Dan Soper: Ulster 'in this together' ahead of fresh start

Ulster's stand-in coach Dan Soper says the squad need to prove a point when they return to action in the BKT United Rugby Championship this week.

The province host Dragons in Belfast on Saturday night, in the first game since they parted company with head coach Dan McFarland last week.

McFarland's six-year term in charge ended by mutual consent three days on from their 19-17 defeat to the Ospreys, their third in a row in all competitions.

Ireland U20 head coach Richie Murphy will take over on an interim basis until the end of the season, but with his arrival delayed until the end of the Six Nations next month, assistant coach Soper will prepare the squad for Saturday's game at Kingspan Stadium.

The New Zealander says Saturday's game is an opportunity for the province to press the reset button after a difficult few weeks.

"I'm delighted that we've got a game to focus on," he said.

"Last week was a little bit different. Whenever change happens, there's always a bit of disruption, but the one thing we have always prided ourselves on was how to adapt and overcome.

"I don't suppose there is a great time for anything like that to happen, but we've got to focus on how we go out and play this week.

"I've been really impressed with the players in the last couple of days, their focus towards what we're going for this weekend.

"The main thing for me has been how supportive the staff and the playing group have been of me for this week, that we get a collective focus and we get ripped into this week. I'm really encouraged by that."

In spite of the coaching change, the province still occupy the final URC play-off spot in eighth.

With the table tightly bunched, just four points separate Benetton in fourth from Connacht in 10th, and Ulster know a