As Ulster thrillingly won the Guinness PRO12 clash with Connacht by 10-3, one of the cornerstones of the side, Franco van der Merwe, bore a satisfied look.
“I think the guys showed really great character towards the end and showed the momentum of the last few games and the confidence which has grown in the team,” said the South African lock.
As the competition’s third most successful lineout ball winner, it was hardly surprising that he’d played a major part in kick-starting a tense affair at the Galway Sportsground. His steal in the set piece had brought about the penalty chance which Paddy Jackson gratefully converted to break the stalemate after a scoreless 30 minutes.
But the big forward, who goes so efficiently about his work, was delighted that Ulster had shown its ability to adapt to different circumstances and opposition in an inter-pro won just three minutes from time when Luke Marshall’s drive for the line was thwarted, only for the marauding Nick Williams to pounce and score the game’s only try.
“We are starting to believe in the way we want to play; it’s taken us a while to get there. A couple of games back we struggled a bit to do that, but I think the boys really bought into it great and you can now see the momentum and the confidence the guys have going into matches.”
Van der Merwe had been delighted with the Champions Cup double over Toulouse and he clearly took just as much pleasure from closing out a game with Connacht, who had a rather different game plan.
“It was a physical game throughout and we dealt with everything thrown at us. We were controlled and, for the most part, very disciplined.
“Unbeaten in December, we go into the New Year clash with Munster at Kingspan Stadium with that confidence growing. We really think we are competitive on two fronts still and that we can achieve something this year, as a squad and for the supporters.”
Clearly enjoying Ulster’s fine run of form, Franco said the current Ulster squad had a depth and quality which, he felt, could make this season a special one:
“You can actually feel the confidence in players who perhaps were lacking that a month or so back, but we are being encouraged to back ourselves by the coaching team, and recent results are, shall we say, encouraging.”
And with that the second row was off to soothe some bruises and aching limbs after a ferociously contested affair at The Sportsground, but eager to be healthy and as eager as always for the visit of Munster to the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday.
“I think the guys showed really great character towards the end and showed the momentum of the last few games and the confidence which has grown in the team,” said the South African lock.
As the competition’s third most successful lineout ball winner, it was hardly surprising that he’d played a major part in kick-starting a tense affair at the Galway Sportsground. His steal in the set piece had brought about the penalty chance which Paddy Jackson gratefully converted to break the stalemate after a scoreless 30 minutes.
But the big forward, who goes so efficiently about his work, was delighted that Ulster had shown its ability to adapt to different circumstances and opposition in an inter-pro won just three minutes from time when Luke Marshall’s drive for the line was thwarted, only for the marauding Nick Williams to pounce and score the game’s only try.
“We are starting to believe in the way we want to play; it’s taken us a while to get there. A couple of games back we struggled a bit to do that, but I think the boys really bought into it great and you can now see the momentum and the confidence the guys have going into matches.”
Van der Merwe had been delighted with the Champions Cup double over Toulouse and he clearly took just as much pleasure from closing out a game with Connacht, who had a rather different game plan.
“It was a physical game throughout and we dealt with everything thrown at us. We were controlled and, for the most part, very disciplined.
“Unbeaten in December, we go into the New Year clash with Munster at Kingspan Stadium with that confidence growing. We really think we are competitive on two fronts still and that we can achieve something this year, as a squad and for the supporters.”
Clearly enjoying Ulster’s fine run of form, Franco said the current Ulster squad had a depth and quality which, he felt, could make this season a special one:
“You can actually feel the confidence in players who perhaps were lacking that a month or so back, but we are being encouraged to back ourselves by the coaching team, and recent results are, shall we say, encouraging.”
And with that the second row was off to soothe some bruises and aching limbs after a ferociously contested affair at The Sportsground, but eager to be healthy and as eager as always for the visit of Munster to the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday.