Richie Murphy can bring trophies back to Ulster Rugby, says Stephen Ferris
Ulster have not won any silverware since 2006.
Stephen Ferris reckons Richie Murphy is the man to end 18 years of hurt in Ulster.
A member of the unfancied team who won Ulster’s last trophy in 2006, Ferris has lived through broken promises, broken dreams, big talk and big egos in the years since.
And while Ulster have suffered, 11 of their league rivals have had their moments in the sun, Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Glasgow, Ospreys, Scarlets, Stormers winning the Pro12/URC; Benetton capturing the once-off Rainbow Cup; Cardiff, Sharks, Leinster and Munster tasting European success; Bulls winning Super Rugby.
Ulster, meanwhile, have lost two Pro14 finals as well as a European Cup decider, enduring a trophy famine alongside makeweights Dragons, Zebre, Edinburgh and Lions.
But Ferris can see that drought coming to an end under Murphy.
He said: “Back in 2006, we had a half decent side, all homegrown players bar Justin Harrison. He sorted out our set-piece, David Humphreys pulled the strings at 10 and got us over the line.
“Any side that wins anything big is a happy one and we were a really happy side in 2006. It was so enjoyable. We would have killed for each other. And every coach that goes in there tries to make it a happy camp.
“But boys get pissed off when things go wrong. Les Kiss (coach from 2015 to 2017) was really controlling in the way he wanted to do things. Towards the end of the Dan McFarland era (Kiss’ long-term successor), the lads were almost scared to make a mistake because they feared that if they tried something and it didn’t come off that they would get a bollocking on the following Monday or be dropped the following Friday.
“Instead Richie is almost encouraging the lads to throw the pass or give the offload. He is also giving younger lads the opportunity. And they have done really well, these young lads.
“Richie constantly says it is all player driven. They have to be accountable for the good and the bad. And that is a real positive thing. It also gives the lads a bit of freedom because you don’t feel as if you are constantly being scrutinised.”
And Ferris - a hero on the 2009 Grand Slam winning team - believes this is the only way Ulster can climb back to the top.
He said: “All the best sides I have played in have been player driven.
“The 2009 Grand Slam team was the best example of that. We obviously had our coaches but Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell were the two main guys who drove us around the pitch.
“But being player driven is one thing; winning something big requires you to have a pack.
“Do Ulster have that at the minute to win the big games? I don’t believe they do.
“They certainly have a backline with real pace in the centres and out wide, pace that can trouble any side, as Leinster discovered towards the end of last season.
“But when you are coming up against big, massive packs - French clubs, some English clubs - it can be really tough.
“Under Richie they look a different team. There is more energy, vigour, aggression, and their contact skills are really, really good.”
And better times are about to come, Ferris reckons.
He said: “I can see success happening. Is it going to happen this season? As an Ulster fan, we hope so. But the problem is that other teams are getting better and every team seems to be making marquee signings.
“Adding Jordie Barrett, RG Snyman and Rabah Slimani is a statement by Leinster. Ulster added Werner Kok and Aiden Morgan - both good players but not of the same calibre of Jordie Barrett.
“But the alarm bell has gone off in that Leinster have already got a full Ireland team to choose from and then they have gone and brought in three quality players to add to what they already have.
“With Ulster, there has been so much chat with what has happened off the pitch but hopefully this season all the talk is about the players. If we can add a marquee second row at the end of this season, then over the next three years they have the foundations to push on and win some silverware.”
Stephen Ferris was promoting Premier Sports – the home of live football and rugby now including UEFA club competitions and EPCR Rugby. Premier Sports is available via your TV provider on Sky, NOW and Virgin Media.
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