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Ulster interim boss Richie Murphy. Ben Brady/INPHO

'I'm very interested in staying' - Murphy keen to land Ulster job on permanent basis

John Fogarty has also come on board as scrum coach.

ULSTER’S INTERIM HEAD coach Richie Murphy says he hopes land the job at the Kingspan Stadium permanently.

The Ireland U20s head coach has been installed on an interim basis following last month’s sacking of Dan McFarland.

“When I was asked would I be interested in coming in and taking over until the end of the season I snapped their hand off,” Murphy said.

“I’m very interested in staying [after the end of the season]. All these things over the next couple of weeks will become clearer,” he added.

We haven’t had those discussions yet, but it is definitely something I’d be interested in doing.

“I’ve already been looking at places to live in Belfast.” 

Earlier today Murphy named a 30-man Ulster squad to travel to South Africa ahead of Saturday’s URC clash at the Sharks.

Pointing out that he aims to turn the struggling province’s fortunes around in what remains of this season Murphy stated: “I’m honoured and proud to be up here and work for Ulster Rugby, and excited with the group of players we have and to try and take them in a slightly new direction.

“Little changes will hopefully make big impacts into our team performance.

“We will try and move the ball into the right areas, the basic philosophy of what I want to do – play the ball into space.”

Murphy has already worked with a number of Ulster’s squad through the Ireland U20s system, and also has knowledge of some of the longer serving squad members from his time working with the Ireland senior side.

It has also been confirmed that Ireland assistant coach John Fogarty will fill the void of scrum coach, which was previously covered by McFarland.

john-fogarty John Fogarty has joined as scrum coach. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

“John is up for a period of time to help on a part-time basis,” Murphy said.

“(He’ll) probably come in for two days in the week to help us prep the scrum for each game. He will travel to South Africa on Thursday and come back the following Wednesday, so he will come to the (Sharks) game, watch the game, review the game and preview for the Stormers.

“That (Fogarty’s input) will go on for a period of time.”

Ireland squad members Iain Henderson, Tom Stewart, Nick Timoney, Tom O’Toole and Stuart McCloskey are all part of Ulster’s 30-player travelling squad for their two-game mini tour.

Jacob Stockdale will remain at home due to personal reasons.

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    Mute Matthew Delaney
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    Mar 19th 2024, 5:14 PM

    Well he most certainly deserves a chance after the job he has done last few years at under 20s

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    Mute John Buckley
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    Mar 19th 2024, 6:28 PM

    @Matthew Delaney: Carolan got Ireland to a WC final and twice Connacht went for foreigners instead of one of their own. McNamaras u20s won the grand slam but his native Munster went with a foreigner. Hopefully, Nucifora leaving might put an end to hiring average foreigners

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    Mute Mistral
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    Mar 19th 2024, 7:55 PM

    @John Buckley: Rowntree is the only coach to have won silverware over the last 2 years.

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    Mute James Murphy
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    Mar 19th 2024, 10:36 PM

    @John Buckley: Scmidt, Farrell, Friend, Goodman, Rowntree, Lancaster, Nienaber, Erasmus, Catt, Contepomi and I’ve probably left out some. Nucifora is the single most influential person there has ever been in Irish rugby but you want an end to it good man.

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    Mute Andrew Martin Farrell
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    Mar 19th 2024, 11:02 PM

    @James Murphy: Munster fans doing Munster fan things. You see this a bit on Twitter from familiar sources.

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    Mute Justin Robinson
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    Mar 19th 2024, 11:56 PM

    @John Buckley: Didn’t know you could like your own post multiple times. I mean I’m hoping you did….

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    Mute Ciaran Kennedy
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    Mar 20th 2024, 9:38 AM

    @James Murphy: Goodman has hardly done anything yet to be classed as successful. Didn’t Schmidt come before Nucofora? Aren’t the Irish women playing at the same level as Azerbaijan lately? Yes, Nucifora had gotten a lot tricky but the failure to retain proven Irish coaches within the system is most certainly a failure

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    Mute James Murphy
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    Mar 20th 2024, 10:09 AM

    @Ciaran Kennedy: he looked at the playing pool in women’s rugby and concentrated on the sevens in which they are flying, so that was the right thing to do. The coaches left and have become world class and will inevitably return back, having gained knowledge of the way other nations play. It’s impossible to get everything right and I guarantee you he will be missed massively.

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    Mute Con Cussed
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    Mar 19th 2024, 5:52 PM

    Think he should be thinking about staying if he produces a series of games where Ulster in the past might be 50/50 to win. He’s done great work for the U20′s, now he needs to produce results for Ulster before thinking of a full time job – you have to earn it! Since Murphy knows most of the younger players he should ideally be a shoe-in with them but still needs the results to convince the rest of the fan base.

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Mar 19th 2024, 8:39 PM

    @Con Cussed: yeah he’s in the driving seat and if can produce more convincing displays (as Ulsters results haven’t been terrible) could well get it, but he isn’t the only candidate for the job and there’s more experienced irish head coaches that may fancy it.

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    Mute Owen ODonoghue
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    Mar 19th 2024, 10:10 PM

    @Con Cussed: pretty tough to produce results with little prep time but hopefully he does something. Deserves a shot at a province

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    Mute Justin Robinson
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    Mar 20th 2024, 12:02 AM

    @Owen ODonoghue: He’s not taking over the Dragons but a side that finished second on the log last year, beating all four SA teams, and who turned over Leinster away a few weeks ago. I’m certainly expecting some good results.

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    Mute Con Cussed
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    Mar 20th 2024, 10:23 AM

    @Kingshu: I think he can definitely make an impact. It’s always great to join based on positive results, that way you are deemed to have earned it. I wish Ulster the very best as they have the talent but not a clear strategy on the pitch. Looking forward to some exciting games!

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