Dan Soper

Last updated

Dan Soper
Dan Soper.png
Born1977 (age 46–47)
Alexandra, New Zealand
Alma mater University of Otago (BA)
FamilyWife (Caroline) and children (Emma, Callum and Katie)
Rugby league career
Playing information
Rugby union
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
1999–2000 Petrarca Rugby 60
Rugby league
Position Fullback
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
1997 Otago Sharks 6 [1] 1260 [2]
Banbridge RFC
Coaching information
Club
YearsTeamGmsWDLW%
2008–2009 Ballynahinch RFC
2018 Ulster Rugby
Total0000

Daniel Soper is a rugby union coach from New Zealand who has been assistant coach at Ulster since 2021.

Born in Alexandra, [3] he played for Otago Sharks, setting a club scoring record of 260 points in 1997, [4] and represented North Otago in the National Provincial Championship. [5] He first came to Northern Ireland in 1998 to play for Banbridge RFC, [3] and had a season in Italy, playing for Petrarca Padova in the 1999–2000 Heineken Cup. Returning to Northern Ireland, he played and coached at Ballynahinch RFC and Banbridge RFC while working as a schoolteacher at Wallace High School, Lisburn, [3] Sullivan Upper School, [5] Ballyclare High School, and Royal Belfast Academical Institution. [3]

In club rugby, he coached Ballynahinch to the "grand slam" of the Ulster Senior Cup, the All-Ireland Cup and the Ulster Senior League in 2009. [5] He became head coach of Banbridge in 2010, and led them to two promotions in the All Ireland League. [6] In schools rugby, he coached future Irish international Darren Cave at Sullivan Upper, [6] and led the RBAI rugby team, featuring future internationals James Hume and Michael Lowry, to three consecutive Ulster Schools' Cup titles between 2015 and 2017. [3] He also coached the Ulster under-18 schools team. [5] He joined Ulster as skills coach ahead of the 2018–19 season, [5] and was promoted to assistant coach, in place of the departing Dwayne Peel, before the 2021–22 season. [7] When McFarland left midway through the 2023–24 season, Soper took charge temporarily until the end of the Six Nations Under 20s Championship, after which Ireland under-20 coach Richie Murphy would take over until the end of the season. [8]

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The 2018-19 season was Ulster's 25th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and Dan McFarland's first season as head coach. Rory Best was captain. They competed in the Pro14, making the semi-finals, and the European Rugby Champions Cup, making the quarter-finals.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007–08 Ulster Rugby season</span> Provincial professional playing season

The 2007–08 Ulster Rugby season was Ulster's 14th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and their fourth under head coach Mark McCall. They competed in the Heineken Cup and the Celtic League

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The 2004–05 season was Ulster Rugby's tenth under professionalism, and their first under head coach Mark McCall. They competed in the Heineken Cup, the Celtic League and the Celtic Cup.

The 2022–23 season was Ulster Rugby's 29th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union. They competed in the United Rugby Championship, finishing second in the league table and going out in the quarter-finals, and the European Rugby Champions Cup going out in the round of 16. It was Dan McFarland's fifth season as head coach. Scrum-half John Cooney was leading scorer with 154 points. Hooker Tom Stewart was leading try scorer with 17, and won the URC Top Try Scorer and Next-Gen Player of the Season awards.

The 2023–24 season is Ulster Rugby's 30th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union. They compete in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup. It was Dan McFarland's sixth season as head coach, until he left his position on 21 February 2024. Assistant coach Dan Soper took temporary charge before Richie Murphy became available for the rest of the season.

References

  1. ↑ "Daniel Soper". New Zealand Rugby History. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  2. ↑ Dwyer, Paul (10 July 2015). "Rugby: Pride restored to region". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Bradley, Jonathan (17 March 2020). "'It's never about him': How Dan Soper won over the Ulster squad and guided Banbridge and RBAI to unheralded success". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  4. ↑ "_Pride restored to region". Otago Daily Times. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Banbridge coach Daniel Soper 'excited' to join Ulster backroom staff". Irish Independent. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  6. 1 2 Locke, Cian (5 June 2018). "Daniel Soper confirmed as new Ulster skills coach". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  7. ↑ "Dan Soper: Ulster skills coach to become assistant to Dan McFarland next season". BBC Sport. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  8. ↑ "Dan McFarland departs Ulster Rugby", Ulster Rugby, 21 February 2024
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