What the Papers Say 2015/2016

[BaggyTrousers]

Good work Mac............... but ................lose the gowl, bring back the madness.

[Mac]

Monday 15th June 2015



Ulster fans vote Craig Gilroy their Bank of Ireland Player of the Season

Fans on the Ulster Rugby Facebook page have voted Craig Gilroy as their Bank of Ireland Player of the Season.

The Ulster coaches nominated Rory Best, Darren Cave and Gilroy for the award and the Ulster and Ireland winger polled just under half of the 600 votes cast.

The award comes after a season in which the winger finished joint top of the PRO12 try scoring charts with 11 tries.

He also won the PRO12 try of the Year award for his try against Scarlets in February.

Bank of Ireland ran a monthly competition throughout the season for ‘player of the month’ and the winners included Cave, Rob Herring, Stuart McCloskey and Stuart Olding.

One fan will be chosen to present Craig with his prize next month when the players return to Kingspan Stadium for pre-season training.

Well done to Craig and thank you to everyone that voted!

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... ason-.aspx





Rugby star Tommy Bowe weds former Miss Wales Lucy Whitehouse at lavish Carmarthenshire ceremony

It may well be the try of his life for British Lion Tommy Bowe.

The Ulster and Ireland Rugby star has officially tied the knot with his girlfriend, former Miss Wales Lucy Whitehouse.

The former Osprey said “I do” in a lavish ceremony at the Corran Resort and Spa in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, on Saturday.

And although the couple looked happier than ever during their wedding, hearts have been breaking on both sides of the Irish sea.

Fans of the rugby star took to Twitter to share their heartbreak that Bowe is officially off the market.

But no one could doubt that the former Miss Wales looked stunning in a strapless white floor-length gown with a sweetheart line and a long veil.

Their wedding, attended by several names from the Ospreys team, came more than a year after Tommy popped the question during the Easter break in 2014.

The ceremony, held in the home town of Wales’ most iconic writer Dylan Thomas, was the perfect conclusion to the engagement which also began in West Wales.

'His proposal came as a great surprise'

Tommy, 31, had proposed to Lucy while on a break in stunning Pembrokeshire.

“We were strolling on the perfect beach in Wales. I don’t want to say which beach it was, but it is in Pembrokeshire and it is one of the top 10 beaches in the world,” Lucy told WalesOnline, following the engagement.

“It was the perfect setting and a lovely day. But it still came as a great surprise. It was really romantic and I was delighted to accept.”

The couple – who live in Belfast, where Lucy works as a nurse – were unprepared for the headline-grabbing scale of the reaction in Ireland after posting the news on Facebook.

“It has been hectic since the news broke,” she added.

Reluctant heartthrob Tommy, who in 2011 was voted the Sexiest Man in Ireland, once joked their relationship was like that of hit sitcom couple Gavin and Stacey because Lucy is originally from the female star’s hometown of Barry.

The couple met through friends at Tommy’s previous regional side, Ospreys, in 2011 and took their romance slowly.

But the force of true love soon saw the pair move in together. After commuting for a few months, Lucy eventually moved to Ireland to live with Tommy in September 2013.

'Everyone had great fun'

Peter Burnett, managing director of The Corran Resort and Spa, described the wedding as ‘stunning’.

“There were around 170 guests and there was a fantastic and intimate atmosphere, with what is a wonderful backdrop.

“The restaurant, which has doubled in size in the last month, was like a church as Lucy walked in.

“The family were delighted. I know for Lucy, she wouldn’t have married anywhere else. The family said tying the knot here in Wales was always something she had wanted to do.”

Even the grey skies and intermittent showers on Saturday didn’t dampen anyone’s spirit.

“I don’t think the bouncy castle was used as much as had been planned,” added Mr Burnett. “But otherwise everyone had great fun.

“There were lots of rugby players from Ireland and Wales, from Tommy’s Ospreys days, including Irish hooker, Rory Best, Wales stars Jonathan Thomas, Huw Bennett, as well as Ian Evans and Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips.

“It was cracking day and we are delighted to have hosted such a lovely wedding here. It was the perfect union of Celtic nations, in every way.”

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/ ... ds-9451922

http://www.independent.ie/style/wedding ... 00983.html

http://www.u.tv/Entertainment/2015/06/1 ... ales-39072

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... 01287.html

[Russ]

His kids had better be Irish

[big mervyn]

I thought the Munster fans had stitched up thon Try of the Season thing.

[Mac]

Thursday 18th June 2015

........playing catch up !



Ulster drawn with Saracens, Toulouse and Oyonnax in Champions Cup

Ulster have been drawn alongside Aviva Premiership Champions, Saracens, four-time European Champions, Toulouse, and tournament debutants Oyonnax in Pool 1 of next season’s Champions Cup.

The draw was made at the competition’s new headquarters in Neuchatel, Switzerland and was conducted by Dimitri Yachvili and Ieuan Evans.

Ulster have met Saracens, led by ex Ulster player and coach, Mark McCall, at the quarter final stage on two occasions in recent seasons.

In 2013, the province lost 27 to 16 at Twickenham, while in 2014, Ulster lost by just two points after despite being down to 14 men for 75 minutes of the match.

Ulster have also met the English side in 2000, 2001 and 2005.

Toulouse and Ulster have met on seven occasions in European competition with both teams having recorded three wins and the sides having drawn in October 2000.

Ulster last hosted Toulouse at Kingspan Stadium in October 2006 with two tries from Andrew Trimble helping the province to a 30 points to 3 victory.

Fellow French side Oyonnax will be making their first trip to Belfast having qualified for the Champions Cup for the first time.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... s-Cup.aspx



Ulster drawn into difficult group in Champions Cup pool stages along with the best teams in Europe
http://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/rugb ... ns-9475573



Ulster wing aces Gilroy and Trimble won't take on world: Corrigan

Giant aim: former Ireland international Reggie Corrigan gets up close and personal with the Webb Ellis Trophy at the Giant’s Causeway as part of trophy’s pre-World Cup tour

Former Ireland international Reggie Corrigan is predicting World Cup heartache for two Ulster wingers when Joe Schmidt names his squad for the upcoming tournament.

Andrew Trimble has not played any rugby since October after suffering a toe injury in the Pro12 encounter against Glasgow and Corrigan fears that it may have cost the 30-year-old his place on the game's biggest stage.

And with competition for places in the back-three so fierce, Corrigan also foresees disappointment for Craig Gilroy, despite the young wing having had such a notable campaign for Ulster.

Having come in from the cold after falling out of favour with previous coach Declan Kidney, Trimble starred in last year's victorious Six Nations campaign, with Leinster's Dave Kearney on the opposite wing, but neither were fit to take part this time around, with Tommy Bowe and Simon Zebo lining up either side of fullback Rob Kearney.

"Andrew has been very unfortunate," said the 47-times capped prop who was accompanying the Webb Ellis trophy on the first day of its tour through Nothern Ireland.

"I met him there during the Six Nations and was talking to him about it then.

"You look at last year's tournament (the 2014 Six Nations), when he didn't even look like he was going to get into the squad and then he was one of the players of the tournament.

"It was an incredible turnaround for him, but I think that maybe the injury is going to cost him a place sadly."

Gilroy, who was voted as Ulster's Player of the Year, won the last of his six caps against Georgia in November last year, but Corrigan feels the 24-year-old's resurgence has come just too late.

"Craig Gilroy is such an exciting young player, but Joe has so much choice in that back-three and Simon Zebo really seems to be in favour," he reflected.

"It's going to be tough for anyone to force their way into that squad, but between now and the end of August anything can happen.

"It's so strong at the moment, and the areas you're looking at are so competitive, it's going to be really tough to break into that squad from the outside now."

One Ulsterman that Corrigan does expect to be heavily relied upon by Schmidt come the autumn is Rory Best and the Dubliner is fulsome in his praise for his fellow front-rower.

"Rory Best at hooker, he's such an important character for Ulster, obviously captaining the side and for Ireland as well," said Corrigan.

"His performances of late have been incredible so he really would be one that Joe is going to look to."

Ireland will enter the tournament on the crest of a wave having won back-to-back Six Nations titles for the first time since 1949 and if they can carry that form into a pool that contains France, Italy, Romania and Canada, then Corrigan believes that anything is possible.

"I genuinely feel that we're semi-final contenders," he enthused.

"The way that Ireland have been playing, and the way that the coaching staff are able to analyse opposition and come up with game-plans, I really do think there's a great chance.

"Without putting too much pressure on the squad, they probably set that standard themselves and would be expecting that.

"Once you get to the semi-finals of any competition, with the quality we've seen, and the way we've seen Ireland play against top quality opposition in the recent past, there's no reason they couldn't make the final."

Having played in both the 1999 and 2003 editions of the tournament, Corrigan stresses, however, that a World Cup provides a unique kind of challenge.

"The thing with a tournament like the World Cup is, it only comes around every four years," he said.

"If the Six Nations doesn't go well, then there's always next year, but a lot of these players are going into the games knowing, if they lose, there may not be another chance at the World Cup.

"It's a different kind of pressure."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 08106.html



Gloucester: David Humphreys defends Jonny Bell appointment

Gloucester director of rugby David Humphreys has defended the appointment of Jonny Bell as defence coach.

Bell, who arrives from Ulster rugby, replaces John Muggleton, who helped Australia win the World Cup in 1999.

Muggleton's exit is the one change this summer to the coaching set up.

"We are in a better place then we were when he first arrived, but I do believe Jonny will add something different and in 12 months we will be better again," Humphreys told BBC Radio Gloucester.

He previously worked with Bell at Ulster, but admitted that dispensing with Muggleton was a "big decision".

Humphreys continued: "We, as a club, are looking for stability in our playing group and to strengthen all the time and the same applies to your management group. We are always looking for opportunities to make our team stronger and where we can ultimately affect performances, which will ultimately affect results.

"When the decision was first made to bring Muggleton in, it was with a view to seeing how things went with him, it was with a view to seeing how things transpired. As the season went on discussions were had and we believe bringing Jonny in is something that will make us a stronger squad."

Humphreys said Bell would relish the opportunity awaiting him at Kingsholm as Gloucester look to improve on ninth-place in the Premiership next season.

"He is a very excited about the new challenge and I am very excited about welcoming him to Gloucester and looking forward to see the impact he will have on our playing group over the course of the next few months," he added.

"The decision was made a few months ago and he have been very aware of what's been happening in Gloucester. He and I have had a number of discussions around what I believe needs to be done to improve our defence."

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/33164461



European Champions Cup: Ulster face Saracens and Toulouse

Presseye

Ulster have been drawn against English champions Saracens and French teams Toulouse and Oyonnax in next season's European Champions Cup pool stage.

The Kingspan Stadium side will hope it's third time lucky against Saracens, who defeated Ulster in the 2013 and 2014 quarter-finals.

Ulster are in Pool 1 while Munster will go up against Stade Francais, Leicester and Treviso in Pool 4.

Leinster face holders Toulon in a difficult Pool 5 with Bath and Wasps.

It will be an early return to Dublin for Ireland captain Paul O'Connell, who completed a two-year deal with the French giants on Monday.

The competition gets under way on the weekend of 14-15 November.

Saracens beat Ulster 27-16 at Twickenham in 2013 and although Ulster were seeded number one seeds when the teams met again last April, Mark McCall's side enjoyed a 17-15 victory in Belfast.

The teams also met in the 2000, 2001 and 2005 tournaments while Ulster have played four-time winners Toulouse seven times in European competition.

Ulster have won three of their encounters, including a 30-3 success at Ravenhill in 2006.

Oyonnax will make their debut in the competition after qualifying for the Champions Cup for the first time.

Meanwhile, Connacht will meet Brive, Newcastle and Russian side Enisei in Pool 1 of the Challenge Cup.

European Rugby Champions Cup draw
POOL ONE: Saracens, Ulster, Toulouse, Oyonnax

POOL TWO: Clermont Auvergne, Ospreys, Exeter, Bordeaux

POOL THREE: Glasgow, Northampton, Racing 92, Scarlets

POOL FOUR: Stade Francais, Munster, Leicester, Treviso

POOL FIVE: Bath, Toulon, Leinster, Wasps

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/33163954



Gloucester: David Humphreys defends Jonny Bell appointment
http://www.rugbyroundup.co.uk/2015/06/1 ... pointment/



Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall sees Ulster clash as key
http://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/ ... -clash-key



McCall relishing Euro test
http://www.saracens.com/mccall-relishing-euro-test/

Saracens drawn in Pool 1 of Champions Cup
http://www.saracens.com/saracens-drawn- ... ons-cup-2/

[Mac]

Sunday 21st June 2015



McCloskey and Herring start for Emerging Ireland

Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey and Rob Herring will start for Emerging Ireland as they take on hosts Georgia in the final game of the 2015 World Rugby Tbilisi Cup tomorrow evening (kick off 7pm Georgia time / 4pm Irish time).

McCloskey starts at outside centre, Herring is selected as hooker, while Frank Taggart and Peter Nelson are named as replacements.

In total, there are nine changes to the side that beat Uruguay 33-7 on Wednesday.

Connacht's Eoghan Masterson switches to the blindside flank in place of the injured Rhys Ruddock and is joined in the back row by Dan Leavy at openside and Jack Conan at number 8.

Billy Holland takes over the captaincy and is partnered in the second row by Ben Marshall, the fifth and final try scorer against Uruguay. Hooker Rob Herring returns to make it an all-senior international front row alongside James Cronin and Stephen Archer

Luke McGrath and JJ Hanrahan are the starting half-backs for the second time in the tournament, with Noel Reid and Stuart McCloskey selected together in the centre. Matt Healy has recovered from a stomach bug and will play alongside Andrew Conway and Tiernan O'Halloran in the back-three.

The replacements include Dave Heffernan, Denis Buckley, Finlay Bealham, Andrew Browne, Taggart, John Cooney, Eoin Griffin and Nelson.

After two bonus point victories, Emerging Ireland have claimed the Tbilisi Cup title but Sunday's game gives the squad another chance to impress against a side that are preparing for the upcoming Rugby World Cup. Georgia are in Pool C of the World Cup alongside reigning champions New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga and Namibia.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... land-.aspx



Coach Steve Hansen includes CP in 41 man AB squad
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all- ... -world-cup

[Mac]

Tuesday 23rd June 2015



Ireland can shoulder the high expectations, says Best

Former Ireland international Simon Best believes Joe Schmidt's side will not repeat the mistakes of previous squads when the World Cup begins in September.

Best was part of the 2007 team who, like the current side, were ranked third in the world going into the tournament but went on to perform dismally in France.

Unconvincing wins over lowly Namibia and Georgia were followed by losses to France and Argentina as Eddie O'Sullivan's men crashed out in the pool stage.

Best, however, feels that the current crop are better equipped to deal with the weight of expectation.

"It's vital that the hype doesn't affect the team but it's hard to avoid," said the 23-times capped prop while accompanying the Webb Ellis trophy to his home club of Banbridge.

"In 2007 we tried to embrace it and thought, 'why shouldn't we be among the favourites'?

"It's not a very Irish mentality to have, and obviously it didn't work for us, but I think this group probably has that bit more experience.

"Paul O'Connell, having been there in 2007, will be preaching to them all the time, and I think the professionalism which is there in the squad now will be one of their biggest assets.

"The legacy of 2007 if you like will still be very fresh and, even if the public can't help but get carried away, they'll certainly be looking to avoid a repeat of that."

Best, who has bittersweet memories of the World Cup having been forced to retire from the game due to an irregular heart rhythm discovered at the tournament eight years ago, has experience of making final squads from both an established position and as something of a bolter, so can appreciate the nerves of players awaiting Schmidt's call.

"With the way the season falls, I suppose a lot of the guys are away on holiday to try and take a break from it all but when the World Cup is around the corner that can be pretty hard to do," said Best. "I've seen it from both sides.

"My first World Cup in 2003 was sort of out of the blue after I only got my first cap a few months beforehand.

"Four years later, I was a settled part of the side and you're not so much expecting it, but you'd be very disappointed to miss out.

"The excitement will be building now no doubt, especially with it just being across the water in England. There's a lot of players who obviously want to be a part of it."

Best, whose brother Rory is sure to be involved in the squad as Ireland's first-choice hooker, thinks the much improved depth developed in recent years is complicating things.

Options at prop were often said to be scarce, especially at Best's old position of tight-head where Mike Ross has been relied upon so heavily, but the former Ulster captain believes the tide has now turned.

"The front-row is now a very strong position for Ireland," he affirmed. "Marty Moore and Jack McGrath have come onto the scene and are young while Cian Healy still has a good few years to go.

"If you look at the other guys, Tadhg Furlong is a massive player coming through, a couple of guys are going well at Connacht and there's (James) Cronin and (Dave) Kilcoyne at Munster.

"Over the years we've looked at the number of foreign props coming in, and there was concern about that at the time, but you can see the legacy of that coming through now and they've had a very positive impact. I don't think there has been an Ireland squad so strong from numbers 15 to 30 or 15 to 40 as it is now.

"There's going to be players missing out who are certainly good enough to play in many of the squads that will be over there and many of the Ireland squads that have gone before."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 22000.html



Inpho
http://www.the42.ie/emerging-ireland-th ... 0-Jun2015/



6 Irish U20s Who Could Play PRO12 Rugby Next Season

At the end of a disappointing campaign for the Ireland U20s, attention should turn to how many of these players will be able to make the step up into professional ranks.

Some will get the chance to leap into the senior ranks immediately, while others will have used the U20s as a springboard into the academy.

The Irish provinces are quite slow to trust young players in the senior team, and that seemed most evident with the new meritocracy-based qualification into the European rugby competitions. That said however, there will be many opportunities for the youngsters to get a taste of Pro 12 rugby while the internationals are away for the Rugby World Cup.

Some players are included on this list because of opportunity, and some extremely talented players (like Garry Ringrose, Ciaran Gaffney and Jeremy Loughman), are excluded because of a logjam of players ahead of them who will still be there during the World Cup.

Here are six players who might have such an opportunity:

Rory Moloney (Connacht)

Lorcan Dow (Ulster)

It was an unusually quiet championships for Dow after shining in the Six Nations, but the Ulster's no. 8 has a bright future ahead of him. After the retirement of Stephen Ferris, Ulster are crying out for another big bollocking backrower, and with their NIQ spots all used up such that Charles Piutau can't join until June 2016 then there is an opportunity for Dow to step up to the plate. Expect him to replace Nick Williams when Williams' contract runs out in a year, but Dow will feature next season for sure.

Ross Byrne (Leinster)

Sam Arnold (Ulster)

Just how good is Sam Arnold? Well put it this way, despite the presence of Luke Marshall, Stuart Olding and Stuart McCloskey ahead of him in his favoured inside centre position in Ulster, and the use of Darren Cave in the 12 jersey from time to time, Arnold is already capped in the Pro 12 despite still being eligible for the Ireland U19's.

Arnold is the rare combination of size, power and subtlety that has been missing from the Irish game, and if he keeps his head down and keeps trying is sure to have a successful career.

If he's played Pro 12 already, you'd have to fancy his chances of getting a few more caps this season.

Stephen Fitzgerald (Munster)

Nick McCarthy (Leinster)

http://www.balls.ie/rugby/ireland-u20s-pro-12/297867



Rugby player (20) to face disciplinary charges after tackle ended the life of an opponent
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/r ... 22702.html

[Mac]

Tuesday 23rd June 2015

PART II



Agen bring in Ulster "prop"

Agen have continued their recruitment drive with the signing of Ulster prop Dave Ryan for next season.

The former Munster and Zebre front rower arrives on a two-year deal with the promoted side to reinforce their propping ranks.

Agen, who were promoted after beating Mont de Marsan in the Pro D2 play-off, have already brought in centre Johann Sadie and New Zealand Sevens international George Tilsley.

While the Top 14 transfer window closed last week, the promoted sides have an extended period in which they can bring in new players.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 54,00.html

[BaggyTrousers]

I'd love to know how much we payed not to play Hairy Dave last season. I didn't play at all either, cost them nowt, in fact I paid to watch.

[Mac]

Wednesday 24th June 2015



Jonny Bell signs off at Ulster Rugby

DicksonDigital

After 21 years at Ulster Rugby, Jonny Bell is leaving the province to take up a new challenge as defence coach at Gloucester.

Jonny joined Ulster in 1994 straight out of school and was immediately selected for the senior team. His first match was against a South of Scotland side that contained Gregor Townsend.

Fast-forward 21 years and his final game as a coach at Ulster was also against Townsend when Ulster narrowly lost the PRO12 play-off to Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun.

His long association with Ulster has seen him lift silverware in 1999, 2003 and 2006 and as a coach he has made a big contribution to the province’s success in recent seasons:

“It will be incredibly difficult to walk away,” he says. “I have had a long association with Ulster and I have loved every minute of it. I am from here, it is a part of who I am and who I have been. It has molded me into the person that I am and it has had a major effect on my life. I will miss it. It is the end of this chapter – I would love to see myself coming back to Ulster some day but that is not my choice. I have made this choice now because I feel it is a good opportunity for me.”

He adds: “I have given my best for Ulster as a player and as a coach and I see Ulster’s future as very bright. I wont be part of that in the immediate future but I know they are determined to get success and I do believe that it will come.”

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... ugby-.aspx



"Fly" through of the new Nevin Spence Centre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auAJxJZ ... outu.be&a=



Ten biggest transfers of 2015

There have been plenty of headline-grabbing player movements this year, but some will have a far greater impact than others.

We take a look at the ten most significant transfers of 2015 (so far).

Duane Vermeulen to Toulon is significant because the Springbok number eight is arguably the best player in the world right now and his departure is a massive blow to the Stormers, South Africa's top Super Rugby side. It's also an important move in terms of the European rugby landscape as Toulon continue to make their all-conquering squad even stronger as he joins the likes of Ma'a Nonu in heading to Stade Felix Mayol.

Dan Carter to Racing 92 is significant because the All Black legend's salary in France will set a new benchmark at a reported 1.6 million Euro per year. DC's last stint in France didn't go well with a ruptured Achilles tendon meaning he played just five games for Perpignan. His age - 33 - and recent record of breakdowns make a repeat more likely than the Parisians would like to admit. But having missed out on Jonny Wilkinson, club owner Jacky Lorenzetti made sure he got his man this time.

Hosea Gear to Clermont is significant because it probably means Waisake Naholo, who had originally signed with les Jaunards, is NOT going to France. Never before has the NZRU gone to such lengths to keep a player in New Zealand but it seems they've been able to broker a deal that keeps the hottest wing in rugby at the moment available to the All Blacks. It's a dangerous precedent to set.

Jonathan Sexton to Leinster is significant because Ireland's best player is heading home, bucking the trend of the exodus in the other direction. Leinster sorely missed Sexton as they slumped to their worst Pro12 finish since 2004 in his asbence. The Dubliners are hoping a return of their prodigal son will help bring silverware back to the RDS.

Nicolas Sánchez to Argentina's Super Rugby team is significant because it represents a rare example of a modern player putting the love for representing his country ahead of the prospect of personal wealth. Sánchez is set to be Argentina's fly-half in the foreseeable future and his decision to leave Toulon in favour of move back home is in stark contrast to a certain English flanker's choice.

Samu Manoa to Toulon is significant because by signing the USA international from Northampton Saints, Toulon have taken the best forward in the Aviva Premiership and added him to their ever-impressive stockpile. Manoa was nominated for the Premiership Player of the Season award in 2014 and was on the shortlist for Forward of the Year in 2015, but that doesn’t truly illustrate what an athletic wrecking ball he has been in England and Europe. Northampton are undoubtedly weaker without him, as is the Premiership.

Charles Piutau to Ulster is significant because it represents New Zealand rugby's biggest fear, a young, current All Black giving up on his Test career for European money. Only 23 years old, Piutau was a very good bet for a starting spot on the wing opposite Julian Savea for the foreseeable future, but instead will head to Belfast (albeit in 2016). Carl Hayman is probably the closest comparison, but even he was 28 when he went to Newcastle.

Bismarck du Plessis to Montpellier is significant because he's arguably the most sought-after player on the market in a position where there are very few big names on the move. Not only that, but Bismarck is joining the Jake White revolution in Montpellier, despite suggestions that player and coach do not get on, hence the protracted transfer saga. He's one of the better pick-ups among the South African horde heading to the Mediterranean coast.

Jamie Roberts to Harlequins is significant because the Wales and Lions battering ram has landed his perfect contract in a move mostly motived by off-field considerations. After two highly-paid seasons in France with Racing, Roberts has returned to the UK. Having been accepted to do a Masters degree at Cambridge University he gets to continue his education part-time. It’s a big win-win since Harlequins need him badly after a rough season and have landed a marquee player.

Willie le Roux to the Sharks is significant because his departure means the Cheetahs lose their best player. There's nothing new about Springboks leaving Bloemfontein, but Le Roux is a special talent and his exit comes at a time when the Free Staters had no real stars left to lose. The silver lining for South Africa is that he has at least stayed in the Republic.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 20,00.html

[Mac]

Wednesday 24th June 2015

PART II





Irish Provincial Rugby Lowdown Part I – Leinster & Ulster Analysed & Graded

Another season done and dusted, consigned to the history books. Ireland again sit atop the International tree in the Northern Hemisphere. This winning trophies thing has become all too easy. Too easy to a nation who until now weren’t used to it. Declan Kidney’s 2009 Grand Slam aside, Irish rugby fans were making do with the staple diets of triple crowns and near misses. There were occasional big wins against the biggest sides, but championships proved allusive. Joe Schmidt has altered perceptions, and now everyone expects Ireland to win every day they go out.

The national side are now experiencing unknown levels of success, while the provinces are struggling to stay relevant in European circles. The focus has changed. It’s no longer like the days when Munster initially, soon to be matched and surpassed by Leinster, were laying all before them to waste. Hoovering up European crowns. The international team were always respected but never carried that same sense of awe and fear associated with Munster and Leinster at their peak. Joe Schmidt’s move through the ranks from Leinster to Ireland has greatly benefitted the national sides fortunes. Consecutive championships have been annexed, and this squad have now beaten every team they have encountered except the All Blacks. The national flower is blooming as never before.

However, for the first time in 5 years, and only the second time in 8, none of Ireland’s provinces have managed to pin their ribbons to a trophy of some sort. In order to keep feeding Ireland teams with players of championship credentials, the provinces need to get back to winning ways. It’s terrific to have a flower blossom after the culmination of years of growth and hard work. Without a strong root, the flower won’t bloom for very long though. Ireland is the flower, the provinces the roots. Check out Pt II HERE

Here is how the seasons of Leinster and Ulster stacked up last term.

Leinster

Consistently the standard bearers of Irish rugby in recent time, Leinster floundered in the Pro 12 this time round.

They finished 5th and missed out on the playoffs for the first time since their introduction in 2009/10. Matt O’Connor’s charges could never find the rhythm and consistency so often associated with the side formerly managed by the now Irish coach. However, O’Connor’s hands were somewhat tied given the quality and experience of the players lost during his two year tenure. Despite a stirring act of defiance when Leinster brought the now three time European champions Toulon to extra time in this seasons European Cup semi-final, O’Connor paid the ultimate price. The same familiar issues again caught Leinster out that day in the South of France as those that hamstrung them all season – poor decision making and individual mistakes. They had no leaders to grab the game and shape it. Kane Douglas, Ben Teo’o, Jimmy Gopperth and Zane Kirchener were no replacements for the departures of Leo Cullen, Brian O’Driscoll, Jonny Sexton and Isa Nacewa over a two year period.

Leinster also weren’t helped by the reliance the national side now places on their province. Joe Schmidt selects his team, and squad, largely from the Leinster panel he knows so well. Losing players for long stretches during the mid-season International programme puts pressure on the provincial squads, but more so in Leinster’s case where they were sometimes losing two players per position to the national side. The decline of Gordon D’Arcy, coupled with the stagnation of players like Ian Madigan and Noel Reid who have not progressed as much as hoped, also added to the midfield malaise affecting the team.

From a positive perspective, Luke Fitzgerald again showed glimpses of his talent and forced his way back into the Irish set up, but question marks will always remain as to his durability until he puts a solid injury free season behind him. Jonny Sexton’s return will greatly enhance the teams prospects next term, as he will be playing behind a pack that usually dominates the oppostion. Much work will be required from any new coaching ticket in order to bring Leinster back to the top table.

Season Grade: D –

The run to a European Cup semi-final results in Leinster scraping a pass mark, just. The domestic season was atrocious and their head coach was relieved of his duties.

___

Ulster

Given the heights that Leinster have fallen from, Ulster have escaped relatively unscathed in many peoples post season criticisms. However, having failed to negotiate their way out of their European Cup pool and failing to reach a Pro 12 final in Belfast, those from the North have plenty to be held accountable for. While Leinster and Munster had previously built success on a strong core of indigenous talent, supplemented with quality overseas signings, Ulster had a different approach in mind. Over the past few seasons Ulster have loaded their squad with hired Southern Hemisphere guns to speed up their progression. (How many NIQ's have we ?? ) There were already suggestions the team had missed the boat in terms of winning silverware before the season started, and these suggestions turned out to be resoundingly accurate.

Ulster do have a strong academy and they have been churning out talented backs in the past few seasons, all whom have struggled with injuries and failed to get a solid run in the starting team in the games that mattered. The likes of Stuart Olding, Craig Gilroy and Luke Marshall all have the gifts required to make it to the top of Irish rugby but all seem injury prone at this early stage of their respective careers. Yet with the likes of Ruan Pienaar, Tommy Bowe and Jared Payne marshalling a back line Ulster should always take to field with a chance of victory. Their lightweight pack has routinely been their undoing. John Afoa, Tom Court and Johann Muller were never adequately replaced and for all the ballast and potential Ian Henderson brings to the table, he can’t do the job of 8 men alone.

The core is there for Ulster to be a serious force, but they too often come unstuck in the games that really matter. A draw and two defeats from the last three games of the season is no way for a team of expectant winners to see out a campaign. They have thrust cash at the issue and not seen the desired results. Ulster have been well regarded, but a trip back to the category of relative “also rans” of the early 2000’s could be in store if they don’t find the players that are natural born winners to lead an undoubtedly talented squad to the top.

Season Grade: F

Early elimination from Europe and a meek finish to the domestic campaign doesn’t reflect well for a side who were desperately looking for silverware for the first time since the 2005-2006 campaign.

http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/omcmah ... ew-part-i/

[Mac]

Wednesday 24th June 2015

PART III



Another look at the RCC draw
The Kneejerk reactions are over, now we can look at it objectively.

Last week, Europe took shape for another season. It’s actually one of the most important days of the season, because really, it determines how successful a team will be. Last year Leinster were given a handy enough group. This allowed them to finish first, get a favourable home draw against an inexperienced side, and end the season as European semi-finalists, despite the fact nothing about their league form suggested this. Contrast this with Ulster, who were given an absolute stinker of a group, and Munster who were also given a tough ask. Both provinces had successful Domestic seasons but crashed out at the group stages. Had Leinster been in Ulster’s pool, there would have been no glimmer of light to a poor season. Had Ulster not been in the same pool as the eventual winners, they may have been able to have a longer campaign. The draw marks the day the word “realistic” arrives in front of the word “expectations”.

Europe has a different vibe this season, as there is a World Cup to be had first. The tournament begins at the later time of November, when the bigger event is finished. Injuries, momentum and disasters will very much affect every team in the competition. A good World Cup for some key players could set a team on their way, or derail their opposition. Similarly, fatigue and injuries could completely destroy a squad.

When the draw first happens, there’s a buzz in the air. It’s a moment before the real moment. As it happens live the points calculation begins, we all jump to conclusions somewhere between “we can win this” and “we’re gone”. So it’s a good idea to take a step back and have a look at it again after a week’s past, when all the excitements died down and the event itself is over. We can look at the content of the draw, rather than all the pageantry around making the draw, it’s not too far off the Eurovision, but with a more formal dress code and less Scandinavians. So let’s have a look at what the draw for Europe brought about.

The first bit of news we got was that Lyon would be the host city for the 2016 European finals. Last seasons venue, Twickenham, was an unimaginative and rushed choice. Not because the stadium was not fit to host the final, but because with this year’s World Cup taking place in England, we are all going to have our fill of Twickenham.

The same case could possibly be made for Lyon as the 2016 host. Euro 2016 takes place in France next summer. There is already going to be an atmosphere of anticipation in the air for a big tournament, just of a different sport. It seems like the rugby will be shoved into the country in May and then rushed out as their real showpiece draws nearer. The last time France hosted a football tournament was 1998, when they went on to win the World Cup.

There’s going to be a whole lot more focus on the country hosting an event that occurs once every four years, than a tournament the French are fairly used to winning by now. We also learned that 2017s finals will take place in Edinburgh. This was a good choice. The new competition format was laid out entirely for the English and French sides benefits. Having the final in Edinburgh could bring back some of the magic the tournament has lost since it’s Heineken Cup days. Murrayfields a great rugby stadium, and deserves to showcase a big event.

But that venue announcement was not the main event of the day. That was the draw. Before I get into breaking down whose name got put where, I want to have a quick grumble about something that frustrated me about the way the tiers were laid out. Before 1pm last Wednesday, we only knew three of the five teams in tier 1, these were the three champions of the top leagues in Europe. The contenders for the final two places were to be given to two of the runners-up, Bath and Clermont got the places at the expense of Munster. But how was it decided that these two clubs were two of the top five teams in Europe? A completely random draw, their two balls were picked out. That hardly strikes fears into an opponent. You may have also noticed that at no point in this discussion for the teams in the top tier of the draw have the reigning champions Toulon been mentioned. They sat neatly in pot 2, was losing to Stade Francais in the Top 14 semi-finals was enough to make the tournament organisers forget they just won the competition about a month ago? European performance needs to be taken into account when ranking the teams. Surely Toulon have much more of a claim to a top tier place than Bath. If they take the teams performance in the league the previous season, and add it to their performance in the European Cup the previous season, they will get a much fairer reflection of where the teams rank. I can accept the league champions being top seeds, but not the European Champions being second seeds while the team they beat in the final are now ranked above them. To be fair, it is still a little better than the previous ranking system, where teams would be ranked on how they did in the last few editions of the European Cup and league performance was completely disregarded.

Onto the actual draw itself. At the beginning of this article I talked about how Ulster were given a terrible group and if Leinster had had the same draw they wouldn’t have been semi-finalists. We’ll this year a fair compromise was reached, both teams were handed brutal draws, with Munster getting off pretty well.

Leinster were put with three opponents they faced in last seasons tournament, Bath (who earned the right to be called one of the best teams in Europe by being drawn out of a bowl before Munster), Wasps (the new home of Jimmy Gopperth, as well as Brendan Macken), and this French side called Toulon (who are nothing to worry about because they were only a tier 2 side after all). This is the only group in the tournament with four teams that got through to last years quarter-finals. This is an exceptionally tough ask for everyone involved.

Toulon go in as favourites, not just for the group, but the tournament. However, they are an aging squad, and with the age comes two things, wise minds that can close out a game, and old legs that may not be able to go 80 minutes. However they to seem to have found the cure for old legs, they have an incredible squad depth, they can take off a world beater and replace him with another world beater, which is a luxury no other team in the competition has. The addition of Paul O’Connell provides us with an interesting sub plot. The giant will be hungry for another European Cup before retirement, and will be more than willing to go up against his old rivals, this time with a super team. As I say, this is an aging squad, and with that comes the knowledge that this may be their best chance to win another European Cup, as the season after may be too late, which only works as added motivation. Wasps in theory are the weakest team, but they managed to come through as best runner-up last season, and they put it up to both Leinster and Toulon. Leinster got away with it a bit in both of their games last season, and Wasps will be itching to get that win that evaded them, and Jimmy will be itching to show the RDS that he can play a whole lot better than he did last season. Bath are the team that could do some unexpected damage hear. Bath have some key players from the English squad.

If they have a good World Cup, which is pretty realistic, they could be on a wave of momentum. The reason they lost their quarter-final game last season was a lack of experience. They now have that bit of experience. These factors could combine to make Bath a very dangerous side this season. Leinster also have some key players in the Irish squad, who will have a very good World Cup as well. The difference here is that in terms of management, we are very much in a transitional period. And with so many key players missing the opening games in the Pro12, we could have a lot of catching up to do in the league, and a hard enough time integrating some players back into the line-up. As a club, we are in a difficult place, that may mean we only see six European games this season. Unfortunately from a rugby point of view, this pool may see three good sides out. Toulon will likely top it, but there are no guaranteed bonus points anywhere, it is likely everyone could win their home games and only pick up a losing bonus point or two on their travels. 14 points will not be enough to secure a best runners-up spot. But on the bright side, there are no bad games in this pool.

Also in a tough group are Ulster. Once again they’ll face Saracens, as well as Toulouse. Very much the fourth team in this group are Oyonnax. It’s actual their first time in Europes top competition, and they are getting thrown in at the deep end. The shark invested deep end, and they’re blindfolded. As John mcClane would put it, “Welcome to the party pal”. They won promotion to the Top14 back in 2013, and qualified by finishing 6th in the league. They ran Toulouse close in the quarterfinal, and it took a late Cyral Baille try and a near perfect kicking performance from Toby Flood to eventually see them off. They aren’t necessarily pushovers, they have danger in the form of Ivorian fullback Silvere Tian and the Top14s second highest points scorer Benjamin Urdapilleta. They have also signed Piri Weepu, which gives them some additional experience in the scrum-half department. It’s still hard to see Oyonnax pull off a shock here and somehow manage to qualify, but they will offer a difficult away trip for the other sides in the pool.

Saracens to me are favourites here, with Ulster and Toulouse looking for a runners-up spot. The English champions have come out of their last four pools, and have a strong enough side to top the group comfortably. I would argue that after Clermont, they are the best side to not win Europes premier competition, and they have a good chance of changing that this time around. Toulouse may just have a slow start trying to cope with life after Guy Noves, made more complicated by welcoming players back into the squad after the World Cup, so Ulster have a good chance of progressing as best runner-ups.

All is not lost for the Irish provinces hopes of having a home semi-final in the Champions Cup, as Munster were handed a condolences card for losing Paul O’Connell, in the form of a very favourable draw. Stade Francais winning the Top14 was the best thing to happen to Munster rugby in the last few seasons, as it provided them with a far easier top tier team, as well as eliminating the risk of getting another top French side. It’s not that they are a bad side, it’s just that in comparison to the other tier 1 sides in the group they aren’t anything to fear, if they are the supposed best team in the pool then there isn’t a whole lot to worry about. Treviso don’t have the quality to challenge in terms of qualifying, but I would bet on them pulling off at least one upset at home. I think we are looking at Leicester and Munster both coming out of this pool, but I’m consider Munster as slight favourites here, purely because I think they are more likely to grind out a result at Welford road than Leicester are at Thomand. Munster have a great opportunity here to not just top the group, but be one of the highest ranked quarter finalists and get a winnable home game by virtue of drawing an Italian team and a weaker top tier side.

Pro12 champions Glasgow we’re drawn with Northampton, Racing 92 (they are officially no longer Metro) and Scarlets. Glasgows strong home form, and the fact that they finally crossed the line and won the league last year, could see them come out of this one. Northampton have plenty of attacking threats with George North and Luther Burrell. Hopefully JJ Hanrahan can find the form to make him their first choice fly-half and give Ireland another option. I see Northampton topping this group and Glasgow contending for a best runners-up spot with Racing. Racing had a great pool campaign last season but failed to close out the game against Saracens which was there to be won. In addition to Castrogiovanni, they’ve brought in Dan Carter, who if he can avoid any more serious injuries, could kick them to 2nd place, but kicks don’t get the bonus points they may need. Scarlets have shown that they can put it up to the bigger teams, by beating Ulster, Leicester and Glasgow last season. However, they don’t do it consistently enough, which is why they tend to qualify on the basis of having six other teams worse than them. They had a poor Anglo-Welsh Cup and were not convincing in victories agains Zebre, Dragons and Treviso toward the end of the season. Their inconsistency will lead to a pool stage exit this season.

Pool 2 consists of last years runner-ups Clermont, European under-achievers Ospreys, winners of the play-off Bordeaux Begles, and Exeter Chiefs. Clermont should comfortably top this pool and will likely finish as the top ranked team in the quarter finals. This pool could see an outsider make it to the quarter finals over a more established side. This pool represents Ospreys best chance of making it to the knockout stages in a while, but I give Exeter Chiefs the edge here. They had a good Challenge Cup last season and only missed out on a playoff place in the premiership on points difference. Only two Welsh sides have made it to the quarter finals in the last six seasons, they just can’t seem to pull it off. Ospreys have gone from serious Pro12 title contenders, to serious Pro12 semi-final contenders in the last few years. Exeter are a solid team with enough togetherness to see them get through to the knockout rounds as the eight team.

The Champions Cup provides us with some great matchups very early on in the competition. As we saw last season, reducing the tournament to twenty teams and only five pools means some good sides won’t see knockout competition. But it also assures that ultimately the best teams will win out, and whoever comes through each of these close groups deserves it. Outside of the top competition, the Challenge Cup provides all the other teams in the Pro12, Top14 and Aviva Premiership to go on the hunt for some European glory.

As Irish rugby supporters, we should look to Connacht for a successful European campaign. They have been drawn with Brive, Newcastle Falcons, and the Russian qualifiers Enisey-STM. A general rule for European competition is if you haven’t heard of them you want to get them in your pool. An away trip to Russia will cause some difficulty for the league fixtures either side of the tie, but it’s worth it to play the lowest ranked team in the competition, with no previous European experience. Of all the tier 2 teams in the draw who Connacht could have been paired with, Brive were the weakest. In terms of Newcastle, they were the worst team in the Aviva Premiership last season not called London Welsh, and they are very beatable. It’ll be a tricky away tie, but at least a losing bonus point is there to be had. Connacht can top this pool ad go on to have a successful Challenge Cup. They improved immensely last season, and this is a big opportunity to challenge for some silverware.

Last years champions Gloucester will be one of the favourites for the Cup. They should top their group, which features La Rochelle, Zebre, and Worcester. Pool 3 may earn the title of ‘group of death’ for some. Harlequns will be another of the favourites for the competition. They’ll have to overcome Montpellier, and a Cardiff blues side who will be looking to rectify a really poor season. The odd one out in this group are Italian qualifiers Calvisano, who don’t appear to have much hope here. Last seasons runners-up Edinburgh have a tricky but winnable pool with plenty of Irish interest. They face Grenoble, coached by Bernard Jackman, London Irish, and Agen, who recently announced the signing of Dave Ryan from Ulster. Pool 2 sees Sale Sharks, Newport Gwent Dragons, Pro D2 champions Pau, and a Castres side who really were brutal last season. It looks like it’s going to be between Sale and Dragons in that one. The fact that the Challenge Cup is made up of a mixture of last terms under-achievers and teams that are there to make up the numbers makes this an intriguing competition.

Despite the draw being made, the anticipations has not quite started to build just yet. Everything else rugby that happens between now and the end of the year will be overshadowed by the World Cup. Some te.ams don’t have managers just yet and there are still transfers to be made. Truth be told there’s too many different variables in the way to predict how the season will go. Depending on how long each country stays in the World Cup and which players are still standing at the end of it, and what teams have made ground in the league during those months and what teams will need to turn their domestic season around, there is plenty to happen before the matches themselves kick off. In fact, they still have to be scheduled.

Nonetheless, we know who’s going to play who. and we can be safe in the knowledge that the pool stages of the 2015/16 European Champions Cup are going make for an entertaining stage competition of Europe’s top competition.

http://www.harpinonrugby.net/2015/06/an ... -draw.html

[Cap'n Grumpy]

I thought the Munster fans had stitched up thon Try of the Season thing.

I suspect someone may have tipped off Sky that there was a bit of "suspicious" voting going on from Limerick or thereabouts and some votes may have been dis-counted. I also suspect that whoever that was, failed to mention it may have also happened in relation to Craig's try and the pattern of voting from this corner of the Island was less obvious to them so they failed to notice anything wrong.

Only a suspicion, mind!

[Mac]

Wednesday 24th June 2015

PART IV



Eleven Ulster players in 45 man Ireland World Cup Training Squad

Eleven Ulster players have been named in Joe Schmidt’s 45 man World Cup training squad.

Hookers Rory Best and Rob Herring are joined by fellow forwards Iain Henderson, Chris Henry and Dan Tuohy.

Backs Tommy Bowe, Darren Cave, Craig Gilroy, Paddy Jackson and Jared Payne are all included, as is Andrew Trimble who is available following the toe injury that kept him out for much of last season.

The squad will start preparations at the end of June and will play in a four Test match Guinness Summer Series across August and September. Paul O'Connell has been named captain of the squad

Ireland Head Coach Joe Schmidt, commented, "The squad selection has been a long process with some very tight decisions. Some injured players who are getting close to full fitness have been included while others have missed out due to prolonged absence or lack of opportunity to demonstrate their full Test Match readiness."

"Rhys Ruddock would have been selected but has been ruled him out after fracturing his arm against Uruguay last week."

The 2015 Guinness Summer Series will see Ireland take on Wales in Cardiff on Saturday 8th August before hosting Scotland a week later at the Aviva Stadium. On Saturday 29th August, Wales come to the Aviva Stadium with the final game of the series taking place in Twickenham against England on Saturday 5th September. Tickets for the two home games of the Guinness Summer Series are available from http://www.ticketmaster.ie.

IRELAND Training Squad

Forwards (23)

Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster)
Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)*
Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)*
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster)
Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster)
Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster)
Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)

Backs (22)

Isaac Boss (Terenure/Leinster)
Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)
Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
Jared Payne (Ulster)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Noel Reid (Clontarf/Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
Simon Zebo (Cork Con/Munster)

*Denotes uncapped player

2015 GUINNESS SUMMER SERIES FIXTURES

Wales v IRELAND
Millennium Stadium
Saturday 8th August, 2015
KO: 14:30

IRELAND v Scotland
Aviva Stadium
Saturday 15th August, 2015
KO: 17:00

IRELAND v Wales
Aviva Stadium
Saturday 29th August, 2015
KO: 14:30

England v IRELAND
Twickenham Stadium
Saturday 5th September, 2015
KO: 14:30

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... Squad.aspx



Andrew Trimble named in Ireland World Cup training squad

Inpho

Fit-again Ulster wing Andrew Trimble is named in a 45-man Ireland training squad ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Trimble has not played since sustaining a toe injury in a Pro12 match against Glasgow last October and missed Ireland's Six Nations-winning campaign.

Uncapped Leinster forwards Jack Conan and Tadhg Furlong are included as coach Joe Schmidt ramps up preparations for the World Cup in September.

Ireland will play four warm-up matches before Schmidt reduces his squad to 31.

Leinster number eight Conan, Ulster hooker Rob Herring and Leinster back Noel Reid impressed for Emerging Ireland in their tournament on Georgia this month and are rewarded with call-ups.

Andrew Trimble is included in Ireland's training squad as he returns from a serious toe injury Inpho

There is no place, however, for Rhys Ruddock who fractured his arm playing for Emerging Ireland against Uruguay last week.

Ulster back-row Chris Henry is again included, having marked his international return from a mini stroke last November with a try for Ireland against the Barbarians last month.

Munster out half Ian Keatley, who started Ireland's Six Nations victory over Italy in Rome earlier this year, has been omitted with Johnny Sexton, Paddy Jackson and Ian Madigan selected ahead of him.

The timely return of Trimble, who was named Ireland's player of the year in 2014, is a welcome addition to the squad ahead of this autumn's World Cup in England.

"The squad selection has been a long process with some very tight decisions," said Schmidt.

"Some injured players who are getting close to full fitness have been included while others have missed out due to prolonged absence or lack of opportunity to demonstrate their full Test match readiness."

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/33263116



Talking points as Joe Schmidt names his 1st World Cup squad
The World Cup starts here!

No change in out-half pecking order

THE OMISSION OF Ian Keatley from Ireland’s World Cup squad should be a source of disappointment for the Munster playmaker, but it can’t be a surprise. Of all Joe Schmidt’s selection quandaries half-back must be the most clear cut of all.

Inpho

Ever since he took charge of the green jerseys, Schmidt has wrestled with whether Paddy Jackson had versatility to cover fullback and centre as a replacement or if Ian Madigan had the game management skills to start. He will continue to try and find the balance in the August warm-up fixtures.

Keatley filled in manfully with Jackson and Sexton injured at the beginning of the Six Nations, but even a Pro12 title probably wouldn’t have been enough for him to oust Sexton’s supporting cast.

Conan comes of age

23 next month, Jack Conan is the youngest and least experienced of the eight back rows in camp. Yet all his peers will know they are in for serious competition from the abrasive number eight.


Conan set out for the Tbilisi Cup in a supporting role for Rhys Ruddock who had hoped to springboard his way back into the Starting XV. Yet even before Ruddock’s problematic forearm pulled him out of contention, Conan was already stepping up to lead his team.

This call-up is more than merited as will the inevitable cap that comes his way in August. We wouldn’t be surprised if he was to earn a further handful of appearances in England and Wales come September.

McCloskey not among ‘Emerging’ talent

Perhaps the meteoric rise was just too quick to be true. Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey appeared to putting himself forward to be this year’s ‘bolter’ with some explosive moments in the closing weeks of Ulster’s season.

However, after playing at 12 and 13 in Emerging Ireland’s Tbilisi Cup win, the ‘Bangor Bulldozer’ has been omitted from the 45-man squad. For a man who hadn’t even played for Ulster 16 months ago, he’s done well just to be in the conversation.

McCloskey taking the ball in to contact against Georgia. Inpho

Instead, 25-year-old Noel Reid fills the centre spot reserved for an Emerging Ireland bolter. Yet it still appears that Gordon D’Arcy is the most likely option to pull on a starting jersey if injury was to befall either Jared Payne or Robbie Henshaw.

Along with Reid; Conan and Rob Herring graduated directly from the Emerging squad. The front row dominates the group of hard-done-by men from that trip as Stephen Archer, James Cronin and Denis Buckley miss out on the seven prop places.

Many happy returns

Schmidt has included a handful of players who will nurse injuries through the first weeks of camp (including Cian Healy, Conor Murray and Luke Fitzgerald), so it is heartening to see returning stalwarts who had been absent for too long.

Chris Henry presents an out-and-out openside option for Schmidt and is sure to push Sean O’Brien very close for the number 7 jersey. However, Donnacha Ryan has spent even longer on the sidelines,

Inpho

The past year and a half has been an utterly frustrating one for Ryan. The Tipperary man picked up an innocuous-sounding toe injury in March 2014 and was kept out of the starting line-up for 13 long months.

The lock has slowly been able to build up form and fitness since his April return, but his inclusion here will add another hard edge to Schmidt’s squad.

A prayer for the wingers

Every position will bear witness to fierce competition, but it’s the back three that will be the toughest to call.

Inpho

If we assume that Rob Kearney and Felix Jones will command two places as Ireland’s only specialist fullbacks, then Schmidt will be looking to fill four wing places from: Luke Fitzgerald, Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Fergus McFadden, Simon Zebo, Dave Kearney, (2014 Six Nations player of the Championship) Andrew Trimble and (Ireland’s most prolific try-scorer this season) Craig Gilroy.

If fit, Fitzgerald and Bowe are all but guaranteed a place (not least because both can also play centre), but after that, you’re into tight calls based on form and gut feeling.

http://www.the42.ie/reaction-ireland-wo ... 2-Jun2015/

[Mac]

Monday 29th June 2015



Willie Faloon: "It’s great to be back"

Armagh native, Willie Faloon returned to Ulster today having spent three years playing for Inter-provincial rivals, Connacht. The openside flanker has made 63 appearances for Ulster to date and is confident that based on his development and experience in Galway that he can challenge for many more…

“It is great to be back at Ulster,” says Faloon. “I was away for three years and it was great for me but I am very excited to be back. I am closer to family, closer to friends and back in the fold with guys I have played with before.”

Having missed the entire redevelopment of Kingspan Stadium, he was surprised at what the Home of Ulster Rugby now has to offer:

“The set up here is completely different from when I left, it was a total shock when I first walked into the gym compared with what we had here before, and all around the facilities are top class. That coupled with the fact that Les Kiss is making Ulster his home next season is certainly a driver which influenced me to come back.

“I have worked with Les before and I like the way he operates, his sessions are quick and sharp and very technical, it will be great to get stuck in and work with him again.”

Having left to join Connacht in 2012, Faloon explains that he probably wouldn’t be the person he is today without having the experience away from Ulster…

“There is no doubt I have developed as a person and a player having been away for three years. If I knew back then what I know now I would have been a much better player. I train a lot harder now and I take care of the smaller details which I didn’t do three years ago. I have learnt that I need to look after my all-round game and take care of every detail in order to perform well.

“Today we started the first block of pre-season training which focuses on strength, speed and power, so we are doing a lot of weights, prowlers, some off-feet conditioning, grappling and wrestling - that is what we have on the cards for the next few weeks but I’m looking forward to it.”

He returns at a time when competition in the squad is rife but with Chris Henry named in the Ireland Rugby World Cup training squad, he has the potential to make his mark early in the season:

“Wherever you go there is going to be competition for places, if there wasn’t it probably wouldn’t drive you as hard so I am excited at the opportunity to come up against the other guys to challenge my game and keep learning.”

The 28 year old is back in Belfast for at least another year but claims it’s like he never left: “I have moved back into the same house where I stayed before, back into the same bedroom, so you could say it’s like I’ve never been away. It’s good to see friendly faces, I am not coming in completely raw. I know a lot of the guys but there are some new faces as well so I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know those guys. It will be great to pull on an Ulster jersey again and get involved in what should be a really exciting time for the province.”

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