Ulster 2019-2020

[FLIP]

Ulster Rugby have announced that Iain Henderson has been named as the province’s captain for the 2019/20 season.

The 27-year-old, who is currently in Ireland’s training squad ahead of the upcoming Rugby World Cup, has represented his native Ulster on 105 occasions.

Henderson started his rugby journey at Academy RFC, before continuing his development at Belfast Royal Academy. His talent was further nurtured in the Abbey Insurance Ulster Academy and he played club rugby for Queen’s University and Ballynahinch.

The versatile forward represented Ulster and Ireland at various age-grade levels and made his senior provincial debut in April 2012 against Connacht.

Henderson has grown immensely in stature since then and has become a key figure for Ulster and Ireland, winning 44 caps for the latter. He played in four of Ireland’s games during the 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam success and also featured prominently in 2014 and 2015 Championship wins.

His excellent form at provincial and international level was rewarded with a call up to the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2017.

https://www.irishrugby.ie/2019/07/25/he ... w-captain/

[cormac]

Ulster getting hammered in Bloemfontein.

49-7 with half an hour left to play

[Dexter]

Ulster getting hammered in Bloemfontein.

49-7 with half an hour left to play

Think they are at 20+ missed tackles already. Shocking stuff.

[cormac]

They got hosed but still managed to pick up a 4-try bonus point.

63-26 FT

[enby]

Ulster were absolutely rank especially in the pack. Perhaps the altitude and long journey took their toll but they were incredibly off the pace against a typically abrasive Cheetahs 8. I suppose they did well to eke out a tbp at the end thanks to some sympathetic reffing.

Cheetahs do look like a proper side and if they manage to put together a few wins on the road they will make the playoffs as they will rack up the 5 pointers from their home games

[Morf]

I don't think I can emphasize enough how tough playing @1400m in Bloem is compared to sea level even for top level athletes.

Cheetahs are going to be seriously hard to beat at home.

[Twist]

Typically awesome defensive work from Stockdale. What a way to win

[Logorrhea]

Typically awesome defensive work from Stockdale. What a way to win

Running back to fill the gap he created by shooting out and missing it by a mile.

[Twist]

Typically awesome defensive work from Stockdale. What a way to win

Running back to fill the gap he created by shooting out and missing it by a mile.

Never in doubt

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Addison was the one who got caught in no man's land. Stockdale rushing up caused a forward pass, not sure how it was missed. It was great defending from him and he did it all through the game. He was very quiet with ball in hand but defensively he was excellent and that last play was magic.

Addison was so mixed again. He had that awful defensive error at the end, missed the tackle really poorly for the Bath try, and dropped three high balls. As much as he was a threat with the ball and set up the try for Lyttle he makes an awful lot of errors. I find he often tries to turn 3 on 2s into 3 on 1s and missing out of the opportunity because of it. If he just gave an early pass every time instead of trying to run around someone and then trying to force a pass he'd be much better off.

It'll be interesting to see how they go next week. Clermont look as powerful and sharp as ever and I'm not sure that Ulster have the pack to cope. I'd be surprised if Lyttle plays but the idea of him up against Raka is...interesting.

[Twist]

I’d say they’re travelling more in hope than anything else. I know it’s very early days but with the final in the south of France I’d say Clermont will put everything into Europe.

Agree on Addison being mixed yesterday. It’s not a trend I’ve noticed with him before

[tomthefan]

I think that was the first time I've seen a lot of empty spaces at Clermont for a HC game and so the atmosphere wasn't as raucous as usual.

[ronk]

Was that Cooney who floored the no. 8 with a shoulder charge as he was making the pass?

[Ruckedtobits]

Was that Cooney who floored the no. 8 with a shoulder charge as he was making the pass?

Whilst Cooney and the No 8 collided, IMO Dellagio's interpretation on BT Sport was that this was an illegal "shoulder charge", which took out the supporting player. Cooney was on a diagonal cover line and the No 8 was in support of his winger who was ahead of him. A ' non-consequential collision' would have been my interpretation.

[Oldschool]

Three times Clermont have grubber kicked in behind Ulster.
And three times it's been touch and go.
Last time it was nearly a try.
Addison was very slow to cross.
Coach needs to get a message out there asap.

[OTT]

The Leinster contingent playing well for Ulster, JP Doyle just pipping Jordi for player of the first half, he has given them everything.

[Twist]

Should be further ahead though

[wixfjord]

The Leinster contingent playing well for Ulster, JP Doyle just pipping Jordi for player of the first half, he has given them everything.

He has certainly evened that up in second half.

Totally ignored offside line from Clermont.

[Dave Cahill]

Clermont gonna Clermont.


If they're looking for their bottle, its probably in Marty Moores pocket along with Slimani

[blockhead]

Billy Burns is much improved from last season I must say.
Great win for the wildlings, all 18pts from Leinster old boys.