Ulster 2017 - 2018

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Whether Trimble retires this season or not, he's not up to it anymore unfortunately. So realistically Ulster can remove Bowe, Piutau, and Trimble from their plans for next season. Olding and Jackson's futures are obviously up in the air too, there could be a fairly desperate recruitment drive for Ulster over the next while.

[Oldschool]

He's had a tough couple of years and this is really cruel timing to get injured again. He has been in awful form at times but had got back to playing quite well recently so I was hoping he'd finish strongly, fingers crossed he still can.

There can be a tendency towards hyperbole when a player retires but for me he really is the best Irish winger I've seen, and comfortably so. From about 2008-2013 he was absolutely top class. Strong in every department and a big unit in his prime, but his real strong point was the lines he'd pick, and I don't think I've seen anyone better at running a line off the back of a lineout. He was a bit unfortunate that his very best years coincided with Kidney's worst for us but he still has an incredible body of work behind him, and that Grand Slam try will be shown time and again for many years to come. Himself and Trimble are two of my favourite players and they'll both be missed when they're gone.

Thanks Tommy

Because their careers overlapped I would rate Tommy Bowe, Shane Horgan and Denis Hickey in the same bracket.
We were lucky to see them all at their peaks.

[simonokeeffe]

Whether Trimble retires this season or not, he's not up to it anymore unfortunately. So realistically Ulster can remove Bowe, Piutau, and Trimble from their plans for next season. Olding and Jackson's futures are obviously up in the air too, there could be a fairly desperate recruitment drive for Ulster over the next while.

Payne might be gone too. Leaves the cupboard quite bare potentially

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Knew I forgot someone! Even with Marty and Jordi arriving I would suggest that they need at least three more forwards too, and wouldn't be surprised if they've been working on that over the last year without really thinking about the backs, and that's suddenly a big problem for them now too. I don't envy Bryn Cunningham or their money men.

[simonokeeffe]

Knew I forgot someone! Even with Marty and Jordi arriving I would suggest that they need at least three more forwards too, and wouldn't be surprised if they've been working on that over the last year without really thinking about the backs, and that's suddenly a big problem for them now too. I don't envy Bryn Cunningham or their money men.

They need a loosehead, Coetzee fit for 5 minutes, and a Hines/Cudmore/Hamilton/Thorn/Muller type lock

If the retirement apocalypse happens it leaves Stockdale, Gilroy, Ludik, Nelson?, Lyttle as senior back 3 players

[neiliog93]

In the circumstances I would definitely give Trimble another year, he's a very reliable campaigner and leadership figure even if his ability is on the wane. He still looks good defensively. He's only just turned 33 so he could definitely give at least one more year, if that's what he wants.

[johng]

Knew I forgot someone! Even with Marty and Jordi arriving I would suggest that they need at least three more forwards too, and wouldn't be surprised if they've been working on that over the last year without really thinking about the backs, and that's suddenly a big problem for them now too. I don't envy Bryn Cunningham or their money men.

They need a loosehead, Coetzee fit for 5 minutes, and a Hines/Cudmore/Hamilton/Thorn/Muller type lock

If the retirement apocalypse happens it leaves Stockdale, Gilroy, Ludik, Nelson?, Lyttle as senior back 3 players

A few back rowers to keep Nordi company also

[Peg Leg]

Knew I forgot someone! Even with Marty and Jordi arriving I would suggest that they need at least three more forwards too, and wouldn't be surprised if they've been working on that over the last year without really thinking about the backs, and that's suddenly a big problem for them now too. I don't envy Bryn Cunningham or their money men.

They need a loosehead, Coetzee fit for 5 minutes, and a Hines/Cudmore/Hamilton/Thorn/Muller type lock

If the retirement apocalypse happens it leaves Stockdale, Gilroy, Ludik, Nelson?, Lyttle as senior back 3 players

A few back rowers to keep Nordi company also

Will be watching this space attentively. It will be very interesting to see where in the backrow his future lies? Or if versatility is his key to success.
I remember Ferg wanting to nail down a position in Schmidt's Leinster which he did once afforded the opportunity.

Id like to see him as a specialist 7 or 8 or maybe 6.

[paddyor]

If they can keep developing Timoney, Rea & Jones they should be well set in the back row with Deysel, Nordi, Reidy (Coatzee is made of biscuit) and still street smart Henry for next season. They have a young fella Dalton who looks a big unit for the 2nd row, hopefully he comes good. Big problem in the pack looks to be LH. McCall has gone backwards, Black is Black and Van Der Merve can't make the A team. They could do a lot worse than Dooley or Byrne.

Hard to know what will happen in the backs. Resigning Scholes would be a good move IMO. Think they'll ahve a NIQ spot open or possibly more if Coatzee retires.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

If they can keep developing Timoney, Rea & Jones they should be well set in the back row with Deysel, Nordi, Reidy (Coatzee is made of biscuit) and still street smart Henry for next season. They have a young fella Dalton who looks a big unit for the 2nd row, hopefully he comes good. Big problem in the pack looks to be LH. McCall has gone backwards, Black is Black and Van Der Merve can't make the A team. They could do a lot worse than Dooley or Byrne.

Hard to know what will happen in the backs. Resigning Scholes would be a good move IMO. Think they'll ahve a NIQ spot open or possibly more if Coatzee retires.

I haven't see anything from Rea to suggest he's good enough. Haven't really noticed Jones for them although was very impressed at underage level, and haven't seen much to get excited about Timoney. People have been praising him but I really haven't seen it myself. He's had the odd good moment but overall I've been underwhelmed. Henry is regressing rapidly and Deysel hasn't been good IMO, plus he seems to be injured a lot.

I doubt they can do the necessary surgery this summer, but signing Dooley and a proper replacement for Coetzee would improve them hugely. Even then they would lack depth IMO but at least their first choice pack would look a lot better. So much hinges on Marty too, it's impossible to know how that will turn out. It's a punt worth taking, but it's still a punt.

[johng]

Black is Black

[artaneboy]

Knew I forgot someone! Even with Marty and Jordi arriving I would suggest that they need at least three more forwards too, and wouldn't be surprised if they've been working on that over the last year without really thinking about the backs, and that's suddenly a big problem for them now too. I don't envy Bryn Cunningham or their money men.

They need a loosehead, Coetzee fit for 5 minutes, and a Hines/Cudmore/Hamilton/Thorn/Muller type lock

If the retirement apocalypse happens it leaves Stockdale, Gilroy, Ludik, Nelson?, Lyttle as senior back 3 players

McCloskey. In terms of his potential- if not his chronology...


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[hugonaut]

He's had a tough couple of years and this is really cruel timing to get injured again. He has been in awful form at times but had got back to playing quite well recently so I was hoping he'd finish strongly, fingers crossed he still can.

There can be a tendency towards hyperbole when a player retires but for me he really is the best Irish winger I've seen, and comfortably so. From about 2008-2013 he was absolutely top class. Strong in every department and a big unit in his prime, but his real strong point was the lines he'd pick, and I don't think I've seen anyone better at running a line off the back of a lineout. He was a bit unfortunate that his very best years coincided with Kidney's worst for us but he still has an incredible body of work behind him, and that Grand Slam try will be shown time and again for many years to come. Himself and Trimble are two of my favourite players and they'll both be missed when they're gone.

Thanks Tommy

Me too – best Irish winger of my lifetime in my opinion, including Hickie, Geoghegan and Ringland. Outstanding try-scoring rate at club and test level, big game player, five-test Lion, played the game with a great attitude and, as everyone can seen from his teammates' reaction to his retirement, was a great team player ... couldn't really ask for more. An absolute legend of Irish rugby.

[simonokeeffe]

McCloskey on the wing would reduce the potential damage of him trying to pass again....

Scholes would be a good shout

I was about to say Rea looked to have a lot potential. Dooley would be a great signing for Ulster and Ireland.

Chapeau to OG JohnG for coining Nordi Murphy

[rooster]

Knew I forgot someone! Even with Marty and Jordi arriving I would suggest that they need at least three more forwards too, and wouldn't be surprised if they've been working on that over the last year without really thinking about the backs, and that's suddenly a big problem for them now too. I don't envy Bryn Cunningham or their money men.

They need a loosehead, Coetzee fit for 5 minutes, and a Hines/Cudmore/Hamilton/Thorn/Muller type lock

If the retirement apocalypse happens it leaves Stockdale, Gilroy, Ludik, Nelson?, Lyttle as senior back 3 players

A few back rowers to keep Nordi company also

I like the new nickname for Jordi

[paddyor]

If they can keep developing Timoney, Rea & Jones they should be well set in the back row with Deysel, Nordi, Reidy (Coatzee is made of biscuit) and still street smart Henry for next season. They have a young fella Dalton who looks a big unit for the 2nd row, hopefully he comes good. Big problem in the pack looks to be LH. McCall has gone backwards, Black is Black and Van Der Merve can't make the A team. They could do a lot worse than Dooley or Byrne.

Hard to know what will happen in the backs. Resigning Scholes would be a good move IMO. Think they'll ahve a NIQ spot open or possibly more if Coatzee retires.

I haven't see anything from Rea to suggest he's good enough. Haven't really noticed Jones for them although was very impressed at underage level, and haven't seen much to get excited about Timoney. People have been praising him but I really haven't seen it myself. He's had the odd good moment but overall I've been underwhelmed. Henry is regressing rapidly and Deysel hasn't been good IMO, plus he seems to be injured a lot.

I doubt they can do the necessary surgery this summer, but signing Dooley and a proper replacement for Coetzee would improve them hugely. Even then they would lack depth IMO but at least their first choice pack would look a lot better. So much hinges on Marty too, it's impossible to know how that will turn out. It's a punt worth taking, but it's still a punt.

Admittedly I haven't seen much of them either Rea or Timoney but I thought they showed up well in defense and attack last weekend in a big game. One swallow and all that. It's easy to dismiss improving players when they're playing in a struggling team. Won't argue about Henry but I think Deysel could be useful if he stays fit, he's not as bad as Coatzee in that regard at least.

[paddyor]

dbl

[Oldschool]

Nordi is a great nom de plume for Jordi.
Both he and the name will go down well with all the other nordies.
But until he leaves and out of deference to what a great player he has been (still is) can we still call him Jordi on the Leinster section of this board until the end of the season.

[Ruckedtobits]

If they can keep developing Timoney, Rea & Jones they should be well set in the back row with Deysel, Nordi, Reidy (Coatzee is made of biscuit) and still street smart Henry for next season. They have a young fella Dalton who looks a big unit for the 2nd row, hopefully he comes good. Big problem in the pack looks to be LH. McCall has gone backwards, Black is Black and Van Der Merve can't make the A team. They could do a lot worse than Dooley or Byrne.

Hard to know what will happen in the backs. Resigning Scholes would be a good move IMO. Think they'll ahve a NIQ spot open or possibly more if Coatzee retires.

I haven't see anything from Rea to suggest he's good enough. Haven't really noticed Jones for them although was very impressed at underage level, and haven't seen much to get excited about Timoney. People have been praising him but I really haven't seen it myself. He's had the odd good moment but overall I've been underwhelmed. Henry is regressing rapidly and Deysel hasn't been good IMO, plus he seems to be injured a lot.

I doubt they can do the necessary surgery this summer, but signing Dooley and a proper replacement for Coetzee would improve them hugely. Even then they would lack depth IMO but at least their first choice pack would look a lot better. So much hinges on Marty too, it's impossible to know how that will turn out. It's a punt worth taking, but it's still a punt.

Admittedly I haven't seen much of them either Rea or Timoney but I thought they showed up well in defense and attack last weekend in a big game. One swallow and all that. It's easy to dismiss improving players when they're playing in a struggling team. Won't argue about Henry but I think Deysel could be useful if he stays fit, he's not as bad as Coatzee in that regard at least.

+1.
Rea impressed on both his last two televised appearances (so much so, he's now made the Depth Chart on the 6th team). Timoney has already given adequate proof of his standard and gets better every week. Two quality forwards. LHP is the biggest gap but also a determination to play Henderson in his best position, in the row!

[LeRouxIsPHat]

What has Rea done to impress you? He seems very weak in contact to me, isn't a good carrier, and has struggled to keep up with play at times.

Timoney has shown more alright but still been very average IMO. Finished his try really well last week but in general I would say that he's a hard working defender who doesn't add much else and gives away stupid penalties. He too looks under powered to me.

If they were at Leinster they would both be below Doris in the pecking order IMO. They're both still young so I'm not writing them off, but haven't seen anything to suggest that they're good enough to start next season.