Richie Murphy faced the media for the first time since being confirmed as the province's head Coach on a two-year deal. Speaking in the press conference he talked about taking on the role, the challenge of evolving the team and looking forward to a massive Interpro against a side he knows very well, in Leinster.
On becoming Ulster's Head Coach on a permanent basis
“Absolutely thrilled, good to put it to bed and now we can get on with the rest of the work. It hasn’t really bothered me much over the last few weeks, I’ve been getting on with it over the past while, focusing on an almost game to game basis. I’m proud to take on the role and looking forward to the challenge.
It’s a huge job, obviously it’s well documented where the club is at this moment in time but there is a good bunch of young players who have to be driven and tested. The players have responded well, there is a good buzz around the place and I’m really enjoying it."
Play-Off position focus
We want to be playing European Cup rugby next season, so that’s the focus. We want to get better, a good review off the back of Scarlets that showed some really good stuff but also some not so good, that wasn’t at the level where we want to be at. We are moving on."
Challenge of Leinster
"It will be very difficult. Also, really weird as I was doing a preview of Leinster and in walks my son Ben, who plays for Leinster! Even going to get my Ulster kit to come up, his Leinster kit is hanging on the line beside it. It’s a unique position.
Playing Leinster is difficult wherever you play them. I’ve also been in the Leinster changing room at Kingspan Stadium, they don’t find it an easy place to come. If the crowd is anything like the last couple of home games, they will definitely have a big part to play. As Ulster we need to turn up and put them under pressure. It will be a big test to see where we are at."
On learning from Ulster victory at the RDS in January
"You learn from all those games, the one before Christmas was a big one. The personnel is a big one, Kitshoff is out, Hendy is out, there are a number of guys who were involved haven’t been in training., We under a bit of pressure with those we are missing but it gives other people an opportunity, who want to stake their claim."
Stuart McCloskey told the media that he was pleased with the news about Richie Murphy becoming the new permanent Head Coach and that the province is building towards a better future.
On Richie's confirmation as head coach
“It’s great for us, personally think it’s great, I think Richie has done a great job, he’s got brilliant ideas, especially in attack and going forward. He's come in, made a good impression with everybody, been great with the young lads, seems to do a lot of one-one coaching with guys, not only big picture stuff but also about the small intricacies individually. It’s great to have him and hopefully he’ll do a good job going forward."
On where the team is at
"It’s definitely different, we are trying to develop a few young guys whether that’s been through a few injuries or guys leaving, it has been thrust upon us but a lot of them have stepped up really well, there is a lot of improvement to make which is good because they can see how far they can go. It’s not going to change over night, it might take the guts of twelve to eighteen months to really see progression in this team and back to where we want to win."
On Leinster this weekend
"Leinster always have internationals, they have such a strong squad with great depth, unbelievable players across the board. Whatever team they bring we have to make sure we do everything to win and help us for the play-offs.
We are looking for the play-offs, looking to secure top eight and see where we go from there. On our day we can beat anybody, being realistic we aren’t the favourites to win the competition but I wouldn’t want to play us on one of our good days."
Lock, Kieran Treadwell, says the team no the task at hand as they prepare to take on their interprovincial rivals at a sold-out Kingspan Stadium.
On Richie's appointment
“It’s great to continue working with Richie, he has put some good things in place during the short time we’ve been working together so it’s a good stepping stone to build on something. His delivery of message is clear, he knows how we want to play and his honesty about what you need to work on, how you will get to it, being the best version of yourself.“
On what Ulster learned from the win on New Year's Day at the RDS
“I think we can take confidence from the game that they are beatable. We still need to put the performance out there, hopefully it comes to the forefront on Saturday.
The results look after themselves if the performances are good enough. I think we have good foundations, have a way to go but have potential for some serious growth."
On how important the game is
"Massively important. It’ll be our last home game unless results go our way so to have a home Interpro is massive. We need to put the performance in and with the help of the crowd, we can dig deep."