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Bell is the latest member of the Ulster backroom staff to depart. Presseye/John Dickson/INPHO
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The scenery must be nice in Gloucester because another key Ulsterman is making the switch

Ulster’s highly-rated defence coach has decided to join David Humphreys in England.

THEY’VE LOST THEIR Director of Rugby and star tighthead prop to Gloucester and now Ulster’s defence coach is set to make the same trip. Jonny Bell, who has been involved with the province as a player and a coach for 20 years, will move to the Premiership side at the end of the season to join David Humphreys.

“Jonny has been a tremendous servant for Ulster Rugby as both a player and a coach,” Ulster manager Bryn Cunningham said in a statement.

“We wish him every success in his new role and we know that in his remaining months with the province that he will be working hard to help the team be as competitive as possible in the PRO12.”

Ulster haven’t wasted much time in filling Bell’s position as former Waratahs defence coach Joe Barakat will take up the same role with the northern province next season.

“When Jonny told us in October that he would be leaving to explore his options and expand his coaching experience, we set out to recruit a coach that would both complement the expertise that we already have, as well as providing a fresh insight and perspective into the game,” Cunningham said.

“We are therefore hugely excited that Joe is joining Ulster and we know that his experience of club, provincial and international rugby will be invaluable to us throughout our rugby programme in our quest to be a top side in both Europe and the PRO12 in the coming seasons.”

The backroom staff has changed dramatically for Ulster in the space of a few months with Humphreys and Mark Anscombe already gone and with Bell on his way out.

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