Young prop Ross Kane insists that home advantage could be decisive ahead of Ulster's critical Champions Cup play-off against Ospreys.
Sunday’s match at Kingspan Stadium will decide who earns the Guinness PRO14’s seventh spot in the top tier of European rugby next season, so Kane knows the pressure is on.
Tickets for the game, which is part of the Guinness PRO14 Final Series, are available from just £12 for children and £17 for adults via ulsterrugby.com/buytickets.
“We’ve a big task ahead of us but we’re ready for the challenge,” says the 23-year-old tighthead. “We played them only a few weeks ago so we know it’s going to be a difficult game. They’ve been doing really well and have won 7 out of their last 10 PRO14 games. So, it’ll be tough but we’re up for the task.
“It will be a huge occasion and I think the home advantage is definitely a big positive for us. Any game you play at home is definitely helpful, but particularly in the big games. Hopefully there will be a big crowd and we’ll give them something to cheer about.”
When Ulster take to the pitch on Sunday it will have been three weeks since their last competitive game, but as Kane states, the lapse in time has done nothing to dull the team’s hunger to deliver a win for their home crowd.
“Having such a long break is not the norm. Usually you get your day or two at the weekend and then you’re straight back into focusing so we’ve just tried to keep that concentration and working on improving as individuals and as a collective.
“We’ve been making good strides in our scrum, we’ve been doing a lot of work on our set-ups and various other bits and pieces with Aaron [Dundon] and I definitely think that we’re seeing positive progress from the work that we’re putting in.”
It has been a mixed season for Kane who suffered his own injury disappointments, but he has shown grit and determination to work his way back to fitness for the business end of the campaign.
“It was a tough start to the season for me but you just have to fight and try to force your way into the team. I’ve been lucky to get my chance and get back involved.
Kane has insisted the emergence of Abbey Insurance Academy players, such as Tom O’Toole who will deputise for the Bangor man, has helped to push the senior players to produce better performances.
“There are 8 Academy players that have been blooded this season, that will be 9 if Jack Regan plays against Ospreys. It’s just great to see they’re always behind you making you improve your game and pushing for places in the match day 23. That make makes you want to prove that you’re still worthy of a place.”
Sunday’s match at Kingspan Stadium will decide who earns the Guinness PRO14’s seventh spot in the top tier of European rugby next season, so Kane knows the pressure is on.
Tickets for the game, which is part of the Guinness PRO14 Final Series, are available from just £12 for children and £17 for adults via ulsterrugby.com/buytickets.
“We’ve a big task ahead of us but we’re ready for the challenge,” says the 23-year-old tighthead. “We played them only a few weeks ago so we know it’s going to be a difficult game. They’ve been doing really well and have won 7 out of their last 10 PRO14 games. So, it’ll be tough but we’re up for the task.
“It will be a huge occasion and I think the home advantage is definitely a big positive for us. Any game you play at home is definitely helpful, but particularly in the big games. Hopefully there will be a big crowd and we’ll give them something to cheer about.”
When Ulster take to the pitch on Sunday it will have been three weeks since their last competitive game, but as Kane states, the lapse in time has done nothing to dull the team’s hunger to deliver a win for their home crowd.
“Having such a long break is not the norm. Usually you get your day or two at the weekend and then you’re straight back into focusing so we’ve just tried to keep that concentration and working on improving as individuals and as a collective.
“We’ve been making good strides in our scrum, we’ve been doing a lot of work on our set-ups and various other bits and pieces with Aaron [Dundon] and I definitely think that we’re seeing positive progress from the work that we’re putting in.”
It has been a mixed season for Kane who suffered his own injury disappointments, but he has shown grit and determination to work his way back to fitness for the business end of the campaign.
“It was a tough start to the season for me but you just have to fight and try to force your way into the team. I’ve been lucky to get my chance and get back involved.
Kane has insisted the emergence of Abbey Insurance Academy players, such as Tom O’Toole who will deputise for the Bangor man, has helped to push the senior players to produce better performances.
“There are 8 Academy players that have been blooded this season, that will be 9 if Jack Regan plays against Ospreys. It’s just great to see they’re always behind you making you improve your game and pushing for places in the match day 23. That make makes you want to prove that you’re still worthy of a place.”