Exit door.

Ulster Rugby have reportedly parted company with Dan McFarland following their latest defeat at the hands of Ospreys on Sunday.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, the 51-year-old has stepped down from his position as head coach of the northern province with the players informed of his departure on Wednesday morning.

Ulster currently sit eighth in the United Rugby Championship table with Ospreys leapfrogging them over the weekend following their late win thanks to a drop goal from Dan Edwards.

McFarland criticised the officials after the game with many Ulster fans calling for his head as a result.

“The game was pretty scrappy in that first half. The ball was pretty greasy and we looked a little bit rusty after the break,” McFarland told Viaplay.

“Ultimately, the game came down to two instances, both where we were in control, one in their 22 where they got an intercept pass and the second one was at the end of the game where we were in total control and the refereeing decision called a scrum on the back of a maul.

“I have literally no idea what that was about. You see that every week. I’m going to ask and find out because ultimately those two instances decided the game in the Ospreys’ favour.”

More to follow.

**UPDATE**

Ulster and Dan McFarland have officially parted company,  the Irish province have confirmed in a statement this evening.

Ireland U20s head coach Richie Murphy will take over as head coach until the end of the season on an interim basis, as soon as the Six Nations is over.

Assistant coach Dan Soper will take charge of next weekend’s URC game against the Dragons.