Solly still the Stormers' boss

Britain's newest rugby coach is still committed to the Stormers.

Alan Solomons, who will coach former European club champions Ulster for the next three years, said the Stormers and the Super 12 were his priority.

"Nothing will change that," said Solomons, whose move to Northern Ireland, revealed by the Cape Argus in November, was confirmed last week.

He will join Ulster in June on a three-year contract which means the Stormers will have a new coach next year. For now, however, Solomons insists that his commitment to South Africa's assault on the Super 12 remains undiminished.

"The Stormers and the competition are my priority," he stated.

"Although I got the job at Ulster, it will not take anything away from my commitment to the Stormers," said Solomons, whose Stormers started a week-long training camp in George on Monday.

Solomons also told the Belfast Telegraph that having been "at the sharp end" of South African rugby since 1997 as assistant Springbok coach, he had to get the right job, and then give it everything. He said he believed the coaching job at Ulster was the right one.

There have, however, been quiet mutterings in Northern Ireland over Solomons's appointment, according to the Irish Times. He will be the third foreign coach of the four provinces. He ousted Willie Anderson, an experienced local coach, who some felt should have got the Ulster job. Anderson has been capped 27 times for Ireland, played for the Barbarians and also earned 76 caps for Ulster whom he captained.

Ulster chief executive Michael Reid told the Times: "Naturally everyone is going to have their own particular views on the subject, even those who know nothing about Alan Solomons."

Solomons said he had positive feedback from former Ulsterman Dion O'Cuinneagain, whom he coached at the University of Cape Town, and also former Springbok and Stormers centre Brendan Venter, who played for London Irish club in 1999.

Solomons has not wasted time in getting his support staff sorted.

Former Irish international Mark McCall has been asked to look after the Ulster backs and Adrian Kennedy, who coached Western Province in 1999, is expected to drill the forwards.

There are still about 10 or so players needed for Ulster's squad and Solomons will have a huge say in who should be signed. Will he get some South Africans there?

"It's premature to say who will take up those contracts. I will have to discuss it with the other relevant people first," he said.

Former Boland captain Russell Nelson is already making a name for himself at Ulster and so is former Irish captain O'Cuinneagain, who is in Cape Town to complete his studies at the University of Cape Town.

"As yet I don't necessarily know what I can offer Ulster in the way of change but the experience that I have gleaned along the way with the Springboks will be passed on," Solomons said.

- Wallaby scrumhalf George Gregan was on Monday named the ACT Brumbies' new skipper, for the upcoming Super 12 competition.

The 27-year-old Gregan replaces Brett Robinson, who retired last year. Gregan, the Wallabies' vice-captain, has already been tipped to take over the national leadership from John Eales, who is considering retiring at the end of the season.

The Brumbies play their first game against champions Canterbury Crusaders in the opening match of the Super 12 on February 23 in a repeat of last year's final.