Daniel Soper confirmed as new Ulster skills coach

Ulster Rugby confirmed yesterday that Daniel Soper will join Dan McFarland’s coaching ticket next season in the position of skills coach.

Soper’s appointment follows on from that of former player Jared Payne who will assume the role of defence coach, and now Soper’s appointment completes the Ulster backroom for next season along with assistant coach Dwayne Peel, scrum coach Aaron Dundon and head analyst Niall Malone.

Soper will be a familiar face to followers of Irish domestic rugby. The 41-year-old native of Alexandra, New Zealand, moved to Ireland in 1998 and played for both Banbridge RFC and Ballynahinch RFC. He also had spells playing for North Otago in New Zealand’s NPC and Padova in Italy.