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United Rugby Championship

Ulster bolster front-row reserves with two prop signings

By Josh Raisey

40 days ago

Leinster players Rory McGuire, left, and Rabah Slimani before the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Leinster at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. (Photo By Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Ulster have signed props Sam Crean and Rory McGuire ahead of next season.

Former England U20 loosehead Crean, 24, will join the club on a permanent basis from Saracens having represented the province on a short-term basis earlier this season as injury cover, making two appearances.

Leinster academy product McGuire, 24, will make the move north at the end of the season having made eight appearances for the Dublin outfit.

Ulster have already announced the departures of props Andrew Warwick and Corrie Barrett at the end of the season, so the loosehead – tighthead duo will help maintain depth in the front-row.

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“We are delighted to be bringing in both Rory and Sam this summer,” said Ulster general manager Bryn Cunningham. “Both are talented props at good age profiles to develop as players and add competition to our squad.

“Rory is a big, physical tighthead prop who will be pushing hard for his opportunity to play more senior rugby.

“Richie knows him well from Ireland U20s and we think he is an exciting prospect, who is eager to kick on under Jimmy Duffy.

“Sam, after a brief stint earlier this season on loan during which he really impressed the coaches, can hopefully hit the ground running and really challenge both Eric and Callum for the number one jersey.”

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Slow to turn is a downside

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Yeah I’d love for both these guys to really kick on. Finau had more metres per carry, higher post contact metres and more defenders beaten. Parker had more tackles per minute and higher tackle %. Finau had more dominant tackles.

Both have potential to be be absolute beasts.

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That’s just how it goes, can say that for a few positions that have turned into strengths overnight.

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JW 2 hours ago

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Hear Rieko might be more of a wing option, and Big Jim and Jordie might be covering the back three too, especially on team runs where it’s more important to have match ups (a full backline defending).

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MM 2 hours ago

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Exactly as Razor said. Slackbladder fails miserably in the dominant tackles and go forward stakes!

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JW 2 hours ago

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CLW isn’t above 1.9m I wouldn’t say (and Read was about 1.95) but he is a bruiser that can play 6 or 8 (about the same size as Sititi?) alright, could be a part of one of their more mobile trio options I reckon.

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dk 2 hours ago

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SadersMan 3 hours ago

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Mate I’m rooting for Finau to grow into that beast we need at #6. Unlike guys like Ethan, Dalton, Cullen, even Luke, who’ve likely hit their ceilings, Finau has loads to give. Jase Ryan rates Finau very highly, as do I. Now it’s up to him.

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Finau has the most potential to grow into the 6 jersey, just like Kaino, who took some time, and just as Frizzell was starting to do. All the others are journeymen, non-specialist 6s, and they don’t offer the extra height in the lineout. Simon Parker might have been close too, had he not been injured. Trio of Ardie at 7, Sititi at 8 and Finau at 6 works for me.

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Wiseguy 3 hours ago

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SadersMan 3 hours ago

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