ULSTER FORWARD JAMES McNabney believes that under Richie Murphy’s guidance, the province’s emerging wave of young talent has the capability to make a significant mark.
The powerful 21-year-old, who can function at back row and lock, is one of a crop of players coming through at Ulster who have already been coached by Murphy at Ireland U20s level. McNabney was on the back-to-back Grand Slam-winning squads of 2022 and 2023.
“There definitely is a group of us coming through and it’s been proven as anyone who has had an opportunity has taken it in the last year or few months,” said McNabney, who has featured in all three rounds of URC games and starts for the second time this season at blindside flanker against the Bulls.
“I think there is a group of us who could do a job and we always say we’re building something, but I really do feel there is something on the brink of getting good.
“I know we’re young but we’re trying not to let that hold us back.”
Prop Scott Wilson has already made the breakthrough as have locks Harry Sheridan and Cormac Izuchukwu and centre Jude Postlethwaite (all are currently with Emerging Ireland) while bubbling underneath are hooker James McCormick and lock Charlie Irvine, the latter on debut at Loftus Versfeld.
In terms of now working daily with Murphy and new Ulster forwards coach Jimmy Duffy, who also previously worked with Ireland U20s, McNabney is effusive on their impact on the squad.
“I think we’ve got a good balance in our relationship and it’s nice that we already know him quite well. I had Richie through 20s but I’m also enjoying Jimmy Duffy very much because I had him in my first year at the 20s and I really liked the way he coached.
“Jimmy said to me one time: ‘If you’re good enough, you’re old enough.’ So, it’s an exciting time,” said McNabney who was introduced to rugby a only a decade ago at Ballymena’s Cambridge House Grammar School and whose passion for horse riding, where he has competed for Northern Ireland and GB at Mounted Games, took precedence until his late teens.
“It got to a stage where I had to decide whether I wanted to be skinny and ride a horse or whether I wanted to put weight on and play rugby.”
Rugby was the winner and Ulster are reaping the benefits.
A World Cup with Ronaldo, Messi, Suarez etc. is always worth watching.
For the good Suarez can be I think we will be remembering for his antics more than for his football achievements. I wouldn’t use him as positive I’d rather have ibrahimavic than him.
I’ll never forgive that sc*mbag for what he did to Ghana. One of the biggest injustices ever at the World Cup. He’s a fine player, but has the moral compass of a gouger.
What he did to Ghana? Lol
If he had your attitude he would now be a postman. That game wasn’t a kick about in the park, Suarez was playing for his country and wanted to win at all costs, what he did was understandable.
While Portugal are the better team, I will miss Zlat next year. He’s a phenomenal player and always entertaining to watch.
He’s a brilliant player and I honestly think that he’s just taking the piss with the funny comments he comes out with. For example in one sentence he says the world cup won’t be good without him and then in another sentence he says the better team by far won the game. He’s just a very funny character I think and loves playing up to the camera!
Absolute hero…….we should all take a leaf out of his book.Speaks his mind and gives zero f**cks…..i will concede that earning the gazillions he does helps his devil may care attitude…..still a Legend
One thing is for certain, the World Cup would have been a better place with Ibrahimovic in it.
The World Cup is not a place it’s a tournament.
A humble chap all the same!!
is he really an arrogant pr*ck or does the media just lead him into the kind of statements? if he is so great then why not play in one of the elite leagues in Europe?
His record in Spain and Italy, goals scored and trophies collected is phenomenal. Top player, be a shame not to see him in the World Cup but as the big man said himself, Sweden were beaten by the better team.
A World Cup without Ibra is not worth watching?? I remember watching the World Cup in 2010 and it was definitely worth watching!
He should have thought of that last Friday before kick off in Lisbon.
Wont be worth watching without Ireland in it you mean :) We would have took over brazil with our green colours.Time to support mexico now