Richie Murphy: Ulster additions to Irish Six Nations squad ‘positive’

Ulster coach Richie Murphy feels the province’s increased representation in the Irish Six Nations squad “shows we are progressing and moving in the right direction”.

Last year, only four men were selected from the Ulster squad, including development player James Macnaby, but returning coach Andy Farrell initially selected seven from Northern Province with Cormac Izuchukwu recalled at the weekend due to an injury to Munster player Thomas Ahern.

Izuchukwu is the only Ulster player from 2025 to return, with fellow forwards Tom O’Toole, Tom Stewart and Nick Timoney featuring this time around, while Rob Baloconi, Nathan Doak, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale have been named in the backline as Ireland prepare for their opening Six Nations match against France in Paris on February 5.

Murphy believes their inclusion is a result of Ulster’s improved form this season who currently sit sixth in the United Rugby Championship [URC] table, while topping their group in the European Challenge Cup.

“One of the things we talked about earlier in the year was that if you perform well in the white jersey, the green jersey will take care of itself,” Murphy told BBC Sport.

“Last year we had four people there, so doubling that and having Bryn Ward travel with the team as an apprentice is very positive.

“Fifteen between the two teams [Six Nations and Ireland XV] It’s where we want to be. There are one or two who are disappointed they didn’t get the call, but that’s the competition in Irish rugby.

“We’ve complained for a long time that there’s not enough stuff out there, so now we’ve got eight, nine, 10 guys traveling at the moment, which is really positive for us.”