Irish Rugby Thread

[thebig C]

Heard about McLaughlin on the radio.....absolutely gobsmacked! I am assuming there is something going on behind the scenes. There was even speculation that McLaughlin himself had lined up another job post season. Who knows, either way he was doing a great job and Ulster were very much on the up. Many top flight players were starting to be linked with moves to Ravenhill.

Whatever about the politics, the timing just couldn't be worse. This just casts uncertainty over the Ulster camp.

[plank007]

Originally Posted by thebig C

Many top flight players were starting to be linked with moves to Ravenhill.

Only cause Rory McIlroy is allegedly paying some of their wages :P I don't have a problem with it cause we all know Leinster and Munster have some big business men behind them.

Pienaar is meant to be on 200k a year lol and any of the Ireland international players get 150k a year

[hypnotoad24]

Originally Posted by thebig C

Heard about McLaughlin on the radio.....absolutely gobsmacked! I am assuming there is something going on behind the scenes. There was even speculation that McLaughlin himself had lined up another job post season. Who knows, either way he was doing a great job and Ulster were very much on the up. Many top flight players were starting to be linked with moves to Ravenhill.

Whatever about the politics, the timing just couldn't be worse. This just casts uncertainty over the Ulster camp.

McLaughlin came in when Ulster were in a rut, and he certainly steadied the ship. His style of simple, basic rugby, very much forward dominated, is exactly what Ulster needed at that point. Whether he has the capabilities to take Ulster to the very top level that you see Munster and Leinster at... who knows. There was a lot of grumbling on the terrace earlier in the season, the form wasn't good, and the team didn't look like justifying the recent investment.

Myself, i think it would be very harsh to see him told to move on, he took up the job when very few people would, and Ulster are undoubtably in much better shape now. With two European qualifications, he certainly deserved the cahne to continue progress next season i think. Then again, Shane Logan and David Humphreys (CEO and director of rugby respectively) are both very ambitious, a huge improvement compared to the lads club that used to be in charge, and possibly have sights set on someone else. Also, i know Brian well- he was my PE teacher at school for several years- very nice guy; i certainly hope this hasn't been forced upon him.

[hypnotoad24]

Originally Posted by plank007

Only cause Rory McIlroy is allegedly paying some of their wages :P I don't have a problem with it cause we all know Leinster and Munster have some big business men behind them.

Pienaar is meant to be on 200k a year lol and any of the Ireland international players get 150k a year

The best paid player at Ulster is actually Ferris. Followed closely by Pienaar. Which is fair enough, as they are the best two players at the club!

[jpgjohnnyg]

I heard that also about McIlroy that he was providing the money for Pienaars contract!

[JD47]

I hope this does not effect Ulsters Heineken Cup campain.
I would love to see them win it if Leinster dont.

[thebig C]

Originally Posted by plank007

Only cause Rory McIlroy is allegedly paying some of their wages :P I don't have a problem with it cause we all know Leinster and Munster have some big business men behind them.

Pienaar is meant to be on 200k a year lol and any of the Ireland international players get 150k a year

Nice money if you can get it! I thought I'd heard that O'Driscoll is on 300k per year

[thebig C]

Originally Posted by JD47

I hope this does not effect Ulsters Heineken Cup campain.
I would love to see them win it if Leinster dont.

Same here....I would prefer them ahead of Munster but either way I'D like an Irish team

[thebig C]

Originally Posted by hypnotoad24

McLaughlin came in when Ulster were in a rut, and he certainly steadied the ship. His style of simple, basic rugby, very much forward dominated, is exactly what Ulster needed at that point. Whether he has the capabilities to take Ulster to the very top level that you see Munster and Leinster at... who knows. There was a lot of grumbling on the terrace earlier in the season, the form wasn't good, and the team didn't look like justifying the recent investment.

Myself, i think it would be very harsh to see him told to move on, he took up the job when very few people would, and Ulster are undoubtably in much better shape now. With two European qualifications, he certainly deserved the cahne to continue progress next season i think. Then again, Shane Logan and David Humphreys (CEO and director of rugby respectively) are both very ambitious, a huge improvement compared to the lads club that used to be in charge, and possibly have sights set on someone else. Also, i know Brian well- he was my PE teacher at school for several years- very nice guy; i certainly hope this hasn't been forced upon him.

Thanks Hypno, good insight. True, you can't discount the job the backroom guys are doing, esp if they are of the calibre of Logan and Humphreys. I remember back when I played I was more influenced by some of the trainers as opposed to the manager.

[JD47]

It is mad to think that BOD is on 300,000 a year and then you look at footballers being on that money a week.
Its very bizzare because rugby is a big sport in a lot of countries.
More passion and spirit in rugby.

[thebig C]

Originally Posted by JD47

It is mad to think that BOD is on 300,000 a year and then you look at footballers being on that money a week.
Its very bizzare because rugby is a big sport in a lot of countries.
More passion and spirit in rugby.

I think thats the figure I had heard last time his contract was up for renewal. Don't forget though he could earn at least the same again through product endorsements Powerade anyone:P

[JD47]

Originally Posted by thebig C

I think thats the figure I had heard last time his contract was up for renewal. Don't forget though he could earn at least the same again through product endorsements Powerade anyone:P

Yeah that pay sounds about right.
I know he is probaly on more because he is an icon in this country but its just mad to think that an 18 year old kid playing for Real Madrid who has no expeirence the way BOD does would be getting 300,000 in a month and BOD makes it in a year.
I wish I was good enough to have made it as a footballer or rugby player.
300,000 a year is pretty taisty if you ask me

[JD47]

Six nations back today.
France v Italy
Scotland v England
Ireland are playing tomorrow. Ireland have a good chance they are saying on BBC.
Its a shame that BOD wont be playing but we have a strong squad.
France v Italy about to start.
Come on Ireland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JD47]

Ireland v Wales has just started.
My heart is already pounding.
Come on Ireland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JD47]

Wales win it in the end.
Wales are just a better side.
I just hope they dont lose the games against the likes of England.
Hard luck Ireland.
Lets hope we can win the championship.

[jpgjohnnyg]

Ireland played well in parts but just too many mistakes. Wales had no lineout so we should have spent the whole match kicking into touch instead of kicking at their monster backs. As for Kidney everybody knew about the big centres, sure we even experienced it ourselves at the world cup and yet nothing was done to stop them. McFadden and Darcy just couldnt stop these guys and Earls would have been even worse so why was there no steps taken to deal with this. Ref didnt help Davies should have been off and the yellow and penalty against Ferris was harsh but when your right in front of the posts with the clocking ticking down you need to be a bit more carefull. Its a bit like last year Wales cheatd and won and then we smashed France only to give Parra about 5 soft penalties infront of the posts - typical Ireland another grand slam gone and no, beating England this year will no paper over the cracks. With the inevitable defeat in Paris coming up I think it is a great opportunity to blood a number of new players. I also think its time to change coach soon. Thanks for the grand slam (which we did our best to mess up) but we havent progressed from the Eddie O'sullivan era. At least Eddie had the excuse that he didnt have many to pick from, Kidney on the other hand has a good squad but its the same old mixture of errors and indiscipline - time for change.

[plank007]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/16918072

Great timing Ulster Branch, hope this doesn't effect the squad before Munster

So if we win the Heineken Cup McLaughlin will still not have his contract renewed.

[JD47]

Originally Posted by jpgjohnnyg

Ireland played well in parts but just too many mistakes. Wales had no lineout so we should have spent the whole match kicking into touch instead of kicking at their monster backs. As for Kidney everybody knew about the big centres, sure we even experienced it ourselves at the world cup and yet nothing was done to stop them. McFadden and Darcy just couldnt stop these guys and Earls would have been even worse so why was there no steps taken to deal with this. Ref didnt help Davies should have been off and the yellow and penalty against Ferris was harsh but when your right in front of the posts with the clocking ticking down you need to be a bit more carefull. Its a bit like last year Wales cheatd and won and then we smashed France only to give Parra about 5 soft penalties infront of the posts - typical Ireland another grand slam gone and no, beating England this year will no paper over the cracks. With the inevitable defeat in Paris coming up I think it is a great opportunity to blood a number of new players. I also think its time to change coach soon. Thanks for the grand slam (which we did our best to mess up) but we havent progressed from the Eddie O'sullivan era. At least Eddie had the excuse that he didnt have many to pick from, Kidney on the other hand has a good squad but its the same old mixture of errors and indiscipline - time for change.

I have to agree. To many mistakes and that is same old Ireland.
Wales have a young squad coming in. We need younger lads coming in
to the squad.

[hypnotoad24]

Originally Posted by plank007

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/16918072

Great timing Ulster Branch, hope this doesn't effect the squad before Munster

So if we win the Heineken Cup McLaughlin will still not have his contract renewed.

Indeed- "thanks for getting us to the Heineken Cup quarter finals for two years in a row, and for the first time since 1999. Please kindly move aside."

Though good to see he is staying on with the academy.

Also good to hear that apparently Bowe is coming back to Ulster! Though he has been linked to both Leinster and MUnster recently, so who knows what to believe.

[JD47]

Originally Posted by hypnotoad24

Indeed- "thanks for getting us to the Heineken Cup quarter finals for two years in a row, and for the first time since 1999. Please kindly move aside."

Though good to see he is staying on with the academy.

Also good to hear that apparently Bowe is coming back to Ulster! Though he has been linked to both Leinster and MUnster recently, so who knows what to believe.

It would be great to have Bowe back playing for an Irish side.
He would be a bonus to Irish rugby.