Rainbow Cup

[Silverstu]

Agree great team.
But what did they win?
On going issue with Ulster!

Yea but that's the point.

We're deluding ourselves if we think the current Ulster squad is good enough to win anything.

Well currently yes... but the idea is can the young guys stepping up reach a similar level to that team. The team form 2012/13/14 - players in their prime, well seasoned - currently we mostly have promising, if callow youth - we can't buy that pack again , its gonna be painful but hopefully we can develop them.

[thecrouch]

Agree great team.
But what did they win?
On going issue with Ulster!

Yea but that's the point.

We're deluding ourselves if we think the current Ulster squad is good enough to win anything.

Well currently yes... but the idea is can the young guys stepping up reach a similar level to that team. The team form 2012/13/14 - players in their prime, well seasoned - currently we mostly have promising, if callow youth - we can't buy that pack again , its gonna be painful but hopefully we can develop them.

Maybe I'm just overly negative but I do not see how this squad develops into a trophy winning squad without significant new faces.

[Lurgan Lad]

Does feel like a different landscape now, Leinster have an enviable schools system and have two teams that could beat our firsts, and Munster don't appear to operate within any kind of financial constraints. I don't see us becoming even the second best team in Ireland any time soon, before considering the top teams from across Europe never mind South Africa.

[big mervyn]

Does feel like a different landscape now, Leinster have an enviable schools system and have two teams that could beat our firsts, and Munster don't appear to operate within any kind of financial constraints. I don't see us becoming even the second best team in Ireland any time soon, before considering the top teams from across Europe never mind South Africa.

What's the current schools cohort going to be like after nearly a year and a half with no rugby?

[Dave]

I was hoping Aaron Sexton might get a run in this but he seems to be called into the 7s squad. I suppose it's better than no rugby.

[Blackskulllad]

I've seen enough to appreciate the differences between their lockdown and ours. The gap will have increased

[Grey Wolf]

I think having 7’s experience is a real plus but not year after year. If we want the likes of Sexton to be seriously challenging for a starting back 3 spot he needs games. I’d be really supportive of a loan move to the championship


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[thecrouch]

Does feel like a different landscape now, Leinster have an enviable schools system and have two teams that could beat our firsts, and Munster don't appear to operate within any kind of financial constraints. I don't see us becoming even the second best team in Ireland any time soon, before considering the top teams from across Europe never mind South Africa.

Exactly.

We are being left behind.

[Dave]

I think having 7’s experience is a real plus but not year after year. If we want the likes of Sexton to be seriously challenging for a starting back 3 spot he needs games. I’d be really supportive of a loan move to the championship


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He will get opportunities at Ulster. McIlroy has had plenty of opportunities without being spectacular. We have a fairly injury prone set of outside backs. Addison and Stockdale could be away with Ireland. Baloucoune wouldn't be too far away either. Lowry might play more at 10. Faddes I hear is off too. Gilroy doesn't seem to be hitting previous heights.

[rumncoke]

Once the Olympics are over I would expect many of the sevens guys to revert back to 15 with next years wings to be Balacoune and Sexton with Stockdale at full back . This of course could be the reason Stockdale has been given so much game time this year at full back. and Lowry given time at Out Half. He might be fine there but the defence could be a problem due the on going lack of something that is just an adequate back row.

Because half their task will be to protect Lowry from being a first in line defence other wise he may spend a large amount of the season on a bench due to injury. (Too much guts and not enough substance )

[allezlesverres]

It's hard not to be negative about Ulster's prospects in the next season or so. One of the main reasons we were competitive in recent times was because of the impact of Marcel in big games. I don't think anyone really expects Leo to be a like for like replacement. We continue to be light on talent in the back row and second row. Hendy aside, how many of our backrow/second row would even make the bench for Leinster in a European game. I'm not sure I could argue for any of them with a straight face.

[jean valjean]

So whats the chances of fans getting in for the scarlets game? Seems to be some move towards opening outdoor venues. Question is does the ballot still apply or as this is a new competition is it open to all?

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[Dave]

Ulster team to play Leinster Rugby, Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup Round 3, Friday 14 May at the RDS Arena (kick-off 8.15pm, live on Premier Sports):

(15-9) Jacob Stockdale, Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Craig Gilroy, Billy Burns, David Shanahan;

(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Sam Carter, Iain Henderson (Capt.), Matty Rea, Sean Reidy, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: Brad Roberts, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Greg Jones, Nathan Doak, Ian Madigan, Rob Lyttle.

[Dave]

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Jimmy O’Brien (32)
14. Jordan Larmour (59)
13. Garry Ringrose (83)
12. Robbie Henshaw (56)
11. Dave Kearney (168)
10. Ross Byrne (101)
9. Luke McGrath (148) CAPTAIN
1. Cian Healy (229)
2. Seán Cronin (194)
3. Tadhg Furlong (113)
4. Ryan Baird (24)
5. James Ryan (47)
6. Josh Murphy (47)
7. Josh van der Flier (95)
8. Caelan Doris (37)
16. Rónan Kelleher (22)
17. Michael Milne (14)
18. Michael Bent (156)
19. Devin Toner (264)
20. Jack Conan (104)
21. Cormac Foley (1)
22. Rory O’Loughlin (84)
23. Tommy O’Brien (8)

[Dave]

Really good to see Doris back after a concerning issue he had. Also bad because he's a great player.

A fully loaded Leinster by 50.