Stephen Ferris and Rory Best make welcome returns to the Ulster squad after their summer lay off. Welcome back Rory but at the end of the day I think everyone is looking forward to seeing the Beast in tandem with Wannenburg in the last of the pre-season friendlies!
Forwards: Bryan Young, Rory Best, Declan Fitzpatrick, Nigel Brady; Paddy McAllister, Adam Macklin, Johann Muller, Tim Barker, Ryan Caldwell, Stephen Ferris, Willie Faloon, Pedrie Wannenburg, Robbie Diack, TJ Anderson. Backs: Ian Porter, Michael Heaney, Niall O’Connor, Ian Humphreys, Jonny Shiels, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Craig Gilroy, Tommy Seymour, David McIlwaine, Adam D’Arcy
From that squad I think that Ulster will go with the following starting XV:
(15-9) McIlwaine, Gilroy, Whitten, Cave, Shiels, O’Connor, Porter. (1-8) Young, Best, Fitzpatrick, Muller, Barker, Ferris, Faloon, Wannenburg.
I expect that the rest of the squad will bench, subject to availability, with McIlwaine and D’Arcy probably getting a half each with whoever shows the best form getting a start in the Magners League opener against the Ospreys – with maybe even a contract thrown in, given that both are unattached at present.
Gilroy showed enough against Quins for a second look, though I’m surprised to see McCrea drop out. However I believe that a special fixture is being arranged between the U20’s and the Ravens this week to look at more options so maybe McCrea, Luke Marshall and Spence are all going to get a good work out there as Ulster try to settle on a back line for the opening fixtures.
I do expect them to start with O’Connor at out half as he looks completely different when he’s in partnership with younger players. Faster in his decision making and much and more confident with ball in hand he takes on more responsibility and looks the best option this season so far.
In the back row I would chose Ferris, Faloon and Diack and I think we’ll start with that against the O’s with Wannenburg and Ferris being rotated throughout the season. On this occasion, however, I think they’ll go with Wannenburg at 8 at the expense of Diack just so they can have a look at him in combination with the Sainted 1F. The Ferris W’Burg combination could be hugely destructive or they could spend the night running into each other so it’ll be intriguing to see what way it works out.
In the second row I noticed Caldwell called the shots when Muller went off against Harlequins, but I also thought that Barker had the better game so I think they’ll start with Muller and Barker with the plan being for a like for like replacement with Caldwell being groomed in the likeness of Muller over the next couple of years.
Front row picks itself and Rory should be raring to go after a good break over the summer. It’ll be interesting to see how the arrows go at line out time now he’s had time to work with Muller.
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6 Responses to “The Beast is Back!”
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My bet would be that Ferris will be rested against the Italian sides at home and a couple of “no hope” away matches esp before ERC games
I’m glad to see your starting to warm to O’Connor although I have still resevations with his ability to vary his kicks from hand and the consistency of his place kicking but his selection enables the backrow to play a more normal defensive game and freedom to support the centres instead of being focused solely on the ruck fringe 9 -10 channels..
Diack having already played two games is due a rest and with Trimble and Dannyboy being unavilable all wing options require an outing to assess potential
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Ed – Interesting selection – i chose Humph over O’Connor purely as O’connor started against the quins. I had Diack at 8 but ‘resting’ him seems like a good option …and had Seymour on the wing instead of Shields. Agree with your synopsis of the others and the probable subs.
From a comment on what the mote says re O’Connors place kicking ….. the stats I saw at the end of last season showed that O’connor had a success rate of about 69% with Humph at about 64 % … but I’ll stand corrected if anyone can show me different stats.
Looking forward to a good game on Thur night and og course a win !!
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Actually junty you are probably right about Seymour starting and not Shiels. A mistake on my part as Shiels is cover for center.
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I hope they start McIlwaine again, he deserves another chance after his impressive debut against a full strength Harlequins last Saturday. I have nothing against D’Arcy but I don’t see how he fits into the CEO’s stated position of an Ulster team with Ulster men and a few world class internationals thrown in. I am sure there are others in the Academy or in age group squads who would kill for the chance.
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My comment was noy a comparison of O;Connor to IH But I would like to see both at 80-85% not the mid sixties. I have always been of the mind that O ‘Connor tends to needlessly over kick the ball at times seeking power and distance when accuracy is called for.
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mote – i agree with you we need both Humph and NOC to be at least 80% on the kicking stats.
RR – Didnt see any of young Mackies debut but i’m sure his mum n dad were proud as all the reports gave him a glowing report. I agree with your sentiments of an Ulster team made from ulstermen.
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