Ulster v Dragons - Pro12 G13 - Fri 5th Feb 19:35

[promenader]

Whoops, so you didn't. You might as well have and I know that's what you, and others, were inferring.

I'll retract and use testicular fortitude if cowardice offends anyone.

I infer, you imply...

[rorybestsbigbaldnoggin]

Defo brother Snipe, hooker is an area where we are blessed with riches.

Andrew has captained the As and from what little I've seen from him, he shows promise. Herring won't go unnoticed by Joe Schmidt forever and we need to start giving Andrew a bit more game time for him to settle.

We've got 2 excellent hookers. One of them can't be more than 4 years (max) from retirement.

Depth in the front row means 3 players with no-to-minimal drop-off.

Andrew needs developed.

[BuckRogers]

Yin, it would be my opinion yer talking mad dog sheeite. Ruan doesn't blast players but he doesn't shirk the tackle and generally makes them when required. He's not Ferris I grant you but to put him, or any self respecting professional, in the Humphreys bracket of defence is a downright insult and tantamount to abuse.

You are clearly not getting enough sex.

[OneMore]

Yin, it would be my opinion yer talking mad dog sheeite. Ruan doesn't blast players but he doesn't shirk the tackle and generally makes them when required. He's not Ferris I grant you but to put him, or any self respecting professional, in the Humphreys bracket of defence is a downright insult and tantamount to abuse.

You are clearly not getting enough sex.

I think shirking the tackle is exactly what he does at times. I totally accept the point that his primary function is not to wreck opposing front row ball carriers, and it doesn't for one moment suggest that he isn't the best player we've had since I've been a ST holder (apologies for the double negative).

I just think there are times when he has avoided tackling or simply missed a tackle to the detriment of the team. And there's more of that than I'd like.

But anyway. Humph. Yeah. I hope Jackie is released.

[BaggyTrousers]

Whilst I accept the wealth at 12/13, and that Olding has the class to back up 10, I do think you're chucking him in and hoping he's not Ian Humphreys. I think we have enough in the squad to win the next two at home whoever plays 10. I also think you gain more by IH and cameos from Olding in terms of having players ready if there's and injury later in the season.

My dear dear fellow, allow me to place this quandary into the simplest of considerations (no hint that you are not well able for the complex of course), to wit, what is best for Ulster Rugby, both now & in the coming seasons.

Olding is a confident player, he has previous experience of playing out half, nobody can seriously doubt either his capacity to play the position but far more importantly, the desirability that he stands ready in the next number of seasons to provide real talent in that position either behind or potentially in front of Paddy Jackson, hopefully two great options where we have all acknowledged weakness for as long as I can recall.

Then look at the case for Ian Humphreys. There simply isn't one, I was a fan of his flaky but occasionally sensational play, but that is history. He is almost out of contract, he is unquestionably out of form, he is in that fine cliche, a busted flush. There is absolutely no conceivable situation in which he will add value to the team for the rest of the season. With Jackson, Pienaar & Olding all either very good or good to OK kickers, even that final remaining skill is of little consequence when you see his wretched form.

What I just don't understand is why would you settle for the known mediocre/awful when a dazzling talent is there to be seen & used. So accepting, as I'm sure you do, the desirability of Ulster having a high class supporting 10 to Paddy, if not now, then exactly when then would be a good time to allow Stu Olding a run of games at 10?

The time is nigh. I hope that the evidence of his play at 10 last weekend is enough to reassure Les that Stu is the man.

Not only that of course, it's also a bloody exciting thought.

[Dave]

I remember Ruan getting injured making a tackle. Shoulder injury, of which he has had a few. He possibly has a weakness there and is maybe advised to avoid heavy contact if at all possible. Also its worth remembering that ihumph was nearly dissected in a bone crunching hit. I wouldn't blame him if he is reluctant to tackle but I don't find his present form reliable.

[Snipe Watson]

Ruan runs interference rather than making hits. It buys time, stops offloads with the windmill routine and he remains on his feet to be of use at the next phase. Genius is what he is......
Haven't seen a charge down from him for a while.

[Russ]

Ruan runs interference rather than making hits. It buys time and he remains on his feet to be of use at the next phase.
Haven't seen a charge down from him for a while.

Toby Flood stood 45m back to kick

[Russ]

STOP THE PRESS

PETE BROWNE HAS INSPECTED THEIR WIN OVER LEINSTER AND PROVIDED UNREAL ANALYSIS OVER ON UR.COM

[justinr73]

STOP THE PRESS

PETE BROWNE HAS INSPECTED THEIR WIN OVER LEINSTER AND PROVIDED UNREAL ANALYSIS OVER ON UR.COM

Look, Pete may have a touch of the Jack Whitehalls about him but we all saw what Jack did in the lineout against Martin Johnson in that RWC ad.

[Neill_M]

Stockdale not playing for the 20s needed again this weekend.

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[BaggyTrousers]

Whilst I accept the wealth at 12/13, and that Olding has the class to back up 10, I do think you're chucking him in and hoping he's not Ian Humphreys. I think we have enough in the squad to win the next two at home whoever plays 10. I also think you gain more by IH and cameos from Olding in terms of having players ready if there's and injury later in the season.

My dear dear fellow, allow me to place this quandary into the simplest of considerations (no hint that you are not well able for the complex of course), to wit, what is best for Ulster Rugby, both now & in the coming seasons.

Olding is a confident player, he has previous experience of playing out half, nobody can seriously doubt either his capacity to play the position but far more importantly, the desirability that he stands ready in the next number of seasons to provide real talent in that position either behind or potentially in front of Paddy Jackson, hopefully two great options where we have all acknowledged weakness for as long as I can recall.

Then look at the case for Ian Humphreys. There simply isn't one, I was a fan of his flaky but occasionally sensational play, but that is history. He is almost out of contract, he is unquestionably out of form, he is in that fine cliche, a busted flush. There is absolutely no conceivable situation in which he will add value to the team for the rest of the season. With Jackson, Pienaar & Olding all either very good or good to OK kickers, even that final remaining skill is of little consequence when you see his wretched form.

What I just don't understand is why would you settle for the known mediocre/awful when a dazzling talent is there to be seen & used. So accepting, as I'm sure you do, the desirability of Ulster having a high class supporting 10 to Paddy, if not now, then exactly when then would be a good time to allow Stu Olding a run of games at 10?

The time is nigh. I hope that the evidence of his play at 10 last weekend is enough to reassure Les that Stu is the man.

Not only that of course, it's also a bloody exciting thought.

You probably didn't read it but my assertion was that you don't dismiss IH just yet. That you give him a start in the next couple of games at Ravenhill. A start hoping he will find some form. And that you continue the cameos from Olding. That's usually how you introduce a player to a position at the next level up. I just don't think you dismiss a player that you may need later in the season. So we disagree on the approach but not the longer term outcome.

Nope, I read everything you wrote, for my sins I read the majority of stuff that people write, I consider it a polite approach and well ............. I'm not exactly stuck for time to do so.

I simply expect nothing at al from Humphreys, I believe it to be beyond his remaining powers to contribute anything much beyond the odd kick for goal. HIs tactical kicking has been shocking all season.

In any event, tomorrow the die will be cast and I'll be gutted to see anything but Ruan & Stu at half back.

[thewaterboy]

Justin73 - Are you saying we should signed Jack Whitehall to add some much needed depth to the second row? I guess he can peruse the complexities of a ruck as well as the next man, so fits the bill perfectly. Does he have an Irish Granny or are you think 3 year project route?

[Neill_M]

Hallam Amos has been released to play for NGD on Fri.

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[Bart S]

I Hump featured on bbc rugby extra this week.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35482963

Must be Inspector Browne next week...