Richie Murphy - right man for the job?
Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2024 4:11 pm
The more I think about Murphy the more I like the fit - pros:
* Extensive experience in elite high-performance environments, namely Leinster and Ireland. Admittedly mostly under Schmidt, whose reputation suffered a bit on his way out of Ireland, but who nevertheless was extremely effective for Leinster and Ireland for a long time. He will know what a high-performing culture looks like.
* Highly successful tenure in charge of the 20s - going for third successive grand slam, in an era where the French are taking pathway and age grade seriously, is outstanding. The last couple of teams he has coached have been a joy to watch, drills are very tight, tactics on point and play some great rugby into the bargain.
* Expertise in skills & kicking - should enable Ulster to dispense with at least one other assistant coach, and he should do a much better job… particularly important if we are going to be more reliant on Flannery and maybe Doak / Lowry at 10
* Expertise in age grade development - all 4 provinces will be making do with slimmer senior squads and so ability to bring through academy talent will be key, and his knowledge of the age grade scene and experience developing players could be a great asset.
* He’s a Dub (or more precisely a Wicklow man) - I think over the next couple of years a big strategic issue that the IRFU will have to struggle with is the appropriate way to optimise player resources across the provinces. With things the way they are atm, a big part of this means how to ensure international players arent 3 deep at Leinster, failing to make squads for big games, while other provinces are losing matches because of lack of quality in the same position. There have been a couple of interpro moves, but really very few, and the status quo isn’t sustainable. Having a Leinsterman at the helm, never mind one who will know all of the Leinster players and in particular the young ones well, may not be a complete game changer in terms of making Ulster a more attractive destination, but it can’t harm. (Not saying that Ulster should be relying on Leinster, but it’s just a fact of life that things the way they are Leinster’s output is disproportionate, and IMO interpro switches will be more common, and more important)
* He will be highly motivated to succeed - every ambitious coach in and about the Irish system will want to lay down a marker over the next 3 years to put themselves in a position to land the Ireland job if Farrell moves on after the next WC. The U20s are a good springboard, but realistically not for a tilt at the senior job. This is maybe his best and only chance to put himself in the frame.
Cons:
* No senior head coach experience - dealing with senior players, including experienced internationals etc is a different kettle of fish to a bunch of 19-20 year olds, especially when you don’t even have to worry about their contracts etc. Obviously he has worked with senior squads before, but never as the top dog.
Other than that, not much?? I guess my only other concern is what latitude he would be given to build a team if he was to be offered the job permanently. The IRFU could well see it as an opportunity to do things on the cheap, and lumber him with the existing group for example…
I have to say I feel relief that Dan has gone, just hope the players are too, and when Murphy arrives here’s hoping for a big old rebound
* Extensive experience in elite high-performance environments, namely Leinster and Ireland. Admittedly mostly under Schmidt, whose reputation suffered a bit on his way out of Ireland, but who nevertheless was extremely effective for Leinster and Ireland for a long time. He will know what a high-performing culture looks like.
* Highly successful tenure in charge of the 20s - going for third successive grand slam, in an era where the French are taking pathway and age grade seriously, is outstanding. The last couple of teams he has coached have been a joy to watch, drills are very tight, tactics on point and play some great rugby into the bargain.
* Expertise in skills & kicking - should enable Ulster to dispense with at least one other assistant coach, and he should do a much better job… particularly important if we are going to be more reliant on Flannery and maybe Doak / Lowry at 10
* Expertise in age grade development - all 4 provinces will be making do with slimmer senior squads and so ability to bring through academy talent will be key, and his knowledge of the age grade scene and experience developing players could be a great asset.
* He’s a Dub (or more precisely a Wicklow man) - I think over the next couple of years a big strategic issue that the IRFU will have to struggle with is the appropriate way to optimise player resources across the provinces. With things the way they are atm, a big part of this means how to ensure international players arent 3 deep at Leinster, failing to make squads for big games, while other provinces are losing matches because of lack of quality in the same position. There have been a couple of interpro moves, but really very few, and the status quo isn’t sustainable. Having a Leinsterman at the helm, never mind one who will know all of the Leinster players and in particular the young ones well, may not be a complete game changer in terms of making Ulster a more attractive destination, but it can’t harm. (Not saying that Ulster should be relying on Leinster, but it’s just a fact of life that things the way they are Leinster’s output is disproportionate, and IMO interpro switches will be more common, and more important)
* He will be highly motivated to succeed - every ambitious coach in and about the Irish system will want to lay down a marker over the next 3 years to put themselves in a position to land the Ireland job if Farrell moves on after the next WC. The U20s are a good springboard, but realistically not for a tilt at the senior job. This is maybe his best and only chance to put himself in the frame.
Cons:
* No senior head coach experience - dealing with senior players, including experienced internationals etc is a different kettle of fish to a bunch of 19-20 year olds, especially when you don’t even have to worry about their contracts etc. Obviously he has worked with senior squads before, but never as the top dog.
Other than that, not much?? I guess my only other concern is what latitude he would be given to build a team if he was to be offered the job permanently. The IRFU could well see it as an opportunity to do things on the cheap, and lumber him with the existing group for example…
I have to say I feel relief that Dan has gone, just hope the players are too, and when Murphy arrives here’s hoping for a big old rebound
