Ulster Announce Two New Signings

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Ulster Rugby today confirmed that Callum Black and Michael McComish will join the squad in the summer, ahead of the start of the 2011-12 season...

Callum Black (25) is an Irish-qualified prop who is currently contracted with Championship side Worcester Warriors. Born in the USA and raised in England where he attended Hartpury College, Black is Irish-qualified through his paternal grandfather who was originally from Belfast and has represented Ireland at U18, U19 and U21 levels. He joined the Worcester Academy straight from College and burst onto the senior scene towards the end of the 2008-09 season.
In all he has made 50 appearances in the front row for the club and has had loan spells at both Otley and Plymouth.
“This is a new and exciting challenge for meâ€commented Black.
“I’m at the stage in my career where I’m looking to really push on and I’m really looking forward to playing in the Magners League and Heineken Cupâ€
“I’ve watched Ulster this season and been very impressed with how the team is developing and I’m looking forward to being part of that.â€
“My goal is to establish myself in the Ulster team and then try to force my way into the Ireland set up.â€
Michael McComish will join Ulster from Connacht where he has played for the past two seasons. He is an accomplished Number 8 but can play anywhere in the back row.
A former development player within the Ulster Squad, he had spells with both Rotherham and Otley in England before joining Connacht ahead of the start of the 2009-10 season.
McComish attended Campbell College and went on to play a key role in the Ballymena team that won the All Ireland Division One league in 2004. The 27 year old has played for Ireland at U-21 level and has also represented the Ireland 7’s side.
Ulster’s Director of Rugby David Humphreys said;
“We’re delighted to announce that Callum and Michael will be joining us and strengthening our squad ahead of next season. he said
“Having spent the last few seasons with Connacht, Michael has gained a lot of Magners League experience while at just 25, Callum has ammased considerable experience from the Premiership, the Championship as well as the LV and Amlin Challenge Cup competitions and so will be a very ueful addition to our front row.â€

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/9086.php

On another thread I said that Ulster need to boost depth in their pack. Like Lewis Stevenson, neither Callum Black nor Mike McComish are esxy signings but they'll allow Brian McLaughlin rotate his pack a bit more.

Black is a loosehead. Tom Court, Paddy McAllister and Bryan Young can also play loosehead. I suspect Court will be converted to tighthead and John Andress will join up with Ulster to back him up.

 

[Peat]

I know **** all about Black, but apparently Worcs fans rate him. Apparently. Probably knows a few of the Ulster boys and unless my memory mistakes me actually went to school with Dan Tuohy.

I do know about enough about McComish to be highly skeptical about his signing until I remember he's probably replacing TJ Anderson, so thats probably an upgrade.

 

[Conal]

well anderson is younger so will hopefully be a standard ml back rower mc comish is a standard ml player already so adding non international depth to are back row is a good idea
as henry will probz be in the extended ireland squad in nz ( well hopefully) and faloon may well become an international over the next few years then ferris should be an international for years to come ( unless his legs fall of... which is quite likely)

so good boast i thinks good to see dhumph building a squad
black is an unknown quanity but hopefully he is good better than bryan young anyways

 

[Peat]

If Anderson makes the grade as a decent ML player I will be surprised. I wish him nothing but well but there's the godsdamn truth.

I was reading the Dungannon Observer at work the other week (press cuttings, get to see papers from all over the place) - their previews loudly bemoaned missing Jackson and Gilroy, but not a dickie word was said whether Anderson was available or not. Think that says it all for a fringe pro player at their level.

 

[Peat]

And speaking of young Master Anderson, he'll be in the same convoy as O'Connor and McCrea at the end of the season.

 

[Conal]

are we shipping him out then??
if so again the 3 provinces are screwing over conacht but then again we do seem to be bringing several lads back home (not black though)

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

So this is a different Worcester prop named Black to the one that played for the Dragons a couple of seasons ago? That'd be up there with the Hairbears as most confusing front row.

 

[Peat]

are we shipping him out then??
if so again the 3 provinces are screwing over conacht but then again we do seem to be bringing several lads back home (not black though)

Yes and yes.

And yes, Worcester did have two props called Black.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

are we shipping him out then??
if so again the 3 provinces are screwing over conacht but then again we do seem to be bringing several lads back home (not black though)

http://www.connachtrugby.ie/2011030782439/wilkinson-and-anderson-sign-for-connacht

As others have said, TJ Anderson has signed for Connacht. Anderson wasn't as bad as people have made out, he just wasn't in the same class as other Ulster backrowers of a similar age- Pollock, Faloon, Henry, Diack and Ferris. Eric Elwood worked with Anderson when he was the Ireland u20s coach. Maybe he thinks he can do something with him. In truth Anderson is only going there as a squad player who'll get ocasional starts. Connacht have picked second row Andrew Browne at 6 a few times so signing Anderson frees him up to go back to his best position.

In essence Ulster are getting McComish in a swap for Anderson. It's solid business on both teams part. Ulster lose a player who was in danger of going stale and gain a solid squad player. Connacht lose a guy who was buried beneath a few others in the number 8 pecking order and gain another option at 6.

 

[profitius]

Any wrod on whos going to Connacht from Munster and Leinster?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

There was something in either the Indo or Times linking Stewart Maguire a Leinster academy prop to Connacht.

 

[coonor]

He could do well at Connacht as he has the technique of scrummaging and his size will always mean he can be a bit of a handful on the pitch but he really needs to work on fitness and that would also helped his open play.