Sunday may bring him a European debut in Ulster colours, but for Pete Browne it as just another game, content that his performances are 'naturally progessing' and that he is equipped for the challenge ahead.
While the 28-year-old has lined out on 19 previous occasions for Ulster, all of those have come in the confines of the Guinness PRO12.
Having joined the Province from London Welsh last summer, Browne featured mainly for the Ulster A side, before growing in stature as the campaign evolved. He made 19 senior appearances last season, scoring two tries, and was prominent in the latter stages of the PRO12 thanks to his powerful carrying game and his ability to win vital turnovers.
Browne has enjoyed a fine start to the 2016/17 season too, featuring in five of the opening six games leading into this Champions Cup opener against Bordeaux Bègles.
“I’m basically really excited and really looking forward to the opportunity to play,” said Browne of the clash at Stade Chaban-Delmas. “I think I've made progress but I think it's also down to opportunity as well. I've had the opportunity to play more rugby and, in that way, there have been natural progressions.
“There have been areas that I've been working on - to put on a bit of weight and to scrummage on the right side. That takes a bit more out of you around the park, but I'm enjoying the challenge of all of that.
“I feel like I've added my weight to the squad in that way and I just want to get out there and ball-carry and do my job in defence.”
Les Kiss’ men will travel to Bordeaux with confidence, buoyed by successes in four of their last five matches on French soil. And despite a blip against Connacht last week - a first defeat of the season - Browne believes the squad is in good shape going into this encounter.
“We're in a really good place now. We've been honest with each other and had some good team meetings. The sessions we have done have reinforced what we're about, especially defensively, and reinforced our individual roles within the systems.”
That said, he is acutely aware that a team that has the likes of Loann Goujon, Ian Madigan and Adam Ashley-Cooper on their roster, will provide stiff opposition.
“Bordeaux have good players, a big pack and some creative backs as well. We know they're a threat at the scrum and maul and in those tight areas where they want to do stuff so we've got to be ready for that. We'll take them on physically and then move them around the park.
“We believe we can do a job and we believe in the game-plan we have. We'll be ready for it.”
It has already been a memorable week for the Bristol-born player, following his engagement last weekend, and a win in France would certainly make it even more special.
While the 28-year-old has lined out on 19 previous occasions for Ulster, all of those have come in the confines of the Guinness PRO12.
Having joined the Province from London Welsh last summer, Browne featured mainly for the Ulster A side, before growing in stature as the campaign evolved. He made 19 senior appearances last season, scoring two tries, and was prominent in the latter stages of the PRO12 thanks to his powerful carrying game and his ability to win vital turnovers.
Browne has enjoyed a fine start to the 2016/17 season too, featuring in five of the opening six games leading into this Champions Cup opener against Bordeaux Bègles.
“I’m basically really excited and really looking forward to the opportunity to play,” said Browne of the clash at Stade Chaban-Delmas. “I think I've made progress but I think it's also down to opportunity as well. I've had the opportunity to play more rugby and, in that way, there have been natural progressions.
“There have been areas that I've been working on - to put on a bit of weight and to scrummage on the right side. That takes a bit more out of you around the park, but I'm enjoying the challenge of all of that.
“I feel like I've added my weight to the squad in that way and I just want to get out there and ball-carry and do my job in defence.”
Les Kiss’ men will travel to Bordeaux with confidence, buoyed by successes in four of their last five matches on French soil. And despite a blip against Connacht last week - a first defeat of the season - Browne believes the squad is in good shape going into this encounter.
“We're in a really good place now. We've been honest with each other and had some good team meetings. The sessions we have done have reinforced what we're about, especially defensively, and reinforced our individual roles within the systems.”
That said, he is acutely aware that a team that has the likes of Loann Goujon, Ian Madigan and Adam Ashley-Cooper on their roster, will provide stiff opposition.
“Bordeaux have good players, a big pack and some creative backs as well. We know they're a threat at the scrum and maul and in those tight areas where they want to do stuff so we've got to be ready for that. We'll take them on physically and then move them around the park.
“We believe we can do a job and we believe in the game-plan we have. We'll be ready for it.”
It has already been a memorable week for the Bristol-born player, following his engagement last weekend, and a win in France would certainly make it even more special.