Kiss arrival puts Ulster players on high despite high-profile departures

If a sense of trauma permeates the Ulster rugby squad following the shock departures in the summer of David Humphreys and coach Mark Anscombe someone has forgotten to tell Tommy Bowe and Darren Cave.

Both international three-quarters welcomed season ticket-holders to the renamed Kingspan Stadium in Belfast yesterday with nothing but positive thoughts for the upcoming season, and a World Cup next year.

Director of Rugby Humphreys stunned fans and players alike with his decision to take over at English Premiership Gloucester several weeks ago, and then Anscombe returned from New Zealand for pre-season training to find his services were no longer required.

Cue successive periods of bewilderment at developments at Ulster, but with a persuasive series of answers to questions from supporters and journalists alike, Cave and Bowe gave an illuminating insight into the world of professional sport and how what may or may not be mortal blows are accepted as ‘simply business’.

“David had his own reasons to move on after so many years as a player and in charge of Ulster,” said Bowe, “but he’s probably made what he believes is the best decision for him and for his young family.”

Anscombe’s sacking was, it would seem, unexpected and Bowe and Cave both elegantly evaded any real discussion on that change in their united support and “excitement” at the appointment of Les Kiss as interim head coach.

“Les just brings such enthusiasm and attention to detail to everything, even in the short time we’ve been training under him he’s got everyone ‘buzzing’“, said Bowe.

“A lot of us have known him for years through his role as assistant coach with Ireland, and his reputation and his intensity brings out the best in players. He’s just a great guy, and if there are small mistakes they are pounced upon, and we have to remember that it has been small errors which has denied us silverware in the last few seasons.

“The powers-that-be couldn’t have made a better appointment and, who knows, maybe it will be a permanent thing.”

Cave was similarly positive, and indeed the centre who had appeared to feel last year he was not in Joe Schmidt’s thoughts for Ireland is totally re-energised by the arrival of Kiss and following two Test appearances in Argentina during the summer.

“Internationally I had felt I had played games before when the squad was depleted, when it was almost a Wolfhound side, but in the summer I was playing with Paul O’Connell, Johnny Sexton, the big names. Les and I have known each other for a long time, and it’s just great he’s here at Ulster.”