Any word on the Academy?

[Setanta]

When do the new lads join the squad ?

[solidarity]

Basically there are two approaches to sport the first being we play to enjoy ourselves the second is we play to win and thereby enjoy ourselves . The latter approach,in a team game,requires everyone to be singing from the same sheet and because if everyone adopts this approach winning is never guaranteed disappointment will result. Thus the former approach we are here to enjoy ourselves rather than , we must win is more common especially at mini levels ( pre 14 ) .

Which means give the kids a ball and let them play rather than we have to coach them to ruck how to pod accept roles and field positions play to patterns or look for space.

Rugby is a much more complex game than football where if you can learn to control a ball on first touch you have learnt about 70 % of the skill and awareness necessary but that first 70% is the hardest whereas rugby the first thing to learn is to catch a ball but that is only about 3 % of what is necessary

Good points Rum'n. The balance between the sheer pleasure of playing sport to win is a fine balance. To be honest, if I had to choose, I'd prefer to see thousands more playing rugby for fun and Ulster winning every now and again, rather than Ulster winning more often and few people playing for fun.

[shamalicious]

When do the new lads join the squad ?

They started along with the others a couple of weeks ago.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9vSB3Fsoor ... I2ZTc4eQ==

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9vUdpFsEWH ... I2cmt0bQ==

[Setanta]

Thanks, I meant the Dublin lads.

[shamalicious]

Thanks, I meant the Dublin lads.

Ah sorry, don't think I've seen them yet.

[HammerTime]

Have, over the last few years had plenty experience dealing with GAA clubs/people/matches. And I Have to hand it to them the commitment levels from everyone involved is off the scale. Also listened to the UR podcast this week with Neil Best were he was saying it was great to be a professional as you'd so much time off and the guys used to all go round to each others houses and play video games all day. The outlook is like chalk and cheese from each background. And when you think it's the amateur organisation that blows the professional out of the water! We need to be getting more of these GAA fellas into the game. It's Already happening at my local club but really need to go at it province wide.

[kingofthehill]

Have, over the last few years had plenty experience dealing with GAA clubs/people/matches. And I Have to hand it to them the commitment levels from everyone involved is off the scale. Also listened to the UR podcast this week with Neil Best were he was saying it was great to be a professional as you'd so much time off and the guys used to all go round to each others houses and play video games all day. The outlook is like chalk and cheese from each background. And when you think it's the amateur organisation that blows the professional out of the water! We need to be getting more of these GAA fellas into the game. It's Already happening at my local club but really need to go at it province wide.

GAA season is never ending. If it was remotely similar in physicality they would think different about taking a break.

I take your point at the same time. Would be great to see more players playing both sports.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HammerTime]

Have, over the last few years had plenty experience dealing with GAA clubs/people/matches. And I Have to hand it to them the commitment levels from everyone involved is off the scale. Also listened to the UR podcast this week with Neil Best were he was saying it was great to be a professional as you'd so much time off and the guys used to all go round to each others houses and play video games all day. The outlook is like chalk and cheese from each background. And when you think it's the amateur organisation that blows the professional out of the water! We need to be getting more of these GAA fellas into the game. It's Already happening at my local club but really need to go at it province wide.

GAA season is never ending. If it was remotely similar in physicality they would think different about taking a break.

I take your point at the same time. Would be great to see more players playing both sports.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes the GAA have rather craftily made it this way to prevent youngsters being tempted with other sports. Quite crass if you ask me but with Ireland doing so well you'd think we could tempt a few. Maybe not the top notch guys (as they're so well embedded) but the next level down. There should be a constant 'give it a try' phase with every club.

[solidarity]

Have, over the last few years had plenty experience dealing with GAA clubs/people/matches. And I Have to hand it to them the commitment levels from everyone involved is off the scale. Also listened to the UR podcast this week with Neil Best were he was saying it was great to be a professional as you'd so much time off and the guys used to all go round to each others houses and play video games all day. The outlook is like chalk and cheese from each background. And when you think it's the amateur organisation that blows the professional out of the water! We need to be getting more of these GAA fellas into the game. It's Already happening at my local club but really need to go at it province wide.

That's a bit embarrassing!

[Big-al]

Don’t think Neil Best was ever renowned for his professionalism off the pitch though!!!

[promsandwich]

I have always believed that rugby has failed to follow the GAA model. We should at branch level play rugby on a County level. There is no reason we could not have an Ulster championship at say under 16 or 18 level on a county level. Then we could develop it
I know some counties might struggle but it is worth a try.
There seems in the new regime at Ulster Rugby a willingness towards thinking outside the box,so anything is possible

There is a lot that rugby could learn from GAA. I went to a rugby playing school and it was the only sport that I ever played. I have 3 boys, all who play GAA. The GAA gets them in from aged 4 ( P1 ) and keeps as many in the system as possible. Clubs take precedence over schools with the outcome being that the club is community based and is its own community - the opposite of club rugby as far as my experience goes. The numbers they have are phenomenal. Players move through the age grades and remain in the club system. One of my best mate's sons just won the schools cup for the second time. He is a really good player from what I've seen. Not good enough for Ulster imo but someone who would be a great servant for a club side. I asked his dad recently if he was going to keep playing rugby and the answer was that, "To be honest he has had his fill of rugby".

[Big-al]

When do this years u18/u19 take place?

Any fixtures/locations released yet?

[Horse15]

When do this years u18/u19 take place?

Any fixtures/locations released yet?

Heard that 18 schools lost heavily to Connacht 18s at weekend

Ulster U19 Men Fixtures

Ulster U19 v Connacht U19, Saturday 17th August, Kingspan Stadium (KO: 6.30pm)

Munster U19 v Ulster U19, Sunday 25th August, Virgin Media Park (KO: 3pm)

Leinster U19 v Ulster U19, Saturday 31st August, Energia Park (KO: 4pm)

Ulster U18 Schools Fixtures

Munster U18 Schools v Ulster U18 Schools, Saturday 10th August, Virgin Media Park (KO: 2pm)

Ulster U18 Schools v Leinster U18 Schools, Wednesday 14th August, Kingspan Stadium (KO: 2pm)

Ulster U18 Schools v Munster U18 Schools,Saturday 24th August, Newforge Sports Complex (KO: 2pm)

Leinster U18 Schools v Ulster U18 Schools, Sunday 1st September, Energia Park (KO: 2.30pm)

Ulster U18 Clubs Fixtures

Ulster U18 Clubs v Connacht U18 Clubs, Saturday 17th August, Kingspan Stadium (KO: 4.30pm)

Munster U18 Clubs v Ulster U18 Clubs, Sunday 25th August, Virgin Media Park (KO: 12.30pm)

Leinster U18 Clubs v Ulster U18 Clubs, Saturday 31st August, Energia Park (KO: 2pm)

[Tap+Go]

When do this years u18/u19 take place?

Any fixtures/locations released yet?

Heard that 18 schools lost heavily to Connacht 18s at weekend

Lots of U18 involved in the match the day previously versus Saracens who will come back in, so will be a much changed side from that which lost to Connacht.

U17 Schools also taking 2 teams to a blitz against the other provinces at the High Performance Centre Dublin this weekend (Sun 11th).

[Bayern]

Ulster U18 Schools Team vs Munster u18 Schools

(1-8) James Gould(Wallace), Nathan Noble(Sullivan), Ollie Fitzsimmons(Wallace), Jack Law(Sullivan), Noah Bell(Banbridge), Ben Moore(Wallace), Sam Warwick(Wallace), Charlie Hargy(Ballymena)

(15-9) James Kerr(RBAI), Russell Alo Velkune(Campbell), Connor Patton(RBAI), Tom Bell(Regent), Matthew Callaghan(Regent), Owen O'Kane(Rainey), Connor McVicker(BRA)

Replacements: Matthew Scott(Methody), Daniel Macklin-Copeland(Wallace), Angus Graham(Dalriada), Harry Lamont(Ballymena), Cian McClean, Alex Stevenson(Wallace), Charlie O'Connor(RBAI), Reuben Allen(Ballymena), Callum Largey(Methody)