Assistant Coach, Dan Soper, told the media briefing that the team are looking forward to an opportunity to progress to the Quarter Finals of the Challenge Cup with a victory this weekend. However, Soper noted that Montpellier will be a tough challenge for the province to face.
Thoughts on this stage of the season
"We had two weeks away in South Africa, bonded as a group but ultimately, we have five league games and a knock-out game. We are in a position where every game is a knock-out. We can still control it, that’s a positive thing, if we can execute and continue to improve, it will put us in a good position.
We have to take it one game at a time, we can’t get carried away. We will go to Montpellier and need to perform really well to give us a chance to have a last eight game. We are a long, long way from thinking about the trophy."
Fresh start
"With Richie coming in, it feels like a fresh start. This game shifts the focus away from the league this week and its quite nice. We haven’t done as well as we liked when it comes to knock-out games, we have done exceptionally well with league position but we haven’t been able to finish the job come knock-out. We have a clear plan for the weekend and hopefully we can show that on the pitch."
Montpellier challenge
"It will be a massive test, they had a poor start to the season but they are a big French team who have flair amongst their team. We have had mixed success against French teams this season, so it will be a big challenge. It’s been refreshing to have a new set of eyes and share their thoughts on how we can adapt."
Club captain, Iain Henderson, who missed last weekend's defeat against DHL Stormers through illness, says the squad are excited for a knock-out match this weekend in France.
Opportunity
"It's a huge opportunity for us, our European knock-out record in recent years hasn’t been a proud one but it’s one where we want to take a step forward in and right a few wrongs. We won’t get ahead of ourselves about where we should be, but we are looking forward to taking on good opposition this weekend."
On how to improve knock-out record
"If I knew the answer, I would have implemented it a number of years ago. I have the same excitement and buzz going into this game as I have the past ones. The young guys who have been in this position before are chomping at the bit for another knock-out game.
It's exciting for older lads to be involved in a squad with so many young guys who are excited for knock-out rugby.
Richie (Murphy) has came in and we know there is a lot of work to be done, a lot has been covered in last two weeks and we are seeing massive strides in our learnings on an almost session by session basis. If we see those coming out over the next few weeks it will be strides forward in changing that record."
On leading as captain with changes around the club
"I enjoy the challenging times. I’ve seen a handful of head coaches and CEO changes. I’ve seen things become moving parts when you think it might have been stable. It’s exciting and good for the young players to be exposed to that early in their career, some of our issue is we get too comfortable and think it's always going to be picture perfect. Its not the case in many walks of life, them being exposed to that side of things and re-adjust with the changing picture around them is good for them. I enjoy trying to help.
A few people have steered the ship in the management and the staff which has been really helpful for the players. Its important because the guys look to some kind of stability in the changing world of Ulster Rugby. It's only being looked at as an exciting point of view, we think about what can happen as opposed to worrying about what has happened."
Focus for rest of season
"We are back at the business end of the season. There are only four matches left this season in this competition. Ideally we want to be involved in more than one of them, ideally we want to get over one big hurdle this weekend and then we’ll worry about that later down the line. This weekend is the focus. Its exciting to play rugby in a new place."
Ulster wing, Rob Baloucoune, also spoke to reporters this week where he touched on his return from fitness issues and what his goals are for the rest of the season.
On getting back playing
"I’d been off for a few weeks with trying to get my form and fitness back up again. I’ve struggled this year to player to play at my full fitness and to the potential I want to play at.
My main goal is now to stay fit and being the best player I can be.
Richie Murphy has settled in now, a great lad, who knows what he wants as a coach. He didn’t have much time going into the games in South Africa. I think the way we played showed he has made a change and we have to keep going at it."
Montpellier focus
"Their form has been off and on with some results but they are a strong team with a few big name players so they will be tough to play against. Ultimately we will look at ourselves. We believe we are good enough to win this competition.
Results are what we need, we talked about performances then dropping off, we need to build on them rather than falling back."
On knockout rugby
"What we can do is go out there, try and perform like we know we can and the way we are trying to build on. You have one chance at knockout rugby so have to go out there and do your best."