The UAFC

Looking like our academy intake this year will be the following:

Bryn Ward (Backrow)
James McKillop (Lock/Backrow)
Jack Murphy (Flyhalf)
Sam Berman (Centre)
Wilhelm de Klerk (Flyhalf/Centre)

ljsulster wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2024 10:41 am Looking like our academy intake this year will be the following:

Bryn Ward (Backrow)
James McKillop (Lock/Backrow)
Jack Murphy (Flyhalf)
Sam Berman (Centre)
Wilhelm de Klerk (Flyhalf/Centre)

Have either of the out Half's got good potential?

Lurgan Lad wrote:

ljsulster wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2024 10:41 am Looking like our academy intake this year will be the following:

Bryn Ward (Backrow)
James McKillop (Lock/Backrow)
Jack Murphy (Flyhalf)
Sam Berman (Centre)
Wilhelm de Klerk (Flyhalf/Centre)

Have either of the out Half's got good potential?

Jack Murphy is very talented. He has a great kicking game. A bit lightweight but he's only 18 or 19.

Wilhelm de Klerk was excellent playing at centre in the recent U20 6 nations

Murphy, Berman and de Klerk all from the Leinster system. While I welcome any talented youngster wishing to give it a go, is that not a sad indictment of Ulster pathways that 2/5 are from within the province?

Leinster forum seems to rate Berman over the other fella. Outstanding against Clontarf at the weekend apparently.

De Klerk and Berman failed to get academy offers from Leinster, Murphy did get one, but is expected to follow his dad north.

Murphy and de Klerk are quality. I’m absolutely delighted with this.


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kingofthehill wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2024 12:44 pm Murphy and de Klerk are quality. I’m absolutely delighted with this.


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More than happy to follow your credibility on these issues. Is this confirmed?
Maybe also our new regime will move away from the " they will be better when they are older........." theory. If not good enough at 20/21/22 they are not going to be good enough. Look at the number of young out halves starting to populate the English Premier.

There was talk of Murphy being offered a Leinster academy contract, but if he’s coming up here that’s quite a coup.. he’s very small but his composure and kicking were exceptional for the 20s, in fact I would say his overall kicking game was as good as I’ve seen at 20s level for Ireland for the last decade.. there seemed to be a school of thought that said that because Richie was coming here, he’d immediately be followed by Ben and Jack, which I didn’t buy at all - especially Ben who’s already getting reasonable game time at Leinster - but given the queue of 10s at Leinster, even if one or two move on, Ulster isn’t a bad move for him.

De Klerk looked quality too, and if he reverts to 10 he’ll be that rarity, an out-half who can properly tackle!

Bobbievee wrote:

kingofthehill wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2024 12:44 pm Murphy and de Klerk are quality. I’m absolutely delighted with this.


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More than happy to follow your credibility on these issues. Is this confirmed?
Maybe also our new regime will move away from the " they will be better when they are older........." theory. If not good enough at 20/21/22 they are not going to be good enough. Look at the number of young out halves starting to populate the English Premier.

Murphy and Berman not confirmed yet. Fingers crossed it gets over the line.

Clark Logan also in.


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kingofthehill wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2024 1:15 pm

Bobbievee wrote:

kingofthehill wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2024 12:44 pm Murphy and de Klerk are quality. I’m absolutely delighted with this.


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More than happy to follow your credibility on these issues. Is this confirmed?
Maybe also our new regime will move away from the " they will be better when they are older........." theory. If not good enough at 20/21/22 they are not going to be good enough. Look at the number of young out halves starting to populate the English Premier.

Murphy and Berman not confirmed yet. Fingers crossed it gets over the line.

Clark Logan also in.


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Logan is the scrum half?

Silverstu wrote:

kingofthehill wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2024 1:15 pm

Bobbievee wrote:

kingofthehill wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2024 12:44 pm Murphy and de Klerk are quality. I’m absolutely delighted with this.


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More than happy to follow your credibility on these issues. Is this confirmed?
Maybe also our new regime will move away from the " they will be better when they are older........." theory. If not good enough at 20/21/22 they are not going to be good enough. Look at the number of young out halves starting to populate the English Premier.

Murphy and Berman not confirmed yet. Fingers crossed it gets over the line.

Clark Logan also in.


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Logan is the scrum half?

Yes, probably gets in because we have nobody else.


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dont be surprised if scrumhalf Tadhg Brophy is recruited from Leinster too.

kingofthehill wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2024 12:44 pm Murphy and de Klerk are quality. I’m absolutely delighted with this.


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Regardless of how good they are, more Leinster cast offs is frustrating