The Ulster Thread

[ihump]

Any word on the string of journey man we brought in for this season and never used. Also what has happened to Fitzpatrick and lutton. We could really do with a tight head before we work the chunky south African to death.

 

[big ginger 8]

Declan Fitzpatrick has had to retire.

 

[Peat]

Sad news for him and sad news for the game that another one's gone due to concussion.

Not so sad news for Ulster though, to be blunt. What he had in terms of talent, he did not give enough of imo.


Lutton's starting the Ravens.

 

[Jakedood]

I think we've got a few emerging front rowers coming through from Methody a couple of years ago, and I know a few big strong tightheads with potential but will need another couple of years for sure.

Did anyone see Gilroy's try at the weekend? Apparently he needed a confidence boost after missing out on the Irish squad. He really does have something special since he started using his step again, I'm expecting big things from him this year!

 

[Amiga500]

F--k we're ****.

 

[Peat]

F--k we're ****.

Didn't see it... guessing I don't want to?

 

[Amiga500]

Choose life.

Don't watch it.

 

[Groundhog]

Striking resemblance between the Ulster lad and the bad guy from the Green Lantern.

 

[Amiga500]

Balls.

Utter f**king balls.

 

[WaterboySA]

I see this is the final season for Ruan Pienaar at Ulster. Apparently IRFU's succession policy? Could anyone explain what that is?

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/ruan-pienaar-to-leave-ulster-20160831

 

[munstermuffin]

I see this is the final season for Ruan Pienaar at Ulster. Apparently IRFU's succession policy? Could anyone explain what that is?

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/ruan-pienaar-to-leave-ulster-20160831

Not the first player to have it happen to. More interestingly is Ulster are not allowed sign a NIQ 9 also if rules are applied.

 

[Amiga500]

Apparently IRFU's succession policy? Could anyone explain what that is?

Basically Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss have or are on the verge of retirement. Certainly they are no longer up to international standard. That leaves Conor Murray (Munster), Kieran Marmion and John Cooney (both Connacht).

Ulster have had one of the world's best for 6 years but have failed to develop anyone useful with his tuition - its no wonder the IRFU have lost patience. All that time has been wasted on Paul Marshall.

We've only ourselves to blame.

Although I suppose we could try and blame Leinster for signing an NIQ scrumhalf. But that would be lame excuses for our own ineptitude.

- - - Updated - - -

Not the first player to have it happen to.

Indeed. Paul Warwick and Nathan Hines spring to mind.

 

[Peat]

Hrm. When does Marmion's contract expire?

If the IRFU are worried about where their next international scrum-halves are coming from, they're blocking the signing of the wrong old Ulster scrum-half and doing so too late as well.

 

[collace]

In response to a number of media queries following Ulster Rugby's announcement regarding Ruan Pienaar this morning, the following statement has been issued by the IRFU.

David Nucifora, IRFU Performance Director, stated, "The IRFU recognises the contribution that Ruan Pienaar has made to Ulster Rugby over the seven year period he will have been with the province, however the IRFU informed Ulster Rugby during the 2015/16 season that it would not sanction a further extension of his contract.

It is vital for both Ulster and Irish rugby that the province develop indigenous talent in this position and an extension of Ruan's contract would further prevent Irish qualified Ulster players from maximising their developmental potential and becoming stars for both Ulster and Ireland."

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/37891.php#.V8bH1mD2bIU

IRFU statement on Pienaar situation.

I'd love to know what Irish qualified Ulster players they are referring to who will become stars for Ulster and Ireland. It's a position where there is very little depth across the board and, as things stand, Ulster will have Marshall (who's the wrong side of 30) or academy 9's who won't be ready for the first team next year. So we'll have an outstanding backline with no-one to get the ball to them! Just because Pienaar is not there doesn't mean an IQ scrum half is going to be magically developed.

Meanwhile we have a top class player who has done a tremendous amount for Ulster rugby, and turned down offers from France to stay, being turfed out on his ear when he wants to remain. Everyone bemoans the lack of pull we have due to the money in England and France yet we are sending a top class player away from our shores.

Ulster Rugby aren't completely blameless in all this - how Marshall still has a contract baffles me - but I'm not entirely sure what this decision is supposed to achieve.

 

[Gavin]

It has always baffled me why not young Ulster scrumhalf appeared to challenge Small Paul. I sort of think Ulster got complacent with Ruan, never thinking he would leave. This then meant there was no future grooming or blooding

 

[Peat]

It has always baffled me why not young Ulster scrumhalf appeared to challenge Small Paul. I sort of think Ulster got complacent with Ruan, never thinking he would leave. This then meant there was no future grooming or blooding

Heaney, Porter and McIlroy were all given a go. None of them made a substantial case for being better than Wee P and none of them went on to show Ulster wrong. Maybe things would have been different if Ulster had backed them harder but it seems likely that the main reason no young Ulster scrum-half challenged Wee P was none of them were good enough.

 

[Gavin]

Heaney, Porter and McIlroy were all given a go. None of them made a substantial case for being better than Wee P and none of them went on to show Ulster wrong. Maybe things would have been different if Ulster had backed them harder but it seems likely that the main reason no young Ulster scrum-half challenged Wee P was none of them were good enough.

If this is the case then I hope that Ulster scouts are out there looking for a young Irish qualified No.9

Personally I've always loved Small Paul but he is getting on a bit and it would be a travesty to have the Ulster back line not getting good ball.

 

[Peat]

If this is the case then I hope that Ulster scouts are out there looking for a young Irish qualified No.9

Personally I've always loved Small Paul but he is getting on a bit and it would be a travesty to have the Ulster back line not getting good ball.

I'd imagine they are and finding the same answers all the other Irish scouts are - good IQ 9s are like hens teeth. Seemingly its just not in your DNA.

There's a lot of excitement about Jonny Stewart, who's being tipped to enter the academy straight out of school, so fingers crossed. But then I've seen a lot of young Ulster SH hype over the years and so far - zilch. Nada. Nothing.

I imagine Ulster's answer will be to try and lift one of Connacht's two but no guarantees there.

 

[munstermuffin]

No offence to Paul Marshall but he's not good enough to be a starting 9. He is a good option off the bench but a poor passer in my opinion. Ulster will struggle simply because 9s aren't plentiful in country and now they have been dealt a huge blow they didn't expect.
Rumour is Ruan even offered to take a massive â'¬140k cut.

 

[Groundhog]

IRFU logic: Take away a genuinely class operator who has given his all to Ulstet and is likely to bring out the best in his out half and the young back talent outside him when no obvious successor exists. Paul Marshall is a good bench option because of his speed and ability to snipe against tired Defences but a top passer and game manager he is not.
Also IRFU logic: Allow Leinster to sign a project scrum half who will likely never play for this country even though Leinster have an abundance of scrum half talent on the rise.