Morgan 'picking the brains' of Ulster coach Murphy

Aidan Morgan has made the move from the Hurricanes to Ulster

New Ulster recruit Aidan Morgan says he is enjoying "picking the brains" of the province's "super intelligent" head coach Richie Murphy following his recent arrival from New Zealand.

The 23-year-old fly-half, who is beginning a two-year spell with Ulster after joining from the Hurricanes, has been impressed so far with the ex-Ireland Under-20 coach as the squad prepare for the United Rugby Championship, starting on 21 September.

Before that, the northern province host Benetton in a pre-season encounter in Belfast on Saturday, followed by an away meeting with Exeter seven days later.

"He [Murphy] knows how he wants to play and the way he sees the game is awesome. It’s great to pick his brain a little bit and learn a few things from him," Morgan told BBC Sport NI.

"The way Richie and all the Irish provinces play is a little bit different to New Zealand. How to manage games and the kicking side of things is really important. The Irish teams play a really tight detailed system, running lines and detail are really important. Set-piece play is a massive part of the game too."

'Ready to grow my game'

Morgan was in his third season of Super Rugby Pacific with the Hurricanes when he took the decision to move from Wellington and agree a switch to Ulster to replace Munster-bound Billy Burns.

"I was ready to grow my game, expand my knowledge in rugby and Ireland is a pretty good place to do it, to make myself a better rugby player," said the former New Zealand Under-20 player.

He says though it was a "hard decision" to move from Wellington and "great team" Hurricanes, the new challenge excites him.

"It’s a young and exciting squad [at Ulster], full of some really good lads and some really talented young players, so I’m pretty excited for the season. It’s an awesome challenge and I’m super-stoked to be here.

"It’s been an awesome pre-season so hopefully that translates into some good performances and some good wins."

'Hopefully we can achieve something special'

Morgan is Irish-qualified through his Belfast-born grandfather, who moved to New Zealand when he was 17.

"It's a bit of a full-circle moment for my family," he said. "They’re pretty excited to get over to Belfast and watch me play.

"It [his family history] came into consideration but for me it was more about representing Ulster and trying to grow my game and hopefully benefit this team and this club."

The number 10 describes his game as "pretty attacking, someone who plays flat and fast".

"I like to use my feet and hopefully try and take on defences, use my speed and use my short passing game and offloads and things like that.

"I’ve been trying to find my feet in the system, the way that Ulster want to play and how I can benefit that. A super-exciting squad with a lot of potential so hopefully we can grow and achieve something special together."

Asked about the prospect of potentially playing for Ireland in future, Morgan is circumspect.

"I haven’t looked too far forward. I’m just trying to put my best foot forward for Ulster, that’s all I’m concentrating on at the moment."