Richie Murphy on...
Injury Update
From an injury point of view we are improving a lot, Iain Henderson is on schedule to be ready to be ready for the first URC game, he’s moving in the right direction. We are close to a full deck but Jake Flannery has ruptured a tendon in his finger so he’ll miss a couple of weeks. Apart from a few niggles like that we are close to a full squad to pick from.
Aidan Morgan settling in
He’s been great, our game over here is very different to theirs at Super Rugby level so he’s adjusting very quickly, he has fitted in really well with the lads and has a great attitude, he works very hard. His skillset is very good, he's quick, a good passer and sees the space well. There are areas in his game he is working on but he’s showing plenty with us so far.
On Zac Ward joining the squad on trial
There is no expectation there on Zac, he’s always had an interest in getting back into the XV's game and he has obviously done really well in the Sevens. They are very different games, Zac was a back row in Sevens but we are trying to transfer him into a winger here. There is a lot of learning to do in making that switch but we are hoping to get a look at him on Saturday evening. He’s only been in four training sessions with us so it's been a tight timeframe but we want to get him out there.
We are trying not to overload him and we are allowing him to be the player that he is – which is a big, powerful ball carrier. There will be a lot of learning over the next few weeks.
On Ulster U18 Schools winning their interprovincial series
I think it’s a boost for the province, it shows there are some really good young players coming up through the system in Ulster. All the age-grade teams have had a good year, which hasn’t gone unnoticed within the senior ranks and coaches. It’s something that is very positive for everyone.
On Jimmy Duffy's impact
He’s been great since joining. We worked together twenty years ago for the first time and worked together with Ireland U20s. He is a close friend of mine, a top coach and he is technically very strong around the scrum, lineout and breakdown area.
Benetton ambition
We have been working on a number of things over the pre-season, so we would like to se those out there.
I was at Connacht v Sale Sharks at the weekend and these pre-season games can be scrappy with all the changes.
From our point of view we want to have a look at a large number of players and give them an opportunity to put their hand up after a good pre-season. From a team and tactical view we want to put those into practice.
On building the team's style of play
Towards the back end of last season they got a feel for some of the things that we are trying to do in our game. I think we are bit further down the track in relation to that, although we have lost other senior members of the team who were there at the back end of last season like Billy Burns and Will Addison.
What tends to happens in the void people step up and from a leadership point of view some of the guys in their mid-twenties haver really stepped up. The information now from player to coach and vice-versa is now really strong and we’ll hope to build on that through the year.
Alan O’Connor on...
Training this week
We had three teams training against each other. We are really pushing the boundaries of our fitness and we are having that skill rotation during the XV v XV. There has been a really good balance to our sessions.
Youthful energy to Ulster
It’s great, the younger players are inexperienced but make up for it in their enthusiasm, work-rate and eagerness to learn. I've been working closely with Charlie Irvine, a young second row and he’s been really good to work alongside, we have been having good chats about lineouts and set pieces, so we are learning off each other. The young guys always bring an edge to training, especially when the contact gets going!
A different Ulster this coming season?
I think so, all that is built off our contact work. As a front five forward, we want to be able to bring the ball forward and into space but we have to be good in our contact area to get that front foot. It doesn’t change that much in my mind but maybe for the backs and back-rows there are more changes in those wider channels. We are adapting to Richie’s philosophy.
Benetton focus
We have to go flat out and see where we are. There is no point of waiting around. We had a good game with them at the end of last season, quite a high scoring one so we’ll aim to be better in our defence!
Tickets
Tickets for this Saturday are available now at ulster.rugby/buytickets or by using the link below. Tickets are priced from £15 for Adults and £10 for Juniors. The friendly is included as part of our 2024/25 Season Ticket packages.
Match Details
🤝 Ulster Rugby v Benetton Rugby<br>
🗓 Saturday 7 September, 5pm<br>
🏟 Kingspan Stadium<br>
🏉 Bank of Ireland Pre-Season Friendly<br>
📺 Live on Ulster Rugby Live