Richie Murphy on...
Cardiff importance
It’s at the end of a six week block for us and it’s a really important game for us. Four wins out of six matches would be quite satisfying but three wins would just be a pass. We go to Cardiff, it will be difficult, it was my first home game here against them and we found it really tough to beat them so it will be an interesting to see how we get on and hopefully show that progression since then.
Cardiff are coming off the back of a three game losing streak and are in front of their fans so it will be a very difficult and fully committed. With ball in hand they can cause you threats in the channels, at the breakdown they cause you problems. We are fully aware of that and concentrating on our own game.
International break
There will be a lot of hard work for the guys who aren’t going to Irish camp in November but we’ll be getting ready for a really busy December period.
Focus on away win
You have to be good away from home. The measure of a team is how you do when you aren’t playing in front of your own fans. The lads are excited, training has been focused and there has been a good buzz about the place.
Jacob Stockdale's form
He is working hard at his game, has got confidence back and is playing with a bit of freedom. He is also helping some of the younger lads around him, so I think we are seeing the real strengths of his game over the past few weeks.
Young hooker, James McCormick, spoke to the media for the first time in the lead up to a match, with the former Irish U20 man eager to keep up his form, after scoring his first two senior ulster tries last weekend against Ospreys.
James McCormick on...
Scoring his first tries in an Ulster shirt
It was really good, coming into it you aren’t thinking about tries. The lads turned up, good lineouts, good scrums and we got into position and I had the easy one to start with and then a tap and go!
The last few weeks
It’s been good, South Africa was really good for us. We won against Glasgow, played OK against Lions and then got a punch against the Bulls that brought us down to ground level, worked at things that didn’t work so well and hopefully we are building each week. We want to finish off the block strong.
Young players getting their chance
I hadn’t played until this year, James Humphreys has come in and the academy lads are all training with the senior side. It’s a bit hectic at training but it also becomes easier for a player to get dropped in as they know what they are doing.
Stepping up
I’ve been here since I came out of school, so four years and I’ve been injured for a lot of it. You see guys taking their chance and I’m focusing on trying to get better every week.
Cardiff away
It’s easy to turn up here at Kingspan Stadium on a Friday or Saturday night with the crowd behind you. When we go away we want to put in a performance, create our own energy and bring it to Cardiff.
After scoring Ulster's all important bonus-point try last weekend against Ospreys, Marcus Rea, talked about staying patient for his chance in the team and looking ahead to Cardiff.
Marcus Rea on...
Scoring last weekend
I was pleased, I had been gutted to not get over for the South Africa trip but put my head down, played a few club games for Ballynahinch RFC. It was good to get time on the pitch. Coming back and getting the nod was good so I had to perform off the back of that. Competition in the back row is crazy at the minute so every opportunity is huge.
Test in Wales
Cardiff are going to be a different challenge for us, it’s a tough place to go play at, they have some good players – young talent and quick centres, but we are focused on ourselves and want to put our game on them.
We have spoken about playing away in pre-season, we want to be very good at home with our fanbase but we need to take it on the road with us. Coming into European games and big Irish derbies, we need to be able to perform away from home.
Staying patient for his opportunity
It’s tough, you ask yourself questions and doubt comes in but you have to remain focused. Richie has been very good at explaining what you have to improve on, why you aren’t playing and you can look at building a plan off the back of it. When those honest conversations come around, he is very good at dealing with them.
Competition for places
A lot of people have stepped up. Dave, Nick, Izzy has came through and been brilliant so its fantastic to do well. I don’t shy away from it and it makes you better and brings my game up. It’s the same in every position.