Pete Snodden from Ulster Rugby's media partner, Cool FM, began the panel discussion, before opening up the floor to questions from supporters.
The evening began with a warm welcome to newly-appointed Head Coach, Richie Murphy, who looked a man relieved after revealing that he had finally sorted out a new place to live for him and his family, with the former Ireland U20s Head Coach making the move from Bray to Belfast on a permanent basis.
Murphy touched on his career and how it led to his now-permanent role as Ulster's Head Coach, after being given the job on an interim basis intially. Murphy spoke about how working under Michael Cheika at Leinster, and Joe Schmidt in the Ireland Senior Men's set-up, had set it him up to get to the ahead as a Skills and Kicking coach, however he always had the ambition for the top job.
That development came with a successful stint with Ireland U20s, winning two back-to-back Grand Slams as Head Coach in 2022 and 2023.
Murphy described the path to Ulster as an 'interesting journey' but added that he always loved coming to Kingspan Stadium, whether to watch players or as part of an away team. He added that the power of the place was on-show in the recent victory over Interprovincial rivals, Leinster, and that had helped push the players to a huge win.
With Ulster Rugby confirming the appointment of a new Forwards Coach in Jimmy Duffy this week, Murphy described what the new man will bring to his coaching set-up.
"Jimmy will be coming in to work alongside Roddy Grant. We've worked together before, Jimmy was at Connacht for many years and is a very clever coach, who knows how to get the best out of his pack. A very good coach, who will bring his experience."
Murphy concluded his questioning with the belief that the team is "moving in the right direction" after four successive URC victories and that the players have come a long way in the short couple of months they have been working together.
"We want to show these guys what world-class standards look like. We need young players to step up, enjoy their work, feel comfortable in the building, but that they are being pushed everyday. We aim to be competitive and to bring Ulster back to where they were. It’s exciting and challenging."
Next up was Ulster's Head of Rugby Operations and Recruitment, Bryn Cunningham, who spoke about a number of subjects around recruitment, contracts, and planning for a competitive squad that will develop in the coming years.
Cunningham was asked about Ulster's latest recruit, fly-half, Aidan Morgan, who joins-up with the province from the Hurricanes this summer on a two-year deal. Cunningham revealed his excitement at the raw talent Ulster have secured from New Zealand, and a bit of the thinking behind the signing.
"We released players with a lot of leadership, and knew we had to think more creatively about a solution at ten. Steven Kitshoff's departure freed-up an opportunity to look at the squad again, but finding a ten at that stage of the year is very challenging.
"Aidan is exciting and young. We don't want to put too much expectation on him, but I think he will suit the style of play, the pitch, and being Irish-qualified is a nice touch. It feels like the right fit."
Cunningham touched on the departing Steven Kitshoff saying the signing was right at the time, but ultimately the best decision was made for all parties involved, with the Springbok prop moving back to DHL Stormers for next season.
With the club focusing on developing the next crop of talent coming through the ranks, Cunningham said that the club were looking at a review of the current Player Pathway system and how the province can look at getting the best talent from across the province, with the view to making an impact in the Senior side.
Hugh McCaughey was asked about his experience so far in the role as Interim CEO, as he outlined some of the club's strategy for the future.
McCaughey stated that he sees a three to five year plan, with the focus on improvement and development for what will be a young Ulster side.
"We have reduced our playing budget. Even if we had endless money, one marquee player doesn’t make it successful. We are looking at, how do we develop that group of talented 19-24 year olds? This group coming through is the best for some time. We have to make the conditions for this group to be the best they can be."
The Interim CEO said the club had a number of areas that he is seeking to improve on for the long-term sustainability of the organisation.
"We've had a lot of instability in leadership, which has then led to a loss of trust and confidence with supporters. We are focusing on the coaching structure, building on it, while also building on the playing team and working with good governance. Our financial position is worse than was projected, but our systems can be better. We have cost-cut, our commercial and ticketing was behind, but we are working hard on generating that income. "
Another important factor for McCaughey is the connection between the club and fanbase adding: "We need to rebuild that connection between supporters and the club. We need to get back to connecting with community. We have to have the right culture."
Club Captain, Iain Henderson, speaking for the first time since surgery on a toe injury, said that he is excited about the future of the team, with young players starting to look like potential leaders for the province in the years to come.
"Since I started at Ulster, this is the most excited I've been for a group of young players, with the likes of younger players such as David McCann and Mike Lowry performing well and consistently. There are so many guys who are now seeing the opportunity to step up. It's comforting to see that coming through."
Henderson also said that the team are in a much happier place now than they were a few months ago, saying the changes have led to an environment where the players feel they can express themselves.
The captain also was applauded for his words on Luke Marshall, the long-serving centre, who hangs up his boots at the end of the season. For Henderson, this is a player and person he admires deeply, having spent the entirety of their careers together.
"Lukey (Marshall) has been a fantastic member of this club. He's been here through thick and thin, he's seen highs and lows, had a few caps for Ireland, fought through some really horrible injury issues and come out the other side, still performing well and training well. He is a phenomenal person and you couldn’t ask for a better teammate."
With Ulster having confirmed URC play-off rugby with the recent victory over Leinster, Henderson says that the team are excited to face Munster at Thomond Park this Saturday, after which they will find out who they face in the Quarter-Final stages.
"It's exciting. We want to go down there this weekend and get the win. Anyone in the play-off stages would be difficult away. You aren’t picking one you want to go to. It's the same with Europe, you will always have a tough game no matter who you go up against, so we'll relish whoever we come up against."
Despite being out for the remainder of the season, Henderson is looking forward to getting stuck into Ulster's pre-season training this summer, something he says he rarely gets the chance to do, usually being away for Ireland tours and training camps.
The evening concluded with an open floor for fans' questions, which ranged from feedback about fan engagement, maximising the atmosphere and attendance at home matches, the potential for marking Ulster Rugby's centenary year in the 2024-25 season, the IRFU funding model changes, and how the club helps prepare players for a life outside of rugby.
