The difference in experience levels between the two players who represented Ulster at loosehead prop against Cardiff Blues could hardly have been greater.
The difference in experience levels between the two players who represented Ulster at loosehead prop against Cardiff Blues could hardly have been greater.
Starting in the position was Tom Court, winning his 150th cap for the Province – his replacement was 23 year-old Andrew Warwick, making his first ever appearance for Ulster.
Mark Anscombe’s side may have lost the game, but despite the result, the 29th March 2014 will always be a special day for Ballymena’s Warwick:
“I have been on the bench three times now and haven’t got on the pitch so when they called me to get ready I was just so excited to go on and play,” he says. “My first interaction was to get absolutely emptied though! I made a wee break and I got hit hard.
“I have been working towards getting a game for Ulster for the past few years - just waiting to get that chance and I am delighted that I finally got it.”
So how did playing for the first team compare with the rugby he has played so far?
“It is quite a quick pace compared to what I am used to at All Ireland league level but it was good to see what the game is like and brilliant to be involved,” says the Hughes Insurance Academy player.
“We were just short of a come-back but the result was still very disappointing.”
Having made his first appearance, Warwick is now looking to win cap number two, which could come in a Heineken Cup quarter-final.
“Matches don’t get any bigger than next week’s game against Saracens, he concludes. “It would be unbelievable to be involved but we will just have to see how next week goes.”
The difference in experience levels between the two players who represented Ulster at loosehead prop against Cardiff Blues could hardly have been greater.
Starting in the position was Tom Court, winning his 150th cap for the Province – his replacement was 23 year-old Andrew Warwick, making his first ever appearance for Ulster.
Mark Anscombe’s side may have lost the game, but despite the result, the 29th March 2014 will always be a special day for Ballymena’s Warwick:
“I have been on the bench three times now and haven’t got on the pitch so when they called me to get ready I was just so excited to go on and play,” he says. “My first interaction was to get absolutely emptied though! I made a wee break and I got hit hard.
“I have been working towards getting a game for Ulster for the past few years - just waiting to get that chance and I am delighted that I finally got it.”
So how did playing for the first team compare with the rugby he has played so far?
“It is quite a quick pace compared to what I am used to at All Ireland league level but it was good to see what the game is like and brilliant to be involved,” says the Hughes Insurance Academy player.
“We were just short of a come-back but the result was still very disappointing.”
Having made his first appearance, Warwick is now looking to win cap number two, which could come in a Heineken Cup quarter-final.
“Matches don’t get any bigger than next week’s game against Saracens, he concludes. “It would be unbelievable to be involved but we will just have to see how next week goes.”