Irish international Jared Payne made a welcome return to the Ulster team for last week's 17-22 victory over Glasgow in Scotstoun.
Payne played that game at full back, but will start at outside centre on Saturday evening for the Round 5 visit of Ospreys to Kingspan Stadium.
Indeed, the entire back-line has been reshuffled as Director of Rugby Les Kiss continues to manage his squad during an intense period of games plus several injuries. Nonetheless, Payne indicates he would be content with any position in the first XV:
“There is some serious talent across the back-line, we're lucky to have such a wealth of international quality there. It doesn’t matter if you’ve played 1 game or 100 - if you’re not playing well you won’t get in the team.”
While Ulster have started off the season in bright fashion, securing four wins from the opening four rounds, Payne admits there is still plenty to work on:
“We are doing some good things but some poor things too. We are addressing as we go along, we know we are not the finished package. I don't know if it is the most talented Ulster team I have played with but it is definitely the most honest; they are really good at addressing what has gone wrong regardless of the result. Everyone is keen to get better. It's exciting to believe that there is more to come even though we are winning matches.”
As exciting as the exploits on the pitch are, Jared is also getting used to some changes off the pitch as he recently became a father to 10-week-old Jake. There were certainly no visible adverse effects to lack of sleep in his performance last weekend, so here’s hoping for more of the same this week!
TICKETING: Seated tickets for Saturday’s game are now SOLD OUT - Limited terrace tickets are still available and can be purchased online here.
Payne played that game at full back, but will start at outside centre on Saturday evening for the Round 5 visit of Ospreys to Kingspan Stadium.
Indeed, the entire back-line has been reshuffled as Director of Rugby Les Kiss continues to manage his squad during an intense period of games plus several injuries. Nonetheless, Payne indicates he would be content with any position in the first XV:
“There is some serious talent across the back-line, we're lucky to have such a wealth of international quality there. It doesn’t matter if you’ve played 1 game or 100 - if you’re not playing well you won’t get in the team.”
While Ulster have started off the season in bright fashion, securing four wins from the opening four rounds, Payne admits there is still plenty to work on:
“We are doing some good things but some poor things too. We are addressing as we go along, we know we are not the finished package. I don't know if it is the most talented Ulster team I have played with but it is definitely the most honest; they are really good at addressing what has gone wrong regardless of the result. Everyone is keen to get better. It's exciting to believe that there is more to come even though we are winning matches.”
As exciting as the exploits on the pitch are, Jared is also getting used to some changes off the pitch as he recently became a father to 10-week-old Jake. There were certainly no visible adverse effects to lack of sleep in his performance last weekend, so here’s hoping for more of the same this week!
TICKETING: Seated tickets for Saturday’s game are now SOLD OUT - Limited terrace tickets are still available and can be purchased online here.