IT’S BEEN A challenging season for Ulster but Saturday’s win in Galway highlighted the potential in Richie Murphy’s squad.
With Ulster missing a number of key senior players, Murphy has had to turn to some of the province’s younger squad members over recent weeks. It’s been a difficult spell, with Ulster losing five on the bounce before taking on Connacht over the weekend.
Naturally, the home side went into the game as favourites but Ulster rose to the occasion to record a deserved win – their first victory on the road of the season.
The Ulster backs were particularly raw, and the visitors finished the game with a backline that contained six players in their early 20s – Mike Lowry (26), Wilhelm de Klerk (20), Ben Carson (22), Jude Postlethwaite (22), Rory Telfer (21), Jack Murphy (20) and Nathan Doak (23).
And it was a good night for the Ulster forwards, where captain Nick Timoney led by example.
Timoney was ably assisted by the likes of Cormac Izuchukwu and Kieran Treadwell, but 21-year-old James McNabney was highly influential as Ulster got the upper hand in the early exchanges.
A product of the Ulster Academy, McNabney debuted for the province last season and has featured seven times across the current campaign, with Saturday’s win in Galway perhaps his most eye-catching outing yet.
The 6’5″ backrower was heavily involved, with his first meaningful contribution a carry off the base of the scrum which led to Eric O’Sullivan going over for Ulster’s first try.
Minutes later McNabney then made an explosive break which carried Ulster into the Connacht 22.
The big number eight does well to charge through a gap down the middle of the pitch, and while he maybe should have passed the ball before being tackled to ground, his break leads to the penalty which allowed Doak kick Ulster into a 10-lead.
McNabney was also impactful in defence across that strong start to the game, driving Denis Buckley back with this powerful hit.
As Ulster continued to dominate the first half McNabney was to the fore with his ball-carrying. Here he showed quick feet to evade Caolin Blade out wide.
He also does well to fend off Buckley before earning extra yards after contact.
In the second half McNabney was the target at the lineout as Ulster used the setpiece to score their second try of the game.
He finished the night having gained more metres than any other Ulster player (58) and leading the way in meaningful carries (seven). McNabney was also Ulster’s top tackler with 22.
Ulster boss Murphy believes McNabney is only scratching the surface of his potential.
Murphy worked with McNabney for two seasons during his time as head coach of the Ireland U20s, with the Ballymena man a key part of the 2022 and 2023 Grand Slam wins.
And the Ulster boss has been pleased with his development at the province, while acknowledging there are still areas of McNabney’s game that need attention.
“I’ve worked with James since he was a two-year U20,” says Murphy.
“He came in that first year very green, a farm boy, big strong boy.
I’d actually seen him for the first time playing for Ulster U19s in Donnybrook against Leinster. He ran in a try from about 40m and I was like, ‘Who’s that guy?’
“So I’ve known him for a while. He is an incredibly tough young man who works really hard.
“We all absolutely love him because of his commitment, and he frustrates everyone as well. But you know, for a 21-year-old, to show the sort of toughness he has, it’s incredible.
“There’s other areas of his game where he has to keep on getting better, but he’s definitely one for the future.”
He looks the real deal. I know it is only one game but he has size, power and pace a really good combination for a back rower.
Saw James at Armagh last season, posted about his rampaging runs from the back of the scrum and he then started the next three games at 8 for Ulster! Didn’t feature after that, presumably to work on stuff. He was getting a right ear full from a senior player against Munster last week but wasn’t shy in giving it back. He’s clearly got an extremely high ceiling. 6 or 8 but he could be wasted at the former. Pretty sure Crothers was on the pitch before the game in Galway. Has had injury problems and size could be an issue for him.
As I said yesterday, this lad has taken a quantum leap in the last year. For me his raw aggression and speed stand out. His ability to pump the legs through the tackle is very like the way Doris does so. Another good young back rower who will put pressure on other good ones like Gleeson, McCann, Culhane, Quinn etc.
I’ve seen him a good bit between 20′s and AIL. I’d love to see Easterby include him early in an Irish Squad and then coach him to become Ireland’s Steph du Toit as (initially) cover for JVdF., e.g. Work on his tackling both shoulders, work on his body position to become a poacher (really strong hands and arms), work on his block-down technique with Henshaw & Beirne – remember he never played GAA, and then concentrate on his short sprints to keep his acceleration high.
He has real potential for 2027 RWC – potential line-out option, open-field runner and cover tackler. Imagine an Irish No 7 of that size
@Des Lamont: PSDT is a 6. The SAs switch the 6 & 7 around. An open side needs to be a bit more nimble so that kind of size can be a disadvantage
@Des Lamont: James is never a 7.
This guy might just have that raw dynamism and pace that Coombes lacks. Could see him debuting in green next summer perhaps.
@Carmine Lorenzo: actually McNabney reminded me very much of Coombes when he first burst on the scene. Similar in style . You’ve got to consider the fact that after a season or even a run of games, the opposition have had time to analyse you and counter your strengths. You rarely see Doris, Conan or Coombes break the line like that because teams will make sure to double tackle so it’s harder to get that sort of space.
@Michael Corkery: Yeah fair enough observation. It’s obviously a small sample size of games but it looks like he’s got pace, power, decent tackler and seems to be a good lineout option too. Will be interesting to monitor how he develops.
The young players are better anyway keep playing them
Im not an ulster fan so have only seen McNabney a few times. Didn’t realise how big he was. I was very impressed by his speed as well as work effort on both sides of the ball. Is he an 8, 6 or 2nd row. Also how’s young crothers doing, has he got any game time this year?
@scott casey: he looks a good one , when Augustus joins will only add to that backrow -another big strong unit ..some good signs at Ulster
@Stuart: Given the fact that Ulster have shed a dozen internationals and not replaced them, the signing of Augustus and the emergence of the likes of James makes some of us very nervous regarding the expiry of Timoney’s contract in the summer.