OPINION: Dan McFarland’s methods helping to put the pride back in Ulster jersey

It was to be the first meeting of the sides in Europe since Leinster won a one-sided final at Twickenham in 2012.

Since then Leinster were regarded as one of the best sides in Europe - although they had only won the trophy once in the intervening years - and they rarely lost to Ulster in Dublin.

Ulster had basically emerged from a gloomy period, particularly in Europe, where in spite of making back-to-back quarter-finals in the 2013 and 2014 seasons, had been also-rans in the pool stages in the period in between and indeed had only just qualified for the Heineken Cup by virtue of a PRO14 play-off.

There had been a court case involving two high-profile players, Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding, and while both were found not guilty of sexual offences, offensive social media messages forced the governing bodies to release them from their contracts - basically banishing them from the island of Ireland if they wished to pursue their rugby careers - which they did.

It had proved a difficult time for the club, but there were two major changes occurring - a new CEO, Johnny Petrie, was appointed and a new head coach was arriving in Dan McFarland.

The Les Kiss and Jono Gibbs era had not produced what had been hoped, Kiss sacked midway through the 2017-18 campaign and the latter left, for personal reasons to return home to New Zealand, only to re-emerge in Europe as the new coach of French side La Rochelle.

McFarland’s appointment was not without its problems, the Scottish Rugby Union, to which he was contracted, refused to release him from his contract early, but he eventually arrived in Belfast in time for the start of the European Cup.

From the outside, there were no massive expectations on Ulster. A good finish in the Guinness PRO14 and qualifying for next season’s European Cup would have ticked most boxes.

McFarland went about putting the pride back in the Ulster jersey - last seen probably during the Brian McLaughlin era in 2010-12 and they quietly went about their business.

When Europe came around, there was little mention of Ulster from the big TV broadcasters even with a comfortable first-round home win over Leicester Tigers - that had been the norm at Kingspan Stadium over the years against the English club.

A 44-12 loss in Paris to Racing 92 was expected, but when Ulster trounced Scarlets in the back-to-back games, picking up a full haul of 10 match points, suddenly people were talking about what McFarland and the Irish Province were doing.

When the strongly fancied Racing 92 came to Belfast, Ulster produced one of those special Saturday afternoons, winning 26-22 and needing a win at Leicester to see them through as a best runner-up.

It was nervy in Welford Road, but Ulster got the job done with a 13-14 victory, securing their place in the last eight - but away to their fierce rivals and their nemesis over the previous years in all competitions, Leinster.

Four-time champions and holders Leinster were huge favourites as the build-up began - few gave Ulster a chance.

But after the respective pre-final media conferences when Leo Cullen and McFarland - the respective head coaches - delivered their views, the mood changed.

Cullen appeared apprehensive, there was almost a fear that this rapidly improving Ulster could derail the men in blue - they were without their talismanic outhalf Jonny Sexton as well, key to their delivery on the pitch.

McFarland, on the other hand, came across in a confident mood - underdog tags can do that, there is nothing to fear - the pressure was suddenly all on Leinster and even seasoned journalists from Irish titles across the South began to doubt the blue machine’s ability.

At a raucous Aviva Stadium, packed to the brim, five minutes in Ulster fans went wild as Keiran Treadwell crossed for a try after Rory Best had charged down a Garry Ringrose kick and scrumhalf John Cooney converted for a 7-0 lead.

Leinster did respond quickly with a Ross Byrne unconverted try and memories of the 2014 quarter-final came hauntingly back, as Best was forced off injury after 15 minutes - it proved his last game in Europe with his retirement pending at the end of the season.

By the time the break arrived Ulster held a narrow 13-11 lead after Cooney and Bryne had exchanged double penalties each.

In the second half, Irish international winger and the tournament’s joint top try scorer, Jacob Stockdale, knocked on as he attempted to dot the ball down over the line for a try.

The let-off spurred Leinster on and they were ahead 18-13 after Adam Bryne crossed and Ross Byrne converted after 54 minutes.

It was an arm wrestle after that, but Ulster were not throwing the towel in and replacement Luke Marshall came on and barged over for a try on 64 minutes to level the tie. Cooney was unable to convert and the contest was level at 18-all.

Nine minutes from the end, Bryne landed a penalty and Leinster used all their experience to close the game out and Ulster were to rue another opportunity missed in Dublin.

For Ulster and McFarland, the spark had been reignited in the Province and the expectations were raised for the following season.

Ulster delivered in Europe again this season, reaching the quarter-finals, but their date with Toulouse, like their quest to reach the knockout stages in the Guinness PRO14 Championship, has been put on hold due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Irrespective, as it currently stands, McFarland becomes the third coach at Ulster to reach back-to-back quarter-finals in Europe - McLaughlin took them on to the final in 2012.