A CRINGE-inducing week up in Belfast finishes with a game. The David Humphreys and Brian McLaughlin press conference last Tuesday is available for all to see on Youtube.

Humphreys, as Ulster’s director of rugby, explained why McLaughlin is to be demoted to an Academy role this summer, while also confirming a new head coach has yet to be appointed.

A messy situation was caused by leaked information. The decision was taken with a “long-term” perspective, despite some detrimental damage to the club’s short-term image. McLaughlin, sitting beside Humphreys, expressed disappointment with the decision. His comments subsequently led to a press release on Wednesday where he apologised for any “misunderstanding that may have arisen”.

Basically, it was the two figureheads of Ulster rugby, on the cusp of major on-field progress, at complete logger-heads.

“From my point of view, there is never a good time to get news like this,” McLaughlin said.

It forced Humphreys to respond: “There is never a good time to do it, however, it is a time that both players and staff had been aware of.”

McLaughlin continued: “I’m disappointed because I feel I haven’t finished the job. I believe the players are there and I believe the coaching ticket we have is more than good enough.”

Neither could confirm the role McLaughlin will take up in the Academy where former players Gary Longwell and Niall Malone are already in place.

To find out how the players react to this unfortunate mess tune in to RTÉ or BBC tonight.

ULSTER:A D'Arcy; C Gilroy, I Whitten, P Wallace, S Terblanche; I Humphreys, R Pienaar; C Black, A Kyriacou, J Afoa (capt); L Stevenson, D Tuohy; M McComish, W Faloon, R Diack. Replacements: N Brady, P McAllister, A Macklin, T Barker, A Birch, P Marshall, N Spence, S Danielli.

DRAGONS:Thomas; J Smith, A Hughes, A Smith (capt), A Brew; J Tovey, W Evans; N Williams, S Jones, N Buck; A Jones, R Sidoli; J Groves, D Waters, G Thomas. Replacements: R Buckley, P Price, D Way, H Ellis, T Brown, J Bedford, A Tuilagi, L Robling.

Referee:C Damasco (FIR)

Verdict: Ulster win.