Ulster: Richie Murphy on the state of rugby, Ulster’s try count and Joey Carbery’s speculation

As for his team, Murphy will be hoping Ulster can build on last weekend’s bonus-point win away to Connacht when they host Munster in Belfast on Friday (19:45 GMT).

Ulster have won five of their seven United Rugby Championship matches this season and have scored more tries (33) than any other team, 14 of which have come from in-form wingers Werner Cook (six), Rob Baloconi (five) and Zak Ward (three).

“That’s the kind of rugby we try to play,” Murphy added.

“By getting the ball out to the flanks, and getting the wingers into the game, we have some amazing athletes out there.

“We are effective for periods in matches, it would be good to be a little more effective for a longer period.”

Despite last weekend’s loss to Leinster at Thomond Park, Friday’s Munster opponents have made impressive strides in the early stages of Clayton McMillan’s reign, winning six of their eight URC matches.

“In some ways, they’re back to some of the DNA they had in the past,” Murphy said.

“They actually kick the ball a lot more than they did, but they’re really strong down the stretch, and they’re tough to break down defensively.

“This will be a massive test for us. Their team is probably a little further down the track than us in terms of strength in depth all the way through their team.

“There is talk of missing some of their international players but we know that whoever the Munster team is, it will be a very difficult task.”