Williams relishing new challenge

Steve Williams was capped 28 times by Wales

Ulster's new assistant coach Steve Williams says his appointment offers "a great opportunity to work with a well renowned team and excellent players".

"I have certain ideas on what I want the players to do and my job is to bring out the best in them," he said.

"I want us to play a style of rugby which will stand us in good stead when we come up against the big teams.

"We must be positive and confident as we have good enough players to compete with the best," added Williams.

Coach Mark McCall said that "everyone who has worked with Steve has a high regard for him as a person and he is held in great respect by those he has coached".

"For us, it is a fresh voice with new ideas and it is good for us to get a fresh take on things.

"We will have options throughout the team and big competition for places next season so people are going to have to play very well to get into the team and that is a healthy situation."

At a press conference to welcome new recruits, lock Carlo del Fava said the "transition from Bourgoin to Ulster has been very smooth and professionally handled".

"Ulster needed a lock and I needed a good solid club to go to as there were a lot of changes going on at Bourgoin and I wasn't playing regularly with Italy.

I have worked with Steve (Williams) at Northampton and he will bring good communication skills Seamus Mallon

"I want to get my Italian shirt back and my aim is to get into the 30-man squad for the World Cup," said the second row.

Seamus Mallon said it was "nice to be back with Ulster" and added that it was "always my ambition to return".

"I am definitely coming back a more mature person and a more mature rugby player and hopefully a wee bit better player than when I left.

"We have an influx of new players and a new assistant coach so there is a bit of a buzz around the place.

"I have worked with Steve (Williams) at Northampton and he will bring good communication skills, good man-management and build a good relationship between staff and players.

"He is a really good, honest coach and I'm looking forward to working with him again."

Prop Jarleth Carey said his time with Rotherham had helped to develop his game but noted that his move to Ulster represented "another step up".

"With the World Cup coming up, I could have a chance to get a run of games under my belt and that would be great."

Hooker Neil Hanna has also made the move from Rotherham to Ulster and says he faces "a challenge to raise my game to the high levels that Rory Best has set".