The 2010/2011 season was a cracker and the best season Ulster have had in a long long time. The good Dr had bought well in Mueller,Pienaar, Barker and Wannenberg as well as unearthing a gem in D'Arcy. We witnessed the emergence of Spence, Gilroy, L.Marshall, Paddy Mac and Jackson into first team contenders. We also saw the first season of one of the most exciting half back partnerships in European rugby with Pienaar and iHumph going from strength to strength. We FINALLY made it into the knock out stages of the Heineken Cup after 12 long years of hurt. We were a dropped pass away from making it to the semifinals were I have no doubt we would have turned Perpignan over at Lansdowne Road. We made it to the semifinals of the Magners League which showed we had a consistency to our play over the whole season.
So this year,
We have lost BJ Botha but in Afoa I feel we make up for this. BJ was a great servent to Ulster over the previous seasons and one of the best scrummagers we've seen in a white shirt. However he was becoming increasingly injury prone and, if rumours are to be believed, was trying to fleece Ulster for more than he was worth. I wish him luck in Turnipstan but not when they play us.
The core of our team remains relatively unchanged, Best, Mueller, Henry, Wannenberg, Pienaar, iHumph will all be one season wiser and more used to playing together as a unit. The inclusion of Gilroy, Spence, L.Marshall and Paddy Mac from the off will also be an advantage to us. The experience they gained last year will stand us in good sted as we begin this year with our 'big stars' involved in the World Cup. I thought we'd seen the last of the youth coming through for a while but already Nelson has made an impact and has two senior games under his belt.
For all the question marks over McLaughlin last season I believe he is proving a far more exciting and interesting coach than we give him credit for. He has brought youth through in a way unseen in Ireland outside possibly Leinster. He gives guys a go and a chance to prove themselves and he isn't afriad to make tough decisions if they don't (NOC). The worry I have this year is regarding forward coaching, Mueller has been an inspiration to the guys around him but that doesn't always translate into being a good coach. Allen Clarke has been here before and I'm not jumping for joy that he's back again, time will tell if he's learnt anything from previous seasons.
So where this year? Our squad is stronger, hopefully we will see more of Cave and Ferris this season which will be like two new signings themselves. With Afoa and Payne to join the Ulstermen we certainly won't see a drop in quality. McLaughlin's biggest headache will be who does he leave out! A backline made up of five from, Gilroy, D'Arcy, Trimble, Gaston, Nelson, Danielli, Payne, Wallace, Spence, Cave, L.Marshall and Whitten! Another top 4 finish in the league is a must this season, we need to be judging ourselves by Munster and Leinster's standards. That was the biggest letdown last season, we didn't compete in the four games that outside the HC should be our biggest. We are in a hellish group in the Heineken Cup and I feel even to qualify for the knockouts will be a BIG step up from last season. I believe we can do it, lets hope the lads do too!
COME ON ULSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!
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