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Belfast Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Ulster's critics aren't seeing the great work being done, insists boss Richie Murphy
There have been extenuating circumstances, of course, namely an injury crisis that has seemingly plagued them all season, but the facts don't lie: missing out on the Play-Offs of the United Rugby Championship and, by extension, next season's European Champions Cup is far from ideal. It's the first time in the province's history that they have failed to qualify for Europe's top tier and, were they to lose their final game of the season to Edinburgh on Friday, they could still finish as low as 14th, with only Zebre Parma and the Dragons below them. 'I don't really worry about what people are saying in the background,' counters Murphy. 'I've never heard that, so I can't really comment on it.' But the fact of the matter is Murphy is safe in his job, regardless of missing out on the Play-Offs, and it feels like a fair assessment. His remit was always seen as being long rather than short-term, so he has to be given a chance to see it through. That said, the leash may not be so loose if things continue in this vein at the start of next season, but the fact he has been allowed to bring Willie Faloon and Mark Sexton onto the coaching staff for next season always meant he would get a second season, no matter what. It has, indirectly, allowed him to take a longer view at things than he might have otherwise been able to if his job was on the line but that still doesn't mean the season can be written off altogether, even if the head coach does see signs of optimism. 'Ultimately, I suppose professional rugby is judged on results, so it's a disappointing season,' agrees Murphy. 'That's what people in the public see, and that's one thing. In behind that, there's a lot of really good work being done. 'We're a lot further down the road in relation to the level, in relation to what we train at, how we review, how we process individual performance, how they get better. 'There's quite a lot of steps in relation to that going on in the background that you won't see until we start winning games, and that will come.' The work towards that begins now. While admitting that the overall season review won't happen until a couple of weeks after the season ends — Ulster will take a week off after Friday before regrouping to finish off the year — the preparation for 2025/26 begins now. The goals will be simple: improve on their record which, at best, will finish with just eight wins from 18 games in the URC, and make it into the top-eight this time next year. Continuing their squad development is also at the top of the list but, after missing out on the Champions Cup once, the importance of not doing it again will become more paramount. The key, Murphy believes is in consistency, both in terms of results and selection. The latter will come from keeping players healthy and fit, which has been a problem all season, but the former is very much in Murphy's control after seeing his side fail to win more than three games in a row all season. 'Obviously we're not where we want to be. We wanted to be in the top-eight. I'm not sure that we were ever going to be in the top four but we thought we'd be able to get into the top eight. So we've underachieved in that regard,' adds Murphy. 'I think what it gives me is belief that if we can get a consistency in relation to the selection, in relation to our team, in relation to building going forward (then we can improve). 'The odd player is going to come in and support that group by providing a little bit more competition with some of the players that are yet to come in, with a big signing like (Juarno) Augustus coming in. 'James McNabney, he's a development player at the moment but he's played basically a whole season in the senior team. He's learnt so much over the course of the year. I was talking to him yesterday, he was disappointed in how he played the weekend but when you look at his year and you look at where he's come from, it's been an incredible year. He's come from nowhere. 'He's played week in, week out, between six and eight. He's got the odd rest. He's been in a national senior camp as a development player. Twelve months ago, would we have said that? Probably not. Twelve months further on, where can we get these guys to? I think that's the exciting part. 'From a coaching point of view, obviously Mark coming in, Sopes changing role, Willie a little bit more experienced after getting that six months, myself and Jimmy as the two older, probably more experienced coaches. We feel we can see the direction that the team is moving. 'We have definitely been really inconsistent, but some of the things that we've put together over numerous games gives us great confidence that we can move forward from here.'
Irish Times
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Cullie Tucker calls on Connacht to ‘finish strong' despite disappointing season
Win or lose, it will matter little to Connacht 's unrealised ambitions to make the top eight when they sign off a disappointing URC campaign with a final fling in Italy against Zebre Parma on Saturday (5pm Irish time). In a difficult season, with the early departure of Pete Wilkins and just five wins to date, interim head coach Cullie Tucker is still seeking that winning performance. With no fresh injuries, Tucker is looking to 'finish strong'. 'We have a number of players and coaches leaving, and it's about doing right by them and respecting them. READ MORE In what has been a frustrating season, Tucker says Connacht still want to finish on a high, 'and as high up the table as we can'. 'The playoffs were what we had been building towards, but ultimately, despite the 15 bonus points we picked up, we needed more to be in the top eight. 'Those bonus points show that we've been close in so many games. So it has been frustrating, but it is important to finish the season with five points and a win, and for everyone in the club to get some belief back. 'You don't want to be sitting for two months on a loss in Italy to finish the season, so it's important. We've prepared very hard over the last two games for it, taken the learnings, and we're looking to finish the season strong.' Having been thrust into the head coach role following the unexpected departure of Wilkins, who this week has been named attack coach for Benetton Treviso next season, Tucker admits it has been 'challenging' going from breakdown and scrum coach to an expanded role 'by 200 per cent'. 'I've learned loads, lots about myself, about coaching – a massive challenge. Brilliant, but also frustrating – that we've been so close.' 'Results have been disappointing, but we've been close, and I think I've had the team in the right frame of mind to play as well. So I reflect hard and take my learnings off it.' 'I've had a nice bite into what it feels like to be head coach, and we will see what the future holds.
Irish Examiner
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Jack Conan: 'Week of mixed emotions, highs and lows, distractions, everything else'
URC: Leinster 76 Zebre Parma 5 Following a week of mixed emotions from his own perspective, Jack Conan returned to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday to play his part in Leinster's record 71-point victory over Zebre Parma in the United Rugby Championship. Their biggest winning margin in a competition that began life as the Celtic League back in 2001, this comprehensive triumph also ensured the eastern province will finish top in the URC regular season table and are also set to remain on home soil for the duration of their knockout round campaign. After a difficult couple of days dealing with the previous weekend's surprise European Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints in the Aviva, Conan's mood was significantly lifted last Thursday when he was one of 12 Leinster players to be named in Andy Farrell's British & Irish Lions squad for the forthcoming Tour of Australia. 'To be honest, I don't want another week like that. Monday and Tuesday were pretty grim, a lot of soul searching and stuff. Honest conversations about how poor we were the weekend before and then we got out, ran around on Monday and tried to bring a bit of craic. A bit of energy to it,' Conan remarked after Saturday's game. 'Tuesday night we had an awards ball, so we got to send the lads off properly, everyone who is leaving. Then obviously Thursday [the Lions announcement]. So kind of a week of mixed emotions, highs and lows, distractions, everything else. 'Then you've got to prep to go again [for the Zebre game] and make sure that you're better than you were. It wouldn't have been hard to be better than we were after last weekend. A strange old week. I wouldn't fancy doing it again now.' Deputising for the injured Caelan Doris as both team captain and Leinster's starting No 8, Conan played a pivotal role during a blistering start to Saturday's action from the Blues. Courtesy of excellent build-up play by the 32-year-old – as well as from his fellow Wicklow native Josh van der Flier for the latter score – Rónan Kelleher and Luke McGrath claimed tries for the hosts inside the opening five minutes of the contest. Ryan Baird's converted score subsequently had Leinster within sight of a bonus point and this was officially secured when Jordie Barrett was released by Sam Prendergast for a clinical finish in the 26th minute. Restored to the starting line-up in the wake of his much-discussed appearance off the bench in the Northampton game, New Zealand international Barrett proceeded to double his personal tally just past the half-hour mark. James Lowe's fifth try in just four games propelled Leinster towards an unassailable 38-0 interval cushion and the gap between the teams increased when player of the match Barrett unselfishly teed up Prendergast for a seven-pointer on the resumption. In the wake of van der Flier adding his name to the scoresheet, Leinster head coach Cullen opted to introduce seven replacements at once on the stroke of 50 minutes. Ciaran Frawley was one of those to enter the fray at this juncture and after Jamie Osborne dotted down in superb fashion on the right-wing, the Skerries man capped his 100th senior appearance for the province with a 61st minute try. While Zebre eventually opened their account with a Gonzalo Garcia five-pointer 13 minutes from time, a determined Leinster had the final say with late tries from replacement James Culhane and Osborne (his second). This means that - in advance of their final regular round fixture against third-place Glasgow Warriors at the Aviva this Saturday – Leinster are now nine points clear of Vodacom Bulls in the URC standings. LEINSTER: J Osborne; J O'Brien, G Ringrose (R Henshaw 50), J Barrett, J Lowe; S Prendergast (C Frawley 50), L McGrath (J Gibson-Park 30-35 & 67); J Boyle (A Porter 50), R Kelleher (J McKee 50), T Clarkson (R Slimani 50); J McCarthy (J Ryan 50), D Mangan; R Baird, J van der Flier (J Culhane 50), J Conan. ZEBRE PARMA: J Trulla (A Fusco 54); S Gregory, F Paea, E Lucchin, S Gesi; G Montemauri (G Da Re 54), G Garcia; L Franceschetto (M Hasa 30), G Ribaldi (T Di Bartolomeo 48), J Pitinari (I Neculai 62); R Nasove (M Canali 59), L Krumov; B Stavile (F Drago 70), I Bianchi, D Ruggeri (G Ferrari 70). Referee: S Grove-White (SRU).
The 42
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Barrett stars as Leinster cement top spot with 12-try rout of Zebre
Leinster 76 Zebre Parma 5 Daire Walsh reports from the Aviva Stadium PLAYER OF THE Match Jordie Barrett recorded a brace of tries at the Aviva Stadium this evening as Leinster sealed first place in the United Rugby Championship regular season table with a 71-point demolition of Zebre Parma. Eager to move on from the disappointment of their surprise European Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints in the same venue seven days earlier, Leinster registered 12 tries against their overwhelmed Italian counterparts to open up a nine-point cushion over Vodacom Bulls in the league standings with one round of fixtures remaining. This ensures Leinster are set to stay on home soil for the duration of their time in the knockout phase of the URC and Leo Cullen's men will hope this can help them to claim their first major piece of silverware in four years. Jack Conan on the charge for Leinster. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO Two days after being selected for his second successive Tour with the British and Irish Lions, Jack Conan was drafted into the eastern province's starting lineup for this game. He played an instrumental role in Leinster's breakthrough score in the third minute as he broke impressively into the Zebre 22′ before offloading for Rónan Kelleher to dive over in the right-corner for a converted try. Kelleher and Conan were two of six players in the Leinster starting line-up who will be part of the Lions squad for their upcoming journey to Australia – there were three more call-ups on the bench – and another of this sextet was a key creative force behind their next five-pointer at Irish Rugby HQ. With less than five minutes gone on the clock, Josh van der Flier was picked out on the left-wing by Conan and the openside flanker proceeded to pass inside for scrum-half Luke McGrath to cross over for his fifth try of the current season. While Prendergast was off-target with his latest conversion attempt, the 22-year-old out-half did supply the extras to Ryan Baird's 18th-minute finish over the whitewash. This already had Leinster within sight of a bonus point and their fourth try inevitably arrived inside the second quarter. Advertisement One of the biggest criticisms of the Leinster coaching staff in the aftermath of the province's surprise defeat to Northampton was the decision not to start New Zealand international Barrett. The All Blacks star was restored to their first 15 on this occasion and after excellent approach work from Jimmy O'Brien, Garry Ringrose and Prendergast paved the way for him to secure Leinster's bonus point on 26 minutes, he subsequently bagged his second try of the action just past the half-hour mark. Barrett scores. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO The Zebre defence were being placed under constant pressure and even though their lead was already substantial, there was enough time left on the clock in the opening period for James Lowe to claim his fifth try in just four games for Leinster. This unconverted effort helped the hosts to establish an unassailable 38-0 cushion at the interval and the gap between the teams became even larger when Barrett teed up Prendergast on the restart for a 44th-minute try that he also converted. Van der Flier also added his name to the scoresheet when he pounced on a loose ball deep inside the Zebre half moments later and this proved to be his final act of the contest. Despite the fact there was still 30 minutes left to play, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen opted to introduce seven replacements at once. Amongst the cohort to enter the fray on the stroke of 50 minutes was the fit-again James Ryan and Ciarán Frawley – who was making his 100th senior appearance for the province. Osborne crosses for the hosts. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO Supplementing an earlier five-pointer from full-back Jamie Osborne (one of Leinster's best performers on the day), Frawley capped his milestone outing in the blue jersey with a try on 61 minutes that was made possible by fine build-up play from O'Brien. 15th in the URC table with just five wins to their name in the current term, Zebre finally opened their account 14 minutes from time when scrum-half Gonzalo Garcia supplied the finishing touches to an attacking move on the right-flank. While this briefly halted Leinster's momentum, they ultimately finished the game on a high. Following a neat five-pointer from back-row replacement James Culhane, Osborne was on hand to bag his second try of the game in stoppage-time. Leinster scorers: Tries – Jordie Barrett 2, Jamie Osborne 2, Rónan Kelleher, Luke McGrath, Ryan Baird, James Lowe, Sam Prendergast, Josh van der Flier, Ciarán Frawley, James Culhane Conversions – Sam Prendergast [6/8], Ciarán Frawley [2/4] Zebre Parma scorers: Tries – Gonzalo Garcia Conversions – Giacomo Da Re [0/1] LEINSTER: Jamie Osborne; Jimmy O'Brien, Garry Ringrose (Robbie Henshaw '50), Jordie Barrett, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast (Ciarán Frawley '50), Luke McGrath (Jamison Gibson-Park '30-'35 & '67); Jack Boyle (Andrew Porter '50), Rónan Kelleher (John McKee '50), Thomas Clarkson (Rabah Slimani '50); Joe McCarthy (James Ryan '50), Diarmuid Mangan; Ryan Baird, Josh van der Flier (James Culhane '50), Jack Conan. ZEBRE PARMA: Jacopo Trulla (Alessandro Fusco '54); Scott Gregory, Fetuli Paea, Enrico Lucchin, Simone Gesi; Giovanni Montemauri (Giacomo Da Re '54), Gonzalo Garcia; Luca Franceschetto (Muhamed Hasa '30), Giampietro Ribaldi (Tommaso Di Bartolomeo 48), Juan Pitinari (Ion Neculai '62); Rusiate Nasove (Matteo Canali '59), Leonard Krumov; Bautista Stavile (Filippo Drago '70), Iacopo Bianchi, Davide Ruggeri (Giacomo Ferrari '70). Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU).
Irish Examiner
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Barrett grabs brace as Leinster steamroll Zebre to seal top spot
URC: Leinster 76 Zebre Parma 5 Player of the match Jordie Barrett recorded a brace of tries at the Aviva Stadium this evening as Leinster sealed first place in the United Rugby Championship regular season table with a 71-point demolition of Zebre Parma. Eager to move on from the disappointment of their surprise European Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints in the same venue seven days earlier, Leinster registered 12 tries against their overwhelmed Italians counterparts to ensure they will remain on home soil for the duration of their time in the knockout phase of the URC. Two days after being selected for his second successive Tour with the British & Irish Lions, Jack Conan was drafted into the eastern province's starting line-up for this game. He played an instrumental role in Leinster's breakthrough score in the third minute as he broke impressively into the Zebre '22' before offloading for Rónan Kelleher to dive over in the right-corner for a converted try. Kelleher and Conan were two of six players in the Leinster starting line-up who will be part of the Lions squad for their upcoming journey to Australia – there were three more call-ups amongst the bench – and another of this sextet was a key creative force behind their next five-pointer at Irish Rugby HQ. With less than five minutes gone on the clock, Josh van der Flier was picked out on the left-wing by Conan and the openside flanker proceeded to pass inside for scrum-half Luke McGrath to cross over for his fifth try of the current season. While Prendergast was off-target with his latest conversion attempt, the 22-year-old fly-half did supply the extras to Ryan Baird's 18th minute finish over the whitewash. This already had Leinster within sight of a bonus point and their fourth try inevitably arrived inside the second-quarter. Restored to the first 15 after a much-discussed appearance as a second half replacement in the Northampton game last weekend, All Blacks star secured Leinster's bonus point on 26 minutes before subsequently doubling his tally just past the half-hour mark. There was enough time left on the clock in the opening period for James Lowe to claim a try that propelled the hosts into an unassailable 38-0 cushion and the gap between the teams became even larger when Barrett teed up Prendergast on the restart for a 44th minute seven-pointer. Van der Flier also added his name to the scoresheet when he pounced on a loose ball deep inside the Zebre half moments later and this proved to be his final act of the contest. Despite the fact there was still 30 minutes left to play, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen opted to introduce seven replacements at once. Amongst the cohort to enter the fray on the stroke of 50 minutes was the fit-again James Ryan and Ciarán Frawley – who was making his 100th senior appearance for the province. Supplementing an earlier five-pointer from full-back Jamie Osborne (one of Leinster's best performers on the day), Frawley capped his milestone outing in the blue jersey with a try on 61 minutes that was made possible by fine build-up play from O'Brien. 15th in the URC table with just five wins to their name in the current term, Zebre finally opened their account 14 minutes from time when scrum-half Gonzalo Garcia supplied the finishing touches to an attacking move on the right-flank. While this briefly halted their momentum, late tries from replacement James Culhane and Osborne (his second) saw Leinster opening up a nine-point buffer over Vodacom Bulls in the league standings – with one round of fixtures still left to play – in emphatic style. Scorers for Leinster: Tries: J Barrett (2), J Osborne (2), R Kelleher, L McGrath, R Baird, J Lowe, S Prendergast, J van der Flier, C Frawley, J Culhane Cons: S Prendergast (6), C Frawley (2) Scorers for Zebre Parma: Tries: G Garcia LEINSTER: J Osborne; J O'Brien, G Ringrose (R Henshaw 50), J Barrett, J Lowe; S Prendergast (C Frawley 50), L McGrath (J Gibson-Park 30-35 & 67); J Boyle (A Porter 50), R Kelleher (J McKee 50), T Clarkson (R Slimani 50); J McCarthy (J Ryan 50), D Mangan; R Baird, J van der Flier (J Culhane 50), J Conan. ZEBRE PARMA: J Trulla (A Fusco 54); S Gregory, F Paea, E Lucchin, S Gesi; G Montemauri (G Da Re 54), G Garcia; L Franceschetto (M Hasa 30), G Ribaldi (T Di Bartolomeo 48), J Pitinari (I Neculai 62); R Nasove (M Canali 59), L Krumov; B Stavile (F Drago 70), I Bianchi, D Ruggeri (G Ferrari 70). Referee: S Grove-White (SRU).
