HAVING TO TOLERATE the outside noise is something that any Ulster head coach has to become outrageously gifted at, in an instant.
But comments from Connacht’s head coach Pete Wilkins about Ulster’s approach to the two recent defeats in South Africa teased a response from Richie Murphy at yesterday’s press conference ahead of Saturday night’s home URC fixture against Connacht (kick-off 8pm).
“I’m not sure Ulster’s performances in South Africa will worry them too much,” said Wilkins.
“And the reason I say that is I reckon they probably picked that side against the Bulls with Connacht in mind on the other side of it.
There were some important players who either weren’t playing or were coming off the bench or were subbed earlier.”
Murphy answered back that he had “no response” before adding, “Pete should concentrate on coaching his own team.”
Nor will Murphy take much heed of what is said on planet punditry. Stephen Ferris has never been afraid to lower the blade on his former team, and his remark to RTÉ that Ulster are “a nice team to play against” will not be going up on the dressing room wall.
“Are we too nice to play against? Well, maybe we are. But it’s not Stephen Ferris’ opinion we are going to go on. It’s the opinions from within the group,” said Murphy.
There’s certain aspects of our game that we are going after and to make them better, aesthetically when you are looking at it from outside, it will make it look different.
“But if you just want to be nasty, you can’t do the things you used to do years ago. I’m not sure the context of that comment, but our job is to improve Ulster Rugby and make us a competitive team at the top end of that league and there’s certain elements that will go into that. And toughness is part of that.”
Defeats to Lions and Bulls in their mini-tour of South Africa is hardly the stuff to have them panicking this early in the season. But Ulster have an experience deficit in their pack that has been remorselessly punished of late after they opened their season with a win over Glasgow.
