Steinmetz named as backs coach for Ulster

All Black Paul Steinmetz has been appointed as an Ulster player and backs coach.

Steinmetz will look to combine the responsibility of playing for Ulster as well as becoming a specialist backs coach.

"For me, this is a huge opportunity to potentially bridge the gap between being a professional player and having a proper job as a coach," he said.

"Coaching was never a lifetime ambition for me but certainly at the end of the season I will be looking more into which direction I go in."

"I am learning a lot working alongside the Ulster coaches and there is plenty of knowledge to draw on every day.

"The biggest fear I had about the shift in my role was whether or not the players would listen to me, but so far they seem to be keen to listen so that is great," he added.