Ulster additions to Ireland squad ‘a positive’

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy feels the province’s increased representation in Ireland’s Six Nations squad “shows we are progressing and moving in the right direction”.

Last year, just four Ulster men were selected, including development player James McNabney, but returning head coach Andy Farrell initially selected seven from the northern province with Cormac Izuchukwu called up at the weekend due to an injury to Munster’s Thomas Ahern.

Izuchukwu is the only Ulster player from 2025 to return, with fellow forwards Tom O’Toole, Tom Stewart and Nick Timoney making the cut this time, while Rob Baloucoune, Nathan Doak, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale were named in the backs as Ireland prepare for their Six Nations opener against France in Paris on 5 February.

Murphy believes their inclusion is the result of improved performances by Ulster this season who currently sit sixth on the United Rugby Championship [URC] table, while topping their pool in the European Challenge Cup.

“One of the things we talked about earlier in the year was that if you perform well in the white jersey, the green one will look after itself,” Murphy told BBC Sport NI.

“Last year we had four in there, so to double that and have Bryn Ward away travelling with the team as a trainee is very positive.

“Fifteen between the two squads [Six Nations and Ireland XV] is where we want to be. There are one or two disappointed they didn’t get the call, but that’s the competition in Irish rugby.

Last week, Murphy and coaches Mark Sexton, Willie Faloon and Jimmy Duffy signed two-year contract extensions to keep them at Ulster until the summer of 2028 despite rumours of interest from other clubs.

However, the former Ireland U20 coach is happy to continue what he started.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here so far and to extend it for another two years is brilliant,” he added.

“It was March two years ago [2024] when I came in and there was a lot of transition with senior players leaving and a change in the coaching team.

“When you see the exciting young players who are around and you get a feeling we can add to that group by bringing in a couple of Irish guys and guys from overseas, we can build a really good URC team here that challenges at the top end, hopefully, and also in Europe.