Ulster starts its crucial stretch of seven matches at the Twickenham Stoop tomorrow, with scrumhalf John Cooney insisting a win versus Harlequins will set the tone for a big few weeks ahead.
Cooney and his teammates take on ‘Quins again next week, back at Kingspan Stadium, before three inter-pros and then the resumption of European action. It represents an opportunity for the squad to make a statement against lauded opposition…
"These games are huge - they are the ones that you love playing in," said Cooney.
"For me and the players, we are licking our lips and really looking forward to them.
"There are two big back-to-back games, Harlequins away and then home. Then we have Connacht away which is huge for me, we have Leinster away which is the same, Munster at home, another team I love to play. Then another two quality teams in La Rochelle and Wasps. For me, I can't wait."
Ulster has totalled 12 points from a possible 15 in the last three games; a good return given the lengthy list of unavailable players due to international commitments and injuries. But a step up in performance is required from the recent outings, and Cooney says the players and coaches have worked hard to address some issues.
“Aspects of our game have let us down at a few key points in the last few games.” he said.
"We are working on that, we are working on the collective and the individual improvements.
"It's something we are working on a lot but I think we've let teams play a bit too much against us. We have the right structures in place so we need to make sure we are a bit more switched on and I think we will be this week."
While Harlequins come in to this contest with one point from their two games in Pool One, they are a side of which to be wary, as evidenced by their 20-19 win over Saracens last weekend.
They have supremely talented players all over the park, with Cooney's opposite number Danny Care in especially good form.
"I am looking forward to it, he is playing well," said Cooney of his battle with Care.
"It's something we have been watching. He’s an exciting player, but I am going to try to put pressure on him.
"They have a very talented backline. They have Mike Brown at fullback, Marcus Smith at 10, Jamie Roberts at 12 who is a good carrier. They have an awful lot of good players in that backline and it is something we are going to have to negate. That's the main plan."
Ticket for the return clash at Kingspan Stadium on Friday (15th December) are available through ulsterrugby.com/buytickets.
Cooney and his teammates take on ‘Quins again next week, back at Kingspan Stadium, before three inter-pros and then the resumption of European action. It represents an opportunity for the squad to make a statement against lauded opposition…
"These games are huge - they are the ones that you love playing in," said Cooney.
"For me and the players, we are licking our lips and really looking forward to them.
"There are two big back-to-back games, Harlequins away and then home. Then we have Connacht away which is huge for me, we have Leinster away which is the same, Munster at home, another team I love to play. Then another two quality teams in La Rochelle and Wasps. For me, I can't wait."
Ulster has totalled 12 points from a possible 15 in the last three games; a good return given the lengthy list of unavailable players due to international commitments and injuries. But a step up in performance is required from the recent outings, and Cooney says the players and coaches have worked hard to address some issues.
“Aspects of our game have let us down at a few key points in the last few games.” he said.
"We are working on that, we are working on the collective and the individual improvements.
"It's something we are working on a lot but I think we've let teams play a bit too much against us. We have the right structures in place so we need to make sure we are a bit more switched on and I think we will be this week."
While Harlequins come in to this contest with one point from their two games in Pool One, they are a side of which to be wary, as evidenced by their 20-19 win over Saracens last weekend.
They have supremely talented players all over the park, with Cooney's opposite number Danny Care in especially good form.
"I am looking forward to it, he is playing well," said Cooney of his battle with Care.
"It's something we have been watching. He’s an exciting player, but I am going to try to put pressure on him.
"They have a very talented backline. They have Mike Brown at fullback, Marcus Smith at 10, Jamie Roberts at 12 who is a good carrier. They have an awful lot of good players in that backline and it is something we are going to have to negate. That's the main plan."
Ticket for the return clash at Kingspan Stadium on Friday (15th December) are available through ulsterrugby.com/buytickets.