Even if JTA does re-sign, he'll be going to the World Cup with Samoa. With O'Toole off with Ireland and Marty Moore unlikely to be fit, that leaves Milasinovich as our only tighthead for the early part of the season. If James French can give us a bit of cover until we get our internationals back, I wouldn't sniff at that.
During the Ireland tour of New Zealand, there was some talk in the media that Ireland could call up Oli Jager from the Crusaders, who went to school in Ireland. Maybe he'd be an option longer-term?
paddybrown wrote: ↑Wed Apr 12, 2023 6:37 pm
Even if JTA does re-sign, he'll be going to the World Cup with Samoa. With O'Toole off with Ireland and Marty Moore unlikely to be fit, that leaves Milasinovich as our only tighthead for the early part of the season. If James French can give us a bit of cover until we get our internationals back, I wouldn't sniff at that.
During the Ireland tour of New Zealand, there was some talk in the media that Ireland could call up Oli Jager from the Crusaders, who went to school in Ireland. Maybe he'd be an option longer-term?
Milasinovich's deal is also up. Only TOT and Moore signed up for next year.
Corrie Barrett, 24, Bedford Blues, ex-Ulster sub-academy
Greg McGrath, 26, Jersey Reds, ex-Leinster & Connacht
Ben Betts, 26, ex-Young Munster
Ross Kane, 28, Ealing Trailfinders, ex-Ulster
Pro D2
Jamie Hagan, 35, Beziers, ex-Leinster & Connacht
They have Rodney Ah You as still playing at Vannes, but I believe he's now at Limoges in Nationale 2
Without access to genealogical resources to turn up better bets with Irish grannies, that's who's available as short-term cover signings. Unless Leinster, Munster or Connacht have someone they don't need?
Pretty sure Jäger has previously stated he’s emigrated to NZ and is looking down the ABs route, he isn’t interested re Ire, this has been looked at previously last 2yrs. Good luck to him.
We’ve signed some absolute tom kite in the past, I’d rather no one, and test a pup for a couple of games behind Milo, than sign crap/injured or somebody crap and injured. Bringing poor quality makeshift players into UR isn’t going to add anything.
We have Scott Wilson in the academy, and Cameron Doak, Joe Mawhinney and Jack Boal, who got game time for the As this season. But front rowers tend to need a bit more development time than most positions, so no idea if any of them are ready for pro level. The other option is bringing in someone with a bit more experience from the all-Ireland League as short term cover. Worked with Bradley Roberts. Aside from Kyle McCall at Ballynahinch, I've no idea who's out there.
But, to balance out the doom-mongering, the Irish provinces are still in a healthier position squad-wise than some of our URC rivals. Budget cuts at Scarlets mean they'll have to call up players from Llanelli, leading to Llanelli pulling out of the Welsh Premier League because they don't think they can fulfil the fixture list. And Edinburgh have just released a whopping seventeen players (thirteen from the senior squad, including Ulster academy old boy Bruce Houston, four from the academy).
StandUp wrote:Is this a case of not good enough for Munster so goes to Oz for a bit?
Sloppy thirds.
Honestly would rather just hang on to milo than sign a munster reject that can't get a pro contract. If this rumour turns out to be true it will be so disappointing.
StandUp wrote:Is this a case of not good enough for Munster so goes to Oz for a bit?
Sloppy thirds.
Honestly would rather just hang on to milo than sign a munster reject that can't get a pro contract. If this rumour turns out to be true it will be so disappointing.
Agreed. Can’t imagine Milo getting a lucrative contract elsewhere so offer a meagre one here. At least we know what we have and what he’s capable of.
Bringing in an unknown quantity, who can’t get a contract with other clubs is what I would expect from UR though.
Read somewhere Lyttle has hung up the boots if so good luck to him filled in well giving 110% when others were unavailable his misfortune was to be an old fashioned light winger in days when" brick-walls" who could catch a ball have blossomed.
With the inability to kick directly to touch outside the 22 wings now become part of a back three which defends as double full backs behind a back line of 4.
This approach favours players who can catch and kick distance rather than run.in and find space to create an attack.
Within this carapace of skepticism there lives an optimist
