Ulster face the Westerners at Kingspan Stadium knowing that everything is at stake. If Ulster defeat their away opponents, they would progress to a home semi-final against either DHL Stormers or Vodacom Bulls. The guarantee of a home semi-final was the reward for a hard fought second placed finish in the BKT United Rugby Championship regular season, but the side know that in a play-off match anything can happen.
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Ulster Head Coach Dan McFarland, who used to play and coach at Connacht, began the match briefing by analysing the threat that the Westerners will pose.
"We had a really tough game up in the Sportsground earlier in the season, Jack Carty missed a kick at end to draw it. It's always a competitive game against Connacht, we definitely are not looking beyond a massive interpro derby in a play-off game at home.
Connacht have had a real resurgence, a tough start to the year, they had a number of tough away games and momentum is a funny thing in sport as we all know. They have won 5 out of last 6, that’s a testament to the work that Andy Friend and Pete Wilkins have made."
On Connacht threats
"They will come hungry, it’s do or die in play-offs we expect an extremely physical, intense side coming to play against us.
They are extremely tenacious around breakdown and contact, in your face the whole time, they live on the offside line to get up and at you and try to disrupt your breakdown. They also have a great counter attack and turnover games, they score a lot of tries from those. Jack Carty I have a lot of admiration for, he has evolved into orchestrating that side very well, we expect more of the same, we will have a plan in place.
He manages the game in attack, they are fast and punchy, Caolin Blade is playing so well too so we have to look after those guys. Mack Hansen and Bundee Aki stand out as dangerous backs. Finlay Bealham has been in terrific form, they are impressive as individuals and as a whole team."
On Quarter Final focus
"In my head, this is about this week. This is an extremely big task ahead of us, the team should feel proud of finishing 2nd in the BKT URC, we scored 75 tries, won 13 out of 18 and we showed we can win tough games even with a sticky patch.
You don’t want to be on the beach with rocks under our sun towel, the preparation and way you go about it stays the same. We have the same process but with the nature of a play-off there is that extra intensity."
On Roddy Grant extension
"Delighted Roddy is staying, he is a right-hand man for me. When he arrived he hadn’t coached a forward pack but I knew him from Scotland and I knew then he was somebody I wanted to work with. He had a steep learning curve, he had a mentor with me but we talk through stuff. He is driven his own development and is a key member of the team."
Ulster's Grand Slam winning lock, Kieran Treadwell, says that he is excited at the prospect of battling his interprovincial rivals for a place in the semi-finals.
On the derby match-up
"There is a massive edge, you are playing an interpro against your neighbours, there are bragging rights on the line. You are facing players in a similar position to compete internationally, so you want to put that forceful step forward in your province."
On pressure
"There is always pressure with play-offs, you lose you are out but I suppose the momentum from the last five wins will be massive going into it. We are focused on us, there will be less opportunities and we need to be clinical. The onus is on us to convert them."
On facing his Ireland teammates
" We have to nullify them and focus on our own game. Bundee Aki for example is abrasive and a very competitive character, he will be looking to feed on little wins and when we get our own, we have to celebrate our wins."
Ulster centre, James Hume, echoed his teammates thoughts on some of Connacht's star players.
"They have quality international players. Bundee Aki is a big ball carrier and the heart and soul of the backline. Mack Hansen can pull a rabbit out of a hat, great offloading and kicking skills. We have to try keep both of them under our control."
On Munster Quarter Final win last season
"Thinking back to Munster last year, it was such a memorable win and gave us a push into the semi-final, so I hope we have a similar atmosphere. It was one of those days that everything clicked, I felt so confident so this week I’m trying to piece together my preparation going into that game.
The mindset of the whole squad has switched, our physicality went up tenfold in our last interpro, so we need to step it up and need to bring it into the quarter-final."