It's been a week of huge change at Ulster Rugby.
Ulster Rugby announced earlier this week that head coach Dan McFarland will step down from his position as head coach with immediate effect. U20s coach Richie Murphy will be taking over McFarland's former position on an interim basis for the coming season.
The decision comes after a poor run of results and an intense interview with McFarland following the team's game against Ospreys on Sunday, in which the team were defeated with a 19-17. The former head coach criticised the refereeing of the game and how it contributed to Ulster's defeat.
SEE ALSO: Ulster Fans Livid With Head Coach For Post-Game Comments After Ospreys Loss
SEE ALSO: Ex-Ireland Star Reveals Issues In Ulster Dressing Room Under Dan McFarland
Former Irish rugby star Stephen Ferris said the writing was on the wall for McFarland in that post-match interview.
I do a lot of work with Ladbrokes on the games over the course of the season, but if Ladbrokes asked me to give them odds on Dan McFarland having his job at the end of the season, a couple of weeks ago, those odds would have been very slim. The way that Ulster Rugby is played, his demeanor, the way his attitude comes across on the television, and I think the [final] nail in the coffin was that interview after the Ospreys game.
He blamed everything else but what happened on the pitch, in terms of the coaching that he has provided for. The scrum got absolutely hosed, and that is his area of expertise. That's what he coaches, that's where he played, but he forgot all about the touch on the scrum. There were numerous penalties which gave the Ospreys field position. It was just about throwing the intercept, which again is pointing the finger at young Jake Flannery who has hardly seen any minutes this season.
Ulster Rugby and @IrishRugby can confirm that Dan McFarland will step down from his position as Head Coach.
Full story ⤵️— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) February 21, 2024
McFarland heavily criticised a late refereeing decision in the game during his post-match interview, and implied that it contributed greatly to the Ospreys win. However, he failed to address the Ulster side's performance:
Then obviously, the referee for the decision around the maul, which in fairness to the referee, it could have been the wrong decision in terms of the interpretation of the law. But he did tell Tom Stewart twice to break off the mall and Tom Stewart didn't listen to him, therefore he gave the scrum. Off that resulting scrum, the Ospreys still had to go 60 metres to get themselves into a drop goal position to try and win the game. It was a very negative interview and by all accounts, I think he lost the changing room. Ultimately, when you lose the players, they'll maybe stop playing for you, then your job is up and he's moved on. It's just an interesting time that he's moved on at this point in the season, but we wish him well. I'm sure he'll get another gig somewhere and Ulster rugby now need to move forward.
While u20s coach Richie Murphy is now in head coach position with Ulster Rugby on an interim basis, the main concern will be appointing a permanent head coach for the Ulster squad. RTÉ have reported on Friday evening that Murphy would be interested in keeping the role next season, if the results are favourable.
