The UAFC

Reputedly RW was on one of the top five deals at UR when he re-signed, he wasn't Test class then and he isn't now. Ulster need an 8 with Williams' power and Wilson's work rate but also in their mid twenties.
Right now Ulster have one Test class player in Henry and his future isn't certain, so Ulster need to get serious about getting some top quality in such a pivotal position rather than crowing about re-signing a squad player.

Fly Half wrote:Reputedly RW was on one of the top five deals at UR when he re-signed, he wasn't Test class then and he isn't now. Ulster need an 8 with Williams' power and Wilson's work rate but also in their mid twenties.
Right now Ulster have one Test class player in Henry and his future isn't certain, so Ulster need to get serious about getting some top quality in such a pivotal position rather than crowing about re-signing a squad player.

Chris has a rosy future. His problem has been dealt with. I would also suggest that Hendo is test class in fact I'd say he's a step or two ahead of Chris. We are stuck with Nick until his contract expires. However is he not IQ at the end of this season? If he is, can we sign Josh Strauss this summer?

Nick will never be IQ.

Or were you joking Snipe?

damianmcr wrote:Nick will never be IQ.

Or were you joking Snipe?

Worth a punt......

Strauss has just signed a new contract with Glasgow and has intentions of playing for Scotland next season, he won't be joining us unfortunately

Snipe Watson wrote:

damianmcr wrote:Nick will never be IQ.

Or were you joking Snipe?

Worth a punt......

Technically, Nick Williams is Irish-qualified (or can be - presumably there is some paperwork required to formalise it from IRB perspective).

Also, re Henry being our only Test-level back row - I'd agree that obviously Henderson is operating at that level - however, whether we can define him as a back row (the blessed influence of Herr Schmidt's "suggestions") is another matter entirely.

Doesnt his cap with the junior All Blacks count anymore?

damianmcr wrote:Doesnt his cap with the junior All Blacks count anymore?

Depends if they were listed as the ABs 2nds at the time.

It would be to simple for there to be a list wouldnt it?

The juniors are the 2nd team now arent they?

Too old, Gawd help us if that's all we can come up with.

the scout wrote:Too old, Gawd help us if that's all we can come up with.

I'd say Williams becoming IQ would simply be a moving-the-goalposts, "not shooting ourselves in the foot" action from the IRFU, rather than any serious notion of actually playing him in a Test match. Currently it's mere forum speculation, in any case.

NW is nowhere any sort of Test class. FS Biys, lets get real....
At the end of the day, UR were caught with their pants down. Fez wasn't exactly a shock, RW I'm surprsed at getting 2 years given his age, NW is a squad filler now, ditto McComish, no one seems to rate Joyce, Butterworth et al, Reidy doensn't seem to be even as decent as Doyle. Ross doesn;t inspire me as a HEC standard player, which is basically what we need playing against any team in the top 6-7 of the RABO as well.

So we've got basically Diack, RW, Chad and Hendo, who're injured, of the requisite standard or as long term keepers.

In Cultra vernacular, we're fooked Sadie.... Marquee signings needed for 7 and 8 imo.
And Mad Willie's over at Westies....

Fly Half wrote: he wasn't Test class then and he isn't now.

He was, around 2006/07, and should've got more caps. Disgraceful from EOS.

I don't think anyone is suggesting Williams would get a game for Ireland however come 2015 after three years continuous employment by UR he is technically Irish qualified which frees up a space in our squad to sign a non irish qualified back row. That is if his junior AB caps do not disqualify him?

UlsterNo9 wrote:I don't think anyone is suggesting Williams would get a game for Ireland however come 2015 after three years continuous employment by UR he is technically Irish qualified which frees up a space in our squad to sign a non irish qualified back row. That is if his junior AB caps do not disqualify him?

Pretty sure his junior All Blacks in 2005/2006 do disqualify him.