Kane positive ahead of Scotstoun showdown

Prop Ross Kane is eagerly anticipating another taste of knock-out rugby when Ulster travel to face Glasgow in the last four of the Guinness PRO14 tomorrow night (Scotstoun Stadium, 7.35pm). With Marty Moore and Wiehahn Herbst having manned the tight-head side of the scrum during the Champions Cup quarter-final clash with Leinster, the win over Connacht two weeks ago at the same stage of the PRO14 was the first time Kane had featured in such a high-level contest. Having relished the challenge that day, the former Methody Danske Bank Schools' Cup winning captain can't wait to get out there again. "These big knockout games lie alongside the European games in that it adds a little bit extra," he said. "(The Leinster quarter-final) shows that we can perform to that level and that’s the kind of level we need to be performing at for the rest of the games. That sets the bar. It's knockout rugby so it’s all a bit special. "I think everyone sees the positives and sees the excitement, the build-up, the crowd and atmosphere. Everyone is looking forward and everything is about seeing where we get now. "I feel like we’ve built a really good environment and I’d say everyone would say the same thing about the really positive attitude we’ve had towards every game." The Province knows the size of the task at Scotstoun, where Glasgow have only lost one league game all year, but Kane thinks the resilience already shown throughout the season can serve the visitors well in a game where they'll have to dig deep. "You can see in quite a few of the games that when push comes to shove we’re always fighting in the last minute," he said. "Whether to nail it back for the win, or come back to get the draw in the Treviso game, there’s a kind of ‘never die’ attitude in the team at the moment. "I don’t think anyone’s looking at previous records and the negative side of things, everyone is totally focused on the positives and what we need to do." Everyone at Ulster will be hoping the season has another week to run, but as 2018/19 draws near it's conclusion, there's no denying it's been a good campaign for Kane. The 24-year-old, who has been deputising for the injured Marty Moore of late, has made more appearances than even before this season, despite competition from Moore and his fellow Abbey Insurance Ulster Academy graduate Tom O'Toole. "I’ve a lot of pride in representing Ulster. Any time I take the jersey and put it on, it’s an incredible experience," he said. "I feel like you just need to show your worth when you do get the opportunity so I’ve got to take it with both hands. "I think it’s been a good season. It’s been tough and obviously Marty has come in and done really well and shown on the pitch that he deserves to be there. "Tom and I have been battling for a spot in the squad and Wiehahn at the start of the season. "There have been very few injuries on the tight-head side and everyone has been fighting for the two jerseys, and I feel that brings out the best in everyone. You can learn more in that sort of environment. “And with Gareth (Milasinovich) coming in next year it will mean more opportunities to push yourself and better yourself."