Players gave Les the Kiss of death
SOMETHING had to give. Ulster’s abject exit from the Champions Cup courtesy of shameful noshow against Wasps had to produce a scapegoat – especially after a season of wildly inconsistent performances. And Les Kiss, as head man, was always the most likely victim. We do not know the specifics of what has been going on behind closed doors at Ravenhill but there are some things we do know for certain. We know Kiss is a highly accomplished and respected coach, who was widely lauded by players and management for his contribution to the Ireland cause between 2008 and 2015. We know he was allowed just over half a season to work with his new coaching team of Jono Gibbes and Dwayne Peel before his tenure abruptly came to an end last Wednesday. And we know Kiss cannot be the one held responsible for Ulster players being so woeful when it came to performing their basic duties. Perhaps Kiss did not motivate his charges sufficiently, perhaps his tactics were off (there have been times when Ulster were devoid of shape in attack and defence) but, taking that Wasps game as example, the Australian cannot be blamed for players dropping simple passes, missing straightforward tackles and failing to show anything like the necessary physical commitment required for a game of that magnitude. Ulster’s players are extremely well looked after, both financially and in terms the facilities at their disposal, yet collectively, they have consistently failed to hold up their end of the bargain when it comes to payback on the pitch. Regardless of who is in charge, professional players have basic standards to meet and Ulster’s have dismally failed to meet theirs. There is something rotten in Ravenhill and Les Kiss has paid the price.