Prop Callum Black had the honour of leading Ulster out against Glasgow with his daughter, Orla, to mark his 100th appearance in the white shirt and he topped the night off by scoring his first try for the Province.
Black’s touchdown was Ulster’s only try as they beat the defending champions 13-10 at Kingspan Stadium to return to the top of the Guinness PRO12.
Now that he has broken his duck, he’s hoping the floodgates will open: “It was a nice little bonus as I hadn’t scored in the previous 99 games. I was just happy to get the win and the try and hopefully I won’t get any more stick as I’d been getting a bit over the last few weeks,” he said.
“People are saying that I’m now going to have to wait another 100 games for my second try, but this could be the start of it now - I could have got my mojo back and I could be scoring every week from now on,” joked Black.
The 29-year-old is fighting with Kyle McCall for the starting loosehead position and he believes the competition is driving both players on.
“Kyle has done a great job. He hasn’t much experience but he has been around the squad ever since I’ve been here for five odd years. He’s a great guy and a very skilful player, with a huge work rate and some of the shifts he has put in for the side is great credit to him.
“We’re all a tight group. If he is playing I’ll back him and I’m sure it’s the same the other way and it’s great to see young guys coming through. It’s great to have that competition because it makes you improve your own game and you can’t afford to get comfortable.
“With Les in charge, if you’re not performing one week, then someone else will come in and take your jersey so you have to be on your money.”
Ulster were pushed all the way by Glasgow but another strong second half performance was enough to get them over the line.
“We said in the changing room at the end that things aren’t going our way but it shows the character of the side if we can win ugly at times. But obviously there is a lot to work on - we are missing out on a few bonus points here and there, which could be vital, but the win comes first.
“It’s all about momentum and we have this run of games at home and we have to use that to our advantage because we feel as a side - and I’m sure the supporters think it too - we should be beating everyone at home.
“This block of games leading up to the break is really when we have to get some distance between the other teams and get a solid place at the top of the table."
One point separates the top four teams in the PRO12 and Ulster face Scarlets, who are three places below them in the table, on Sunday at Kingspan Stadium.
“Every game is massive at the moment and we need to keep this winning run going. Scarlets are a very tough side and on their day they are one of the top sides in the league so we have to go up a notch or two from Glasgow and I think it will be a step up.”
Black’s touchdown was Ulster’s only try as they beat the defending champions 13-10 at Kingspan Stadium to return to the top of the Guinness PRO12.
Now that he has broken his duck, he’s hoping the floodgates will open: “It was a nice little bonus as I hadn’t scored in the previous 99 games. I was just happy to get the win and the try and hopefully I won’t get any more stick as I’d been getting a bit over the last few weeks,” he said.
“People are saying that I’m now going to have to wait another 100 games for my second try, but this could be the start of it now - I could have got my mojo back and I could be scoring every week from now on,” joked Black.
The 29-year-old is fighting with Kyle McCall for the starting loosehead position and he believes the competition is driving both players on.
“Kyle has done a great job. He hasn’t much experience but he has been around the squad ever since I’ve been here for five odd years. He’s a great guy and a very skilful player, with a huge work rate and some of the shifts he has put in for the side is great credit to him.
“We’re all a tight group. If he is playing I’ll back him and I’m sure it’s the same the other way and it’s great to see young guys coming through. It’s great to have that competition because it makes you improve your own game and you can’t afford to get comfortable.
“With Les in charge, if you’re not performing one week, then someone else will come in and take your jersey so you have to be on your money.”
Ulster were pushed all the way by Glasgow but another strong second half performance was enough to get them over the line.
“We said in the changing room at the end that things aren’t going our way but it shows the character of the side if we can win ugly at times. But obviously there is a lot to work on - we are missing out on a few bonus points here and there, which could be vital, but the win comes first.
“It’s all about momentum and we have this run of games at home and we have to use that to our advantage because we feel as a side - and I’m sure the supporters think it too - we should be beating everyone at home.
“This block of games leading up to the break is really when we have to get some distance between the other teams and get a solid place at the top of the table."
One point separates the top four teams in the PRO12 and Ulster face Scarlets, who are three places below them in the table, on Sunday at Kingspan Stadium.
“Every game is massive at the moment and we need to keep this winning run going. Scarlets are a very tough side and on their day they are one of the top sides in the league so we have to go up a notch or two from Glasgow and I think it will be a step up.”