Shows Ulster have quality: Schmidt
now seems a surplus of out-halves in Limerick, with Ian Keatley, JJ Hanrahan and Tyler Bleyendaal in situ, along with youngster Bill Johnston.
Schmidt said that the situation will be resolved soon, but added that regardless of how the remainder of the summer shakes out, he doesn’t feel Ulster are in as bad a place as had been suggested through their tumultuous season that saw them clinch a place in the Champions Cup only after a play-off win over Ospreys.
“I guess there’s going to be a fair few discussions over the next few days between the provinces about what happens now, whether there will be a domino effect (and someone leaves Munster), or whether someone comes in to help Johnny McPhillips, who had a really strong end to the season.
“Five games, one draw and four wins. To finish with that Ospreys match, missing Rory Best, Iain Henderson, to lose Charles Piutau just before kick-off and lose Louis Ludik just into the game and go 7-0 down and then win with that margin against a team the quality of the Ospreys, it augurs reasonably well that Ulster are far beyond some to of the descriptions that have been thrown their way.”
Having confirmed Jared Payne as defence coach this week, it’s thought three-time Schools Cup winning coach of RBAI Dan Soper could also imminently join the ticket at Kingspan Stadium.