The event was well supported with over 100 people attending to welcome the new Ulster Coach Matt Williams and hear what Matt had to say.

Jonathan Bill hosted the evening and welcomed Matt to his first URSC event before inviting him to take the floor. Matt spoke at length about how he started as a coach and developed through his various coaching roles at NSW Waratahs, Leinster and Scotland. With an enthusiastic crowd listening Matt shared his thoughts on why he took the Ulster job and the hopes he has for the team over the next number of months. Matt reiterated some of what he has said to the media in recent weeks when he said:

“My summation of the team is that they are a very good team playing poorly, they are not a poor team”

He continued to talk about his experience of Ulster players 

“I owe Ireland and Irish rugby so much because my experience down in Leinster was great, fabulous people and because of that I got to coach Ireland A and got involved with all the Ulster people. I just had a great respect for the Ulster guys, got on very well with them, they were wonderful guys to coach.”  

“That is why you get involved in rugby – the people.”

Williams was open about his experiences with the Scottish side and spoke of what he learnt from his time there

“I came out of the Scotland job as a much better coach.  To go through the 6 Nations experience and survive getting sacked is an experience. You have to survive and I think if you do survive getting sacked and look back and think I still want to do this, you still like it and you still know there is a chance you will get sacked again and that your name is going to get dragged through the paper, but, there is also a strong chance you are going to win.

And if you come out of it all and say well I am going to win – then you are going to make it”

Before the supporters got a chance to ask questions of Matt he spoke of his desire to remain in top flight European Rugby

“I really want to get back into Europe, it is the best competition in the world, it is a fabulous competition and European Cup day is just a very special day when you are part of it”

When the supporters finally got an opportunity to ask questions there was a great mix of questions ranging from how Matt would handle the media to contract updates. Matt was also asked if he would be picking his team for the rest of the season from players that were contracted to stay next year or would he be including players that are moving on to pastures new.

Matt responded with a thoughtful response:

 “I want to pick the best team available, all our players are committed until the end of the season and we need to win games”

The evening ended with a raffle draw of various prizes and many supporters stayed to wish Matt well.

Everyone that attended the event seemed to enjoy themselves with one supporter emailing Ulster Rugby this morning to say:

“After last night I believe that Matt has the strong character, presence, eagerness and ability to turnaround the current Ulster performances. He was frank and articulate in answering all questions. An excellent choice for the Job and I wish him the best for the future.”

For pictures of the evening please CLICK HERE