Richie Murphy on...
Match thoughts
Maybe not quite what we wanted but it was a physical test which was good, first half was there was a bit more rugby, the second half was a bit more stop/start. We would have liked to have gotten the ball in play a little bit more but from our end- there is nothing like playing a game. The things that have been working well in training, you get that tested under match physicality and it can break a little bit but that’s great for us to try to review that and practice on it for next week.
We started off with a more experienced team and it was great to see those younger lads come on in the second half when we were behind and find a way of winning the game, which was satisfying. We probably would have liked to be more together in our attack at times, I thought some of our defence was great and then the odd lapse or missed tackle cost us dearly – so we have to work at those transitionary moments.
On the squad for Exeter Chiefs next weekend
It will be slightly trimmed down, it won’t be a matchday 23 so we might have 26 or 27 players going to Exeter. There is also an Ulster Development game next week where guys will go to Glasgow. We won’t be using our international players, they will come back in week one.
On Aidan Morgan's debut
There were things that he did well and there are things in his game where we want him to be a little bit better at. You can see he’s physical, he defended well at times and we want to see him marshal around the pitch a bit more.
He is a carrier, he wants to play an abrasive style, it’s a different style to the tens we have had in Ireland over the years so it’s a mix of keeping that good, natural ability he has but trying to add a bit more in terms of how he organises and uses those around him.
What pleased him
The last try was nice in relation to how we put it together which is something that we have been working on. Some of the continuity stuff I thought we could maybe have down a bit more but the pressure of the match, the contact level being different than it was in training probably made us go back into our shells a little bit. From this week we will review, improve and go into next week. Exeter away will be a different task.
Zac Ward getting a run out
He has literally been here two weeks and done five training sessions. He was a back row forward when he was with the sevens and is now standing on the wing, it is so different but over the next number of months we will be trying to up-skill him and get him into a place where he feels comfortable. When you look at him from a defensive point of view, he’s done really well to make some tackles but he’s slightly in the wrong position. Those are learning curves and we’ll sit down with him and work with him going into next week. He's a good lad, mad keen and fitted in really well.
Mike Lowry on...
Benetton test
I think every team thinks they are doing the right things in pre-season but you don’t really know until you go up against someone or play against opposition. There isn’t a much better test than playing against Benetton, they have been playing some really good rugby over the past few years, are physical and that’s an area we wanted to test ourselves in this week. It was good to get out there and dust off the cobwebs, a lot of young lads got a first go, new players playing and a lot of new combinations. Exciting but we know there is a lot to work on. We had some nice scores.
Captaining his province for the first time
It was a massive honour for me, obviously a different week for me in terms of responsibility in a different role. It wasn’t just looking after my own detail but being aware of others, what their energy levels are like and you are more aware. I’ve enjoyed it and learned a lot this week. It’s a pre-season friendly but I really enjoyed leading the lads out.
There were a lot of younger lads out there and I wanted to help them along. I’m now 26 years old and there are lads now that are 18/20 so there is now that age gap!
It was a childhood dream of mine to captain Ulster so hopefully I can crack on from this and take the learnings.
I loved every minute of being able to lead the team out today and I’m very grateful for that opportunity.
Forgetting to bring the mascots out before kick-off
It wasn’t the greatest of starts as captain as I forgot the mascots! But it was all good fun and I’m sure I’ll pay for that one on Monday!
Exeter Chiefs next
Another great challenge before we hit the new season. We also have Exeter in the Champions Cup so it will be interesting to see how we go. We want to up our consistency and we are going in the right direction.
Opening fixtures
It’s a difficult start, there are no easy games, so it will really test us. Taking the champions on at home is a great way to start the campaign and then a difficult away trip to South Africa. I love going to South Africa as it’s a real team-bonding experience too. To get that done so early in the season will stand us in good stead.