Jimmy Duffy on...
His first competitive home match
It was brilliant to be in the different coach’s box to sample that, a noisy crowd which is great and a welcome change to have it on my side! Brilliant to get off to a win against top quality opposition. It’s the ideal start.
On his decision to join the coaching staff at Ulster
It didn’t take a lot of thought, it’s a massive club with a lot of history. Richie and I go back a long way and have built a relationship on honesty. He told me it’s a young group, but a really exciting group. The most pleasing thing for me (from a forward's perspective) is the majority of them are in their young twenties, if people can get behind them you are looking at a squad who can be here for the next ten or twelve years which is impressive.
There’s a lot of evolution but the new guard are ready and the older guys in team are relishing the teaching opportunities. Exciting times ahead with an ambitious squad.
On losing players to Emerging Ireland
It's a challenge but what we want to do is build a team where when you make changes you stay in the same position. That’s something we need to do. You can’t rely on the same faces all the time so you have to keep things fresh and it creates an opportunities for others to raise their hand.
Marty Moore's retirement
I’ve only came through the door, but Marty has left a great legacy as to what a tighthead for an Ulsterman should be. Disappointed but that’s life and whatever is best for him and his family is crucial.
Impact of the Ulster crowd
It’s always been a very vocal stadium, a really knowledgable crowd of passionate rugby people. You can feel it, the lads feed off it too it’s a team they get behind. It’s in the DNA of the club and the boys are conscious of the effect they have on those around them.
South Africa preparations
Altitude is a big thing, they like to play and hurt you when you aren’t accurate. Lions have a solid set piece, dangerous counter attacking threats, we will have to be accurate and not give away silly opportunities.
A great test to travel and then play a team who won 8 of the last 11 games last year. We are very aware of the threat they pose.
John Andrew on...
Glasgow victory
There was a buzz but also probably a little bit of relief as well, I don’t think any of us thought that we played amazing but we found a way to win and dug in for that last set at the line. When you win, it makes it easier coming in than if you didn’t get that try but we are under no illusions that we need to play better and improve but at the end of the day we won.
We take a lot of confidence from winning ugly but we know that going to South Africa generally these teams finish off pretty strong, they are used to the altitude, so hopefully we perform better so it's not left as late!
South Africa trip
It's a little bit different than a normal away trip because it’s so far to travel and you are away for twelve or so days and around each other 24/7. Most away trips we are away a couple of days, so you can go home and switch off or relax but it’s not just as easy to do that over there. The travel looks good with no stop-overs, we enjoy it when we are there and they are good trips.
On game-time
I’m not looking past every game, if you start to think 'I can play this game or that game' you’ll end up not performing the way you want. I’m happy to play whenever and try perform my best. I was happy to get a start against Glasgow, get a few minutes, see where I’m at and what needs improved.
Marty Moore's retirement announcement
Marty is a great lad, we all in the squad wish him all the best and he will be a big miss. I think at times for us he was the best tighthead prop in the world when playing. For us, he’ll leave a big hole in the squad as a person, we all loved him. It’s not nice to see someone retire but he’s made the right decision for himself and we hope he is alright.
Werner Kok on...
Atmosphere at Kingspan Stadium
It was amazing, I was sat on the bench for the first 60 minutes and I was shaking! I just wanted to get out onto the pitch. When I got the opportunity it was phenomenal, I couldn’t hear my teammates next to me and the crowd was insane.
On finding his 'twin' in the crowd
I saw my twin! I will adopt him as my twin and hopefully he comes to each game like that!
Belief in the team
Playing against the champions always adds pressure. Ending the game like that with a win gives the boys a lot of confidence. We can improve but the way we stuck in there and worked for each other is a big compliment for the team.
On the South Africa challenge
It’s going to be rough. In South Africa, the altitude is going to be a big difference and the heat is going to be tough. I know the plan that we have to manage the game and when we get the opportunity try to finish our chances.