Ulster's Director of Rugby Les Kiss has insisted that this Saturday's trip to Zebre is the only task in his team's mind as the Province continue to chase a top 4 finish in the Guinness PRO12.
With just 3 games remaining a win in Parma is critical for Ulster, but Kiss is not taking anything for granted against the Italian side who currently sit second from bottom of the table, acknowledging the threat that Zebre can pose particularly on home turf.
Speaking at a press conference in the Kingspan stadium on Monday afternoon, Kiss commented: “We have to prepare at a level to ensure that we don’t go over there and be 14-7 down at half-time, as happened Glasgow. We have gone over there in the past and haven’t got it right before, so this is our challenge now.”
With just a few games left to secure an all-important European Champions Cup spot, plus seek a PRO12 semi-final place, Kiss knows that every point could count during this critical period: “A bonus point win is certainly the more preferable option. It is something that we will back ourselves to get, but we also know that it won’t come by virtue of just turning up and hoping they eventually fail for you. They just don’t do that. They are a better team than that. Our mantra will be to take it point by point, play by play, moment by moment. We’ll try to build pressure and do the things that will separate the score line. It won’t be an easy task to get the bonus point, but if we can do the right things in a logical order, get the basics right, hopefully we can get what we need out of it.”
The Ulster boss conceded that he is likely to be without the services of Nick Williams (shoulder), Louis Ludik (groin) and Stuart McCloskey who picked up a shoulder injury in Ulster’s victory over Connacht at the Kingspan on April 1st. However, Kiss was buoyed by the form of Darren Cave and Tommy Bowe, who both came through the Ulster A victory over Munster A last week “in flying colours”, with Bowe making his first appearance in an Ulster jersey this season following a knee injury suffered in the World Cup quarter-final against Argentina in October.
Kick-off at the Stadio Lanfranchi is 4.00pm GMT this Saturday 16 April, with live coverage on BBC Two NI.
With just 3 games remaining a win in Parma is critical for Ulster, but Kiss is not taking anything for granted against the Italian side who currently sit second from bottom of the table, acknowledging the threat that Zebre can pose particularly on home turf.
Speaking at a press conference in the Kingspan stadium on Monday afternoon, Kiss commented: “We have to prepare at a level to ensure that we don’t go over there and be 14-7 down at half-time, as happened Glasgow. We have gone over there in the past and haven’t got it right before, so this is our challenge now.”
With just a few games left to secure an all-important European Champions Cup spot, plus seek a PRO12 semi-final place, Kiss knows that every point could count during this critical period: “A bonus point win is certainly the more preferable option. It is something that we will back ourselves to get, but we also know that it won’t come by virtue of just turning up and hoping they eventually fail for you. They just don’t do that. They are a better team than that. Our mantra will be to take it point by point, play by play, moment by moment. We’ll try to build pressure and do the things that will separate the score line. It won’t be an easy task to get the bonus point, but if we can do the right things in a logical order, get the basics right, hopefully we can get what we need out of it.”
The Ulster boss conceded that he is likely to be without the services of Nick Williams (shoulder), Louis Ludik (groin) and Stuart McCloskey who picked up a shoulder injury in Ulster’s victory over Connacht at the Kingspan on April 1st. However, Kiss was buoyed by the form of Darren Cave and Tommy Bowe, who both came through the Ulster A victory over Munster A last week “in flying colours”, with Bowe making his first appearance in an Ulster jersey this season following a knee injury suffered in the World Cup quarter-final against Argentina in October.
Kick-off at the Stadio Lanfranchi is 4.00pm GMT this Saturday 16 April, with live coverage on BBC Two NI.