“You bleed for your province in Ulster. I know a lot of clubs would say that – it’s different in Ulster.” For anyone pondering how Ulster’s current resurgence is being achieved, Dan McFarland’s statement encapsulates it in a nutshell. Whether or not the head coach’s comment is true – a lot of clubs do indeed claim the same – it leaves you in no doubt about what he demands from his players, and what he’s been getting from them since taking the Kingspan reins in August 2018. With the former prop’s expression in mind it’s hard to imagine his squad skiving on their shuttle runs. And for anyone doubting whether there is a resurgence at all, consider that Ulster can well claim to be the second-best team in the Guinness PRO14. They are second only to Leinster on points, while Leo Cullen’s men are also the only team to be performing better in Europe. For several years before the head coach’s arrival, Ulster were deemed by many to be a bit like Arsenal ever since Patrick Vieira’s departure – a lack of grunt and a soft core. But for anyone who has witnessed the monstrous Marcell Coetzee and co hang in games this season and defend with their lives will know – McFarland is getting his blood. “When I arrived here Ulster had been through a very difficult time over the previous two years and during that time they were accused of lacking passion and competitive spirit on the pitch,” commented McFarland, who took over from Jono Gibbes in 2018.
