Ulster players and fans were jubilant as they celebrated a crucial 22-11 home win against Sale Sharks on Saturday night.
The release of energy in the stadium was clear for all to see as Ulster picked up their first win of 2023 in style.
The frustration of the recent poor run of form was something that the dressing room felt each week, as Alan O'Connor, who captained the side on Saturday explained; "You cant get much more devastated than last week losing to La Rochelle at the death, we got our reward for our effort this week, we kept the faith and kept going this week towards the game.:
O'Connor said that the squad knew going into the game that they had to "bite down on our gum-shields and impose our strength and physicality on Sale".
The last time Ulster faced Sale Sharks away at the AJ Bell stadium, the province were beaten 39-0 in a disappointing defeat.
O'Connor says the squad learned lessons from that game and explained why tonight's display was different saying; "We were smarter this time around, mixed up our plays and got a bit more tempo at lineouts.
We really wanted it, we needed to want it, to bring that emotion because if we didn’t we wouldn’t be progressing in Europe. It was do or die and we did it."
Fans support
The Heineken Star of the Match, flanker Nick Timoney, said that the support of the fans at Kingspan Stadium really drove the team over the line.
"We needed this so badly, the fans haven’t had much to cheer about recently and you can forgive people for not being enthusiastic. They were unbelievable, the whole stadium just had that belief that we were going to win it."
Timoney highlighted a moment when Ulster's number 8, Springbok Duane Vermeulen, bulldozed his way through Sale's line in the second half.
"The fans were in it, Duane was running over boys and moments like that get the crowd going. The fans came wanting the positives and we found them together."
Leinster challenge
Both players are now licking their lips at a crunch last 16 clash against an in form Leinster side in Dublin.
O'Connor is relishing the challenge as he said "We might as well do it the hard way, we will enjoy that challenge and will go for it."
Timoney echoed his captain's thoughts by adding " A win against Leinster would make us feel momentum, if you want to win the Champions Cup you need to beat the likes of Leinster.
We pushed them pretty close last time but we know them well and it's going to be fun."
The match is due to be played on the weekend of 31 March - 2 April, with the exact date and kick-off time to be confirmed by tournament organisers, EPCR, in due course.
Stormers clash
The Ulster men are back in action at Kingspan Stadium again this Friday night against DHL Stormers in Round 13 of the United Rugby Championship.
The South African team - who won the inaugural URC title last season - currently sit second in the URC table and will be looking to close the gap on Leinster at the summit.
Ulster sit in fourth position and will seek to leapfrog the Vodacom Bulls into third place with a win.
Timoney said the side are excited for the test against the Stormers; " It's huge, we are going into a gap in games and you certainly don't want to be losing a game going into that period.
"It's an important game, another home game and a win would put us into a good position in the league. It could almost wipe out what has happened in the last six weeks if we can make it two wins in a row. "
Tickets are still available for Friday's big game via the link below.