ULSTER WILL TREAD cautiously with Will Addison’s injury, knowing the back is a notoriously tricky area of the body to put right after a niggle.
The Ulster and Ireland fullback and centre is reportedly making good progress in his injury rehab, but the northern province look set to do without the versatile international for next week’s Pro14 restarter against Connacht in the Aviva Stadium.
“It’s really frustrating, for no one more than Will. I feel for him,” head coach Dan McFarland said in a virtual press conference yesterday.
“It has been niggling at him for a while. He has a history of back (injuries) over the last while and he has dealt with it really well. But this episode has set him back.
His rehab is progressing well, but it’s not something that is straightforward – where guys say ‘Right, we know what operation we are going to do, we know what the rehab looks like, so we can pretty much tell you that you are going to be back on this date.’
“It isn’t like that. The help that he is getting from the medical performance team and the IRFU medical performance team who are involved in this intimately, has been excellent.
“We will see where it takes us. But we are positive at the moment because he is making progress.”
McFarland was able to provide more clarity over the decision to put Iain Henderson under the knife to correct a hip complaint. The operation for the captain had been planned. However, as a non-essential procedure it was understandably pushed back amidst the pandemic.
“Yeah, that was a planned operation. His hip has been giving him trouble for a while.
“We have been talking about when to get the hip operation done. Unfortunately the Covid situation obviously meant that a lot of surgeries were delayed and put back and that was the case for Iain – as it was for a few of the guys.
We could have potentially put it off longer, but often with these kind of things, it just needs to get done. We needed to get this done and we got it done as soon as we could.”
So Ulster accept the blow of losing their captain for an intense run-in to the season that will likely include a Pro14 semi-final after the forthcoming inter-pros and a European Cup quarter-final away to Toulouse. Henderson will work his way towards returning in time for Ireland’s international schedule. The same short-term plan lies before James Ryan.
“He’s our skipper,” McFarland adds of Henderson, “he’s a top man to have around the place. Luckily he is around the place now. It’s good to have him to chat to.
“We are losing a really big player – an Ireland international. That’s going to hurt.
“On the reverse side of things, those challenges are all to be overcome with opportunities for other people. The likes of Al (O’Connor), Treaders (Kieran Treadwell). Dave O’Connor and Sam (Carter) are in a position where they’re going to have to step up.
“Those guys are ready and willing to do that. They’re desperate to do it.”
Obviously it would be better if they were fit but a run of injuries like this might be a blessing in disguise for Farrell. Might force his hand into building a bit of depth in a position that we aren’t as strong as we think we are in. Dillane, Kleyn, Thornbury are all still only 26. Treadwell is 24 and you’ve wycherly and Baird who are younger. Invest the time in them and build the experience.
@Jim Demps: wow, I’m agreeing with you two days in a row Jim!!!
@Kevin: as Jerry Reed said, When you’re hot, you’re hot.
Take Henderson and James Ryan out of it and suddenly the Irish second row options look fairly thin.
@Robb Stark: really don’t at all. Lots of experienced Internationals still available and some good young talent. Roux and Dillane at Connacht, and Gavin Thornbury who looks a born International. Munster have Byrne & Klein, Leinster still have Toner and Ryan Baird and Jack Dunne is supposed to be a serious prospect too, and Ulster have Treadwell who has a few caps. We’ve survived without Henderson before, he’s had a few injuries over the years, will be interesting to see how both Leinster and Ireland get on without Ryan though…
@ℝ: It would be great to see Gavin Thornbury get some game time. He’s aggressive in attack and defence.
@ℝ: I’m sorry but all those players will and can fill in but Henderson and Ryan are top class internationals, apart from the unproven younger players the others have not stepped up to compete with these 2. There will be opertunity for these players now so hopefully they step up.
Madigan to 15 for ulster, that will piss him off no end.
@Chris Mc: Stockdale, Ludik or Faddes more likely but I don’t want to spoil your schadenfreude. On the subject of Stockdale, I’ve liked the look of him at fullback for Ulster. He is better under the high ball than people credit, has a booming left foot and looks dangerous in the space. Madigan is a number 22 I think, Johnson doesn’t look like the finished article yet.
@Chris Mc: I am sure he knew the options when he signed. He’ ll get plenty of game time at 10. I would hate to see Lowry’s development at 10/15 ruined in the process.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: Stockdale played well at 15 for under 20′s. We are well stocked in the back three.
@Trevor Johnston: I reckon they went for him because neither Lowry or Johnston are ready to be a starting 10 if Burns gets injured. Lowry looks really exciting with the ball in hand but you just fear for him with big 7s and 12s running down the 10 channel. With Johnston it’s his decision making, against Quins away, I think, when looking for the bonus point try he tried a drop goal with a penalty advantage. Thankfully he missed or we’d have lost possession. Made me think he’s still learning. I agree with your point about not blocking the progress of younger players but maybe at half back we were too light.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: madigan will play in the ulster first team I have no doubts about that. As for stockdale at 15 I’m not sure if his concentration levels are up to it. It’s a very demanding position as lots of the time your covering, waiting and just been in the right place just in case something happens. Stockdale needs to be involved all the time.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: I can’t disagree with you. Lowry is such a talented footballer, there must be a role for him. Johnston, I think the jury is out. He could still kick on.
It is a good boost to have a player of Madigan’s experience there to bring them on.
@Chris Mc: I haven’t seen any evidence that he hasn’t these qualities.
@Trevor Johnston: in fairness you would watch him closer than I would. Hopefully he gets back to the form that made him the best attacker in the 6 nations