The UAFC

Dave wrote:Baloucoune should be signed up ASAP. Surprised he wasn't announced today.

I think the backrow is better than it has been for a long time. Not massive depth but a good first choice with some healthy prospects in behind. The problem is if Marcell isn't fit. With him there you could have a few interchangeable options alongside him.

It sounds like attempts are being made to sign an IQ loosehead. If that doesn't happen perhaps we will be permitted an NIQ. It's not like we are Munster but you never know.

I think Faddes is a done deal.

Columbo wrote:

Dave wrote:Baloucoune should be signed up ASAP. Surprised he wasn't announced today.

I think the backrow is better than it has been for a long time. Not massive depth but a good first choice with some healthy prospects in behind. The problem is if Marcell isn't fit. With him there you could have a few interchangeable options alongside him.

It sounds like attempts are being made to sign an IQ loosehead. If that doesn't happen perhaps we will be permitted an NIQ. It's not like we are Munster but you never know.

I think Faddes is a done deal.

good point I forgot about him - maybe all the more reason why we might see some fringe back 3 players released I guess..

I think we have a pretty good first choice back row in Reidy, Murphy and Coetzee - and Timoney and Rea aren’t bad, even with a bit of second-season-itis for Nick, but I think that we desperately need more in the tank - particularly given that none of the academy lads seem to be coming through quickly. Bearing in mind that Leinster can rest Ruddock, Conan and van der Flier and play Deegan, Doris and Leavy - and Munster can rest POM, Stander and Cloete and play JOD, TOD and Botha - no disrespect to our lads but it’s a bit of a step down to Ross, Timoney and Jones...

I think another good back row is pretty much a necessity...


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Columbo wrote:Getting to that time..

With the 3 academy promotions next year, I believe the following is the senior squad (full & development contracts) status quo:

Prop (9): O'Sullivan - McCall - Warwick - O'Hagan - Herbst - Moore - O'Toole - Kane - Milasinovich
Hooker (4): Best - Herring - Andrew - McBurney
Lock (5): Henderson - O'Connor - Treadwell - Carter (NIQ) - Thompson
Back Row (8): Rea - Ross - Montgomery - Murphy - Reidy - Timoney - Coetzee (NIQ) - Jones
Scrum-half (3): Cooney - Shanahan - Stewart
Out-half (3): Burns - McPhillips - Lowry
Centre (6): Marshall - McCloskey - Curtis - Cave - Addison - Hume
Wing (4): Gilroy - Stockdale - Lyttle - Busby
Full-back (3): Ludik - Nelson - Owens

Total of 45: out-of-contract / rumoured for departure Herbst & Cave (anyone heard for sure?) There must be question marks around Best post-WC, Thompson (hasn't featured at all notwithstanding second row crisis...). Jones & Montgomery haven't made many waves, O'Hagan, Busby, Owens continue to be plagued with injuries.. McFarland has already made inroads into clearing the decks, might there be another half-dozen plus on their way out?

On the other side, Baloucoune and Kernohan mustn't be too far away from promotion to full contract status - might we try to keep Nagle? (may depend on whether Leinster retain Fardy..)

On the NIQ front - just the 2 at the minute.

For me glaring weaknesses are the same as they have been for ages, back row depth, loosehead, half-back depth.

therealspratt wrote:Forgot Busby was still with us.

UlsterAreBrill wrote:Has that Saffer prop been announced yet?

OldMan wrote:

Columbo wrote:Is Milasinovich a 'done deal'?

pip14 wrote:Faddes was a class act once again this morning! If he has signed for us what a signing we have got