Richie Murphy Takes the Helm as Interim Head Coach of Ulster Rugby
Ulster Rugby recently announced a significant change in their coaching staff with the departure of Head Coach Dan McFarland. After his successful tenure since 2018, McFarland leaves behind a legacy of achievement, marked notably by securing playoff berths in various competitions and guiding the team to the PRO14 final in 2020.
In response to McFarland’s departure, Ulster Rugby CEO, Jonny Petrie, expressed gratitude for McFarland’s contributions and wished him well for the future. The club wasted no time in appointing Richie Murphy as the interim Head Coach until the end of the season. Murphy, who previously served as Ireland U20s Head Coach, brings a wealth of coaching experience to the role.
The transition comes at a critical juncture for Ulster Rugby, with assistant coach Dan Soper stepping in to oversee operations ahead of their upcoming fixture against Dragons. With Murphy’s arrival imminent, there’s a collective focus on maintaining performance levels during this pivotal period of the season.
Bryn Cunningham, Head of Rugby Operations and Recruitment at Ulster Rugby, will also take on increased management responsibilities within the performance function, ensuring continuity and support during the coaching transition.
As Ulster Rugby prepares to embark on the next phase under Murphy’s guidance, there’s an air of anticipation and determination within the club. With a strong foundation in place and a seasoned coach at the helm, Ulster Rugby looks set to navigate this period of change with resilience and ambition.
