salmson wrote:

Craic Head wrote: Surely they can't take a lad from our academy, there has to be something else behind that.

He's not in our academy. He scored 22 points (2 tries, 3 conversions, 2 penalties) against Ulster U-20s this year, so that might pique their interest.

Academy is: Carty, finn, Layden, Tadhg Leader (all year 3), Bealham, Dillane, Darragh Leader, Macauley, Reilly, Marcus Walsh (all year 2), Blade, Connolly, Kindregan, Masterson, Meunargia, O'Brien, Panter, Parata, Jacob Walsh (all year 1).

Ok, the young lad is in the "sub academy" then. He has been training full time with the academy and senior squad from what I was told. I know that he had 65 points for Corinthians after 5 games in AIL and high kicking averages (badly needed around here). I saw the U20 home games and a few AIL matches. The lad was surely worth an academy contract. The contracts that they get are peanuts in the grand scheme of things.

What worries me is the fact that if we can't afford a promising (albeit very young) player for a few grand, how can we keep some of the other players coming out of contract (Eoin Griffin for example) or then go on and sign established players? No announcements, no signings. With the whole European thing about to be sorted, where will we be? The debt, the lack of top European rugby. What will attract good/top players to come here?

I have always accepted that we won't get current international stars, but have loved looking out for the up and coming recruits, stars of the future so to speak (Robbie/Kieran etc). One thing I know for sure is that Ulster will not be looking for average players, they are a top club and they want the best, to come and take one of ours is a compliment in one way, but we should not let it happen. I am just becoming disillusioned with the whole thing at the moment !

ummm, wrote: I thought Jamie Dever was in the academy as well, no?

Is he not long term injured as in career threatening? Probably why he's not listed.

If I was Nigel Carolan I would be signing young O'Hagan up now and putting him in to tail end of year 1 with quarentee of a development year if he's not ready after year 3.(seen as he missed most of this year).

ummm, wrote: I thought Jamie Dever was in the academy as well, no?

That's from the Connacht site as of October 24 2013 when Blade and Masterson were added to the academy. So I guess he's not, unless he's been added since or the website article is entirely pants. Which is entirely possible, as there is no sign of Rory Moloney either...

Update: the academy page on the website won't load fully on either IE or FF on my laptop, or Chrome on my phone, but I can see enough of it to see that the 19 named above and Moloney are listed. So no Dever.

I thought Jamie Dever was in the academy as well, no?

Craic Head wrote: Surely they can't take a lad from our academy, there has to be something else behind that.

He's not in our academy. He scored 22 points (2 tries, 3 conversions, 2 penalties) against Ulster U-20s this year, so that might pique their interest.

Academy is: Carty, finn, Layden, Tadhg Leader (all year 3), Bealham, Dillane, Darragh Leader, Macauley, Reilly, Marcus Walsh (all year 2), Blade, Connolly, Kindregan, Masterson, Meunargia, O'Brien, Panter, Parata, Jacob Walsh (all year 1).

Me too.......... I mean, WTF is that all about? Heard this today and am dismayed? Surely they can't take a lad from our academy, there has to be something else behind that. Is it because we have enough 10's in Carty, Nikora, Ronaldson? (Leaving Dan out of next years equation) and they are short?

I really hope not!!

Anyone know if there is any truth to the "O'Hagan signing with Ulster" rumours?

New strength and fitness head coach job announced today !! 2 year term. I'm glad as we have been dogged 2 years in a row with injuries. Delighted to see some good news !!

Since tis the season for signing announcements and idle rumour and speculation, I updated the squad list to highlight the contracts up for renewal in amber. 16 in total, which is a lot for the time of year.
Of the guys signed up for next season, we just about have a matchday 23, but the bench will be all forwards as we only just about have a backline ...

I really like JHW and he is a good thrower and scrummager but he doesent make the ground carrying ball. He gives 110% but he would be a good 16. Henry is a good solid player and is a good 16 too nothin special but gets the basics done well. Heffernan I think is a rough diamond. Carries ball very well and is big and abrasive. He is a converted back row so will take time to settle and learn the throw in. If we want to progress and win more often we need experienced heads. Young guys are the future and I 100% agree with getting them on the pitch and Lam is doing it well but if we want to improve in the league and Europe we need hardened campaigners who know how to close out a game and win a game.

I think we need a big money Hooker to carry ball and a maybe another 6/8 type.

Disagree with a Hooker I think Henry, Heffernan and Harris-Wright are all top-notch and with Rael underneath we're well stocked with quality there. As for a 6/8 why not Glenn Preston who can play 4/5/6? Profile below he's young relatively cheap and if he's anywhere as good as Heenan a find. Apart from Masterson we don't really have any flankers ready to go at the moment so I'd like to see someone brought in there but a ten first obviously.

au.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/player/5181/80/glenn-preston/

I like the idea of it but do we need another young 10?? I think an old head who has been there and has experience would be more suited to bringing on the guys we have. I think Parks kinda the worked the first year but has just burned out. Maybe somebody like Goode at Wasps on a 1 year deal would be enough to get Ronaldson and Carthy a bit more game time before they take up the mantle themselves. I think we need a big money Hooker to carry ball and a maybe another 6/8 type.

Found one Scott Eade of Southland Rugby he was in the Under 20 Rubgy Team with Heenan and anyone who knows there NZ Rugby will tell you for a southlander to get into the National Team is a big deal as their usually overlooked. Definitely worth a punt.

His profile is below.

nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/player/4744/85/scott-eade/

True but that never stopped a rumour before! Anyone know a good No. 10 in Kiwiland who could come over here ala Heenan and tear up the place?

FACECUTTR wrote: True.has anybody heard anythin through the grapevine on recruitment ?? Strange there are no rumours even floating about!!!

It was this time last year, that the Fionn Carr rumors started.
I suppose the fact that there is no sponsor for the Pro12 next season as of yet, and the confusion about European Rugby, means that teams budgets haven't been set