Ulster's season is already shot. Don't think we'll make the playoffs given our form and relatively tough run-in.
There will be financial pain missing out on the Champions Cup and losing Kingspan as a sponsor, but this wake-up call has been in the post for 3 or 4 years now, so I will fully embrace the re-build.
I'd take Kitshoff off the books to begin with. Good player that he is, but we can't afford him. We simply must spend that money on coaches and be forced to use the academy. Our born and bred players are much more likely to accept lower wages to stay at home than bringing in mercenaries and Leinster cast offs.
Our academy has been an absolute failure over the last 5 years. We haven't produced a forward that has made an impact on the international stage since Hendy over a decade ago. This is where the problem lies, and it must be addressed asap.
Couple of decent players coming through now mind, although Dan McF not picking them has hampered matters. Scott Wilson did a great job holding up against Ox Niche when he came on on Saturday, after our "international class" TH ToT had his spine rearranged in a previous scrum. Dave McCann has beem consistently good all season. Harry Sheridan looks to have a bit of much needed dog in him. Tom Stewart needs a bit more work but certainly has the potential.
The only way is up
Ian Madigan for Ireland.
