Ulster only have the United Rugby Championship to concentrate on for the remainder of the season as they seek to lift their first trophy in 16 seasons but while this may be to their advantage further down the line, this week is challenging.
The squad only have a six-day turnaround to overcome their loss by 50-49 over two pulsating legs in the Champions Cup against Toulouse before facing Munster in the URC at the Kingspan Stadium next Friday (kick-off 7.35pm, live on RTÉ).
As forwards coach Roddy Grant admitted yesterday, their challenge is as much psychological as physical.
“Any time you have a loss in pro sport it’s a test of your squad’s character to get up and get going. We’ve got a big game this weekend and a big three games until the play-offs and we just have to get up for it. It’s a test of character but that’s pro sport and you have to deliver and you want to deliver.”
In that respect, Grant believes that a home derby against Munster could be the ideal antidote to the disappointment of last Saturday’s one that got away.
“Definitely it’s a great motivation for us playing a derby game.”
Concussions
A dozen Ulster players, and 10 from Munster, started both of their two-legged round of 16 ties but whereas Munster also have to factor in a Euro quarter-final against Toulouse on May 7th, sadly for Ulster they do not, which might mean they have less of a need to rotate.
“It’s important to put out as strong a team as we clearly need to win so ultimately we’re going to come out wanting to win and needing to win.
We need to be on our game mentally and physically,” said Grant.
Neither Billy Burns nor Kieran Treadwell are likely to face Munster given the six-day turnaround as both players sustained concussions last Saturday and will now follow the graduated return-to-play protocols.
All told there were nine red cards in the European games last weekend and all face disciplinary hearings this week as well as a citing against La Rochelle outhalf Jules Plisson for a dangerous tackle. Tom O’Toole’s hearing will take place today following his 65th-minute red card for a high shoulder hit on Anthony Jelonch.
“There were certainly a few at the weekend,” said Grant of the surfeit of red cards. “Technically you just have to be on the money. If you’re not and you’re too high, you’re too high, so just technically you have to keep working the guys.”
