Ulster

Image source, Getty Images

Ulster back row James McNabney says his confidence "is growing week by week" as he continues to establish himself as a regular starter in head coach Richie Murphy's team this season.

The 21-year-old made three appearances for the Irish province in the 2023-24 campaign but has featured in seven games to date this term, including six starting roles at either flanker or number eight.

McNabney has been on the field from the start in the wins over Glasgow Warriors and Connacht, as well as defeats by Bulls, Leinster, Toulouse and Munster.

"I knew within myself I had the capability, I just needed the opportunity," said McNabney before Saturday's Investec Champions Cup pool game against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.

"Week by week confidence is growing and you can probably see that in my performances. As you get to know the players more the more you feel you can fit in and play round them."

McNabney did not play mini-rugby - his early sporting interest was focused more on horse riding - but he took up the game while a pupil at Cambridge House Grammar School.

The Ballymena native went on to be part of the 2022 and 2023 Ireland Under-20s Grand Slam-winning sides under Murphy, as well as being a member of the Ulster Rugby Academy, an opportunity to "mature and grow".

"It's probably a good thing I came the path I did. I was more raw when I started, getting to know different rules and the knowledge that I didn't have," said McNabney.

"If you had gone to more of a rugby school you'd have gone into that in more depth and not coming from that the more I get to know now the more I've excelled.

"Other people have maybe hit their ceiling whereas I'm moving on."

McNabney's laid-back approach to the game leaves him relatively unfazed by the prospect of facing Michael Cheika's English Premiership side but his determination to build on a URC win over Connacht in their last outing is clear.

"Every team you face are just 15 players and they are beatable so go out with confidence. I'll just take it in my stride and hopefully play well," he said.

"We know they're going to be a big physical side and we know what they're going to bring but you can only look at them so much because you need to focus on yourself and focus on the team.

"The win over Connacht was only one win. We need to back it up this week with a good performance."

Image source, Inpho

Head coach Richie Murphy says there is "always going to be speculation" after Ulster were linked with a move for coach Mark Sexton.

Sexton, brother of former Ireland fly-half Johnny, will leave Connacht at the end of the season to take up "a new opportunity".

Murphy said there is "potentially a new coaching position" at Ulster but did not say any more on Sexton.

"We're fairly a long way down the process of setting our coaching team for next year, but we're not finished yet," said Murphy.

"There are obviously a couple of coaches that are off contract at the end of the year that are currently with us.

"Over the next number of weeks we'll feel like we will be in a position to be able to clarify exactly what is happening next year.

"At this moment we are probably not there yet."

Sexton, who was promoted to Connacht's attack coach this season, previously worked with Murphy as Ireland won two Grand Slams in the Under-20s Six Nations.

"There is potentially a new coaching position within Ulster Rugby. There definitely is, and a restructuring of different roles as well.

"It's unfair, and it's unfinished at the moment, so I can't really confirm what that looks like."

Image source, Inpho

Michael Lowry is out of Ulster's Investec Champions Cup game against Leicester on Saturday after being added to the Irish province's lengthy injury list but Iain Henderson will be available for the Welford Road game.

Utility back Lowry suffered a thigh muscle injury in the win over Connacht on 28 December.

Hooker Rob Herring was a late withdrawal from the game in Galway after sustaining a calf injury in the warm-up and his fitness will be monitored this week.

Ireland lock Henderson will join Ethan McIlroy and Callum Reid in being available for selection after a recent absence while Stewart Moore has resumed squad training following a thigh injury.

Henderson missed the games over the Christmas period against Munster and Connacht after sustaining an injury in the Champions Cup home defeat by Bordeaux.

Ireland internationals Jacob Stockdale (hamstring), Stuart McCloskey (hamstring), Robert Baloucoune (calf), Tom Stewart (hamstring) and James Hume (knee) are among Ulster's injury absentees with Ben Moxham (knee) and Sean Reffell (ankle) also ruled out of the Leicester contest.

Tom O'Toole will miss Saturday's game after being handed a six-game suspension which will rule him out of Ulster's next three matches and Ireland's opening two Six Nations fixtures against England and Scotland.

O'Toole was red carded against Munster and served the first game of his suspension when missing the Connacht game.

Image source, Getty Images

Ulster back row Nick Timoney has agreed a new two-year contract which will keep him with the Irish province until at least 2027.

The 29-year-old has been a key figure for Ulster in recent seasons and captained the team to victory over Connacht in Galway at the weekend, delivering a player-of-the-match performance.

His eye-catching performances across the back row and try-scoring ability have also seen him become a regular member of the Ireland squad over the past few years, having made his debut against the USA in 2021.

Timoney has made more than 150 appearances for Ulster.

Ulster Rugby's general manager Bryn Cunningham said: "Agreeing terms with Nick before the Christmas period was a high priority for us, and we are delighted that he is fully invested in what we are trying to build here.

"Nick is one of the most well-rounded back-row players in Europe and it's been no surprise to hear about interest in him from other big clubs.

"He is someone that is a standard-setter to those around him and is a very popular member of the senior squad because of the attitude, commitment and leadership he puts in every week, and he will be a key part of this team's future."

Reacting to the confirmation of his new deal Timoney said he was "delighted" to extend his stay with the northern province.

"I feel very at home here and believe we have the squad to develop and become better in the years ahead.

"We have some young talent coming through that adds to our group of experienced players and that is something that both excites and motivates you for the seasons ahead.

"I've said I want to keep progressing as a player and I fully believe I can become the best I can be here at Ulster."

Image source, Inpho

Ireland wing Jacob Stockdale has ended speculation over his future by signing a new two-year deal with Ulster, keeping him at the club until 2027.

The 28-year-old had been linked with a move to France, but has committed his future to the Belfast-based club for the duration of the current World Cup cycle.

Stockdale enjoyed a strong 2023-24 season with nine tries in 16 United Rugby Championship games and has added three this term, leading to his Ireland return in last month's Autumn Nations Series win over Fiji.

The 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam winner and player of the tournament has made 127 appearances for Ulster having broken into the team in 2016.

"I'm delighted to sign for the next couple of seasons here," said Stockdale, who has 38 Ireland caps.

"I feel good about where my game is at and where this team is heading. There is a lot of excitement around the place with the young players coming up and I am enjoying my role as one of the experienced players in the team."

Stockdale has not played for Ulster since 18 October having returned from Ireland duty with what the club's head coach Richie Murphy described as a "significant" hamstring injury.

Ulster general manager Bryn Cunningham said: "Securing Jacob's future is key for us, given his importance in the team. It was no surprise to hear about interest in his signature from elsewhere, given his talent and special skillset.

"We believe we are seeing Jacob get back to the form he was showing before his long-term ankle injury a couple of years ago. He has showed great resilience and hard work to get back to that level of strength and fitness.

"A fit and confident Jacob is one of the deadliest wingers in rugby and we think the next couple of seasons will see the peak years of his career, both for Ulster and on the international stage in a green jersey."

Stockdale is the latest in a series of Ulster contract extensions in recent weeks with Ben Carson and Mike Lowry also having extended their deals. Ireland Sevens star Zac Ward also penned a three-year contract with the province after a successful trial period.

Image source, Getty Images

Stuart McCloskey is set for a spell on the sidelines after sustaining a "significant hamstring injury" in Ulster's United Rugby Championship loss to Munster.

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy said the Ireland international will miss "quite a large number of weeks".

McCloskey will hope to regain fitness in time for the start of Ireland's Six Nations title defence at home to England on 1 February.

Ulster wing Zac Ward is a doubt for Saturday's interpro against Connacht after picking up an ankle knock in the Munster game.

While Stewart Moore remains out, there was some good news for Murphy as the province's long injury list appears to be easing.

Ben Carson, Ethan McIlroy, Jake Flannery and Nathan Doak, as well as Irish internationals Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney and Iain Henderson have all resumed team training following their recent injuries.

Murphy's side have lost their past five games and have just three wins from their 10 fixtures this season.

They sit 11th in the URC table ahead of the Connacht game in Galway as they seek a first win since October.

Image source, Inpho

Ulster's Werner Kok believes the side's struggles this season are an opportunity to show their character.

The province have lost their past five games and have just three wins from their 10 fixtures this season.

Sat 11th in the United Rugby Championship table after Friday's loss to Munster, they face Connacht in Galway on Saturday seeking a first win since October.

"It is tough," said Kok, who joined the side from the Sharks in the summer.

"I've been in this situation before, you can't really worry about what's on the outside and what other people say. It becomes more internal now and it actually brings out the character in the team.

"It is easy to see good character and good fight if it's going well, and it really brings out the boys' fight and character when it's not going that well. It's going to test us now."

Ulster have already beaten Connacht this season, coming out on top 32-27 when the teams met in Belfast, but Kok says they will need to be more clinical in attack this week than they were against Munster if they are to win in Galway.

"I haven't been there yet but I've heard it's pretty tough," he added.

"It's another Irish derby, so we'll sit down and see where we can improve but there are a lot of positives and whenever we get into the 22, we just have to get more points and we just have to take the game to them."

Image source, Inpho

Munster's interim head coach Ian Costello hailed the performance of centre Tom Farrell after his side beat Ulster 22-19 in Kingspan Stadium.

The summer signing from Connacht scored a hat-trick, including the winning try in the game's final minute, to help the southern province past Ulster who had prop Tom O'Toole sent off in the 31st minute.

"I can't stress enough how good Tom has been for us this season, he's played so many minutes," said Costello, whose side jumped from 11th to fifth in the United Rugby Championship [URC] table with the win.

"We were joking that he's played his quota from last season and we're not even halfway through yet.

"He's been brilliant on and off the pitch, but tonight was definitely his best on-pitch performance."

The 31-year-old has played all but 13 minutes of Munster's season so far, although will be asked to go again against Leinster on 27 December after his centre partner Alex Nankivell was injured in the incident that brought O'Toole's dismissal.

"He would have been looking for a rest soon, but Alex is going to get the next rest," added Costello.

"His hamstring isn't great after that clearout, so Tom will go another week and we'll give him a few days off after Christmas then."

Munster hooker Niall Scannell described Farrell's form as "unbelievable" since his switch to Thomond Park.

"Every time he touched the ball he was just a go-forward machine, but he's a hugely popular addition to the squad," he said.

"He's been unbelievable and I think you can see [that] when he gets on the front foot, with his skill set and particularly his handling game, he's just feeding fellas around him."