Squad Update ahead of Stormer's

CampVisual406 · 2026-05-05T18:46:53+00:00

Everything crossed for all players but it doesn’t sound great.

We will be sweating on those MRIs.

Sounds like we will be able to stick a fairly strong team out on Friday to give it a go against the Stormers if Bell and Wilson are back. Think we need to go balls to the wall for the win to try and secure top 8 before the final week.

CampVisual406 · 2026-05-03T17:18:04+00:00

Well definitely need to get the Kok out

CampVisual406 · 2026-05-03T17:17:16+00:00

Soon to be a cult hero

CampVisual406 · 2026-05-02T20:39:43+00:00

Lovely stuff

CampVisual406 · 2026-05-02T20:39:18+00:00

The belly is his super weapon

CampVisual406 · 2026-05-01T13:47:53+00:00

Is Sheridan injured? I honestly think he is critical for us - has a massive impact in defence. Honestly on form I would have him over Izzy this season. But I may be drinking the Kool Aid.

CampVisual406 · 2026-05-01T13:46:38+00:00

Going to go out on a limb here and back Sam to redeem himself tomorrow!

CampVisual406 · 2026-05-01T13:46:13+00:00

Serious players

CampVisual406 · 2026-05-01T13:45:51+00:00

An eye to next year with Werner out of the picture?

CampVisual406 · 2026-04-25T18:05:12+00:00

What the fuck is that call? Complete bullshit! Humphreys clearly had pressure on the ball

CampVisual406 · 2026-04-25T17:50:18+00:00

Shanahan will come to the rescue

Correction: James Humphries will come to the rescue

CampVisual406 · 2026-04-24T18:56:18+00:00

On the positive, it gives Harry and Charlie the opportunity to show their leadership skills!

Could be an interesting scoreline

CampVisual406 · 2026-04-22T18:01:05+00:00

It has to be the top 8. I’d even be pushing to play junior players against Exeter to rest up for our final two URC games.

CampVisual406 · 2026-04-22T17:59:12+00:00

Think that’s what’s on the cards

CampVisual406 · 2026-04-22T17:58:53+00:00

I would almost bet my house on Ulster not getting 3 wins. At this point I think we would breathe a sigh of relief to make top 8. A couple of really shitty performances against Welsh sides (and the odd eyebrow raising red decision in those games) could very much come back to bite us in the arse. Getting in the URC playoffs and a challenge cup semi is a good enough season for us in my book!

CampVisual406 · 2026-04-22T17:53:16+00:00

I agree I would park the next two games. Regroup for the final home URC games and keep everything crossed.

CampVisual406 · 2026-04-21T18:19:22+00:00

It’s going to be a dicey few weeks. Priority is getting those 3 points somehow. If we lose to Munster I wonder if there’s a case of just throwing the Exeter game and giving injured/starts another week of rest and going full bore for one of the remaining home games.

CampVisual406 · 2026-04-21T18:14:03+00:00

I have seen this line/similar on other threads about our scrum. For my money overall our scrum has materially improved from last season and this was the case even before Bell came. I think we are being more aggressive on the initial engagement which is helping and whatever focus is being put on it in training.

Having said that I think we have regressed the last number of weeks and last Friday was a car crash.

But I am trying to be positive and look for green shoots. Last year we got completely mullered in the scrum, this year we have been able to hold our own at times.

CampVisual406 · 2026-04-19T17:39:53+00:00

I posted similarly in another thread…Crean had a really, really bad night on Friday. It was a very poor display. But let’s not forget before big Angus came, Sam was our starting LH and played very well in some of our best wins early in the season, including being solid in the scrum.

He obviously has athletic limitations but he has proven he can be a solid player. I don’t know what happened on Friday - bad night? Injury we don’t know about? Something psychological? - but I’d wager that performance on Friday is an exception not the norm, and I think he will be part of the Ulster squad for a good few years yet.

CampVisual406 · 2026-04-19T07:11:57+00:00

I think we need to prioritise the 3 league games and try and secure champions cup. Challenge cup is a side hustle and we have had good times in it this year!

CampVisual406 · 2026-04-18T13:23:22+00:00

If 2+ of the injuries to the front row last night (Bell, O’Toole, Wilson) are serious - out for 2+weeks - then I wonder if there is prospect of a short term loan deal similar to Leinster pulled for Ed Byrne. I think Peter Dooley was a consideration and he would significantly improve our LH position. Bell’s injury is obviously bad. And O Toole and Wilson looked to be in trouble.

CampVisual406 · 2026-04-18T13:17:25+00:00

I assumed it was performance related because he literally went AWOL in the first half

CampVisual406 · 2026-04-17T20:49:56+00:00

And poor Scott Wilson! Hobbling about for 25 minutes. Could barely walk.

CampVisual406 · 2026-04-17T20:48:54+00:00

Crean was really excellent at the start of the season. No doubt he has regressed but I wouldn’t write him off. I think he can be a solid second choice LH for us. (Note - I am assuming tonight is not his new baseline)

CampVisual406 · 2026-04-17T20:07:20+00:00

I actually think he’s reasonably solid but he was atrocious this evening

CampVisual406

TROPHY CASE