Kiss for Ulster (permanently ... in a while)

awec

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/32618.php#.VDQSq_ldWPs

"At the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup 2015, Les will return to Ulster in a full-time role as Director of Rugby."

Affects more than just Ulster so deserves its own thread.

Doak head coach.

P_1

Good to have some stability. That thread title had me thinking all sorts mind

Zzippy

Good to see Kiss stay on in Ireland after the WC, he could probably have had his pick of head coach jobs elsewhere.

DGRulz

So post rwc we'll be looking for a defense coach that wants a years contract?

irishbucsfan

DGRulz wrote: »

So post rwc we'll be looking for a defense coach that wants a years contract?

If they just need a year's cover I'd be surprised if they didn't just use the old secondment from the provinces approach again.

former legend

That press release is a bit hard on poor Doak. The whole thing is about Kiss and he gets one line.

thomond2006

former legend wrote: »

That press release is a bit hard on poor Doak. The whole thing is about Kiss and he gets one line.

KISS TO JOIN ULSTER NEXT SEASON

BLA BLA BLA

BLA BLA BLA

BLA BLA BLA

oh yeah yer man Neil Doak is head coach too

Podge_irl

Zzippy wrote: »

Good to see Kiss stay on in Ireland after the WC, he could probably have had his pick of head coach jobs elsewhere.

Could he really? I think some of the lustre has come off Kiss since his first couple years here.

awec

In-the-knows on UAFC saying that Kiss will be deciding the training, overseeing what happens during the week, deciding the tactics and doing the preparation on upcoming opponents.

Sounds way more hands-on than Humphreys.

CatFromHue

former legend wrote: »

That press release is a bit hard on poor Doak. The whole thing is about Kiss and he gets one line.

It will be hard for all right as he's going to get a taste of being the top man and then have to step back to second in charge.

Should be a good season for Ulster as the last time they did something like this they made the HEC final

durkadurka

So is Doak the continuity coach or the provisional coach?

*awaits ban*

Sinbad_NI

Good to have the coaching ticket direction sorted. Uncertainty want a good thing.

Bit sceptical for the rest of this year though.

bilston

Sinbad_NI wrote: »

Good to have the coaching ticket direction sorted. Uncertainty want a good thing.

Bit sceptical for the rest of this year though.

To be honest I see this year as a regrouping one with so many having moved on. As I've said before we are at least one top back rower short from being able to compete at the top end of Europe anyway. This season let's have a real crack at the league which we are capable of winning and what will be will be in Europe.

Next season with Kiss in charge amd hopefully a top 6 or 8 signed we will be in contention on all fronts.

CatFromHue

It's not ideal for next season either though as Kiss won't be joining until the middle/end of October when ideally you'd want him to join in July!

bilston

CatFromHue wrote: »

It's not ideal for next season either though as Kiss won't be joining until the middle/end of October when ideally you'd want him to join in July!

Aye fair point, but half our first team won't be about until Oct/Nov anyway, same with Leinster and Munster so it's going to be disruptive anyway.

mfceiling

durkadurka wrote: »

So is Doak the continuity coach or the provisional coach?

*awaits ban*

He'll be the continuity coach of course...









In a provisional role!!

mfceiling

durkadurka wrote: »

So is Doak the continuity coach or the provisional coach?

*awaits ban*

He'll be the continuity coach of course...









In a provisional role!!

Larbre34

Wouldn't be a fan of telegraphing appointments like that, its like giving EOS the contract they did before WC2007 and then having to undo it awkwardly for all concerned.

What Ulster Rugby needs now may not be what they need in December 2015, and why if they are going to do without a Director of Rugby for the next 13 months, do they need one at all....?

Hope Doak and Co. have a good innings, its good to see indigenous coaching teams returning to the provinces. Would be nice to see a ticket of Bernard Jackman, Girvan Dempsey, Leo Cullen and Richie Murphy at Leinster after the MOC era.

bilston

What happens if Ulster win something this year? Would be a bit harsh on Doak, although it could be argued that Kiss will have put structures in place for this season already.

RobbieRuns

It would be brilliant if Ulster did win some silverware. They need to make that next step.

its_phil

RobbieRuns wrote: »

It would be brilliant if Ulster did win some silverware. They need to make that next step.

Not an easy step to make for any team anywhere when there is only two trophies on offer. But I do hope for a Glasgow/Ulster Pro12 final and may the best team win. But Glasgow winning the league would be great for rugby in Scotland.

CatFromHue

With Leicester not doing so well at the moment it's a good time to go there. A win away from home in your first game would be a massive boost in Europe. With Lanelli in the group as well it looks like a second place in the group is achievable and probably a best second place qualifier too.

Can Ulster compete on two fronts though?

We'll know by December as they've Munster and Ospreys to play in November.

bilston

CatFromHue wrote: »

With Leicester not doing so well at the moment it's a good time to go there. A win away from home in your first game would be a massive boost in Europe. With Lanelli in the group as well it looks like a second place in the group is achievable and probably a best second place qualifier too.

Can Ulster compete on two fronts though?

We'll know by December as they've Munster and Ospreys to play in November.

We have seen in the past that domestic and European form aren't always the same and it is Leicester after all. I think winning at Welford Road will be a big achievement and we will need to be at our best. I just PJ is fit otherwise we will have our second choice half backs in place ad that would be a concern.