Very,very good from Ulster and with Best , Muller ,Ferris & RP to come into that side . They have the lot , set piece and threat out wide . Young Paddy Jackson continues to grow into the role and his composure for a 20 year old no 10 is something to behold . Gilroy outstanding going forward but his defence is what kept him from touring to NZ , until he sorts that out he will not be involved with Ireland .
When you consider how bad the defensive effort of our lot down under, I'm not sure that argument holds much water. By the way, that's not directed at you. His defence is an area that needs work for sure. However you can look at almost any young player and pick out areas of improvement (Zebo - same). For sheer talent alone, Gilroy should have been on that tour. In many ways for him, it is better he was not.Originally Posted by outside inside
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again (like picking Gordon D'Arcy) and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein
I agree on all counts there. IMO a wingers primary duty is to score first defend second. I am not suggesting a team can carry an outright poor defender but neither Zebo or Gilroy are 'poor' defenders in the sense they cannot/will not tackle. Their defensive problems arise out of unfamiliarity and inexperience which leads to poor positioning on occasion. Their ability to beat players however are second to very few in Ireland currently and that is something Ireland's desperately one paced and predictable backline could do with.
For the record I am not suggesting both should be parachuted in ahead of say Bowe and Earls, provided TB and Earls are on form, but that talent like that has to be developed and nourished. McFadden for example is no winger yet Ireland would rather play him than the aforementioned youngsters on his defensive ability. If Zebo or Gilroy were AB's they'd have 5 caps apiece by now rather than one wasted cap after the first test. I said it then and will do so again, whilst I did not agree with the Zebo over Gilroy call the fact he was brought out should have meant he started two tests at least, ideally three. Dropping him after one test was a farce and an indictment of the conservative culture Team Ireland have developed to their detriment.
Its more than just poor positioning his tackling technique is very poor , contrast him with Jackson who is a lot smaller but who's tackling is top draw he dropped Jamie Roberts tonight as well as their no 8 . Going forward Gilroy is probably the most exciting Irish player at the moment , but do you think he will start the HC matches ahead of Bowe & Trimble ?
Good post. McFadden was found out defensively at wing big time on that tour and his days on the wing for IRL are surely over. Even a conservative like Deccie can't ignore the obvious, can he?
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again (like picking Gordon D'Arcy) and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein
Ulster looking the best of the Irish teams so far, tremendous performance last night. Payne is a serious talent, could be the poach of the century for Ireland when he's eligible. All over the pitch they were very good, Cardiff weren't up to much but you can only play what's in front of you.
Very impressed with Ulster so far this season - expecting good things from them
I realised I was dyslexic when I went to a toga party dressed as a goat
Early days yet but I'm getting to think we are progressing. I'm certainly happy about last night's performance but the thing that I'm happiest about is that with the exception of Afoa and Big Nick every other player is either IQ or a Project. I notice the "Belfast Boks" brigade seem to have gone quiet.
Seriously though, when you see how players like McComb, Stevenson and Tuohy have come on with Muller as a role model and how Paul Marshall and Paddy Jackson have come on last year with Ruan Pienaar then you see the benefit of top class NIQ players to not only a provincial squad but also the international squad.
Careful now...
Commemorate Nevin Spence here -
http://www.mycharity.ie/event/munste..._nevin_spence/
NAH Ulster are in a good place right now enjoy it you have a serious team who are going places .
ULSTER Rugby have moved to sign rising talent, Jake Caulfield on what is understood to be a three year deal.
The 19-year-old has already been involved at Ireland Under-20 level having been invited over for a training camp by the Irish Rugby Football Union.
However, he has already played in an Ulster shirt, having been part of the successful Under-20 side which enjoyed a whitewash in the recent Inter-Provincial Championship and won the title outright for the first time in the Province’s history at this age-group.
It is understood his involvement was seen as a trial, potentially to fill a gap left my Ulster prop, Paddy McAllister, who is out injured for the season.
However, Caulfield, from Weston-Super Mare, who spent two seasons with London Irish before joining the Bristol Academy, has been given a long-term contract at Ravenhill which is significant given the number of up and coming props currently in the system.
Caulfield, who also spent a spell in New Zealand over the summer with the Wellington based Petone, can play both sides of the scrum, he is recognised as a tight head prop.
Although the teenager has played for England at Under-16 and Under-17 level, he qualifies for Ireland due to Irish ancestry.
He first came under the Irish radar with the Under-19s who competed in France before the invitation to train with the Under-20s at national level was extended.
The News Letter revealed the new signing on Twitter on Monday morning with Caulfield later confirming he would be in Belfast, probably by the end of the month.
Caulfield’s agent, Martin Longden from MC Sports Agency, said: “Ulster have been impressed by what they have seen while Jake has been with their Under-20 squad.
“They have shown their belief in his ability by offering him a three-year contract.”
Caulfield is almost certain to be registered for Ulster’s Heineken Cup squad - the Irish launch of the European premier club event will be staged this morning in Dublin.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby ... -1-4322691
Can play both sides of the front row but prefers TH
Ulster sign Henderson to a Full contract.
Ulster Rugby today confirmed that Iain Henderson will remain at the club until June 2015 after signing his first full contract...
The 20 year old has been upgraded from a development contract after impressing the coaching staff with his recent performances.
A former pupil of Belfast Royal Academy, Henderson has represented Ulster and Ireland at numerous underage levels and has progressed through the Ulster Academy system. He played in the previous two IRB Junior World Championships and was one of the standout players in this summer’s tournament in South Africa.
The contract has capped a fantastic few months for the youngster. He made his senior debut for Ulster as a substitute in the RaboDirect PRO12 loss to Connacht in April this year. The following month he marked his first start with a fine individual try against Munster at Thomond Park, a score which came courtesy of an explosive run down the touchline. His third appearance came in the recent 19-48 defeat of Cardiff at the Arms Park, in which he played a huge role.
He said today: “I’m delighted to have signed a new contract with Ulster. I’ve dreamed of being a professional with my home province and it’s fantastic that it’s come to fruition. I’ve learnt a great deal from the coaching staff and senior players here and I can’t wait to continue my development at Ravenhill. There’s a lot of competition in the squad, particularly in the back row, but I want to try and get as many games as possible under my belt.”
Ulster Director of Rugby, David Humpreys, commented:
“Iain is one of the brightest young players in Ireland, he has all the attributes required to be a top class forward and we are delighted to welcome him into the professional set up. We are trying to build a team of home grown players which is capable of competing with and beating the best teams in Europe, and Iain epitomises what we are trying to achieve.
"His performance against Cardiff a couple of weeks ago underlined his massive potential, but also showed that he is able to play at this level now. The exciting thing for us is that he will only get better.”
If he remains fit and well, he will be a beast in the pack for years to come. Impressed by him in last season end-of-season meaningless Munster-Ulster match. Big, fast, good hands - what's not to like for the Ulster fan?
Das ist nicht nur nicht richtig, es ist nicht einmal falsch! "Not only is it not right, it's not even wrong!"[Wolfgang Pauli]
Aye, says a lot when it looks like he's deputising for Fat Nick in the HEC this weekend.
Iain Henderson set to start in Ulsters game v Castres.
"Lads, your not to miss practice unless your parents died or you died" Frank Leahy
Commemorate Nevin Spence here -
http://www.mycharity.ie/event/munste..._nevin_spence/
Outstanding!
Otaga Daily Times 2/5/2012
Taz-Where did you get that information as I have seen nowhere that he(Penney) was ruled out?
Editor - The writer stands by the Penney information.
Otaga Daily Times 3/5/2012
Editor-- This article originally said Rob Penney had missed out on the Munster coaching job. That information was incorrect.
Anyone got a link for the game tonight?
Ferris out with a back spasm?
4 Feb 2011 - Gilmore on the General Election
"Frankfurts way or Labours way."
28 Feb 2012 - Gilmore on a yes vote for the fiscal treaty
"A vote for economic stability and a vote for economic recovery."
Ulster 0 - 3 Castres.
Castres looking strong in the scrum and maul leading up to the penalty.
To The Brave and the Faithful, Nothing is Unpublishable.
http://www.usagoals.com/live/221462-...ivo/tv/gratis/
Its being a bit funky do
Wannenburg completely swallowed there. What a break by Payne, try Trimble!!
Never mind perception because it isn’t real. It’s only what people think. Go out and make them think something else.
- Alan Quinlan on believing in yourself
Great try Trimble but what a player Jared Payne is! 10-3 Todgers.
To The Brave and the Faithful, Nothing is Unpublishable.
Jackson really is turning into a fine flyhalf. That touchline conversion was as sweet and relaxed as you'll see.
Neat little backward pass by Wallace to retain possession for his side as he was being bundled into touch.
Never mind perception because it isn’t real. It’s only what people think. Go out and make them think something else.
- Alan Quinlan on believing in yourself
Some absolutely sublime handlng and subtle little offloads out of the tackle. The absence of Fez isn't bringing them down at all, they already look like they have the game wrapped up.
13-3 on 16 mins.
Never mind perception because it isn’t real. It’s only what people think. Go out and make them think something else.
- Alan Quinlan on believing in yourself
Jackson has looked superb so far. Castres are poor but Ulster look like they have a lot of tries in them.
To The Brave and the Faithful, Nothing is Unpublishable.
Incredible break from Bowe there, Castres lucky they managed to bring him down into touch ten metres from the line.
Never mind perception because it isn’t real. It’s only what people think. Go out and make them think something else.
- Alan Quinlan on believing in yourself
Great line by Bowe
Con Artist
Castres jersey is quite lovely
I am the million man.
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