After their defeat to Munster on New Year’s Day, Ulster, according to European Cup winner Tony McWhirter, are “not quite in freefall, but not a long way from it.”
Ben Healy scored his own attempt in the last moment of the Unified Rugby Title match in Belfast, giving Munster a 15-14 triumph over Ulster regardless of the way that Ulster had driven by nine two times.
That comes in the wake of a victory over Connacht and disappointing performances in matches against Leinster, Sale, and La Rochelle in recent weeks.
McWhirter made the observation that “the pressure is getting on the players.”
The former back row forward, who assisted Ulster in winning the European Cup in 1999, added, “It’s probably building within the management structure as well, although it’s probably the
There will have been inquiries raised “due to that lack of clinical edge in terms of putting teams away.”
In the first half of Ulster’s last-gasp defeat to Munster, head coach Dan McFarland stated that his team “didn’t care.”
“I’m sure a great deal has been said in secret as of late, a ton of soul looking and blame shifting,” McWhirter stated on BBC Radio Ulster’s Sportsound.
Because once these things become public, you worry about the crew breaking down and developing cracks, I’d much rather have that “all together” procedure.
“It is essential for everyone to unite and sing from the same hymn sheet.”
At the RDS, Ulster outscored 14-man Leinster by a score of 22-3 before their Irish rivals scored 35 points in a row to win early in December.
After that, McFarland’s team lost to La Rochelle in Dublin, but a pitch dispute overshadowed the match, which Sale lost 39-0 in the Champions Cup.
The Irish team will play Benetton in the URC on Saturday in Italy before returning to European competition against Deal and La Rochelle.
where the IRFU has input about who is available and who is not,” McWhirter continued.
in the first half against La Rochelle were not really up to par. Despite the fact that those three performances were not really up to par, they were going to be difficult games.”
Ulster scored tries for fun at the beginning of the season, but that attacking aspect of their game appears to have diminished.
“If exhibitions continue to decline, Ulster will face the greatest challenge because this will reduce group attendance and the number of potential deals for season tickets for the following season. We ought to hope that does not take place.”