Sad news; Ulster’s rugby lost her star player.

Ulster Rugby confirm departure of Dan McFarland after more than five years in charge and name new interim head coach

Ulster Rugby have confirmed the departure of Dan McFarland, their longest-serving head coach in the professional era, after over five years in charge at the Kingspan Stadium with Ireland Under-20s chief Richie Murphy set to take over on an interim basis until the end of this season.

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Speculation had mounted on Wednesday surrounding the future of the 51-year-old, who was appointed to Ulster’s top job in 2018 having previously worked in Scotland’s backroom staff and contracted to the province up until 2025 after signing an extended deal in 2022.

In his first season in charge, McFarland guided Ulster to the Pro14 semi-finals and European Champions Cup quarter-final while they made it to the Pro14 final in 2020 before losing out to Leinster.

The Englishman enjoyed further success as they progressed to the Champions Cup semi-final alongside finishing second in Conference B of the Pro14 in 2020/21 and the following year Ulster reached the United Rugby Championship final-four.

However, after losing four of 10 league matches this season, suffering defeat in Europe to Bath, Toulouse and Harlequins and failing to end an 18-year wait for silverware glory, his reign is now over with Murphy set to take on responsibilities after the U20 Six Nations.