Ulster's Forwards Coach, Roddy Grant, was up for media duties this week, where he reflected on the perofrmance against Connacht, pleasing aspects of academy players getting a chance and a look ahead to playing Munster this weekend.
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On players returning
“Hopefully some of the guys are returning from head injuries, we have a couple of guys who will miss this week with HIA protocols, but hopefully some back and guys are being assessed. The Ireland international guys are back.
They have come back in really keen and really enthusiastic to get back with Ulster. They’ve brought good energy coming back in and are desperate to play."
On Connacht conclusion
"We definitely took some steps forward against Connacht, it was a good collective showing. We had good contact in both halves, but made some errors which was frustrating. It’s always a difficult one, we played well in some areas and at some points in the game, we put ourselves in a position to win but we didn’t, it's frustrating that we didn’t.
We made improvements from the first two rounds but we are disappointed in some areas that we didn’t execute. It turns around quickly though and now we have to be ready for the reigning champions."
On academy players making their debuts
"It's important to have home-grown guys coming through, Joe Hopes did well coming in. Young forwards need time in the saddle, minutes to encourage their growth and hopefully there will be more to come for him this season. We thought they were ready, Reuben Crothers was unfortunate, but they are ready for the league. They are at the start of their careers and at the start of their journey. There is time to improve."
On Munster
"We’ve seen their pre-season games, they have gone well in the opening rounds and will welcome their Irish guys back too, they are great players.
They are a good pack, the champions and you don’t get that for nothing. Irregardless of who plays they will have good depth, Munster traditionally have a lot of pride in their pack."
On injuries in the pack
"It is what it is. You pick who you have got and trust the guys who you select. It’s a squad, we have numbers, guys will hopefully step up and we have faith in our training that people get better."
Ulster's Vice-Captain, Alan O'Connor, also spoke the the press about the side's disappointment in narrowly losing to Connacht and how the team aim to hit back against Munster.
Connacht analysis
"We learned a lot about our defence, it was really good for about 60 minutes, they got a few easy entries into our 22 through ill-discipline and got soft tries in my view.
It goes to show if your set piece functions properly, you can cause damage. Ours didn’t go too well, their lineout defence was good and despite having good positions to attack from, we didn’t always make the most of those."
Seeing young players shine
"I was really proud of the young lads, I thought they stepped up. Reuben Crothers was unfortunate, he ran really hard and that can happen sometimes in rugby. He will be back, Joe Hopes off the bench made some really good tackles. Ben Carson was really good- he was actually a late call-up to the bench, so he should also be really proud of himself.
What a game to do it in an interpro against Connacht, that we almost got the win in."
On Ireland international returning
"They are good, top professionals and have immediately brought good intent and a new buzz into the environment. I know they are looking forward to getting out for a home interpro. No better way to get back into things."
On Munster clash
"Munster is always tough. Playing good stuff, a few good wins and they are the champions. It should be be a good game."