Ulster’s preseason has started ( apparently Connacht started a few weeks ago), reports are saying Joe Schmidt is helping with preseason for a month and McNabney was taking part in full training which is great to hear ( while expected) he will feel like a new signing. Also some AIL Clontarf players (Martin Moloney and Daniel Hawshaw) have been spotted in training ( in an Instagram post)
Schmidt’s input is very welcome.
https://ulster.rugby/news/ulster-rugby-appoints-joe-schmidt-coach-development-advisor
longer than a month, though not continuous involvement.
I’m happier with this than just a month in preseason. I don’t know a great deal about the schools /club system , but its clearly way behind the leinster system (maybe even munsters and connacht’s)
With the size of ulster population vs the other provinces, should be producing more test players. Granted its not so simple with the traditional divide, but that just proves relying on a few schools is not good enough, needs to be pushed in more schools and at a higher level at clubs. I have a little experience with helping with minis coaching and while the safe guarding training stuff seems to be at a good level, the actual coach coaching is a bit more messier ( that not a slight on the volunteer coaches). If Schmidt can have any like the kind of influence like he had on the leinster system, happy days
Yeah it can only be a positive to have someone of that stature looking at what’s going on in schools and clubs. Though apart from his original career as a school teacher, all of his experience has been in high levels of the professional game. It also shows good ambition from someone in Ulster to think and act boldly to make things better; great really
Bryn Ward had shoulder surgery. Apparently was carrying it for a while but didn’t want to miss the tour. No official word on it but apparently recovery can be 4-6 months
a bit late but
Iain Henderson, has successfully undergone hip surgery this summer and as a result, will be unavailable for a number of months. Bryn Ward (shoulder), Juarno Augustus (ankle), and Jude Postlethwaite (knee) have had surgeries performed during the off-season and all are currently undergoing a period of rehab.
Bryn Ward will be ready for the start of Ulster’s season despite undergoing off-season surgery. Augustus and Postlethwaite will have a little longer to wait.
He’s on the ground in Ulster now, says a good bit about what he’s doing though he’s still at the fact-finding and learning stage.
Edinburgh v.Ulster highlights here :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzKH1mEw4EE
– some handy-looking new faces
I think Benson could displace Jack Murphy as first choice 10. He can also kick goals, so you don’t have to worry so much about subbing Doak off. Probably no bad thing for Jack’s development (he’s still only 22) if he doesn’t have to play quite as much as he did last year.
Devine looks good too (as a runner and passer) but I don’t think he manages the game well enough to challenge Doak too hard. He’ll probably be ahead of Conor McKee in the 21 shirt.
Both of them are definitely strengthening the squad anyway.
Joe Schmidt was at Coleraine GS last week (I think the same day that the senior squad had the open training session there). Good to see him getting out beyond the “big three” schools bubble.
@forestial he was at the Royal in Armagh too ( this week I think)