When Dan McFarland and Ulster parted ways after a dismal defeat against Ospreys there was a sense of uncertainty surrounding the northern province. After 5 years in the role and with their season derailing after three losses on the spin, as well as an early Champions Cup exit there was a feeling that Ulster were going backwards under McFarland.
However, the IRFU were not long filling the gap in the Ulster hot seat, appointing Richie Murphy in an interim role once the Ireland U20s Six Nations campaign concluded. Murphy is now a little under a week with the Ulster team but has already brought an air of enthusiasm to Ulster Rugby. He came through the Leinster and Ireland setups as a coach before guiding Ireland U20s to back-to-back Grand Slams and a World Championship Final.
Murphy travelled with the Ulster squad to Durban on Tuesday for their two-week tour of South Africa where he'll be hoping to build some momentum. Former Ulster and Ireland back-row Stephen Ferris seemed optimistic about the appointment and Murphy's ability to develop as a coach at Ulster Rugby.
Ya I think generally it's been hugely positive just because of what he did with the under 20s. He's worked in the national set up under really good head coaches.
He obviously came on board with the Irish team as a kicking coach and then added a few strings to his bow with skills and obviously in now in more of a head coach role.
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Murphy has already stated that he is interested in the role full-time, while Ferris is pleased that the former Leinster out-half can focus solely on coaching and not have to deal with anything upstairs as was Dan McFarland's remit.
I think the Director of Rugby role is now gone from Ulster Rugby.
He (Dan McFarland) had Director of Rugby and Head Coach after his name. I believe now Brendan Cunningham has stepped into that role just to let the coaches coach and that's it. Not have anything to do with recruitment or anything off field.
I think that's something that Richie Murphy his track record he's very proven in, being able to deliver especially with the young players and Ulster have a lot of young players who maybe haven't been given the opportunities over the last couple of years that I've been crying out for.
19 March 2024; Nick Timoney, left, and Mike Lowry during Ulster Rugby squad training at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Murphy has also brought former Leinster and current Ireland scrum coach John Fogarty with him to South Africa. Although Ferris has no qualms with their coaching pedigree, the influx of former Leinster coaches and players is definitely something the proud Ulsterman is aware of, in a very much tongue-in-cheek way.
Yeah it's a very Leinster feel about this Ulster side.
Listen if he (John Fogarty) delivers, which he has done I think the Irish scrum over the Six Nations. Of course over there he's got brilliant players to use but he's also got half decent talent at Ulster to work with.
Overall, Ferris is very optimistic about the incoming Ulster coaches and believes that Murphy's ability to develop players while fostering good relations with them could give Ulster a real boost going into the business end of the season.
He's also a very positive, enthusiastic, confident coach who has good relationships with the players, he's not running around pissing everybody off. I believe that's was the nail in the coffin for Dan. Everybody was just fed up with it.
You know it just seems to be a fresh lease off life that has been put into this Ulster side, albeit from a couple of Leinster men
Richie Murphy and John Fogarty's first test as Ulster coaches comes this Saturday as Ulster face the Sharks in the URC.
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