As a schoolteacher by profession, almost certainly Brian McLaughlin will have written ‘Steady work and progress’ on a pupil’s report more than once in his career.

At the mid-term break the same can be of his own endeavours with the Ulster squad. On and off the pitch there has been very steady work, much of it excellent. Progress? Lots thereof.

Under McLaughlin, Ulster are playing a much better, brighter and more adventurous brand of football than before.

Not only is it infinitely more entertaining; it is producing results, too.

There are some die-hards maybe prepared to pay to watch dross — provided it yields victory. The casual spectators and those who major in climbing on entertainment bandwagons will not, however. And with professional sport — all forms thereof — being of a bottoms-on-seats nature, that is unacceptable.

The bottom line, if you’ll pardon the pun, of the zealots’ “It doesn’t matter if you bore me to death provided you win” approach is that it is wholly dependent on results. Non-productive dross is a no-no, therefore, in that it alienates everybody - the fanatics, the casuals and the thrill-seekers alike.

That is where Ulster were 12 months ago; playing uninspiring rugby - and losing. They could not even claim that while it was dull, it was successful. Only the first half of that statement applied. McLaughlin et al have shown that winning and the provision of thrills need not be mutually exclusive. Quite the opposite, in fact.

The statistics of McLaughlin’s first five months in charge underline the extent of the dramatic improvement since he, Jeremy Davidson and Neil Doak set up camp under Operations Director, David Humphreys.

2009/10: Played seven Magners League matches, won four, lost three, for 140, against 123, differential +17, league points 19 (three bonuses), position 4th.

Played two Heineken Cup matches, won one, lost one, for 39, against 29.

All of this without injured skipper, Rory Best and the frequent absence of Stephen Ferris, note.

This time last year Ulster’s seven Magners League outings had yielded two wins, had seen 73 points scored, the concession of 106, the differential was -33 and they were in 8th position.

In the Heineken Cup they had played two matches, losing both, the scores having been 26-10 and 42-21 at home to Stade Francais and away to Harlequins respectively.

Willie Faloon has been a major find, Timoci Nagusi is a man re-invented, Ian Humphreys is playing out of his skin and Chris Henry has made the 39-man Irish squad.

Steady work and progress? Yes. So now let’s have more of the same as from December 4.