In his first year as an Ulster development player, Reuben Crothers, has made a fast start to his Ulster career. The flanker has been ear-marked as someone with heaps of potential after his performances in Schools' Rugby with Wallace High School, captaining Ireland U20's to a Grand Slam in the 2022 U20 Six Nations and whilst playing his club rugby with Ballynahinch RFC.
In Round 3 of the BKT United Rugby Championship, Crothers was given the nod to start against Interprovincial rivals, Connacht, at the Sportsground Stadium in Galway.
Unfortunately his debut was cut short after two minutes on the clock, after a head collision with Shamus Hurley-Langton forced both players off with an HIA.
It was not the night Crothers had dreamed of when he envisioned how his first game in an Ulster jersey would go, but the setback didn't hold him back and two weeks later, he was ready again for a home debut against Emirates Lions.
"Obviously, I didn’t want to go off that early after two minutes and it was a hard pill to swallow at the time. I knew my body was in a good position at the time but it was out of my hands. I worked hard to get back and got back ready for the Lions match. Everyone around the club were so supportive and it was great to get back so quickly."
On a horrible, rainy night, Ulster won their third home match of the season against their South African opposition, with Crothers impressing in a solid shift against a physical Lions side.
Reflecting on his home debut, Crothers added; "It was a dream of mine to play at Kingspan Stadium, in front of a big crowd against a really tough opponent. It’s been a goal of mine since I was young and to run out there under the lights it was amazing.
There aren’t many things in life that come close to that feeling and to get the win made it even more special."
Crothers added, "I was nervous before the game, I always would have some nerves but it was because we were so driven to win the match and it was my first run-out at home.
The first few minutes I could definitely feel the nerves, maybe not being around the ball in the opening minutes, to try and not replicate what happened in Connacht but it was great.
Hendy had a few words with me in the changing room, the team always come around those who are maybe feeling a bit of nerves and everyone was really supportive."
After the match he was able to share the moment with his family and friends in the stands, adding "It felt a bit rushed with the rain pouring down but it was a special moment seeing my mum, dad and my girlfriend after the game.
Since the age of six my parents have been coming to all my games so it was a special moment to share that with them."
Dan McFarland's side have made a strong start to the season, with four wins in five BKT URC matches leaving the province in third position with 18 points.
Through the five rounds, the squad has been heavily rotated, offering the likes of Crothers an opportunity to stake his claim.
The flanker says that playing alongside the likes of Dave Ewers, Nick Timoney and David McCann in the back-row is great for his development as a forward, as he trains and plays with them every week.
"They all add something different, Nick has his explosive runs, Dave is brilliant in the breakdown and defensively with his big shots, David is great at the lineout and ball-carrying but all three have added something to my game. Roddy Grant (Forwards Coach) played seven himself and he is a great help to me.
The competition is healthy, it pushes us all on to get better. We see each week as an opportunity to play and get better so that drives the training standards."
Crothers made the step up to development rugby and being a member of the senior squad this summer, after being in the Academy programme.
Academy transition
In press conferences over the past number of weeks, both Head Coach, Dan McFarland, and Defence Coach, Jonny Bell, spoke about how they had been impressed by his attitude and ability in training.
Crothers says that the Academy set-up had him well prepared for the demands of senior rugby.
"More detail goes into your match preparation at senior level, a lot of detail goes into your opposition analysis but the academy does a great job of making that transition easier."
Seen as an all-rounder, Crothers, highlighted some of the skills he is focusing on in training.
"I want to improve my ball-carrying, I pride myself on my defensive work and am working on my strengths such as tackling, jackaling and work in the breakdown."
With a number of academy and development players making their Ulster debuts in recent weeks, such as Scott Wilson, Lorcan Mcloughlin and Ben Carson, Crothers says that it bodes well for the future that young players in the Ulster pathway are getting opportunities.
"We all played together at Ireland U20s and won a grand slam together. Scottie and Lorcan deserve their shot and it shows how well the academy are going at the moment.
Gavin Hogg is doing a great job leading that, we have a quality coaching set-up with Willie Faloon, Jonathan Graham and the other development officers in the pathway programme."
Ulster's next fixture in the BKT URC is against second placed Glasgow Warriors, at Scotstoun Stadium, where they have won 21 out of the last 22 fixtures.
"We all know the threat Glasgow Warriors pose at home, they have a seriously good home record. We want to go there and put in a good performance."