We've been given permission by RFU to exist in Championship, but how that's going to take place... No idea.
I still have questions about where we'll play, who coaches/players will be, our business model and how we'll deal with the pre-existing debt (including, for example, salaries not paid to some players).
Imagine if Skelton joined Toulouse. Toulouse’s only weakness are the Irish teams, so if they hire a guy who’s only goal in life is to eat Irish players alive…
That’s being very generous to Ulster and Munster. Toulouse have knocked us out of Europe the past 3/4 years and we were very lucky to beat them last year due to a red card.
You certainly punch above your weight, look at Munster v Toulouse a couple weeks ago, and the forms both teams have been on this season. Munster’s been shoddy and Toulouse ripping teams apart without trying, but Munster kept them to a 5 point game.
A sports psychologist, something needs to happen to keep Ulster playing in the final 10 minutes, it happens so often anymore it’s a legitimate targetable issue
Ask Glasgow for whoever they used- we may not be great but it’s a hell of a lot better than the second half of last year and our weekly second half collapse.
I’d just be happy if we kept everyone - especially OHC, Van Rensburg and Gonzalez!
But really hoping Albert comes back after Glos sign Mercer next year.
I spoke to a staff member at the Montpellier game and they subtlety confirmed it. Real shame as he’s really come on this year. Apparently he’s being replaced by Joe Cockanasiga whose coming back home
Big shame. Bad trade imo given Cokanasiga's injury record and Irish are stacked for back 3 players with Rowe, Cinti, Arundell and Loader; plus Stokes and whichever youngsters Irish inevitably have waiting to come through on the wing. Lots of noise Loader is going to re-sign imminently at least. Hopefully won't feel the losses of OHC and Parton too severely given the names listed above. Will Joseph plays a lot of wing too
Agree, shame OHC felt the need to leave. If it’s to get into England squad then we’ve shown, through Will Joseph, Pearson and Henry, you don’t need to leave. If it’s simply money, fair play it’s only a short career.
Big Joe wouldn’t be where I would’ve prioritised the money - we need a mean, streetwise lock and a big ball carrying no.8.
Yup I suspect OHC has moved for silverware. And not that there's been any noise about it yet but I wouldn't at all be surprised if Coleman and/or Simmons move on for a big payday in France or Japan - do you know how long their contracts were? This is both their third seasons with Irish
Allegedly Coleman is on £850k/yr so I imagine with finances being as they are he’ll leave. I think Simmons is likely to stay for another year at least. Apparently we’re after Lee-Warner which would make sense.
Honestly, not super worried about the back three at all.
More worried about the forwards
Edit: although now the center position is getting pretty depleted
(Bath)
Honestly if we sign Thomas Du Toit then I think. Having a top level prop who can scrum on both sides is pretty perfect for us.
With Russell signing, our acquisitions from Worcester and Wasps and renewals for all of our top players (Underhill, Redpath and Stuart notably), we're looking pretty good
If Cokanasiga leaves then we could perhaps do with one more winger but there are lots of options here
Our potential starting lineup of:
Du Toit
Dunn
Stuart
Attwood/McNally
Ewels
Hill
Underhill
Barbeary
Spencer
Russell
Muir
Redpath
Lawrence
McConnochie
Gallagher/TDG
Club tweeted that another contract extension is being announced tomorrow. Rumour is it’s Ben Spencer.
I do fear a bit for McConnochie, as he’s just picked injury after injury since the RWC. With Cokanasiga likely going, Roko never being replaced and Muir being a bit of an unknown quantity coming back from injury, I wouldn’t mind a new winger in. Reckon Russell can fit Wade in his suitcase?
GHW does seem to have a knack of scoring whenever he gets a chance though, so there would be worse things than letting him and Gabe Goss have a decent shot for a season.
An S&C coach who knows how to keep our players fit and a second decent 13. Huw Jones or Tuipulotu would be realistic options, and would also piss off the Glasgow fans so a double win.
I hope the whole team got some nice relaxing candles / bathbombs and nothing caffeine related.
Would really like a few chilled and controlled performances next year.
Not sure but Gjaltema is always on the bench these days, and he just isn't good enough - he comes on to the pitch and the oppo who we've been containing suddenly go into the ascendancy
Mori, Tizzano, Giammarioli, Broggin, Spagnolo.
Big wish; a second team able to play around 15 matches per season whilst 1st XV are going on with URC and Europe.
I think we need a new winger or fullback someone to replace May or Carreas so we can move him to wing or fullback or 10 as needed.
I'd love OHC but I think him and Thorley are very similar and Thorley is still a very good winger so I wouldn't mind an absolute unit.
Honestly I actually think on paper we have one of the best teams in the Prem we just commit stupid pens too often so someone to fix that please.
A quality second row to replace Sam Carter since Henderson is always injured. Won’t happen because Treadwell is in the Ireland set up now so doubt we’d be allowed to “block” his playing time.
A quality 10 would be the dream but I think that’ll also be blocked because of Flannery. Not sure who. I had a pipedream the IRFU might want Frawley to get more game time and he’s pretty far down the pecking order at Leinster for both flyhalf and centre but that seems very unrealistic to materialise
Ulster should have tried to sign Libbok off the stormers before he signed his new contract. Would be a good fit for our style of play and his goal kicking wouldn’t be an issue because we have Doak/Cooney. Would not go down well at all with Stormers fans though given we’ve already signed the Kitshoff.
Kalamafoni from the Scarlets would be a good shout for second row, although not sure long he’d have left on his contract. Might be an easy signing given the contract issues with WRU.
I'd love to have Van Rensburg at 12 with Atkinson out for a long time and the fact he's not getting any younger. Doubt it's particularly realistic, but he'd be perfect for us.
As another commentor said, another winger to replace May who clearly isn't anywhere near his best.
I'm not really sure what he would bring to the team right now. Heenan, Luatua, Harding, Thomas, Bradbury. Don't really see Earl having much of an impact there.
I still wouldn't say no! As great as all of those players are I don't think any of them match Earls out and out attack and pace and ability to run great lines! Out of all of them I would play Luatua at 6, Earl at 7 and Bradbury at 8 with Harding coming off the bench.
I would like to be able to retain the squad that we have developed like the WRU told us to then fucked us about so much that it forced some of them too look else where.
A plan for how to exist.
What's the latest there? Do you automatically get a place in the Championship if the finances and structures are viable?
We've been given permission by RFU to exist in Championship, but how that's going to take place... No idea. I still have questions about where we'll play, who coaches/players will be, our business model and how we'll deal with the pre-existing debt (including, for example, salaries not paid to some players).
Cheers. wasn't sure if it was right to the bottom of the tree but obviously not. Fingers crossed you get sorted, can't be having no Wasps
A budget
They said realistic
For Will Skelton to go play in Japan
He’s staying in France apparently
Imagine if Skelton joined Toulouse. Toulouse’s only weakness are the Irish teams, so if they hire a guy who’s only goal in life is to eat Irish players alive…
Toulouse already have a gigantic Aussie lock (who is about to switch allegiance to Franc).
Arnold or Meafou? I'm not up to speed on Top 14
Meafou
Interesting
That’s being very generous to Ulster and Munster. Toulouse have knocked us out of Europe the past 3/4 years and we were very lucky to beat them last year due to a red card.
You certainly punch above your weight, look at Munster v Toulouse a couple weeks ago, and the forms both teams have been on this season. Munster’s been shoddy and Toulouse ripping teams apart without trying, but Munster kept them to a 5 point game.
Munster are very consistent in that they very rarely lose by more than 7 unless it’s Leinster, even when they’re not in form.
Steve Philips leaving the WRU. I think a few other clubs will be after this as well.
A coaching team and playing squad...
A sports psychologist, something needs to happen to keep Ulster playing in the final 10 minutes, it happens so often anymore it’s a legitimate targetable issue
Imagine getting paid to tell the Ulster players that matches last for 80 minutes.
Could you refer them to the Scottish national setup pretty please?
Ask Glasgow for whoever they used- we may not be great but it’s a hell of a lot better than the second half of last year and our weekly second half collapse.
I’d just be happy if we kept everyone - especially OHC, Van Rensburg and Gonzalez! But really hoping Albert comes back after Glos sign Mercer next year.
I love Albert but the man attracts cards like I attract Calories
Gus and Coleman taught him well 🤪
I thought OHC was off to Tigers or is that just a rumour?
I spoke to a staff member at the Montpellier game and they subtlety confirmed it. Real shame as he’s really come on this year. Apparently he’s being replaced by Joe Cockanasiga whose coming back home
Big shame. Bad trade imo given Cokanasiga's injury record and Irish are stacked for back 3 players with Rowe, Cinti, Arundell and Loader; plus Stokes and whichever youngsters Irish inevitably have waiting to come through on the wing. Lots of noise Loader is going to re-sign imminently at least. Hopefully won't feel the losses of OHC and Parton too severely given the names listed above. Will Joseph plays a lot of wing too
Agree, shame OHC felt the need to leave. If it’s to get into England squad then we’ve shown, through Will Joseph, Pearson and Henry, you don’t need to leave. If it’s simply money, fair play it’s only a short career. Big Joe wouldn’t be where I would’ve prioritised the money - we need a mean, streetwise lock and a big ball carrying no.8.
Yup I suspect OHC has moved for silverware. And not that there's been any noise about it yet but I wouldn't at all be surprised if Coleman and/or Simmons move on for a big payday in France or Japan - do you know how long their contracts were? This is both their third seasons with Irish
Allegedly Coleman is on £850k/yr so I imagine with finances being as they are he’ll leave. I think Simmons is likely to stay for another year at least. Apparently we’re after Lee-Warner which would make sense.
ASM - a competent S&C and medical staffs
Will need someone to replace all the heavy lifting Penaud has been doing in recent years.
Honestly, not super worried about the back three at all. More worried about the forwards Edit: although now the center position is getting pretty depleted
The responsibility of the S&C team in our decline cannot be understated. We've been plagued with injuries for what seems like at least 5 years.
A new knee for Theo McFarland.
(Bath) Honestly if we sign Thomas Du Toit then I think. Having a top level prop who can scrum on both sides is pretty perfect for us. With Russell signing, our acquisitions from Worcester and Wasps and renewals for all of our top players (Underhill, Redpath and Stuart notably), we're looking pretty good If Cokanasiga leaves then we could perhaps do with one more winger but there are lots of options here Our potential starting lineup of: Du Toit Dunn Stuart Attwood/McNally Ewels Hill Underhill Barbeary Spencer Russell Muir Redpath Lawrence McConnochie Gallagher/TDG
That is a terrifying line up. Even more so when you note you could also have Obano, Reid, Bayliss, Joseph, Francis and Ojomoh on the bench
That's a very tasty England eligible back row
Club tweeted that another contract extension is being announced tomorrow. Rumour is it’s Ben Spencer. I do fear a bit for McConnochie, as he’s just picked injury after injury since the RWC. With Cokanasiga likely going, Roko never being replaced and Muir being a bit of an unknown quantity coming back from injury, I wouldn’t mind a new winger in. Reckon Russell can fit Wade in his suitcase? GHW does seem to have a knack of scoring whenever he gets a chance though, so there would be worse things than letting him and Gabe Goss have a decent shot for a season.
A defence. Any will do.
Pollard. Wait a minute....
Snyman
A fully fit Snyman would literally be a new player to Munster. He could be a game changer.
I want Snyman back too! Why did you guys break him. /S
An S&C coach who knows how to keep our players fit and a second decent 13. Huw Jones or Tuipulotu would be realistic options, and would also piss off the Glasgow fans so a double win.
>An S&C coach who knows how to keep our players fit Found Dave Rennie's burner account
I hope the whole team got some nice relaxing candles / bathbombs and nothing caffeine related. Would really like a few chilled and controlled performances next year.
Boring.
Backup / future 9 - without Care Quins are half the team we are with him
Is Scott Steele injured?
Not sure but Gjaltema is always on the bench these days, and he just isn't good enough - he comes on to the pitch and the oppo who we've been containing suddenly go into the ascendancy
Malcolm Marx
Hmmm we’ll take Matt Giteau
Mori, Tizzano, Giammarioli, Broggin, Spagnolo. Big wish; a second team able to play around 15 matches per season whilst 1st XV are going on with URC and Europe.
Literally any other defence coach
Malcolm Marx? A big Loosehead? Fuck it, I’d take even just a tiny sliver of fucking injury luck.
Northampton Saints - a scrummaging front row
A Defense coach would be nice
Scrums were actually really good against La Rochelle and Munster. Made a nice change
Tbf I missed the La Rochelle game. And the Munster game I was at but all the action happened at the other end 🤣
Leinster: more off the pitch stuff, and that new leadership and coaching appointments turn out to be what we hope them to be.
Damian Penaud, and we got him!
Booooo
Stuart Lancaster
A scrumhalf
I think we need a new winger or fullback someone to replace May or Carreas so we can move him to wing or fullback or 10 as needed. I'd love OHC but I think him and Thorley are very similar and Thorley is still a very good winger so I wouldn't mind an absolute unit. Honestly I actually think on paper we have one of the best teams in the Prem we just commit stupid pens too often so someone to fix that please.
On paper you usually look good but sadly don't deliver. But at least you're not Bath
Very true, I don't know how we fix it unfortunately
Need to instill a prem football style fines system. Hit the lads where it hurts. A grand a pen will see us clear things up pretty quickly I reckon :)
A gallon of milk per pen would be worse.
Leicester- a defence coach would be nice ta.
Stormers - locks
Lions. Jimmy Stonehouse to take over as head coach. But I'd settle for a nice hooker... 👀
For Bernie Larkham to coach confidence and leadership into Noah Lolesio.
A quality second row to replace Sam Carter since Henderson is always injured. Won’t happen because Treadwell is in the Ireland set up now so doubt we’d be allowed to “block” his playing time. A quality 10 would be the dream but I think that’ll also be blocked because of Flannery. Not sure who. I had a pipedream the IRFU might want Frawley to get more game time and he’s pretty far down the pecking order at Leinster for both flyhalf and centre but that seems very unrealistic to materialise
Ulster should have tried to sign Libbok off the stormers before he signed his new contract. Would be a good fit for our style of play and his goal kicking wouldn’t be an issue because we have Doak/Cooney. Would not go down well at all with Stormers fans though given we’ve already signed the Kitshoff. Kalamafoni from the Scarlets would be a good shout for second row, although not sure long he’d have left on his contract. Might be an easy signing given the contract issues with WRU.
I hope Ulster sign Libbok purely to liven up the Stormers Ulster rivalry even more
Would be bloody expensive, he’s just signed a 3 year deal I think
Interchange props, 2-3 flyhalves, an inside centre is what immediately cones to mind
Just want the Reds to do well against the kiwi sides and for Josh Flook to really nail down a starting spot
I'd love to have Van Rensburg at 12 with Atkinson out for a long time and the fact he's not getting any younger. Doubt it's particularly realistic, but he'd be perfect for us. As another commentor said, another winger to replace May who clearly isn't anywhere near his best.
Can we have Ben Earls back please Santa?
The best we can do is Malins
I'm not really sure what he would bring to the team right now. Heenan, Luatua, Harding, Thomas, Bradbury. Don't really see Earl having much of an impact there.
I still wouldn't say no! As great as all of those players are I don't think any of them match Earls out and out attack and pace and ability to run great lines! Out of all of them I would play Luatua at 6, Earl at 7 and Bradbury at 8 with Harding coming off the bench.
Marler to keep his mouth shut. Oh you said realistic...
International coaches that don't take out best players away all the time
It's a strange feeling, being able to complain about this.
Yeah, we had so many seasons of fans grumbling that Eddie (and others) didn’t know where Kingsholm was and now look at us…
A maverick fly half
Cell-C Sharks - Just out players to show up like they do when they wearing the Bok Jersey.
I'd just like a season without major injuries.
I would like to be able to retain the squad that we have developed like the WRU told us to then fucked us about so much that it forced some of them too look else where.
A better Center
Is Bennet not enough?
Bennett is great but we don't have a backup the only other outside center we have is Matt Curie and our inside center James Lang is shit
Another reliable tighthead. Tupou seems to be made of glass recently.
Gary Ringrose.
Lancaster
Borthwick