WITH ULSTER CURRENTLY located just outside the URC’s top eight, assistant coach Dan Soper has called for the province to start forcing their way up the table, beginning on Sunday when they return to league action hosting one from bottom Zebre.
After last weekend’s eight-try thumping of Exeter Chiefs – a result along with Bordeaux’s hammering of the Sharks which allowed Ulster reach the Champions Cup last 16 as bottom seeds meaning they face Bordeaux again in April – Soper has pointed out that the squad not only need to win the game with Zebre but also produce a consistent performance.
“We’ll put our focus on the league and climbing the table, and that starts this weekend,” said Soper who, from next season, will have a new role at Ulster as Development and Transition Coach.
“Obviously, the result is the most important thing,” he said of Sunday’s clash with Zebre, “but we need to develop our game and how we’re trying to play.
“If we get a win on Sunday but we’re not developing or growing as a team then, come the back end of the season in Europe or in knockout rugby in the URC, we’re not going to be good enough to compete.
“We’re sitting outside the top eight at the moment and we have clear aspirations to be well in the top eight and pushing towards the top of it. That has to start on Sunday afternoon.”
As for his new job description next season, Soper said, “It possibly would have happened sooner but with last season and Dan (McFarland) moving on and all the turmoil that caused at the time, it all sat on the backburner.
“We have to maximise the potential that we have within the province. We don’t have the luxury of having an endless supply of players where we can spit them out and, if they’re not good enough, we just get the next one.
“We need to make sure we’re making the most of what we’ve got. We’ll be working with the whole squad but there’ll be a real focus on the guys coming out of the Academy, (and) the young guys in the senior group now like James McNabney.
“James is getting a taste of Irish camp now but how do we make sure he’s consistently in that Ireland camp and we’re getting the best out of him here at Ulster?
“It’s putting a spotlight on that.”
Orginally thought that Ulster getting though to last 16 with one win, was a poor reflection on the new format, but on review when you have the 2 best teams in the pool, beating everyone and picking ip 20 and 19 points, then naturally the 3rd and 4th place teams in that pool will have lower points than other pools. Its actually more a reflection on the strenght of the pool. Anyway for Ulster, should go on a winning run now and move up the table, Zebre, Benetton (without internationals), Scarlets (without internationals) Dragons all very winnable and hopefully have injuries returning too. Cardiff and Scarlets will also drop down the table with harder fixtures now untill end of season.
@Kingshu: I guess that’s one way of looking at it. The reality is Ulster are a poor poor side. I’m holding back quite a bit in my assessment of a ulster for fear of upsetting lads this early.
@Ray Ridge: Very thoughtful of you but I think we’d be OK. The bottom line is that Ulster finished fourth out of six which, as per all the groups, was sufficient to qualify. The nature of the draw makes things extremely uneven and getting two of the three most dangerous teams in it was obviously unhelpful. Had the Tigers come to Belfast instead of Bordeaux then Ulster would very likely have come third.
@Ray Ridge: dont disagree. I thought we’d be better off this season but back three and sub props huge issue currently. Hopefully can pick up a run of wins as the Cardiff game was 5 points we threw away , same thing for the Munster game.
Top 6 would be ideal, not sure we could take the financial hit of no Champ Cup next year but we need to improve to compete. No point finishing 6th every year and going out last 16 in Europe.
Hate to go after him again and again, but defence coach is the biggest issue and until Bell is gone, I can’t see us improving consistently and pushing on under Murphy.
@Kingshu: thought there was no prestige in the comp anymore …?
@Kingshu: love the new format ulster will definitly improve from the last time they played hopefully a shock win
@Ray Ridge: Poor side ??? Lot’s young good player’s good coach as well have you anything nice to say ???
@adizlack93: not none, just less than there was, likewise URC has gained more prestige than the Celtic/magners/Pro 12 ever had, but was still a good win before.
@Kevin: Ray hates to see any Irish sportspeople or teams do well. Has to be the last person one can expect to say anything nice about
@Kingshu: La Rochelle would be nobodies without this competition. Instead, they are globally renowned as a great team as they are two time champions. In your eyes it may have lost prestige as Ulster can’t compete but it is still regarded as the best club competition globally and extremely highly regarded by the Toulouse’s of this world, who are the biggest club team there is. Format changes have definitely caused a loss of interest and we can thank England, France and Covid for that. The URC is much improved but still vastly inferior as a competition.
@Ray Ridge: I don’t think Ulster are a poor poor side as you say. It’s a very young team with a lot of upside, after the bulk of experience has been torn out. We’re missing players in pivotal positions, like at 10 and prop. We needed help there, but IRFU are a bit asleep at the wheel while cash funnelled elsewhere. I have a feeling this team will come good. But that takes time when you’re dropping in 10 players around the age of 22 in there. Leinster can do it bit by bit, 2 or 3 young lads in with experienced lads. Our fellas are learning and now have a good run of games to get experience and confidence. Next year or after will show where these can be
@Kevin
In comparison to Ray’s usual comments whilst trolling Provincial and the National side’s platforms, that’s as nice as it gets…