressure of the defence but when its reversed the defence isn't up to it

by marty2086 Tue Feb 14, 2017 12:52 pm

SQUAD UPDATE

Ireland players Stu McCloskey, Luke Marshall, Tommy Bowe and Craig Gilroy are available for selection versus Glasgow this Saturday.

Ruan Pienaar, Rob Herring and Brett Herron are also in contention to return from their respective injuries.

Stuart Olding is the only player ruled out at this stage, although a number of others are carrying knocks.

by carpet baboon Tue Feb 14, 2017 12:59 pm

What's up with Olding?

by **profitius** Tue Feb 14, 2017 2:32 pm

So rumours that Dwayne Peel is your new attack coach.

by marty2086 Tue Feb 14, 2017 3:21 pm

profitius wrote:So rumours that Dwayne Peel is your new attack coach.

That will mean Pienaar then Whistle

by The Great Aukster Tue Feb 14, 2017 3:57 pm

rodders wrote:
geoff999rugby wrote:
Lets be clear Gibbs is, and by a country mile, the most qualified head coach we have appointed in the professional era.

Ain't that the understatement!

Is Doak definitely gone? Not buying the Issac Boss speculation, presumably if Doak goes it will be someone experienced as the IRFU had invested a lot in Doak.

I actually think it is a defense coach we are lacking now, our back play has been pretty decent, we've just leaked far too many points this year.

Alan Solomons was head of the Stormers and assistant Boks coach before Ulster but that was early days in the professional game.

Gibbes will have sole responsibility over the senior team. thumbsup

That will free Kiss up to deal with everything else as DoR.
- All the coaches (including the senior ones) will be accountable to him, but the senior team is only one area of responsibility.
- He is responsible for specifying the type of players Ulster need to recruit and Bryn is responsible for finding them (including junior players and inter provincial deals).
- He is responsible for succession planning and has to change the Academy. Ulster's academy is a joke when compared to the other three, and that is where the majority of the team need to come from year after year. An Academy player (who happened to be playing last Friday) said he has far less training with Ulster than he had at school! Ulster have patently not been backing the right horses nor managing the introduction of players into senior level.
- He is responsible for all rugby related backroom staff, training and medical facilities, pitches etc.
He will also have duties relating to the age grade teams and liaison with Ulster Branch and coaches, so there is plenty of work to do that frees up Gibbes to concentrate solely on the senior team performance.

by marty2086 Tue Feb 14, 2017 4:32 pm

The Great Aukster wrote:
rodders wrote:
geoff999rugby wrote:
Lets be clear Gibbs is, and by a country mile, the most qualified head coach we have appointed in the professional era.

Ain't that the understatement!

Is Doak definitely gone? Not buying the Issac Boss speculation, presumably if Doak goes it will be someone experienced as the IRFU had invested a lot in Doak.

I actually think it is a defense coach we are lacking now, our back play has been pretty decent, we've just leaked far too many points this year.

Alan Solomons was head of the Stormers and assistant Boks coach before Ulster but that was early days in the professional game.

Gibbes will have sole responsibility over the senior team.

That will free Kiss up to deal with everything else as DoR.
- All the coaches (including the senior ones) will be accountable to him, but the senior team is only one area of responsibility.
- He is responsible for specifying the type of players Ulster need to recruit and Bryn is responsible for finding them (including junior players and inter provincial deals).
- He is responsible for succession planning and has to change the Academy. Ulster's academy is a joke when compared to the other three, and that is where the majority of the team need to come from year after year. An Academy player (who happened to be playing last Friday) said he has far less training with Ulster than he had at school! Ulster have patently not been backing the right horses nor managing the introduction of players into senior level.
- He is responsible for all rugby related backroom staff, training and medical facilities, pitches etc.
He will also have duties relating to the age grade teams and liaison with Ulster Branch and coaches, so there is plenty of work to do that frees up Gibbes to concentrate solely on the senior team performance.

So we are again at a place whereby the guy in charge has never done the job before?

by geoff999rugby Tue Feb 14, 2017 4:44 pm

Forgot about Solomons in my list but still prefer Gibbs

Look at the track record

At Leinster 3 HC wins. Now Cheika was head coach but the word inside of the game is Gibbs was the man who made it happen.
Followed by 3 years as forwards coach for one of the best handful of teams in the World.
That will do for me.

Also hearing that Gibbs, if he makes a success of it will be in the frame for the Ireland job.

Saw the comments re Kiss above and tend to agree - he will probably carry out a root and branch reorganization letting Bryn do the recruitment and Gibbs coach the team.
If so would be delighted

Talk in the Indo that Peel coming in as backs coach.
Interesting one for two reasons.
Firstly he played Ulster to get a better contract at Sale. However it was 7 years ago and the guy whose nose he put out of joint (Humphreys) is long gone.
Secondly only 34 - maybe retain a player slots as our 4th SH behind Cooney, Shanahan, LLoyd or Marshall - could do worse.

by geoff999rugby Tue Feb 14, 2017 4:45 pm

marty2086 wrote:
profitius wrote:So rumours that Dwayne Peel is your new attack coach.

That will mean Pienaar then

History repeating itself Wink

by Guest Tue Feb 14, 2017 4:47 pm

profitius wrote:So rumours that Dwayne Peel is your new attack coach.

Bit of an odd one as he has very little experience as a coach, but could be useful in helping our 9's. If it's true, not much I can say about him because there isn't much of a coaching CV to judge on, although Kiss/Cunningham must have been impressed with what they have seen.

Won't believe it until it's confirmed, especially as I think Gibbes will get to choose his backs coach.

I can easily believe Peel is coming in to work specifically with the 9's, but not as backs coach. That is the role I imaged for Pienaar, until he gained a bit of experience.

by clivemcl Tue Feb 14, 2017 11:46 pm

I thought somebody said Kiss was the man recruiting the coaches? Hardly likely he would hire somebody who could/would oust him? Unless Kiss himself has decided it's a limited time thing?
I still struggle with the DOR thing. Wasn't Ancombe and Mclaughlin the guys who dealt with press-conferences and interviews when Humph was DOR?
So why did Kiss take that role from Doak when he became DOR?
And will Gibbes take that role again when he arrives?

Is it possible that the DOR is responsible for gameplan/strategy, and the head coach is responsible for implementation and coaching it into the players?

by Guest Tue Feb 14, 2017 11:54 pm

clivemcl wrote:I thought somebody said Kiss was the man recruiting the coaches? Hardly likely he would hire somebody who could/would oust him? Unless Kiss himself has decided it's a limited time thing?
I still struggle with the DOR thing. Wasn't Ancombe and Mclaughlin the guys who dealt with press-conferences and interviews when Humph was DOR?
So why did Kiss take that role from Doak when he became DOR?
And will Gibbes take that role again when he arrives?

Is it possible that the DOR is responsible for gameplan/strategy, and the head coach is responsible for implementation and coaching it into the players?

It's possible, and that's what some believe is happening now, but the current thinking is that the new head coach will be responsible for all that happens on the field, just as Anscombe was. I really hope that's true.

by geoff999rugby Wed Feb 15, 2017 9:54 am

clivemcl wrote:

Is it possible that the DOR is responsible for gameplan/strategy, and the head coach is responsible for implementation and coaching it into the players?

I am 100% convinced Gibbs will run the show regarding the 1st XV.

What seems likely is Kiss will be responsible for the wider structure

by marty2086 Wed Feb 15, 2017 10:33 am

Apparently Olding has another elbow injury, that's like his fourth in the last few years

by carpet baboon Wed Feb 15, 2017 10:52 am

marty2086 wrote:Apparently Olding has another elbow injury, that's like his fourth in the last few years

Poor bloke is made of glass

by Don Alfonso Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:09 am

Peel confirmed on UR Twitter as 'Assistant Coach".

by Don Alfonso Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:11 am

The Other Forum says that The Times reports that Paddy has turned Northampton down.

by geoff999rugby Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:17 am

Good news if true but I remain convinced he is holding out for a central contract and if not given he could still leave.

Gibbs in and the chuckle brothers sacked will help a lot though.

Peel could be shrewd gives us a specialist SH to work with out promising youngsters

One more assistant coach to com I reckon - a defensive coach - Gibbs will handle the forwards

by toml Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:18 am

geoff999rugby wrote:
clivemcl wrote:

Is it possible that the DOR is responsible for gameplan/strategy, and the head coach is responsible for implementation and coaching it into the players?

I am 100% convinced Gibbs will run the show regarding the 1st XV.

What seems likely is Kiss will be responsible for the wider structure

Sounds about right. Will Kiss be involved in coaching the first team under Gibbes direction as well though

by geoff999rugby Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:26 am

I don't think so - Gibbs is here to run the show.

Probably the first Head Coach to have complete control since the Solomon/McCall days.
Not saying advice wont be given but Gibbs will call the shots

I reckon Kiss will take overall responsibility in terms of Academy, recruitment, getting more talent from schools + clubs etc etc
I'll go further and speculate he has a 1 or 2 year remit to improve the structure before moving on - maybe Nuciforea replacement (now that is real speculation)

by marty2086 Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:32 am

Its strange we have a guy who made a reputation as a defence coach and was pretty much revered for it and changed the game to an extent and he takes little to do with it

by Pete330v2 Wed Feb 15, 2017 1:23 pm

I'm not worried what Kiss will be doing to be honest, I'm just happy dumb and dumber will be ousted at long, long last. Kiss could well be taking over defensive duties which wouldn't be a bad thing. Gibbes running the show with Kiss by his side in any capacity is a huge step up in what we have now. God knows maybe it'll even impress Charlie Piutau Smile

by SecretFly Wed Feb 15, 2017 1:47 pm

geoff999rugby wrote:I don't think so - Gibbs is here to run the show.

Probably the first Head Coach to have complete control since the Solomon/McCall days.
Not saying advice wont be given but Gibbs will call the shots

I reckon Kiss will take overall responsibility in terms of Academy, recruitment, getting more talent from schools + clubs etc etc
I'll go further and speculate he has a 1 or 2 year remit to improve the structure before moving on - maybe Nuciforea replacement (now that is real speculation)

I wouldn't want him. I'm sure he's a lovely man but I can't see why he, above all other coaches that have passed through the IRFU set-up, should expect to be the one most eagerly held onto through the years.
He missed all the flak that was dropping onto Kidney's shoulders, even though he was an active coach and Kidney was only a motivator.
He survived the shake up that occurred when Kidney resigned (was sacked).
He was there in Ireland under Schmidt when we began getting results again but by God, the rugby style was often brutal to watch.
He was moved to Ulster and we've all seen how that turned out.

There's not much of me that sees why Kiss should take over from Nucifora other than that it might hint that he has a deep connection to the hirers and fire-ers at the IRFU.

by marty2086 Wed Feb 15, 2017 1:49 pm

I was thinking more of since Kiss came in he hasn't seemed to be looking after the defence, that was Barakat seemingly

Interesting as well that Peel is a skills coach as well as an attack coach at Bristol, will Niall Malone be part of the clear out?

by geoff999rugby Wed Feb 15, 2017 1:56 pm

I reckon Malone will go as well.
I expect a total clear out.

As a defence coach Kiss came up with the choke tackle and to be honest has been living off it every since.

I agree with the sentiment that the big plus is getting rid of dumb and dumber - getting Gibbes in is the icing on the cake

by geoff999rugby Wed Feb 15, 2017 1:57 pm

SecretFly wrote:
geoff999rugby wrote:I don't think so - Gibbs is here to run the show.

Probably the first Head Coach to have complete control since the Solomon/McCall days.
Not saying advice wont be given but Gibbs will call the shots

I reckon Kiss will take overall responsibility in terms of Academy, recruitment, getting more talent from schools + clubs etc etc
I'll go further and speculate he has a 1 or 2 year remit to improve the structure before moving on - maybe Nuciforea replacement (now that is real speculation)

I wouldn't want him. I'm sure he's a lovely man but I can't see why he, above all other coaches that have passed through the IRFU set-up, should expect to be the one most eagerly held onto through the years.
He missed all the flak that was dropping onto Kidney's shoulders, even though he was an active coach and Kidney was only a motivator.
He survived the shake up that occurred when Kidney resigned (was sacked).
He was there in Ireland under Schmidt when we began getting results again but by God, the rugby style was often brutal to watch.
He was moved to Ulster and we've all seen how that turned out.

There's not much of me that sees why Kiss should take over from Nucifora other than that it might hint that he has a deep connection to the hirers and fire-ers at the IRFU.

I actually am coming round to that opinion also.

Humphreys is another man who has had his eye on the Nuciforea roll

by marty2086 Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:02 pm

geoff999rugby wrote:
SecretFly wrote:
geoff999rugby wrote:I don't think so - Gibbs is here to run the show.

Probably the first Head Coach to have complete control since the Solomon/McCall days.
Not saying advice wont be given but Gibbs will call the shots

I reckon Kiss will take overall responsibility in terms of Academy, recruitment, getting more talent from schools + clubs etc etc
I'll go further and speculate he has a 1 or 2 year remit to improve the structure before moving on - maybe Nuciforea replacement (now that is real speculation)

I wouldn't want him. I'm sure he's a lovely man but I can't see why he, above all other coaches that have passed through the IRFU set-up, should expect to be the one most eagerly held onto through the years.
He missed all the flak that was dropping onto Kidney's shoulders, even though he was an active coach and Kidney was only a motivator.
He survived the shake up that occurred when Kidney resigned (was sacked).
He was there in Ireland under Schmidt when we began getting results again but by God, the rugby style was often brutal to watch.
He was moved to Ulster and we've all seen how that turned out.

There's not much of me that sees why Kiss should take over from Nucifora other than that it might hint that he has a deep connection to the hirers and fire-ers at the IRFU.

I actually am coming round to that opinion also.

Humphreys is another man who has had his eye on the Nuciforea roll

That's based on coaching though, if Ulster see an upturn by the changes he seems to be behind that'll bode well for him regarding setting up a successful system and structures

by Kingshu Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:16 pm

Peel will be backs coach and is currently the backs coach for Bristol - does anyone know what the Bristol backs play has been like this season under him, it must be pretty good ?

Heard reports that Kiss will be defence coach, not sure how that will work with Gibbs being over him in Coaching the team, but under him in the over all structure.
I suppose Gibbs can overrule him in the overall coaching, as when they are working together on this, but off the field Kiss is the boss, potentional to be a tricky relationship, but I think Kiss is humble enough to work under Gibbs in a Coaching role, and then step aside form that relationship on other matters.

by geoff999rugby Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:31 pm

Hope not just a cause for friction.

Marty hopefully his non coaching skills are good

by Redman Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:40 pm

Kingshu wrote:Peel will be backs coach and is currently the backs coach for Bristol - does anyone know what the Bristol backs play has been like this season under him, it must be pretty good ?

Heard reports that Kiss will be defence coach, not sure how that will work with Gibbs being over him in Coaching the team, but under him in the over all structure.
I suppose Gibbs can overrule him in the overall coaching, as when they are working together on this, but off the field Kiss is the boss, potentional to be a tricky relationship, but I think Kiss is humble enough to work under Gibbs in a Coaching role, and then step aside form that relationship on other matters.

Varndell is on fire. Not sure about the rest of them.

by Redman Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:47 pm

Rock bottom of the Premiership with zero 4 try bonus points.

Joint bottom with Northampton on tries scored.

Obviously though, there have no platform for the backs with such a terrible pack.

http://www.premiershiprugby.com/aviva-premiership-rugby-league-table/

by marty2086 Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:50 pm

Kingshu wrote:Peel will be backs coach and is currently the backs coach for Bristol - does anyone know what the Bristol backs play has been like this season under him, it must be pretty good ?

Heard reports that Kiss will be defence coach, not sure how that will work with Gibbs being over him in Coaching the team, but under him in the over all structure.
I suppose Gibbs can overrule him in the overall coaching, as when they are working together on this, but off the field Kiss is the boss, potentional to be a tricky relationship, but I think Kiss is humble enough to work under Gibbs in a Coaching role, and then step aside form that relationship on other matters.

Haven't seen them in the last few months but they were playing some decent rugby when they could and missing guys like Geraghty and Henson for periods just lacking in quality and a patchwork team

by geoff999rugby Wed Feb 15, 2017 3:22 pm

Hinted elsewhere this is our new LH project

http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Schalk_van_der_Merwe_(rugby_union)

by geoff999rugby Wed Feb 15, 2017 3:32 pm

One thing that occurs to me is if Gibbs cannot persuade any Leinster backrowers to come north no one can.

If I was him I'd be having words with Ruddock and Conan - cant do any harm

by Pete330v2 Wed Feb 15, 2017 3:34 pm

geoff999rugby wrote:Hinted elsewhere this is our new LH project

http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Schalk_van_der_Merwe_(rugby_union)

I saw the big hint at this on t'other forum Geoff, it went like this:
"I just hope this new LHP can more than hond his own.
A ball carrying prop that is a king when it comes to scrum time would be ideal".

Of course Schalk plays for the Kings but the other, less obvious part of the clue apparently is that his nickname is Hond Smile

by Redman Wed Feb 15, 2017 3:40 pm

Interesting. Bit disappointing he's 26. Albeit just turned 26. I know props last longer than any other position but he'll be 29 by the time he's Irish qualified.

Suppose that's the same as Herbst when we signed him.

by SecretFly Wed Feb 15, 2017 3:47 pm

geoff999rugby wrote:One thing that occurs to me is if Gibbs cannot persuade any Leinster backrowers to come north no one can.

If I was him I'd be having words with Ruddock and Conan - cant do any harm

I'd prefer they go to you boys than any other outside outfits. Yep, if things were clogging up, I'm sure the players wouldn't mind a chat with Jonno to consider options.

by Pete330v2 Wed Feb 15, 2017 3:49 pm

I can't convince myself that the Peel signing is anything other than a shot in the dark by UR.
I wonder who it was that brought him on board and for what reason. Have they seen something in him that makes him a good fit?

I will however remain positive until there's any reason to feel otherwise if that's possible.

by Guest Wed Feb 15, 2017 4:14 pm

Pete330v2 wrote:I can't convince myself that the Peel signing is anything other than a shot in the dark by UR.
I wonder who it was that brought him on board and for what reason. Have they seen something in him that makes him a good fit?

I will however remain positive until there's any reason to feel otherwise if that's possible.

Kiss brought him in, and probably because of his scrum half experience.

I'm not excited by his signing, but I'm not really disappointed either. Proof of the pudding, and all that. Gibbes will be the one pulling the strings anyway, so I'm not too concerned.

The really exciting news is that we're getting rid of Clarke and Doak Yahoo

Hopefully Malone will be next.

by marty2086 Wed Feb 15, 2017 4:21 pm

Munchkin wrote:
Pete330v2 wrote:I can't convince myself that the Peel signing is anything other than a shot in the dark by UR.
I wonder who it was that brought him on board and for what reason. Have they seen something in him that makes him a good fit?

I will however remain positive until there's any reason to feel otherwise if that's possible.

Kiss brought him in, and probably because of his scrum half experience.

I'm not excited by his signing, but I'm not really disappointed either. Proof of the pudding, and all that. Gibbes will be the one pulling the strings anyway, so I'm not too concerned.

The really exciting news is that we're getting rid of Clarke and Doak Hopefully Malone will be next.

Is Malone part of the problem though other than hes part of the old setup?

by Guest Wed Feb 15, 2017 4:25 pm

marty2086 wrote:
Munchkin wrote:
Pete330v2 wrote:I can't convince myself that the Peel signing is anything other than a shot in the dark by UR.
I wonder who it was that brought him on board and for what reason. Have they seen something in him that makes him a good fit?

I will however remain positive until there's any reason to feel otherwise if that's possible.

Kiss brought him in, and probably because of his scrum half experience.

I'm not excited by his signing, but I'm not really disappointed either. Proof of the pudding, and all that. Gibbes will be the one pulling the strings anyway, so I'm not too concerned.

The really exciting news is that we're getting rid of Clarke and Doak Hopefully Malone will be next.

Is Malone part of the problem though other than hes part of the old setup?

It's hard to say, but when you consider his job and compare to performance, it doesn't look very encouraging. I'm all for a thorough clean sweep Smile

by marty2086 Wed Feb 15, 2017 4:28 pm

I think theres been an improvement in some players skills over the few year but like you said no problem with a clean sweep, though if he stays and focuses on either Analysis and/or skills while Peel looks after the attack it may not be a bad thing.

by Guest Wed Feb 15, 2017 4:36 pm

I think the basic skills of the players have been regressing for a while now. I hope he goes, but wouldn't complain if he stays if they bring in an additional analyst.

I'm fairly sure there are more signings to come, if I've read the reports right, and really hope we get a quality defense coach, more than anything else. Some are saying Kiss might be involved in that, but I would rather see him not involved.

by marty2086 Wed Feb 15, 2017 4:44 pm

I should have added I think at times performance and tactics haven't been conducive to the use of skills, then again a lack of skill could have limited the game plan Headscratch

by Guest Wed Feb 15, 2017 5:14 pm

marty2086 wrote:I should have added I think at times performance and tactics haven't been conducive to the use of skills, then again a lack of skill could have limited the game plan

That's a fair point. Poor coaching and the resultant crumbling of confidence is an issue, and that will have had a knock-on effect to skills. So the skills may function as they should during training, but not when facing opposing teams as panic sets in. I suppose the senior players should be able to maintain their level of skills, regardless the opposition, so not sure.

by geoff999rugby Wed Feb 15, 2017 5:24 pm

marty2086 wrote:I think theres been an improvement in some players skills over the few year but like you said no problem with a clean sweep, though if he stays and focuses on either Analysis and/or skills while Peel looks after the attack it may not be a bad thing.

I don't - we have gone backwards skill wise since McLoughlin and Anscombe.

A clean sweep would be best - our structure is rotten re club/school influence and it would be better if no locals remain.
Kiss can then at least approach the problem without baggage.

by geoff999rugby Wed Feb 15, 2017 5:28 pm

SecretFly wrote:
geoff999rugby wrote:One thing that occurs to me is if Gibbs cannot persuade any Leinster backrowers to come north no one can.

If I was him I'd be having words with Ruddock and Conan - cant do any harm

I'd prefer they go to you boys than any other outside outfits. Yep, if things were clogging up, I'm sure the players wouldn't mind a chat with Jonno to consider options.

If we had a body of players to work on we would.

Reality is next year our local talent who will get game time in the backrow are Henry, Rea and Dow and that is it (last 2 with 1 appearance between them)

The argument is being 3rd/4th choice at Ulster has got to be better than 7th/8th choice at Leinster.
Nobody in Dublin seems to agree though

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