Bryan Young to leave Ulster Rugby.

John McMurtry

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April 23, 2011

Disappointed to hear last night that Ulster stalwart Bryan Young won’t be having his contract renewed for next year as the cull of home grown players continues. With the retirement of Cunningham and Pollock earlier in the season and the previously announced transfers of Caldwell, O’Connor, McCrea, Anderson, Seymour and Smith, Young’s departure brings the exodus of local players to nine this season.

While there is plenty of young talent coming through the ranks, and the professional game has little room for sentiment these days, I still find The Bear’s departure particularly disappointing as the eight times Irish capped player still had plenty to offer the Ulster set up.

I’ve always ranked Young very highly as a technical scrummager, in fact I reckon he’s one of the best around in my book, and it’s a pity Ulster have decided to dispense with his services just as he looks to be recovering his form of a few years ago when he made the Irish World Cup Squad.

Young first joined Ulster as a twenty year old in 2001 and has made over 130 appearances for the Province in his ten year stint. Turning 30 this . . .

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Thanks.

Bryan Young

4 responses to “Bryan Young to leave Ulster Rugby.”

John

April 25, 2011

Pingu, Black is the unknown in that list. Played in just over half of Worcester Warriors games this year at a level just above B & I Cup standard, so while he may have plenty of potential he is far from the finished article. With Court and Afoa away for the World Cup, Fitzpatrick’s propensity for injury, the likelihood that at least one other prop will be carrying an injury at any given time and Cronin not up to standard yet I’d say we’re going to find things tight enough in the front row.

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Pingu

April 25, 2011

As regards who’s replacing the Bear, I understand that Callum Black (of whom i know next to nothing about) plays at loosehead?

That’s.. Black, McAllister, Afoa, Court, Cronin, Fitzy.. 6 potential starters? Competition will be fierce!

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Raging Raven

April 24, 2011

So it is now the “Magnificent Seven” of Ulster born leaving the nest. Not sure how this works in with the Fit Controllers vision of an Ulster team with Ulstermen (plus a couple of world class others)

I am disappointed to see Bryan go, another who suffered from being able to play both sides of the scrum, and one who latterly fell foul of some referees interpretations not helped my the modern phenomena of constant, moaning, whining and pointing by the opposition to the referee at scrum time.

He always had time for supporters be it at Ravenhill or in some foreign land and I for one wish him well and hope that our loss will be someone else’s gain.

Thank you Bear ! 🙂

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1. John
  
  April 25, 2011
  
  @Raven – Yep disappointing to see the Bear going after 10 years of service. It’ll be interesting to see who comes in to replace him.
  
  With regards the other departures I had a quick chat with Eric Elwood after the game and he’s certainly looking forward to working with O’Connor, McCrea and Anderson next season.
  
  Reply