Squad depth 2024/25

[Silverstu]

Some of the guys are looking more powerful by the looks of that video- Dave McCann seems even bigger, McNabney has filled out and I thought Stu Moore looks to be a lot more solid. New S&C coach is doing a good job by the looks of things..
Very feel good vibe from that video .. hopefully it translates onto the pitch.

[Big-al]

Some of the guys are looking more powerful by the looks of that video- Dave McCann seems even bigger, McNabney has filled out and I thought Stu Moore looks to be a lot more solid. New S&C coach is doing a good job by the looks of things..
Very feel good vibe from that video .. hopefully it translates onto the pitch.

Yeah, McCann looking in top shape. Big lad nowadays. Mcnabney will fill into another monster of a 6/8. He’s maybe the more talented player (which is saying a lot) and will be a big player for Ulster when he matures further.

[SUFTUM_19]

George Pringle from Ballynahinch, a centre, also in on a trial basis but got an injury when out in Australia in May and not fully fit yet.

Ahh interesting, thank you! hopefully he gets a chance to show what he can do!

[CIMANFOREVER]

Some of the guys are looking more powerful by the looks of that video- Dave McCann seems even bigger, McNabney has filled out and I thought Stu Moore looks to be a lot more solid. New S&C coach is doing a good job by the looks of things..
Very feel good vibe from that video .. hopefully it translates onto the pitch.

Yeah, McCann looking in top shape. Big lad nowadays. Mcnabney will fill into another monster of a 6/8. He’s maybe the more talented player (which is saying a lot) and will be a big player for Ulster when he matures further.

Ward junior is a stocky unit too. If it is due to the new S&C then long overdue. Need to work on the young locks and props/ Stewart as well. We've been traditionally undergunned and poorly conditioned in these positions imo.

[Aird]

From what we saw on Saturday night plus those missing due to International call and those on the injury list the squad looks like it will be able to hold its own in most matches.
I believe that Ritchie has brought on some of also rans of last season, together with inducing a happier mood in the squad which bodes well for the future.
Certainly they have come a long way from the terrible lack lustre performance against Edinburg at Ravenhill last season under Dan.
Whilst like most on here I am always hoping for an Ulster win and I can accept defeat by a better side as long as the team have put the effort in. This was not the case against Edinburgh. The performance against Edinburgh reminded me of the awful Osprey’s side playoff at the end of the Gibbes era when the two international captains faced off against each other with Best winning hands down.
Probably this year is not a season to expect silverware but I would expect a tight finish in the league and progress in the ERC.

[Sir Ivor]

Has the injured in training list been made available does anyone know? Will Hendy, Herring, Cooney, Jacob, Nick and Tot play in the next friendly?

[Silverstu]

Has the injured in training list been made available does anyone know? Will Hendy, Herring, Cooney, Jacob, Nick and Tot play in the next friendly?

I think they said the Internationals won't play until the first URC match, don't know about Cooney and obviously Izzy would be in that list as well.

[ljsulster]

Wilson Sheridan Izzy Postlethwaite Ward and Murphy named in Emerging Ireland squad. Could’ve been much worse

Provides opportunities for McNabney Carson etc and keeps TOT at tighthead

[DodgyEverything]

Wilson, Sheridan and Izzy are likely starters though. What happens if there's a TH or lock nursing a bang, it's bare bare bones. Not sure how much more they get out of this trip than being with the senior provincial squad to be honest.

It's an IRFU project to further depth for the national squad at the expense of the provinces

[Aird]

The release of the Emerging Ireland squad now is a good thing in that the coaches can plan around the availability of players over the next batch of games.
Yes it would have been good to have had more players in the squad from one point of view but our squad depth is being stretched enough so five players will be OK.

[Bobbievee]

The release of the Emerging Ireland squad now is a good thing in that the coaches can plan around the availability of players over the next batch of games.
Yes it would have been good to have had more players in the squad from one point of view but our squad depth is being stretched enough so five players will be OK.

How many Ulster matches will this 6 not be available for during the tour and post tour?

[Neill_M]

The release of the Emerging Ireland squad now is a good thing in that the coaches can plan around the availability of players over the next batch of games.
Yes it would have been good to have had more players in the squad from one point of view but our squad depth is being stretched enough so five players will be OK.

How many Ulster matches will this 6 not be available for during the tour and post tour?

Will miss the two games in South Africa and the Connacht game.

[justinr73]

Think the coaches have known the squad for some time.

Four of our likely match day 23 missing for a sixth of the league season.

Add that to the xenophobic recruitment rules and having to keep bang average IQ players who’ll never play for Ireland, and it’s like trying to compete with one arm tied behind your back.

[Bobbievee]

The squad depletion coupled with international duties and enforcement of rest and rotation should surely point to a discount on the ST prices? Or put the other way around, how much extra should we pay to see a full squad?

[Aird]

This is all down to the IRFU holding all the cards financially
. They see the provinces as key to the national team and use them to provide a stream of players to keep Ireland competitive.
In turn the provinces rely on Ireland selling out the Aviva etc to provide funds to keep the provinces competitive.
It is one revolving circle and as the song say you can’t have one without the other.