Ulster interim head coach Richie Murphy says he hopes “little changes will make big impacts” as he pledges to take the province “in a new direction”.
Murphy has been put in charge of Ulster until the end of the season following the exit of Dan McFarland in February.
His first matches at the helm will be away to the Sharks and Stormers as part of a two-match tour to South Africa.
“It’s about little things which hopefully after a period of time you will see on the pitch,” said Murphy.
“Just try and create a bit of a buzz, nurture that and create a competitive environment where young players and older players are competing for the jersey.
“If we can do that I think we’ll have a positive impact for the rest of the season.”
Murphy will be able to call on the services of Ireland Six Nations-winning players Iain Henderson, Stuart McCloskey and Tom O’Toole as part of a 30-strong squad for the United Rugby Championship double-header.
However, Jacob Stockdale, who was in the Ireland squad but did not feature for Andy Farrell’s side during the Six Nations, is not included in the travelling party, for what Murphy described as “family reasons”.
Henderson and McCloskey featured in two games each over the course of the Six Nations, while O’Toole made one appearance off the bench in the win over Italy.
Tom Stewart and Nick Timoney link up again with the Ulster squad while hooker Rob Herring could make his comeback during the trip, the Ireland international having missed out on the Six Nations after suffering an elbow injury in January.
Tighthead prop Marty Moore and back row Dave Ewers are not included in the squad.
‘I’m very interested to stay’
Murphy, whose Ireland U20 side finished runners-up in the Six Nations last week, reiterated that he would like to remain Ulster head coach on a permanent basis after readily accepting the role for the remainder of the present campaign.
“It was a fairly quick decision from my point of view. I snapped their hand off, I was delighted with the opportunity,” Murphy said on Tuesday.
“I’m very honoured and proud to come up here and work for Ulster Rugby. Excited with the group of players that we have and to try and take them in a slightly new direction.
“The other coaches have been leading the stuff the last couple of days but I’ve been trying to get in, trying to help over the last couple of weeks in terms of some of the things we want to go after. Little changes that will hopefully make big impacts into our team performance.
“I’m very interested to stay. All these things over the next couple of weeks will become a little bit clearer.
“We haven’t had those discussions yet but it is definitely something I’d be interested in doing. I’ve already been looking at places to live in Belfast.”
Fogarty to help coach Ulster scrum
Murphy revealed that Ireland scrum coach John Fogarty will play a part in coaching on a short-term basis.
“John Fogarty is up for a period of time on a part-time basis, probably he will come in for two days’ prep during the week in relation to preparing the scrum for each of the games,” said Murphy.
“He will travel over to South Africa on Thursday and come back the following Wednesday.”
Ulster, who sit fifth in the table following their home win over Dragons last time out, will depart for Durban on Tuesday afternoon ahead of Saturday’s encounter with the Sharks, before they travel to Cape Town to take on the Stormers the following week.
South African double World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff is in line to play against the Stormers, the 32-year-old having led the Cape Town franchise to the URC title two seasons ago.
