Ulster Eyes Mark Sexton, As Richie Murphy Assembles 2025 Coaching Team
Ulster Eyes Mark Sexton, As Richie Murphy Assembles 2025 Coaching Team
Ulster Rugby targets Mark Sexton for its coaching team. As Richie Murphy plans for 2025, speculation builds ahead of Champions Cup clash with Leicester.
Connacht’s loss soon could become Ulster’s gain, as Mark Sexton is strongly tipped to join the northern province’s coaching setup.
With Jimmy Duffy already managing the forwards at Kingspan Stadium, speculation is mounting that head coach Richie Murphy is assembling a familiar team from his days with Ireland U20s.
Willie Faloon also is rumored to be joining Ulster’s senior coaching ranks next season.
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Murphy, however, remained tight-lipped when asked about Sexton’s possible move.
“There’s always going to be speculation,” Murphy said. “We’re well into the process of finalizing our coaching team for next year, but we’re not finished yet. Some of our current coaches are out of contract at the end of the season, so we’ll clarify everything in the coming weeks.”
Murphy hinted at potential structural changes within Ulster Rugby, including the creation of a new coaching position.
Ulster enters Saturday’s Champions Cup pool game against the Leicester Tigers seeking redemption after heavy losses to Toulouse and Bordeaux-Bègles last month.
Ulster's recent victory over Connacht ended a five-game losing streak but left Murphy’s side still bottom of Pool 1, alongside the Exeter Chiefs.
“These are games you have to win,” Murphy admitted. “We want to make Leicester uncomfortable, stay in the game and hopefully sneak a result.”
The match also pits Murphy against former Leinster boss Michael Cheika, now leading the Tigers. Murphy credited Cheika for launching his professional coaching career.
“Michael gave me my first coaching job,” Murphy said. “I was part of the Leinster Academy, and he brought me in as kicking coach for players like Felipe [Contepomi] and Jonny [Sexton]. I owe him a lot. It’ll be interesting to face him again.”
As for the new law trials set to debut this weekend, Murphy was less enthusiastic.
“Changing laws mid-season is a bad idea,” he said. “It impacts systems massively. The 60-second conversion rule is especially tough - too tight.”
Despite the challenges, Murphy remained resolute. “It is what it is, and we’ll adapt.”
Ulster will be without tighthead prop Tom O’Toole, who is serving a suspension after his red card against Munster, adding another layer of difficulty to their campaign.
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