While much of the attention in coming weeks will revolve around the Six Nations Championship, Ulster face a critical period against Scottish and Italian opposition, with four of the next five games on home soil.
Back-to-back home games against Edinburgh and Glasgow will be followed by a trip to Zebre, before another couple of home games against Treviso and Zebre once more.
With Director of Rugby Les Kiss set to be without his complement of Irish internationals during this period, he is pleased to note that his playing roster is due to be boosted by several players returning from injury:
“The national boys move away to work and we've always said we can back the group that's with us, the ones that are available, but it always helps when you've got more players coming back.
“Ruan (Pienaar) will be back, if not for Edinburgh then Glasgow. Marcell (Coetzee) is back soon, as is Stu Olding and Wiehahn Herbst. We would also hope that Rodney Ah You and Rob Herring could be back during that period. So that helps, not just in terms of what you can select but also in terms of how the squad prepares because you’ve got more options and there’s a greater competitiveness to your sessions.”
Currently placed sixth in the PRO12 standings with ten games remaining, Kiss’ men will be hoping to replicate last season’s excellent finish to the campaign, which resulted in a spot in the playoffs.
“Ultimately we are responsible for what we do and we need to take ownership of that. I believe in the guys; I believe we can finish this season well. We’ve got to keep our heads up and stay confident.
“There's another fifty points in the competition that we can take. We've got to carve the most out of it that we can and we’ve got a good chance to make a start in the next run of games.”
Next up for Ulster is the visit of Edinburgh to Kingspan Stadium on Friday 10th February (kick-off 7.35pm). Tickets priced from just £17 for adults and £12 for children are available now from www.ulsterrugby.com/buytickets
Back-to-back home games against Edinburgh and Glasgow will be followed by a trip to Zebre, before another couple of home games against Treviso and Zebre once more.
With Director of Rugby Les Kiss set to be without his complement of Irish internationals during this period, he is pleased to note that his playing roster is due to be boosted by several players returning from injury:
“The national boys move away to work and we've always said we can back the group that's with us, the ones that are available, but it always helps when you've got more players coming back.
“Ruan (Pienaar) will be back, if not for Edinburgh then Glasgow. Marcell (Coetzee) is back soon, as is Stu Olding and Wiehahn Herbst. We would also hope that Rodney Ah You and Rob Herring could be back during that period. So that helps, not just in terms of what you can select but also in terms of how the squad prepares because you’ve got more options and there’s a greater competitiveness to your sessions.”
Currently placed sixth in the PRO12 standings with ten games remaining, Kiss’ men will be hoping to replicate last season’s excellent finish to the campaign, which resulted in a spot in the playoffs.
“Ultimately we are responsible for what we do and we need to take ownership of that. I believe in the guys; I believe we can finish this season well. We’ve got to keep our heads up and stay confident.
“There's another fifty points in the competition that we can take. We've got to carve the most out of it that we can and we’ve got a good chance to make a start in the next run of games.”
Next up for Ulster is the visit of Edinburgh to Kingspan Stadium on Friday 10th February (kick-off 7.35pm). Tickets priced from just £17 for adults and £12 for children are available now from www.ulsterrugby.com/buytickets