NIQs for 2014-15 Season
Moderator: Moderators
- againstthehead
- Lord Chancellor
- Posts: 6933
- Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:58 am
- Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Re: NIQs for 2014-15 Season
I'd say we need a quality prop, second row and utility back. One of them can be a decent project player - ideally someone of the quality of Payne.... (fat chance...)
if Williams leaves, then a backrower to replace.
Not sure if there are many decent irish-qualified players that would consider going to Ulster - Boss??
if Williams leaves, then a backrower to replace.
Not sure if there are many decent irish-qualified players that would consider going to Ulster - Boss??
Climb up onto the top of your house and start screaming: 'stand up for the Ulstermen, stand.......'
- rorybestsbigbaldnoggin
- Red Hand Ambassador
- Posts: 2510
- Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:31 pm
- Location: Bengor West
Re: NIQs for 2014-15 Season
We need a tighthead prop, a back five forward (the precise position depending on Humphries/D4 pulling the finger out and giving Henderson a number to master, preferably 6), a scrum-half and possibly a centre/utility back.
Given we have just got rid of Afoa, and the IRFU edict of "not shooting ourselves in the foot", I think we'll be allowed to sign a NIQ tighthead, but he will have to be a project. That may mean yer man Herbst at Sharks. That, from the D4 perspective, would mean two THs proficient toTest level in 3 years (Moore and Herbst/whoever).
As regards a back five forward, it's anyone's guess, though I'm sure KOTH and a few others have heard names.
As much as Ruan brings sheer unadulterated class to the pitch, we need another scrum-half who isn't Paul Marshall, and it's too soon to be relying on Shanahan or another Raven. Tbh I would be happy with a proficient if not excellent back-up, so maybe project of even a current IQ - no use busting the budget on two world-class players in one position.
Finally, we are thin at centre until Marshall and Olding come back (and in whatever shape Marshall comes back in). A utility back to cover that general area and maybe 15 wouldn't go amiss, even if it's a one-off, 2 year contract until another 2 (say) youngsters come through.
Going by Humph's past few years, I'm confident he'll get at least 3 of the above 4, plus whomever he in his infinitely superior wisdom has decided we are in need of.
Have faith!
Edit: Reading back over this - is there any provision for declaring more than one international signing per year a "project"?
Given we have just got rid of Afoa, and the IRFU edict of "not shooting ourselves in the foot", I think we'll be allowed to sign a NIQ tighthead, but he will have to be a project. That may mean yer man Herbst at Sharks. That, from the D4 perspective, would mean two THs proficient toTest level in 3 years (Moore and Herbst/whoever).
As regards a back five forward, it's anyone's guess, though I'm sure KOTH and a few others have heard names.
As much as Ruan brings sheer unadulterated class to the pitch, we need another scrum-half who isn't Paul Marshall, and it's too soon to be relying on Shanahan or another Raven. Tbh I would be happy with a proficient if not excellent back-up, so maybe project of even a current IQ - no use busting the budget on two world-class players in one position.
Finally, we are thin at centre until Marshall and Olding come back (and in whatever shape Marshall comes back in). A utility back to cover that general area and maybe 15 wouldn't go amiss, even if it's a one-off, 2 year contract until another 2 (say) youngsters come through.
Going by Humph's past few years, I'm confident he'll get at least 3 of the above 4, plus whomever he in his infinitely superior wisdom has decided we are in need of.
Have faith!
Edit: Reading back over this - is there any provision for declaring more than one international signing per year a "project"?
It's the hope that kills you.
Re: NIQs for 2014-15 Season
So that's where Nick is.damianmcr wrote:I heard you get a tasty burger at Nutts Corner.
Re: NIQs for 2014-15 Season
Exceptions to the guidelines would presumably be made on a case by case basis if D4 thought it were in the interest of Irish rugby.rorybestsbigbaldnoggin wrote: Edit: Reading back over this - is there any provision for declaring more than one international signing per year a "project"?
Re: NIQs for 2014-15 Season
There is talk that Payne does not become qualified until November and that prevents us signing a project until that time, not sure though if this is accurate.
“That made me feel very special and underlined to me that Ulster is more than a team, it is a community and a rugby family"
Rory Best
Rory Best
Re: NIQs for 2014-15 Season
Rooster wrote:There is talk that Payne does not become qualified until November and that prevents us signing a project until that time, not sure though if this is accurate.
Is it not that November will be the first International matches that he will be eligible for?
Wouldn't have thought that should have an impact on us.
Ravers is my home from home!
My wife allows me to say that.
My wife allows me to say that.
- Cap'n Grumpy
- Rí na Cúige Uladh
- Posts: 15704
- Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:21 pm
- Location: second barrier up, at the half-way line ... or is the third?
Re: NIQs for 2014-15 Season
End of September for Jared.Rooster wrote:There is talk that Payne does not become qualified until November and that prevents us signing a project until that time, not sure though if this is accurate.
Have faith childer!
I'm not arguing -
I'm just explaining why I'm right
I'm just explaining why I'm right
- Russ
- Rí na Cúige Uladh
- Posts: 28295
- Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2012 2:27 pm
- Location: Looking for George North's defence
Re: NIQs for 2014-15 Season
That passport at Nutts Corner ready?Cap'n Grumpy wrote:End of September for Jared.Rooster wrote:There is talk that Payne does not become qualified until November and that prevents us signing a project until that time, not sure though if this is accurate.
Have faith childer!
Re: NIQs for 2014-15 Season
Read back over it againrorybestsbigbaldnoggin wrote:We need a tighthead prop, a back five forward (the precise position depending on Humphries/D4 pulling the finger out and giving Henderson a number to master, preferably 6), a scrum-half and possibly a centre/utility back.
Given we have just got rid of Afoa, and the IRFU edict of "not shooting ourselves in the foot", I think we'll be allowed to sign a NIQ tighthead, but he will have to be a project. That may mean yer man Herbst at Sharks. That, from the D4 perspective, would mean two THs proficient toTest level in 3 years (Moore and Herbst/whoever).
As regards a back five forward, it's anyone's guess, though I'm sure KOTH and a few others have heard names.
As much as Ruan brings sheer unadulterated class to the pitch, we need another scrum-half who isn't Paul Marshall, and it's too soon to be relying on Shanahan or another Raven. Tbh I would be happy with a proficient if not excellent back-up, so maybe project of even a current IQ - no use busting the budget on two world-class players in one position.
Finally, we are thin at centre until Marshall and Olding come back (and in whatever shape Marshall comes back in). A utility back to cover that general area and maybe 15 wouldn't go amiss, even if it's a one-off, 2 year contract until another 2 (say) youngsters come through.
Going by Humph's past few years, I'm confident he'll get at least 3 of the above 4, plus whomever he in his infinitely superior wisdom has decided we are in need of.
Have faith!
Edit: Reading back over this - is there any provision for declaring more than one international signing per year a "project"?
Wooohooo!! Only donkey left on the board
- Cornerfleg
- Rí na Cúige Uladh
- Posts: 11600
- Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:56 pm
- Location: In Toulon ... waiting for an offer
Re: NIQs for 2014-15 Season
Clive's probably V+'d it anyway!
Always ask yourself, "What would Big Rodney do"... And every time the answer is... "Eat It"
Re: NIQs for 2014-15 Season
We need a 10. This constant switching to cover while PJ is on Ireland duty is no good.
It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
Re: NIQs for 2014-15 Season
we have got another 10 signedIndiana wrote:We need a 10. This constant switching to cover while PJ is on Ireland duty is no good.
“That made me feel very special and underlined to me that Ulster is more than a team, it is a community and a rugby family"
Rory Best
Rory Best
- Russ
- Rí na Cúige Uladh
- Posts: 28295
- Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2012 2:27 pm
- Location: Looking for George North's defence
Re: NIQs for 2014-15 Season
People need to keep up. This bs is not helping my hangover
- Cornerfleg
- Rí na Cúige Uladh
- Posts: 11600
- Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:56 pm
- Location: In Toulon ... waiting for an offer
Re: NIQs for 2014-15 Season
Rooster wrote:we have got another 10 signedIndiana wrote:We need a 10. This constant switching to cover while PJ is on Ireland duty is no good.
We have no idea if he's any good ... but he's replacing McKinney ... starter for 10 in the beg!!!
Always ask yourself, "What would Big Rodney do"... And every time the answer is... "Eat It"
Re: NIQs for 2014-15 Season
Sorry Ross, I know what you mean!
It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.
Mark Twain
Mark Twain