A couple of interesting snippets in the Sunday Times today.
Peter O'Reilly has Caldwell heading to Northampton with Roger Wilson and the same writer has Matt Williams on a scouting mission with All Blacks Troy Flavell (possible replacement for Harrison?) and Nick Evans on his shopping list. Evans & Parks both being touted as 10 although I believe Evans also plays full back. (Bart?)
colind wrote:A couple of interesting snippets in the Sunday Times today.
Peter O'Reilly has Caldwell heading to Northampton with Roger Wilson and the same writer has Matt Williams on a scouting mission with All Blacks Troy Flavell (possible replacement for Harrison?) and Nick Evans on his shopping list. Evans & Parks both being touted as 10 although I believe Evans also plays full back. (Bart?)
The Caldwell story may be a red herring... the fact that the IRFU included Caldwell in the high performance group implies they want to keep him.
Dan Parks name has come up before... Williams coached him at Scotland and maybe at NSW as well.
According to wikipedia Evans plays 1st 5/8 and fullback so could cover 10, centre and FB as well.
colind wrote:According to wikipedia Evans plays 1st 5/8 and fullback so could cover 10, centre and FB as well.
What???? Evans is probably THE most gifted 10 in NZ rugby! He doesn't play there normally because of Carter's goal kicking, but when Carter doesn't play Henry now prefers him to McAlister. When Carter went off against France, Evans came on and injected life into their game.
I can't believe that he would be in any way interested in playing for Ulster though.
Evans could cover 10, centre and fullback even if he was coming I suspect it wouldn't be as cover. Arguably one of the best in the world and as indicated having recently moved so unlikely to do so again.
The Caldwell rumour has been going for a while now with the talk of his other half mentioning they are off to France so maybe it has had the desired effect of getting him into the elite squad and upping his value.
evans is a fantastic player, and would be a superb signing.. i think caldwell will stay as well, he certainly will if he's getting any decent advice from anyone
[The Artist Formerly Known as Caolan]
On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero - Tyler Durden
Strangely I thought some time ago that Flavell would be a good signing for us. If we can afford Evans, we know who robbed the Northern Bank. (MR's mask would be bigger than the one illustrated).
Hopefully Caldwell will sign the 3 year deal being talked about. Flavell has a history of discipline problems but appears to have matured in the last couple of years. He would really tighten up what is currently a relatively soft front 5.
The big worry is the speculation surrounding Bowe. I heard a few weeks back that Munster had made him an attractive offer. He is starting to show his full potential and Ulster should do whatever is necessary to keep him. I was encouraged by his comments about Matt Williams in the Sunday Times article, so fingers crossed.
Neil Best has been a fantastic servant for Ulster and would certainly be a loss, but his style of play doesnt lend itself to a long career and I would say fair play to him if he takes a well paid 3 year deal in France.
Nick Evans is wishful thinking. Dan parks is much more likely.
We will definitely sign a tight head - any high class performers on the market?
I just hope the rumours of Bowe going South are just that. He is one of our most valuable players imho and if Ulster let him go without a fight then it would be a dark day.
(MR's mask would be bigger than the one illustrated).
should be fit to buy players and have enough crumbs left to build a stand then Bunz 
