Changes may help Ulster trophy quest - Tommy Bowe

Ulster winger Tommy Bowe says changes may have been necessary to ensure that the Irish province wins trophies.

Bowe was speaking a day after it was announced that Mark Anscombe was to leave his position as Ulster coach.

"For us to go forward and win things I think changes might have had to be made," said the Ireland international.

"Ulster have definitely gone forward in the last few years but we want to be winning trophies. We have had a team, and still have, that can do that."

"We have gone close but it hasn't happened because we haven't had that little bit of luck and we've maybe made a few mistakes."

Bowe added that he had "enjoyed" working under Anscombe and it was "unfortunate to see him go".

"As a coach, Mark had a very 'no-nonsense' attitude, which I think is good in a professional set-up.

"I was looking forward to working with him again next season but the way things have panned out, changes maybe needed to be made.

"At least it has happened at the start of the campaign, so we can now look forward to an exciting season ahead. Every player wants to be part of a winning team"

The sudden departure of the New Zealander made it a traumatic few weeks at the recently re-named Kingspan Stadium as Director of Rugby David Humphreys left at the start of June to take up a similar position at Gloucester.

"The news that David was leaving was a big shock to everyone - he has transformed the make-up of the team in recent seasons and has been a massive part of Ulster Rugby for 20 years," observed the 30-year-old British and Irish Lions wing.

The appointment of Ireland assistant Les Kiss as interim Director of Rugby, with added responsibility for overseeing coaching and team selection, meets with Bowe's approval.

"Whenever I heard his name mentioned, I got very excited. Les will bring experience and knowledge and he pays great attention to detail.

"Any of the players who know Les through being part of the Irish squad think he will be a great man to take Ulster rugby forward."