One of four teenagers who made their first Ulster senior appearance in Saturday's pre-season friendly versus Gloucester, Abbey Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy centre Stewart Moore is keen to get another taste of the big time action as soon as possible...
While it was no doubt a huge occasion, the 19-year-old former Ballymena Academy pupil was happy with how he dealt with the pre-match butterflies.
“The nerves were there, that's for sure, but once the game started and the crowd got behind you then you don't notice it as much. I thought I dealt with them okay. In terms of the intensity, it was a whole different level than what I had been used to - you’re dealing with different physical specimens than schoolboy rugby players. I’ve been working a lot with JP (Jared Payne) on the defensive side of things and I thought I came through pretty well there.”
Referencing the progression from the schools’ game to professional level, Moore acknowledges it’s been a steep learning curve.
“The speed of the (professional game) is crazy. At schoolboy level you want to push yourself further than anybody there. It's not a seamless transition at all. There's so much more to learn and the intensity is crazy. I think I've dealt with it okay and now I want to push on and learn more day by day.”
The young centre has been fortunate to call on the services of some established heads around the Ulster setup, from whom he can use as a soundboard for advice.
“Cavey (Darren Cave) has been brilliant on and off the field. He just drills that detail, detail, detail. It was good to have him playing alongside me. He called me out a few times but that's how it is when you're young. He's been there by my side and teaching me all he can defensively and in attack too. Stuart McCloskey is another guy who I always would’ve enjoyed watching and from working with him in pre-season you see how much skill and detail he has. You might watch him and think he's just a big carrier but he has all the tools of a top-class centre. He's taken me under his wing a bit and I’ve been really grateful for that.”
With Saturday’s experience under his belt, Moore is already looking ahead for his next opportunity to pull on the senior jersey.
“That feeling has given me a real boost and it’s addictive almost so I'm looking forward to the season now, whether I'm needed here for Ulster or for Malone. So I'm looking forward to it, there's a lot more learning to do. It's a long old season and wherever I can learn and improve, I want to do that.”
While it was no doubt a huge occasion, the 19-year-old former Ballymena Academy pupil was happy with how he dealt with the pre-match butterflies.
“The nerves were there, that's for sure, but once the game started and the crowd got behind you then you don't notice it as much. I thought I dealt with them okay. In terms of the intensity, it was a whole different level than what I had been used to - you’re dealing with different physical specimens than schoolboy rugby players. I’ve been working a lot with JP (Jared Payne) on the defensive side of things and I thought I came through pretty well there.”
Referencing the progression from the schools’ game to professional level, Moore acknowledges it’s been a steep learning curve.
“The speed of the (professional game) is crazy. At schoolboy level you want to push yourself further than anybody there. It's not a seamless transition at all. There's so much more to learn and the intensity is crazy. I think I've dealt with it okay and now I want to push on and learn more day by day.”
The young centre has been fortunate to call on the services of some established heads around the Ulster setup, from whom he can use as a soundboard for advice.
“Cavey (Darren Cave) has been brilliant on and off the field. He just drills that detail, detail, detail. It was good to have him playing alongside me. He called me out a few times but that's how it is when you're young. He's been there by my side and teaching me all he can defensively and in attack too. Stuart McCloskey is another guy who I always would’ve enjoyed watching and from working with him in pre-season you see how much skill and detail he has. You might watch him and think he's just a big carrier but he has all the tools of a top-class centre. He's taken me under his wing a bit and I’ve been really grateful for that.”
With Saturday’s experience under his belt, Moore is already looking ahead for his next opportunity to pull on the senior jersey.
“That feeling has given me a real boost and it’s addictive almost so I'm looking forward to the season now, whether I'm needed here for Ulster or for Malone. So I'm looking forward to it, there's a lot more learning to do. It's a long old season and wherever I can learn and improve, I want to do that.”