Squad depth 2024/25

[Loki]

Intrigued by the Morgan signing if it goes through as is suggested. From what I've read he's effectively Kiwi Mike Lowry but given a chance at 10 - 5"7, likes to run rather than kick, backs himself, can see what he's trying even when it doesn't come off. It's worth a punt but where art thou, taller tactical kickers with big ol' boots? Not for the first time I'd love to know whether we made a serious play for Ben Healy for the ginger half back axis of evil.

[justinr73]

Intrigued by the Morgan signing if it goes through as is suggested. From what I've read he's effectively Kiwi Mike Lowry but given a chance at 10 - 5"7, likes to run rather than kick, backs himself, can see what he's trying even when it doesn't come off. It's worth a punt but where art thou, taller tactical kickers with big ol' boots? Not for the first time I'd love to know whether we made a serious play for Ben Healy for the ginger half back axis of evil.

Indeed and I had the same thought watching the Munster game last week.

I’d assume not given we were pretty wedded to Billy at the time and the Scots targeted Healy with the lure of immediate international rugby.

[jacothelad]

Intrigued by the Morgan signing if it goes through as is suggested. From what I've read he's effectively Kiwi Mike Lowry but given a chance at 10 - 5"7, likes to run rather than kick, backs himself, can see what he's trying even when it doesn't come off. It's worth a punt but where art thou, taller tactical kickers with big ol' boots? Not for the first time I'd love to know whether we made a serious play for Ben Healy for the ginger half back axis of evil.

Healy stated clearly that he would not move to another Province. It was Munster and Ireland or Scotland.

[Loki]

Sportspeople say all kinds of things around contracts in fairness. I don't doubt we weren't tremendously appealing to him - for all sorts of reasons, largely covered in the posts above - but I'd love to know about the analytics behind our signings more generally. It all seems last minute hit and hope rather than actively searching by type across an identified set of metrics. A smallish, maverick 10 without a decent boot who's statistically likely to be driven backwards is simultaneously the most modern Ulster signing ever and arguably one of the last things we need. All that said I hope he's a second Damian McKenzie and the Hurricanes have just failed to register it

[justinr73]

I’d have waited a year for the real one!

Pretty much the only analysis we do is who’s IQ but that’s the problem with trying to recruit with one arm tied behind your back.

[Dave]

I’d have waited a year for the real one!

Pretty much the only analysis we do is who’s IQ but that’s the problem with trying to recruit with one arm tied behind your back.

That's how we ended up with Billy.

[big mervyn]

I’d have waited a year for the real one!

Pretty much the only analysis we do is who’s IQ but that’s the problem with trying to recruit with one arm tied behind your back.

That's how we ended up with Billy.

Who spent much of his time here playing with one leg tied behind his back

[justinr73]

Bradley is running with the Morgan story now.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cjllzd9n6wxo

The lad played last week. Three games and three wins now this season.

[Big-al]

Wonder can he get much distance from his clearance kicks?

That was one of Billy’s biggest weaknesses.

[Bobbievee]

Wonder can he get much distance from his clearance kicks?

That was one of Billy’s biggest weaknesses.

Why do Jacob and Stu not line up for clearance kicks … a la Lowe?

[big mervyn]

Wonder can he get much distance from his clearance kicks?

That was one of Billy’s biggest weaknesses.

Why do Jacob and Stu not line up for clearance kicks … a la Lowe?

Stockdale has a massive boot on him. Seen him do a 50:22 from inside his own 22

[DodgyEverything]

Wonder can he get much distance from his clearance kicks?

That was one of Billy’s biggest weaknesses.

Why do Jacob and Stu not line up for clearance kicks … a la Lowe?

Stockdale has a massive boot on him. Seen him do a 50:22 from inside his own 22

Hume had a cannon of a boot when he was at school, could knock over pens from halfway fairly easily too. Always wondered why he couldn't be used as an Elliot Daly type long range kicker

[justinr73]

He belted a few earlier this season to good effect.

I’m more concerned about our kicking deep into the 22 from pens.

Good to see our lineout work last week incidentally.

What a bloody difference that makes.

[Bobbievee]

Yep agreed
Any of the 3 named could do that. Ffs, I could do that and I'm 77!

[earl the beaver]

Wonder can he get much distance from his clearance kicks?

That was one of Billy’s biggest weaknesses.

Why do Jacob and Stu not line up for clearance kicks … a la Lowe?

Stockdale has a massive boot on him. Seen him do a 50:22 from inside his own 22

Hume had a cannon of a boot when he was at school, could knock over pens from halfway fairly easily too. Always wondered why he couldn't be used as an Elliot Daly type long range kicker

We used Hume a lot earlier in the season, similarly we used Stockdale but have stopped since Christmas.