There's a story about Whitten in the News Letter, might copypasta it in a while if I can be arsed. Also says Faloon might be off.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby/exeter-to-swoop-for-ulster-s-whitten-1-3599582 - journo in question is a major 'hurl **** at the wall' merchant mind
Selim - Both played Ireland U20s two years in a row, Annett as captain for part of one and all of the other, both have plenty of potential but potential weak points.
McKinney is as noted, a kicking fly-half with good distribution; not a runner, and not very big either, I haven't seen him shirk defensive duties but this would be a definite step up for him in terms of holding up. I have to admit to not massively rating him myself, but that's probably based off watching him get crap from his scrum-half with a bosh centre outside, doesn't help.
Annett is a natural leader, generally very good in the set-piece (in the best Ulster tradition he sometimes wobbles all over the place at the line-out before returning to being dead-eye) and very mobile and active around the pack - he played a lot of back-row for his school. The only worry is his size, he'll never be a major tight carrier, but providing he makes his tackles and is difficult to shift out of rucks he'll be fine, and possibly very good as he gains experience.
I'm slightly surprised we're letting them go, but we have youngsters pulling up trees at prodigious rates so I guess someone's gotta go; I fully expect us to invite Annett back in a couple of seasons if it goes well, and wouldn't rule out McKinney either (although probably not, he's the 3rd out of 3 for our young fly-halves imo).
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby/exeter-to-swoop-for-ulster-s-whitten-1-3599582 - journo in question is a major 'hurl **** at the wall' merchant mind
Selim - Both played Ireland U20s two years in a row, Annett as captain for part of one and all of the other, both have plenty of potential but potential weak points.
McKinney is as noted, a kicking fly-half with good distribution; not a runner, and not very big either, I haven't seen him shirk defensive duties but this would be a definite step up for him in terms of holding up. I have to admit to not massively rating him myself, but that's probably based off watching him get crap from his scrum-half with a bosh centre outside, doesn't help.
Annett is a natural leader, generally very good in the set-piece (in the best Ulster tradition he sometimes wobbles all over the place at the line-out before returning to being dead-eye) and very mobile and active around the pack - he played a lot of back-row for his school. The only worry is his size, he'll never be a major tight carrier, but providing he makes his tackles and is difficult to shift out of rucks he'll be fine, and possibly very good as he gains experience.
I'm slightly surprised we're letting them go, but we have youngsters pulling up trees at prodigious rates so I guess someone's gotta go; I fully expect us to invite Annett back in a couple of seasons if it goes well, and wouldn't rule out McKinney either (although probably not, he's the 3rd out of 3 for our young fly-halves imo).
