Still currently mulling how I feel about these signings. I'm thinking that there's a possible deliberate strategy here, at least in Doyle's case - we can't buy in established players, not Irish-qualified anyway, so take a lot of punts and hope some pay off Dan Tuohy style... or even Adam D'Arcy style, who was playing the same level of rugby insofar as I can see.
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Heaney wasn't up to much in his previous spell with Ulster but he comes back having gained experience and can do a job as 3rd choice scrum half if required. Has Ian Porter left?
I don't know Doyle at all but Ulster aren't looking for a starter, merely someone who's better than or can compete with Ali Birch. If he's at that level, he could be useful.
I don't know Doyle at all but Ulster aren't looking for a starter, merely someone who's better than or can compete with Ali Birch. If he's at that level, he could be useful.
Porter's rumoured to be leaving. For the duration of his contract Heaney will be 2nd choice. Botes, Henry, Birch - do we really need another 7? Maybe they're thinking of moving Henry back across the row, or maybe Botes isn't happening...
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Nick Williams has also signed for Ulster.
http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/10598.php
I guess that means Jacques Botes isn't coming to Ravenhill. It probably also means Chris Henry has been moved to 7 full time since both Roger Wilson and Nick Williams will cover 8.
http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/10598.php
I guess that means Jacques Botes isn't coming to Ravenhill. It probably also means Chris Henry has been moved to 7 full time since both Roger Wilson and Nick Williams will cover 8.
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Lord.
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Williams isn't that bad. He's signed to back up Roger Wilson and primarily play in the Pro 12 I imagine. 10 tries in 31 games for Aironi is a damn fine record. He can be Ulster's Leo Auva'a. In my opinion, Williams and Wilson at 8 is a much better combo than Pedrie Wannenburg and Robbie Diack. Next season Ulster's best back row will be just as good as this season and the replacements will be far stronger.
For one thing, Botes would have been a better signing. I will stick to this even if Williams scores a try a match - Botes is a nailed on utter professional, while Williams is a notorious waster.
If Williams wants to, he can be better than Auva'a. Hell, he could dislodge Wilson. But he hasn't been wanting stuff like that all his career, so why am I meant to believe he'll start now? We need, we sorely need, a fourth HEC quality back-row. Botes would have been that. Williams? Well he might, but then again putting the entirety of the season ticket sales on the lottery might be a good idea.
Despite the potential upside, I am super not impressed with this.
coonor
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I actually rate Williams but obviously not as highly as Botes. You need to remember its not as simple as just signing players at will. Other factors have to be taken into account. Maybe Botes was demanding significantly higher pay than Williams or Botes could not secure a fair contract. It may be possible that Ulster will have saved a lot of money and a NIQ place. This gives them an options to purchase some other quality player in a different position, maybe even at fly half.
psychic duck
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Nick Williams is simply a challenging player to get fit as he is very injury prone and seems to spend injury layoffs attempting All You Can Eat challenges, but when he is in passable shape he is a useful ball carrier and has scored 6 tries before October last season for Aironi ... but then got injured and returned with a somewhat enlarged waistline ... see picture below
maybe Anscombe knows him from his time in New Zealand and can get the best out of him perhaps
maybe Anscombe knows him from his time in New Zealand and can get the best out of him perhaps
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Williams is essentially Tony Buckley minus the scrum humiliation that goes with mushy. A poor signing for a team with domestic and European aspirations.
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Odd signing for Exeter as well, as he's past his prime - though maybe he'll regain form there.
psychic duck
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He has decided to stay with the Melbourne Rebels for another year, obviously playing for Wales isn't that important for him as he has never helped his career by moving to play for a Welsh side at any point in his career, despite having several opportunities. He's now 29, can't see him adding much to his 11 caps now to be honest.
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Can you blame Delve mind?
From Edinburgh
Kyle Traynor (PR), to Bristol - Confirmed - http://www.bristolrugby.co.uk/news/7873 ... stol-move/
Andrew Kelly (HK) to London Scottish
Kyle Traynor (PR), to Bristol - Confirmed - http://www.bristolrugby.co.uk/news/7873 ... stol-move/
Andrew Kelly (HK) to London Scottish
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[h=2]According to the French Sud Ouest newspaper
"St. Jean de Luz Olympic confirms the signing of Troy Flavell (released by Bayonne) but will struggle to get a visa for the ex New Zealand second rower".[/h]
"St. Jean de Luz Olympic confirms the signing of Troy Flavell (released by Bayonne) but will struggle to get a visa for the ex New Zealand second rower".[/h]
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