Ulster 2006/07

cjp · Post by **cjp** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:18 pm

I Know this season hasn't started yet even, but was looking at UR's player profiles and we could well have up to 9 contracts up for grabs next year.

Bell, Howe, Topping, Larkin, Maggs and Stewart are all unlikely to get new deals or either retire. While in the pack. Feather and Frost could be candidates to lose contracts while Rod Moore will probably retire. Which sort of leaves us looking for alot of home grown talent to take those places.

I know its a long way away but just a thought.

ballpark · Post by **ballpark** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 7:06 pm

What is frightening about that list is that in my opinion at least three if not more should have been put out to grass this year. i.e. Topping, Bell and Larkin. These guys are simply denying full time contracts to the younger players THIS year. Bell has started how many matches in the last two seasons??? He is simply injury prone.

colinh · Post by **colinh** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 7:17 pm

Agreed a lot of these boys are past the best days of their careers and it is time to bring in young Trimble as well as feeding the U21 and U19 boys.

Colin

Insider · Post by **Insider** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:02 am

Completely agree re Bell but can we afford to let Larkin go until we find a definate replacement for Humphs? Is Steenson up to it?
Think Topping's best days are behind him but he does appear to be in good shape for this season, no reason why he still cant mix it in the CL.

Rooster · Post by **Rooster** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:27 am

At present McCall stated last year at the URSC AGM that Paddy Wallace was the Humph replacement

if this is the case we should be seeing more of Paddy in the 10 shirt and Humph starting to sit on the pine

It could be very frustrating to watch

BR · Post by BR » Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:41 am

Rooster wrote:At present McCall stated last year at the URSC AGM that Paddy Wallace was the Humph replacement if this is the case we should be seeing more of Paddy in the 10 shirt and Humph starting to sit on the pine It could be very frustrating to watch

That may well be the intention, but the fact is when DH is unavailable, we cannot always risk playing Wallace. Larkin is the safety net.

Rooster · Post by **Rooster** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:48 am

Agree with what you say BR but looking ahead to the title of this post it is a bit of a worry who else is going to be there if Humphs retires as expected and Larkin is put out to grass. There seems to be a big question over young Steenson if he either wants or is offered a contract

Could we possibly see Boss in the 10 shirt

BR · Post by BR » Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:49 am

Rooster wrote: Could we possibly see Boss in the 10 shirt

Not a chance!

cjp · Post by **cjp** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:06 am

Bryn possibly into 10? Was the sub fly half when we won the European cup. Just an Idea, I don't think Wallace is up to it, certainly not at International level. The 2 youngsters in the 2nd row will get game time this year, but can't see any of the others on development deals get a look in bar Trimble, would like to see Decky get game time he is a good prospect.

Possible replacements for the players who may not get contracts:

Maggs - Telford
Bell - Trimble
Howe - McKenzie
Topping - ?
Larkin - Steenson or possibly if Ian Humphrey's shows well at Leicester we could get him out of last year of his deal.
Stewart - ?
Feather - Ferris
Moore - Decky

Magical O' Driscoll · Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:10 am

Maggs and Feather have only been playing for one season and they getting replaced already.

Insider · Post by **Insider** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 2:23 pm

They aint getting any younger MO'D!

cjp · Post by **cjp** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 2:29 pm

Maggs is nearly 32 (I think) He was given a two year deal and with Steiner signed on for a few more years, I think Kev will retire. Trimble and Telford are both going to come into contention over the next few years, Trimble hopefully this year.

Feather is turning 30 this season and as far as I know his deal ends this season and with Ferris coming through at 8, which will definitly push Wilson and possibly lead Wilson to moving to 6 and with Hennesy also progressing well there is young players coming through. Also this super 12 back rower is still going to come.

But since when did and Irish province give youth a chance? In other country's yes but not here.

Freddie Benson · Post by **Freddie Benson** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 3:22 pm

cjp wrote:
But since when did and Irish province give youth a chance? In other country's yes but not here.

seems our youth has to go England to get a chance

David Craig · Post by **David Craig** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 9:44 pm

Our problem is we want to give youth a chance but we complain about managment when things go wrong and we are not winning.

Chicken and egg come to mind.

Cockatrice · Post by **Cockatrice** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 10:46 pm

David - last year the management told us the young development players would be coming out of the shadows but as best as I can recall that didn't happen.

There has been more activity in the 2 friendlies this year with Trimble, Caldwell, young Fitzy and Head than all of last year. However this could be partly due to the fact that at the end of this year much experience will be leaving as stated by cjp. There is also the A Series of matches which will develop some of these players. However they will have to learn and quickly as many will be have little choice but to come through in time for next year.

As for management I would admit to blaming much of last year on them I am also prepared to put that behind me and start again with lower sights than I had this time last year. I will be behind the team but I would like to see a second place finish in the group stage and a top 6 finish in the CL but more of the same and we are in trouble.