Richie Murphy nets former Pro12-winning coach as Ulster add to backroom staff

The ex-Connacht assistant coach, who won the League title in 2016 with the western province, will make the switch to Ravenhill in the summer after two years with the Western Force in Australia.

Primarily a forwards specialist, but also having worked with the defensive aspect of things at the Force, Duffy is set to put his focus on Ulster’s pack alongside Roddy Grant.

And it will be another familiar face for Murphy to work with having taken on the Ulster job on a permanent basis, the pair combining to lead the Under-20s to Grand Slam glory in 2022.

Duffy was involved with his native Connacht for 25 years, starting initially as elite player development officer with the Connacht Academy and before that as a coach development officer before stepping in the senior set up as forwards coach in 2015.

He would win the Pro12 in his first season with the seniors as part of that stunning campaign for the westerners and would stick with the team under Pat Lam and Andy Friend until 2022, when he moved to Australia.

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While the Force have traditionally struggled in Super Rugby, winning just nine of their 27 games since Duffy joined their coaching staff, the opportunity to reunite with one of his assistants from the Under-20s was too good to pass up for Murphy.

And with a number of exciting prospects coming through the pipeline at Ravenhill such as Reuben Crothers, Cormac Izuchukwu, James McNabney, Harry Sheridan and Scott Wilson, it is hoped that Duffy is the man to help them achieve their full potential.

"We’re really looking forward to Jimmy joining us in Belfast next season,” commented the head coach. “Alongside Roddy, he is set to bring the best out of our forwards, including the younger homegrown guys currently coming through into the senior set-up.

“From my experience of working with Jimmy, I know he is detail-driven and a coach that builds strong relationships with his players – and his knowledge and experience will be very welcome when it comes to coaching our scrum.

“I’m excited about the potential of what we can all achieve working together.”

Duffy himself added: “I’m looking forward to working alongside Richie again, and to be a part of what he’s building at Ulster. It’s clear that there is a lot of young talent in the squad, as well as some more experienced players, who are all intent on achieving something special together.

“It’s exciting to make the move to Belfast, and I can’t wait to get started this summer.”

Duffy is the only addition thus far to Ulster’s coaching staff next season, with skills coach Craig Newby having been confirmed to be joining Ealing Trailfinders in the summer.