The UAFC

Big-al wrote:O’Sullivan not good enough m, may as well give gametime to Reid or Boyd

Reid just had a op and out for a few months.


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Columbo wrote:Sorry to be a downer on a Friday, but I’ve heard that the one rumour that I was hoping would prove to be unfounded in fact has legs… namely that in fact it is 12 contracts that are going, with the 12th being Stu Not a done deal yet but Ulster are expecting him to go.

Looking forward to Petrie explaining that we in fact didn’t want to retain him and will be stronger without him

Stu will stay.


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kingofthehill wrote:

Columbo wrote:Sorry to be a downer on a Friday, but I’ve heard that the one rumour that I was hoping would prove to be unfounded in fact has legs… namely that in fact it is 12 contracts that are going, with the 12th being Stu Not a done deal yet but Ulster are expecting him to go.

Looking forward to Petrie explaining that we in fact didn’t want to retain him and will be stronger without him

Stu will stay.


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tf for that… was gutted to hear that but fingers crossed now

kingofthehill wrote: ↑Fri Mar 08, 2024 6:40 pm

Big-al wrote:O’Sullivan not good enough m, may as well give gametime to Reid or Boyd

Reid just had a op and out for a few months.


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Reids not good enough either from a scrummaging POV imo. Good in loose play, but the point of a prop is they can scrummage without folding.

Re McCloskey he is 31 or thereabouts which means realistic 2 years playing provided he is injury free.
Two years to maximise his income - the IRFU can’t invest money in a two year player whose best years may be behind him and injuries in front of him .

The decisions on contracts are made in Dublin with advice from Ulster regarding the potential of younger players and the fact remains the the final agreement must be ratified by the player . Thus the final decision is made by the player.

Plenty of quality players go on until their mid30’s.

Guarantee McCloskey will be a professional rugby player beyond the age of 33.

Ewers has been a terrible signing.


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kingofthehill wrote: ↑Sat Mar 09, 2024 6:55 pm Ewers has been a terrible signing.


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He’s ready for the knacker yard.

Could understand on paper with Ewers playing profile could be beneficial BUT ultimately his legs have gone those 200+ prem games have added up, and he wasn’t the fastest anyway to start with.

It’ll be interesting what Murphy does with them til end of season.

kingofthehill wrote:Ewers has been a terrible signing.


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Thanks Bryn, he doesn't want to win things anyway, we need to temper our expectations.

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kingofthehill wrote:Ewers has been a terrible signing.


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Dreadful

Yes players can go beyond 30 but they need to go injury free .

Being injury free is harder for backs and most backs start to lose pace at 30 and thus not the players they were and the professional game gets harder .

There is the added factor of marriage as you get older and the need to think long term professional rugby is not a long term option at 30

Spot on Rum.

I was still going strong into my 40s until I got wed and then my Achilles went within 6 months.

They don’t warn you about that during the bloody Marriage Preparation Course, do they?

justinr73 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2024 5:29 pm Spot on Rum.

I was still going strong into my 40s until I got wed and then my Achilles went within 6 months.

They don’t warn you about that during the bloody Marriage Preparation Course, do they?

Yea I'd similar long-term problems with my banjo string. Once scarring sets into the muscle you definitely become prone to further pulling, and lose that top end finish..

kingofthehill wrote: ↑Fri Mar 08, 2024 6:41 pm

Columbo wrote:Sorry to be a downer on a Friday, but I’ve heard that the one rumour that I was hoping would prove to be unfounded in fact has legs… namely that in fact it is 12 contracts that are going, with the 12th being Stu Not a done deal yet but Ulster are expecting him to go.

Looking forward to Petrie explaining that we in fact didn’t want to retain him and will be stronger without him

Stu will stay.


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For how long?

There was defo an offer on the table afaik, I am surprised he is staying if true. Thought he was off