Ulster 2017 - 2018

[BlueBlue]

From the Irish times, 7 Feb 2018.

With both on- and off-field turbulence seemingly stalking Ulster Rugby’s every move, it fell to operations director Bryn Cunningham to try to re-route the northern province away from an ever-deepening crisis.
The misfiring squad go back to work on Friday evening when they host the struggling Southern Kings in the Pro14, but Cunningham first addressed the ongoing trial of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding on rape charges by reading from a prepared statement.
“From the very outset, Ulster Rugby has been very proactive and put in place necessary measures and protocols to deal with everything pre, during and post the trial,” said Cunningham. “Following the conclusion of the trial there will a full review done by Ulster Rugby and the IRFU.”
No further comment was made regarding last week’s appearance of Ireland captain Rory Best in the public gallery, but Cunningham did address the departure of Les Kiss, which also occurred last week, as director of rugby and pledged that the alarmingly under-achieving province would now embarking on a significant rebuild.
“Unfortunately, for a variety of different reasons things haven’t panned out the way he [Kiss] and everybody else hoped, so it’s the nature of professional rugby there are changes that happen and there’s change now.
“As far as we’re concerned it’s an opportunity [to] start from the foundations to build back up again.
“We have to try and start delivering a level of consistency week in, week out,” he added.
Regarding the lack of an obvious defence coach in the new Ulster structure, Cunningham revealed that Jared Payne – who is still not available to play – is assisting head coach Jono Gibbes regarding backline defence, while the IRFU would also have an input on a consultancy basis, and it is believed Andy Farrell has already worked with the squad.
A specific defence coach could be in place for next season, though.
After their ruinous Champions Cup exit at Wasps, Ulster badly need to produce a big performance against the Kings, and should have Craig Gilroy back from a fractured cheekbone.

[BlueBlue]

Looking forward to seeing McPhilips play, it would also be nice to see a few new faces get a chance

He has done OK in his appearances so far and it is good when he plays with Cooney as he can take some pressure off him and take the kicks.
Not sure if any others will get included as the best of them are in U20 side for 6 Nations

Good point, I forgot about the U20's being in full swing. The game against the Kings looks like the ideal opportunity for McPhilips.

[Dave Cahill]

Looking forward to seeing McPhilips play, it would also be nice to see a few new faces get a chance

He has done OK in his appearances so far and it is good when he plays with Cooney as he can take some pressure off him and take the kicks.
Not sure if any others will get included as the best of them are in U20 side for 6 Nations

Pro14 ranks above the u20s on the pyramid - provinces can pull their players from the latter for the former

[rooster]

The one other possible 10 is Angus Curtis who was on the bench for U20, would be good if he also got a run out at some stage, we only have 3 more home matches, this week and next then first Friday in March so if he is to play will probably finish up in an away match.

[rooster]

Looking forward to seeing McPhilips play, it would also be nice to see a few new faces get a chance

He has done OK in his appearances so far and it is good when he plays with Cooney as he can take some pressure off him and take the kicks.
Not sure if any others will get included as the best of them are in U20 side for 6 Nations

Pro14 ranks above the u20s on the pyramid - provinces can pull their players from the latter for the former

I know Dave but unless we have a total injury crisis at 10 I doubt they will pull him especially just to be on bench for PRO14

[BlueBlue]

Rooster,

U20's from Ulster involved in the Squad v France, seems these are all the Ulster players in the U20s squad in any case. Any thoughts.

Jonny Stewart (Queen's University/Ulster) Scrum Half

Matthew Dalton (Malone/Ulster), Back Row

Aaron Hall (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Back Row

Tom O'Toole (Banbridge/Ulster) Prop

Angus Kernohan (Ballymena/Ulster) Wing

Angus Curtis (Queen's University/Ulster). Fly Half / Centre

[rooster]

Stewart, Dalton and Curtis are all decent options I don't know a lot about the others but O'Toole is pretty highly rated

[Oldschool]

The one other possible 10 is Angus Curtis who was on the bench for U20, would be good if he also got a run out at some stage, we only have 3 more home matches, this week and next then first Friday in March so if he is to play will probably finish up in an away match.

Who (singular/plural) will select the team.
Is it likely Cunningham will be involved in the selection process?

[rooster]

No idea to be honest how all is going to work.

[rooster]

The one other possible 10 is Angus Curtis who was on the bench for U20, would be good if he also got a run out at some stage, we only have 3 more home matches, this week and next then first Friday in March so if he is to play will probably finish up in an away match.

Who (singular/plural) will select the team.
Is it likely Cunningham will be involved in the selection process?

From comments yesterday by Cunningham the team and tactics will be called by Gibbes, no doubt though that others will have partial input and suggestions.

[rooster]

Looking forward to seeing McPhilips play, it would also be nice to see a few new faces get a chance

He has done OK in his appearances so far and it is good when he plays with Cooney as he can take some pressure off him and take the kicks.
Not sure if any others will get included as the best of them are in U20 side for 6 Nations

Pro14 ranks above the u20s on the pyramid - provinces can pull their players from the latter for the former

Spoke too soon, they have pulled Stewart and Dalton from U20 side, so hope they get decent gametime and not 5 mins from the bench.

[Dave Cahill]

Mystic Dave strikes again!

[rooster]

Mystic Dave strikes again!

Didn't realise we had as many out injured as we have, team will almost pick itself

[neill_m]

Ulster team to play Southern Kings, Guinness PRO14, Kingspan Stadium, Friday 9th February, 7.35pm:
(15-9): C Piutau; C Gilroy, L Marshall, S McCloskey, R Lyttle; J McPhillips, J Cooney;
(1-8): A Warwick, J Andrew, W Herbst, A O'Connor (captain), K Treadwell, M Rea, S Reidy, N Timoney;

(16-23): R Herring, K McCall, R Ah You, M Dalton, C Henry, J Stewart, D Cave, L Ludik.

Casualty List: Andrew Trimble (back), Peter Nelson (hamstring), Callum Black (lower back), Tommy Bowe (sternoclavicular joint), David Busby (hamstring), Marcell Coetzee (knee), Robbie Diack (back), Brett Herron (knee), Jared Payne (migraines), Johnny Simpson (wrist), Schalk van der Merwe (ankle)

[Laighin Break]

Ulster team to play Southern Kings, Guinness PRO14, Kingspan Stadium, Friday 9th February, 7.35pm:
(15-9): C Piutau; C Gilroy, L Marshall, S McCloskey, R Lyttle; J McPhillips, J Cooney;
(1-8): A Warwick, J Andrew, W Herbst, A O'Connor (captain), K Treadwell, M Rea, S Reidy, N Timoney;

(16-23): R Herring, K McCall, R Ah You, M Dalton, C Henry, J Stewart, D Cave, L Ludik.

Casualty List: Andrew Trimble (back), Peter Nelson (hamstring), Callum Black (lower back), Tommy Bowe (sternoclavicular joint), David Busby (hamstring), Marcell Coetzee (knee), Robbie Diack (back), Brett Herron (knee), Jared Payne (migraines), Johnny Simpson (wrist), Schalk van der Merwe (ankle)

Say that three times fast...

[BlueBlue]

Ulster begin life without Les Kiss tomorrow night against the Southern Kings at Kingspan Stadium and new head coach Jonno Gibbes has handed flyhalf Johnny McPhillips his first senior start.



Alan O'Connor will captain the side for the first time from the second row.


Also in the backline, Luke Marshall and Craig Gilroy return from injury lay-offs to earn starting berths at outside centre and right wing respectively.

McPhillips will have experience either side of him in the form of scrumhalf John Cooney and inside centre Stuart McCloskey, while Rob Lyttle and Charles Piutau will join Gilroy in a potent back three combination.


Gibbes has opted for Andy Warwick, John Andrew and Wiehahn Herbst in the front row, with Kieran Treadwell partnering O'Connor at lock. The loose forwards are Matthew Rea, Sean Reidy and Nick Timoney.

Hooker Rob Herring has been released from the Ireland national camp and will provide cover on the bench, while Ireland U20 duo Matthew Dalton and Jonny Stewart are also included among the replacements.


Kyle McCall, Rodney Ah You and Chris Henry are the other forwards included in the match day squad, with Darren Cave and Louis Ludik providing further backline options.

Ulster: (15-9): C Piutau; C Gilroy, L Marshall, S McCloskey, R Lyttle; J McPhillips, J Cooney; (1-8): A Warwick, J Andrew, W Herbst, A O'Connor (captain), K Treadwell, M Rea, S Reidy, N Timoney;


Replacements: (16-23): R Herring, K McCall, R Ah You, M Dalton, C Henry, J Stewart, D Cave, L Ludik.



Some much needed new faces.

[simonokeeffe]

Interesting captaincy pick

[rooster]

Interesting captaincy pick

Yes and no, AOC has a die hard attitude so if the players need wakened up he will do it plus I would expect him to play full 80 mins.

[simonokeeffe]

Interesting captaincy pick

Yes and no, AOC has a die hard attitude so if the players need wakened up he will do it plus I would expect him to play full 80 mins.

the conservative pick wouldve been to start Henry just for the leadership

[rooster]

Interesting captaincy pick

Yes and no, AOC has a die hard attitude so if the players need wakened up he will do it plus I would expect him to play full 80 mins.

the conservative pick wouldve been to start Henry just for the leadership

Sadly Henry's best days are over and would be a big ask to play him for 60 mins or more.