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Poor Ulster Representation
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 8:43 pm
by Lisburnsooty
Todays Ireland starting 15 shows a poor representation of Ulster players.
Does this fairly represent where we are at present and is this as good it will get this season ?
Re: Poor Ulster Representation
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 8:48 pm
by shamalicious
Well going by the rest of the selection, this isn't the full strength team DK is putting out. I'd expect to see Paddy at 12 and Best at 2 for the bigger games.
We have to be realistic too; although we're improving we're still pretty far behind Munster & Leinster!
Re: Poor Ulster Representation
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 8:58 pm
by Neil F
Agreed, Shamalicious. When you consider that Ulster were below Connacht until the Munster game, it may be possible to suggest that Ulster, with four players in the 22, are over-represented given that there are no Connacht players in the 22. That said, team performance isn't always reflective of individual talent within teams and guys like Wallace and Best, who haven't made this team, are the form guys in Ireland at the minute and seem likely to make the XV for at least one of the 'big two' games. More than anything, Ulster are still a young team - the average age of the team that beat Munster was, if I remember correctly, 24.8, so for a young team with a lot of guys and with a lot of players who will obviously be future fixtures in the international side, I think this representation is about correct. I can imagine two Ulster players in the XV and, if Caldwell and Ferris impose themselves against Canada, another two in the 22 and I think that would be a fair representation of Ulster at the moment.
Re: Poor Ulster Representation
Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:56 am
by semi mental
shamalicious wrote:Well going by the rest of the selection, this isn't the full strength team DK is putting out. I'd expect to see Paddy at 12 and Best at 2 for the bigger games.
i'd be very surprised to see paddy in the 15 for the big uns. not that he doesnt deserve it, but i reckon bod and fitz will remain in the centres.
Re: Poor Ulster Representation
Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 9:00 am
by againstthehead
I reckoon if Fitz links with BOD well this weekend he may indeed keep the shirt for the Blacks. Besty will do well to keep the 2 shirt. I think the best that Ulster can hope for is that none of our guys get injured over the next few weeks training...
Re: Poor Ulster Representation
Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 9:20 am
by Setanta
Its more important that the Red hand keeps rising on that Phoenix!! I'll be cheering on Ireland but if it takes a while for Ulster's representation to rise, that's ok.
Re: Poor Ulster Representation
Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 10:07 am
by WhiteKnightoftheWeld
other thing to remember is the number of young players we have playing for ulster who in a few years will hopefully be the first names on DKs team sheet - pollock and ferris, caldwell, cave.
we've also 2 good options at 10 who are irish qualified, and trimble starting to show some form again.
UR is looking positive at present and theres reason for hope. right now munster and leinster are ahead of us as clubs and their international representation is duely reflecting that...
all things come and go in cycles, and in a few years when our younger guys are beginning to peak, their experienced 'rocks' are going to be fading - how many more years have POC DOC and ROG got, BOD etc? all these guys are going to be difficult to replace, big boots to fill.
next world cup perhaps - UR representation could be on the up
Re: Poor Ulster Representation
Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:02 am
by ColinM
And DK is saving Court for the big games
Re: Poor Ulster Representation
Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:30 am
by Rooster
ColinM wrote:And DK is saving Court for the big games
He will have to play him next week as Buckley will still be trying to extract his head from his Brennan
Re: Poor Ulster Representation
Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 2:05 pm
by semi mental
coming back to the post's title, i think ulster's representation in the ireland squad (and in the starting team) pretty fairly reflects our current status compared to the turnips and ladyboys. from a players pov it is much easier to perform well when those around you are top class, and from a coaching pov its easier to put players together in key channels who have played there and trained there on numerous occasions. hence why i think fitz and bod will be 12 and 13 for the ab's.
Re: Poor Ulster Representation
Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 2:20 pm
by Ardglass2
A lot depends on Earls. An exciting prospect but I do not beleive he is ready to face NZ.
If not then it is either Dempsey at 15
Trimble or Horgan on the wing or
Paddy in the centre, Fitz on the wing and Kearney at 15.
The later seems the most likely to me
Re: Poor Ulster Representation
Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 7:34 pm
by Lisburnsooty
YoungMan wrote:Lisburnsooty wrote:Todays Ireland starting 15 shows a poor representation of Ulster players.
Does this fairly represent where we are at present and is this as good it will get this season ?
er YES...........................DOH
Actually, I was trying yo start a debate.
Cheeky ******
Re: Poor Ulster Representation
Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 7:25 pm
by bogboy
I believe the representation will increase in about a year and half
the Munster pack has nearly had its day at international level it will continue to perform at ML and ERC but some of their players will find 30+ matches a year a few to many