Head Coach Jono Gibbes enjoyed a near-perfect first game in charge on Friday night as Ulster swept Southern Kings aside with a comprehensive 59-10 win at Kingspan Stadium.
Gibbes, who had taken over the reins nine days earlier, following the departure of Director of Rugby Les Kiss, has been pleased with how the entire playing group has responded to the change.
“Friday’s result was a good reflection of how the boys had trained in the build-up to the game - not just the match day 23, but the guys outside of that as well. The quality of the sessions was really high and the energy was really high. That is one of the main challenges that’s been laid down for the players - are we able to bring a bit more intensity?
“We had a reasonably simple approach and we felt that if we were really good at some basic things, then that would put us in position to get what we needed.
“They delivered tonight. The scoreboard looks good but there was a lot of effort put in to achieving that. It was a good reward for the effort.”
Gibbes installed second row Alan O’Connor as captain for the first time, with the 25-year-old impressing not only on match night, but in the days leading up to it as well.
“He doesn’t over complicate things and he’s reasonably direct,” enthused Gibbes. “That’s what our whole week was about. We need to have the mentality that you get on with your job and work hard for each other, and he embodies that. He was probably a bit surprised, but for us as a coaching group, I think he gave us exactly what we needed.”
It was also a big night for young flyhalf Johnny McPhillips, who made his first senior start after four previous appearances as a replacement. The Abbey Insurance Academy graduate was composed throughout his 55-minute display and was heavily involved in a number of tries.
“He was pretty good I thought,” said Gibbes. “His hard work and development over the past seven months is evident. He’s got a good personality and he’s got the right mentality for the position.
“He fitted in to what we were trying to do for the whole week. Again, his comfort was a reflection of the whole week and what we tried to build around him.”
Gibbes and the rest of the squad have little time to dwell on the success over the Kings, with fellow play-off challengers Edinburgh next to visit Kingspan Stadium on Friday evening.
“We’ve survived one week,” joked Gibbes, before turning his attentions to the challenge ahead. “We didn’t try anything flashy (against Kings); we identified a few basic things that we wanted to be better at and we worked really hard on those. We have to continue to do that if we want to show more consistency and finish the season strongly.
“We’ve got another opportunity this week to try to evolve and improve, and continue some of the good stuff that we delivered on Friday. I know that there is only one guaranteed thing that helps with that and that is to work hard.”
Tickets for Ulster v Edinburgh, including in the Grandstand, are available via ulsterrugby.com/buytickets.
Gibbes, who had taken over the reins nine days earlier, following the departure of Director of Rugby Les Kiss, has been pleased with how the entire playing group has responded to the change.
“Friday’s result was a good reflection of how the boys had trained in the build-up to the game - not just the match day 23, but the guys outside of that as well. The quality of the sessions was really high and the energy was really high. That is one of the main challenges that’s been laid down for the players - are we able to bring a bit more intensity?
“We had a reasonably simple approach and we felt that if we were really good at some basic things, then that would put us in position to get what we needed.
“They delivered tonight. The scoreboard looks good but there was a lot of effort put in to achieving that. It was a good reward for the effort.”
Gibbes installed second row Alan O’Connor as captain for the first time, with the 25-year-old impressing not only on match night, but in the days leading up to it as well.
“He doesn’t over complicate things and he’s reasonably direct,” enthused Gibbes. “That’s what our whole week was about. We need to have the mentality that you get on with your job and work hard for each other, and he embodies that. He was probably a bit surprised, but for us as a coaching group, I think he gave us exactly what we needed.”
It was also a big night for young flyhalf Johnny McPhillips, who made his first senior start after four previous appearances as a replacement. The Abbey Insurance Academy graduate was composed throughout his 55-minute display and was heavily involved in a number of tries.
“He was pretty good I thought,” said Gibbes. “His hard work and development over the past seven months is evident. He’s got a good personality and he’s got the right mentality for the position.
“He fitted in to what we were trying to do for the whole week. Again, his comfort was a reflection of the whole week and what we tried to build around him.”
Gibbes and the rest of the squad have little time to dwell on the success over the Kings, with fellow play-off challengers Edinburgh next to visit Kingspan Stadium on Friday evening.
“We’ve survived one week,” joked Gibbes, before turning his attentions to the challenge ahead. “We didn’t try anything flashy (against Kings); we identified a few basic things that we wanted to be better at and we worked really hard on those. We have to continue to do that if we want to show more consistency and finish the season strongly.
“We’ve got another opportunity this week to try to evolve and improve, and continue some of the good stuff that we delivered on Friday. I know that there is only one guaranteed thing that helps with that and that is to work hard.”
Tickets for Ulster v Edinburgh, including in the Grandstand, are available via ulsterrugby.com/buytickets.