McNabney swaps riding horses for tackling Bulls

James McNabney made his senior debut for Ulster in November 2023

"Well, there’s no money in horses I know that for sure."

As he explains why he did not watch much sport growing up, Ulster's James McNabney recalls being left with an unusual decision.

Equestrian or rugby?

The back-row forward, who starts for the northern province against the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday, earned representative honours on horseback long before he did with the oval ball, named on mounted games teams for Northern Ireland and Great Britain while a teenager.

"It got to a stage where I had to decide whether I wanted to be skinny and ride a horse or whether I wanted to put weight on and play rugby," says the 21-year-old.

"There was no real pressure, because at that stage I didn’t know whether I was going to become a professional rugby player or not. Well, there’s no money in horses I know that for sure.

"I’m happy with my decision and really enjoying my rugby so far so I’ll just see where it takes me."

Facing the Bulls will be McNabney's third appearance of the season for Ulster, matching his tally from last year when he broke into the senior set-up under former boss Dan McFarland.

New head coach Richie Murphy, who was in charge of the Ireland Under-20s over the course of McNabney's underage 14 caps, has spoken of the Ballymena man's potential.

"I’ve really enjoyed having him, and we’ve always had a good relationship, so hearing he is putting my name out there is a good confidence boost," says McNabney, one of a number in the Ulster panel who worked under Murphy in his previous role, as well as with his assistant Jimmy Duffy.

"I think we’ve got a good balance in our relationship, we’re friendly with each other but we still know he’s our head coach and we know we need to impress him if we’re going to play.

"I don’t think he treats us any differently to the other players, but it’s nice that we already know him quite well."

McNabney won two Six Nations Grand Slams and made it to a World Cup final with the Ireland Under-20s

Ulster have three potential debutants on Saturday, with McNabney's former Irish Under-20s team-mate Charlie Irvine starting in the second-row while Tadgh McElroy and James Humphreys are on the bench.

In addition, centre Ben Carson and hooker James McCormick will be making their first starts.

Given his background, perhaps it should come as no surprise that Murphy has put his faith in youth since taking over, initially on an interim basis, in March last year with the likes of Cormac Izuchukwu and Harry Sheridan two success stories.

McNabney believes that the travel to South Africa has been a good way of "bridging the gap" between the squad's younger and more senior members.

"Jimmy Duffy said to me one time 'if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.' That sort of stuck with me.

"There definitely is a group of us coming through and it’s been proven as anyone who has had an opportunity has taken it in the last few months.

"I think there is a group of us coming through that could do a job and we always say we’re building something.

"I really do feel there is something on the brink of getting good. I know we’re young but we’re trying not to let that hold us back."