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If you needed more evidence of the Leinster schools’ system influence at Ulster Rugby, then look no further than the lastest three players to sign contract extensions. Nick Timoney, David O’Connor and Greg Jones; Dubliners all, have signed on for more in Belfast.
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The growing ranks of Leinster born players in Ulster has been a talking point in Irish rugby circles with outspoken Irish Independent pundit Neil Francis recently posing the question: “Why come to Ravenhill to support a whole load of Dubs who couldn’t make it in Leinster?”
Leaving tribalism aside, the truth is that the ruthlessly competitive Leinster schools system over-produces rugby talent and the IRFU would be foolish to let such talent go to waste.
NICK TIMONEY
Timoney has been a regular in Ulster match-day squads since arriving in the province in 2016. A former Irish Rugby Sevens international, the back-rower offers great speed and thrives at the breakdown. On signing a new two-year contract extension, Timoney, said: “I’m delighted to be a part of this team for another two years, and I’m eager to contribute to our continued hunt for silverware.”
Ulster Rugby Head Coach, Dan McFarland, said: “Nick has been playing some good rugby over the last number of weeks, showcasing his pace and power on both sides of the ball. He has worked hard on his game and I look forward to him continuing to do so over the next two years.”
DAVID O’CONNOR
Signed from Lansdowne RFC on a Development contract in 2019, 25-year old second row, David O’Connor, who is also at home in the back row, recently made his Heineken Champions Cup debut against Toulouse. He backed that up with his first European start when Ulster faced Gloucester a week later, in which he was the top tackler for the squad. On extending his contract for a further year,
O’Connor, said: “I’m delighted to be extending my contract at Ulster. To continue to be a part of such a great group of lads is something that is very exciting. Representing this special club, and my family, I will continue to give it my all.”
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McFarland added: “It is a credit to Dave’s work ethic and determination that he has made the jump from club rugby to being full-time professional player. We look forward to continuing to help Dave develop his game.”
A handy looking team ?
After a number of ex-Leinster men played starring roles in Connacht's defeat of the Pro14 champions, @CiaranKennedy_ picks a Leinster Exiles XV.https://t.co/Eg4mlVtnk2
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 4, 2021
GREG JONES
Completing the trio is 25-year old back-rower, Greg Jones. The Dublin native joined the Ulster Rugby Academy from UCD in 2017 and made his senior Ulster debut against Benetton in the same year. Playing a role in match-day squads throughout this season, Jones has already put in some notable performances against Connacht and Leinster recently.
The trio are part of a ten-strong Leinster schools’ rugby presence in Belfast.
Leinster raised players at Ulster
John Cooney, Greg Jones, Ian Madigan, Jack McGrath, Marty Moore, Jordi Murphy, Alan O’Connor, David O’Connor, Eric O’Sullivan, Dave Shanahan, Nick Timoney
Comments on RugbyPass
I really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
1 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
56 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to comments