Ahead of Friday's fixture against Leinster at the RDS, Ulster fullback Peter Nelson says European defeats for both teams last week will add even more spice to an already intriguing inter-pro fixture.
Looking ahead to the Guinness PRO12 clash, Nelson said: “Every time you play Leinster it is tough. They played Bath at the weekend and lost narrowly so I don’t think they are in an awful place. The quality of players they have across the pitch is outstanding, including a strong Irish representation, so it will definitely be tough at the RDS on Friday night.”
The 23-year-old believes that past results between the two sides at the RDS will have little bearing on the outcome of this tie. “It is a formidable place to go to,” he said. “We have won and lost down there, but this is a new game so we won’t be thinking about past performances or results. We will be looking at this as a brand new game and we'll be looking for a positive result.”
Following Ulster’s 32-28 defeat in the first inter-pro of the season (against Munster last month), Nelson is expecting another tense encounter: “We have prepared this week like we would for any match. A Leinster derby always has a little bit more bite to it but those are the games that you look forward to and want to be involved in. Hopefully it will be another great game between two sides who have something to prove.”
Nelson impressed in his last appearance against Leinster and he sees Friday as another opportunity to showcase his talent: “It is always good to test yourself against the best players in Ireland. Rob Kearney has been in the international scene for a long time now, and to get a chance to prove yourself against guys like that is great.
“It is a critical PRO12 game, we want to keep climbing up the table, as do Leinster I’m sure. It will be a massive battle for points this weekend but that makes it even more exciting,” concluded Nelson.
Looking ahead to the Guinness PRO12 clash, Nelson said: “Every time you play Leinster it is tough. They played Bath at the weekend and lost narrowly so I don’t think they are in an awful place. The quality of players they have across the pitch is outstanding, including a strong Irish representation, so it will definitely be tough at the RDS on Friday night.”
The 23-year-old believes that past results between the two sides at the RDS will have little bearing on the outcome of this tie. “It is a formidable place to go to,” he said. “We have won and lost down there, but this is a new game so we won’t be thinking about past performances or results. We will be looking at this as a brand new game and we'll be looking for a positive result.”
Following Ulster’s 32-28 defeat in the first inter-pro of the season (against Munster last month), Nelson is expecting another tense encounter: “We have prepared this week like we would for any match. A Leinster derby always has a little bit more bite to it but those are the games that you look forward to and want to be involved in. Hopefully it will be another great game between two sides who have something to prove.”
Nelson impressed in his last appearance against Leinster and he sees Friday as another opportunity to showcase his talent: “It is always good to test yourself against the best players in Ireland. Rob Kearney has been in the international scene for a long time now, and to get a chance to prove yourself against guys like that is great.
“It is a critical PRO12 game, we want to keep climbing up the table, as do Leinster I’m sure. It will be a massive battle for points this weekend but that makes it even more exciting,” concluded Nelson.