Nordies vs. Dragqueens

[Peat]

Right, stuff all this international nonsense (until Saturday at least), clearly the match of the weekend here - fact!

The Dragons team:

Martyn Thomas, Will Harries, Adam Hughes, Pat Leach, Aled Brew, Jason Tovey; Wayne Evans; Phil Price, Lloyd Burns, Dan Way, Luke Charteris, Adam Jones, Andrew Coombs, Lewis Evans, Joe Bearman.

Replacements
Steve Jones, Pat Palmer, Hugh Gustafson, Adam Brown, Toby Faletau, Tom Riley, James Leadbeater, Matthew Jones

None too shabby...

And the hometown boys, the mighty Ulster Nursery Section!

Ulster: A D'Arcy, C Gaston, N Spence, L Marshall, C Gilroy, P Jackson, R Pienaar; P McAllister, A Kyriacou, D Fitzpatrick, J Muller (cpt), T Barker, C Henry, W Faloon, R Diack.

Replacements: N Brady, B Young, J Cronin, D Tuohy, P Wannenburg, P Marshall, D Cave, T Seymour.

Well. The backs are from the nursery. Delay in naming the side due to difficulty of getting a note from Paddy Jackson's ma to let him stay out so late. Rumours are the Cory Jane talks have stalled due to needing him to get a CRB check. Maybe McGlock got confused and thought he was coaching the schools final instead, someone check Ravenhill for a confused looking man leading six babyfaced pups and a very confused looking South African trying to get into the Inst changing rooms...

Very happy I decided to go over for this one.

 

[Conal]

pienarr must feel old

 

[dangandan]

that looks like a back line that could fair Ulster well for the next decade!

 

[coonor]

Great to see such young Ulster backs and it will be interesting to see how well Gaston plays. Ruan Pienaar will have a big job linking up the young backs and giving good service to Jackson. D'arcy will also be looking to take a controlling role as he has a bit more experience and they may be needed with such an inexperienced three quarter line. Great to see Marshall and Spence getting game time together as that partnership ha looked so promising and they could be the new D'Arcy and O'Driscoll (Marshal will obviously be better than D'Arcy though :lol: ). The pack looks solid and I really rate Paddy McAllister. The back row may be a bit light weight and there may be a lack of ball carriers in the pack. However the set piece should be fine and the bench looks very good especially with Touhy and Wannenburg who can come on and really cause some destruction with ball in hand.

 

[Peat]

If Marshall comes as good as D'Arcy did at his peak, I'll be a happy man.

This said - just watched the Schools Cup Final (thankyou BBC NI) and Campbell had a 6'4" lad at no. 12 who looked slightly useful... think Marshall might have a little competition by and by!

 

[coonor]

If Marshall comes as good as D'Arcy did at his peak, I'll be a happy man.

This said - just watched the Schools Cup Final (thankyou BBC NI) and Campbell had a 6'4" lad at no. 12 who looked slightly useful... think Marshall might have a little competition by and by!

Yeah and if Spence comes as good as O'Driscoll at his peak we are sorted

I wonder if Gilroy's impressive beginning to his professional career will give a bit of confidence to other wingers coming onto the scene like Gaston as they have seen that young players really can make a huge impact in only 7 games.

 

[Peat]

I imagine it would have certainly inspired Gaston, he's playing week in week out with Gilroy and knows exactly how good he is in comparision. The likes of Spence and Gilroy have really blazed a trail for the rest of the Ulster youngsters.

If Gilroy continues like this, he's a serious shout to end up as top try scorer in the Magners. 4 off top but scoring at a ridiculous rate... Dungannon must be feeling a wee bit grumpy, thats half their back-line gone more or less now.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

If Marshall comes as good as D'Arcy did at his peak, I'll be a happy man.

This said - just watched the Schools Cup Final (thankyou BBC NI) and Campbell had a 6'4" lad at no. 12 who looked slightly useful... think Marshall might have a little competition by and by!

Was his surname Farrell by any chance? I've heard he's useful as is their fullback Rory Scholes. Never seen them play though. I watched the Leinster final instead- the Clongowes pack and half backs were the ****. You could be looking at 4 or 5 pros from that team.

Ulster should win this. It'll be great experience for players like Conor Gaston and Paddy Jackson. Spence, Marshall, Gilroy and McAllister are almost old hands at this stage and should fit in easily enough.

A few months ago I questioned Brian McLoughlin's ability as coach. I was completely wrong. He's giving the team more freedom to play now and is promoting young players on merit. Ulster have a very bright future.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

That's the Dragons backline I've been wanting to see! Hughes at 13 should be great to see. A really solid tackler and explosive pace and an eye for both the gap and the line. Harries isn't quite on top form, but is showing glimpses of his best at times and Pat Leach played very well last week against Glaawstaaaar.

 

[Peat]

Dunc, can you tell us a bit more about those players? Lot of names I don't recognise.

Was his surname Farrell by any chance? I've heard he's useful as is their fullback Rory Scholes. Never seen them play though. I watched the Leinster final instead- the Clongowes pack and half backs were the ****. You could be looking at 4 or 5 pros from that team.

Ulster should win this. It'll be great experience for players like Conor Gaston and Paddy Jackson. Spence, Marshall, Gilroy and McAllister are almost old hands at this stage and should fit in easily enough.

A few months ago I questioned Brian McLoughlin's ability as coach. I was completely wrong. He's giving the team more freedom to play now and is promoting young players on merit. Ulster have a very bright future.

Aye, Christopher Farrell. Hard to tell really, both could make it, both could flop. Farrell's a decent evasive runner and makes the most out of his yards, being 6'4" means you'll get some at schoolboy level, Scholes cut some nice attacking lines and has a big boot. Quite a few players who COULD make it - Campbell had a number of useful backs, the replacement scrum-half for Inst had a decent pass and I think is quite young, and a number of impressive looking back-rows. But hard to be sure, hard to know how players will fill out or take their chances... this time last year Iain Henderson was Ballymena Academy's 8, he's now an U20 lock, quick rise. Gilroy was only just breaking into age grade squads.

Any particular Clongowes players stand out?

Only Spence had an appearance before the start of this season! Seems a long time ago now. McAllister, Gilroy and Spence will all play in the HC QF I'd have though, Marshall/Jackson but an injury away from the 23. Its risky, but very exciting.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Any particular Clongowes players stand out?

The backrow were all really impressive- Nick McCarthy, Conor Gilsenan and Jordan Coghlan. Coghlan is an Ireland u20 cricketer. He's f'n huge and very pacy. The tighthead Edward Byrne seems to have everything in his locker- great scrummager (as much as it's allowed at schools level), hits rucks, tackles hard, carries strongly and offloads frequently. Their flyhalf David Quirke is an excellent runner but doesn't have a boot. He could move to centre. It's a non vintage year for Leinster schools but there are some standouts scattered around the teams. A couple of players in St Michaels, one in St Gerards, one in Castleknock and a few Clongowes players look promising.

That has nowt to do with this game though. Never mind Iain Henderson playing in last years schools final and now playing Ireland u20s, Paddy Jackson has had an even more rapid ascent. From being knocked out in the nordie schools semi final last year, he's starting his second game for Ulster.

 

[Jockstap]

The backrow were all really impressive- Nick McCarthy, Conor Gilsenan and Jordan Coghlan. Coghlan is an Ireland u20 cricketer. He's f'n huge and very pacy. The tighthead Edward Byrne seems to have everything in his locker- great scrummager (as much as it's allowed at schools level), hits rucks, tackles hard, carries strongly and offloads frequently. Their flyhalf David Quirke is an excellent runner but doesn't have a boot. He could move to centre. It's a non vintage year for Leinster schools but there are some standouts scattered around the teams. A couple of players in St Michaels, one in St Gerards, one in Castleknock and a few Clongowes players look promising.

That has nowt to do with this game though. Never mind Iain Henderson playing in last years schools final and now playing Ireland u20s, Paddy Jackson has had an even more rapid ascent. From being knocked out in the nordie schools semi final last year, he's starting his second game for Ulster.

Perspective please, look at who they were playing and I say that as a former student of Cistercian College, chuffed we got to the final though.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Perspective please, look at who they were playing and I say that as a former student of Cistercian College, chuffed we got to the final though.

I am keeping things in perspective. That Clongowes team ***** slapped everybody they played. It's the best pack I've seen at that level. Michaels (who would have won the cup most other years with their team) and Blackrock were beaten just as comprehensively as Roscrea and they nilled a decent Pres Bray team too. It's great to see smaller schools like Roscrea do well. Likewise it would be class to see Newbridge win the Junior Cup- they're supposed to be outstanding. The more competitive rugby schools (and clubs) the better for Leinster long term.

 

[profitius]

There should be a playoff between all the provisional winners.

 

[Peat]

That has nowt to do with this game though. Never mind Iain Henderson playing in last years schools final and now playing Ireland u20s, Paddy Jackson has had an even more rapid ascent. From being knocked out in the nordie schools semi final last year, he's starting his second game for Ulster.

People were talking up the Ginger Messiah before last years Schools Cup final ever happened though, and he'd been playing for both Ireland and Ulster above his age level already. Everyone knew he was a serious talent with a good chance of going pro. While I don't think Henderson had ever played Ulster age-grade until this year, and now he's got a good chance fo going pro. That was my point. Jackson's is more massive though.

Anyway, ****** up my flight booking, won't be there as I didn't want to pay 200 for a new one. Gutting.

Incidentally, I do believe Campbell have beaten Clongowes this season... (don't know know how full strength either was)

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Dunc, can you tell us a bit more about those players? Lot of names I don't recognise.

Adam Hughes is a youngster who came in on the wing at the start of the season due to injuries and has played well, despite the fact that he sees himself as a centre. Until tonight he's just made the one start there, against Tolouse away. As said, he's very, very quick and knows how to score tries (He's got 7 this season), although the thing that seems to suprise people is his strength and tackling, despite being such a small guy (Although he is begining to bulk up). If Wales had an A team, I reckon he'd just be breaking into it.

Will Harries started last season as an obscure signing from Northampton A after he failed to cut the mustard with Cardiff RFC. He struggled for gametime until playing against the Ospreys in the LV= Cup and sparked the Dragons to life, almost scoring one try and creating another, egnerally running circles around Shane Williams, a fairly simular player. The following game against Saracens away, he was man-of-the-match and scored a hattrick, including one spectacular eighty-metre indivdual effort in which he beat 7 people. He got a hattrick again against Edinbrugh in the League and scored 8 tries in those 12 games, promting him to win his first Wales cap off the bench against the All Blacks then earning a start against the Wallabies in the autumn. However, in the absence of Martyn Thomas this season he's been shifted to Fullback where he hasn't quite had the same effect, although now Thomas is back he's moved to his normal positon of the wing. Basically, think Shane Williams without the game awarness.

Pat Leach is a North Walian discovered by Paul Turner. He's been filling in every now and again at either Centre or Fullback (Although he's more at form in the former) and looked excellent against Gloucster last weekend, getting through their defense reguarly. He's strong and powerful, but also has a good turn of speed and a decent boot on him.

It's times like this that I realise just how sad I am. Although I know remarkably little about Mr. Leach.

 

[Peat]

Sir, there is nothing wrong with being a rugby nerd. Nothing.

Interesting match so far.

 

[monkeypigeon]

Awesome second half. Brilliant finish and great composure.

Whoever's coaching that Ulster backline can have Alan Gaffney's job, done a great job. Gaston looks a tastey player....what's with Ulster and producing wings?

 

[dangandan]

i only got to catch the last 10 minutes but they were more than enough for me. very exciting, edge of your seat stuff. i thought Cave was going to get caught when heading for the try line but it was very smart to dive in from more than 5 metres out! how many times now has Pienaar saved the day? haha

 

[Peat]

Whoop whoop whoop.

Can't believe I missed that due to booking the wrong airline ticket. ****. But...

I hope all of the Irish people watching enjoy that glimpse of their future back-line. I understand Leinster have a fine young scrum-half, he can play with them in green when Pienaar's not available