Dan McFarland pleased as Ulster extend impressive run of form

Coach Dan McFarland was happy with some of the rugby his side produced, especially in the first half as Ulster scored five tries to gain a bonus point and have the game wrapped up as a contest.

“We got a bonus point victory against a team that took it to us physically, they did really well at taking us on at the gain line and at the collisions on both sides of the ball, we won some of them and they won some of them,” said McFarland. “It took us to play really well in the first half to make our territory count, especially given that our maul didn’t take us over the line as it would normally and we had to finish it out with some good play in their 22.

“It got a bit messy in the second half and we were disappointed with that, but we got our six tries and bonus point.

“We have put some pretty good performances together and some of the young lads and the senior lads have stood up really well. Alan O’Connor was outstanding and the defensive lineout work that Sam (Carter) and Roddy Grant did during the week with Kieran (Treadwell) produced the goods.”

McFarland has been delighted with how the squad has stepped up when called upon.

“If you look at our back line compared to what we would have put out in the Champions Cup last year we only have John Cooney playing,” he said.

“Billy (Burns), Stu (McCloskey), Lukey (Marshall), Robert Balacoune, Will Addison, Jacob Stockdale aren’t playing, the backs are a mixture of experience and young guys and they have done a really good job. Billy trained more or less fully last week and will train fully this week and will be in line for selection.”

Sean Reidy scored a try and won the Man of the Match award. Marcell Coetzee scored his third try in three games and the coach believes the competition for the three starting places in the back row is driving standards to a high level.

“We have eight back rows that can all do a job for us at Pro14 level, Matty Rea has been playing well, Marcell has been playing well, Sean Reidy was really good, Jordi had a excellent game, Nick Timoney came off the bench made his presence felt,” said McFarland. “Greg Jones was really good in his 20 minutes against the Ospreys and you have Marcus and Dave in there as well, it makes selection pretty tough.”

Ulster face a tough trip to Cardiff next Monday night, the Blues are currently top of Conference B although they travel to second placed Munster tonight.

McFarland said: “We know Cardiff well and have had a good look at them, they are not going to be missing anybody in their backs, Josh Adams is away, in our opinion Jared Adams could easily be playing for Wales he is really dangerous, their centre pairing is one of the best in the league, they have physicality, the ability to beat defenders and really good defensive reads.”

“With Matthew Morgan at the back they have got a threat, they will be very dangerous, their scrum half is a really good player he can kick of both feet. They haven’t lost a game yet and Connacht were well beaten over there so it will be a big ask for us.”