Richie Murphy takes over at Ulster as Dan McFarland departs

The 51-year-old McFarland joined Ulster in August 2018.

INTERIM: Ireland U20s head coach Richie Murphy will take over at Ulster until the end of the season. Picture: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Ulster Rugby have confirmed that Dan McFarland has departed as head coach of the province with immediate effect.

Once the U20s Six Nations concludes, Richie Murphy, the Ireland U20s head coach, will take over from McFarland on an interim basis until the end of the season. 

"Bryn Cunningham, Head of Rugby Operations and Recruitment at Ulster Rugby, will also assume greater management responsibilities within the performance function during this time," Ulster said in a statement.

"Assistant coach, Dan Soper, will oversee operations next week ahead of Ulster facing Dragons at Kingspan Stadium in Round 11 of the BKT United Rugby Championship."

The 51-year-old McFarland had been in the role for the past five-and-a-half years. He was under pressure for some time. The situation was exasperated by Ulster suffering three consecutive defeats.

LONG SERVING: Dan McFarland before his final game as Ulster head coach, a defeat to Ospreys in Wales. Picture: ©INPHO/Ashley Crowden

The losses to Harlequins and Toulouse in January led to Ulster being knocked out of the Champions Cup at the group stage. After Sunday's loss to Ospreys in the URC, a result which has them eighth in the table, McFarland blamed referee Federico Vedovelli for the defeat. It was an approach which did not sit well with Ulster supporters.

McFarland, who succeeded Jono Gibbes as head coach in 2018, had signed a new contract extension with Ulster two years ago which was due to keep him a the club until at least 2025. He led the province to the Pro14 final in 2020 along with two Champions Cup quarter-final appearances and departs as the longest serving Ulster head coach of the professional era.

“We would like to thank Dan for his determination in driving forward the professional squad over the past six seasons, and I would like to wish him and his family the best for the future on behalf of all at Ulster Rugby," said Ulster CEO Jonny Petrie.

“With Richie coming to Ulster in the coming weeks, ahead of the squad travelling to South Africa, our focus will be on consistently performing to the best of our abilities at this crucial time of the year.”