Ulster head coach Richie Murphy emphasizes the importance of maintaining composure as his team prepares to face Munster at Thomond Park on Friday night. Ulster, currently positioned 12th in the United Rugby Championship (URC) standings with only two games remaining, is acutely aware that a loss to their Irish rivals would likely eliminate their chances of securing a play-off spot and a place in the next season's Champions Cup. With Ulster trailing the top eight by three points and an additional away game against Edinburgh scheduled to conclude the regular season, Murphy acknowledges the critical nature of the upcoming match in Limerick, describing it as a "must-win situation."

However, Murphy is keen to avoid a sense of desperation within the squad. "I don't want a situation where the players are feeling desperate. Yes, we're all desperate to win but we don't want to play like that," he stated. Instead, he wants the team to focus on playing for each other and maintaining the style of rugby they've developed in recent weeks. He added, "We've got a little bit of confidence from the way we're playing, we just need to turn some performances into results."

Ulster has suffered three consecutive losses across all competitions, including defeats against Bordeaux-Begles, Leinster, and the Sharks. The loss to the Sharks marked the second time this season that the team has lost after leading 19-0 at half-time, echoing a similar collapse against Cardiff in October. Overall, they have been defeated nine times in 16 league games.

Murphy acknowledges the team's current position, stating, "We know where we are, the league position doesn't lie. Over the course of the season, we haven't won as many games as we would have liked." He also expressed frustration over missed opportunities, noting, "When we look back and see the games that we could have won or should have won, or a bonus point here or there that we should have picked up, that frustrates us. Over the course of 16 games, that's where we sit. We've two more games to try and make the top eight."

Ulster's chances could be boosted by the potential return of five players from injury, including Iain Henderson, Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Eric O'Sullivan, and Sean Reffell, all of whom have returned to training. Despite injury challenges faced by several key players throughout the season, Murphy believes the squad is "in a really good place" as the season nears its end.

Even if the play-off race doesn't go as planned, the former Ireland Under-20s coach remains optimistic about the direction of the team's overhaul. "We don't want to not be in the top eight but if we're not, it's not the case that the place is going to shut down and move on," he added. He emphasized the presence of talented young players and the challenges posed by a tough run of games and injuries this year. He concluded, "If we have to park this and move on, I can guarantee we will build and be better for next year."