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Richie Murphy, Ulster head coach
Photo: RugbyPass / Sportsfile

Ulster Rugby Head Coach

Richie Murphy

Role
Head Coach
Team
Ulster Rugby
Nationality
Irish
Age
52
In charge since
May 2024
Matches
29
Record W-D-L
15-3-11
Win rate
51.7%

Record in our match database since Sep 2025

as of
  • 29 Matches
  • 15 Won
  • 3 Drawn
  • 11 Lost
  • 51.7% Win rate

Richie Murphy has overseen 29 completed Ulster Rugby matches in our database since September 2025 — 15 won, 3 drawn, 11 lost. That is a 51.7% win rate, with 847 points scored and 687 conceded.

Records are computed from the WeTalkRugby match database and cover matches we hold data for within this tenure. They are not an official all-time record.

Record by competition

— means no data from the provider
Richie Murphy, record by competition in our match database
CompetitionPWDLWin %PFPA
All matches · Ulster Rugby All competitions291531151.7%847687
United Rugby Championship Sep 2025 – Oct 20262193942.9%582513
Challenge Cup Dec 2025 – May 2026860275.0%265174

Last five matches

  1. Drawn v Munster 26–26 URC ·
  2. Drawn v Glasgow Warriors 33–33 URC ·
  3. Lost v Edinburgh Rugby 29–34 URC ·
  4. Lost v Montpellier 26–59 Challenge Cup ·
  5. Lost v Glasgow Warriors 22–26 URC ·

Every match in our database

29 matches
United Rugby Championship 21P · 9W · 3D · 9L
  1. Drawn v Munster 26–26
  2. Drawn v Glasgow Warriors 33–33
  3. Lost v Edinburgh Rugby 29–34
  4. Lost v Glasgow Warriors 22–26
  5. Drawn v Stormers 38–38
  6. Lost v Munster 14–41
  7. Lost v Leinster 21–29
  8. Won v Zebre Parma 28–12
  9. Lost v Connacht 19–26
  10. Won v Edinburgh Rugby 40–19
  11. Lost v Ospreys 10–21
  12. Won v Cardiff Rugby 21–14
  13. Lost v Scarlets 22–27
  14. Won v Munster 28–3
  15. Won v Connacht 29–24
  16. Lost v Leinster 20–24
  17. Won v Benetton Rugby 47–13
  18. Lost v Lions 31–49
  19. Won v Sharks 34–26
  20. Won v Bulls 28–7
  21. Won v Dragons RFC 42–21
Challenge Cup 8P · 6W · 0D · 2L
  1. Lost v Montpellier 26–59
  2. Won v Exeter Chiefs 29–12
  3. Won v La Rochelle 41–24
  4. Won v Ospreys 28–24
  5. Won v Stade Français 26–19
  6. Won v Cheetahs 28–0
  7. Lost v Cardiff Rugby 26–29
  8. Won v Racing 92 61–7

Career

  • Ulster Head Coach 2024– 29 matches in our data

Honours

  • Six Nations U20 Grand Slam (Ireland U20) 2022, 2023
  • Six Nations Grand Slam (Ireland, skills and kicking coach) 2018
  • Six Nations Championship (Ireland, skills and kicking coach) 2014, 2015

About Richie Murphy

Richie Murphy is the head coach of Ulster, a skills specialist who won back-to-back U20 Grand Slams with Ireland before stepping up in 2024.

Richie Murphy is the head coach of Ulster, appointed permanently in May 2024 and since signed through to the end of the 2027–28 season alongside Willie Faloon and Mark Sexton.

Born in County Wicklow in July 1974, he was a goal-kicking out-half for Greystones, Clontarf and Old Belvedere, with a provincial spell at Leinster. A knee injury ended his playing career in his late twenties and he was never capped.

A specialist’s route

Murphy joined Leinster as skills and kicking coach in 2010, then held the same role with Ireland from 2013 to 2021 under Joe Schmidt and Andy Farrell — a period covering two Six Nations titles and the 2018 Grand Slam. He took over Ireland Under-20 in 2021 and won consecutive Grand Slams in 2022 and 2023, reaching the World Rugby U20 Championship final.

Ulster

He stepped up as interim head coach in March 2024 after Dan McFarland’s departure and was confirmed permanently two months later. Ulster finished sixth in the 2025–26 URC and topped their Challenge Cup pool. He has yet to win a trophy with the province.

Style

His background shows in the work: forensic individual technical development, particularly with kickers and playmakers, and a willingness to promote academy players earlier than most.

As a player Goal-kicking out-half for Greystones, Clontarf and Old Belvedere, with a provincial spell at Leinster. A knee injury ended his career in his late twenties and he was never capped.

More coaches

All coaches

Players under Richie Murphy

Full squad

Frequently asked questions

Who is the head coach of Ulster Rugby?

Richie Murphy is the head coach of Ulster Rugby.

When did Richie Murphy take charge?

Richie Murphy took over at Ulster Rugby in May 2024, around 2 years ago.

What is Richie Murphy's record?

From 29 matches in our database: 15 wins, 3 draws and 11 defeats — a 51.7% win rate.

What nationality is Richie Murphy?

Richie Murphy is Irish.

How old is Richie Murphy?

Richie Murphy is 52 years old.

What has Richie Murphy won?

Honours include: Six Nations U20 Grand Slam (Ireland U20) (2023), Six Nations U20 Grand Slam (Ireland U20) (2022), Six Nations Grand Slam (Ireland, skills and kicking coach) (2018), Six Nations Championship (Ireland, skills and kicking coach) (2015), Six Nations Championship (Ireland, skills and kicking coach) (2014).