Ulster v Connacht Friday February 4 8:15pm KO BBC2NI / TG4 / Premier Sports 1

[Bart S]

Thanks Merv

Meant to say that from what I saw you were looking quite trim in the commentary box during the Ashes....well at least when standing next to Beefy Botham.

[big mervyn]

Merv - do you know how many games Hendy has played for Ulster over the past 2 and a half seasons? Seems like he is regularly injured or under IRFU restrictions/away on international duty to the extent that it’s probably on a par with sexton’s appearances for Leinster over the same period but maybe the reality is different.

He made his 100th appearance on January 18 2019, so 23 further appearances in just over 3 years. Not a great return for Ulster.

22 caps for Ireland in the same period btw

Thanks
I can't get my head around Beefy's grandson playing Pro rugby. I must be getting really old!

Edited the wrong post there. Definitely getting old

[Neill_M]

Merv - do you know how many games Hendy has played for Ulster over the past 2 and a half seasons? Seems like he is regularly injured or under IRFU restrictions/away on international duty to the extent that it’s probably on a par with sexton’s appearances for Leinster over the same period but maybe the reality is different.

All.rugby is your go to website for stats like this:

2019/20 Ulster 9 games (7 in H Cup and 2 in Pro 14), Ireland 11 games
2020/21 Ulster 7 games (2 in Pro 14, 4 in Rainbow Cup and 1 in Challenge Cup), Ireland 8 games, Lions 1 game
2021/22 so far Ulster 2 games (1 in URC, 1 in H Cup), Ireland 2 games.

[big mervyn]

Merv - do you know how many games Hendy has played for Ulster over the past 2 and a half seasons? Seems like he is regularly injured or under IRFU restrictions/away on international duty to the extent that it’s probably on a par with sexton’s appearances for Leinster over the same period but maybe the reality is different.

All.rugby is your go to website for stats like this:

2019/20 Ulster 9 games (7 in H Cup and 2 in Pro 14), Ireland 11 games
2020/21 Ulster 7 games (2 in Pro 14, 4 in Rainbow Cup and 1 in Challenge Cup), Ireland 8 games, Lions 1 game
2021/22 so far Ulster 2 games (1 in URC, 1 in H Cup), Ireland 2 games.

UR used to have yearly stats on their site but it's pretty poor now.

[UlsterNo9]

Merv - do you know how many games Hendy has played for Ulster over the past 2 and a half seasons? Seems like he is regularly injured or under IRFU restrictions/away on international duty to the extent that it’s probably on a par with sexton’s appearances for Leinster over the same period but maybe the reality is different.

All.rugby is your go to website for stats like this:

2019/20 Ulster 9 games (7 in H Cup and 2 in Pro 14), Ireland 11 games
2020/21 Ulster 7 games (2 in Pro 14, 4 in Rainbow Cup and 1 in Challenge Cup), Ireland 8 games, Lions 1 game
2021/22 so far Ulster 2 games (1 in URC, 1 in H Cup), Ireland 2 games.

Technically 4 appearances for Lions in 20/21 but as Japan fixture was the only appearance with test status others not recorded (my guess) on their website.

Makes the reading playing for and not for even more grim.

[justinr73]

Merv - do you know how many games Hendy has played for Ulster over the past 2 and a half seasons? Seems like he is regularly injured or under IRFU restrictions/away on international duty to the extent that it’s probably on a par with sexton’s appearances for Leinster over the same period but maybe the reality is different.

He made his 100th appearance on January 18 2019, so 23 further appearances in just over 3 years. Not a great return for Ulster.

22 caps for Ireland in the same period btw

Thanks
I can't get my head around Beefy's grandson playing Pro rugby. I must be getting really old!

Edited the wrong post there. Definitely getting old

Is it right that Beefy’s son is living in Holywood and has a young lad who is killing dead things?

[SparkyClarky]

Liam is indeed in Holywood and I’m hoping there’s no killings going on!
Keen golfer by the way (Liam not the alleged offender aka the Son)

[justinr73]

Great stuff.

Am a few years older than Liam but I played cricket against his school and they had the best grub ever. It was the Lord’s of the northern grammar/posh school circuit, most aptly highlighted by our quick bowler throwing up an over into his first spell post-tea after over-indulging.

[justinr73]

Come to think of it, one of my biggest sporting regrets was being not out at tea there, nibbling on a couple of salmon and cucumber butties to be sensible and then getting out shortly afterwards anyway.

[big mervyn]

Liam is indeed in Holywood and I’m hoping there’s no killings going on!
Keen golfer by the way (Liam not the alleged offender aka the Son)

Wonder what the chances of Beefy's progeny representing Ireland at some point?

I idolized the man in my youth. Now he's just a pathetic fat old gammon reduced to peddling quack medicines (or is that Eamonn Holmes?).

[justinr73]

He’s earned his dotage.

It’s already a bit chilly out. Could be a thermal vest job tonight.

[Dave]

Just turn the lights on ffs.

[Dave]

Sudden drop? In slo motion?

[Joe Schmo]

Just turn the lights on ffs.

"Alexa........."

[damianmcr]

Sudden drop? In slo motion?

Its ok, he'll get a 4 week ban.