Hosted by Pete Snodden of Cool FM, the panel featured Head Coach Richie Murphy, newly appointed coach Willie Faloon, and players Jacob Stockdale and James McNabney.
The evening kicked off with reflections on last Friday’s hard-fought victory over the DHL Stormers. Pete asked Murphy about his emotions during the game, to which he responded, “All of the above—proud, relieved, delighted. If we could erase the first eight minutes and keep the rest, we’d be thrilled.” Murphy praised the team’s resilience in overcoming a 17-point deficit and highlighted their growing character.
When asked what was said at halftime, Murphy explained “At 17-all, we were back in the game and playing some really good rugby. We reminded the guys of the key points we had planned for.” Reflecting on the season, Murphy noted the contrast between pre- and post-Christmas performances “Earlier in the season, we were strong out of the gates but struggled in the second half. Since Christmas, it’s been the reverse."
The discussion covered a range of topics, including the team’s injury challenges, mental resilience, and the importance of players taking responsibility on the pitch. When asked about the squad’s progress, Murphy emphasised the ongoing work to build consistency, “I’ve been here just over a year, and the team has definitely improved. There have been moments of frustration, but our focus is on changing the mindset—preparing properly and delivering on matchday.” Attention then shifted to the upcoming Investec Champions Cup clash against Bordeaux, James McNabney’s development, and Willie Faloon’s transition into his new coaching role.<br>
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The panel also paid tribute to Stuart McCloskey, who reached an impressive milestone with his 200th appearance for Ulster last weekend. There was praise for young fly-half Jack Murphy, with Richie Murphy revealing that Jack had turned down an academy spot at Leinster to join Ulster. When asked about the father-son dynamic, Murphy kept it professional, “At work, the focus is on rugby. At home, we leave that behind as much as possible.”
During the second half of the evening, season ticket holders had the chance to pose questions directly to the panel. Topics ranged from support play to future scrum-halves and on-field leadership. Jacob Stockdale addressed the leadership question candidly, “To lead, you need to take care of your own job first. In our Benetton game, we saw guys struggling with mistakes, and that affects leadership. As senior players, it’s on us to recognise those moments and lift the team.”<br>
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One of the most memorable moments came from 11-year-old Junior Season Ticket Holder, Kayden, who asked “What’s the best advice you were given at my age?” Stockdale emphasised skill development, “Work on your skillset—passing, footwork, acceleration. These are essential for every player.” McNabney added, “Compete in everything you do, whether it’s rugby or another sport. If you train your mindset to compete, you won’t fail.”<br>
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The evening wrapped up with a raffle hosted by the Official Ulster Rugby Supporters Club, featuring standout prizes, including a signed British & Irish Lions jersey from Rory Best and a Springboks jersey signed by Marcel Coetzee.
