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Ulster well on for top 4 finish
- Thread starter durbutter
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c'mon ulster!!!
looks fantastic for the future!! scrum was alright and thats without botha!!!
now that cave is getting back the battle for the 13 jersey should be a good one
never besides the wingers good show by all tonight
looks fantastic for the future!! scrum was alright and thats without botha!!!
now that cave is getting back the battle for the 13 jersey should be a good one
never besides the wingers good show by all tonight
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monkeypigeon
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And what about Craig Gilroy. 19 years old and 7 trys in 7 games. That's more than Dowling would usually score in a season.
Only 6 in 6 for young Master Gilroy actually.
I refuse to get carried away just yet but exciting times. Some of these youngsters seem to have all the talent in the world.
And having the likes of Muller and Pienaar around to help them on is brilliant. The pair of them worth every penny.
I refuse to get carried away just yet but exciting times. Some of these youngsters seem to have all the talent in the world.
And having the likes of Muller and Pienaar around to help them on is brilliant. The pair of them worth every penny.
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That's it in a nutshell. Ulster have quality backs streaming through. Jackson, Marshall, Spence and Gilroy will be mainstays of not just the nordie team but also the Ireland team for years to come. I think Ulster will still need to recruit well in the pack (there's very little coming through here) but my hunch says Ulster and Leinster will be Ireland's leading provinces for the foreseeable future.
monkeypigeon
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What happened to Mister Pollock? I Remember he looked like the next big thing for a couple of years then disappeared.
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He was forced to retire due to a hip injury.
coonor
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Ulster were very good and they looked so professional. The defence was impressive and at many stages Ulster pushed Cardiff backwards. Ulster were also very clinical. In previous seasons Ulster have struggled because they couldn't finish try scoring opportunities or kick goals. The young players looked like they had been playing for years. I thought Spence was brilliant. He is so deceivingly strong and he breaks the gain line and makes th offload. Marshell linked up with him really well and he has very good spacial awareness. Gilroy looked threatning when he was on. Trimble had a great game both in defence and in attack and that may gain Kidneys attention. Humphreys really controlled the game and he is in the form of his life. Peinaar is really growing into his position and he has the experience and makes the right decesions. kyriacou had a great game as the lineout functioned well and he was all over the park. I also thought McAllister looked good when he came on as he improved the scrum and made some great last ditch tackles. I thought he was unlucky to get sin binned. My man of the match was Adam D'Arcy. I was a big fan at the start of the season but he has improved 100%. His has great positional play. Runs great lines with ball and in support. He kicked very well in the match as well and he has cut his error count. Credit to Cardiff as well who didn't do much wrong. A great game that was helped by the small amount of scrums in the first half which really helped to liven up the game and help it flow in a really open way.
Apparently hip problems run in Pollock's family and his early retirement was always on the cards. No one expected it to be that early though.
I half agree with you and half don't about Ulster's pack future Snoopy. For one thing, the likes of Ferris, Faloon, Henry, Tuohy, Court and Best won't need to be replaced anytime soon. We have the basis of a very good pack there already. It will need improving though and there doesn't seem to be the same outpouring of talent in the forwards - but Paddy McAllister looks as much a future star as anyone on that Ulster team, Annett should at least make a solid pro and I'm interested to see how Henderson goes once his development catches up. He turned 19 this week. Add in Dom Gallagher and Stephen Leckey to return post-uni and I think Ulster's pack prospects look a bit healthier.
But I think there will need to be a few signings there and I imagine/hope we'll be using most of the NIQ signings there before too long. Re-signing Muller would be a great start. Him and Pienaar.
I half agree with you and half don't about Ulster's pack future Snoopy. For one thing, the likes of Ferris, Faloon, Henry, Tuohy, Court and Best won't need to be replaced anytime soon. We have the basis of a very good pack there already. It will need improving though and there doesn't seem to be the same outpouring of talent in the forwards - but Paddy McAllister looks as much a future star as anyone on that Ulster team, Annett should at least make a solid pro and I'm interested to see how Henderson goes once his development catches up. He turned 19 this week. Add in Dom Gallagher and Stephen Leckey to return post-uni and I think Ulster's pack prospects look a bit healthier.
But I think there will need to be a few signings there and I imagine/hope we'll be using most of the NIQ signings there before too long. Re-signing Muller would be a great start. Him and Pienaar.
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Ulster need alot more if they are to be serious contenders but Gilroy really stepping up lately
Spence is the man for me. Gilroy has serious talent, but a lot to learn. Nevin Spence debatably should be playing in Green in Cardiff next weekend.
I think the last three games have shown the good and the bad about Ulster. We can tear teams to pieces at times, our defence is dogged, we tend to edge close games but our hard edge isn't there; we're not consistent enough, we lose our heads from time to time. We have a ton of great youngsters, plenty of very good players on the cusp of being top class internationals but not too many players who can drag a team kicking and screaming to a win.
Simply finding that consistency will take us to a stage where we're a match for all but the very top table of European rugby - I think our 10 point haul off of Cardiff over the course of the season shows we can play that level and more. A consistent chance against the very best will need a lot more - fingers crossed the youngsters can bridge that gap.
I think the last three games have shown the good and the bad about Ulster. We can tear teams to pieces at times, our defence is dogged, we tend to edge close games but our hard edge isn't there; we're not consistent enough, we lose our heads from time to time. We have a ton of great youngsters, plenty of very good players on the cusp of being top class internationals but not too many players who can drag a team kicking and screaming to a win.
Simply finding that consistency will take us to a stage where we're a match for all but the very top table of European rugby - I think our 10 point haul off of Cardiff over the course of the season shows we can play that level and more. A consistent chance against the very best will need a lot more - fingers crossed the youngsters can bridge that gap.
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If Gilroy isn't the finished article yet is scoring a try a game, what will he be like when he develops as a player?! 7 in 7 for Ulster, 2 in 1 for the Ireland u20s and 2 in 1 during the opening game in the new Lansdowne Rd.
As for Nevin Spence, of all the 13s at other provinces, he appears the most likely to eventually take over from Brian O'Driscoll. He needs to work on his passing game (or more accurately, when to pass and when to run himself) but once that is sorted he'll be an excellent player.
I know you'll disagree with me Peat but I think the pack needs a couple of reinforcements before they can launch an assault on the European crown but Ulster are getting there. When a team can put Jackson, Marshall, Spence, Cave and Gilroy into it's backline for close to a decade together, it bodes very well for Ulster's long term prospects.
On yesterday's game, was the fact that Pienaar was playing 10 instead of 9 the reason things didn't work out entirely as Ulster would have wished? After a slow start with Ulster, Pienaar has really come good at scrumhalf, cajolling the pack and taking some of the decision making responsiblity off Ian Humphreys. That has raised Humphreys play to a higher level too.
As for Nevin Spence, of all the 13s at other provinces, he appears the most likely to eventually take over from Brian O'Driscoll. He needs to work on his passing game (or more accurately, when to pass and when to run himself) but once that is sorted he'll be an excellent player.
I know you'll disagree with me Peat but I think the pack needs a couple of reinforcements before they can launch an assault on the European crown but Ulster are getting there. When a team can put Jackson, Marshall, Spence, Cave and Gilroy into it's backline for close to a decade together, it bodes very well for Ulster's long term prospects.
On yesterday's game, was the fact that Pienaar was playing 10 instead of 9 the reason things didn't work out entirely as Ulster would have wished? After a slow start with Ulster, Pienaar has really come good at scrumhalf, cajolling the pack and taking some of the decision making responsiblity off Ian Humphreys. That has raised Humphreys play to a higher level too.
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I agree as i thought same that Pienaar at 10 caused bit of hassle. I also think Spence is next 13 although O'Malley has always impressed me (Earls is a winger). But like snoop said he has to get his skillset up slightly and correct his decision making before stepping up a level
Scary. Thats what Gilroy will be.
No disagreement here. To get to that very top table, most of the players in the pack would have to raise their game. We need at least one of the props to develop a serious power game (hello Paddy McAllister, I'm looking at you), I think we need another top notch back-row particularly as the one we've got keeps breaking and I'm not sure I see that potential in any of the boys we've currently got and Tuohy needs to be consistently hitting his heights and maybe a little more. And thats just as a start. Our pack is good enough to be in the position we're in - challenging for top spots in both competitions - and thats a massive improvement already. But for that top table, where challenging turns into regularly being in finals, the top table, being as good as Leinster... we need more.
And Pienaar at 9 is massive for us. I thought Small Paul was alright actually, just looked **** because we're used to Pienaar. And iHumph is playing really well at the moment, no doubt due to Pienaar. Think the problem last night was more than just half-back though. Mental failing across the team.
edit: And yes, Spence will have to improve his decision making, although often I see him looking for the offload at the right time and there's no fucker there. I think he's already ready to step up though.
No disagreement here. To get to that very top table, most of the players in the pack would have to raise their game. We need at least one of the props to develop a serious power game (hello Paddy McAllister, I'm looking at you), I think we need another top notch back-row particularly as the one we've got keeps breaking and I'm not sure I see that potential in any of the boys we've currently got and Tuohy needs to be consistently hitting his heights and maybe a little more. And thats just as a start. Our pack is good enough to be in the position we're in - challenging for top spots in both competitions - and thats a massive improvement already. But for that top table, where challenging turns into regularly being in finals, the top table, being as good as Leinster... we need more.
And Pienaar at 9 is massive for us. I thought Small Paul was alright actually, just looked **** because we're used to Pienaar. And iHumph is playing really well at the moment, no doubt due to Pienaar. Think the problem last night was more than just half-back though. Mental failing across the team.
edit: And yes, Spence will have to improve his decision making, although often I see him looking for the offload at the right time and there's no fucker there. I think he's already ready to step up though.
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What I think Ulster lack is depth in their pack. If Court and Botha get injured, I don't rate the backup props highly enough. McAllister will get there but he's 2 years away from being a really good player. A hooker on a par with Rory Best is needed so that he can be rotated in and out. Brady and Kyriacou are decent ML players but not top end HC players. The starting second row is good but Tuohy can raise his game a bit more. The backups are very solid and won't let them down. At 6 and 8, Wannenburg, Diack, Ferris and Henry is a top quality rotation of players. I like Faloon at openside but think he can be improved upon- at the very least a genuine openside who can compete for the 7 jersey is needed. I feel that to have a HC winning pack, you need 13 or 14 strong forwards who can slot in seemlessly rather than just 8 starters and subs who only come on if there's an injury. At present Ulster have about 10 quality forwards but need more.
I'd rate Spence behind O'Driscoll, McFadden and Bowe in the 13 depth chart for Ireland. He's next on the list ahead of Earls, Cave and O'Malley.
I'd rate Spence behind O'Driscoll, McFadden and Bowe in the 13 depth chart for Ireland. He's next on the list ahead of Earls, Cave and O'Malley.
I think we've been here before... 
Well, the proof will be in the pudding. I feel, that in Magners games at least, that McAllister has been very good, that we very rarely think "****, we needed Rory" and Tim Barker has been a minor revelation. Deccie Fitz has disappointed me since coming back from injury though, now agree with you. And we do need a second openside, imo people should look at bringing McMillan home as a short term expedient.
But the top end HC games, ML playoffs... they haven't been tested there, and I think you're right the depth might fail. But sticking them through those meat grinders is the only way we'll build that depth really.
Thats a fair list, although the fact Spence plays 13 more regularly than McFadden and Bowe potentially aids him. I would pick him though right now, as on form, he should be in Ireland's 23 jersey at least. McFadden should wear 12 (even if that is a bit dodgy as a call).
Well, the proof will be in the pudding. I feel, that in Magners games at least, that McAllister has been very good, that we very rarely think "****, we needed Rory" and Tim Barker has been a minor revelation. Deccie Fitz has disappointed me since coming back from injury though, now agree with you. And we do need a second openside, imo people should look at bringing McMillan home as a short term expedient.
But the top end HC games, ML playoffs... they haven't been tested there, and I think you're right the depth might fail. But sticking them through those meat grinders is the only way we'll build that depth really.
Thats a fair list, although the fact Spence plays 13 more regularly than McFadden and Bowe potentially aids him. I would pick him though right now, as on form, he should be in Ireland's 23 jersey at least. McFadden should wear 12 (even if that is a bit dodgy as a call).
