Defence Coach, Jonny Bell, told the pre-match briefing that Munster would provide a tough test for Ulster and that the province are excited to work with new fly-half, Aidan Morgan and new Forwards coach, Jimmy Duffy.
On Jimmy Duffy
He’s worked with Richie before with the Under 20 set-up, an experienced coach after his time with Connacht and then Western Force. Jimmy will be coming in to assist Roddy Grant, with scrum work and with the forwards.
Aidan Morgan excitement
He’s Irish Qualified, 22 years old, exciting and having spoken to people in NZ they are disappointed to lose him. He will continue to get better and better it will obviously be a different style of rugby for him but He’s exciting and wants to play fast- paced rugby. The way Richie wants to play the game, it will suit him. It will take a bit of time for him to bed in but it’s exciting as he’s a very competitive young player who is driven well.
Munster challenge
We are excited about going down there, we are finding a bit of form but also have a huge amount of respect for Munster. We can speak about the different permutations, trying to get into that champions cup spot but we’ll focus on our own game.
You don’t go down to Thomond Park and get slightly side-tracked by other things. A brilliant challenge, they are going all guns blazing for top spot, it’s all to play for and it will be tough but we are excited by it.
We want to get points out of this game, there is no doubt about that.
Ulster back-rower, Nick Timoney, said he was looking forward to the challenge, against a Munster side who he holds a lot of admiration for.
On Munster
It’s going to be the biggest test, it’s a tough place to go, they have been on a great run of form. They are flying but we have had a nice build up and we are improving. I hope we are peaking at the right time. We’ll go down there all guns blazing and give it our best shot.
Their threats
Their attack shape has come on an incredible amount. It has clicked for them last season when they went to win the URC and they have gone on from there. Crowley does a good job orchestrating the attack, they have some nice ball-playing forwards between Coombes, Beirne and Snyman. They have physical backs, they are a pretty complete team and dangerous in all areas. We will have to be on it because if we give them easy pictures, they will take them.
Momentum from Leinster victory
We hadn’t been defending well for a while but against Leinster we found that buzz again so hopefully we can take that into this weekend. It will be a step up again in the challenge.
We needed that win as a club. It was a good day out, atmosphere, nice weather, everyone was buzzing.
That can give us good momentum, and hopefully at the right time.
Ulster prop, Tom O'Toole, was last up for media, telling reporters that he was excited to get into a scrum battle against his Munster counterparts.
On working with Jimmy Duffy
I haven’t worked with Jimmy but it’s new, fresh and really exciting to get to work with him. A fresh face in the forwards room and I look forward to work with him for scrummaging. It will be good to have someone come in who can consistently work on it.
On this weekend
I think confidence is high, we feel fresh and ready to go this week. It will be an interesting fixture. It’s been difficult in my career, some close games too. Tough place to go, they pride themselves there as we do at home. Munster inspired a lot of teams with what they did last year, they look good again with eight wins on the bounce and they have changed their style a bit with their expansiveness. It will be exiting.
Physical battle
Me and Jeremy Loughman will have a bit of fun out there against each other out there and will go at each other in the scrums. They have a lot of talented guys in their team, full of athletes, good poachers. We have improved in our breakdown so we need to show that this weekend. The breakdown will be a huge test.