Tuesday 10th June
PART II
Rory Best 'concerned' by David Humphreys' shock Ulster exit
Rory Best is still digesting the news of David Humphreys' departure from his role as Ulster's director of rugby
Belfast may be almost 7,000 miles away, but a little part of the minds of the Ulster contingent in Argentina are back in Ravenhill at the minute.
The shockwaves caused by the surprise departure of David Humphreys didn't take long to reverberate around Chaco province on Saturday, where news broke a couple of hours before kick-off.
Rory Best heard it via text from Stephen Ferris that morning and got a message from the departing director of rugby after the win over Argentina.
He is still digesting it and will have a proper chat later this week with the former fly-half who is departing for Gloucester after a 22-year association with his native province, but the hooker is both "shocked" and "concerned" by the news and its implications.
In Best's own words, the departing director of rugby "has not just been a part of Ulster rugby, he has been Ulster rugby" who dragged standards in the province up by the bootstraps.
"When you look at what's David's done for us over the last number of years. I remember when he first came in as operations director, we were a bit of a shambles really," Best recalled."We didn't have good players, we weren't signing good players, we didn't have good structures. He came in and changed all of that. He didn't just sign good players, he signed good people."
He is out of the loop, but Best is a major part of the Ulster operation; a key on-field presence and an ambassador off it. "It's bitterly disappointing for us but you have got to wish him all the best, like you do with every player that leaves," he said.
"He runs a lot of the meetings, a lot of the admin stuff around the team as well as sponsorship and signings, so from that side of things the management are coming in over the next week or two and, I suppose, the thing that concerns us is who is making the decisions when you sit down in meetings, who is saying yes or no.
"So, from that side of things it's concerning. There was no good time to do it, but certainly we have a bit of time now.
"There's no signings to be made in the immediate so it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Certainly, I'd be a little bit concerned.
"Finding out before Saturday's Test wasn't, Best admitted, ideal preparation but you wouldn't have known it from the hooker's display.
He nailed 14 throws out of 14 in a line-out that disrupted the opposition ball to boot; while the scrum was dominant.
That pack effort was a major positive in a mixed performance and the 31-year-old expects improvement this week.
"I think defensively we will need to be a lot better. I think in terms of attack we went through the phases really, really well. I think we would like to be more clinical in that green zone, in their 22. We were really, really good at getting there but we just weren't as efficient, something we were really good at in the Six Nations."
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/r ... 41028.html
Marshall facing sideline spell as precaution after head injury
Luke Marshall is being assessed daily by the Ireland medical team, having passed the
tests carried out in the aftermath of the game
Luke Marshall's prior history with concussion means he is being treated as a special case by the Irish medical team as they look to protect the Ulster centre from further injury.
The 23-year-old came off 16 minutes into the second-half of Saturday's first Test win over Argentina with a suspected head injury but tests carried out since revealed he was not concussed.
He is being assessed daily, having passed the tests carried out in the aftermath of the game and further neurocognitive tests on Sunday.
Marshall was stood down from the end of last season after suffering three concussions in a short space of time and he suffered another in March.
"That's why we'd be very careful with Luke," Ireland manager Mick Kearney said yesterday. "He did suffer a number of concussions in a relatively short period of time and got one earlier this year as well, so that's why we are taking every precaution."Indications are that all 29 players who travelled to Argentina will get some involvement in the Test series, so coach Joe Schmidt is likely to give Marshall the week off.
That could mean a first cap for Noel Reid at inside centre, while the Kiwi could also shift Darren Cave to No 12 and play Fergus McFadden outside him, with Ian Madigan also an option.
A dead leg will rule Conor Murray out of training today which could see Eoin Reddan step into the scrum-half slot, although Kieran Marmion impressed last week.
James Cronin and Robbie Diack will hope to start, although it is hard to see Jack McGrath and Rory Best losing out so Dave Kilcoyne and Damien Varley may give way.Rob Kearney, Jamie Heaslip and Devin Toner are likely to come into the team ahead of Felix Jones, Jordi Murphy and Iain Henderson, while Rhys Ruddock will be hoping to displace Diack.
The Irish squad make their way to the city of Tucuman tonight ahead of Saturday's second Test.
And they are in for something of a rude awakening at the Estadio José Fierro."The changing area in Tucuman is like something out of a badly run down club from the 1970s," Kearney said. "It will be a little bit of a challenge, but Tucuman is in the heartland of Argentinian rugby so I'd expect a good crowd, very passionate."
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/m ... 41030.html
Ulster driving force Humphreys will be difficult to replace, cautions Best
Ireland hooker Rory Best was shocked when told David Humphreys was leaving Ulster to become director of rugby with Gloucester.
Best confirmed he only heard the surprise announcement on Saturday when preparing for the opening test against the Pumas and said Humphreys will be difficult to replace at Ravenhill.
“I was very surprised. Obviously he’s had a big association with Ulster rugby, not just for the last few years as director of rugby but since the late 1990s. He’s not just been a part of Ulster rugby, he has been Ulster rugby.
“So, obviously it is a big shock but I suppose he has to do what’s right for him and his family, to experience something new.
“It’s no different from us as players, when opportunities like this come along. You want to finish with no regrets, it’s just something he had to do.
“Obviously, it’s bitterly disappointing but you have got to wish him all the best like you do with every player that leaves,” said Best, adding it ‘wasn’t ideal’ news to find out on the morning of a test match.
Best said Humphreys had been the driving force for the changes in Ulster and they had made huge strides since he took charge.
“We were a bit of a shambles really. We didn’t have good players, we weren’t signing good players, we didn’t have good structures. He really came in and changed all of that. He didn’t just sign good players, he signed good people.
“Gloucester are a little bit further down that road than we were when David came in, but I think if you are Gloucester looking at it, you’d look at the way he’s transformed us, you’d go ‘I wouldn’t mind a piece of that’ and you’d take your chances.”
Best said they have time to find a replacement as most things are in place for next season but they need to find the right man.
“Certainly, I’d be a little bit concerned. You’d like to think the wheels would be in motion to get somebody and it’s important that it’s somebody suitable rather than jumping in and pulling the first fish out of the sea.”
http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugb ... 71596.html
Marshall doubtful for second Pumas test
Luke Marshall is unlikely to play in the second test against Argentina after the Ulster man picked up another head injury in the opening 29-17 win over the Pumas on Saturday.
Ireland team manager Mick Kearney said there was no evidence of concussion, but that the 23-year old would be monitored closely given his history of such injuries.
The centre, who won his sixth cap in Saturday’s win in Resistencia, suffered a bang to the head when making a tackle and he was taken off before the hour mark.
Kearney, indicating doubts also about the half-backs Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton, said Marshall, who has suffered several head injuries in recent years would be closely monitored.
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No formal evidence of concussion , but given his history we will take every precaution necessary and will be assessed on a daily basis.
“He will be assessed day by day and we’ll just have to wait and see. But there was no concussion, all of the tests are clear post-game.
“He did suffer a number of concussions in a relatively short period of time and that’s why we need to be careful.
“He got one earlier this year as well, so there would be a concern and that’s why we are taking every precaution possible.
“It is good that his testing was normal, both post-match and afterwards,” he said.
Conor Murray suffered a dead leg and may not be risked given that the experienced Eoin Reddan and Saturday’s debutant Kieran Marmion are both available.
Jonathan Sexton suffered from cramp to the back of one his knees but is recovering well and is expected to train fully this week.
“It’s great at this stage that we effectively have everyone available apart from Conor who would be the main doubt so we’ll just see as the week goes on ,” added Kearney at the team hotel in Buenos Aires yesterday.
The squad will move north again this evening for Saturday’s clash in Tucuman and it will be another step back in time in terms of facilities for the Six Nations champions.
“The changing area in Tucuman is like something out of a badly rundown club from the 1970s, there are 11 or 12 shower heads and barely enough room to put everyone into the changing room. It’s very, very poor.
“It will be a little bit of a challenge, but the pitch is a lot better than Saturday’s. Tucuman is in the heartland of Argentinian rugby so I’d expect a good crowd, very passionate.
“Argentina had seven new caps at the weekend, a lot of local players and that would bring them on massively but I’d expect that we’ll be better come next weekend as well,” added the Ireland team manager.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugb ... 71595.html
Luke Marshall a major doubt for Ireland’s second Test against Argentina
Ireland's Luke Marshall is tackled by Joaquin Tuculet of Argentina last weekend
Ireland will be taking no chances with Ulster centre, Luke Marshall after he took another blow to the head during the first Test against Argentina.
Although there is no evidence of concussion, given Marshall’s past history of similar injuries, he is likely to miss this weekend’s second Test as Ireland look to complete 2-0 series win.
Tries from Chris Henry and Andrew Trimble helped Ireland to a 29-17 win over the Pumas.
But it also came at a heavy prices with halfbacks, Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton, joining Marshall on the doubtful list for Saturday’s second Test in Tucuman.
Team manager Mick Kearney said there was no evidence of concussion in Marshall but that he would be monitored closely given his history of suffering similar injuries.
The 23-year old Ulsterman was clattered in a tackle while winning his sixth cap on Saturday and had to go off after 57 minutes.
Kearney said: “Luke Marshall was removed as a precaution as he may have taken a blow to the head during the game. Testing came back as normal and his computerised neurocognitive testing was normal as well.
“As such there is no formal evidence of concussion but given his history we’ll be taking every precaution necessary and he will be reassessed on a daily basis.
“Conor Murray suffered a dead leg but is responding well. He will be assessed as the week goes on and is unlikely to train in the early part of the week.
“Jonny Sexton suffered a cramp at the back of his knee and has recovered well and is expected to train fully.
“We came through the game very well. Most of the players actually hadn’t played for three weeks. So we probably went in just a little bit undercooked in terms of game time and that.
“But they came through it really well, from an injury profile point of view it was actually a good outcome as well.”
The Irish squad returned to Buenos Aires from Resistencia on Sunday and will spend two nights in the capital before heading back north for the concluding test in Tucuman.
Kearney said they were pleased with Saturday’s first-ever win on Argentinian soil but feels there is still room for improvement.
“The set-piece was very strong,” he added. “The scrum was good, 14 line-outs won out of 14 and we pinched a few of theirs as well.
“We were a little bit sloppy in defence and they made a few line-breaks. A few handling errors as well.
“I think it was probably a little bit of a mixed bag”
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby ... -1-6108942
David Humphreys’ departure came as major shock to Ulster players Gerry T
‘It’s bitterly disappointing for us but you have got to wish him all the best’ says Rory Best
The Ulster players only heard the seismic news of David Humphreys ending his 22-year association with the province as a legendary out
half and latterly as director of rugby on Saturday morning in Corrientes before the first test against Argentina.
It must assuredly have prompted huge discussion among the Ulster players, but in any event, days later, they are evidently still struggling to come to terms with his departure to Gloucester.
“Ach, I was very surprised,” admitted Rory Best yesterday. “Obviously he’s had a big association with Ulster rugby, not just for the last few years as director of rugby but since the late 1990s. He’s not just been a part of Ulster rugby, he has been Ulster rugby.
“So, obviously it is a big shock when something like this happens, but I suppose he has to do what’s right for him and his family if he felt he needed a change, to experience something new.
“ It’s no different from us as players, when opportunities like this come along. Obviously, it’s bitterly disappointing for us but you have got to wish him all the best like you do with every player that leaves.”
Humphreys had not wanted the news to break before the game, and texted Best and co afterwards, but it inevitably broke beforehand, with the recently retired Stephen Ferris texting his former team-mates.
Instrumental figure
Normally the head coach is the key figure in any Irish professional set-up, but Ulster’s module is more akin to premiership clubs, and Humphreys had been Ulster’s most instrumental figure, not least with his recruitment of quality players.
His departure leaves a huge void and coming on top of Johann Muller’s retirement and the departures of John Afoa and Tom Court, creates a highly uncertain future for the province.
Best corrected himself when admitting it was different from a player leaving.
“He runs a lot of the meetings, a lot of the admin stuff around the team, as well as sponsorship and signings. I suppose the thing that concerns us is who is making the decisions when you sit down in meetings, who is saying yes or no.”
“But we have a good group of people there,” he added, in reference to the coaching staff and chief executive Shane Long. “You’d like to think the wheels would be in motion to get somebody and it’s important that it’s somebody suitable rather than jumping in and pulling the first fish out of the sea that we can.
“There was no good time to do it, but certainly we have a bit of time now. There’s no signings to be made in the immediate future so it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Certainly, I’d be a little bit concerned.”
The performance of the Ulster players was all the more creditable, with Best’s darts and the aerial ability and hands of Robbie Diack, Iain Henderson and Chris Henry contributing to a 14 out of 14 return from line-outs.
“His hands are exceptional,” Best said of Diack. “You know if you put it somewhere near him he’s going to catch it; whether it’s one hand or two, he will get enough to it to catch it.”
Best was also quick to highlight the roles of the departing John Plumtree and Paul O’Connell. “Last season he wasn’t playing and we suffered a little bit from it as a result. I think as much as anything it’s the experience he brings and the calm head.”
Fears that Luke Marshall may have suffered concussion appear to have been dispelled but given the 23-year-old’s history he will be assessed on a daily basis.
The Irish manager Mick Kearney said: “Luke Marshall was removed as a precaution as he may have taken a blow to the head during the game.
Precaution
“All testing post-game was normal and his computerised neurocognitive testing yesterday [Sunday] was normal as well. As such there is no formal evidence of concussion, but given his history we’ll be taking every precaution necessary and he will be reassessed on a daily basis.”
Before the squad’s flight to Tucuman today for Saturday’s second test, Conor Murray’s dead leg is a bigger concern than the cramp Johnny Sexton suffered in the back of his knee, Kearney admitting: “Conor is the biggest doubt.”
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/d ... -1.1826413
OTHER
All eyes on Switzerland as new Euro tournament drawn
Ulster will know their fate in Europe on Tuesday when the draw for the inaugural European Rugby Champions Cup takes place in Switzerland.
The competition marks a new chapter in the history of European rugby and sees a reduction in teams taking part from 24 to 20.
PRO12 champions Leinster, French Top 14 champions and Heineken Cup winners, Toulon and Saracens are three of the top seeds.
They will be joined by two other teams from English champions, Northampton Saints, PRO12 runners-up, Glasgow Warriors and French side, Castres Olympique.
The remainder of the tiers will then be established and it appears Ulster, who finished fourth in the PRO12, will be in tier Three.
While the PRO12 and French Top 14 rankings were determined by final league placing and qualification for knockout stages, the Aviva Premiership clubs are ranked according to their positions at the end of the regular season.
It means Northampton Saints, who defeated league toppers Saracens in the final, could find themselves in Tier Two.
The comeptition is made up this season of seven Premiership and PRO12 clubs and six from France.
Five groups of four clubs each will be drawn and play home and away games as was the format of the former Heineken Cup.
The five group winners plus three best runners-up will advance to the quarter-finals.
The format will see a draw at the start to establish which two clubs ranked number two from each competing league join Saracens, Toulon and Leinster in Tier 1 .
The other tiers will then be established, based on rankings.
The key principles for the draw are:
Each of the five pools will have at least one club from each of the three Leagues.
Each of the five pools will have one club from each of the four tiers.
There will be no more than two clubs from the same League in a pool.
No pool will contain two PRO12 clubs from the same country.
Clubs from the same League will be kept apart until the allocation of the Tier 4 clubs.
In Tier 4, Sales Sharks and London Wasps will be drawn into pools which contain one other Premiership club while Toulouse will be drawn into a pool which contains one other Top 14 club.
The European Rugby Champions Cup replaced the Heineken Cup which ran for 19 seasons and ended in Cardiff at the end of May when Toulon defeated Saracens in the final.
After almost two years of negotiations, a new competition was forged in April comprising nine stakeholders - the six unions of competing teams, plus Premiership Rugby, France’s Ligue Nationale de Rugby and Regional Rugby Wales - in addition to the Challenge Cup and a third qualifiying tournament.
European Rugby Champions Cup teams: Saracens, Toulon, Leinster, Northampton, Castres, Glasgow, Leicester, Montpellier, Munster, Harlequins, Racing Metro, Ulster, Bath, Clermont Auvergne, Ospreys, Sale Sharks, Toulouse, Scarlets, Wasps, Treviso.
European Rugby Challenge Cup teams: Stade Francais, Exeter, Cardiff Blues, Bordeaux-Begles, Gloucester, Edinburgh, Brive, London Irish, Newport Gwent Dragons, Bayonne, Newcastle, Connacht, Grenoble, London Welsh, Zebre, Oyonnax, Lyon, La Rochelle, plus two qualifiers to emerge from competition in September.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby ... -1-6108944