Ulster Rugby 2013/2014

[rooster]

I think Ulster could be in very dangerous territory. If they stop bankrolling the big name players, they're going to be in trouble. They do not possess a trophy winning side when you take out their NIQ players, particularly up front. .

They didn't have a trophy winning side with the big name players. They lost 2 finals to us and got knocked out at the semi. I think 2012/13 was their year.

They lost a Pro12 final to us because they made a complete balls up of things off the pitch and played their home final in the ground of their opponents. If Ravenhill was ready last season as originally intended, I'd be fairly sure Ulster would have had a title.

They would have had it for the Rabo final if we had a home European by putting in a temporary stand, but the drawback would have been they would have run the risk of missing a home Heiney quarter this season which we just got passed in the nick of time.

[Leoslovechild]

They were some Diack butchery away from winning league final last year and a bad refereeing decision away from a HC final this year. Bu there is sense now of the band breaking up

So they would have beaten Clermont in the semi final...and it wasn't a bad refereeing decision it was correct

That's like saying the dog would have won the race if he hadn't stopped for a sh*t

[simonokeeffe]

They were some Diack butchery away from winning league final last year and a bad refereeing decision away from a HC final this year. Bu there is sense now of the band breaking up

So they would have beaten Clermont in the semi final...and it wasn't a bad refereeing decision it was correct

That's like saying the dog would have won the race if he hadn't stopped for a sh*t

Clermont were abject in the semi and Ulster would have had home advantage
Fine they were some narrowly missed kicks away from HC final

[offshorerules]

Clermont have made a bit of a habit if being sh!t in the semi's.

[Aird]

I wouldn't write off Ulster just yet, just cast your memory back to Munster vUlster where Ulster according to the Southern Press were just cannon fodder.
Also financially Ulster with a new rent free 18k seater Stadium, with no landlord running the catering and drinks franchises,
are in an ever strengthening situation

They have had a sizeable increase in their Season Tkt sales and with regular "Sold out " notices being posted things are moving forward.
I know that the selling of the naming rights To Kingspan has been the subject of some controversy but it is all more gist to the mill.
Finally a year out from the RWC. Is not a time to be signing NIQ players better to have a few pounds set aside for future signings

[simonokeeffe]

I wouldn't write off Ulster just yet, just cast your memory back to Munster vUlster where Ulster according to the Southern Press were just cannon fodder.
Also financially Ulster with a new rent free 18k seater Stadium, with no landlord running the catering and drinks franchises,
are in an ever strengthening situation

They have had a sizeable increase in their Season Tkt sales and with regular "Sold out " notices being posted things are moving forward.
I know that the selling of the naming rights To Kingspan has been the subject of some controversy but it is all more gist to the mill.
Finally a year out from the RWC. Is not a time to be signing NIQ players better to have a few pounds set aside for future signings

they should make league playoffs again but they dont have the props for Europe and and now even more dependent on Pienaar

[cormac]

Clermont have made a bit of a habit if being sh!t in the semi's.

Really?

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Gloucester have signed up new defence and backs coaches so doesn't look like anyone else will be poached from Ulster.

[paddyor]

If Anscombe isn't popular and his appointment ends prematurely in failure then it makes sense for Humphries to jump ship.

[offshorerules]

Clermont have made a bit of a habit if being sh!t in the semi's.

Really?

Well knock out stages in general.

[jezzer]

I wouldn't write off Ulster just yet, just cast your memory back to Munster vUlster where Ulster according to the Southern Press were just cannon fodder.
Also financially Ulster with a new rent free 18k seater Stadium, with no landlord running the catering and drinks franchises,
are in an ever strengthening situation

They have had a sizeable increase in their Season Tkt sales and with regular "Sold out " notices being posted things are moving forward.
I know that the selling of the naming rights To Kingspan has been the subject of some controversy but it is all more gist to the mill.
Finally a year out from the RWC. Is not a time to be signing NIQ players better to have a few pounds set aside for future signings

The words "rent-free", "catering & drinks franchise" and "naming rights" are something Leinster can prob only ever dream of. It's a big deal for Ulster to have that revenue.

[rooster]

I wouldn't write off Ulster just yet, just cast your memory back to Munster vUlster where Ulster according to the Southern Press were just cannon fodder.
Also financially Ulster with a new rent free 18k seater Stadium, with no landlord running the catering and drinks franchises,
are in an ever strengthening situation

They have had a sizeable increase in their Season Tkt sales and with regular "Sold out " notices being posted things are moving forward.
I know that the selling of the naming rights To Kingspan has been the subject of some controversy but it is all more gist to the mill.
Finally a year out from the RWC. Is not a time to be signing NIQ players better to have a few pounds set aside for future signings

The words "rent-free", "catering & drinks franchise" and "naming rights" are something Leinster can prob only ever dream of. It's a big deal for Ulster to have that revenue.

The naming, drinks and catering probably come to around £600 k plus per year, the big one is the stadium costs

[simonokeeffe]

Gloucester have signed up new defence and backs coaches so doesn't look like anyone else will be poached from Ulster.

Laurie Fisher being reportedly lined up as head coach

[Morf]

Larkham as head coach at Brumbies then?

[simonokeeffe]

Larkham as head coach at Brumbies then?

go Bernie go

[offshorerules]

Larkham as head coach at Brumbies then?

3 year deal apparently.

[ceemec]

Mark Anscombe has been dismissed as Ulster coach. Les Kiss appointed new DoR for time being.

[domhnallj]

Mark Anscombe has been dismissed as Ulster coach. Les Kiss appointed new DoR for time being.

IT reporting it as he quit.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I would hope that the senior players, particularly Best, are being very forceful with Logan about the whole coaching situation. Judging by UAFC, it could be Clarke who takes over which would not be a popular decision and that's with Anscombe already being unpopular and by all accounts a dead man walking. Rumours Johnny Bell wants out too.

I like Logan and would trust him to sort this out, but it sounds like he'll have to make one or two big calls in terms of getting rid of people or Ulster are screwed for next season. It would be a terrible shame if their experienced players/young talents had a wasted season because of a mess upstairs.

Apologies for quoting myself but in light of what I said here, I think this is a really good move for all concerned.

The problem is that it's only the first step and there's a long way to go before sorting things properly.

I love the idea of the union helping them out and giving them Kiss but not sure how it'll work in practice. If it really is just temporary then it could be problematic to implement certain ideas in the short term and then need to start again (admittedly only to a certain extent) in a few months. Also not a fan of him double jobbing a year out from the World Cup when we've already lost Plumtree. The whole situation has obviously been an issue for a couple of months now, very curious to know if they have someone lined up or if they'll wait a year to make a proper appointment.

[Armchair]

Bit much that he quit when we announced "Tallaght Friendly"