Ulster Rugby: 'Small steps' for Joe Schmidt at province says Rory Best

Rory Best says Joe Schmidt's new role with Ulster is a case of "small steps" as the province seek to use the former Ireland coach's expertise to build a platform for long-term success.

Schmidt was appointed Ulster's coach development adviser last month after ending his two-year stint as Australia boss, a newly created role focused on the province's coaching pathway.

The 60-year-old is one of Ireland's most successful coaches having led the national team to three Six Nations titles - including the 2018 Grand Slam - during a six-year spell and Leinster to two European Cups.

"I don't want to just be successful this season or in a year or two, it has to be a continuous process and to do that we need continuity of what's coming behind it and that's why Joe is here," said Ulster general manager Rory Best, who was appointed Ireland captain by Schmidt in 2016.

"Joe was the best coach I worked under as a head coach. Since then, he's went on, he's coached the All Blacks, Australia. He's across the New Zealand underage system, the Australian underage system, from his time in Leinster the Irish underage system.

"So to bring all the best practices together, ultimately what you want to do is to create a conveyor belt. The lift it gives everyone around the place is brilliant. We're delighted to have him.

"Obviously the next step is to get him head to toe in Ulster gear, but it's small steps."

Schmidt was present at an open training session for Ulster's senior men's team in Banbridge on Friday as Murphy's side ramp up preparations for the 2026-27 season.

Murphy - who worked alongside the Kiwi at Leinster and Ireland - said it was a "genius idea" by Best to get Schmidt involved.

"Myself and Joe go back a long time. Besty, I thought it was a genius idea bringing him over," he said.

"He's helping through the pathway and having a look at that area and making sure we have a supply of players to feed this Ulster senior team.

"He's here today to have a look at training and we'd be crazy not to use a person like that in relation in giving us a bit of feedback about how we go about our business."

Murphy is in the process of reintegrating Ulster's cohort of Ireland internationals back into training after their Nations Championship exertions in July.

A promising 2025-26 season ended in disappointing fashion for Ulster as they missed out on Investec Champions Cup qualification after finishing ninth in the United Rugby Championship and losing the Challenge Cup final to Montpellier.

Ulster face Edinburgh and Ospreys in pre-season friendlies before beginning their URC campaign against the former in Belfast on 25 September.

During a busy summer of squad additions and departures, Ulster signed the likes of forwards Eli Snyman, Ben Donnell and Keynan Knox and backs Chay Mullins, Matthew Devine and Jamie Benson, while losing key players such as Werner Kok and Angus Bell.

"I think our squad depth has improved, especially in key positions," said Murphy, who is entering his third full season in charge.

"Ben Donnell can play in back row and second row, Eli in the second row gives us more experience in that area. Two tight-heads knocking around in Keynan Knox and Eduardo Bello creates pressure and competition for places which is really positive.

"Tom O'Toole, Scotty Wilson and Tom McAllister were there last year, those lads have to fight it out now to get themselves on the pitch, which is great.

"Our two half-backs that have come in, Matty Devine and young Benson, they've both fitted in really well and upped the level of competition to get your name on the sheet, so that's been really positive."