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Ulster Rugby News |
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Ulster name team for Worcester
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Matt Williams today named an extended team to take on Worcester Warriors at Ravenhill tomorrow night. .
The front row sees Tom Court and Bryan Young swap positions from last week, with Court starting at loose head prop and Young at tight head. Rory Best does not feature in the squad and is replaced by Nigel Brady as hooker for the side.
In the second row, Italian International Carlo Del Fava will start alongside former RBAI captain Ryan Caldwell. The back row is entirely different from last week with Matt McCullough, Kieron Dawson and Chris Henry all starting, thus relegating Thomas Anderson and Robbie Diack to the bench, David Pollock drops out of the squad.
The backline is transformed with only Paddy Wallace and Timoci Nagusa surviving from the Reds game. Paul Marshall and Paddy Wallace form the half back partnership with Mark McCrea and Nagusa on either wing. Ulster Rugby player and new backs coach Paul Steinmetz, is named alongside Irish International Andrew Trimble in the mid field.
With Williams naming eleven replacements, it looks like he is keen to try out more players ahead of the start of the Magners League next Friday, when Ulster take on Llanelli Scarlets at Ravenhill.
Ulster: (15-9) B Cunningham; T Nagusa, A Trimble, P Steinmetz, M McCrea; P Wallace, P Marshall; (1-8) T Court; N Brady, B Young, C Del Fava, R Caldwell, M McCullough, K Dawson(Capt),C Henry
Replacements: S Philpott, J Fitzpatrick, R Diack, W Faloon, C Willis, T Anderson, I Humphreys, I Whitten, C Cochrane, N O'Connor, R Dewey
Worcester: (15-9) C Latham, R Gear, D Rasmussen, S Tuitupou, M Benjamin, M Jones, M Powell; (1-8) M Mullan, A Lutui, T Taumoepeau, W Bowley, C Gillies, T Wood, P Sanderson (c), N Talei
Replacements: C Horsman, S Ruwers, C Fortey, G Kitchener, K Horstmann, J Collins, R Powell, J Carlisle, L Crichton, M Garvey, C Pennell
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Ulster sweep past the Reds
24 - 0
The Ulstermen proved too strong for the down-under visitors, as they controlled most of the game and prevented the Reds from scoring. The four new signings from the southern hemisphere played exceptionally well, notably Robbie Diack and Clinton Schifcofske.
The 1st half was a close game, bar a penalty from Schifcofske , however in the 2nd, Ulster developed much more attacking lines of running, with added penetration, Rob Dewey managing to touch down after a dynamic run by yer man Schifcofske.
Ulster Academy replacement Chris Cochrane touched down from a great offload by Darren Cave, Schifcofske was on hand again for the conversion. In the final minutes, Paddy Wallace just missed grounding the ball, but Timoci Nagusi finally scored after several missed chances, with Paddy Wallace closing the game off to bring the score to a well-deserved 24 nil.
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Steiner confirmed as player/coach
With more of a whimper than a shout, Paul Steinmetz was confirmed as the new backs coach for Ulster Rugby. Although previously mentioned as an aside by CEO Michael Reid, Ulster confirmed that the dynamic and intelligent rugby player was taking a more influential role within the team as well as carrying on his playing career.
Steinmetz said; “For me this is a huge opportunity to potentially bridge the gap between being a professional player and having a proper job as a coach. The last few years I have found myself much more interested in coaching and during training I would analyse the coaching style and think a lot about what makes a good coach, so I guess in that sense I have been interested in the coaching side of things.
The biggest fear I had about the shift in my role was whether or not the players would listen to me, but so far they seem to be keen to listen so that is great. Coaching was never a life time ambition for me but certainly at the end of this season I will be looking more into which direction I go on.
I am learning a lot working alongside Matt, Steve, Neil and the rest of the management and support staff, there is plenty of knowledge to draw on every day”
Read more
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Ulster Rugby News |
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Danielli OUT!
Ulster's scottish winger Simon Danielli faces a three-month lay-off after suffering a grade two tear of his anterior cruciate ligament during training on Tuesday. A medical scan later confirmed the full extent of the damage. .
Danielli, who had originally been named in the starting line-up for the friendly against Queensland Reds tonight looks set to miss Ulster’s first seven Magners League games as well as the Heineken Cup clashes against Stade Francais and NEC Harlequins.
“It is a grade two tear of his ACL. He doesn’t need an operation but it requires a 12-week rehabilitation period,” said Ulster coach Matt Williams.
Ulster Academy star Chris Cochrane will come into the side in place of Danielli for tonight’s game.
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Team named to take on Queensland Reds
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Matt Williams has named a strong side for the Reds clash with three Irish internationals starting. In the backline former Reds star Clinton Schifcofske starts at fullback with Fijian international Nagusa and Danielli on the wings.
In the centre Darren Cave partners Paddy Wallace with Ian Humphreys making his 1st Ulster start, alongside Isaac Boss at half back.
The front row sees the return of Captain Rory Best and loose head prop Bryan Young while Tom Court stays at tight-head. In second row former Reds player Ed O'Donoghue joins Carlo Del Fava. There's a strong back row with Matt McCullough, David Pollock and Robbie Diack making the grade.
Ulster : (15-9) C Schifcofske; T Nagusa, D Cave, P Wallace, S Danielli; I Humphreys, I Boss; (1-8) B Young, R Best(C), T Court, E O'Donoghue, C D Fava, M McCullough, D Pollock, R Diack
Replacements (16-22) N Hanna, J Carey, T Anderson, C Henry, C Willis, R Dewey, B Cunningham
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Legend! |
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The rise and fall of Neil Best
Love him or hate him, Neil Best was a son of Ulster who performed at the highest level, both domestic and internationally. Read the thoughts on the rise and fall of Neil Best.
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Away Information |
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Going to Harlequins?
Check out the latest information for travelling fans to the first Heineken Cup Round game against the Quins at the Stoop. Tickets are on sale already from the Harlequins website.
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1st round dates announced!
The fixtures, dates and kick-off times for the first four rounds of the 2008/09 Heineken Cup were announced today.
Ulster's first game is against French Giants Stade Français at Ravenhill on Sat 11th October. The match will be screened on SKY Sporrts at 15.30
The rest of the rounds are:
ROUND 2 SAT 18 OCTOBER, 2008
Pool 4 Harlequins v Ulster Rugby 15.00
ROUND 3 FRI 5 DECEMBER, 2008
Pool 4 Ulster Rugby v Llanelli Scarlets 20.00 Sky Sports
ROUND 4 FRI 12 DECEMBER, 2008
Pool 4 Llanelli Scarlets v Ulster Rugby 20.00 S4C* / Sky Sports** / Sky Italia
ROUND 5 16 / 17 / 18 JANUARY, 2009
Pool 4 Ulster Rugby v Harlequins
ROUND 6 23 / 24 / 25 JANUARY, 2009
Pool 4 Stade Français Paris v Ulster Rugby
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Magners league News |
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Ulster Fixtures announced!
Ulster's Magners League fixtures have been announced. Some problems still exist with the league fixture format, as Ulster have 6 home games including 4 in a row in the first half of the season and 3 the next.
Ulster's first game is at home against the Llanelli Scarlets, with a Christmas fixture at home this year against Leinster.
Heineken Cup fixtures are due to be relesed soon.
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New Kukri competition
The UAFC, in conjunction with Ulster Rugby’s new kit suppliers, Kukri have a new competition for our members.
Each and every month, Kukri have kindly offered to supply one lucky member with a great prize. Prizes include sportswear and/or tickets for an Ulster Rugby game. Cash alternbatives are not available.
So to kick it off in style, the first prize up for grabs is a Home Ulster Shirt worth £50. If you're not a member and want to take part you can join here
Enter the competition
Fans wanted for TV show!
One Question, One Challenge, One Grand!
Vision Independent Productions requires participants to take part in their new Sunday Evening Programme for RTE 1.
The object of the game involves studio contestants talking to various members of the public via the Internet ( Skype, MSN etc..) who will help them with one question and one challenge.
Do both correctly helping them on the trail to €25K and you could pocket €1K, from the comfort of your own home.
The question will be of a general knowledge type and the challenge will be something quite simple and very achievable.
We're looking for people who converse with their friends and family over the Internet on a regular basis.
If you have a good sense of humour, a bit of general knowledge and most of all are up for a challenge;
Contact us on Quizwebcam@gmail.com
Please include your SKYPE/MSN/ contact details and a contact phone number.
If you would like to be part of the audience;
Contact: Quizwebcam@gmail.com
To see a promo of the Show check out
www.visionindependentproductions.com
*You must have access to broadband and have a web cam.
*Applicants must be 18 or over to take part in the programme.
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New look UAFC is better than ever...
Theres been a new update to the UAFC website, and we hope you like it. Of course we're still in Beta version, so any errors spotted, please let us know using the technobabble forum on the messageboard. Some pages have yet to be transformed. Some won't be!!! But, we'll try our best to make your user experience a good one. let us know what you think using the contact form.
There are new features as well as a new competition each month in conjunction with Ulster Rugby’s new kit suppliers,Kukri. This month, one lucky member can win a new
Ulster home shirt. Keep an eye out for details soon.
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Ulster Rugby News |
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Confirmed at
last!
Brendon James
(BJ) Botha signs
Springbok World
Cup winner Brendon James Botha has signed
a three year contract with Ulster Rugby,
which will see the tight head start the 2008/09
season at Ravenhill.
The South African
born powerhouse, better known as BJ Botha
(28) has established himself as an integral
part of both his Country and his Club front
row and Ulster Rugby Chief Executive Michael
Reid thanked Brendon’s former club in South
Africa for their assistance during contractual
negotiations;
“We’ve been working alongside Natal Sharks for a number of months now and I would
like to thank, in particular, my counter-part at the club, Brian Van Zyl for
his assistance in releasing Brendon early from his contract which was not due
to expire until the end of this calendar year”
Formally of South Africa's Natal Sharks, the 117kg (18st 4llb) 182cm (5ft 11 ½ inches)
juggernaut, is highly rated by his peers as a technically sound and powerful
scrummager. Botha, who was part of South Africa's 2007 World Cup wining squad,
realised his full potential last year when he was rewarded with a well-deserved
Springbok selection and three Tri-Nations caps, winning both games he started.
He also played in all 13 Super 14 matches in the 06/07 season, and is one cap
shy of a half century in South Africa's domestic Currie Cup.
BJ Botha
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UAFC News |
New UAFC Online Store
Due to the demand for t-shirts, and other UAFC goodies, we've teamed up with an online supplier to sell some UAFC-branded stuff.
Check out our new Online store, and if you're quick enough there will still be time to fill the Christmas stocking.
The UAFC team
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Supporters Blog
Follow the trials and salubriations of one fans efforts to follow the team through Thick 'n Thin, as he catches the Big Yellow Bus all the way to Galway... or...erm... not... as the case may be.
Read on...
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New Video Replays
Enjoy watching all the tries and scores for Ulster here on the UAFC.
All the UAFC video replays will begin to appear inline as a small popup in the centre of your screen. Older videos are still encoded to be viewed externally.
Both Broadband and Dialup versions are available, but it may be necessary to have Windows Media Player™ to help view these. Video Replays can be viewed here |
