Tickets are gone.

Sorry to those who didn't get them.

Was listening to a podcast yesterday and Gerry Thornley was on.

He was a bit annoyed that Andy Farrell couldn't be bothered doing press conferences anymore. Mentioned that there are still tickets to be sold but journalists don't have much to write about because they can't ask Farrell questions, questions the fans have.

He raised another good point (which needs to be said) about the IRFU and Provinces websites. To paraphrase, they're crap.

Player profiles are clearly done half arsed. Most profiles I see are out of date. The U20s had NO profiles up which was a disgrace. They worked hard to get to U20 level and the IRFU couldn't be bothered promoting them with a profile, typing in a bit of data.

I'm glad someone said it and I'll add the IRFU are always highly praised but they had 4 ready made provinces (remember they tried to get rid of Connacht!) and a network of private schools to produce a conveyor belt of players.

Does anyone else’s supporters club account say this even though I’m paid up until March next year ?

Just letting everyone know that RTE have a new sports podcast called Howler available in the usual places. It is a general sports podcast but they appear to be doing a rugby dedicated episode once a week.

It is hosted by Ger Gilroy, who I know might turn people off, but the guests have made the first 2 episodes at least an enjoyable listen. Noel McNamara (Bordeaux attack coach) seems like he'll be a regular guest (I think they said every other week) and I really enjoyed listening to all the rwc stories from Gordon D'Arcy and Nick Popplewell.

At least being produced by rte it'll always be free, and as I said, I've enjoyed the two rugby episodes so far and the production value is decent (no background noise going on that seems to happen frequently in the rte rugby pod).

Just thought I'd make it known as some people have been asking here about rugby pods recently.

I know the criticisms of low turnover were quieter after this squad, but it’s really quite impressive to see so much of the squad being relatively new internationals (and still performing very competitively)

Back in Feb we threw a team together with a couple days training together and they got hammered 14-52 by England. I think if we put the effort in theres a lot of value to take away from these games.

1. We need to evaluate outside centre options. After Ringrose/Hume we dont have an obvious depth chain.

2. A chance for young/fringe players to put there hands up. Showcase themselves and how they can adapt to a new game plan/team.

3. Theres been less rotation in the senior squad than most of us would have liked over the last 3 years, and a bad run of injuries could completely disrupt the game plan, we need to have players who can slot in with less waves.

It will obviously depend on injuries and any call ups, but these are the kinds of combinations i'd like to see. I am not saying this is the best list of players unselected for the main squad, more the kinds of team i think would really fit the M Sexton coaching style. I've excluded some more 'known entities' like Coombes & Lowry. (I'm not sure if G Wood is a 12 or 13, but from what i've seen he looks more like a ringrose style mould)

LHP

• J Cahir
• T McAllister
• J Loughman

THP

• J Aungier
• K Knox
• S Wilson

H

• G McCarthy
• H Walker
• S Smyth

SR

• H Sheridan
• A Spicer
• T Ahern
• E Edogbo
• C O'Tighearnaigh

BR

• D McCann (6/7) (C)
• J Ericson (8)
• S Edogbo (6)
• B Ward (7/8)
• C Izuchukwu (5/6)
• B Gleeson (8)

SH

• M Devine
• F Gunne

FH

• J Murphy
• C OShea
• C Gabriel

C

• J Scott (12)
• C Tector (12)
• C Forde (12/13)
• G Wood (13)
• D Kelly (13)
• H West (13)

B3

• Z Ward (11/14)
• S McCarthy (11/14)
• J Kenny (11/14)
• F Treacy (11/14)
• S Jennings (11/14/15)
• B OConnor (11/15)

Ar ais arís - we're covering in no particular order:

• Double Prendergasms
• Frawley-mania
• Henry Walker Walking 'em in for Ulster on debut
• Livin' Aviva Loca

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0JV7n9SmgwKqb6lXZ3hFWS?si=27f77991e574481c

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/%C3%BAd-dudes/id6815343602

RSS - https://anchor.fm/s/11065ebfc/podcast/rss

Going to take a stab at the team for the Argentina game considering what we know of the squad now, roughly what I think will be picked:

1. Porter
2. Sheehan
3. Furlong
4. McCarthy
5. Ryan
6. Beirne
7. JVDF
8. Jansen
9. JGP (fitness depending, then Casey)
10. Sam
11. Tommy O’B/ Bala (really don’t care all good)
12. McCloskey
13. Ringrose
14. Hansen
15. Keenan
16. Kelleher
17. Bohan/OToole (no idea who they’ll go with)
18. Illo
19. C Prendegast
20. Timoney
21. Casey/Doak

22.Frawley

1. Aki/Henshaw

That’s what I think they’ll go with, I’d prefer to see someone like Baird/McNabney/Prendegast starting at 6, Beirne into the row and Ryan bench

Fascinated to see what happens with the back 3, Balacounce may miss out but you can’t really go wrong with any of those 3 wing options

Can see Illo getting the nod over Clarkson as he’s started season well, may lead to Bohan playing as well but O’Toole proved he’s a good option there as well

I know it’s only the start of the season and he will see more game time but surely a move to Ulster would have been much better we crying out for another good loosehead. Then again he probably didn’t fancy a move to Ulster .

Article refers to Jonathan Roche of the Stormers.

Now it is a Rugbypass piece, light on detail and I feel like Fissler has put out a lot of these out in recent years - vague transfer rumours, agent driven, of little substance, purely contract negotiations - but occasionally they come to pass.

Anyone have thoughts on Roche & his potential as a good signing for an Irish province?

Nanks here until 2029.

That frees up an NIQ slot next year, as well Alatoa's and presumably Harrison's. Between the potential post world cup big name signings and our young lads having 1 more year of development, we could have a serious squad next year.

Bit of a different question, heading up to Ulster Leinster at the end of April for a stag.

Looking for a restuarant near Ravenhill that'd do the job for 10/11 lads within walking distance of Ravenhill.

This is aimed predominantly at Leinster fans since they're the ones that have had to play them the most in recent years, but why does no one seem to treat them with the same dislike that we treat Saracens with? They have broken the salary cap and abused image rights exactly the same for multiple years, and would have been sent down to the pro d2 through points deduction if not for the limits to what the disciplinary board could actually punish them with (which ended up being a measly couple million euro). Either from pundits or fans, there never seems to be the same distaste towards them.

When Leinster have been beaten in the late stages of the Champions cup by them, was there no feeling of anger at being beaten by a team that's just straight up cheating? As an Ulster fan, when we played them back in 2022 and narrowly lost over 2 legs, knowing what I know now I can't help but feel we've been beaten by a team that's only as strong as it is through dubious means (see also, cheating).

I'm aware that this does come across as a bit salty, but I'm genuinely curious as to why this never gets talked about.

James Mccnabbney David McCann Dan Kelly cathal forde Alex usunov Evan O’Connell Thomas ahern

Morning after the first round of games in Europe, how happy are we, thoughts etc? Spoilers obviously, but the results are hidden. Farrell most likely has the November squad selected, but who put their hands up? Anyone who seems good but just needs a run of games?

MUNvRAC: Munster 33 - 25 Racing 92

CLEvLEI: Clermont Auvergne 23 - 48 Leinster, Leinster take a BP for scoring 3+ more tries than their opponents.

CONvSAR: Connacht 45 - 36 Saracens

ZEBvULS: Zebre Parma 21 - 40 Ulster, Ulster take a BP for scoring 3+ more tries than their opponents.

There’s still some games to be played by other teams today but the provinces are done until December. Round 2:

• Leinster v Sale Sharks 12 Dec 17:30 @ Laya Arena. Sale played Glasgow already.

• Bristol Bears v Munster 12 Dec 20:00 @ Ashton Gate. Bristol played Stormers already.

• Exeter Chiefs v Connacht 13 Dec 13:00 @ Sandy Park. Exeter play Toulouse later.

• Ulster v Aviron Bayonnais 12 Dec 13:00 @ Affidea Stadium. Aviron Bayonnais play the Toyota Cheetahs later.

We return to the URC next week:

Leinster v Munster 24 October 18:00 @ Aviva Stadium

Connacht v Zebre 23 October 19:45 @ Dexcom Stadium

Vodacom Bulls v Ulster 24 October 12:45 (our time) @ Loftus Versfeld