An 83rd minute bonus point try from Nick Timoney against Glasgow saved Ulster from what was about to be a terrible end to a disastrous season both on and off the pitch. The try guaranteed Ulster a Champions Cup playoff match against undetermined opponents.
Ulster look set to finish fourth in Conference B of the Pro14 behind very impressive Leinster, Scarlets and Edinburgh outifts, although there is a slim chance they could take third place from Edinburgh on the final weekend.
From the offset of the season, the trial of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding has dominated the headlines surrounding Ulster Rugby and it will continue to do so until the end of the season. With both players seeking new clubs having had their contracts revoked, Ulster are left bereft of a flyhalf with the experience necessary to take them forward.
Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll stated that Ulster need a “five-year plan” for their rebuilding process and here are what I feel the next steps should be.
A New Coach
No doubt Ulster need a quality, experienced flyhalf if they are to challenge at home and in Europe next season but more important than this is a new head coach. The reign of Les Kiss came to an end and one of his assistants, Jono Gibbes, was handed the job of putting the Ulster ship back on course.
Despite some promising results under Gibbes, there is to be disappointment for Ulster fans with the New Zealander set to head home at the end of the season. Ulster need a head coach willing to invest time into the Ulster project and someone with the experience of being part of a force in European rugby. One of the names thrown into the hat is that of former Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder. He took the Saints to a European Challenge Cup victory, a Champions Cup final and an Aviva Premiership final so he is a coach who knows what it takes to get a club to the highest level.
A New Flyhalf
Johnny McPhillips has done an excellent job in stepping up for Ulster since the departure of Christian Lealiifano, however, Ulster need experience or international pedigree at the position. One of the common denominators of the best teams in Europe is the quality of their flyhalfs. European Cup finalists Racing Metro 92 have Dan Carter and Leinster have Johnny Sexton, at one time both of them were the best at their position in the world. Reports have linked Ulster with both Joey Carbery and Ross Bryne, with Leo Cullen having been handed an ultimatum to send one of his understudies to Ulster. Both are excellent players but are they what Ulster need? Would the province not benefit from a player like Ian Madigan or perhaps bringing back Christian Lealiifano, both of whom have experience on the biggest stages in world rugby?
A Marquee Signing
As arguably Ulster’s best player in recent years, Charles Piutau, will be a massive miss. As he leaves to join the newly branded Bristol Bears, should Ulster be looking at a similarly big name to replace him? Marcell Coetzee was a signing thought to be of the same level as Piutau but he simply has not worked out with injury hampering his career thus far. With some pretty significant wage money left when Piutau leave, Ulster need to pursue a signing of similar pedigree to ignite the team for the upcoming seasons. Perhaps the hottest free agent in rugby, Quade Cooper, or the controversial Isreal Folau? Admittedly, this one is more of a dream than reality.
Targets
In the short term, Ulster should be simply aiming to secure Champions Cup rugby for next season. They have at least given themselves an opportunity to do that, guaranteeing a place in the playoff, but what about next season and beyond? In short, if it is to be a five-year plan put in place, for the next two seasons the aim should be guaranteeing Champions Cup rugby for the following season and when in Europe, they should aim to progress past the group stages. In the following year, they should be challenging for the Pro14 title and for a place in the latter stages of the knockout rounds in Europe. With the right coaching setup, playing group and support from the IRFU these targets should be attainable.
A Potential Lineup
Finally, this is how I believe Ulster could realistically lineup next season in the beginning of their rebuilding process.
- Marty Moore
- Rory Best (c)
- Wiehahn Herbst
- Kieran Treadwell
- Iain Henderson
- Jordi Murphy
- Nick Timoney
- Marcell Coetzee
- John Cooney
- Joey Carbery
- Jacob Stockdale
- Stuart McCloskey
- Will Addison
- Craig Gilroy
- Louis Ludik
Truth be told, Ulster are a disaster currently. CEO Shane Logan talked of turning Ulster into the best team in Europe when he took over and currently, they may even be bottom of the pile in Ireland.
It is a squad filled to the brim with potential and a solid structure within the club could bring big things for the province in the future.
