Out of the depths of their worst season in recent memory, Ulster managed to qualify for the Champions Cup and secure a coach that is highly regarded in the game.
They have also recruited well and their strongest XV would test the very best sides in Europe.
Scratch below the surface and that is where Ulster may suffer this season. Their academy are not producing enough players ready to go straight into PRO14 action, let alone the Champions Cup. It has not helped that the likes of Marcell Coetzee and Jean Deysel have struggled to put a run of games together.
Stuart Olding and Paddy Jackson were the high profile departures last season; the ones that dominated the headlines. The northern province has also lost this clatter of bodies, and big-game experience.
- Charles Piutau (to Bristol Bears)
- Tommy Bowe (retired)
- Callum Black (to Worcester Warriors)
- Paul Marshall (retired)
- Andrew Trimble (retired)
- Jared Payne (retired)
- Robbie Diack (released)
Add to that the departures of Les Kiss (director of rugby), Jono Gibbes (head coach) and Shane Logan (chief executive), and this is team turned upon its head. It is little wonder that neither Joey Carbery – now with Munster – or Ross Byrne fancied upping sticks and taking a contract up north.
Marty Moore and Jordi Murpy had already been recruited, from Wasps and Leinster, before Gibbes headed to La Rochelle. Will Addison’s move from Sale Sharks had been pretty much tied up by that stage too.
Ulster were interested in signing South African international Elton Jantjes but the IRFU were not keen on the move and helped them search elsewhere. It was found that Gloucester outhalf’s grandfather (on his dad’s side) is Irish so the deal was expedited and Johnny McPhillips has some competition for the No.10 jersey.
The signing that has Ulster fans most keyed up, though, is Henry Speight. Despite losing some class operators in their backline, Ulster looked well stacked there but getting in the excellent Speight on a short-term deal, until, January offers some line-breaking oomph to their midfield. He can also play on the wing if needs must.
McFarland has now arrived and while it is late, for this season, it is better than the original plan of next January. Simon Easterby has been holding the fort with Dwayne Peel but the former Connacht, Glasgow and Scotland assistant coach will have been keeping a close eye of events even if he wasn’t out on the training pitch with a clipboard in hand.
Coetzee getting fit for the start of the new season is like a new signing in itself. If he has not been blunted too much by his knee issues of the last 20 months, Ulster could finally have a Stephen Ferris-type wrecking ball back in their pack. Add the consistent, capable Murphy into the mix and there is suddenly more bite in the back row.
Adding in their five major signings for next season, this is how Ulster could line out in the coming months.
New-look Ulster XV
That leaves some decent options in reserve – Luke Marshall, Louis Ludik, Sean Reidy, Johnny McPhillips, Chris Henry and Rob Herring.
After that, we are starting to stretch it. Good, honest professionals and young prospects – Angus Curtis, Tom O’Toole, Stewart Moore – but no-one to strike fear in the heart of the opposition or excite the home support.
