Yesterday, Ulster Director of Rugby Les Kiss teased Ulster fans with promises of "a couple more announcements" that the province will make in the next few weeks. It's quite exciting to think of one of the Irish provinces making proactive steps to improving their squad, especially with the likes of All-Black Charles Piutau coming to Ravenhill.
But the list of potential candidates that could be inbound to Ravenhill isn't that long. By looking at Ulster's squad needs, the IRFU's non-Irish qualified player rules, and who is out of contract in the summer.
See Also: Ulster On Verge Of Announcing Some 'Exciting' Signings According To Les Kiss
Ulster's NIQ players for 2016 as of now are tighthead prop/project player Wiehahn Herbst, scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar, lock Franco van der Merwe, and back three back Charles Piutau implying that the new signings won't be in those positions - especially when Rodney Ah You is inbound from Connacht. For it to be an "exciting" signing, it means it's probably a first choice player - eliminating a prop, out-half, and centre based on the quality of Irish players available there. The NIQ rules (three internationals and one project player) means that Ulster would need some compensation to sign another foreigner, but it they could announce another pre-signing much like Piutau's announcement last year.
Ulster's backrow needs an upgrade. Outside of Chris Henry and Nick Williams, it's not a unit that strikes fear into the opposition. There are some useful players there like Robbie Diack, Roger Wilson, and the perennially injured Willie Faloon - but if there is a position in Irish rugby that needs investment it's the Ulster back row. Some promising youngsters haven't been given the opportunity - Conor Joyce and Lorcan Dow were stars for the Ireland U-20's but haven't been seen since. With Nick Williams leaving for Cardiff, someone needs to come in to replace him somehow.
There are candidates that Ulster could sign both from within the Irish provinces, and from outside. Here are the possible back-row recruits that would count as "exciting" for Ulster
Dominic Ryan, Jordi Murphy, or Jack Conan
You can't have a list of potential back-row candidates for Irish provinces without suggesting that Dippy might make a move. It's been mooted for several years now, and Ryan's contract is up. He's stuck behind the likes of Sean O'Brien, Rhys Ruddock, and Jamie Heaslip, and is watching younger players like Jordi Murphy, Josh van der Flier, and Jack Conan leapfrog him in recent seasons. Much like Madigan leaving for more gametime - Ryan moving to Ulster could be an extremely beneficial move.
Jordi Murphy and Jack Conan are also out of contract in June, and both have seen younger players come in and play well, and that's with other youngsters like Dan Leavy and Peadar Timmins about to break through too. There's quite a backlog in Leinster's back-row stocks, and it's only going to get worse every year.
Victor Vito
Ulster are already heavily linked to Vito, so you can assume there is some interest. The move was rumoured to be off because Vito had decided to move to France, but no deal was ever confirmed. As long as Vito hasn't signed, he's still available - and he's almost the definition of an "exciting" signing.
David Pocock
What a coup this would be. He's included because he'd be exciting and his contract is up at the end of the upcoming Super Rugby season. He comes with a potential injury risk, having torn his ACL more than once.
Liam Gill
Liam Gill is the forgotten openside in Australian rugby, but don't think that that means he isn't good. There's no shame in being behind Michael Hooper and David Pocock; Gill has managed to win 15 caps with the more heralded pair ahead of him, with George Smith also knocking around in that time. He could get frustrated with the lack of opportunities, and with Gill coming off the back of a one-year deal at the struggling Queensland Reds with Matt O'Connor - it's not hard to see Gill wanting a move.
Adam Thomson
The World Cup winning All Black would be a fantastic signing. Comfortable at blindside or No. 8, Thomson is best used for flash plays and not the hard graft - which is exactly what Ulster are missing. The back-rower has just signed a deal with the Melbourne Rebels to go from the Reds. It looks like a one-year deal, and a money-spinning marriage made in heaven could tempt the 33-year-old.
